The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke

victualling stores; that the stores were to be purchased with money advanced by the
Company, and that the said agent was to be allowed a commission or percentage for his risk
and trouble; that, in order to ascertain what sum would be a reasonable compensation for
the agent, the Governor-General and Council agreed to consult some of the principal
merchants of Calcutta; that the merchants so consulted reported their opinion, that twenty
per cent on the prime cost of the stores would be a reasonable compensation to the agent;
that, nevertheless, the said Warren Hastings, supported by the vote and concurrence of
Richard Barwell, then a member of the Supreme Council, did propose and carry it, that
thirty per cent per annum should be allowed upon all stores to be provided by the agent.
That the said Warren Hastings professed that "he preferred an agency to a contract for this
service, because, if it were performed by contract, it must then be advertised, and the world
would know what provision was made for the defence of the fort": as if its being publicly
known that the fort was well provided for defence were likely to encourage an enemy to
attack it. That in August, 1779, in defiance of the principle laid down by himself for
preferring an agency to a contract, the said Warren Hastings did propose and carry it, that
the agency should be converted into a contract, to be granted to the said John Belli, without
advertising for proposals, and fixed for the term of five years,—"pretending that he had
received frequent remonstrances from the said agent concerning the heavy losses and
inconveniences to which he was subjected by the indefinite terms of his agency,"
notwithstanding it appeared by evidence produced at the board, that, on a supply of about
37,000l., he had already drawn a commission of 22,000l. and upwards. That the said
Warren Hastings pledged himself, that, if required by the Court of Directors, the profits
arising from the agency should be paid into the Company's treasury, and appropriated as
the Court should direct. That the Court of Directors, as soon as they were advised of the
first appointment of the said agency, declared that they considered the commission of

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