A collection of four engraved admission tickets to the trial of Warren Hastings for the 75th, 116th, 136th, and 141st days in Westminster Hall, each signed by (presumably) the chamberlain for the day -- Chedworth, Somerset, Darlington, Dorchester. Two are printed in black ink, another in blue, and the fourth in green ink; they all carry seals. Three contain comments in a contemporary hand about the day's proceedings praising Sir Robert Dallas's defense, commenting on the fact of Mr. Pitt's reply, and evaluating Edmund Burke's remarks on his second day of speeches. The ticket for the 116th day contains extensive notes on the verso. The ticket of 136th mentions Mr. Fox's reply to Hasting's counsel. Three of the tickets have been torn in the corner, possibly when the bearer entered the hall?
Description:
Warren Hastings (1732-1818) was the first governor-general of British India, from 1773 to 1785. He joined the British East India Company in 1750 as a clerk. In 1757 he was made the British Resident of Murshidabad; appointed to the Calcutta council in 1761; a member of the Madras council in 1769; made governor of Bengal in 1772; and appointed the first Governor-General of India in 1773. However, Hastings resigned in 1784, and, returning to England, was charged with high crimes and misdemeanors by Edmund Burke. He was impeached for corruption in 1787 but was acquitted in 1795., In English., Engraved admission tickets with mss. notations., With Hasting's coat of arms in the center with text around image: For the trial of Warren Hastings, Esq. Peter Burrell Dy. Great Chamberlain., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Name):
Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797., Chedworth, John Howe, Baron, 1754-1804., Dallas, Robert, Sir, 1756-1824., Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, and Somerset, Charles Henry, Lord, 1767-1831.