But let us leave these disagreeable matters. We shall speak of them more at large hereafter, so as to elucidate the above sentence; for we must now return to the course of our narrative. We may remember how Mir-roh-eddin-hosséin-qhan had by a sudden stroke of his destiny jumped into the Government of P8raniah, and had kept possession of it. This sudden Governor proved to be a man thoughtless and indolent, opinionated, excessively prodigal and unprovident; ever immersed in a sea of pleasures and sensualities; and never emerging from the gulf of a variety of strange practices, but to plunge headlong into all the excesses of drunkenness and forgetfulness of himself. He had given the title of Qhan to a young man, called Asker-aaly, who was grandson of Shah Mustepha-c8ly, one of his father’s Directors; and he had become so very fond of him, as to invest him with full powers over his public and private concerns. This fondness for him growing every day stronger and stronger, this young man, who was excessively intriguing and ill-natured, and withal so impatient and passionate, as to forget himself every moment, no sooner found out that his master was devoted to his will, than he did whatever he pleased. He made it a system to Strange character of the Governor of P8raniah who is dis­missed. undermine all those that kept at a distance from him, whilst he promoted and carried forward his own creatures. He spent sums of money in the company of dancers of both sexes, singers, fortune-tellers, farcers, and a variety of such sorts of people; but as he took care also not to meddle with some relations of his master’s, who were always of his table and company, he kept him in good humour, as well as fully satisfied with his own conduct; and all this at the very time he was continually oppressing both the farmer and the soldiery. No wonder if the revenues of the province fell into so much languor, that the officers of Government at Moorshood-abad lodged a variety of complaints against his master on account of the scantiness of his remittances. He was written to several times by some of his friends, who gave him warning of his danger; and even some of his intimates, fearless of his Nâib’s power, ventured upon giving good advice to their slothful lord, but did no good; and they soon were exposed to the revengeful Nâib’s resentment. At last one Hosséin-cooly, who had been a favourite eunuch to Séif-qhan, uncle to Roh-eddin-hosséin, prevailed upon him, after a deal of words and intreaties, to dismiss his favourite; after which he was himself made Nâib in his stead; and it must be acknowledged that in the little time his administration lasted, he brought public matters into some order, and regulated also his master’s household. But Roh-eddin-hosséin, who remained ignorant of every thing, and minded nothing, but that young man, for whom he had, I know not what for, all the sentiments of the most impassionate lover, in a little time sent for him again, and reinstated him in his former office. He devoted himself again to his will, dispossessed the poor Hosséin-cooly, and again left every thing in that wretched youth’s power and disposal. No wonder then if Mahmed-reza-qhan, who like all the other men in authority of those days, could not bear to see an illustrious name enjoy some regard or any consideration amongst the English, took care to represent to the Council the arrears and balances due by the Revenue of P8raniah, and got Roh-eddin-hosséin-qhan dismissed from his office. On his dismission it was bestowed on Ráy-sóuchut-rày, who took a lease of that revenue. The Council at the same time settled a pension of five thousand rupees per month, that is, sixty thousand a year, on Roh-eddin-hosséin-qhan. Things went on in that manner for one year, when Sóuchut-ráy himself was recalled and cast in prison; and Rezy-eddin-mahmed-qhan appointed Governor of the province.

On this occasion it was observed that money had com­menced Scarcity of coin felt in Bengal. to become scarce in Bengal; whether this scarcity be owing to the oppressions and exactions committed by the rulers, or to the stinginess of the public expense, or lastly to the vast exportation of coin which is carried every year to the country of England; it being common to see every year five or six Englishmen or even more, who repair to their homes, with large fortunes. Lacs piled upon lacs have therefore been drained from this country; nor is the cheapness of grain to impose on the imagination. It arises from nothing else, but too scarcity of coin, and the paucity of men and cattle. Nor are these deficiencies any thing else, but the natural consequences of the non-existence of that numerous Hindian cavalry, which heretofore used to fill up the plains of Bengal and Bahar, and which (reckoning those in the Government service, as well as those in the Zemindary pay, together with the expectants and their servants) could not amount to less than seventy or eighty thousand effective men; whereas now a horseman is as scarce in Bengal as a Phœnix in the world. The decrease of products in each District, added to the innumerable multitudes swept away by famine and mortality, still go on augmenting the depollutation of the country; so that an immense quantity of land remains untilled and fallow, whilst those that are tilled cannot find a vent for their productions. And this is so far true, that were it not for the purchases of Saltpetre, Opium, raw Silk, and white Piece-goods which the English make yearly throughout Bengal and Bahar, probably a Rupee or an Eshreffi would have become in most hands as scarce as the Philosopher’s Stone; and it would come to pass that most of the people newly-born would be at a loss to determine what it was which people called heretofore a Rupee, and what could be meant formerly by the word Eshrefi*. Matters continued in that languishing state until the end of the year 1184, at which time Mr. Veris having A. D. 1769. thought proper to go home, was succeeded by Mr. Cartier, the next in rank and seniority. Under this new administration the decrease of the rents struck the administration with amazement and fear. They were confounded at the great diminution of the revenue, and at the endless minutiæ in which it was involved. These men anxious to investigate the matter to the bottom, and to obtain a thorough insight in the rules and usages according to which the revenue was collected, came to the resolution of sending throughout the country one of their own nation, who should inquire what business the subject had with the Ruler; and in what relation stand the farmers to the Radjahs and Zemindars of the country*; and what these are to give to the rulers of Resolution of the Board to investigate all Revenue matters to the bottom. the land; and which and what perquisites and duties they draw; and under what name do they receive tributes. The choice fell on Hooshiar-djung-bahadyr, Mr. George Vansittart, who was also my particular friend; and who in fact proved a man of keen genius, much wisdom, and one of those who to a very valuable character of their own, joined a great acquaintance with the minute parts of business. This worthy man set out on the above business, first by going to Dinadj-poor; and there having acquired as much knowledge as his time could afford, he was welcomed with the applause of his friends and countrymen, as well as with the approbation of the Council. But as his inquest had brought to light many infidelities and disorders in which the finances of Bengal were involved; and the Council had conceived some general suspicions even against Shytab-ráy’s administration, which they thought equally tainted; it was resolved that the whole country should be divided into six departments; and that over and above the respective Councillors associated hitherto to Mahmed-reza-qhan, to Shytab-ráy, and to Djessaret-qhan, there should be appointed in each of the six districts, three or four gentlemen more, not Councillors, but yet of a rank next to it, by whose concurrenee business should be carried on. Amongst these Mr. Vansittart and Mr. Palk, together Bengal and Bahar divided in six Govern­ments. with the Chief of Azim-abad, were appointed a Council for that province; and the whole country was divided into six collections, to wit, Calcutta; Bardvan; Radj-shahy with Moorshood abad; Djehan-ghir-nagar-daca; Dinadj-poor; and Azimabad.

As soon as the appointment of Mr. Vansittart to Azim-abad, as a member of that Council, became public, those that were inimical to Shytab-ráy, conceived mighty hopes from such a change; although his able conduct and his obliging man­agement were such, that few were the men, and but few, throughout that whole province, that could find fault with his administration. Nevertheless, as it is impossible that every one of his dependants should have been like his master; or that a single man’s behaviour, however equitable and just, should be of one tenor with all the world; those that were envious of his greatness, got everything ready to light up a mighty flame; in so much that he was intimidated. And although the hem of his robe was pretty free from the dirt of infidelity; and the few blemishes in it, if any at all, could not enter in com­parison with his many services; yet such was his diffidence at the inconvenients that were likely to arise from a difference of nation and language, as well as from his unacquaintance with the man’s character and genius, that he became somewhat doubtful of what might become of him. At last Vansittart himself arrived, when Shytab-ráy went out to meet him, as far as Fatwa; where having taken him upon his own elephant, they returned to the city together, to the no small regret of those envious of his, who sought only to raise disturbances, and had hastened to wait on Mr. Vansittart with no other view, but that of setting up a shop of chicane and malice. They were struck dumb on seing Shytab-ráy’s artful behaviour. Indeed he was a man of great sense, and great honor, and not only averse himself from all acts of oppression and infidelity, but vigorously active in restraining his dependants from any thing villainous. As a great statesman, and a great accountant, he had ready every kind of paper that could be called for. Firm and steady in his behaviour and answers, he never boggled or tergiversed at all the numberless questions put to him by Mr. Vansittart, and never shewed any hesitation in affording whatever information was desired, or whatever lights were expected. He continued to answer with so much firmness and propriety, that he never afforded him any opening by which any imputation might be fastened upon his character. No wonder if Mr. Vansittart surprised at his candour, and convinced of his fidelity, wisdom, and knowledge, should have set open for him the gates of friendship and union; nor did the Radja prove wanting to himself on such an overture. After having thoroughly cleared the path of justification, he came forth himself from the door of love and attachment; and by a respectful behaviour, and a variety of curious presents, he gained so much upon the man’s mind, that the latter was thoroughly satisfied with him. After Vansittart’s arrival, Mr. Alexander, who had been recalled, was succeeded by Mr. Djakul, who being likewise recalled after a short time, Mr. Barwell came in his stead. As this gentleman had a strong interest at home, and was impressed with a high opinion of his own wisdom and penetration, he did not live upon good terms with Mr. Vansittart; and to shew his own power and sufficiency, he expressed a wish that Shytab-ráy should entirely close with his measures, and give up his connections with the latter. To this Shytab-ráy answered, “That without solid grounds and strong reasons, he could not estrange himself from his friends; and admitting,” said he, “that I should do it upon your commands, what dependence can you lodge in me yourself after such a proceeding?” This answer was full of fense; but Mr. Barwell, who was of a haughty and violent temper, and likewise indisposed against him, could not understand his meaning; and he not only became dis­contented, but remained in that mind of his until some time after the arrival of the valiant Mester Hushtin, the prop of the State, and the impetuous in war*. This man, who in strength of genius, extent of knowledge, beauty of style, and propriety of manners, has no equal in these times; and who by his winning deportment, and the affability of his temper, has gained so much upon the inclinations of all the world, that there is no individual but finds himself beholden to him for some favour or some benefit, no sooner landed at Calcutta, by order from home, than he invited Mr. Barwell to a seat in the Committee of Calcutta, an assembly of five persons that manage and controul the affairs of all Hindostan. An order to that purport having been dis­patched to that gentleman, he repaired to Calcutta, and left Mr. Vansittart sole Chief of Azim-abad, as well as President of the Council which composed the government of that place and consisted of four men more, to wit, Mr. Astuvun (Stevenson), Mr. Dooroz (Mr. Droze,) Mr. Ayoun-Law, and Maharadja Shytab-ráy.

Charges exhibited in England, by Lord Clive’s management, against Gov­ernor Van­sittart.