Paul Benfield (1742–1810) was an English East India Company employee and trader, financier and politician.
He had extensive money transactions with the Nawab of the Carnatic, and he entered into and completed contracts with the government for the construction of fortifications for the town of Madras and for Fort St.
[2] Benfield made no attempt to conceal his loans to the Nawab, stating that though they had been extensive, they had not been of a clandestine nature, and that they were well known to the governor, to the council, and indeed to the whole settlement.
He alleged that he had enjoyed commercial confidence, argued that by his loans he had prevented war, and had promoted the interests of the Company.
He was subsequently restored to the service and permitted to return to Madras: the court of directors resolving that his conduct, in relation to the loan to satisfy the claims of the Dutch, was beneficial.
Petrie was acquitted, and published an account of the trial with a letter giving his history of the case in 1782.