The servants of the Company made use of this dustuck for their own private trade, which, while it was used with moderation, the native government winked at in some degree; but when it got wholly into private hands, it was more like robbery than trade.

These traders appeared everywhere; they sold at their own prices, and forced the people to sell to them at their own prices also.

It appeared more like an army going to pillage the people, under pretence of commerce, than anything else.

In vain the people claimed the protection of their own country courts.

This English army of traders in their march ravaged worse than a Tartarian conqueror.