Chief-Justice, (for, as Sir Elijah Impey went with him, he might have
consulted him,) and have thus learnt what was the Mahometan law: for,
though Sir Elijah had not taken his degree at a Mahometan college,
though he was not a mufti or a moulavy, yet he had always muftis and
moulavies near him, and he might have consulted them. But Mr. Hastings
does not even pretend that such consultations or conferences were ever
had. If he ever consulted Sir Elijah Impey, where is the report of the
case? When were the parties before him? Where are the opinions of the
moulavies? Where is the judgment of the Chief-Justice? Was he fit for
nothing but to be employed as a messenger, as a common tipstaff? Was he
not fit to try these rights, or to decide upon them? He has told you
here, indeed, negatively, that he did not know any title Mr. Hastings
had to seize upon the property of the Begums, except upon his hypothesis
of the rebellion. He was asked if he knew any other. He answered, No. It
consequently appears that Mr. Hastings, though he had before him his
doctors of all laws, who could unravel for him all the enigmas of all
the laws in the world, and who had himself shone upon questions of
Mahometan law, in the case of the Nuddea Begum, did not dare to put this
case to Sir Elijah Impey, and ask what was his opinion concerning the
rights of these people. He was tender, I suppose, of the reputation of
the Chief-Justice. For Sir Elijah Impey, though a very good man to write
a letter, or take an affidavit in a corner, or run on a message, to do
the business of an under-sheriff, tipstaff, or bum-bailiff, was not fit
to give an opinion on a question of Mahometan law.

You have heard Ali Ibrahim Khân referred to. This Mahometan lawyer was
carried by Mr. Hastings up to Benares, to be a witness of the vast good
he had done in that province, and was made Chief-Justice there. All,
indeed, that we know of him, except the high character given of him by
Mr. Hastings, is, I believe, that he is the Ali Ibrahim Khân whom in the