BENARES. 
109 
and wounded him severely. This gallant defence saved the settle- 
ment, as it gave time to the cavalry, that were quartered at Bataber, 
about ten miles from Benares, to reach Secrole, and oblige Vizier Ali 
to retire, with his followers, to his residence in Madoodoss's garden. 
There he defended himself for some time; but at length a gateway 
was forced, and he had once more the good fortune to escape, with 
about three hundred of his followers, leaving his family and papers 
behind. After different attempts to excite insurrection in Oude, 
he was defeated by the British troops, and obliged to fly for pro- 
tection to the Jeypour Rajah. The laws of hospitality are held so 
sacred in India, that however disgusted he might be with the crimes 
of Vizier Ali, and however he might wish to oblige the British 
government, the Rajah did not dare openly to surrender him ; but 
on his being given up to Colonel Collins, attempted to throw the 
blame on his minister, and actually imprisoned him for some time, 
for having, as he said, taken such a step without his consent. In 
justice however to this prince, I ought to observe, that he seems 
to have been influenced by no hope of reward, or any other un- 
worthy motive, to give up the man who had claimed his protection. 
He stipulated for his life, and that he should not be confined by 
fetters. 
It was a singular circumstance that Vizier Ali should pass through 
Benares a close prisoner, on the very day twelvemonth that he had 
massacred the unfortunate Mr. Cherry and his friends, on his way 
to a perpetual and solitary confinement, from which he once at- 
tempted to liberate himself, by bribing his guards, which has only 
rendered his imprisonment more close. The ferocity and depravity 
of his character, which early appeared, and the crimes he afterwards 
