"Such being the present _deplorable_ state of Furruckabad and its
districts, in the ensuing year it will be in vain to look for revenue,
if some regulations equal to the exigency be not adopted. The whole
country will be divided between the neighboring powerful aumils, the
refractory zemindars, and banditti of robbers; and the Patans, who might
be made useful subjects, will fly from the scene of anarchy. The crisis
appears now come, that either some plan of government should be resolved
on, so as to form faithful subjects on the frontier, or the country be
given up to its fate: and if it be abandoned, there can be little doubt
but that the Mahrattas will gladly seize on a station so favorable to
incursions into the Vizier's dominions, will attach to their interests
the Hindoo zemindars, and possess themselves of forts, which, with
little expense being made formidable, would give employment perhaps to
the whole of our force, should it be ever necessary to recover them."
That the Council at Calcutta, on the representation aforesaid made by
the Resident at Furruckabad, did propose and record a plan for the
better government of the said country, but did delay the execution of
the same until the arrangements made by the said Hastings with the Nabob
Vizier should be known; but the said Hastings, as far as in him lay, did
entirely set aside any plan that could be formed for that purpose upon
the basis of a British Resident at Furruckabad, by engaging with the
said Nabob Vizier that no British influence shall be employed within his
dominions, and he has engaged to that prince not to abandon him to any
other mode of relation; and he has informed the Court of Directors that
the territories of the Nabob of Oude will be ruined, if Residents are
sent into them, observing, that "Residents never will be sent for any
other purposes than those of vengeance and corruption.
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