"
LXXXIII. That Mirza Shaffee, mentioned in this correspondence, (who has
since been murdered,) was of near kindred to the lady in question,
(grandmother to the Nabob,) was resident in a province immediately
adjoining to the province of Oude, and, from proximity of situation and
nearness of connection, was likely to have any intelligence concerning
his female relations from the best authority.
LXXXIV. That the Resident, Bristow, on receiving this letter, did apply
to the said Hyder Beg Khan for an explanation of the Nabob's intentions,
who denied that the Nabob intended more than a visit of duty and
ceremony: which, whatever his dispositions might have been, and probably
were, towards his own mother, was not altogether probable, as it was
well known that he was on very bad terms with the mother of his father,
and it appears that intentions of a similar nature had been before
manifested even with regard to his own mother, and therefore obtained
the more easy credit concerning the other woman of high rank aforesaid,
especially as the evil designs of the said Hyder Beg were abundantly
known, and that the said Hastings, upon whom he did wholly depend,
continued to recommend "the most effectual, that is, the most violent,
means for the recovery of the small remains of his extorted demand.
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