Te named-by the month of HI 1 let's mind had On the sin officers

2. Akaze o da me of is predecessor, hod C. ANDRd with Palmer's

CBN Shred in its profits, or rainers co their de

states Vich had been brought

PAINFUL DISCLOSURES.

67

caused it to be recorded on the proceedings of the Council and asked how, with the knowledge which he then possessed, could he suffer such a document "to pass without comment, and leave it to operate in deceiving others as well as Lord Hastings ?" He said, too, that Lord Hastings was preparing a minute, in which he laid great stress on the disinterested support which the late Resident had given to the House. How then, Adam asked, could he consistently with his duty remain silent? Still," he said, "that must be my course, while I owe my knowledge only to a confidential communication, which I am not at liberty to use. It is for you to determine what is to be done, as I have no option but to preserve your confidence until you relieve me from it."*

66

By one of Metcalfe's nature-brave and generous --such an appeal as this was sure to be responded to with becoming manliness. He was eager to relieve his friend from the embarrassments into which he had thrown him. So he sate down and wrote a long letter to Mr. Adam, more minutely circumstantial than the last. "It is a disclosure," he said, "which I have hitherto avoided, and would still anxiously avoid as most odious, if I could shake from my mind the ever-recurring conviction that my duty demands it from me as the confidential agent of Government in this quarter." "I avail myself," he continued, "of our long-established friendship to request you to convey to Lord Hastings, in any manner that you may think proper, the substance * Calcutta, June 12, 1822. MS. Correspondence.

CONDUCT OF MR. ADAM.

69

less spirited remonstrances, was at one time so carried away by his feelings, as to meditate the precipitate removal of Metcalfe from Hyderabad.

On receipt of the letter from Metcalfe, entering into all the circumstances of the alleged connexion between John Palmer and the members of the old Residency circle, John Adam had determined to withhold it, at all events, until some circumstances should render it incumbent upon him to reveal its contents. The strong feelings which the GovernorGeneral had expressed, and the decided course which he seemed determined to pursue, now compelled the recipient of this painful information to throw away all reserve. The motives which actuated him, and all the circumstances which attended the revelation, are on record under his own hand. The following letter explains them all :*

bation of the Minister, whose counteraction of his measures of reform he imputes, and I conceive justly, to the Minister's subserviency, to the corrupt system in force, and to the prevailing influence of the House over the whole of the financial arrangements of the state. My knowledge of Mr. Metcalfe's character, founded on an intimate acquaintance of many years, entitles me to say that he is incapable of being swayed by any petty jealousy of his own power and influence. Actuated by a sincere desire to promote the reform of the Nizam's Government, and perceiving in the connexion between the Minister and the House maintained by these loans the most powerful counteraction of his measures, he naturally views that connexion and the conduct of the parties with dissatisfaction; but I must con

fess myself incapable of perceiving, either in his language or proceedings, anything inconsistent with the most pure and upright public principles, and conduct untainted with any private prejudice or dislike that he can have carried with him to Hyderabad. Any such feeling against the members of the firm is wholly irreconcileable with probability; and I am equally unable to divine any grounds for supposing that he could cherish a personal ill-will against the Minister, and as little that his censures of that person are connected with any covert design to effect his removal from office."

*It should be stated, that, with one exception, the passages omitted either relate circumstances already related, or refer to correspondence the subject of which has been given.

JOHN ADAN TV CEAIAS METCALFE.

Carts, September 2, 1822.

LA METCALFA-s pressing occupations have fail, the causes of my var ster of the 7th of July to Lord

TEA TZ # expect that it would not be necess. I ad n give you my reasons as Franse time when I wrote to you will me letter for the present, I conas its production would not be despatch of the 29th of July, sume Minister's letters, through T despatch appeared to produce

LTATAI IN TImest expressions of dissatisfaction Che passage, referring to the impressad of the influence possessed by the -kittyba nuo the expression of a belief, on your me was possessed over his Lordship by A excrcised both for the advancement the House, and in order to frustrate

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