1783-12-04 (static/transcriptions/1783/12/011.jpg)

This: that, in every age, the British subjects resident in India be protected, yet governed, by British laws; and that the natives of these important provinces be indulged in their own prejudices, civil and religious, and suffered to enjoy their own customs unmolested; and why those great ends may not now be attained, consistently with the regular collection of the revenues and the supremacy of the executive government, I confess myself unable to discover.

Another thing has been, if not greatly misconceived, at least very imperfectly understood; and no wonder, since it requires some professional habits to comprehend it fully: I mean the true character and office of Judges appointed to administer those laws. The use of law, as a science, is to prevent mere discretionary power under the colour of equity; and it is the duty of a judge to pronounce his decisions, not simple according to his own opinion
/ of