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Rh to make sacrifices' which his mature judgment disapproved. Barwell, who afterwards became his staunch ally, was at first a rather ungracious opponent. The most troublesome of his colleagues was Sir Robert Barker, who then commanded the Bengal army. The Governor's zeal for retrenchment drew him into 'a violent squabble' with that brave but hot-tempered officer over the disbanding of a few hundred native horse. The violence was all on one side. Sir Robert's angry outburst against economies which he detested was met by Hastings with a courteous answer regretting the strong language of the General's protest, and pleading his earnest desire to 'live in peace with all men.'

With one or two exceptions, however, Hastings had his Council well in hand before the middle of 1773. 'After various contests, disputes, protests, and an almost open rupture' — he writes to his friend Du Pré — 'a perfect harmony and confidence have taken place amongst us. ... I am assured of a most cordial support from my associates, and can venture to delegate a share of my labours, which I have hitherto undertaken alone, to others, without the same hazard of sacrificing my own authority .' As the Council at this time consisted of eleven or twelve members, his masterful patience must have served him even better than his practical knowledge, cool judgment, and clear head.