登陆注册
4705400000281

第281章

While, therefore, we have not the least doubt that this memorable execution is to be attributed to Hastings, we doubt whether it can with justice be reckoned among his crimes. That his conduct was dictated by a profound policy is evident. He was in a minority in Council. It was possible that he might long be in a minority. He knew the native character well. He knew in what abundance accusations are certain to flow in against the most innocent inhabitant of India who is under the frown of power.

There was not in the whole black population of Bengal a placeholder, a place-hunter, a government tenant, who did not think that he might better himself by sending up a deposition against the Governor-General. Under these circumstances, the persecuted statesman resolved to teach the whole crew of accusers and witnesses, that, though in a minority at the council-board, he was still to be feared. The lesson which he gave then was indeed a lesson not to be forgotten. The head of the combination which had been formed against him, the richest, the most powerful, the most artful of the Hindoos, distinguished by the favour of those who then held the government, fenced round by the superstitious reverence of millions, was hanged in broad day before many thousands of people. Everything that could make the warning impressive, dignity in the sufferer, solemnity in the proceeding, was found in this case. The helpless rage and vain struggles of the Council made the triumph more signal. From that moment the conviction of every native was that it was safer to take the part of Hastings in a minority than that of Francis in a majority, and that he who was so venturous as to join in running down the Governor-General might chance, in the phrase of the Eastern poet, to find a tiger, while beating the jungle for a deer. The voices of a thousand informers were silenced in an instant. From that time, whatever difficulties Hastings might have to encounter, he was never molested by accusations from natives of India.

It is a remarkable circumstance that one of the letters of Hastings to Dr. Johnson bears date a very few hours after the death of Nuncomar. While the whole settlement was in commotion, while a mighty and ancient priesthood were weeping over the remains of their chief, the conqueror in that deadly grapple sat down, with characteristic self-possession to write about the Tour to the Hebrides, Jones's Persian Grammar, and the history, traditions, arts, and natural productions of India.

In the meantime, intelligence of the Rohilla war, and of the first disputes between Hastings and his colleagues, had reached London. The Directors took part with the majority, and sent out a letter filled with severe reflections on the conduct of Hastings.

They condemned, in strong but just terms, the iniquity of undertaking offensive wars merely for the sake of pecuniary advantage. But they utterly forgot that, if Hastings had by illicit means obtained pecuniary advantages, he had done so, not for his own benefit, but in order to meet their demands. To enjoin honesty, and to insist on having what could not be honestly got, was then the constant practice of the Company. As Lady Macbeth says of her husband, they "would not play false, and yet would wrongly win."

The Regulating Act, by which Hastings had been appointed Governor-General for five years, empowered the Crown to remove him on an address from the Company. Lord North was desirous to procure such an address. The three members of Council who had been sent out from England were men of his own choice. General Clavering, in particular, was supported by a large parliamentary connection, such as no Cabinet could be inclined to disoblige.

The wish of the minister was to displace Hastings, and to put Clavering at the head of the Government. In the Court of Directors parties were very nearly balanced. Eleven voted against Hastings; ten for him. The Court of Proprietors was then convened. The great sale-room presented a singular appearance.

Letters had been sent by the Secretary of the Treasury, exhorting all the supporters of Government who held India stock to be in attendance. Lord Sandwich marshalled the friends of the administration with his usual dexterity and alertness. Fifty peers and privy councillors, seldom seen so far eastward, we counted in the crowd. The debate lasted till midnight. The opponents of Hastings had a small superiority on the division; but a ballot was demanded; and the result was that the Governor-General triumphed by a majority of above a hundred votes over the combined efforts of the Directors and the Cabinet. The ministers were greatly exasperated by this defeat. Even Lord North lost his temper, no ordinary occurrence with him, and threatened to convoke Parliament before Christmas, and to bring in a bill for depriving the Company of all political power, and for restricting it to its old business of trading in silks and teas.

Colonel Macleane, who through all this conflict had zealously supported the cause of Hastings, now thought that his employer was in imminent danger of being turned out branded with parliamentary censure, perhaps prosecuted. The opinion of the Crown lawyers had already been taken respecting some parts of the Governor-General's conduct. It seemed to be high time to think of securing an honourable retreat. Under these circumstances, Macleane thought himself justified in producing the resignation with which he had been intrusted. The instrument was not in very accurate form; but the Directors were too eager to be scrupulous.

They accepted the resignation, fixed on Mr. Wheler, one of their own body to succeed Hastings, and sent out orders that Genera Clavering, as senior member of Council, should exercise the functions of Governor-General till Mr. Wheler should arrive.

同类推荐
  • 贞元新定释教目录

    贞元新定释教目录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 慈受怀深禅师广录

    慈受怀深禅师广录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 紫皇炼度玄科

    紫皇炼度玄科

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 耳書

    耳書

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 客杭日记

    客杭日记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 神武华夏

    神武华夏

    【编辑评价:最新上架,品质保证,日爆万字】他风流绝代,一代天骄,身怀华夏宝典,藏有顶级的武功,武技以及武术。气海中更是藏有一把解开荒古秘密的石剑!自身拥有着武修之体的中第二大体----神体!但是事实无常,强大的诅咒之力使得他年少之时碌碌无为!本来已经绝望的他却在一次突发的事件中得到了转机……
  • 山西民间工艺

    山西民间工艺

    这是一套面向农村,供广大农民朋友阅读的文化丛书。它涉及戏曲、曲艺、民间歌舞、民间工艺、民间故事、民间笑话等多个门类,涵括了编织刺绣、建筑装饰、酿酒制醋、剪纸吹塑、冶铁铸造、陶瓷漆艺等林林总总的艺术形式,是老百姓熟悉的艺术,是我们身边的艺术,和我们的日常生活密切相关。
  • 徐偃王志

    徐偃王志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 皇妃出阁

    皇妃出阁

    定亲八载,四年等待,一朝完婚的圣旨,等来的却是大婚当天花轿临门,被他公然拒之门外,抗旨不婚。 她是藩王之女,他是权倾朝野,得蒙圣宠的三皇子。 第一次见面,她差点成了他的剑下亡魂,却执意做他的王妃,生生阻断他与心中挚爱相守。“本王一定会让你后悔今日所做的决定!” 殊不知,她才是令他魂牵梦萦三年的女子。 至此,她成为他一生悔之的魔障!
  • 太上净明院补奏职局太玄都省须知

    太上净明院补奏职局太玄都省须知

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 10天打造完美口才

    10天打造完美口才

    你说的每句话,都有可能让你成功,也可能让你失败!世界上95%的生意都是靠嘴巴谈出来的!成功的人往往做得好,说得更好,所以,口才是你走向成功人生的关键“武器”。就从这本书开始,10天时间,让自己成为一个大受欢迎的人!本书通过10天课程,88个核心Point,10项突破训练,全面打造价值千万的好口才!是最适合中国人的口才绝学,让你的每一句话都说到点上,让你的每一次社交都大受欢迎!
  • 评书

    评书

    《评书》主要内容分为评书该说、传统评书、评书艺术名家等章节。中国文化知识读本:评书》在深入挖掘和整理中华优秀传统文化成果的同时,结合社会发展,注入了时代精神。书中优美生动的文字、简明通俗的语言、图文并茂的形式,把中国文化中的物态文化、制度文化、行为文化、精神文化等知识要点全面展示给读者。点点滴滴的文化知识仿佛颗颗繁星,组成了灿辉煌的中国文化的天穹。
  • 魔吞天下

    魔吞天下

    一颗碧血魔丹,生出可吸收别人修为的诡异天赋。世道无常,天道不公,仙道卑鄙。那我便心向魔道。我叫叶孤城,来自陈谷镇,出于仙山凌云渡。
  • 小山猪逃亡记

    小山猪逃亡记

    《动物自立童话》之一,《小山猪逃亡记》是一部中长篇童话。小山猪三兄弟在严重干旱的季节出生了。为了给他们增加营养,妈妈在抓捕蛇的过程中,死于非命。为了填饱肚子,三个年幼的山猪稀里糊涂地来到山下,偷吃了庄稼地里的红薯,被一群狼犬发现了,一场围猎和突围的较量开始了。这篇童话使小读者们了解了智慧和勇敢的意义。
  • 哦嘿!秋香香点唐小虎

    哦嘿!秋香香点唐小虎

    F,也许是FOUR,也许是FIVE?外表冷酷功夫了得的女主角秋香香,带着某种目的来到明阳学院,并迅速与三大校草连在了一起。四个人一边打闹一边管闲事,竟在不知不觉中帮助了很多人,办了很多件风光的案子,而他们的代号F也变得异常响亮。经过生死事情之后,秋香香却带着神秘的身世不告而别……情节虚构,切勿模仿