The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

That the said Hastings, further to preclude the operation of such discretionary conduct in
the administration of this kingdom as circumstances might call for, has informed the
Directors that he has gone so far as even to condition the existence of the revenue itself
with the exclusion of the Company, his masters, from all interference whatsoever: for in his
letter to Mr. Wheler, dated Benares, 20th September, 1784, are the following words. "The
aumils [collectors] demanded that a clause should be inserted in their engagements, that
they were to be in full force for the complete term of their leases, provided that no foreign
authority was exercised over them,—or, in other words, that their engagements were to
cease whenever they should be interrupted in their functions by the interference of an
English agent. This requisition was officially notified to me by the acting minister, and
referred to me in form by the Nabob Vizier, for my previous consent to it. I encouraged it,
and I gave my consent to it." And the said Hastings has been guilty of the high presumption
to inform his said masters, that he has taken that course to compel them not to violate the
assurances given by him in their name: "There is one condition" (namely, the above
condition) "which essentially connects the confirmation of the settlement itself with the
interests of the Company."

LXXVIII. That the said Warren Hastings, who did show an indecent distrust of the
Company's faith, did endeavor, before that time, at other times, namely, in his instructions
to his secret agent, Major Palmer, dated the 6th of May, 1782, to limit the confidence to be
reposed in the British government to the duration of his own power, in the following words
in the fifth article. "It is very much my desire to impress the Nabob with a thorough
confidence in the faith and justice of our government,—that is to say, in my own, while I am
at the head of it: I cannot be answerable for the acts of others independent of me."

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