cts fror the ^e cords 
 it the *!nst India House, of Pro- 
 ceedin- -tlve t . CTS 
 T;1 owke , Resident of Be 
 
 j_gg*ta_^_j_
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 E X T R A C 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 RECORDS 
 
 AT THE 
 
 EAST INDIA HOUSE, 
 
 O F 
 
 PROCEEDINGS 
 
 RELATIVE TO 
 
 MR. FRANCIS FOWKE, 
 
 RESIDENT OF BENARES, 
 
 IN THE APPOINTMENT AND RE-APPOINTMENT OF HIM 
 TO THAT RESIDENCY, AND HIS FIRST AND SECOND 
 RECALL FROM THENCE. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 PRINTED IN MARCH, 1782.
 
 LIST of PAPERS. 
 
 No. I. TJ>X TRACT of the proceedings of the Go- 
 j\rf vernor General and Council in their Secret 
 Department, Fort William, the i6th Auguft 1775. 
 Prefent, the Governor General, General Clavering, 
 Colonel Monfon, Mr. Barwell, and Mr. Francis. 
 Fir/I appointment of Mr. Francis Foivke to Benares. 
 
 No. II. Copy of the loth paragraph of a Letter from 
 the Governor General and Council in Bengal, ia 
 their Secret Department, to the Court of Directors 
 of the Eaft India Company, dated i ith September 
 1775. Notification of the appointment of Mr. Francis 
 Foivke to Benares. 
 
 No. III. Extraft of Bengal Secret Confultations, the 2d 
 December 1776. Prefent, the Governor General, 
 General Clavering, Mr. Barwell, and Mr. Francis. 
 Recall of Mr. Francis Fowkefrom Benares. 
 
 No. IV. Extra& of a Letter from General Clavering to 
 the Court of Direftors, dated 5th December 1776. 
 On the removal of Mr. Brijlow from Oude^ and Air. 
 Francis Fowkefrom Benares. 
 
 No. V. Copy of the 6th paragraph of the General 
 Letter from Bengal., (fecret department,) dated 22d 
 December 1776. Notification of the Recall of Mr. 
 Francis Foivke from Benares. 
 
 A 2 No,
 
 No. VI. Extract of Bengal Secret Confutations, the 2gd 
 December 1776. Prefent, the Governor General, 
 General Clavering, Mr. Barwell, and Mr. Francis. 
 Appointment of Mr. Thomas Graham to be Refident 
 at Benares, and Mr. D. 0. Barwell bis AJJiftant. 
 
 No. VII. Copy of the nth paragraph of the General 
 Letter from Bengal (fecret department) dated 6th 
 January 1777, Notification of the appointment of 
 Meffrs. T. Graham and D. 0. Barwell as Refident 
 and AJJiftant at Benares. 
 
 No. VIII. Copy of 65th, 66th, and 97111 paragraphs of 
 the Company's General Letter to Bengal, dated 
 3oth January 1778, reprehending that Government 
 for the Recall of Mr. Francis Fowke from Benares, 
 and their fubfequent appointment of Mejfrs. T.Graham 
 and D. 0. Barwell to that Reftdency, and directing 
 the immediate reinjlatement of the former as Refident 
 and Pojlmajler there. 
 
 No. IX. Extract of Bengal Public Confutations, the 
 aoth July 1778. Prefent, the Governor General, 
 and Meffrs. Barwell, Francis, and Whelcr. Refo- 
 lution tofufpend the execution of the Company's orders 
 with refpeff to Mr. Francis Fowke. 
 
 No. X. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Francis Fowke to 
 the Secretary of the Superior Council in Bengal, 
 dated 2ift July 1778, requejling to know if any and 
 what proceedings had pajjed with refpei to his rein- 
 Jlatement at Benares. 
 
 No. XL Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the Su- 
 perior Council in Bengal to Mr. Francis Fowke, 
 dated 29 th July 1778, enclojing, by order, copy of the 
 refolution of the zoth. 
 
 No. XII. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Francis Fowke 
 to the Governor General and Council in Bengal, 
 dated I2th Auguft 1778, requeuing to be Informed 
 if any accufation had been made againft him, otherwife 
 trufting that the Company's orders concerning him 
 would be carried into execution, 
 
 No. XIU. Copy of the zjjth paragraph of the General 
 Letter from Bengal, (public department,) dated 
 1 7th Auguft 1778, notifying the fufpenfion of the 
 Company's orders with refpecl to Mr. Francis Fowke. 
 
 No.
 
 No. XIV. Extraft of Bengal Public Confultations, 
 the 7th September 1778. Prefent, the Governor 
 General, and Meffrs. Bar well, Francis, andWheler. 
 A motion to inform Mr. Francis Fowks that the hoard 
 had no reafon to be diffatisfied with bis conditcJ^ and 
 that no charge had been preferred againft him, nega- 
 tived by the previous quejlion. 
 
 No. XV. Extract of Bengal Public Confultations, the id 
 of April 1779. Prelent, the Governor General, 
 Meffrs. Barwell, Francis, and Wheler, and Sir Eyre 
 Coote. Proceedings on a motion for reinjiating Mr. 
 Francis Fowke at Benares, agreeably to the Company' 's 
 orders. 
 
 No. XVI. Extract of Bengal Public Confultations, the 
 5th April 1779. Prefent, the Governor General, 
 Meffrs. Barwell, Francis, and Wheler, and Sir Eyre 
 Coote. Co?nti?iuation of proceedings on the motion of 
 the iji infant concerning Mr. Francis Fowke. the 
 motion negatived. 
 
 No. XVII. Copy of the i2th paragraph of the General 
 Letter from Bengal, dated 22d April 1779, notify- 
 ing that a motion in Council for rein/la ting Mr. Fran- 
 cis Foivks at Benares had been negatived. 
 
 No XVIII. Copy of the 4th paragraph of the Com- 
 pany's General Letter to Bengal, dated I4th May 
 1779, deferring, till receipt cf the Bengal confuta- 
 tions, a decijion on the fufpcnfion of their pofitive and 
 peremptory orders relative to Mr. Francis Fowke. 
 
 No. XIX. Copy of the 40th paragraph of the Com- 
 pany's General Letter to Bengal, dated 2710. May 
 1779, Jlrongly reprehending the dif obedience to their 
 commands relative to Mr. Francis Fozvke, and again 
 directing that they be carried into immediate execution. 
 
 No. XX. Extract of Bengal Public Confultations, the- 
 1 7th February 1780. Prefent, the Governor Ge- 
 neral, and Meffrs. Francis and Wheler, (Mr. Bar- 
 well indifpofed). Reinftatement of Mr. Francis 
 Fowke at Benares. 
 
 No. XXI. Copy of the 46th paragraph of the General 
 Letter from Bengal, dated 3d March 1780, notify- 
 ing the reinftatement of Mr. Francis Fowke at Be- 
 nares. 
 
 No.
 
 No. XXII. Copy of an Addrefs to the Court of Di- 
 reftors from Lieutenant Colonel Walfli, dated 2d 
 t January 1782, reprefenting the removal of his ne- 
 
 ** phew Mr. Francis Fowke from the Refidency of Be- 
 
 nares, and praying that redrefs may be granted to him 
 by thejhips under difpatch. 
 
 No. XXIII. Extract of a General Letter from Bengal, 
 dated gd February 1781, received 4th January 
 1782, notifying the Recall of Mr. Francis Fowke from 
 Benares, and the appointment of Mr. Mark ham in bis 
 room ; alfo Mr. Fowke' s nomination to be Agent for 
 the provifion of boats to the army after the expiration 
 of the prefent contrail. 
 
 No. XXIV. Copy of an Addrefs to the Court "of Direc- 
 tors from Lieutenant Colonel John Walfh, dated 
 23d January 1782, repeating his requeft for redrefs 
 to be granted to Mr. Francis Fowke by. the difpatches 
 to Bengal then about to be clofed. 
 
 No. XXV. Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the 
 Court of Directors to Lieutenant Colonel John 
 Wallh, dated 29th January i 782, informing him that 
 his AddreJJes of the id and 23^ inftant were referred 
 to the Committee of Correfpcndence, who had not yet 
 corns to any determination thereon. 
 
 No. XXVI. Copy of the 46th paragraph of the Gene- 
 ral Letter from Bengal (fecret department) dated 
 the 27th April 1781, received ^th February 1782, 
 notifying again the Recall of Mr. Francis Fowke from 
 Benares, and appoint ?ne nt of him to be Agent for the 
 prov'ifion of boats to the Army after the expiration of 
 the prefent contracJ, alfo Mr. William Markham's ap- 
 pointment to that Refidency. 
 
 No. XX VI I. Extract of Bengal Secret Confutations, 
 the 1 4th January 1781. Prefent, the Governor 
 General and Mr. Wheler. Recall of Mr. Francis 
 Fowke from Benares and appointment of Mr. William 
 Markham in his room, with Mr. Benn djfijlant. Ap- 
 pointment of Mr. Francis Fowke to be Agent for pro- 
 viding boats for the Army after the expiration of Co- 
 hnd Morgan's contract, with a commijfwn of i$ per 
 
 cent,
 
 cent, on his expenditures, and permiffion to draw for 
 his prefent falary of i coo P^pees per month to the 
 time he enters on the Agency and three months after. 
 
 N. B. As the records of Council for January 1781, 
 have not yet been received by the Court of Dire&ors, 
 the Extraft No. XXVII. has been furniihed by favour 
 of Major John Scott, Agent for the Governor General 
 in political Concerns.
 
 NO.L 
 
 ExtraB of the Proceedings of the Governor General and 
 Council, in their Secret Department, Fort William, the 
 i6th Auguft, 1775. Prefent, the Governor General, 
 General Clavering, Colonel Monfon, Mr. Barwell } and 
 Mr. Francis. 
 
 GENERAL Clavering moves, that a Company's 
 fervant be fent up to Benares, to carry with him 
 the Sunnuds of inveftiture to the R.aja from the Com- 
 pany, and to inform himfelf of the nature of the mint, 
 the fpeciesof rupees that are coined in it, how much the 
 perfon who farmed it paid to the Soubah of Oude, or to 
 his minifters, in prefents ; as likewife with the nature of 
 the cutwally, and what the advantages of it were to the 
 perfon who farmed it ; in order to make fuch a fettlement 
 with the Raja as may be equally advantageous to him 
 and the Company. 
 
 Mr. Francis agrees to the motion* 
 
 Mr. Barwell. I looked upon the motion to be carried 
 by the laft refolution of the board, and that the choice 
 of a perfon remains only to be determined. The Com- 
 pany, in the extra charges to which they have already 
 been put, may have occafion to complain j and as ceco- 
 nomy and difpatch may be equally promoted, I beg leave 
 to mention Colonel Main, the officer commanding at 
 Chunar, as the mod eligible perfon : little or no charges 
 will be incurred by his juft moving from Chunar to 
 Benares ; and, befides, he is the belt qualified, from his 
 local knowledge. 
 
 B Colonel
 
 Colonel Monfon agrees to the motion of General 
 Clavering. 
 
 The Governor General objects to this motion. 
 
 Refolved, a covenanted fervant be appointed to go 
 to Benares, to take the Sunnuds of inveftiture to the 
 Rajah, &c. alfo to make the invefligations necefiary to 
 enable the board to come to a final fettlement with the 
 Rajah for that Zemindary. 
 
 General Clavering moves, that Mr. Francis Fowkc 
 be appointed to execute this fervice 5 a young man ex- 
 ceedingly well qualified, from his knowledge in the Per- 
 lian tongue, and his unexceptionable good character. 
 
 Mr. Francis. I believe Mr. Francis Fowke to be per- 
 fectly qualified for the fervice propofed ; and I agree to 
 the motion. 
 
 Mr. Barwell. The unhappy differences that have 
 prevailed at the board, the particular part which Mr. 
 Jofeph Fowke has ated fmce the commencement of the 
 new government, the particular predicament in which 
 he (lands at prefent, I am forry to obferve, makes Mr. 
 Francis Fowke, his fon, the moft improper nomination 
 for a commiffiou of this kind that could have been 
 thought of; nor can I conceive why it ihould have been 
 thought of, unlefs for the exprefs purpofe of lowering 
 the Governor General in the eyes of the Raja of Benares, 
 as wefi as of all India, by the (election of this gentleman. 
 I have no other objection to Mr. Francis Fowke. Wag 
 it in my power I would ferve him, but not at the ex- 
 pence, or in degradation of the firft character of the 
 itate. I therefore wifh that Mr. Francis Fowke's nomi- 
 nation may not be carried. 
 
 Colonel Monfom I do not comprehend Mr. Bar- 
 well's chain of reafoning, that the employing an unex- 
 ceptionable Company's fervant can be any degradation 
 to the Governor General's confequence or honour, or 
 lower his dignity in the eyes of the public : had Mr. 
 Francis Fowke been an exceptionable character, there 
 might have been ibme degree of juftnefs in Mr. Bar- 
 weii's obfervationj bnt, as Mr. Barwell himfelf de- 
 clares he vvilhes to ferve him, I do not comprehend why 
 
 he
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 he will not on this occafion teftify to Mr. Fowke this in- 
 clination. I believe Mr. Fowke to be qualified for this 
 appointment, and therefore approve of the nomination. 
 
 General Clavering is for his own nomination. 
 
 The Governor General. I am not furprized at the 
 motion now before the board : I expected it at the time 
 in which it was refolved, in contradiction to the former 
 opinion of the board, to permit Mr. Jofeph Fowke to re- 
 turn to Benares. I confider the prefent appointment as 
 the appointment, not of Mr. Francis Fowke, but of Mr. 
 Jofeph Fowke, whofe influence over his fon will reduce 
 the authority of the latter to a mere (hadow; I therefore 
 difapprove of the motion ; I proteft againft it. 
 
 Agreed, that Mr. Francis Fowke be appointed to pro- 
 ceed to Benares, for the purpofes already refolved on. 
 
 Ordered, that inftruclions be prepared for him accord- 
 ingly, with a letter of credence to Raja Cheyt Sing. 
 
 No. II. 
 
 Extra ft of a Letter from the Governor General and Council 
 in Bengal, in their Secret Department, to the Court cf 
 Directors of the Eaft India Company, dated ntb Sep- 
 tember, 1775. 
 
 Par. lo.TN our Letter of the $d Auguft, of which 
 A you will receive a duplicate by this (hip, you 
 are advifed of the acquifition of the territories of Raja 
 Cheyt Sing to the Company, and of the fteps which we 
 had then taken towards fettling with him for that Zemin- 
 dary. On the i6th of that month we again took this 
 fubjecl into confideration, and called the Vakeel before 
 us, who had received an anfwer from his mafter to our 
 firft offer; but not being able to afcertain from him the 
 finenefs and quantity of the filver of the Gourfhay Ru- 
 pees, in which coin the tribute from the Rajah is to be 
 paid, nor the exact amount which the late Farmers of the 
 Mint and Cutwallyat Benares, and the Cutwally at Juan- 
 B 2 pore,
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 pore, had paid annually to the Nabob and his Officers 
 for the grant of thofe articles, we judged it neceffary to 
 appoint a perfon to proceed to Benares, to make fundry 
 local inveftigations into thefe and other points, to enable 
 us to come to a final adjuftment with the Raja; and we 
 accordingly appointed Mr. Francis Fowke. In the mean 
 time, we agreed that the Raja fhould continue to pay at 
 Benares the exacl: Cum, and in the fame fpecies of ru- 
 pees, as he had paid to the late and prefent Nabobs of 
 Oude, that is to fay, 23,72,65612 Gourfliay rupees, ex- 
 clufive of the Mint, Cutvvally, and other articles, \vhich 
 the Nabob held in his own right. 
 
 No. III. 
 
 Ext raff of Bengal Secret Confultations, the id December, 
 1776. Prefentj the Governor General, General Cla~ 
 r* Bar well > and Mr. Francis, 
 
 THE Governor General alfo moves, that Mr. Francis 
 ~ Fowke be recalled from Benares, and his com- 
 mi V>n annulled i the exprefs purpofes thereof having 
 been accomplished. 
 
 Mr. Francis. I need not bring my opinion in writing 
 upon either of thefe motions. To the firft I make no 
 objection ; but as to the recal of Mr. Francis Fowke, I 
 know no motive for it ; on the contrary, I am fatisfied 
 that his prefence at Benares has been of fignal ufe in 
 preventing the delays of the remittance of the tribute ; 
 and to my knowledge he has done nothing to incur the 
 difpleafure of the board ; I cannot therefore confent to 
 his recal. 
 
 Mr. Harwell . The exprefs purpofes to which Mr. 
 Fowke was firft appointed, were, the inveftiture of the 
 Raja^ and the fettling a mode for the remittance of his 
 tribute : his commiffion ceafed theinftant the objeft of it 
 
 was
 
 ( 5 ) 
 
 was accompliflied, and Mr. Fowke ought then to hate 
 been remanded to Calcutta ; he holds no appointment, 
 and therefore it cannot properly be flyled a removal. 
 I afTent therefore to Mr. Fowke's being called to the 
 prefidency. 
 
 General Clavering. In regard to the rccal of Mr. 
 Fowke, and the annulling of his office, I cannot help 
 confidering it as a vindi&ive meafure, couched under the 
 appearance of public fervice, and therefore diflent to 
 the motion. 
 
 Governor General. I agree to the motion. 
 
 Refolved, that the motion propofed by the Governor 
 General be carried in the affirmative. 
 
 The following letter is accordingly written to Mr* 
 Fowke. 
 
 To Mr. Francis Fowke. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The objefls propofed by your ap- 
 pointment, to proceed to Benares, being now accom- 
 pliflied, we have thought it neceflary to annul the com- 
 miflion which was given you for that purpofe: We 
 therefore direcl that you return to this prefidency im- 
 mediately on receipt hereof. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 
 No. IV. 
 
 of a Letter from General Clavering to the Court of 
 Dire ftors, dated $tb December, 1776. 
 
 THE reftraint that I had laid on myfelf not to in- 
 fringe further on the rules of the fervice than was 
 neceffary, for the explanation of my conduft in the part 
 I am obliged to take, gives way again to the obligation 
 I feel myfelf under, in the ftrift difcharge of my duty, to 
 acquaint you with fome of the laft tranfadtions of the 
 council after the departure of the Naflfau, as their being 
 undertaken precifely at that jun&ure feem s calculated 
 to conceal, as long as poffible, the information of them 
 from your notice. 
 
 The
 
 ( 6 ) 
 
 The firft fubjeft is, the removal of Mr. Briftow from 
 the poft of Refident with the Vizier, and the re-ap- 
 pointment of Mr. Middleton. The next is, the recal of 
 Mr. Francis Fowke from Benares. 
 
 Having annexed the entire confultation on both fub- 
 je&s, I will forbear to make any reflections on the pro- 
 ceedings, leaving it to your honourable board to decide, 
 how far the good of your fervice has been confulted in 
 removing two gentlemen, who have each diftinguifhed 
 themfelves ; the firft, in obtaining for the Company an 
 addition of thirty lacks a year to their former revenue ; 
 and the fecond, in re-eftablifhing the coinage of Benares, 
 by means of which the exact amount of the fubfidy is 
 ascertained, and then fixing the rate of the remittance on 
 the moft advantageous terms to the Company. As to 
 Mr. Middleton's re-appointment, you yourfelves, gen- 
 tlemen, as well as the proprietors, are too much in- 
 terefted in the fupport of your own dignity, and too 
 fenfibly wounded in the ftep taken to reftore him to an 
 office from which he had been difmiffed, after the fo- 
 lemn condemnation which you had given on his conduct 
 for not fubmitting his correfpondence to the fupremc 
 council, for me to mention and lay a ftrefs on the little 
 regard the chief of a council {hews to the honour of a 
 government over which he prefides, to recommend a fer- 
 vant to fill any pod till he has made the fatisfaclion re- 
 quired of him, not only to the government in which he 
 ferves, but to his mailers and fuperiors, on whom he ul- 
 timately depends. 
 
 No. V. 
 
 Extraft of tbe Secret General Letter from Bengal^ dated, 
 iid December y 1776. 
 
 Par. 6. nPHE purpofes for which Mr. Francis Fowke 
 X was appointed to proceed to Raja Cheyt 
 Sing, at Benares, being now fully accomplimed, we have 
 annulled his commiffioD, and ordered him to return to 
 the prefidency. 
 
 No.
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 No. VI. 
 
 Extratt of Bengal Secret Confutations, the i^d Dec ember 9 
 1776. Present, the Governor General, General Claver- 
 ing, Mr. Harwell, and Mr. Francis. 
 
 THE Governor General moves, that a civil fervant 
 of the Company be appointed to refide at Benares 
 on the part of this government, for the purpofe of 
 tranfafting any occafional bufinefs which may arife be- 
 tween this government and the Raja of Benares; and 
 that Mr. Thomas Graham may be nominated to this 
 office, and Mr. Daniel Barwell to be his affiflant. 
 
 Mr. Francis. If a civil fervant was neceiTary for the 
 purpofe defcribed in the motion, I conceive that Mr. 
 Francis Fowke was perfe&ly well qualified for that office. 
 I have no objection, however, to either of the gentlemen 
 recommended by the Governor General. 
 
 Mr. Barwell agrees to the motion. 
 
 General Ciavering. I objeft to it, and leave the re- 
 fpomibility of the meafure with the Governor General, 
 who muft anfwer for it. 
 
 Refolved, that a civil fervant of the Company be ap- 
 pointed to refide at Benares, on the part of this govern- 
 ment, for the purpofe cf tranfafting any occafional bufi- 
 nefs which may arife between this government and the 
 Raja of Benares. 
 
 Agreed, that Mr. Thomas Graham be nominated to 
 this office ; and that Mr. Daniel Barwell be appointed 
 his affiftant. 
 
 No. VII. 
 
 Extra ft of the Secret General Letter from Bengal, dated 
 
 6th January, 1777- 
 
 Par. u. TT7E have thought it proper to appoint a 
 V V Company's fervant to refide at Benares, 
 for the purpofe of tranfa&ing any occafional bufmefs that 
 may arife between this government and Raja Cheyt 
 Sing. This appointment has been given to Mr. Thomas 
 Graham, and Mr. D. O. Barwell has been nominated his 
 afliftant. 
 
 No.
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 No. VIII. 
 
 Extra ft of the Company* s General Letter to Bengal, dated 
 $oth January, 1778. 
 
 Par. 65. TN your fecret letter of the i9th of December, 
 JL 1775, you inform us, that the purpofes for 
 which Mr. Francis Fovvke was appointed to proceed to 
 Benares being fully accomplifhed, you had annulled his 
 commiffion, and ordered him to the prefidency ; but it 
 appears by your letter of the 6th of January, 1777, that 
 in lefs than twenty days you thought proper to appoint 
 Mr. Thomas Graham to refide at Benares, and Mr. Da- 
 niel Odtavus Barwell to be his afliftant. 
 
 Par. 66. If it were poffible to fuppofe that a faving 
 to the Company had been your motive for annulling 
 Mr. Fowke's commiffion, we fhould have approved your 
 proceedings; but when we find two perfons appointed 
 immediately afterwards, with two falaries, to execute an 
 office which had been filled with reputation by Mr. 
 Fowke alone, and that Mr. Graham enjoys all the emo- 
 luments annexed to the office of Mr. Fowke, we mufl 
 be of opinion, that Mr. Fowke was removed without 
 juft caufe, to make room for Mr. Graham; and that the 
 addition of Mr. Barwell's falary is a clear lofs of three 
 hundred rupees per month to the Company. 
 
 Par. 67. As it was not pretended that Mr. Fowke's 
 conduct had been exceptionable, as he had executed with 
 the greateft punctuality and exactnefs the like office to 
 which you have now appointed Mr. Graham ; and as 
 the diffent of Mr. Francis, and the proteft of General 
 Clavering, on the occafion, had no effect, we think it 
 proper to interfere ; and therefore direct, that Mr. 
 Francis Fowke be immediately reinftated in his office of 
 Kefident and Poft-mafter at Benares ; we however think 
 proper to declare, that though we mean by this order 
 to do an ad of public juftice, we by no means intend it 
 as a mark of disapprobation of the conduct of Mr. Gra- 
 ham, whom we believe to be a very deferving fervant 
 of the Company. 
 
 No.
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 No. IX. 
 
 Extratt of Bengal Public Confutations, tie 2otb July, 
 1778. Prefent, the Governor General, and MeJJrs. 
 Barwelly Francis 9 andWheler. 
 
 READ the general letter, dated ^oth January laft, 
 received from the Hon. the Court of Directors by 
 the Grofvenor and Ofterly. 
 
 Par. 65, 66, and 67. Governor General. I mud re- 
 queft that the board will fufpend the execution of this 
 order. The fpirit and intention of it is evident, and 
 publicly known both in England and here. With 
 thefe confiderations in view, my confent to the recal of 
 Mr. Graham would be adequate to my own resignation 
 of the fervice, becaufe it would inflict fuch a wound in 
 my authority and influence, that I could not maintain 
 it. In the courfe of a few days we may expert to hear 
 of the refolutions which have been taken by our fupe- 
 riors, and of the appointments which have been made to 
 fill the vacancy occafioned in this government, by the 
 death of the late Sir John Claveriug. Thefe will be 
 likewife decifive cf my own fituation in the fervice. I 
 need not fay more to urge the propriety of fufpending 
 the execution of this order of the Court of Dire&ors^ 
 Mr. Thompfon, in his letter from Marfeilles, dated the 
 1 8th of April, mentions that a packet, containing the 
 news of the General's death, had been difpatched to 
 London from that port, from his Majefty's agent there^ 
 feven days before, and it is probable that the Swallow 
 carried this intelligence earlier. We may therefore ex- 
 peft, that the Caranja, which was to depart from Suez 
 immediately on receipt of the confirmation of the war, 
 will bring us thofe decifive orders which I look for; 
 and thefe may arrive to-morrpw, or in the courfe of 
 very few days. 
 
 Mr. Francis. The Court of Diretfors order Mr. 
 
 Francis Fowke to be immediately reiuftated in his office. 
 
 C To
 
 ( 10 ) 
 
 To fufpend the execution of fuch an order is to difobey 
 it. In another part of the fame letter (par. 41) they 
 fay, " We can on no account permit our orders to be 
 " difobeyed, and our authority difregarded." When 
 the Company's orders to me are clear and pofitive, I do 
 not deem myfelf at liberty to with-hold my obedience to 
 them on any confideration whatever ; unlefs a new fi- 
 tuation of affairs unknown to, and unforefeen by, the 
 Court of Directors, fhould make it imprafticableor dan- 
 gerous to carry them into execution : I am therefore 
 againft the motion. 
 
 Mr. WTieler. I am of opinion that the order fhould 
 be immediately carried into execution. 
 
 Mr. Barwell. While Mr. Haftings is in the govern- 
 ment, the refpeft and dignity of his ftation ihould be 
 fupported* In thefe fentiments I muft decline an ac- 
 quiefcence in any order which has a tendency to bring 
 the government into difrepute ; as the Company have 
 the means and the power of forming their own admi- 
 niftration in India, they may at their pleafure place 
 whom they pleafe at the head. But, in my opinion, 
 they are uot authorized to treat a perfon in that poft 
 with indignity. 
 
 Refolved, that the execution of this order be fuf- 
 pended. 
 
 Mr. Francis. I beg leave to enter my difient to this 
 refolution. 
 
 No.X. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Mr. Francis Fowke to the Secretary 
 of the Superior Council in Bengal. 
 
 To J. P. Auriol, Efq; Secretary to the Hon. the Su- 
 perior Council. 
 
 Sir, Calcutta, 21 ft July, 1778. 
 
 MY friends in England having tranfmitted to me a 
 notification in form, which they have received, 
 importing, that an order of the Honourable the Court 
 of Directors, for my inftant re- appointment to the poll 
 
 of
 
 of Refident at Benares, was tranfmitted by the Grofvenor, 
 and a considerable time being now elapfed fince the re- 
 ceipt of the packet, I humbly requeft of the Honourable 
 Board, that I may be informed of any refoludons which 
 may have pafTed inconfequence of the above order, and 
 that I may be furniftied with a copy of their proceedings 
 upon the fubjeft. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient humble fervanr, 
 FRANCIS FOWKE. 
 
 No. XI. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of (be Superior 
 Council, in Bengal, to Mr. Francis Fowke. 
 
 To Mr. Francis Fowke. 
 Sir, 
 
 IN confequence of your addrefs to the Hon. the Go- 
 vernor General and Council, requeuing to be in- 
 formed of any refolutions which may have paffed on the 
 orders of the Court of Directors refpefting you, and to 
 be furnifhed with a copy of' the proceedings upon the 
 fubjeft, I am directed to tranfmit you the enclofed ex- 
 traft of the confultation, aoth inftant. 
 
 Council Chamber, * al ?> Sir > 
 
 the zgth July, 1778. Your molt obedient iervant, 
 
 J. P. AURIOL. 
 
 Extraft of Confutation, zoth July, 1778. 
 Read the General Letter,. dated the 3oth January laft, 
 received from the Hon. the Court of Directors, by the 
 Grofvenor and Oflerly. 
 
 Par. 64, 65, 66, and 67. Refolved, that the execu- 
 tion of this order be fufpended. 
 
 A true extraft. 
 
 J. P. AURIOL, Secretary. 
 
 Cz No.
 
 No. XII. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Mr. Francis Fowke to the Go- 
 vernor General and Council in Bengal. 
 
 To the Hon, Warren Haftings, Efq-, Governor General, 
 See. Superior Council of Fort William, 
 
 Hon. Sirs, 
 
 I Acknowledge with great thank fulnefs your conde- 
 fcenfion, in conveying to me, through Mr. Secretary 
 Auriol, the refolution you have palled to fufpend the 
 execution of the Company's order, dated goth January, 
 1778, directing, that " Mr. Francis Fowke be imme- 
 diately reinftated in his office of Pxeiident and poflmafter 
 at Benares." By this indulgence I have an opportunity 
 afforded me of humbly remonilrating againft the fe- 
 verity of your fentence, which is nearly equal to dif- 
 million from the fervice. 
 
 An order of the Court of Directors, made public only 
 a few days ago, pofuively forbids any covenanted fer- 
 vant to return to England, under any pretence of ob- 
 taining redrefs there for injuries received here, without 
 firft making an appeal to them through the channel 
 of the Prelident and Council abroad. The exiftence of 
 this order neceffarily fuppofes that no covenanted fer- 
 vant can be difmiffed or fufpended from his offices in 
 India without fome previous 'trial, at lead fome charge 
 or fome accufation to which he may be fuffered to re- 
 ply. On any other fuppoiition the Court of Directors 
 can have no materials lying before them to conduct their 
 }udgment of his merits. I (land exadly in this predica- 
 ment, and fubmit to your candour to determine whether 
 the cafe be not a hard one. I fee a fimple refolution 
 which fufpends me from my offices, and am left to guefs 
 at the caufes which influence it. In fuch a fituation I 
 cannot be free from anxiety. Confcious of my own in- 
 nocence
 
 nocence and integrity, I will hope that your juflice will 
 relieve me. If there are any accufations laid againft me, 
 let my accufers {land forth ; let me anfwer them face to 
 face : I muft believe there are fome, becaufe I am confi- 
 dent your juftice would not permit me to be condemned 
 on no grounds, however you might have miftaken 
 them. 
 
 I am fenfible that my fituation obliges me to the mo ft 
 perfeft fubmiffion to your orders ; yet, as my own ho- 
 nour, and that of my family, will not allow me to fie 
 filent under a difgrace, it was a duty incumbent upon 
 me to defend my reputation. In the offices I have 
 filled, I have Uriel ly adhered to my duty, and cannot 
 charge myfelf with having ever been deficient in refpecl 
 to my fuperiors. The fame conduct I mall ever ob- 
 ferve. If you find, on a candid examination, that the 
 merit I lay claim to is my due, I truft that your Hon. 
 Board will be pleafed to carry into execution the Hon. 
 the Court of Directors orders, for my immediate re- 
 appointment to the offices of prefident and poftmafter at 
 Benares. 
 
 I remain, with the greatefl reflect, 
 Honourable Sir and Sirs, 
 Your mofl faithful 
 Calcutta, and moft obedient fervant, 
 
 pth Augult, 1778. 
 
 FRANCIS FOWKE. 
 
 No. XIII. 
 
 Extra ft of the General Letter from Bengal, dated i*]tb 
 Augit/t, 1778. 
 
 Par. 25.TT TE have refolved to fufpend the execution 
 VV of that part of your commands, dated 
 30th January laft, which relate to Mr. Francis Fowke, 
 and muft beg leave to refer you to our records for the 
 motives which fwayed with us in this inflance. 
 
 No
 
 No. XIV. 
 
 Extrafi of Bengal Public Confutation^ the jtb September, 
 1778. Prefent, the Governor General, and Meffrs* 
 Barzvell, Francis, and Wheler. 
 
 RE AD a letter from Mr. Fowke. See No. XII. 
 Mr. Francis. I move, that the Secretary may be 
 directed to inform Mr. Francis Fowke, that the board 
 have no reafon to be diflatisfied with any part of his con- 
 duit in the Company's Service, and that no charge has 
 been preferred againft him to the board. 
 
 Mr. Wheler. I agree to the motion. 
 
 Mr. Harwell. The board having already denied to 
 Mr. Fowke the fatisfadiion he required, by ordering 
 limply the refolution of the board to be furnimed by the 
 Secretary, I move the previous queftion. 
 
 Mr. Wheler and Mr. Francis againft the motion. 
 
 Governor General. I am for the previous queftion. 
 All applications of this kind are irregular. The board 
 are not accountable to Mr. Fowke for their refolution 
 refpe&iug him. The reafons for fufpending the execur- 
 tion of the orders of the Court of Directors contain no 
 charge, nor the flighted imputation of a charge, againft 
 Mr. Fowke ; but I fee no reafon why the board fhould 
 condefcend to tell him fo. 
 
 The previous queftion being carried, 
 
 Refolved, that Mr. Francis's queftion be not put. 
 
 No. XV. 
 
 Extrafi of Bengal Public Confutations, the ijt April, 
 1779. Prejent, the Governor General, Meffrs. Barwel/, 
 Francis, &nd Wheler, and Sir Eyre Coote. 
 
 MR. Francis. I move, that the 65th, 66th, and 
 67th paragraphs of the Company's general letter 
 of the 3oth January, 1778, and the proceedings of this 
 board of the.aoth July, 4 i 77 8, be now read. 
 
 Read
 
 Read the paragraphs 65, 66, and 67 of the general 
 letter, dated the 3Oth January, 1778, and the proceed- 
 ings of the 2oth July, 1778. 
 
 Mr. Francis. I move, that the Company's orders, 
 contained in the preceding paragraphs, be carried into 
 execution ; that Mr. Francis Fowke be immediately re- 
 inflated in his office of Refident and Pott-matter at Be- 
 nares ; and that Mr. Thomas Graham be ordered to de- 
 liver over charge of thofe offices forthwith to Mr. 
 Francis Fowke. 
 
 Governor General. I have expected this motion, and 
 I expeft many more of a fimilar nature to be introduced 
 by Mr. Francis, for the purpofe of forcing the new mem- 
 ber of this government to declare himfelf a party in dif- 
 putes in which he has no concern, and in which I will 
 venture to exprefs my belief that it is not his witti to be 
 involved. The order of the Company which has been 
 read was addreffed to this adminittration before Sir Eyre 
 Coote was a member of it. It was alfo read, and a refo- 
 Jution paffed upon it, before Sir Eyre Coote's appoint- 
 ment. I prefume, therefore, to fay, that it is irregularly 
 brought before the board at this time. For though his 
 voice may be now required, and may be given upon the 
 motion, yet, as it refpefts the aft of a former admini- 
 ftration, and an aft already done, the refponfibility of 
 that aft refts only with thofe who conttitutionally paffed 
 it, and ought not to be thrown upon him, nnlefs he is 
 deiirous that it (hould be revifed, and that he may par- 
 ticipate in it. If our records are to undergo a new fcru- 
 tiny, and every meafure which they contain to be ex- 
 amined by the fcale of the Company's orders, or by the 
 judgment of the prefent adminiilration, the time of the 
 board will not fuffice, even in a daily meeting of it, for 
 fo multiplied a refearch, and for the debates which muft 
 neceffarily accompany it. If this retrofpeft is not to af- 
 feft all the refolutions and all the meafures of the paffed 
 government, on what principle is a feleftion made of a 
 queflion which has its bafis in a party diflinftion,and isc?e- 
 terminable only by party principles. The refolution for 
 fafpeading the execution of the Company's orders on the 
 
 2,0 ih
 
 loth July, 1778, was notified tothe Court of Directors in 
 our difpatches by the Eagle packet, dated the ijth Au- 
 guft. Their anfwer may be received, and ought to be 
 expected, before the period which the Act of Parliament 
 has prefcribed for the duration of this government. To 
 prevent their orders, by an intermediate decifion of a 
 point of fuch magnitude referred to them, is neither, in 
 my judgment, confident with the refpedt which is due to 
 their authority, nor with the actual ftate of this govern- 
 ment, already oppreffed with difficulties which demand 
 the flrenuous and united exertion of all its powers, and 
 which it tends to throw into utter ccnfufion ; and for 
 what ! Let the perfon who made the motion fay, what 
 is the object of it. Is the reinftatement, as it is called, 
 of Mr. Francis Fowke to an office which he never held, 
 of fuch weighty confequence to the interefts of the Eaft 
 India Company, and of the Britifh nation in India, that 
 for this the firft executive member of their firft govern- 
 ment muft be treated with infult, and either keep his 
 feat, to be a partaker of a fcene of anarchy and confu- 
 fion during the fhort but momentous interval which re- 
 mains of the power which we unitedly hold, or leave it 
 and a government embarraffed with new and perhaps 
 greater diltradtions ? 
 
 I defire that the paragraphs of the general letter and 
 the extract of our proceedings, which have been read, 
 may be entered after the firft motion made by Mr. 
 Francis. I moft earneftly recommend them to the fe- 
 rious attention and reflection of the other members of 
 this board, and to thofe of the Commander in Chief mod 
 efpecially. I hope that the decifion on this queftion 
 will not be precipitated ; that the confequences of it 
 may be weighed, before an act fo critical and decifive be 
 irrevocably palfed. I came unprepared for it, not ig- 
 norant, indeed, that it would be brought on at an early 
 time, for the public voice has loudly announced it ; but 
 1 did not expect to he furprized whh it on a day, and in a 
 department, devoted to bufmefs, from which this is en- 
 tirely foreign. I therefore hope and requeft that the 
 other members will fufpend their decifion until the next 
 meeting of the board in the general depariment. 
 
 Mr,
 
 C >7 ) 
 
 Mr. Francis. The prefent queftion Joes not pro. 
 perly lie between the Governor General and me, but 
 between this board and that authority which the leglfla- 
 rure has placed over us. The propriety of waiting for 
 farther orders, when we have pofitive orders before us, 
 may at any time be pleaded with equal reafon as at pre- 
 fent and may as eafily defeat any future orders, however 
 peremptory, in confirmation of the paft, as thofe which 
 we have already received. The perfonal appeal made to 
 Sir Eyre Coote obliges me to take this opportunity of 
 affuring him, that I will never bring any queftion o 
 this nature forward, in which it will be poflible for a 
 member of this board to take part againft me, without 
 at the fame time taking part againft the Court of Di- 
 reclors. As for the reft, I fhall content myfelf with fay- 
 ing, that the Governor General has formed a very erro- 
 neous judgment of my intentions. 
 
 If the public voice has already announced my defign 
 to introduce the prefent motion, it is a ftrong prefump- 
 tive proof of the public expectation and, as I think, of 
 of their judgment upon the refolution which I propofe 
 to have reverfed. As for myfelf, I declare upon my 
 honour, and if there be that man living who can contra- 
 dict me let him come forward, that I never did directly 
 or indirectly, or by the moft diftant intimation, acquaint 
 any perfon, not a member of this board, of my defign to 
 move the prefent queftion. As the Governor General 
 expected it and as the queftion itfelf is of a very plain 
 and fimple nature, I think there is no ground for defer- 
 ring the decifion of it. At all events, I have done my 
 duty and fhall give the board no further trouble. 
 
 Sir Eyre Coote. Being called upon by my King and 
 country to fill a poft in this part of the world of the 
 higheft importance to the ftate, it was with the greateil 
 diffidence I undertook that fervice, well knowing the 
 great difficulties I had to encounter from the unfortu- 
 nate differences which had arifen among the members of 
 the Supreme Council. I therefore determined not to 
 take a part in thofe differences, it being, in my opinion, 
 D the
 
 ( 18 ) 
 
 the fureft method that I could devife of putting an end 
 *o them ; and conceiving that any kind of retrofpeft 
 would prove fatal to my wifties, was determined to pre- 
 vent them as much as lay in my power, by bringing for- 
 ward no matter, the decifion of which I was not imme- 
 diately anfwerable for the confequences of; paying at 
 the fame time implicit obedience to the orders of the 
 Court of Directors, which I am determined to adhere to 
 for uiy line of conduct. I agree to fufpend the decifion 
 of the queftion till the next meeting of the Council in 
 the general department. 
 
 Mr. Wheler. It cannot be confidered precipitate in 
 me to give an immediate opinion upon the prefent 
 queftion, my fentiments being already recorded. I 
 therefore, to prevent the implication of giving a hafty 
 opinion, defire leave to record my further fentiments at 
 this meeting of the board. 
 
 Mr. Barwell. I feel much concerned on the prefent 
 occafion. The forcing on a queftion on a matter that 
 has palled judgment, and which, if decided, muft be a 
 confirmation or reverfion of that judgment, independent 
 of the authority to which it is fubmitted, will, I fear, not 
 tend to conciliate the differences of the board, which I 
 flattered myfelf might have drawn to a period. The 
 confequences are very obvious. I hope, however, the 
 temper and moderation of Sir Eyre Coote will decide 
 for terminating the diftra&ions which have hitherto pre- 
 vailed. It is with great pleafure I obferve in the de- 
 livery of Sir Eyre's fentiments a refolution, fo decidedly 
 exprefied, of confulting alone the honour and interefts 
 of the government and fixing our councils, if poffible, to 
 that particular point only. I am fo well aware of the 
 confequences to refult from haftily deciding on an aft of 
 the adminiftration, under the prefent change in its cir- 
 cumftances in the arrival of Sir Eyre Coote, that I en- 
 tirely concur in the wifh exprefied by the Governor 
 General to fufpend the queftion. 
 
 Mr. Wheler. As the members of the board have not 
 objecled to my requeft of entering my opinion upon the 
 
 main
 
 ( '9 ) 
 
 main queflion, I beg leave to do it in the following 
 words ; That, as I cannot difcover, either in the minute 
 entered by the Governor General, or in the 25th para- 
 graph of our general letter to the Court of Direftors of 
 the i yth Auguft by the Eagle packet, the fhadow of an 
 argument that can induce me to alter my former opinion, 
 much lefs juftify me in the difobedience of a poiitive or- 
 der from the Court of Directors, I am for the queftion. 
 
 Refolved, that the decifion of the queftion propofed 
 by Mr. Francis be fufpended until the next meeting of 
 the board in this department. 
 
 No. XVI. 
 
 Extratt of Bengal Public Confutations, the $tb April, 
 1779. Prefent, the Governor General, Mejfrs. Bar- 
 welly Francis, and Wheler, and Sir Eyre Coote. 
 
 MR Francis's motion, recorded in the laft confulta- 
 tion, being now again taken into confideration, 
 ;nant-General Sir Eyre Coote delivers in the fol- 
 lowing minute. 
 
 Since the laft meeting of the board in tnis depart- 
 ment, I have had time to reflect very maturely upon the 
 nature and tendency of the queftion now depending. 
 
 In my former minute upon the fubjeft, I declared the 
 two ruling principles of my conduct to be, the defire of 
 avoiding every kind of retrofpeft, and a firm refolution 
 to pay an implicit obedience to the orders of the Com- 
 pany. 
 
 And however difficult it may feem to reconcile an ad- 
 herence to both under the prefent circmnftance, fince, 
 by palling an opinion on the queftion 1 fhould lecm to 
 fwerve from the one, and by declining it to lofe light of 
 the other, I yet flatter myfelf that the conduct which 
 .agrees with my own feelings will aifo meet with the ap- 
 probation of this board. 
 
 D ?. I declare
 
 I declare therefore, that had I had the honour of a 
 feat here at the time the Company's inftru&ions refpecl- 
 ing Mr. Fowke were received, I fhould certainly have 
 joined mod heartily with thofe gentlemen who were for 
 putting them into immediate execution, as I (hall ever 
 do in regard to any future orders which may be given 
 by the Company while I remain in the fervice. But as 
 the whole of this tranfaftion paffed before my arrival, 
 and as the refult of the laft proceedings thereupon now 
 lies before the Directors for their ultimate decifion, I de- 
 fire to wave the giving any prefent opinion upon it and 
 to referve my vote till their orders are received, when 
 I fliall moft afluredly give it in fupport of them. 
 
 Mr. Francis. The queftion is, whether a pofitive 
 order of the Court of Directors fliall or fhall not be 
 obeyed. I fuppofe it is hardly neceffary for me to fay 
 what my opinion is : I aft in conformity to it in giving 
 my vote for the queftion. 
 
 Mr. Harwell. Mr. Francis muft excufe me if 1 can- 
 not receive the queftion as it (lands explained by him : 
 I apprehend no one who fhall take the whole fab] eft 
 into his confederation will allow it to be fo compendious. 
 Tt is not: a queftion on the Company's orders. However, 
 I am willing to fupprcfs the reflexions that arife in my 
 mind to the harmony of our future councils. I am 
 iigainft the queftion. 
 
 The Governor General. It is unneceflary to exprefs 
 jny further fenfe of the quefHon, or the manner in which 
 it has been concluded; I fhall therefore only fay that 
 I am again ft the queftion. 
 
 Mr. Francis's queftion refolved in the negative. 
 
 Mr. Francis. I beg leave to enter my diffent and pro- 
 ted againfl the refolutipn.
 
 No. XVII. 
 
 gxtraft of the General Letter from Bengal, dated the 
 zzd April 
 
 Par. 1 2 . A Motion was made at one of our meetings, 
 JLJL that the orders contained in the 65th, 
 66th, and 6yth paragraphs of your general letter of the 
 3oth January 1778, fhould be carried into execution : 
 The queftion was refolved in the negative ; and we beg 
 leave to refer you to our proceedings on this fubjeft for 
 your more particular information. 
 
 No. XVIII. 
 
 Extra ft of the Company' s General Letter to Bengal, dated 
 
 1779. 
 
 Par. 4-TN anfwer to the 25th paragraph of your letter 
 JL 
 
 of the lyth Auguft laft, refpe&ing the ap- 
 pointment we affigned to Mr. Francis Fowke, we only 
 remark, that as the confutations are not yet before us, 
 we mull defer our decifion on the fubjeft and hope the 
 reafons which fwayed you, fo far as to induce you to 
 fufpend the execution of a pofitive and peremptory or- 
 der of the Court of Dire&ors, will be found fufficient to 
 juftify your conduct on that extraordinary occafion. 
 
 No. XIX. 
 
 JLqtraft of the Company's General Letter to Bengal, datea. 
 
 2jt/j May, 1779. 
 
 Par. 40. XTT'E have read with aftonifhinent your for- 
 VV mal refolution to fufpend the execution 
 of our orders relative to Mr. Francis Fowke ; your pro- 
 ceedings at large are now before us 5 we fhall take fucli 
 
 ineafures
 
 meafures as appear neceffary for preferving the autho- 
 rity of the Court of Dire&ors and for preventing fuch 
 inftances of direct and wilful difobedience in our fer- 
 vants in time to come. At prefent we repeat the com- 
 mands contained in the 67^1 paragraph of our letter of 
 the ^oth of January 1778, and direft that they be car- 
 ried into immediate execution. 
 
 No. XX. 
 
 Extraft of Bengal Public Confutations, the 27 tb Fe- 
 bruary 1780. Prefent, the Governor General, and 
 Meffrs. Francis and Ifheler. Mr. Harwell indifpofed. 
 
 READ the 4Oth paragraph of the general letter 
 from the Hon. the Court of Dire&ors, dated 27th 
 May 1779. 
 
 Agreed, that Mr. Francis Fowke be appointed Refi- 
 dent at Benares, in conformity to the intention of the 
 Court of Directors ; and that Mr. Thomas Graham be 
 dire&ed to deliver over the charge of that office to him 
 on his arrival there. 
 
 No. XXI. 
 
 ExtracJ of the General Letter from Bengal, dated $d 
 March, 1780. 
 
 Par. 4-6'TT7"E have the honour to acquaint you, that 
 V V in conformity to your laft commands of 
 the 27th May 1779, Mr. Francis Fowke has been 
 appointed Refident at Benares, and Mr. Thomas Graham 
 recalled from the ftation. 
 
 No.
 
 NO. xxir. 
 
 Copy of an Addrefs to the Court of Direfiors from Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel John Waljh. 
 
 To the Hon. the Court of Directors of the United 
 Eafl India Company. 
 
 Eaft India Houfe, 2d January 1782* 
 Honourable, 
 
 IYefterday received a letter from Calcutta, informing 
 me that my nephew Francis Fowke was, on the 
 1 2th January 1781, again difmiffed from his office at 
 Benares, to which he had, not quite a twelvemonth be- 
 fore, returned in confequence of your own exprefs or- 
 ders, but which were not permitted to take place till 
 reiterated in the ftrongeft terms ; that his affiftant Mr. 
 Markham, certainly a mod unexceptionable young gen- 
 tleman and I believe by no one more efteemed than by 
 my nephew, was nominated in his room; and that the 
 reverfion of the Agency for fupplying the army with 
 boats was intended for him, but as this agency could 
 not take place till the September following, he would be 
 permitted to draw for his ufual falary at Benares of 
 1000 rupees a month to that time and three months 
 after. Left the favourable terms in which, as I under- 
 ftand, he is mentioned in the very minutes, by which he 
 is removed from Benares, fliould induce your Honors to 
 fuppofe that he had acquiefced in the mcafure, I have to 
 allure you from his neareft relations in Calcutta, to 
 \vhofe knowledge it had come, that they confider it as a. 
 fevere injury and a great misfortune. I am informed 
 that the public advices from Bengal do not reach to the 
 time of this tranfaftiori, but I mutt neverthelefs entreat, 
 as I can produce indubitable proofs of its exigence, that 
 the prelent difpatch to India may convey redrefs to a. 
 
 Servant,
 
 Servant, I will prefume to fay of Merit, deprived of the 
 office which you yourfelves exprefsly and repeatedly 
 have confirmed to him. 
 
 I have the honour to be with Refpeft, 
 Honourable, 
 
 Your moft obedient, 
 
 and rnoft humble fervant, 
 
 JOHN WALSH. 
 
 No. XXIII. 
 
 Extraft of a Letter from the Governor General and Council 
 to the Court of 'Dire ft or -s 9 dated ^d February 178 1, re- 
 ceived $th January 1782. 
 
 MR. Francis Fowke recalled from Benares and ap- 
 pointed Agent for the provifion of boats to the 
 army after the expiration of the prefent contrail. Mr. 
 Markham appointed Refident at Benares. 
 
 No. XXIV. 
 
 Copy of an Addrefs to the Court of Directors from 
 Lieutenant Colonel John Waljh. 
 
 To the Hon. the Court of Direftors of the United 
 Eaft India Company. 
 
 Chefterfield-ftreet, 23d January 1782. 
 Honourable, 
 
 AS the public advices to Bengal by the {hips now 
 under difpatch are on the point of being clofed, 
 1 humbly requeft to know if my letter of the 2d inftant, 
 concerning the Recal of my nephew Francis Fowke 
 from Benares, has been taken into confidcration ; and 
 
 whether
 
 C *S ) 
 
 whether any and what redrefs your Honours have been 
 pleafed to order by this difpatch to be made to him, on 
 account of his removal from an office, to which he was 
 appointed by exprefs orders from the Court of Di* 
 reftors, dated 3oth January 1778; the execution, how- 
 ever, of which the government of Bengal thought 
 proper to fnfper.d, on different pleas at different times, 
 yet none impeaching the merit of Mr. Francis Fowke, 
 until the arrival of reiterated commands from you, dated 
 27th May 1779, when he was permitted to proceed to 
 Benares, according to your appointment. This was 
 Something more than a year and a half after the receipt: 
 of your iirit orders for his immediate re-inftatement as 
 llefident there, and more than three years after his ftrfl 
 Recal from thence; all which time he was detained in 
 Calcutta without employ, without appointments, with- 
 out any recompence, not even the falary of his office 
 made good to him. Whatever hope may be entertained 
 of exafter obedience to the orders which you may be 
 induced to give on this occafion to the government or 
 Bengal, I cannot avoid, as guardian to the juft rights of 
 my nephew, requeuing the interference of the Court of 
 Directors in like manner as it was formerly granted by 
 them, when the injuftice of his firft removal from Be- 
 nares appeared manifeft to them. A public letter from 
 the government of Bengal, dated gd February 1781, 
 lately received, contains official information of his frefh 
 Recal from Benares, and nomination to be Agent for the 
 provifion of boats to the army after the expiration of the 
 prefent contraft; alfo of Mr. Markham's appointment 
 to be the Reiident in his room. If it ii not evident on 
 the face of this meafure that it is arbitrary, in violation 
 of your own appointment, and of ferious detriment to 
 both the character and fortune of Mr. Francis Fowke ; 
 if it is not evident that he could not have confented to be 
 deprived of a public honourable charge appointed by 
 yourfelves, for the promife of a private, obfcure, and pre- 
 carious office, unattended even with the lure of pecu- 
 niary advantage, the moft convincing documents to de- 
 monftrate it may be produced ; but as Major John 
 
 E Scott,
 
 ( * ) 
 
 Scott, lately arrived from Bengal, and afting here in 
 behalf of the Governor General in his private concerns, 
 did both converfe and correfpond with Mr. Francis 
 Fowke on this fubjeft, he can, and I doubt not but he 
 readily will, fatisfy your houourable Court, that thefe 
 meaiures were taken without the confent of Mr. Francis 
 Fowke. It is equally evident, that public neceffity was 
 not the ground for the removal of Mr. Francis Fowke, 
 for what public benefit could arife from difplacing a 
 fenior fervant, promoted to the office for his knowledge 
 in the Perfian tongue and unexceptionable good cha- 
 refter, and remarked by the Court of Dire&ors to have 
 executed it with the greateft pun&uality and exaftnefs, 
 and putting in his room a junior fervant, of whofe age, 
 time of fervice, experience in the affairs of Benares, and 
 knowledge of the Oriental languages, you cannot but 
 be well informed. Even the wretched plea of party ne- 
 ceffity could not be urged at the time for the meafure; 
 for it is well known that when it took place, two parties 
 did not exift in Bengal. 
 
 On thefe confiderations your honourable Court cannot 
 but fee preffing reafons for giving fubftantial and early 
 redrefs to an aggrieved fervant, fuffering in contempt of 
 your own orders. 
 
 I have the honour to be with Refpecl, 
 Honourable, 
 
 Your moft obedient, 
 
 and moft humble fervant, 
 
 JOHN WALSH. 
 
 No. XXV. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the Court of 
 Direttors to Lieutenant Colonel John Waljb. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I AM ordered by the Court of Directors of the Eaft 
 India Company to acquaint you that the two letters 
 you addrefied the Court, dated the 2d and 23d inftant, 
 
 are
 
 are referred to the Committee of Correspondence, and 
 that the faid Committee have not yet come to any de- 
 termination thereon. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 Eaft India Houfe, Your obedient humble fervanr, 
 
 29 th January : 7 3z. P. M I C H L L, SeC. 
 
 Lieut. Colonel John Walfh. 
 
 No. XXVI. 
 
 Extraft of the Secret General Letter from Bengal, dated 
 27//J April 1781, received by the Bellmont, $th February 
 1782. 
 
 Par. 46. "]L /[& Francis Fowke having been recalled 
 .IVA from his refidency at Benares, and ap- 
 pointed Agent for the provifion of boats to the army 
 after the expiration of the prefent contraft, We haye 
 appointed Mr. William Markham to that Refidency. 
 
 No. XXVII. 
 
 Extraffi from Bengal Secret Confultatwns, furnijhed by 
 favour of Major John Scott) the original Records not 
 baling hitherto reached the India Houfe. 
 
 Confiscation, 14^1 January 1781. 
 
 GOVERNOR General. \Yhile this government 
 is charged with fuch exteniive concerns, and hath 
 to contend with difficulties equal perhaps to diofe in 
 which even the fupreme adminiiTrarion of the Britiih 
 empire is at this moment involved, it may at lead claim 
 as a right which, under auv other fytlciu of government 
 i 3. thac
 
 that hath ever yet exifted, would be conferred on it as 
 an indifpenfable obligation, to employ and exercife the 
 powers which are inherent in its conilitution, and which 
 are immediately neceffary to the fupport, and eventually 
 to the exiftence, of thofe eflential interefts which it holds 
 in charge. On this principle I claim the right of nomi- 
 nating the Agent of my own choice to the Rffidency qf 
 Benares: it is a reprefentative ftation and cannot, with- 
 out a contradiction, be the charge of a man not prefe- 
 rably chofen to it by the members of the adtual govern- 
 ment, and holding it by an authority independent of 
 of theirs. Speaking for my felf alone, it may be fufficienS 
 to affirm that Mr. Francis Fowke is not my agent; that 
 I cannot give him my confidence ; that while he conti- 
 nues at Benares he (lands as a fcreen between the Raja 
 and this government, inftead of an inflrument of con- 
 troul; and that the Raja himfelf, and every chief in In- 
 doftan, will regard it as the pledge and foundation of his 
 independence. 
 
 To Mr. Fowke himfelf I have no perlbnal objection. 
 I approve his conduft and efteem his character ; and 1 
 believe I might depend upon his exadt and literal obe- 
 dience and fidelity in the execution of the functions an- 
 nexed to it. My objection is ftated above, and it is in- 
 fuperable. 
 
 The perfon whom I have chofen tofucceed him I con- 
 fider as (landing in the fame degree of confidence and 
 eftimation with Mr. Wheler as myfelf. I adopted him 
 (if I may fo exprefs myfelf) from his family and patro- 
 nage, and afligned him an office of the higheft trull 
 near my own perfon with Mr. Wheler's approbation ; 
 and from a forefight of the event which has lince made 
 us the copartners of this government, and which fug- 
 gefted to me the propriety of employing fuch Agents as 
 would be agreeable to him while they poffsffed the other 
 requifites for my own confidence, 
 
 I therefore think him on every confideration the fitted 
 to fill the office in queltion. I therefore move that Mr. 
 Francis Fowke be immediately removed from the Refi- 
 dency of Benares, and that Mr. Mark ham may be ap- 
 painted Q it in his ftead ? 
 
 While
 
 While I thus acquit myfelf of what I conceive to be a 
 a public duty, it is my defire at the fame time to indem- 
 nify Mr. Fowke from the confequences perfonally at- 
 tending it towards him. I therefore move that he be at 
 -the fame time inverted with the appointment of Agent 
 for all boats to be employed for the military fervice of 
 this eftablifliment, with an allowance of a commiffion of 
 15 percent, upon all his difburfements in this office; 
 that the executive charge thereof take place from the 
 period of the expiration of Colonel Morgan's prefent con- 
 traft, and that till that time and for three months follow- 
 ing it, he be allowed to draw his prefent allowance of 
 1000 Rupees per month. 
 
 I propofe this method in preference to a contraft, be- 
 caufe I am convinced from experience that the fervice 
 will be better performed by this alteration, although it 
 is liable to one material objc&ion in its natural influence 
 in his expences. This is a defeat which can only be cor- 
 refted by the probity of the perfon who is intruded with 
 fo important a charge ; and I am willing to have it un- 
 derftood as a proof of the confidence which I repofe in 
 Mr. Fowke, that I have propofed his appointment, in 
 oppofuion to a general principle, to a truft fo conftituted. 
 
 Mr. VVheler. I accede to the propriety of the Go- 
 vernor General's arguments, and think them particularly 
 applicable to the prefent ftate of this government. I 
 am a!fo highly flattered by the choice the Governor 
 General has made of a Gentleman to Mil this important 
 ftation, who was formerly under my patronage, and who 
 is dill in my confidence. But as Mr. Fowke has not 
 yet iignified his willingnefs to accept of the compenfa- 
 tion propofed to him in exchange for his prefent ap- 
 pointment, I mud decline giving my aifent to his imme- 
 diate removal. 
 
 The Governor General's motion being agreed to, Re- 
 folvcd, that Mr. William Markham be accordingly ap- 
 pointed Refident at Benares, and Mr. Benn his affiftant. 
 Refolved, that Mr. Francis Fowke be inverted with the 
 .appointment of Agent tor the provilion of all boats to 
 fc>e employed for the military fervices of this eftablith- 
 
 ' 1*54748
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 ment, with an allowance of a commiflion of 1-5 per cent, 
 upon all his difburfements in this office, the executive 
 charge of which is to take place from the period of the 
 expiration of Colonel Morgan's contract, and that to that 
 time, and for three months following it, he be permitted 
 to draw the prefent allowance of 1000 Rupees per 
 month*
 
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