The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

knew that the only possible consequence of the aforesaid demand necessarily and inevitably
must be a protest for a breach of treaty; and the Court of Directors did not hesitate to
declare that the said demand "carried the appearance of a determination to create a pretext
for depriving him [Fyzoola Khân] of his jaghire entirely, or to leave him at the mercy of the
Vizier."

VIII. That Richard Johnson, Esquire, Assistant Resident at Oude, was, agreeably to the
afore-mentioned order of Council, deputed commissioner from Mr. Middleton and the
Vizier to Fyzoola Khân; but that he did early give the most indecent proofs of glaring
partiality, to the prejudice of the said Fyzoola Khân: for that the very next day (as it seems)
after his arrival, he, the said Johnson, from opinions imbibed in his journey, did state
himself to be "unwilling to draw any favorable or flattering inferences relatively to the
object of his mission," and did studiously seek to find new breaches of treaty, and, without
any form of regular inquiry whatever, from a single glance of his eye in passing, did take
upon himself to pronounce "the Rohilla soldiers, in the district of Rampoor alone, to be not
less than twenty thousand," and the grant of course to be forfeited. And that such a gross
and palpable display of a predetermination to discover guilt did argue in the said Johnson a
knowledge, a strong presumption, or a belief, that such representations would be agreeable
to the secret wishes and views of the said Hastings, under whose orders he, the said
Johnson, acted, and to whom all his reports were to be referred.

IX. That the said Richard Johnson, did soon after proceed to the immediate object of his
mission, "which" (the said Johnson relates) "was short to a degree." The demand was made,
and "a flat refusal" given. The question was repeated, with like effect. The said Johnson, in
presence of proper witnesses, then drew up his protest, "together with a memorandum of a

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