Page:The Marquess Cornwallis and the Consolidation of British Rule.djvu/109

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PATRONAGE
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recommends a young Mr. Watts, who wanted to get a rank in the 'regulars' equal to what he had in the Company's army. But he was told civilly that this could not be done, and Mr. Watts afterwards obtained a commission in a West India regiment. These recommendations, in a letter to his brother the Bishop of Lichfield, are treated by the Governor-General as 'infamous and unjustifiable jobs.'

Other difficulties had to be met and overcome. On one occasion the Prince recommends a young man going out as a cadet, but in a harmless way and for such social notice as the Governor-General may think fit. On another point the Court of Directors very properly came to his aid. The Court had strong objections to recognise as agents persons accredited in England by such potentates as the Nawáb of Bengal and the Rájá of Tanjore. The Directors held that all communications from Princes or Chiefs deeming themselves aggrieved, should be preferred only through the regular channel of the Indian Government. And this sound precedent has rarely been set aside, and never without risk and prejudice to good administration. Acting in the same spirit, Cornwallis absolutely refused to forward a complimentary letter from the Nawáb Vizier of Oudh, accompanied by 25,000 rupees, for Dr. Willis, the King's physician.

A nazr of 101 gold mohurs, as a congratulatory offering from an inferior to a superior, with a sum of 7000 rupees for Dr. Willis, and an additional 7000