
audiobook
by Edmund Burke
Step into the bustling halls of late‑18th‑century Parliament, where a dramatic impeachment unfolds against Warren Hastings, the former Governor‑General of Bengal. The volume gathers the formal articles of charge, outlining alleged breaches of contract, misuse of public funds, and questionable dealings in opium and other supplies. Listeners hear the precise language that framed the accusations and set the stage for a historic showdown.
Beyond the charges, the collection includes vivid speeches delivered on the first two days of the trial, as well as correspondence and treaty excerpts that reveal the broader geopolitical stakes. From debates over advertising contracts to the intricate politics of the East India Company, the documents paint a picture of a empire grappling with accountability and profit. The material offers a window into the legal reasoning and moral arguments that shaped British imperial policy.
Presented in a clear, narrated format, this listening experience brings the cadence of parliamentary oratory to life, allowing you to follow the arguments as they were made and to appreciate the enduring relevance of questions about governance, corruption, and colonial responsibility.
Language
en
Duration
~14 hours (819K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Paul Murray, Keith M. Eckrich, the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team. This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliotheque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr.
Release date
2005-03-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1729–1797
Best known for powerful speeches and for Reflections on the Revolution in France, this Irish-born writer and British parliamentarian helped shape modern conservative thought while also arguing for conciliation with the American colonies. His work is still read for its blend of political passion, moral seriousness, and vivid prose.
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