The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

the revenue, and stood in need of natives of integrity and experience to act in the
management thereof. On that ground, as well as in regard to the rank which Mahomed Reza
Khân held in the country, and the confidence of the people in him, they, the President and
Council, did inform the Court of Directors, in their letter of the 30th of September, 1765,
that, "as Mahomed Reza Khân's short administration was irreproachable, they determined to
continue him in a share of the authority"; and this information was not given lightly, but
was founded upon an inquiry into his conduct, and a minute examination of charges made
against him by his rivals in the Nabob's court,—they having insinuated to the Nabob that a
design was formed for deposing him, and placing Mahomed Reza on his throne; but, on
examination, the President and Council declare, that "he had so openly and candidly
accounted for every rupee disbursed from the treasury, that they could not, without injury to
his character, and injustice to his conduct during his short administration, refuse continuing
him in a share of the government."

V. That the Company had reason to be satisfied with the arrangement made, so far as it
regarded him: the President and Council having informed them, in the following year, in
their letter of the 9th of December, 1766, that "the large increase of the revenue must in a
great measure be ascribed to Mr. Sykes's assiduity, and to Mahomed Reza Khân's profound
knowledge in the finances."

VI. That the then President and Council, finding it necessary to make several reforms in the
administration, were principally aided in the same by the suggestion, advice, and assistance
of the said Mahomed Reza Khân; and in their letter to the Court of Directors of the 24th of
June, 1767, they state their resolution of reducing the emoluments of office, which before
had arisen from a variety of presents and other perquisities, to fixed allowances; and they

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