§ . Mr. Wallace ,with a view to shew that no blame was imputable to the late board of controul for resisting the production of certain papers on the subject of India, on the ground that their production would be injurious to the 685 public interest, moved that these papers, comprehending the correspondence between lord Wellesley and col. Scott, in the years 1799, 1800–1, respecting the conduct of the nabob of Oude, and which was not already on the table, should be laid before the house.
Lord Morpethobjected to the motion upon the same grounds which induced, as the right hon. mover stated, the late board of controul to meet the same motion before. The part of the correspondence which was withheld, contained particulars relative to the private conduct of the nabob of Oude, which it would be highly improper, in his opinion, to lay before the public, especially as they related to a prince at present in amity with this country. The noble lord had no objection to afford any private information desired upon this subject, but he would resist the idea of giving publicity which the motion referred.
§ Mr. Paullanimadverted upon the singul arground laid by the mover of this proposition, that though he had resisted, when in office, the production of certain documents as injurious to the public interests, yet he still would press his successors to grant precisely the same documents. He was, however, ready to support this motion, as he wished the house to have the fullest information relative to the affairs of India. As to the objections which were expressed against these papers, because they contained some statements upon the misconduct of the nabob of Oude, he was prepared to say that he could prove such misconduct was the result of oppression, injustice, and tyranny practised towards that prince. It was idle therefore to say that the real motive for refusing these papers was was a desire to avoid injuring the character or feelings of that prince. There were, however, as he wished the house to be sensible, several extracts in the papers moved for, which had no reference whatever to the conduct of the nabob of Oude, but which were material to elucidate some part of the conduct of lord Wellesley.
§ Sir A. Wellesley ,on the part of his noble relation, desired that nothing might be brought forward which could have a tendency to injure the nabob of Oude, even though the production of such documents might be somewhat advantageous to his own case.—After some further remarks, the motion was withdrawn.
§ Mr. Paullasked the noble lord (Temple) whether it was his object to press coming to a final vote upon the charge against 686 lord Wellesley to-morrow? he was induced to apply for information upon this point, as there were several gentlemen as well as himself, who did not clearly understand the noble lord's object. It certainly would be rather singular if the noble lord should press for a final decision upon the charge the very same day on which the evidence as respecting it was to be examined.
Lord Templereplied that his object was to prevent delay in the investigation of this business; and his notice simply was, that, if no motion upon the subject should be made to-morrow, by any other person, he would feel it his duty to bring it forward. The hon. gent. therefore, having given notice of a motion for to-morrow, his purpose was answered, and he meant to give way to the hon. gentleman.
§ Mr. Paullcalled to the recollection of the house, that his notice on this subject was given the day before the debate took place upon the noble lord's motion, and he appealed to the judgment of the house, whether any delay in the prosecution of this business was attributable to him.