Impeachment Impeachment of Warren Hastings

1 impeachment

1.1 opening
1.2 public opinion changes
1.3 verdict

impeachment
opening

hastings trial began on 13 february 1788 , took place in westminster hall members of house of commons seated right , lords left , large audience of spectators, including royalty, in boxes , public galleries. proceedings began lengthy address edmund burke, took 4 days cover charges against hastings. burke took proceedings but, have macaulay, many spectators trial resembled social event. hastings himself remarked “for first half hour, looked orator in reverie of wonder, , during time felt myself culpable man on earth.”

hastings granted bail in spite of burke s suggestion might flee country wealth had allegedly stolen india. further speeches made on coming weeks other leading whigs such richard brinsley sheridan , charles james fox. in total there nineteen members of impeachment committee.

public opinion changes

the testimony of lord cornwallis, hastings successor governor general, major boost defence.

in spite of excitement trial public interest in began wane dragged on over months , years. other major events dominated news particularly once french revolution began in 1789. sheridan complained heartily tired of hastings trial despite being 1 of instigators. trial progressed, public attitudes hastings began shift. hastings had been overwhelmingly portrayed guilty in popular press, doubts increasingly raised. increased support hastings may have been result of declining perceptions of accusers. in cartoon james gillray portrayed hastings saviour of india being assaulted bandits resembling burke , fox.

a major lift defence came testimony on 9 april 1794 of lord cornwallis had returned india, succeeded hastings governor general. cornwallis rejected accusations hastings actions had damaged britain s reputation , observed hastings universally popular inhabitants. when asked if had found cause impeach character of mr hastings? replied never .

a further blow prosecution came evidence of william larkins former accountant general of bengal. had rested hopes on revealing widespread corruption denied hastings had amassed illicit money , made defence of conduct. various other figures came forwards character witnesses support hastings. burke s reply defence lasted 9 days late may mid-june 1794.

verdict

on 23 april 1795 lord chancellor lord loughborough oversaw delivery of verdict. third of lords had attended trial s opening had since died , twenty-nine of others had sat through enough of evidence permitted pronounce judgement. loughborough asked each of peers sixteen questions relating individual charges. on charges unanimously found not guilty. on 3 questions 5 or 6 peers gave guilty verdicts, hastings still comfortably cleared majority vote. overwhelming verdict had been expected time , caused little surprise.

burke, had invested large amount of time , energy prosecution, frustrated ultimate failure of impeachment. had warned lords perpetual infamy of house if voted acquit , remained convinced of hastings guilt until death in 1797.