The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

the said Hastings, did state, in the same article of the instructions aforesaid, that, though the
conduct of the said Hyder Beg Khân had been highly reprehensible, and that he was much
displeased thereat, he would prefer him to any other, on account of his ability and
knowledge of business, with the following proviso,—"If he would submit to hold his office
on such conditions as I require. He exists by his dependence on the influence of our
government. It must be advisable to try him by the mode of conciliation; at the same time
that in your final conversation with him it will be necessary to declare to him, in the
plainest terms, the footing and condition on which he shall be permitted to retain his place,
with the alternative of a dismission, and a scrutiny into his conduct, if he refuses it. In the
first place, I will not receive from the Nabob, as his, letters dictated by the spirit of
opposition; but shall consider every such attempt as an insult on our government. In the
second place, I shall expect that nothing is done in his official character but with your
knowledge and participation."

LIV. That the said Hastings having described, in the manner aforesaid, the relative situation
of the Resident and the minister, he did state also the relative situation of the said minister
and his master, the Nabob, declaring, "that the minister did hold without control the
unparticipated and entire administration, with all the powers annexed to that government,—
the Nabob being, as he ever must be in the hands of some person, a mere cipher in his" (the
minister's). And having thus stated the subordination of the minister to the Resident, and the
subordination of the Nabob to the minister, he did naturally declare, "that the first share of
the responsibility would rest upon the said Resident" And he did further declare, "that the
other conditions did follow distinctly in their places, because he did consider the Resident
as responsible for them."

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