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134 a fair and moderate rate, guided by the average yield of the past three years. The Special Commission under Anderson and Bogle set to work; but its formation was denounced by Hastings' opponents as a flagrant job, and his honest efforts to re-assess the land-revenue on a solid basis of ascertained facts and common justice to all classes were derided by the Court of Directors, who sneeringly expressed their surprise that any further enquiry should have been found needful 'after seven years' researches in the same field.' They even went so far as to censure Hastings and Barwell for taking advantage of Monson's death to outvote the other two. In a previous despatch Hastings' plan of long leases was set aside, and he was bidden to make his settlements yearly on the most advantageous terms. Beaten in Council, Francis had appealed to the India House, and his poisoned arrows found their mark.

Early in 1777, while news of a yet more serious purport was on its way out to Calcutta, Hastings sent home to his friend Alexander Elliot a careful statement of his plan for 'extending the influence of the British nation to every part of India, not too remote from their possessions, without enlarging the circle of their defence, or involving them in hazardous or indefinite engagements.' To this end he would 'accept of the allegiance of such of our neighbours as shall sue to be enlisted among the friends and allies of the king of Great Britain.' Shujá-ud-daulá, for instance,