Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-03-15
VOL. VIII.

to the good offices Of a gentleman
named Chiswick, by whom he was
sent TO Bengal as writer in the SER
vice Of the East India Company. 1t is
not too much TO say that in this appa-
rentIy trivial event the consolidation of
British dominion in the East, no less
than the destiny of Hastings, was in
volved. Hastings arrived IN Calcut-
IA in the year 1850, at time when
India was distracted by contests be-
tween the rival companies of France
and England. In a fragment found
among his papers, referring to the
commencement Of his Oriental career,
he makes the following interesting re-
mark
This is all that | shall retain in
writing Of my private history, though
the particulars Of it, if known, might az
ford much matter for curious specula-
ton, both from their influence on the
temper and disposition OF mind which
constituted my public character, and
from one circumstance Of peculiar uni
formity attending the whole course of
my existence to its present moment,
and probably to its ultimate and now
remote end,-that of solitary, insu-
! lated wanderer through life, placed by
His will, who governs all things, in a
situation TO give birth TO events which
were connected with the interest Of ma
tions,which were invariably prosperous
to those ofhis reproductive 10 himself
of years of depression and persecution,
ana of the chances Of want, relieved
only by occasional, and surely provi-
dental means; though never affecting
the durable state of his mental tran
guilty.
Though Hastings himself has been
thns taclturn on the subject Ofhis early
Struggles towards fame. Mr.. Gleig, his
boz raj her, has made amends by his
researches, and furnished the world
with series of invaluable particulars
and curious anecdotes. He traces the
Juvenile aspirant through his humble
duty as clerk in the Secretary's Office
at Calcutta, and during his subsequent
appointment in the Council at the fac
tory; he exhibits him to US in that crit
zeal period of our Indian history when
Surajah Dowlah marched on Calcutta,
seized the town and citadel, and per-
peirdtcd the horrors oflh Black hol ;
and when, by the subtle energy and
courage of the young man, Governor
Drake and his companions were de-
Iiyered, without compromising their
honor and dignity, from the drear
and barren island of Fulta. in The Hoo
ely, where they had taken a trembling
refuge. The biographer then shows
us Hastings under the patronage o.
Give, a soldier who, in many respects,
reminds us Of Napolean; traces the
young civilian TO his nomination as res
ident at Moorshedabad, the court o.
the Nabob of Bengal; and proves tina,
in all the stations through which he
had passed, his conduct was distin-
guished by unusual application decis
ion, and keen discernment. Con
spicuous as these qualities were in Has
ungs from his very birth, it is not i'm
probable that they were strengthened
and perfected by his connection witt
Give, on whose determined and dom
inant character he appears to have mod
eIled his own. The administration o
Hastings, when he arrived at suprem'
power, was characterized by the SAM
comprehensive views, the same ener
getic policy, the same daring and rapi
movements, the same disbelief in I'm
possibility that had marked the caree
ofthe military Governor.
In The year 1861, Hastings becam
member of Council, and was there
fore compelled to reside at Calcutta
This was during the goyarnorslip {
Mr.. Nansittart, whose feeble inefficier
cy was not at all to the taste of Has
: tings. After Witnessing many abuse
> which lie could not control, and bein
Disguised with the rapacily of sever,
:, English functlonaries, who oppressc
and plundered the natives with impr
nifty, Warren resigned his seat at ii
Il Council, and determined to retur
. home. To England, therefore, |
came. without prospects, connection
:, or fortune. Had he followed the fl
" gitious example Of others in India,
y night, as the phrase is, have role
in wealth; but he disdaned to becon
= rich by the forfeiture ofhonor; he won
- not initiate Drake, Vansi.art, Spence
y Carnac, Munro, no, nor even G iv
the man whom, in other respects,
had made his prototype; all these pc
sonages, though considered men
honor, while Hastings was persecute
had extorted vast sums from the /
20 tive princes.
!. Hastings remained four years
81 England, suffering under the pressu
,e Of narrow circumstances, and scare,
knowing what course Of life wol
- best provide for his needs. A circu