Of the power and resources of the British in India, you cannot be so misinformed
as to suppose, that they are libdenthis necessity of soliciting the friendsfnp
of-any nation on earth, out of a prudential regard to their own security, or front
an inability to maintain a cause of justice and their national honour, in opposition
tö all the force that could combine against them. I t ,is not from a petty island*,
which may send out two or three piratical privateers,: that a gpvernmenti whose
dominions extend from Ceylon to the mountains ,of Tibet, from the gidf,of Ben-
gal to the Western Sea, can have any thing to dread : apprehension, tlierefore, had
no share in the present mission; and, I desire to have it clearly understood, that
I come not to seek a favour, but to ' cement friendship ; not tp supplicate,, bu^tp
propose.
It is, however; but too evident, that his Majesty has not been pleased .to ..consider
me in the light of an agent from a.soyereigh state ; and frpm his total.silence
with regard to the Governor General of India, and his.npt honouring me .wjth a
personal audience, it is reasonable to copclude, that very erroneous estimations
have been attempted to be held out, both of the importance of lhc^^ernondJejie-
ral individually, and of the nation at large. Permit me^ithere&e^nttWf f q , ^
quaint you, that the authority of the Governor General is supreme QVÇXjalij&e
territories of the Company in the East ; and die limits o fth e British possessions
best explain their national consequence.
I was at one time taught to believe, by those with whom I officially communicated,
that the non-appearance of his Majesty, when I made my.fifstyisittothe
palace, was a circumstance merely accidental, and th^t. on the day of urydismis-
sion, I should be honoured with a formal interview; also, that the arrangement
which I submitted to his Majesty’s ministers, would be acceded to, and that ^ deputation
would be sent to Bengal, to obtain a counterpart of the articles, ratified in
due form. How far it may be. intended to fulfil these assurances, the tenor of the
language, held by his Majesty’s ministers yesterday at the Lotoo, gives me sufficient
room to doubt, and they best can tell what his Majesty’s, resolutions are. on
that head but if. it should not be meant to perform, what I had such, grounds
given me to expect, I shall certainly have just cause tp complain, of being egre-
giously misled.
He who undeceives has the best title to confidence, and I have, in this address,
Mauritius.
thea^|f^t' were lA A p a f t gfrpnL, ymtpejgggp^j^toggm^.
bling the dissati-siu.ptjcsp. I feel at the manner of my tereptipjj,, and |p;pfg,ssinij
myself contented when I aiqjll\;p,wris| thg)uy/r(si, f .might, vpejJb.q)s,.jbe){jii',tihi.d
by prudent policy, but I should swerve t o m j H i _I have,been instructed
by the Governor General to observe, in all my cemmunications with this
. 1 n conformi ty with the spirit,of tjios^ instrucdons, I can, with great certain ty,
as^ffy^rfelhat unless .1 am honoured with an;audiencejj^iIjig^MajeSty,i in the
capacity of agent from the Governor General,', jti agent,
froxifthe^}ov;erpQr General, will ever be subjected to a^Vl^rar^n^rtification. The,
Go^uaiof Gene)alof India is actuated b) fai different piimiplti, dun
matter of incivility, in a point of fprrriUgyonnds for Sfseribus disputfe^oirsilfler ittb
aflei c hi-, general hn< of conduct; Ipii should any cause of umhi igi ui-,c m future
betweemfhe nations,it cannot-be expected that adv^ifces will be'a'g&rnraae^Sffulfe
p u t of the English government, fot an amicable csplanatiun. b i \ctyiesnc & vsTt
might be, unless the proposals originate here, and are couehcd'in a.s'tyli (Wcfctij^
from the language which is Qpnfmnnly held: it will,othti wise be totally impbs-5
sible to discuss any points that may ppeqr^.which, lite the lal^Jbusiaess at’ Ghit-
tagong .would .pr^ahly only require communication to.,jena,.satisfactorily. To.
whom th?n can the blame be imputed? suq^jjj^rWt^tb, the LnghsL. govu nmeru.
which- has gone every honourable length to, establish cimooid and confide: c<.
TSfiey.alpne who are the jtdyisers jnust be i£sponsible5for,iha cofis, quewcesi -
It is from the presumption, that; his Majesty has nOkdepgn. to honour meiwit|j
a personal interview, in.the character of agent from the- Governor -General of
India, that I write thus, a conclusion fairly drawn from the equivocal replies w h i^
you, and.your coadjutors, gave to my questions yesterday jhe,Lotoo. Whilst
the matter is yet undetermined,,it is right you should know my opinion, a’s'being
apprized of the light in which it will be.takep, you will have'the means of forming
a right judgment, and regulating your conduct acCpr^ingiy. I will, with gteat
pleasure, accept of an invitation to attend on the d ^ ^ fy d u r festival, aiid jc^ffl;j
with the nobility in compliments 0 th^thi&ne,^provided f'iecejye assurances
that on the j st of October, when a reply isin be given to tneiGoVi^df'General's
letter, I shall be received by his Majesty in peison, as agent *froni the-Goruuoi
General, and be honoured with a formal .interview. Without'sucn an assurance,