The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

for the repayment of which he gave his bonds and obligations; and although he had at the
same time solemnly pledged his faith that he never would again resort to the like oppressive
measure, yet he, the said Warren Hastings, did cause him to be compelled to confiscate the
estates of at least sixty-seven of the principal persons of his country, comprehending therein
his own nearest relations and the ancient friends and dependants of his family: the annual
value of the said estates thus confiscated amounting to 435,000l. sterling, or thereabouts,
upon an old valuation, but stated by the Resident, Middleton, as being found to yield
considerably more.

XXXV. That the violent and unjust measure aforesaid, subversive of property, utterly
destructive of several ancient and considerable families, and most dishonorable to the
British government, did produce an universal discontent and the greatest confusion
throughout the whole country,—the said confiscated lands being on this occasion put to
rack-rents, and the people grievously oppressed: and to prevent a possibility of redress, at
least for a considerable time, the said confiscated estates were mortgaged (it appearing
otherwise impracticable to make an approach towards satisfying the exorbitant demands of
the said Hastings) for a great sum to certain usurious bankers or money-dealers at Benares.

XXXVI. That, besides these enormous demands, which were in part made for the support
of several corps of troops under British officers which by the treaty of Chunar ought to have
been removed, very large extra charges not belonging to the military list of the said Nabob,
and several civil charges and pensions, were continued, and others newly put on since the
treaty of Chunar, namely, an allowance to Sir Eyre Coote of 15,554 rupees per month,
(being upwards of 18,664l. sterling a year,) and an allowance to Trevor Wheler, Esquire, of
5,000 rupees per month (or 6,000l. sterling and upwards a year); and the whole of the

<<   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   >>

More intriguing information