On our minutes of the 21st January we treated
the subject of the assignment at some length, and
pointed out the mischiefs which, in addition to the
effects of the war, had arisen from what we conceived
to be wrong and oppressive management.
the subject of the assignment at some length, and
pointed out the mischiefs which, in addition to the
effects of the war, had arisen from what we conceived
to be wrong and oppressive management.
Edmund Burke
110 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
which bring upon us ruin in the worst of its forms,
in the loss of our fame and virtue. But the right
honorable gentleman * says, in answer to all the
powerful arguments of my honorable friend, " that
this inquiry is of a delicate nature, and that the state
will suffer detriment by the exposure of this transaction. " But it is exposed; it is perfectly known in every member, in every particle, and in every way,
except that which may lead to a remedy. He knows
that the papers of correspondence are printed, and
that they are in every hand.
He and delicacy are a rare and a singular coalition. He thinks that to divulge our Indian politics may be highly dangerous. He! the mover, the chairman, the reporter of the Committee of Secrecy! he, that brought forth in the utmost dQtail, in
several vast, printed folios, the most recondite parts of the politics, the military, the revenues of the British empire in India! With six great chopping bastards,* each as lusty as an infant Hercules, this delicate creature blushes at the sight of his new bridegroom, assumes a virgin delicacy; or, to use a more fit, as well as a more poetic comparison, the person so squeamish, so timid, so trembling lest the winds of heaven should visit too roughly, is expanded to broad sunshine, exposed like the sow of imperial augury, lying in the mud with all the prodigies of
her fertility about her, as evidence of her delicate amours,
Triginta capitum fcetus enixa jacebat,
Alba, solo recubans, albi circum ubera nati.
Whilst discovery of the misgovernment of others
led to his own power, it was wise to inquire, it was
* Mr. Dundas. t Six Reports of the Committee of Secrecy.
? ? ? ? SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS. 111
safe to publish: there was then no delicacy; there was
then no danger. But when his object is obtained,
and in his imitation he has outdone the crimes that
he had reprobated in volumes of reports and in sheets
of bills of pains and penalties, then concealment becomes prudence, and it concerns the safety of the state that we should not know, in a mode of Parliamentary cognizance, what all the world knows but too well, that is, in what manner he chooses to dispose
of the public revenues to the creatures of his politics.
The debate has been long, and as much so on my
part, at least, as on the part of those who have spoken before me. But long as it is, the more material half of the subject has hardly been touched on: that
is, the corrupt and destructive system to which this
debt has been rendered subservient, and which seems
to be pursued with at least as much vigor and regularity as ever. If I considered your ease or my
own, rather than the weight and importance of this
question, I ought to make some apology to you, perhaps some apology to myself, for having detained your attention so long. I know on what ground I
tread. This subject, at one time taken up with so
much fervor and zeal, is no longer a favorite in this
House. The House itself has undergone a great
and signal revolution. To some the subject is strange
and uncouth; to several, harsh and distasteful; to the
relics of the last Parliament it is a matter of fear
and apprehension. It is natural for those who have
seen their friends sink in the tornado which raged
during the late shift of the monsoon, and have hardly
escaped on the planks of the general wreck, it is but
too natural for them, as soon as they make the rocks
and quicksands of their former disasters, to put about
? ? ? ? 112 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS. their new-built barks, and, as much as possible, to keep aloof from this perilous lee shore.
But let us do what we please to put India from our thoughts, we can do nothing to separate it from our public interest and our national reputation. Our attempts to banish this importunate duty will only make it return upon us again and again, and every time in a shape more unpleasant than the former.
A government has been fabricated for that gr. -,t: province; the right honorable gentleman says th. , therefore you ought not to examine into its conduct. Heavens! what an argument is this! We are not
to examine into the conduct of the Direction, because it is an old government; we are not to examine into this Board of Control, because it is a new one. Then we are only to examine into the conduct of those who have no conduct to account for. Unfortunately, the basis of this new government has been laid on old, condemned delinquents; and its superstructure is raised out of prosecutors turned into protectors, The event has been such as might be expected. But if
it ]ad been otherwise constituted, had it been constituted even as I wished, and as the mover of this question had planned, the better part of the proposed
establishment was in the publicity of its proceedings,
ill its perpetual responsibility to Parliament. Without this check, what is our government at home, even awed, as every European government is, by an
audience formed of the other states of Europe, by the applause or condemnation of the discerning and critical company before which it acts? But if the scene on the other side of the globe, which tempts, invites, almost compels, to tyranny and rapine, be not inspected with the eye of a severe and unremit
? ? ? ? SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS. 113
ting vigilance, shame and destruction must ensue.
For one, the worst event of this day, though it may
deject, shall not break or subdue me. The call upon
us is authoritative. Let who will shrink back, I shall
be found at my post. Baffled, discountenanced, subdued, discredited, as the cause of justice and humanity is, it will be only the dearer to me. Whoever, therefore, shall at any time bring before you anything
towards the relief of our distressed fellow-citizens in India, and towards a subversion of the present most corrupt and oppressive system for its government, in me shall find a weak, I am afraid, but a steady, ear. nest, and faithful assistant.
VOL. nI. a
? ? ? ? APPENDIX.
No. 1.
CLAUSES OF MR PITT'S BILL.
Referred to from p. 17.
Appointing Commissioners to inquire into the Fees, Gratuities, Perquisites, -Emoluments, which are, or have been lately, received in the several Public Offices therein mentioned; to examine into any Abuses which may exist in the same, &c.
AND be it further enacted, that it shall and may
be lawful to and for the said commissioners, or any
two of them, and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and required, to examine upon oath (which
oath they, or any two of them, are hereby authorized
to administer) the several persons, of all descriptions,
belonging to any of the offices or departments before
mentioned, and all other persons whom the said commissioners, or any two of them, shall think fit to examine, touching the business of each office or department, and the fees, gratuities, perquisites, and emoluments taken therein, and touching all other matters and things necessary for the execution of thll powers vested in the said commissioners by this act;
all which persons are hereby required and directed
punctually to attend the said commissioners, at such
time and place as they, or any two of them, shall appoint, and also to observe and execute such orders and directions as the said commissioners, or any two of
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 115
them, shall make or give for the purposes before
mentioned.
And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
the said commissioners, or any two of them, shall be
and are hereby empowered to examine into any corrupt and fraudulent practices, or other misconduct, committed by any person or persons concerned in the
management of any of the offices or departments
hereinbefore mentioned; and for the better execution of this present act, the said commissioners, or
any two of them, are hereby authorized to meet and
sit, from time to time, in such place or places as they
shall find most convenient, with or without adjournment,
and to send their precept or precepts, under their hands
and seals, for any person or persons whatsoever, and
for such books, papers, writings, or records, as they shall
judge necessary for their information, relating to any
of the offices or departments hereinbefore mentioned; and
all bailiffs, constables, sheriffs, and other his Majesty's
officers, are hereby required to obey and execute such orders and precepts aforesaid as shall be sent to them, or any of them, by the said commissioners, or any two of
them, touching the premises.
No. 2.
Referred to from p. 22.
NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
MR. GEORGE SMITH being asked, Whether the debts
of the Nabob of Arcot have increased since he knew
Madras? he said, Yes, they have. He distinguishes
? ? ? ? 116 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
his debts into two sorts: those contracted before the
year 1766, and those contracted from that year to the
year in which he left Madras. - Being asked, What
he thinks is the original amount of the old debts? ha
said, Between twenty-three and twenty-four lacs of
pagodas, as well as he can recollect. - Being asked,
What was the amount of that debt when he left
Madras? he said, Between four and five lacs of pagodas, as he understood. - Being asked, What was the amount of the new debt when he left Madras? he
said, In November, 1777, that debt amounted, according to the Nabob's own account, and published at Chepauk, his place of residence, to sixty lacs of pagodas, independent of the old debt, on which debt of sixty lacs of pagodas the Nabob did agree to pay an
interest of twelve per cent per annum. - Being asked,
Whether this debt was approved of by the Court of
Directors? he said, He does not know it was. - Being asked, Whether the old debt was recognized by
the Court of Directors? he said, Yes, it has been;
and the Court of Directors have sent out repeated
orders to the President and Council of Madras to enforce its recovery and payment. - Being asked, If the interest upon the new debt is punctually paid? he
said, It was not during his residence at Madras, from
1777 to 1779, in which period he thinks no more thani
five per cent interest was paid, in different dividends
of two and one per cent. - Being asked, What is the
usual course taken by the Nabob concerning the arrears of interest? he said, Not having ever lent him moneys himself, he cannot fully answer as to the
mode of settling the interest with him.
Being asked, Whether he has reason to believe the
sixty lacs of pagodas was all principal money really
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 117
and truly advanced to the Nabob of Arcot, or a fictitious capital, made up of obligations given by him,
where no money or goods were received, or which
was increased by the uniting into it a greater interest
than the twelve per cent expressed to be due on the
capital? he said, He has no reason to believe that
the sum of sixty lacs of pagodas was lent in money
or goods to the Nabob, because that sum he thinks
is of more value than all the money, goods, and chattels in the settlement; but he does not know in what
mode or manner this debt of the Nabob's was incurred
or accumulated. - Being asked, Whether it was not
a general and well-grounded opinion at Madras, that
a great part of this sum was accumulated by obligationls, and was for services performed or to be performed for the Nabob? he said, He has heard that a part of this debt was given for the purposes mentioned in the above question, but he does not know
that it was so. --Being asked, Whether it was the
general opinion of the settlement? he said, He cannot say that it was the general opinion, but it was the
opinion of a considerable part of the settlement. -
Being asked, Whether it was the declared opinion
of those that were concerned in the debt, or those
that were not? he said, It was the opinion of both
parties, at least such of them as he conversed with. -
Being asked, Whether he has reason to believe that
the interest really paid by the Nabob, upon obligations given, or money lent, did not frequently exceed
twelve per cent? he said, Prior to the 1st of August,
1774, he had had reason to believe that a higher interest than twelve per cent was paid by the Nabob on
moneys lent to him; but from and after that period,
when the last act of Parliament took place in India,
? ? ? ? 118 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
he does not know that more than twelve per cent
had been paid by the Nabob, or received from him. Being asked, Whether it is not his opinion that the Nabob has paid more than twelve per cent for money
due since the 1st of August, 1774? he said, He has
heard that he has, but he does not know it. - Being
asked, Whether he has been told so by any considerable and weighty authority, that was like to know? lie said, He has been so informed by persons who he
believes had a very good opportunity of knowing it. -
Being asked, Whether he was ever told so by the Nabob of Arcot himself? he said, He does not recollect that the Nabob of Arcot directly told him so, but
from what he said he did infer that he paid a higher interest than twelve per cent.
Mr. Smith being asked, Whether, in the course of
trade, he ever sold anything to the Nabob of Arcot?
he said, In the year 1775 he did sell to the Nabob of
Arcot pearls to the amount of 32,500 pagodas, for
which the Nabob gave him an order or tankah on the
country of Tanjore, payable in six months, without interest. - Being asked, Whether, at the time he asked the Nabob his price for the pearls, the Nabob beat
down that price, as dealers commonly do? he said,
No; so far from it, he offered him more than he
asked by 1000 pagodas, and which he rejected. --
Being asked, Whether, in settling a transaction of
discount with the Nabob's agent, he was not offbred
a greater discount than 121. per cent? he said, In
discounting a soucar's bill for 180,000 pagodas, the
Nabob's agent did offer him a discount of twentyfour per cent per annum, saying that it was the
usual rate of discount paid by the Nabob; but which
he would not accept of, thinking himself confined by
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 119
the act of Parliament limiting the interest of moneys
to twelve per cent, and accordingly he discounted
the bill at twelve per cent per annum only. - Being
asked, Whether he does not think those offers were
made him because the Nabob thought he was a person of some consequence in the settlement? he said, Being only a private merchant, he apprehends that
the offer was made to him more from its being a
general practice than from any. opinion of his importance.
No. 3.
Referred to from p. 38.
A Bill for the Better Government of the Territorial
Possessions and Dependencies in India.
[ONE OF MR FOX'S INDIA BILLS. ]
AND be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the Nabob of Arcot, the Rajah of Tanjore,
or any other native protected prince in India, shall,
not assign, mortgage, or pledge any territory or land
whatsoever, or the produce or revenue thereof, to,
ally British subject whatsoever; neither shall; it be
lawful to and for any British subject whatsoever to
take or receive any such assignment, mortgage, or
pledge; and the same are hereby declared to be null
and void; and all payments or deliveries of produce
or revenue, under any such assignment, shall and
may be recovered back, by such native. prince paying
or delivering the same, from the person or persons.
receiving the same, or his or their representatives.
? ? ? ? 120 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS. No. 4.
Referred to from pp. 64 and 73.
(COPY. )
27th May, 1782.
Letter from the Committee of Assigned Revenue, to
the President and Select Committee, dated 27th
May, 1782; with Comparative Statement, and Min.
ute thereon.
To the Right Honorable LORD MACARTNEY, K. B. ,
President, and Governor, &c. , Select Committee of
Fort St. George.
MY LORD, AND GENTLEMEN,Although we have, in obedience to your commands
of the 5th January, regularly laid before you our
proceedings at large, and have occasionally addressed
you upon such points as required your resolutions or
orders for our guidance, we still think it necessary to
collect and digest in a summary report those transactions in the management of the assigned revenue which have principally engaged our attention, and
which, upon the proceeding, are too much intermixed
with ordinary occurrences to be readily traced and understood.
Such a report may be formed with the greater propriety at this time, when your Lordship, &c. , have been pleased to conclude your arrangements for the
rent of several of the Nabob's districts. Our aim in it
is briefly to explain the state of the Carnatic at the
period of the Nabob's assignment, -- the particular
causes which existed to the prejudice of that assignment, after it was made, - and the measures which
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 121
your Lordship, &c. , have, upon our recommendation,
adopted for removing those causes, and introducing
a more regular and beneficial system of management
in the country.
Hyder Ali having entered the Carnatic with his
whole force, about the middle of July, 1780, and
employed fire and sword in its destruction for near
eighteen months before the Nabob's assignment took
place, it will not be difficult to conceive the state of
the country at that period. In those provinces which
were fully exposed to the ravages of horse, scarce
a vestige remained either of population or agriculture: such of the miserable inhabitants as escaped
the fury of the sword were either carried into the
Mysore country or left to struggle under the horrors
of famine. The Arcot and Trichinopoly districts began early to feel the effects of this desolating war.
Tinnevelly, Madura, and Ramnadaporum, though little infested with Hyder's troops, became a prey to the
incursions of the Polygars, who stripped them of the
greatest part of the revenues. Ongole, Nellore, and
Palnaud, the only remaining districts, had suffered,
but in a small degree.
The misfortunes of war, however, were not the only
evils which the Carnatic experienced. The Nabob's
aumildars, and other servants, appear to have taken
advantage of the general confusion to enrich themselves. A very small part of the revenue was accounted for; and so high were the ordinary expenses of every district, that double the apparent produce of
the whole country would not have satisfied them.
In this state, which we believe is no way exaggerated, the Company took charge of the assigned countries.
Their prospect of relief from the heavy burdens of the
? ? ? ? 122 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
war was, indeed, but little advanced by the Nabob's
concession; and the revenues of the Carnatic seemed
in danger of being irrecoverably lost, unless a speedy
and entire change of system could be adopted.
On our minutes of the 21st January we treated
the subject of the assignment at some length, and
pointed out the mischiefs which, in addition to the
effects of the war, had arisen from what we conceived
to be wrong and oppressive management. We used
the freedom to suggest an entire alteration in the
mode of realizing the revenues. We proposed a considerable and immediate reduction of expenses, and a total change of the principal aumildars who had
been employed under the Nabob.
Our ideas had the good fortune to receive your
approbation; but the removal of the Nabob's servants
being thought improper at that particular period of
the collections, we employed our attention chiefly in
preserving what revenue was left the country, and
acquiring such materials as might lead to a more
perfect knowledge of its former and present state.
These pursuits, as we apprehended, met with great
obstructions from the conduct of the Nabob's servants.
The orders they received were evaded under various
pretexts; no attention was paid to the strong and
repeated applications made to themfor the accounts
of their management; and their attachment to the
Company's interest appeared, in every instance, so
feeble, that we saw no prospect whatever of success,
but in the appointment of renters under the Company's sole authority.
Upon this principle, we judged it expedient to recommend that such of the Nabob's districts as were
in a state to be farmed out might be immediately let
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 123
by a public advertisement, issued in the Company's
name, and circulated through every province of the
Carnatic; and, with the view of encouraging bidders,
we proposed that the countries might be advertised
for the whole period of the Nabob's assignment, and
the security of the Company's protection promised
in the fullest manner to such persons as might become renters.
This plan had the desired effect; and the attempts
which were secretly made to counteract it afforded
an unequivocal proof of its necessity: but the advantages resulting from it were more pleasingly
evinced by the number of proposals that were delivered, and by the terms which were in general offered
for the districts intended to be farmed out.
Having so far attained the purposes of the assignment, our attention was next turned to the heavy
expenses entailed upon the different provinces; and
here, we confess, our astonishment was raised to the
highest pitch. In the Trichinopoly country the standing disbursements appeared, by the Nabob's own accounts, to be one lac of rupees more than the receipts. In other districts the charges were not in so high a proportion, but still rated on a most extravagant scale; and we saw, by every account that was
brought before us, the absolute necessity of retrenching considerably in all the articles of expense.
Our own reason, aided by such inquiries as we
were able to make, suggested the alterations we have
recommended to your Lordship, &c. , under this head.
You will observe that we have not acted sparingly,
but we chose rather, in cases of doubt, to incur the
hazard of retrenching too much than too little; because it would be easier, after any stated allowance
? ? ? ? 124 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
for expenses, to add what might be necessary than
to diminish. We hope, however, there will be no
material increase in the articles, as they now stand.
One considerable charge upon the Nabob's country
was for extraordinary sibbendies, sepoys, and horsemen, who appeared to us to be a very unnecessary
incumbrance on the revenue. Your Lordship, &c. ,
have determined to receive such of these people as
will enlist into the Company's service, and discharge
the rest. This measure will not only relieve the
country of a heavy burden, but tend greatly to fix in
the Company that kind of authority which is requisite for the due collection of the revenues.
In consequence of your determination respecting
the Nabob's sepoys, &c. , every charge under that
head has been struck out of our account of expenses.
If the whole number of these people be enlisted by
the Company, there will probably be no more than
sufficient to complete their ordinary military establishment. But should the present reduction of the
Nabob's artillery render it expedient, after the war,
to make any addition to the Company's establishment for the purposes of the assigned countries, the
expense of such addition, whatever it be, must be
deducted from the present account of savings.
In considering the charges of the several districts,
in order to establish better regulations, we were careful to discriminate those incurred for troops, kept or
supposed to be kept up for the defence of the country,
from those of the sibbendy, servants, &c. , for the
cultivation of the lands and the collection of the revenues, as well as to pay attention to such of the established customs of the country, ancient privileges of the inhabitants, and public charities, as were neces
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 125
sarily allowed, and appeared proper to be continued,
but which, under the Nabob's government, were not
only rated much higher, but had been blended under
one confused and almost unintelligible title of expenses of the districts: so joined, perhaps, to afford pleas and means of secreting and appropriating great
part of the revenues to other purposes than fairly appeared; and certainly betraying the utmost neglect and mismanagement, as giving latitude for every species of fraud and oppression. Such a system has, in the few latter years of the Nabob's necessities, brought
all his countries into that situation from which nothing but the most rigid economy, strict observance of the conduct of managers, and the most conciliating
attention to the rights of the inhabitants can possibly
recover them.
It now only remains for us to lay before your Lordship, &c. , the inclosed statement of the sums at which the districts lately advertised have been let, compared
with the accounts of their produce delivered by the
Nabob, and entered on our proceedings of the 21st
January,-likewise a comparative view of the former
and present expenses.
The Nabob's accounts of the produce of these districts state, as we have some reason to think, the
sums which former renters engaged to pay to him,
(and which were seldom, if ever, made good,) and
not the sums actually produced by the districts; yet
we have the satisfaction to observe that the present
aggregate rents, upon an average, are equal to those
accounts. Your Lordship, &c. , cannot, indeed, expect,
that, in the midst of the danger, invasion, and distress which assail the Carnatic on every side, the renters now appointed will be able at present to ful
? ? ? ? 126 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OFD ARCOT'S DEBTS.
fil the terms of their leases; but we trust, from the
measures we have taken, that very little, if any, of
the actual collections will be lost, even during the
war, - and that, on the return of peace and tranquillity, the renters will have it in their power fully to perform their respective agreements.
We much regret that the situation of the Arcot
province will not admit of the same settlement which
has been made for the other districts; but the enemy
being in possession of the capital, together with several other strongholds, and having entirely desolated the country, there is little room to hope for more
from it than a bare subsistence to the few garrisons
we have left there.
We shall not fail to give our attention towards obtaining every information respecting this province
that the present times will permit, and to take the
first opportunity to propose such arrangements for
the management as we may think eligible.
We have the honor to be
Your most obedient humble servants,
CHARLES OAKLEY,
EYLES IRWIN,
HALL PLUMER,
DAVID HALIBURTON;
GEORGE MOUBRAY.
FORT ST. GeORGIE. 27th May, 1782.
A true copy.
J. HUDLESTON, Sec.
? ? ? ? COMPARA'TIVE STATEMENT of the Revenues and Expenses of the Nellore, Ongole, Ptalitud, Trichinopoly, iMadura, and
Tinneveldly Countries, while in the Hands of the Nabob, with those of the same Countries on the Termns qf the Leases lately granted for Four Years, to commence with the Beginning of the Phazeley, 1192, or the 12th July, 1782. Abstracted from the Accounts received friom the Nabob, andfrom the Rents stipulatedfor and Expenses allowed by the present Leases.
GROSS REVENUE. EXPENSES. NET REVENUE.
Annual Gross Annual Rent Annual Ex- Annual Ex- Reduction in Net Revenue Net Revenue Increase of
Rent by the Na- by the pres-lpensesby the penses allow- the Annual by the Na- by the pres- Net Revenue.
bob's Account. ent Leases, Nabob's Ac- ed by the Expenses. bob's Ac- ent Leases.
Average of the at an Aver- counts. present Leas- counts.
Four Years imme- age of Four es at an Estidiately preceding Years. mate.
the present War.
Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. e
Nellore and Sarapilly
Ongole. . . . . 1,10,967 (a)
Palnaud. . . . . 51,355
Trichinopoly. . . 2,89,993 (b)
Madura. . . . 1,02,756 60,290 63,710 12,037 51,673 39,046 48,253 9,207 Tinnevelly. . . . 5,65,537 5,79,713 1,64,098 70,368 93,730 4,01,439 5,09,345 1,07,906 Total. . 14,43,438 13,83,617 8,22,725 1,40,246 6,82,479 6,20,713 12,43,371 6,22,658
N. B. In this statement, Madras Pagodas are calculated at 10 per cent Batta; Chuckrums at two thirds of a Porto Novo Pagoda, which are
reckoned at 115 per 100 Star Pagodas; and Rupees at 350 per 100 Star Pagodas. To avoid fractions, the nearest integral numbers have been taken. (a) In this statement, the Ongole country, though it is included under the head of gross revenue, has been let for a certain sum, exclusive of charges. If the expenses specified in the Nabob's vassool accounts for this district are added, the present gross revenue even would appear to exceed the Nabob's; and as the country is only let for one year, there may hereafter be an increase of its revenue.
(b) The Trichinopoly countries let for the above sum, exclusive of the expenses of sibbendy and saderwared, amounting, by the Nabob's accounts, to rupees 1,30,00 per annum, which are to be defrayed by the renter. And the jaghires of Amir-ul-Omrah and the Begum are not included in the present lease. Signed, CHARLES OAKLEY, DAVID HALIBURTON,
EYLES IRWIN, GEORGE MIOUBRAY.
FORT ST. GEORGE, 27th May, 1782. HALL PLUMER,
3,22,830 55,000
1,98,794
2,82,148
2,04,864 e t
53,500 2,73,214
5,698
19,143 2,63,005
t
3,61,900 88,254 25,721
33,000 1,65,794 88,254 22,713
1,24,036 3,28,900 55,000 32,287
20,023 25,634
47,802 22,168
7,845 2,54,071 2,46,226 N
? ? ? ? 128 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
No. 5.
Referred to from p. 78.
Case of certain Persons renting the Assigned Lands under the Authority of the East India Company.
Extract of a Letter from the President and Council of Fort St. George, 25th May, 1783.
ONE of them [the renters], Ram Chunder Raus,
was, indeed, one of those unfortunate rajahs whose
country, by being near to the territories of the Nabob,
forfeited its title to independence, and became the
prey of ambition and cupidity. This man, though
not able to resist the Company's arms, employed in
such a deed at the Nabob's instigation, had industry
and ability. He acquired, by a series of services, even
the confidence of the Nabob, who suffered him to
rent a part of the country of which he had deprived him
of the property. This man had afforded no motive for
his rejection by the Nabob, but that of being ready to
engage with the Company: a motive most powerful,
indeed, but not to be avowed.
[This is the person whom the English instruments
of the Nabob of Arcot have had the audacity to
charge with a corrupt transaction with Lord Macartney, and, in support of that charge, to produce a forged letter from his Lordship's steward. The charge
and letter the reader may see in this Appendix, under
the proper head. It is asserted by the unfortunate
prince above mentioned, that the Company first settled on the coast of Coromandel under the protection of one of his ancestors. If this be true, (and it is far
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 129
from unlikely,) the world must judge of the return
the descendant has met with. The case of another
of the victims given up by the ministry, though not
altogether so striking as the former, is worthy of attention. It is that of the renter of the Province of Nellore. ]
It is, with a wantonness of falsehood, and indifference to detection, asserted to you, in proof of the validity of the Nabob's objections, that this man's
failures had already forced us to remove him: though
in fact he has continued invariably in office; though
our greatest supplies have been received from him; and
thiat, in the disappointment of your remittances [the:
remittances from Bengal] and of other resources, the
specie sent us from Nellore alone has sometimes enabled us to carry on the public business; and that the present expedition against the French must, without
this assistance from the assignment, have been laid
aside, or delayed until it might have become too
late.
[This man is by the ministry given over to the
mercy of persons capable of making charges on him
"' with a wantonness of falsehood, and indifference to
detection. " What is likely to happen to him and the
rest of the victims may appear by the following. ]
Letter to the Governor-General and Council, March
13th, 1782.
The speedy termination, to which the people were
taught to look, of the Company's interference in the
revenues, and the vengeance denounced against those
who, contrary to the mandate of the Durbar, should
be connected with them, as reported by Mr. Sulivan,
VOL. III. 9
? ? ? ? 1C0 SPEECH ON THIE NABOB OF ARCOT S DEBTS.
may, as much as the former exactions and oppressions of the Nabob il the revenue, as reported by the commander-in-chief, have deterred some of the fittest
men from offering to be concerned in it.
The timid disposition of the Hindoo natives of
this country was not likely to be insensible to the
specimen of that vengeance given by his Excellehcy
the Amir, who, upon the mere rumor, that a Bramin,
of the name of Appagee Row, had given proposals to
the Company for the rentership of Vellore, had the
temerity to send for him, and to put him in confineinent.
A man thus seized by the Nabob's sepoys within
the walls of Madras gave a general alarm, and government found it necessary to promise the protection of the Company, in order to calm the apprehensions of
the people.
No. 6.
Referred to from pp. 101 and 105.
Extract of a Letter from the Council and Select Conmmittee at Fort St. George, to the Governor-General and Council, dated 25th May, 1783.
IN the prosecution of our duty, we beseech you to
consider, as an act of strict and necessary justice, previous to reiteration of your orders for the surrender of the assignment, how far it would be likely to affect
third persons who do not appear to have committed
any breach of their engagements. You command us
to compel our aumils to deliver over their respective
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 131
charges as shall be appointed by the Nabob, or to
retain their trust under his sole authority, if he shallchoose to confirm them. These aumils are really
renters; they were appointed in the room of the Nabob's aumils, and contrary to his wishes; they have
already been rejected by him, and are therefore not
likely to be confirmed by him. They applied to this
government, in consequence of public advertisements
in our name, as possessing in this instance the joint
authority of the Nabob and the Company, and have
entered into mutual and strict covenants with us, and
we with them, relative to the certain districts not actually in the possession of the enemy; by which covenants, as they are bound to the punctual payment of their rents and due management of the country, so
we, and our constituents, and the public faith, are in
like manner bound to maintain them in the enjoyment of their leases, during the continuance of the
term. That term was for five years, agreeably to the
words of the assignment, which declare that the time
of renting shall be for three or five years, as the Governor shall settle with the renters. - Their leases
cannot be legally torn from them. Nothing but their
previous breach of a part could justify our breach of
the whole. Such a stretch and abuse of power would,
indeed, not only savor of the assumption of sovereignty, but of arbitrary and oppressive despotism.
In the present contest, whether the Nabob be guilty,
or we be guilty, the renters are not guilty. Whichever of the contending parties has broken the condition of the assignment, the renters have not broken
the condition of their leases. These men, in conducting the business of the assignment, have acted in
opposition to the designs of the Nabob, in despite of
? ? ? ? 132 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
the menaces denounced against all who should dare
to oppose the mandates of the Durbar justice. Grat
itude and humanity require that provision should be
made by you, before you set the Nabob's ministers
loose on the country, for the protection of the victims
devoted to their vengeance.
Mr. Benfield, to secure the permanency of his power, and the perfection of his schemes, thought it necessary to render the Nabob an absolute stranger
to the state of his affairs. He assured his Highness
that full justice was not done to the strength of his
sentiments and the keenness of his attacks, in the
translations that were made by the Company's servants from the original Persian of his letters. He therefore proposed to him that they should for the
future be transmitted in English. - Of the English
language or writing his Highness or the Amir cannot read one word, though the latter can converse in it with sufficient fluency. The Persian language, as
the language of the Mahomedan conquerors, and
of the court of Delhi, as an appendage or signal
of authority, was at all times particularly affected
by the Nabob. It is the language of all acts of
state, and all public transactions, among the Mussulman chiefs of Hindostan. The Nabob thought to have gained no inconsiderable point, in procuring the
correspondence from our predecessors to the Rajah
of Tanjore to be changed from the Mahratta language, which that Hindoo prince understands, to the Persian, which he disclaims understanding. To force
the Rajah to the Nabob's language was gratifying the
latter with a new species of subserviency. He had
formerly contended with considerable anxiety, and, it
was thought, no inconsiderable cost, for particular
? ?
which bring upon us ruin in the worst of its forms,
in the loss of our fame and virtue. But the right
honorable gentleman * says, in answer to all the
powerful arguments of my honorable friend, " that
this inquiry is of a delicate nature, and that the state
will suffer detriment by the exposure of this transaction. " But it is exposed; it is perfectly known in every member, in every particle, and in every way,
except that which may lead to a remedy. He knows
that the papers of correspondence are printed, and
that they are in every hand.
He and delicacy are a rare and a singular coalition. He thinks that to divulge our Indian politics may be highly dangerous. He! the mover, the chairman, the reporter of the Committee of Secrecy! he, that brought forth in the utmost dQtail, in
several vast, printed folios, the most recondite parts of the politics, the military, the revenues of the British empire in India! With six great chopping bastards,* each as lusty as an infant Hercules, this delicate creature blushes at the sight of his new bridegroom, assumes a virgin delicacy; or, to use a more fit, as well as a more poetic comparison, the person so squeamish, so timid, so trembling lest the winds of heaven should visit too roughly, is expanded to broad sunshine, exposed like the sow of imperial augury, lying in the mud with all the prodigies of
her fertility about her, as evidence of her delicate amours,
Triginta capitum fcetus enixa jacebat,
Alba, solo recubans, albi circum ubera nati.
Whilst discovery of the misgovernment of others
led to his own power, it was wise to inquire, it was
* Mr. Dundas. t Six Reports of the Committee of Secrecy.
? ? ? ? SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS. 111
safe to publish: there was then no delicacy; there was
then no danger. But when his object is obtained,
and in his imitation he has outdone the crimes that
he had reprobated in volumes of reports and in sheets
of bills of pains and penalties, then concealment becomes prudence, and it concerns the safety of the state that we should not know, in a mode of Parliamentary cognizance, what all the world knows but too well, that is, in what manner he chooses to dispose
of the public revenues to the creatures of his politics.
The debate has been long, and as much so on my
part, at least, as on the part of those who have spoken before me. But long as it is, the more material half of the subject has hardly been touched on: that
is, the corrupt and destructive system to which this
debt has been rendered subservient, and which seems
to be pursued with at least as much vigor and regularity as ever. If I considered your ease or my
own, rather than the weight and importance of this
question, I ought to make some apology to you, perhaps some apology to myself, for having detained your attention so long. I know on what ground I
tread. This subject, at one time taken up with so
much fervor and zeal, is no longer a favorite in this
House. The House itself has undergone a great
and signal revolution. To some the subject is strange
and uncouth; to several, harsh and distasteful; to the
relics of the last Parliament it is a matter of fear
and apprehension. It is natural for those who have
seen their friends sink in the tornado which raged
during the late shift of the monsoon, and have hardly
escaped on the planks of the general wreck, it is but
too natural for them, as soon as they make the rocks
and quicksands of their former disasters, to put about
? ? ? ? 112 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS. their new-built barks, and, as much as possible, to keep aloof from this perilous lee shore.
But let us do what we please to put India from our thoughts, we can do nothing to separate it from our public interest and our national reputation. Our attempts to banish this importunate duty will only make it return upon us again and again, and every time in a shape more unpleasant than the former.
A government has been fabricated for that gr. -,t: province; the right honorable gentleman says th. , therefore you ought not to examine into its conduct. Heavens! what an argument is this! We are not
to examine into the conduct of the Direction, because it is an old government; we are not to examine into this Board of Control, because it is a new one. Then we are only to examine into the conduct of those who have no conduct to account for. Unfortunately, the basis of this new government has been laid on old, condemned delinquents; and its superstructure is raised out of prosecutors turned into protectors, The event has been such as might be expected. But if
it ]ad been otherwise constituted, had it been constituted even as I wished, and as the mover of this question had planned, the better part of the proposed
establishment was in the publicity of its proceedings,
ill its perpetual responsibility to Parliament. Without this check, what is our government at home, even awed, as every European government is, by an
audience formed of the other states of Europe, by the applause or condemnation of the discerning and critical company before which it acts? But if the scene on the other side of the globe, which tempts, invites, almost compels, to tyranny and rapine, be not inspected with the eye of a severe and unremit
? ? ? ? SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS. 113
ting vigilance, shame and destruction must ensue.
For one, the worst event of this day, though it may
deject, shall not break or subdue me. The call upon
us is authoritative. Let who will shrink back, I shall
be found at my post. Baffled, discountenanced, subdued, discredited, as the cause of justice and humanity is, it will be only the dearer to me. Whoever, therefore, shall at any time bring before you anything
towards the relief of our distressed fellow-citizens in India, and towards a subversion of the present most corrupt and oppressive system for its government, in me shall find a weak, I am afraid, but a steady, ear. nest, and faithful assistant.
VOL. nI. a
? ? ? ? APPENDIX.
No. 1.
CLAUSES OF MR PITT'S BILL.
Referred to from p. 17.
Appointing Commissioners to inquire into the Fees, Gratuities, Perquisites, -Emoluments, which are, or have been lately, received in the several Public Offices therein mentioned; to examine into any Abuses which may exist in the same, &c.
AND be it further enacted, that it shall and may
be lawful to and for the said commissioners, or any
two of them, and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and required, to examine upon oath (which
oath they, or any two of them, are hereby authorized
to administer) the several persons, of all descriptions,
belonging to any of the offices or departments before
mentioned, and all other persons whom the said commissioners, or any two of them, shall think fit to examine, touching the business of each office or department, and the fees, gratuities, perquisites, and emoluments taken therein, and touching all other matters and things necessary for the execution of thll powers vested in the said commissioners by this act;
all which persons are hereby required and directed
punctually to attend the said commissioners, at such
time and place as they, or any two of them, shall appoint, and also to observe and execute such orders and directions as the said commissioners, or any two of
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 115
them, shall make or give for the purposes before
mentioned.
And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
the said commissioners, or any two of them, shall be
and are hereby empowered to examine into any corrupt and fraudulent practices, or other misconduct, committed by any person or persons concerned in the
management of any of the offices or departments
hereinbefore mentioned; and for the better execution of this present act, the said commissioners, or
any two of them, are hereby authorized to meet and
sit, from time to time, in such place or places as they
shall find most convenient, with or without adjournment,
and to send their precept or precepts, under their hands
and seals, for any person or persons whatsoever, and
for such books, papers, writings, or records, as they shall
judge necessary for their information, relating to any
of the offices or departments hereinbefore mentioned; and
all bailiffs, constables, sheriffs, and other his Majesty's
officers, are hereby required to obey and execute such orders and precepts aforesaid as shall be sent to them, or any of them, by the said commissioners, or any two of
them, touching the premises.
No. 2.
Referred to from p. 22.
NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
MR. GEORGE SMITH being asked, Whether the debts
of the Nabob of Arcot have increased since he knew
Madras? he said, Yes, they have. He distinguishes
? ? ? ? 116 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
his debts into two sorts: those contracted before the
year 1766, and those contracted from that year to the
year in which he left Madras. - Being asked, What
he thinks is the original amount of the old debts? ha
said, Between twenty-three and twenty-four lacs of
pagodas, as well as he can recollect. - Being asked,
What was the amount of that debt when he left
Madras? he said, Between four and five lacs of pagodas, as he understood. - Being asked, What was the amount of the new debt when he left Madras? he
said, In November, 1777, that debt amounted, according to the Nabob's own account, and published at Chepauk, his place of residence, to sixty lacs of pagodas, independent of the old debt, on which debt of sixty lacs of pagodas the Nabob did agree to pay an
interest of twelve per cent per annum. - Being asked,
Whether this debt was approved of by the Court of
Directors? he said, He does not know it was. - Being asked, Whether the old debt was recognized by
the Court of Directors? he said, Yes, it has been;
and the Court of Directors have sent out repeated
orders to the President and Council of Madras to enforce its recovery and payment. - Being asked, If the interest upon the new debt is punctually paid? he
said, It was not during his residence at Madras, from
1777 to 1779, in which period he thinks no more thani
five per cent interest was paid, in different dividends
of two and one per cent. - Being asked, What is the
usual course taken by the Nabob concerning the arrears of interest? he said, Not having ever lent him moneys himself, he cannot fully answer as to the
mode of settling the interest with him.
Being asked, Whether he has reason to believe the
sixty lacs of pagodas was all principal money really
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 117
and truly advanced to the Nabob of Arcot, or a fictitious capital, made up of obligations given by him,
where no money or goods were received, or which
was increased by the uniting into it a greater interest
than the twelve per cent expressed to be due on the
capital? he said, He has no reason to believe that
the sum of sixty lacs of pagodas was lent in money
or goods to the Nabob, because that sum he thinks
is of more value than all the money, goods, and chattels in the settlement; but he does not know in what
mode or manner this debt of the Nabob's was incurred
or accumulated. - Being asked, Whether it was not
a general and well-grounded opinion at Madras, that
a great part of this sum was accumulated by obligationls, and was for services performed or to be performed for the Nabob? he said, He has heard that a part of this debt was given for the purposes mentioned in the above question, but he does not know
that it was so. --Being asked, Whether it was the
general opinion of the settlement? he said, He cannot say that it was the general opinion, but it was the
opinion of a considerable part of the settlement. -
Being asked, Whether it was the declared opinion
of those that were concerned in the debt, or those
that were not? he said, It was the opinion of both
parties, at least such of them as he conversed with. -
Being asked, Whether he has reason to believe that
the interest really paid by the Nabob, upon obligations given, or money lent, did not frequently exceed
twelve per cent? he said, Prior to the 1st of August,
1774, he had had reason to believe that a higher interest than twelve per cent was paid by the Nabob on
moneys lent to him; but from and after that period,
when the last act of Parliament took place in India,
? ? ? ? 118 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
he does not know that more than twelve per cent
had been paid by the Nabob, or received from him. Being asked, Whether it is not his opinion that the Nabob has paid more than twelve per cent for money
due since the 1st of August, 1774? he said, He has
heard that he has, but he does not know it. - Being
asked, Whether he has been told so by any considerable and weighty authority, that was like to know? lie said, He has been so informed by persons who he
believes had a very good opportunity of knowing it. -
Being asked, Whether he was ever told so by the Nabob of Arcot himself? he said, He does not recollect that the Nabob of Arcot directly told him so, but
from what he said he did infer that he paid a higher interest than twelve per cent.
Mr. Smith being asked, Whether, in the course of
trade, he ever sold anything to the Nabob of Arcot?
he said, In the year 1775 he did sell to the Nabob of
Arcot pearls to the amount of 32,500 pagodas, for
which the Nabob gave him an order or tankah on the
country of Tanjore, payable in six months, without interest. - Being asked, Whether, at the time he asked the Nabob his price for the pearls, the Nabob beat
down that price, as dealers commonly do? he said,
No; so far from it, he offered him more than he
asked by 1000 pagodas, and which he rejected. --
Being asked, Whether, in settling a transaction of
discount with the Nabob's agent, he was not offbred
a greater discount than 121. per cent? he said, In
discounting a soucar's bill for 180,000 pagodas, the
Nabob's agent did offer him a discount of twentyfour per cent per annum, saying that it was the
usual rate of discount paid by the Nabob; but which
he would not accept of, thinking himself confined by
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 119
the act of Parliament limiting the interest of moneys
to twelve per cent, and accordingly he discounted
the bill at twelve per cent per annum only. - Being
asked, Whether he does not think those offers were
made him because the Nabob thought he was a person of some consequence in the settlement? he said, Being only a private merchant, he apprehends that
the offer was made to him more from its being a
general practice than from any. opinion of his importance.
No. 3.
Referred to from p. 38.
A Bill for the Better Government of the Territorial
Possessions and Dependencies in India.
[ONE OF MR FOX'S INDIA BILLS. ]
AND be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the Nabob of Arcot, the Rajah of Tanjore,
or any other native protected prince in India, shall,
not assign, mortgage, or pledge any territory or land
whatsoever, or the produce or revenue thereof, to,
ally British subject whatsoever; neither shall; it be
lawful to and for any British subject whatsoever to
take or receive any such assignment, mortgage, or
pledge; and the same are hereby declared to be null
and void; and all payments or deliveries of produce
or revenue, under any such assignment, shall and
may be recovered back, by such native. prince paying
or delivering the same, from the person or persons.
receiving the same, or his or their representatives.
? ? ? ? 120 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS. No. 4.
Referred to from pp. 64 and 73.
(COPY. )
27th May, 1782.
Letter from the Committee of Assigned Revenue, to
the President and Select Committee, dated 27th
May, 1782; with Comparative Statement, and Min.
ute thereon.
To the Right Honorable LORD MACARTNEY, K. B. ,
President, and Governor, &c. , Select Committee of
Fort St. George.
MY LORD, AND GENTLEMEN,Although we have, in obedience to your commands
of the 5th January, regularly laid before you our
proceedings at large, and have occasionally addressed
you upon such points as required your resolutions or
orders for our guidance, we still think it necessary to
collect and digest in a summary report those transactions in the management of the assigned revenue which have principally engaged our attention, and
which, upon the proceeding, are too much intermixed
with ordinary occurrences to be readily traced and understood.
Such a report may be formed with the greater propriety at this time, when your Lordship, &c. , have been pleased to conclude your arrangements for the
rent of several of the Nabob's districts. Our aim in it
is briefly to explain the state of the Carnatic at the
period of the Nabob's assignment, -- the particular
causes which existed to the prejudice of that assignment, after it was made, - and the measures which
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 121
your Lordship, &c. , have, upon our recommendation,
adopted for removing those causes, and introducing
a more regular and beneficial system of management
in the country.
Hyder Ali having entered the Carnatic with his
whole force, about the middle of July, 1780, and
employed fire and sword in its destruction for near
eighteen months before the Nabob's assignment took
place, it will not be difficult to conceive the state of
the country at that period. In those provinces which
were fully exposed to the ravages of horse, scarce
a vestige remained either of population or agriculture: such of the miserable inhabitants as escaped
the fury of the sword were either carried into the
Mysore country or left to struggle under the horrors
of famine. The Arcot and Trichinopoly districts began early to feel the effects of this desolating war.
Tinnevelly, Madura, and Ramnadaporum, though little infested with Hyder's troops, became a prey to the
incursions of the Polygars, who stripped them of the
greatest part of the revenues. Ongole, Nellore, and
Palnaud, the only remaining districts, had suffered,
but in a small degree.
The misfortunes of war, however, were not the only
evils which the Carnatic experienced. The Nabob's
aumildars, and other servants, appear to have taken
advantage of the general confusion to enrich themselves. A very small part of the revenue was accounted for; and so high were the ordinary expenses of every district, that double the apparent produce of
the whole country would not have satisfied them.
In this state, which we believe is no way exaggerated, the Company took charge of the assigned countries.
Their prospect of relief from the heavy burdens of the
? ? ? ? 122 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
war was, indeed, but little advanced by the Nabob's
concession; and the revenues of the Carnatic seemed
in danger of being irrecoverably lost, unless a speedy
and entire change of system could be adopted.
On our minutes of the 21st January we treated
the subject of the assignment at some length, and
pointed out the mischiefs which, in addition to the
effects of the war, had arisen from what we conceived
to be wrong and oppressive management. We used
the freedom to suggest an entire alteration in the
mode of realizing the revenues. We proposed a considerable and immediate reduction of expenses, and a total change of the principal aumildars who had
been employed under the Nabob.
Our ideas had the good fortune to receive your
approbation; but the removal of the Nabob's servants
being thought improper at that particular period of
the collections, we employed our attention chiefly in
preserving what revenue was left the country, and
acquiring such materials as might lead to a more
perfect knowledge of its former and present state.
These pursuits, as we apprehended, met with great
obstructions from the conduct of the Nabob's servants.
The orders they received were evaded under various
pretexts; no attention was paid to the strong and
repeated applications made to themfor the accounts
of their management; and their attachment to the
Company's interest appeared, in every instance, so
feeble, that we saw no prospect whatever of success,
but in the appointment of renters under the Company's sole authority.
Upon this principle, we judged it expedient to recommend that such of the Nabob's districts as were
in a state to be farmed out might be immediately let
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 123
by a public advertisement, issued in the Company's
name, and circulated through every province of the
Carnatic; and, with the view of encouraging bidders,
we proposed that the countries might be advertised
for the whole period of the Nabob's assignment, and
the security of the Company's protection promised
in the fullest manner to such persons as might become renters.
This plan had the desired effect; and the attempts
which were secretly made to counteract it afforded
an unequivocal proof of its necessity: but the advantages resulting from it were more pleasingly
evinced by the number of proposals that were delivered, and by the terms which were in general offered
for the districts intended to be farmed out.
Having so far attained the purposes of the assignment, our attention was next turned to the heavy
expenses entailed upon the different provinces; and
here, we confess, our astonishment was raised to the
highest pitch. In the Trichinopoly country the standing disbursements appeared, by the Nabob's own accounts, to be one lac of rupees more than the receipts. In other districts the charges were not in so high a proportion, but still rated on a most extravagant scale; and we saw, by every account that was
brought before us, the absolute necessity of retrenching considerably in all the articles of expense.
Our own reason, aided by such inquiries as we
were able to make, suggested the alterations we have
recommended to your Lordship, &c. , under this head.
You will observe that we have not acted sparingly,
but we chose rather, in cases of doubt, to incur the
hazard of retrenching too much than too little; because it would be easier, after any stated allowance
? ? ? ? 124 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
for expenses, to add what might be necessary than
to diminish. We hope, however, there will be no
material increase in the articles, as they now stand.
One considerable charge upon the Nabob's country
was for extraordinary sibbendies, sepoys, and horsemen, who appeared to us to be a very unnecessary
incumbrance on the revenue. Your Lordship, &c. ,
have determined to receive such of these people as
will enlist into the Company's service, and discharge
the rest. This measure will not only relieve the
country of a heavy burden, but tend greatly to fix in
the Company that kind of authority which is requisite for the due collection of the revenues.
In consequence of your determination respecting
the Nabob's sepoys, &c. , every charge under that
head has been struck out of our account of expenses.
If the whole number of these people be enlisted by
the Company, there will probably be no more than
sufficient to complete their ordinary military establishment. But should the present reduction of the
Nabob's artillery render it expedient, after the war,
to make any addition to the Company's establishment for the purposes of the assigned countries, the
expense of such addition, whatever it be, must be
deducted from the present account of savings.
In considering the charges of the several districts,
in order to establish better regulations, we were careful to discriminate those incurred for troops, kept or
supposed to be kept up for the defence of the country,
from those of the sibbendy, servants, &c. , for the
cultivation of the lands and the collection of the revenues, as well as to pay attention to such of the established customs of the country, ancient privileges of the inhabitants, and public charities, as were neces
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 125
sarily allowed, and appeared proper to be continued,
but which, under the Nabob's government, were not
only rated much higher, but had been blended under
one confused and almost unintelligible title of expenses of the districts: so joined, perhaps, to afford pleas and means of secreting and appropriating great
part of the revenues to other purposes than fairly appeared; and certainly betraying the utmost neglect and mismanagement, as giving latitude for every species of fraud and oppression. Such a system has, in the few latter years of the Nabob's necessities, brought
all his countries into that situation from which nothing but the most rigid economy, strict observance of the conduct of managers, and the most conciliating
attention to the rights of the inhabitants can possibly
recover them.
It now only remains for us to lay before your Lordship, &c. , the inclosed statement of the sums at which the districts lately advertised have been let, compared
with the accounts of their produce delivered by the
Nabob, and entered on our proceedings of the 21st
January,-likewise a comparative view of the former
and present expenses.
The Nabob's accounts of the produce of these districts state, as we have some reason to think, the
sums which former renters engaged to pay to him,
(and which were seldom, if ever, made good,) and
not the sums actually produced by the districts; yet
we have the satisfaction to observe that the present
aggregate rents, upon an average, are equal to those
accounts. Your Lordship, &c. , cannot, indeed, expect,
that, in the midst of the danger, invasion, and distress which assail the Carnatic on every side, the renters now appointed will be able at present to ful
? ? ? ? 126 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OFD ARCOT'S DEBTS.
fil the terms of their leases; but we trust, from the
measures we have taken, that very little, if any, of
the actual collections will be lost, even during the
war, - and that, on the return of peace and tranquillity, the renters will have it in their power fully to perform their respective agreements.
We much regret that the situation of the Arcot
province will not admit of the same settlement which
has been made for the other districts; but the enemy
being in possession of the capital, together with several other strongholds, and having entirely desolated the country, there is little room to hope for more
from it than a bare subsistence to the few garrisons
we have left there.
We shall not fail to give our attention towards obtaining every information respecting this province
that the present times will permit, and to take the
first opportunity to propose such arrangements for
the management as we may think eligible.
We have the honor to be
Your most obedient humble servants,
CHARLES OAKLEY,
EYLES IRWIN,
HALL PLUMER,
DAVID HALIBURTON;
GEORGE MOUBRAY.
FORT ST. GeORGIE. 27th May, 1782.
A true copy.
J. HUDLESTON, Sec.
? ? ? ? COMPARA'TIVE STATEMENT of the Revenues and Expenses of the Nellore, Ongole, Ptalitud, Trichinopoly, iMadura, and
Tinneveldly Countries, while in the Hands of the Nabob, with those of the same Countries on the Termns qf the Leases lately granted for Four Years, to commence with the Beginning of the Phazeley, 1192, or the 12th July, 1782. Abstracted from the Accounts received friom the Nabob, andfrom the Rents stipulatedfor and Expenses allowed by the present Leases.
GROSS REVENUE. EXPENSES. NET REVENUE.
Annual Gross Annual Rent Annual Ex- Annual Ex- Reduction in Net Revenue Net Revenue Increase of
Rent by the Na- by the pres-lpensesby the penses allow- the Annual by the Na- by the pres- Net Revenue.
bob's Account. ent Leases, Nabob's Ac- ed by the Expenses. bob's Ac- ent Leases.
Average of the at an Aver- counts. present Leas- counts.
Four Years imme- age of Four es at an Estidiately preceding Years. mate.
the present War.
Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. Star Pagodas. e
Nellore and Sarapilly
Ongole. . . . . 1,10,967 (a)
Palnaud. . . . . 51,355
Trichinopoly. . . 2,89,993 (b)
Madura. . . . 1,02,756 60,290 63,710 12,037 51,673 39,046 48,253 9,207 Tinnevelly. . . . 5,65,537 5,79,713 1,64,098 70,368 93,730 4,01,439 5,09,345 1,07,906 Total. . 14,43,438 13,83,617 8,22,725 1,40,246 6,82,479 6,20,713 12,43,371 6,22,658
N. B. In this statement, Madras Pagodas are calculated at 10 per cent Batta; Chuckrums at two thirds of a Porto Novo Pagoda, which are
reckoned at 115 per 100 Star Pagodas; and Rupees at 350 per 100 Star Pagodas. To avoid fractions, the nearest integral numbers have been taken. (a) In this statement, the Ongole country, though it is included under the head of gross revenue, has been let for a certain sum, exclusive of charges. If the expenses specified in the Nabob's vassool accounts for this district are added, the present gross revenue even would appear to exceed the Nabob's; and as the country is only let for one year, there may hereafter be an increase of its revenue.
(b) The Trichinopoly countries let for the above sum, exclusive of the expenses of sibbendy and saderwared, amounting, by the Nabob's accounts, to rupees 1,30,00 per annum, which are to be defrayed by the renter. And the jaghires of Amir-ul-Omrah and the Begum are not included in the present lease. Signed, CHARLES OAKLEY, DAVID HALIBURTON,
EYLES IRWIN, GEORGE MIOUBRAY.
FORT ST. GEORGE, 27th May, 1782. HALL PLUMER,
3,22,830 55,000
1,98,794
2,82,148
2,04,864 e t
53,500 2,73,214
5,698
19,143 2,63,005
t
3,61,900 88,254 25,721
33,000 1,65,794 88,254 22,713
1,24,036 3,28,900 55,000 32,287
20,023 25,634
47,802 22,168
7,845 2,54,071 2,46,226 N
? ? ? ? 128 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
No. 5.
Referred to from p. 78.
Case of certain Persons renting the Assigned Lands under the Authority of the East India Company.
Extract of a Letter from the President and Council of Fort St. George, 25th May, 1783.
ONE of them [the renters], Ram Chunder Raus,
was, indeed, one of those unfortunate rajahs whose
country, by being near to the territories of the Nabob,
forfeited its title to independence, and became the
prey of ambition and cupidity. This man, though
not able to resist the Company's arms, employed in
such a deed at the Nabob's instigation, had industry
and ability. He acquired, by a series of services, even
the confidence of the Nabob, who suffered him to
rent a part of the country of which he had deprived him
of the property. This man had afforded no motive for
his rejection by the Nabob, but that of being ready to
engage with the Company: a motive most powerful,
indeed, but not to be avowed.
[This is the person whom the English instruments
of the Nabob of Arcot have had the audacity to
charge with a corrupt transaction with Lord Macartney, and, in support of that charge, to produce a forged letter from his Lordship's steward. The charge
and letter the reader may see in this Appendix, under
the proper head. It is asserted by the unfortunate
prince above mentioned, that the Company first settled on the coast of Coromandel under the protection of one of his ancestors. If this be true, (and it is far
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 129
from unlikely,) the world must judge of the return
the descendant has met with. The case of another
of the victims given up by the ministry, though not
altogether so striking as the former, is worthy of attention. It is that of the renter of the Province of Nellore. ]
It is, with a wantonness of falsehood, and indifference to detection, asserted to you, in proof of the validity of the Nabob's objections, that this man's
failures had already forced us to remove him: though
in fact he has continued invariably in office; though
our greatest supplies have been received from him; and
thiat, in the disappointment of your remittances [the:
remittances from Bengal] and of other resources, the
specie sent us from Nellore alone has sometimes enabled us to carry on the public business; and that the present expedition against the French must, without
this assistance from the assignment, have been laid
aside, or delayed until it might have become too
late.
[This man is by the ministry given over to the
mercy of persons capable of making charges on him
"' with a wantonness of falsehood, and indifference to
detection. " What is likely to happen to him and the
rest of the victims may appear by the following. ]
Letter to the Governor-General and Council, March
13th, 1782.
The speedy termination, to which the people were
taught to look, of the Company's interference in the
revenues, and the vengeance denounced against those
who, contrary to the mandate of the Durbar, should
be connected with them, as reported by Mr. Sulivan,
VOL. III. 9
? ? ? ? 1C0 SPEECH ON THIE NABOB OF ARCOT S DEBTS.
may, as much as the former exactions and oppressions of the Nabob il the revenue, as reported by the commander-in-chief, have deterred some of the fittest
men from offering to be concerned in it.
The timid disposition of the Hindoo natives of
this country was not likely to be insensible to the
specimen of that vengeance given by his Excellehcy
the Amir, who, upon the mere rumor, that a Bramin,
of the name of Appagee Row, had given proposals to
the Company for the rentership of Vellore, had the
temerity to send for him, and to put him in confineinent.
A man thus seized by the Nabob's sepoys within
the walls of Madras gave a general alarm, and government found it necessary to promise the protection of the Company, in order to calm the apprehensions of
the people.
No. 6.
Referred to from pp. 101 and 105.
Extract of a Letter from the Council and Select Conmmittee at Fort St. George, to the Governor-General and Council, dated 25th May, 1783.
IN the prosecution of our duty, we beseech you to
consider, as an act of strict and necessary justice, previous to reiteration of your orders for the surrender of the assignment, how far it would be likely to affect
third persons who do not appear to have committed
any breach of their engagements. You command us
to compel our aumils to deliver over their respective
? ? ? ? APPENDIX. 131
charges as shall be appointed by the Nabob, or to
retain their trust under his sole authority, if he shallchoose to confirm them. These aumils are really
renters; they were appointed in the room of the Nabob's aumils, and contrary to his wishes; they have
already been rejected by him, and are therefore not
likely to be confirmed by him. They applied to this
government, in consequence of public advertisements
in our name, as possessing in this instance the joint
authority of the Nabob and the Company, and have
entered into mutual and strict covenants with us, and
we with them, relative to the certain districts not actually in the possession of the enemy; by which covenants, as they are bound to the punctual payment of their rents and due management of the country, so
we, and our constituents, and the public faith, are in
like manner bound to maintain them in the enjoyment of their leases, during the continuance of the
term. That term was for five years, agreeably to the
words of the assignment, which declare that the time
of renting shall be for three or five years, as the Governor shall settle with the renters. - Their leases
cannot be legally torn from them. Nothing but their
previous breach of a part could justify our breach of
the whole. Such a stretch and abuse of power would,
indeed, not only savor of the assumption of sovereignty, but of arbitrary and oppressive despotism.
In the present contest, whether the Nabob be guilty,
or we be guilty, the renters are not guilty. Whichever of the contending parties has broken the condition of the assignment, the renters have not broken
the condition of their leases. These men, in conducting the business of the assignment, have acted in
opposition to the designs of the Nabob, in despite of
? ? ? ? 132 SPEECH ON THE NABOB OF ARCOT'S DEBTS.
the menaces denounced against all who should dare
to oppose the mandates of the Durbar justice. Grat
itude and humanity require that provision should be
made by you, before you set the Nabob's ministers
loose on the country, for the protection of the victims
devoted to their vengeance.
Mr. Benfield, to secure the permanency of his power, and the perfection of his schemes, thought it necessary to render the Nabob an absolute stranger
to the state of his affairs. He assured his Highness
that full justice was not done to the strength of his
sentiments and the keenness of his attacks, in the
translations that were made by the Company's servants from the original Persian of his letters. He therefore proposed to him that they should for the
future be transmitted in English. - Of the English
language or writing his Highness or the Amir cannot read one word, though the latter can converse in it with sufficient fluency. The Persian language, as
the language of the Mahomedan conquerors, and
of the court of Delhi, as an appendage or signal
of authority, was at all times particularly affected
by the Nabob. It is the language of all acts of
state, and all public transactions, among the Mussulman chiefs of Hindostan. The Nabob thought to have gained no inconsiderable point, in procuring the
correspondence from our predecessors to the Rajah
of Tanjore to be changed from the Mahratta language, which that Hindoo prince understands, to the Persian, which he disclaims understanding. To force
the Rajah to the Nabob's language was gratifying the
latter with a new species of subserviency. He had
formerly contended with considerable anxiety, and, it
was thought, no inconsiderable cost, for particular
? ?
