resumption of their jaghírs was a stroke of sound policy, which had been only too long deferred. The seizure of the treasure was justified by the Begams' conduct, both towards the English and their own sovereign. As for the eunuchs, it seems absurd to hold Hastings accountable for 'tortures' which were never inflicted, and for indignities of which, at the time, he never heard. Oudh was still in effect an independent State ruled by its own sovereign; and Hastings deemed it no part of his duty to meddle with every detail of the measures adopted by his ally.
Had Hastings been half as greedy and unscrupulous as his enemies loved to paint him, he might have returned home 'rich beyond the dreams of avarice;' rich enough to determine the vote of the House of Commons on any question affecting himself. He would certainly have kept for his own use the ten lakhs of rupees which Asaf-ud-daulá had presented to him at Chanár. But instead of pocketing this gift, he assured the Court of Directors that the whole sum would be expended in their service, unless they allowed him, as a special mark of their approval, to keep it for himself. The Directors took no notice of his suggestion. Although he accounted for every rupee of the money, the fact of its acceptance formed one of the charges on which Hastings was to be impeached by the Commons and acquitted by the Lords[1].
- ↑ Gleig, Debates.
