History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

GOVERNOR JOHNSTONE'S ILLNESS 239
you stood the principal figure. If I was a chief instrument in warding off
the blow of ignorance and oppression, whose arms were both lifted up against
you, I glory in the deed, lying in the condition in which I describe myself
in which there ought not to be any guile. I was anxious after your arrival to
have discussed what had passed here and in India in the presence of Major
Scott, to show that whatever has occurred either with respect to you or to
him that I had acted a fair and consistent part agreeably to previous public
declarations, and that the reason you find such a total reversion in the Power in
India and in the Power of Indian affairs at home respecting persons and things
from what you had reason to expect was due to meanness, duplicity and
perversion of understanding in those whom you deem and not without reason
your best friends. This was why I frequently solicited Major Scott to procure
me the honour of meeting you not at a hasty dinner but such a meeting as
would be required thoroughly to go over such subjects. It was natural for you
to wish to see your most private and intimate connections first. The time is
now past, as I am totally incapable of any public business, and, confined to my
bed, I am unable to look for any necessary papers. The favour you had shown
my son 1 made me anxious to convince you that in the generous communication
of good offices I had not been capriciously wanting . . . your letters
convince me that you must be satisfied my conduct has not been unfriendly to
you." He spoke of the various times he had voted against Hastings being
recalled with a vote of censure, but adds that "after all our labours, all our
struggles the power of the East India Co. was entirely thrown into the hands of
John Robinson ; and Henry Dundas is now absolute Lord Paramount of East
Indian affairs,"
London :
A month after this letter Sir William wrote to James Johnstone from
" I intended to have come here by way of Worcester from Shropshire above
a month ago on purpose to have paid you a visit, but some business in
Northamptonshire obliged me to take that road. My brother the Commodore,
better known as the Governor, has been for a long time afflicted with a hard
swelling in one of the glands of his throat .
. . and often very great
pains which distract his head and has much disturbed his rest at night. He has
had all the advice that this place affords and has tried various remedies without
success . . . when he was at St. Helena on his way from the Cape of Good
Hope it went almost entirely away. . . , His strength has greatly failed
him, but when he is not in pain his spirits are very good. He has been advised
to try Malvern waters, but could not go there on account of business at the
proper season ; he is desirous of going now, and my reason for troubling you is
to know whether at the village of Malvern any tolerable accommodation could be
had at this time of year, and whether if the waters are fit for his case he is
likely to be disappointed of their effects in winter. I see by Dr Wall's pamphlet
1 In his Will he describes George Lindsay Johnstone, James Primrose Johnstone,
Alexander Patrick Johnstone, and Sophia Johnstone as his natural children.