 The comments of his colleagues and others show him to have been an agreeable, indeed playful – if sometimes riotous – companion.These qualities no doubt influenced Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of the EIC, when he appointed him his private secretary.His letters show that he was aware of the suspicion of corruption, and had some misgivings about it – Hastings would soon be impeached for corruption – he was determined to make his fortune come what may.