The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

That in May, 1777, the said Warren Hastings granted to John Mackenzie a contract for the
provision of opium, to continue three years, and without advertising for proposals. That this
transaction was condemned by the Court of Directors, notwithstanding a clause had been
inserted in that contract by which it was left open to the Court of Directors to annul the
same at the expiration of the first or second year.

That, about the end of the year 1780, the said Warren Hastings, in contradiction to the order
above mentioned, did take away the sale of the opium from the Board of Trade, though he
disclaimed, at the same time, any intention of implying a censure on their management.

That in March, 1781, the said Warren Hastings did grant to Stephen Sulivan, son of
Lawrence Sulivan, Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, a
contract for the provision of opium, without advertising for proposals, and without even
receiving any written proposals from him, the said Sulivan; that he granted this contract for
four years, and at the request of the said Sulivan did omit that clause which was inserted in
the preceding contract, and by which it was rendered liable to be determined by orders from
the Company: the said Warren Hastings declaring, contrary to truth, that such clause was
now unnecessary, as the Directors had approved the contract.

That the said Sulivan had been but a few months in Bengal when the above contract was
given to him; that he was a stranger to the country, and to all the local commerce thereof,
and therefore unqualified for the management of such a concern; and that the said Sulivan,
instead of executing the contract himself, did, shortly after obtaining the same, assign it
over to John Benn and others, and in consideration of such assignment did receive from the
said Benn a great sum of money.

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