The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

spread from province to province, that, in proportion as it spread, the fire glowed with
augmented fierceness, and that the rapacity which originally gave rise to it was following it
in all its progress,—the Company, my Lords, alarmed not only for their acquisitions, but
their existence, and finding themselves sinking lower and lower by every victory they
obtained, thought it necessary at length to come to some system and some settlement. After
composing their differences with Lord Clive, they sent him out to that country about the
year 1765, in order, by his name, weight, authority, and vigor of mind, to give some sort of
form and stability to government, and to rectify the innumerable abuses which prevailed
there, and particularly that great source of disorders, that fundamental abuse, presents: for
the bribes by which all these revolutions were bought had not the name of conditions,
stipulations, or rewards; they even had the free and gratuitous style of presents. The
receivers contended that they were mere gratuities given for service done, or mere tokens of
affection and gratitude to the parties. They may give them what names they please, and
your Lordships will think of them what you please; but they were the donations of misery to
power, the gifts of sufferers to the oppressors; and consequently, where they prevailed, they
left no certain property or fixed situation to any man in India, from the highest to the lowest.

The Court of Directors sent out orders to enlarge the servants' covenants with new and
severe clauses, strongly prohibiting the practice of receiving presents. Lord Clive himself
had been a large receiver of them. Yet, as it was in the moment of a revolution which gave
them all they possessed, the Company would hear no more of it. They sent him out to
reform: whether they chose well or ill does not signify. I think, upon the whole, they chose
well; because his name and authority could do much. They sent him out to redress the
grievances of that country, and it was necessary he should be well armed for that service.
They sent him out with such powers as no servant of the Company ever held before. I

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