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 CHAPTER IV

The New Order in Bengal

1772-1774

It was not till the 13th April, 1772, that Cartier handed over to Hastings the keys of office, with the charge of a depleted treasury, a burdensome debt, and a government wholly out of gear. The new Governor's secret instructions from Leadenhall Street did not tend to lighten the heavy burden which Warren Hastings had to take upon his shoulders. He was bidden to carry out a multitude of needful reforms by means and agencies utterly inadequate to so Herculean a task. He was told to make strict enquiry into all the misdeeds alleged against the Company's servants of every grade, to punish proved offenders according to their deserts, to sweep away the monopolies that were killing the inland trade, to devise cheaper and surer modes of collecting the revenue, to re-organise the Nawáb's household, and bring to account the chief native officers in Bengal and Behar. All this, and much more, he was expected to do as President of a Council in which every man had an equal vote, while some at least of his colleagues were guilty of