VII. That the third year, that is to say, in the year 1780, the same
demand was, with the same menaces, renewed, and did, as before, produce
several humble remonstrances and submissive complaints, which the said
Hastings did always treat as crimes and offences of the highest order;
and although in the regular subsidy or tribute, which was monthly
payable by treaty, fifty days of grace were allowed on each payment, and
after the expiration of the said fifty days one quarter par cent only
was provided as a penalty, he, the said Warren Hastings, on some short
delay of payment of his third arbitrary and illegal demand, did presume
of his own authority to impose a fine or mulct of ten thousand pounds on
the said Rajah; and though it does not appear whether or no the same was
actually levied, the said threat was soon after followed by an order
from the said Hastings for the march of troops into the country of
Benares, as in the preceding year.
VIII. That, these violent and insulting measures failing to provoke the
Rajah, and he having paid up the whole demand, the said Warren Hastings,
being resolved to drive him to extremities, did make on the said Rajah a
sudden demand, over and above the ordinary tribute or subsidy of
260,000_l.
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