CHAPTER XI
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
1788-1793
The understanding which existed between Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Pitt was first disturbed by the conduct of the latter in regard to Indian affairs. Lord Lansdowne, for once in agreement with Lord Mansfield, considered Warren Hastings to have been the person least to blame for whatever was questionable in the recent transactions in that country, and regarded him as the victim of the political exigencies of one party, and of the cowardice of the other. "The Foxites and the Pittites," he said, "join in covering every villain, and prosecuting the only man of merit;"[1] and he ordered a bust of Hastings, with an inscription commemorative of the ingratitude of his countrymen, to be set up in Lansdowne House.[2] Another subject of difference soon arose. Lord Lansdowne greatly disapproved the course adopted at the time of the so-called Declaratory Act. In 1786, during the apprehension of a war with France, it had been resolved by Pitt to send out four regiments for the defence of India. When however the storm had blown over, the Company absolutely declined to pay the charge incurred. On reference to the East India Bill of 1785, it was found that a doubt existed as to the power of the Board of Control to compel payment, and a Bill was accordingly brought in to remove these doubts. Though purporting to be merely declaratory, the measure was most important,
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