The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

to the Company, including port charges, demurrage, and factory charges allowed the
captain, at sixty-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-three dollars, or about twenty
thousand pounds sterling.

That the Company's factory at China, after stating the foregoing facts to the Court of
Directors, conclude with the following general observation thereon. "On a review of these
circumstances, with the extravagant and unusual terms of the freight, demurrage, factory
charges, &c., &c., we cannot help being of opinion that private considerations have been
suffered to interfere too much for any benefit that may have been intended to the Honorable
Company. We hope for the Honorable Court's approbation of our conduct in this affair. The
novelty and nature of the consignments have been the source of much trouble and anxiety,
and, though we wished to have had it in our power to do more, we may truly say we have
exceeded our expectations."

That every part of this transaction, from the monopoly with which it commenced, to the
contraband dealing with which it concluded, criminates the said Warren Hastings with
wilful disobedience of orders and a continued breach of trust; that every step taken in it was
attended with heavy loss to the Company, and with a sacrifice of their interest to that of
individuals; and that, if finally a profit had resulted to the Company from such a
transaction, no profit attending it could compensate for the probable risk to which their
trade in China was thereby exposed, or for the certain dishonor and consequent distrust
which the East India Company must incur in the eyes of the Chinese government by being
engaged in a low, clandestine traffic, prohibited by the laws of the country.

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