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Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797

"The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 08 (of 12)"

To me tumult
and discord appeared unnecessary. I gave up these points, upon which
they seized my head eunuchs, Jewar Ali Khan and Behar Ali Khan, and sent
them to Mr. Middleton, after having obliged them to sign a bond for
sixty lacs of rupees; they were thrown into prison, with fetters about
their feet, and denied food and water. I, who had never, even in my
dreams, experienced such an oppression, gave up all I had to preserve
my honor and dignity: but this would not satisfy their demands: they
charged me with a rupee and a half batta upon each mohur, and on this
account laid claims upon me to the amount of six lacs some thousand
rupees, and sent Major Gilpin to exact the payment. Major Gilpin,
according to orders, at first was importunate; but being a man of
experience, and of a benevolent disposition, when he was convinced of my
want of means, he changed his conduct, and was willing to apply to the
shroffs and bankers to lend me the money. But with the loss of my
jaghire my credit was sunk; I could not raise the sum.


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