dangers, and to re-establish the powers of the Company and the safety of its possessions[1].'
There was no idle boasting in such language. The self-confidence which comes of self-knowledge taught Hastings to rejoice in the prospect of wielding full power for great and patriotic ends. His term of office, which expired in 1778, had been prolonged from year to year by a reluctant Ministry and a hostile Court of Directors. They knew that England, begirt with enemies, could ill afford to lose so serviceable a leader at such a time. Hastings knew it also, and the knowledge gave him strength to discharge his duty to his country and his employers in the way that seemed best to himself, without heeding the clamours of opponents in India or at home. In the absence of Francis, he could generally rely upon Wheler's vote, and Coote was already on his way to Madras. Macpherson, who was afterwards to give him trouble, had not yet arrived in Barwell's place.
Shortly before his return home, Francis had voted against a measure by which Hastings sought to make an end of the quarrel which had raged, off and on, for several years between his Government and the Supreme Court. The large and vague powers conferred upon the Judges by the Act of 1773 were sure to bring them sooner or later into awkward and dangerous collisions with the Supreme Council. For some time, thanks to the good sense of the Governor-General and two or three of the Judges, little harm ensued. In
- ↑ Gleig.
