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* University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES LIBRARY Univer Soul Lit