劑 the least equal to the loss she suffered; the elephants having no buyer but the Nabob, and the clothes, which had last been delivered to Middleton at a valuation of thirty thousand pounds, were so damaged by ill keeping in warehouses, that they could not be sold, even for six months credit, at much more than about eight thousand pounds; by which a loss in a single article was incurred of twenty-two thousand pounds out of the fifty, for the recovery of which (supposing it had been a just debt) such rigorous means had been employed, after having actually received upwards of five hundred thousand pounds in value to the Company, and extorted much more in loss to the suffering individuals. And the said Bristow, being well acquainted with the unmerciful temper of the said Hastings, in order to leave no means untried to appease him, not contented with the letter to the GovernourGeneral and Council, did on the same day write another letter to him particularly, in which he did urge several arguments, the necessity of using of which to the said Hastings did reflect great dishonour on this nation, and on the Christian religion therein professed; viz. "that he had experi"enced great embarrassment in treating with her "[the mother of the reigning prince]; for, as the "mother of the Vizier, the people look up to her "with great respect; and any hard measures, "practised against women of her high rank, create discontent, 1 "discontent, and affect our national character." And the said Resident, after condemning very unjustly her conduct, added, "still she is the "mother of the prince of the country, and the religious prejudices of Mussulmen prevail too il strongly in their minds to forget her situation." LXX. That the said Warren Hastings did not make any answer to the said letter. But the mother of the prince aforesaid, as well as the mother of his father, being, in consequence of his the said Hastings's directions, incessantly and rudely pressed by their descendant, in the name of the Company, to pay to the last farthing of the demand, they did both positively refuse to pay any part of the pretended balances aforesaid, until their landed estates were restored to them; on the security of which alone they alleged themselves to be in a condition to borrow any money, or even to provide for the subsistence of themselves and their numerous dependants. And, in order to put some end to these differences, the Vizier did himself, about the beginning of August 1783, go to Fyzabad, and did hold divers conferences with his parents, and did consent and engage to restore to them their landed estates aforesaid; and did issue an order, that they should be restored accordingly: but his minister aforesaid, having before his eyes the peremptory orders 4 orders of him the said Warren Hastings, did per- LXXI. That the faith given for the restoration of their landed estates being thus violated, and the money for necessary expenses being as ill supplied as before, the women and children of the late sovereign, father of the reigning prince, continued exposed to frequent want of the common necessaries of life; and, being sorely pressed by famine, they were compelled to break through all the principles of local decorum and reserve, which constitute the dignity of the female sex in that part of the world, and after great clamour and violent attempts, for one whole day, to break the enclosure of the palace, and to force their way into the publick market, in order to move the compassion. of the Vizier to Hyder Beg Khân, 2d Ramsur 1197. Bristow's Letter, 29th Jan. 1784, with Enclo sures. of the people, and to beg their bread, they did, on the next day, actually proceed to the extremity of exposing themselves to publick view-an extremity, implying the lowest state of disgrace and degradation; to avoid which many women in India have laid violent hands upon themselves— and they did proceed to the publick market-place with the starving children of the late sovereign, and the brothers and sisters of the reigning prince ! -A minute account of the transaction aforesaid was written to the British Resident at Lucknow by the person appointed to convey intelligence to him from Fyzabad, in the following particulars, highly disgraceful to the honour, justice, and humanity of this nation: LXXII. "The ladies, their attendants, and servants, "were still as clamorous as last night. Letafut, "the Daroga, went to them and remonstrated "with them on the impropriety of their conduct, "at the same time assuring them, that in a few days all their allowances would be paid; and, "should not that be the case, he would advance "them ten days subsistence upon condition, that they returned to their habitation. None of "them, however, consented to his proposals; but "were still intent upon making their escape through the Bazar [market-place], and in conse '' quence formed themselves into a line, arranging "themselves in the following order: the children "in the front; behind them the ladies of the seraglio; and behind them again their attendants; "but their intentions were frustrated by the opposition, which they met from Letafut's Sepoys. LXXIII. "The next day Letafut went twice to the wo"men, and used his endeavours to make them "return into the Zenanah, promising to advance "them 10,000 rupees; which, upon the money being paid down, they agreed to comply with; "but night coming on, nothing transpired. LXXIV. "On the day following their clamours were <f more violent than usual. Letafut went to conbusiness of yesterday offering the same terms. Depending upon the fidelity of his promises, they consented to return "to their apartments, which they accordingly did, "sult with them on the except two or three of the ladies, and most of "their attendants. Letafut then went to Hush"mund Ally Cawn, to consult with him upon what means they should take. They came to a reso"lution of driving them in by force; and gave "orders to their Sepoys to beat any one of the |