MEASURES OF HASTINGS. 281 



obliged him to issue an order for delivering into their hands 

 Corah and Allahabad ; though the officer in the immediate 

 command chose rather to intrust them to the English. The 

 governor-general then insisted that the emperor, by going 

 over to the Mahrattas, had renounced his connexion with the 

 British, and annulled their obligations to him. He there- 

 fore took possession of those provinces, and sold them to 

 the Nabob of Oude for fifty lacks of rupees. On the s;ime 

 ground the annual tribute to the Mogul prince was discon- 

 tinued. By these proceedings, Mr. Hastings, though he 

 did not make any permanent addition to the revenue, re- 

 lieved the company from immediate distress. 



He was soon -placed in a very peculiar and embarrassing 

 situation. By the new constitution there were associated 

 with him four counsellors, of whom he was only the presi- 

 dent, with a vote and casting vote ; thus making it possible 

 that a hostile majority might hold the supreme power. Of 

 these counsellors Mr. Barwell alone adhered to Mr. Hast- 

 ings ; while the three others not only refused to submit to 

 his guidance, but placed themselves in direct and systematic 

 opposition. Every measure proposed by him was rejected ; 

 the persons whom he had employed on diplomatic missions 

 were recalled, and others substituted ; and the natives en- 

 couraged to bring charges against him, which were taken 

 into full consideration. Mr. Hastings was thus not only 

 virtually deposed, but placed as a criminal at the bar of his 

 own court. He indignantly refused to plead his cause there, 

 which was laid hold of as a proof of guilt. At one time, 

 in consequence of having first offered and then retracted 

 his resignation, there were actually two governments issu- 

 ing orders at once, so as to give rise to an apprehension of 

 civil war. 



The death of Colonel Monson liberated the governor- 

 general from this singular control, and invested him anew 

 with supreme power. Being involved in expensive wars 

 with Hyder and Tippoo on the coast of Coromandel, and 

 with the Mahrattas in the west of India, he soon found 

 himself reduced to severe financial distress. He had again 

 recourse for relief to the upper provinces. Cheyt Sing, the 

 Rajah of Benares, had been for some time a faithful ally, 

 paying a moderate tribute, with an understanding that ho 

 6houW be liable to no further demand. Under the pressure 



A a S 



