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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:35:38 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:35:38 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10946-0.txt b/10946-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5719182 --- /dev/null +++ b/10946-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5932 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10946 *** + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + + + + +[Illustration: THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN +BENGAL, 1756 (_After Rennell_.)] + + + + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + +OR + +_THE COMMERCIAL RUIN OF THE FRENCH SETTLEMENTS IN 1757_ + +BY + +S.C. HILL, B.A., B.Sc. + +OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE RECORDS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AUTHOR +OF "MAJOR-GENERAL CLAUD MARTIN" + +_WITH MAPS AND PLANS_ + + +1903 + + + + +TO + +MY DEAR WIFE + + + + +PREFACE + + +This account of the commercial ruin of the French Settlements, taken +almost entirely from hitherto unpublished documents, originated as +follows. Whilst engaged in historical research connected with the +Government Records in Calcutta, I found many references to the +French in Bengal which interested me strongly in the personal side +of their quarrel with the English, but the information obtainable +from the Indian Records alone was still meagre and incomplete. A few +months ago, however, I came across Law's Memoir in the British +Museum; and, a little later, when visiting Paris to examine the +French Archives, I found not only a copy of Law's Memoir, but also +Renault's and Courtin's letters, of which there are, I believe, no +copies in England. In these papers I thought that I had sufficient +material to give something like an idea of Bengal as it appeared to +the French when Clive arrived there. There is much bitterness in +these old French accounts, and much misconception of the English, +but they were written when misconception of national enemies was the +rule and not the exception, and when the rights of non-belligerents +were little respected in time of war. Some of the accusations I have +checked by giving the English version, but I think that, whilst it +is only justice to our Anglo-Indian heroes to let the world know +what manner of men their opponents were, it is equally only justice +to their opponents to allow them to give their own version of the +story. This is my apology, if any one should think I allow them to +say too much. + +The translations are my own, and were made in a state of some +perplexity as to how far I was bound to follow my originals--the +writings of men who, of course, were not literary, and often had not +only no pretension to style but also no knowledge of grammar. I have +tried, however, to preserve both form and spirit; but if any reader +is dissatisfied, and would like to see the original papers for +himself, the courtesy of the Record officials in both Paris and +London will give him access to an immense quantity of documents as +interesting as they are important. + +In the various accounts that I have used there are naturally +slightly different versions of particular incidents, and often +it is not easy to decide which is the correct one. Under the +circumstances I may perhaps be excused for not always calling +attention to discrepancies which the reader will detect for himself. +He will also notice that the ground covered in one narrative is +partly traversed in one or both of the others. This has been due to +the necessity of treating the story from the point of view of each +of the three chief actors. + +I may here mention that the correspondence between Clive and the +princes of Bengal, from which I have given some illustrative +passages, was first seen by me in a collection of papers printed in +1893 in the Government of India Central Printing Office, Calcutta, +under the direction of Mr. G.W. Forrest, C.I.E. These papers have +not yet been published, but there exists a complete though slightly +different copy of this correspondence in the India Office Library +(Orme MSS. India XI.), and it is from the latter copy that I have, +by permission, made the extracts here given. The remaining English +quotations, when not from printed books, have been taken chiefly +from other volumes of the Orme MSS., a smaller number from the +Bengal and Madras Records in the India Office, and a few from MSS. +in the British Museum or among the Clive papers at Walcot, to which +last I was allowed access by the kindness of the Earl of Powis. + +Finally, I wish to express my thanks to M. Omont of the Bibliothèque +Nationale, Paris, to Mr. W. Foster of the Record Department of the +India Office, and to Mr. J.A. Herbert of the British Museum, for +their kind and valuable assistance. + +S.C. HILL. + +_September_ 6, 1903. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I. THE QUARREL WITH THE ENGLISH + + II. M. RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE + + III. M. LAW, CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR + + IV. M. COURTIN, CHIEF OF DACCA + + INDEX + + +MAPS AND PLANS + +THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN BENGAL, 1756. +(_After Rennell_) _Frontispiece_ + +MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (_After Rennell_) _To +face page_ + +FORT D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (_Mouchet_) + +MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (_After Rennell_) + +DACCA, OR JEHANGIR-NAGAR. (_After Rennell_) + + + + +[Illustration: MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (_After +Rennell_.)] + + + + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE QUARREL WITH THE ENGLISH + + +Writing in 1725, the French naval commander, the Chevalier d'Albert, +tells us that the three most handsome towns on the Ganges were +Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the chief Factories of the +English, French, and Dutch. These towns were all situated within +thirty miles of each other. Calcutta, the latest founded, was the +greatest and the richest, owing partly to its situation, which +permitted the largest ships of the time to anchor at its quays, and +partly to the privilege enjoyed by the English merchants of trading +freely as individuals through the length and breadth of the land. +Native merchants and native artisans crowded to Calcutta, and the +French and Dutch, less advantageously situated and hampered by +restrictions of trade, had no chance of competing with the English +on equal terms. The same was of course true of their minor +establishments in the interior. All three nations had important +Factories at Cossimbazar (in the neighbourhood of Murshidabad, the +Capital of Bengal) and at Dacca, and minor Factories at Jugdea or +Luckipore, and at Balasore. The French and Dutch had also Factories +at Patna. Besides Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the only +Factory which was fortified was the English Factory at Cossimbazar. + +During the long reign of the usurper, Aliverdi Khan,[1] that strong +and politic ruler enforced peace among his European guests, and +forbade any fortification of the Factories, except such as was +necessary to protect them against possible incursions of the +Marathas, who at that time made periodical attacks on Muhammadans +and Hindus alike to enforce the payment of the _chauth_,[2] or +blackmail, which they levied upon all the countries within their +reach. In Southern India the English and French had been constantly +at war whenever there was war in Europe, but in Bengal the strength +of the Government, the terror of the Marathas, and the general +weakness of the Europeans had contrived to enforce a neutrality. +Still there was nothing to guarantee its continuance if the fear of +the native Government and of the Marathas were once removed, and if +any one of the three nations happened to find itself much stronger +than the others. The fear of the Marathas had nearly disappeared, +but that of the Government still remained. However, it was not till +more than sixty years after the foundation of Calcutta that there +appeared any possibility of a breach of peace amongst the Europeans +in Bengal. During this time the three Factories, Calcutta always +leading, increased rapidly in wealth and importance. To the +Government they were already a cause of anxiety and an object of +greed. Even during the life of Aliverdi Khan there were many of his +counsellors who advised the reduction of the status of Europeans to +that of the Armenians, i.e. mere traders at the mercy of local +officials; but Aliverdi Khan, whether owing to the enfeeblement of +his energies by age or to an intelligent recognition of the value of +European commerce, would not allow any steps to be taken against the +Europeans. Many stories are told of the debates in his _Durbar_[3] +on this subject: according to one, he is reported to have compared +the Europeans to bees who produce honey when left in peace, but +furiously attack those who foolishly disturb them; according to +another he compared them to a fire[4] which had come out of the sea +and was playing harmlessly on the shore, but which would devastate +the whole land if any one were so imprudent as to anger it. His +wisdom died with him, and in April, 1756, his grandson, +Siraj-ud-daula, a young man of nineteen,[5] already notorious for +his debauchery and cruelty, came to the throne. The French--who, of +all Europeans, knew him best, for he seems to have preferred them to +all others--say his chief characteristics were cruelty, rapacity, +and cowardice. In his public speeches he seemed to be ambitious of +military fame. Calcutta was described to him as a strong fortress, +full of wealth, which belonged largely to his native subjects, and +inhabited by a race of foreigners who had grown insolent on their +privileges. As a proof of this, it was pointed out that they had not +presented him with the offerings which, according to Oriental +custom, are the due of a sovereign on his accession. The only +person who dared oppose the wishes of the young Nawab was his +mother,[6] but her advice was of no avail, and her taunt that he, a +soldier, was going to war upon mere traders, was equally +inefficacious. The records of the time give no definite information +as to the tortuous diplomacy which fanned the quarrel between him +and the English, but it is sufficiently clear that the English +refused to surrender the son of one of his uncle's _diwans_,[7] who, +with his master's and his father's wealth, had betaken himself to +Calcutta. Siraj-ud-daula, by the treacherous promises of his +commanders, made himself master of the English Factory at +Cossimbazar without firing a shot, and on the 20th of June, 1756, +found himself in possession of Fort William, the fortified Factory +of Calcutta.[8] The Governor, the commandant[9] of the troops, and +some two hundred persons of lesser note, had deserted the Fort +almost as soon as it was actually invested, and Holwell, one of the +councillors, an ex-surgeon, and the gallant few who stood by him and +continued the defence, were captured, and, to the number of 146, +cast into a little dungeon,[10] intended for military offenders, +from which, the next morning, only twenty-three came out alive. The +English took refuge at Fulta, thirty miles down the river, where the +Nawab, in his pride and ignorance, left them unmolested. There they +were gradually reinforced from Madras, first by Major Kilpatrick, +and later on by Colonel Clive and Admiral Watson. About the same +time both French and English learned that war had been declared in +Europe between England and France in the previous May, but, for +different reasons, neither nation thought the time suitable for +making the fact formally known. + +Towards the end of December the English, animated by the desire of +revenge and of repairing their ruined fortunes, advanced on +Calcutta, and on the 2nd of January, 1757, the British flag again +floated over Fort William. The Governor, Manik Chand, was, like many +of the Nawab's servants, a Hindu. Some say he was scared away by a +bullet through his turban; others, that he was roused from the +enjoyment of a _nautch_--a native dance--by the news of the arrival +of the English.[11] Hastening to Murshidabad, he reported his +defeat, and asserted that the British they had now to deal with were +very different from those they had driven from or captured in +Calcutta. + +The English were not satisfied with recovering Calcutta. They wished +to impress the Nawab, and so they sent a small force to Hugli, which +lies above Chandernagore and Chinsurah, stormed the Muhammadan fort, +burnt the town, and destroyed the magazines, which would have +supplied the Nawab's army in an attack on Calcutta. The inhabitants +of the country had never known anything so terrible as the big guns +of the ships, and the Nawab actually believed the men-of-war could +ascend the river and bombard him in his palace at Murshidabad. +Calling on the French and Dutch for aid, which they refused, he +determined to try his fortune a second time at Calcutta. At first, +everything seemed the same as on the former occasion: the native +merchants and artisans disappeared from the town; but it was not as +he thought, out of fear, but because the English wished to have them +out of the way, and so expelled them. Except for the military camp +to the north of the city, where Clive was stationed with his little +army, the town lay open to his attack. Envoys from Calcutta soon +appeared asking for terms, and the Nawab pretended to be willing to +negotiate in order to gain time while he outflanked Clive and seized +the town. Seeing through this pretence Watson and Clive thought it +was time to give him a lesson, and, on the morning of the 5th of +February, in the midst of a dense fog, Clive beat up his quarters. +Though Clive had to retire when the whole army was roused, the +slaughter amongst the enemy had been immense; and though he +mockingly informed the Nawab that he had been careful to "injure +none but those who got in his way," the Nawab himself narrowly +escaped capture. The action, however, was in no sense decisive. Most +of the Nawab's military leaders were eager to avenge their disgrace, +but some of the chief nobles, notably his Hindu advisers, +exaggerated the loss already incurred and the future danger, and +advised him to make peace. In fact, the cruelty and folly of the +Nawab had turned his Court into a nest of traitors. With one or two +exceptions there was not a man of note upon whom he could rely, and +he had not the wit to distinguish the faithful from the unfaithful. +Accordingly he granted the English everything they asked for--the +full restoration of all their privileges, and restitution of all +they had lost in the sack of Calcutta. As the English valued their +losses at several hundreds of thousands, and the Nawab had found +only some £5000 in the treasury of Fort William, it is clear that +the wealth of Calcutta was either sunk in the Ganges or had fallen +as booty into the hands of the Moorish soldiers. + +Siraj-ud-daula, though he did not yet know it, was a ruined man when +he returned to his capital. His only chance of safety lay in one of +two courses--either a loyal acceptance of the conditions imposed by +the English or a loyal alliance with the French against the English. +From the Dutch he could hope for nothing. They were as friendly to +the English as commercial rivals could be. They had always declared +they were mere traders and would not fight, and they kept their +word. After the capture of Calcutta the Nawab had exacted heavy +contributions from both the French and Dutch; but France and England +were now at war, and he thought it might be possible that in these +circumstances the restoration of their money to the French and the +promise of future privileges might win them to his side. He could +not, however, decide finally on either course, and the French were +not eager to meet him. They detested his character, and they +preferred, if the English would agree, to preserve the old +neutrality and to trade in peace. Further, they had received no +supplies of men or money for a long time; the fortifications of +Chandernagore, i.e. of Fort d'Orléans, were practically in ruins, +and the lesser Factories in the interior were helpless. Their +military force, for attack, was next to nothing: all they could +offer was wise counsel and brave leaders. They were loth to offer +these to a man like the Nawab against Europeans, and he and his +Court were as loth to accept them. Unluckily for the French, +deserters from Chandernagore had served the Nawab's artillery when +he took Calcutta, and it was even asserted that the French had +supplied the Nawab with gunpowder; and so when the English heard of +these new negotiations, they considered the proposals for a +neutrality to be a mere blind; they forgot the kindness shown by the +French to English refugees at Dacca, Cossimbazar, and Chandernagore, +and determined that, as a permanent peace with the Nawab was out of +the question, they would, whilst he hesitated as to his course of +action, anticipate him by destroying the one element of force which, +if added to his power, might have made him irresistible. They +continued the negotiations for a neutrality on the Ganges only until +they were reinforced by a body of 500 Europeans from Bombay, when +they sent back the French envoys and exacted permission from the +Nawab to attack Chandernagore. Clive marched on that town with a +land force of 4000 Europeans and Sepoys, and Admiral Watson +proceeded up the river with a small but powerful squadron. + +Thus began the ruin of the French in Bengal. The chief French +Factories were, as I have said, at Chandernagore, Cossimbazar, and +Dacca. The Chiefs of these Factories were M. Renault, the Director +of all the French in Bengal; M. Law, a nephew of the celebrated Law +of Lauriston, the financier; and M. Courtin. It is the doings and +sufferings of these three gallant men which are recorded in the +following chapters. They had no hope of being able to resist the +English by themselves, but they hoped, and actually believed, that +France would send them assistance if they could only hold out till +it arrived. Renault, whose case was the most desperate, perhaps +thought that the Nawab would, in his own interest, support him if +the English attacked Chandernagore; but knowing the Nawab as well as +he did, and reflecting that he had himself refused the Nawab +assistance when he asked for it, his hope must have been a feeble +one. Still he could not, with honour, give up a fortified position +without attempting a defence, and he determined to do his best. When +he failed, all that Law and Courtin could expect to do was to +maintain their personal liberty and create a diversion in the north +of Bengal when French forces attacked it in the south. It was not +their fault that the attack was never made. + +I shall make no mention of the fate of the Factories at Balasore and +Jugdea. At these the number of Frenchmen was so very small that +resistance and escape were equally hopeless. Patna lay on the line +of Law's retreat, and, as we shall see, he was joined by the +second and other subordinate officers of that Factory. The chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was too ill to be moved, but he managed, by the +assistance of his native friends, to secure a large portion of the +property of the French East India Company, and so to finance Law +during his wanderings. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Aliverdi Khan entered Muxadavad or Murshidabad as a +conqueror on the 30th of March, 1742. He died on the 10th of April, +1756. (_Scrafton_.)] + +[Footnote 2: Literally the fourth part of the Revenues. The Marathas +extorted the right to levy this from the Emperor Aurengzebe, and +under pretext of collecting it they ravaged a large portion of +India.] + +[Footnote 3: Court, or Court officials and nobles.] + +[Footnote 4: Such fires are mentioned in many Indian legends. In the +"Arabian Nights" we read of a demon changing himself into a flaming +fire.] + +[Footnote 5: His age is stated by some as nineteen, by others as +about twenty-five. See note, p. 66.] + +[Footnote 6: Amina Begum.] + +[Footnote 7: _Diwan_, i.e. Minister or Manager.] + +[Footnote 8: The English at Dacca surrendered to the Nawab of that +place, and were afterwards released. Those at Jugdea and Balasore +escaped direct to Fulta.] + +[Footnote 9: Captain George Minchin.] + +[Footnote 10: Known in history as the Black Hole of Calcutta.] + +[Footnote 11: Both stories may be true. Manik Chand was nearly +killed at the battle of Budge Budge by a bullet passing through his +turban, and the incident of the _nautch_ may have happened at +Calcutta, where he certainly showed less courage.] + +[Illustration: FORT D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (_Mouchet._)] + + + + +CHAPTER II + +M. RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE + + +The French East India Company was founded in 1664, during the +ministry of M. Colbert. Chandernagore, on the Ganges, or rather that +mouth of it now known as the River Hugli, was founded in 1676; and +in 1688 the town and territory were ceded to France by the Emperor +Aurengzebe. I know of no plan of Chandernagore in the 17th century, +and those of the 18th are extremely rare. Two or three are to be +found in Paris, but the destruction of the Fort and many of the +buildings by the English after its capture in 1757, and the decay of +the town after its restoration to the French, owing to diminished +trade, make it extremely difficult to recognize old landmarks. The +Settlement, however, consisted of a strip of land, about two leagues +in length and one in depth, on the right or western bank of the +Hugli. Fort d'Orléans lay in the middle of the river front. It was +commenced in 1691, and finished in 1693.[12] Facing the north was +the Porte Royale, and to the east, or river-side, was the Water +Gate. The north-eastern bastion was known as that of the Standard, +or Pavillon. The north-western bastion was overlooked by the Jesuit +Church, and the south-eastern by the Dutch Octagon. This last +building was situated on one of a number of pieces of land which, +though within the French bounds, belonged to the Dutch before the +grant of the imperial charter, and which the Dutch had always +refused to sell. The Factory buildings were in the Fort itself. To +the west lay the Company's Tank, the hospitals, and the cemetery. +European houses, interspersed with native dwellings, lay all around. +M. d'Albert says that these houses were large and convenient, but +chiefly of one story only, built along avenues of fine trees, or +along the handsome quay. D'Albert also mentions a chapel in the +Fort,[13] the churches of the Jesuits and the Capucins, and some +miserable _pagodas_ belonging to the Hindus, who, owing to the +necessity of employing them as clerks and servants, were allowed the +exercise of their religion. In his time the Europeans numbered about +500. There were besides some 400 Armenians, Moors[14] and Topasses, +1400 to 1500 Christians, including slaves, and 18,000 to 20,000 +Gentiles, divided, he says, into 52 different castes or occupations. +It is to be supposed that the European houses had improved in the +thirty years since d'Albert's visit; at any rate many of those which +were close to the Fort now commanded its interior from their roofs +or upper stories, exactly as the houses of the leading officials in +Calcutta commanded the interior of Fort William. No other fact could +be so significant of the security which the Europeans in Bengal +believed they enjoyed from any attack by the forces of the native +Government. The site of the Fort is now covered with native huts. +The Cemetery still remains and the Company's Tank (now known as Lal +Dighi), whilst Kooti Ghat is the old landing-place of Fort +d'Orleans. + +As regards the European population at the time of the siege we have +no definite information. The Returns drawn up by the French +officials at the time of the capitulation do not include the women +and children or the native and mixed population. The ladies,[15] and +it is to be presumed the other women also, for there is no mention +of women during the siege, retired to the Dutch and Danish +settlements at Chinsurah and Serampore a few days before, and the +native population disappeared as soon as the British army +approached. The Returns therefore show only 538 Europeans and 66 +Topasses. The Governor or Director, as already mentioned, was Pierre +Renault: his Council consisted of MM. Fournier, Caillot, Laporterie, +Nicolas, and Picques. There were 36 Frenchmen of lesser rank in the +Company's service, as well as 6 surgeons. The troops were commanded +by M. de Tury and 10 officers. There were also 10 officers of the +French East India Company's vessels, and 107 persons of sufficient +importance for their _parole_ to be demanded when the Fort fell. +Apparently these Returns do not include those who were killed in the +defence, nor have we any definite information as to the number of +French sepoys, but Eyre Coote[16] says there were 500. + +The story of the siege is to be gathered from many accounts. M. +Renault and his Council submitted an official report; Renault wrote +many letters to Dupleix and other patrons or friends; several of the +Council and other private persons did the same.[17] M. Jean Law, +whose personal experiences we shall deal with in the next chapter, +was Chief of Cossimbazar, and watched the siege, as it were, from +the outside. His straightforward narrative helps us now and then to +correct a mis-statement made by the besieged in the bitterness of +defeat. On the English side, besides the Bengal records, there are +Clive's and Eyre Coote's military journals, the Logs of the British +ships of war, and the journal of Surgeon Edward Ives of His +Majesty's ship _Kent_. Thus this passage of arms, almost the only +one in Bengal[18] in which the protagonists were Europeans, is no +obscure event, but one in which almost every incident was seen and +described from opposite points of view. This multiplicity of +authorities makes it difficult to form a connected narrative, and, +in respect to many incidents, I shall have to follow that account +which seems to enter into the fullest or most interesting detail. + +It will now be necessary to go back a little. After the capture of +Calcutta in June, 1756, the behaviour of the Nawab to all Europeans +was so overbearing that Renault found it necessary to ask the +Superior Council of Pondicherry for reinforcements, but all that he +received was 67 Europeans and 167 Sepoys. No money was sent him, and +every day he expected to hear that war had broken out between +France and England. + + "Full of these inquietudes, gentlemen, I was in the + most cruel embarrassment, knowing not even what to + desire. A strong detestation of the tyranny of the Nawab, + and of the excesses which he was committing against + Europeans, made me long for the arrival of the English in + the Ganges to take vengeance for them. At the same time + I feared the consequences of war being declared. In every + letter M. de Leyrit[19] impressed upon me the necessity of + fortifying Chandernagore as best I could, and of putting the + town in a state of security against a surprise, but you have + only to look at Chandernagore to see how difficult it was for + us, absolutely destitute as we were of men and money, to do + this with a town open on all sides, and with nothing even to + mark it off from the surrounding country."[20] + +He goes on to describe Fort d'Orléans-- + + "almost in the middle of the settlement, surrounded by + houses, which command it, a square of about 600 feet,[21] + built of brick, flanked with four bastions, with six guns + each, without ramparts or glacis. The southern curtain, + about 4 feet thick, not raised to its full height, was + provided only with a battery of 3 guns; there was a similar + battery to the west, but the rest of the west curtain was + only a wall of mud and brick, about a foot and a half thick, + and 8 or 10 feet high; there were warehouses ranged + against the east curtain which faced the Ganges, and which + was still in process of construction; the whole of this side + had no ditch, and that round the other sides was dry, only 4 + feet in depth, and a mere ravine. The walls of the Fort up + to the ramparts were 15 feet high, and the houses, on the + edge of the counterscarp, which commanded it, were as much + as 30 feet." + +Perhaps the Fort was best defended on the west, where the Company's +Tank[22] was situated. Its bank was only about twelve feet from the +Fort Ditch. This use of tanks for defensive purposes was an +excellent one, as they also provided the garrison with a good supply +of drinking water. A little later Clive protected his great barracks +at Berhampur with a line of large tanks along the landward side. +However, this tank protected one side only, and the task of holding +such a fort with an inadequate garrison was not a hopeful one even +for a Frenchman. It was only his weakness which had made Renault +submit to pay the contribution demanded by the Nawab on his +triumphant return from Calcutta in July of the previous year, and he +and his comrades felt very bitterly the neglect of the Company in +not sending money and reinforcements. One of his younger +subordinates wrote to a friend in Pondicherry:[23]-- + + "But the 3-1/2 lahks that the Company has to pay to the + Nawab, is that a trifle? Yes, my dear fellow, for I should + like it to have to pay still more, to teach it how to leave + this Factory, which is, beyond contradiction, the finest of its + settlements, denuded of soldiers and munitions of war, so + that it is not possible for us to show our teeth." + +The wish was prophetic. + +Like the English the French were forbidden by the Nawab to fortify +themselves. Renault dared not pay attention to this order. He had +seen what had happened to the English by the neglect of proper +precautions, and when things were at their worst, the Nawab had to +seek his alliance against the English, grant him leave to fortify +Chandernagore, and, later on, even to provide him with money under +the pretence that he was simply restoring the sum forcibly extorted +from him the previous year.[24] Trade was at a standstill, and +Renault was determined that if the enemies of his nation were +destined to take the Company's property, they should have the utmost +difficulty possible in doing so. He expended the money on provisions +and ammunition. At the same time, that he might not lose any chance +of settling affairs peaceably with the English, he refused to +associate himself with the Nawab, and entered upon negotiations for +a neutrality in the Ganges. To protect himself if these failed, he +began raising fortifications and pulling down the houses which +commanded the Fort or masked its fire. + +He could not pull down the houses on the south of the Fort, from +which Clive subsequently made his attack, partly for want of time, +partly because the native workmen ran away, and partly because of +the bad feeling prevalent in the motley force which formed his +garrison.[25] The most fatal defect of all was the want of a +military engineer. The person who held that position had been sent +from France. He was a master mason, and had no knowledge of +engineering. It had been the same story in Calcutta. Drake's two +engineers had been a subaltern in the military and a young +covenanted servant. Renault had to supervise the fortifications +himself. + + "I commenced to pull down the church and the house + of the Jesuit fathers, situated on the edge of the Ditch, also + all the houses of private persons which masked the entire + north curtain. The wood taken from the ruins of these + served to construct a barrier extending from bastion to + bastion and supporting this same north curtain, which + seemed ready to fall to pieces from old age." + +This barrier was placed four feet outside the wall, the intervening +space being filled in with earth. + + "Also in front of Porte Royale" (i.e. outside the gate in + the avenue), "the weakest side of the Fort, I placed a battery + of 3 guns, and worked hard at clearing out and enlarging + the Ditch, but there was no time to make it of any use as a + defence. A warehouse on which I put bales of _gunny_[26] to + prevent cannon balls from breaking in the vaults of the roof, + served it as a casemate." + +The east or river curtain was left alone. The French were, in fact, +so confident that the ships of war would not be able to force their +way up the river, and that Clive would not therefore think of +attacking on that side, that the only precaution they took at first +was the erection of two batteries outside the Fort. It is a +well-known maxim in war that one should attack at that point at +which the enemy deems himself most secure, and it will be seen that +all Clive's efforts were aimed at preparing for Admiral Watson to +attack on the east. + +As regards artillery Renault was better off. + + "The alarm which the Prince" (Siraj-ud-daula) "gave us + in June last having given me reason to examine into the + state of the artillery, I found that not one of the carriages + of the guns on the ramparts was in a serviceable condition, + not a field-piece mounted, not a platform ready for the + mortars. I gave all my attention to these matters, and + fortunately had time to put them right." + +To serve his guns Renault had the sailors of the Company's ship, +_Saint Contest_, whose commander, M. de la Vigne Buisson, was the +soul of the defence. + +About this time he received a somewhat doubtful increase to his +garrison, a crowd of deserters from the English East India Company's +forces. The latter at this time were composed of men of all +nationalities, English, Germans, Swiss, Dutch, and even French. Many +of them, and naturally the foreigners especially, were ready to +desert upon little provocation. The hardships of service in a +country where the climate and roads were execrable, where food and +pay were equally uncertain, and where promises were made not to be +kept, were provocations which the best soldiers might have found it +difficult to resist. We read of whole regiments in the English and +French services refusing to obey orders, and of mutinies of officers +as well as of men. The one reward of service was the chance of +plunder, and naturally, then, as soon as the fighting with the Nawab +had stopped for a time, the desertions from the British forces were +numerous. Colonel Clive had more than once written to Renault to +remonstrate with him for taking British soldiers into his service. +Probably Renault could have retorted the accusation with justice--at +any rate, he went on enlisting deserters; and from those who had now +come over he formed a company of grenadiers of 50 men, one of +artillery of 30, and one of sailors of 60, wisely giving them a +little higher pay than usual, "to excite their emulation." One of +these was a man named Lee,-- + + "a corporal and a deserter from the _Tyger_, who pledged + himself to the enemy that he would throw two shells out of + three into the _Tyger_, but whilst he was bringing the mortars + to bear for that purpose, he was disabled by a musket bullet + from the _Kent's_ tops. He was afterwards sent home a + prisoner to England."[27] + +As might be expected the younger Frenchmen were wild with delight at +the chance of seeing a good fight. Some of them had been much +disappointed that the Nawab had not attacked Chandernagore in June, +1756. One of them wrote[28]-- + + "I was charmed with the adventure and the chance + of carrying a musket, having always had" (what Frenchman + hasn't?) "a secret leaning towards a military life. I + intended to kill a dozen Moors myself in the first sortie we + made, for I was determined not to stand like a stock on a + bastion, where one only runs the risk of getting wounds + without having any of the pleasure of inflicting them." + +If not the highest form of military spirit, this was at any rate one +of which a good commander might make much use. Renault took +advantage of this feeling, and from the young men of the colony, +such as Company's servants, ships' officers, supercargoes, and +European inhabitants,[29] he made a company of volunteers, to whom, +at their own request, he gave his son, an officer of the garrison, +as commander. + +One of the volunteer officers writes:-- + + "I had the honour to be appointed lieutenant, and was + much pleased when I saw the spirit of emulation which + reigned in every heart. I cannot sufficiently praise the + spirit of exactitude with which every one was animated, and + the progress which all made in so short a time in the + management of their arms. I lay stress on the fact that it + was an occupation entirely novel to them, and one of which + the commencement always appears very hard, but they overcame + all difficulties, and found amusement in what to others + would appear merely laborious." + +All this time Renault was watching the war between the English and +the Moors. In January the English sailed up the Hugli, passed +Chandernagore contemptuously without a salute, burned the Moorish +towns of Hugli and Bandel, ravaged the banks of the river, and +retired to Calcutta. Up to this the Nawab had not condescended to +notice the English; now, in a moment of timidity, he asked the +intervention of the French as mediators.[30] Renault eagerly +complied, for had his mediation been accepted, he would have +inserted in the treaty a clause enforcing peace amongst the +Europeans in Bengal; but the English refused to treat through the +French. This could have only one meaning. Renault felt that his +course was now clear, and was on the point of offering the alliance +which the Nawab had so long sought for, when he received orders from +M. de Leyrit forbidding him to attack the English by land. As M. Law +writes, if Renault had been free to join the Nawab with 500 +Europeans, either Clive would not have ventured a night attack on +the Nawab's camp, or, had he done so, the event would probably have +been very different. Under the circumstances, all that Renault could +do was to continue his fortifications. It was now that he first +realized that Admiral Watson would take part in the attack. + + "As the ships of war were what we had most to fear + from, we constructed on the river bank a battery of 6 guns, + four of which covered the approach to the Fort. From the foot + of the battery a bank twenty-two feet high stretching to + the Fort, was begun, so as to protect the curtain on this side + from the fire of the ships, _but it was not finished_. We had + also to attend to the inhabited portion of the town; it was + impossible to do more, but we determined to protect it from + a surprise, and so ditches were dug across the streets and + outposts established."[31] + +It was this waste of valuable time upon the defence of the town that +a capable engineer would have saved Renault from the mistake of +committing. Had he limited his efforts to strengthening the walls of +the Fort and cleared away the surrounding houses, he would have been +not only stronger against the attack of the land force, but also in +a much better position to resist the ships. + +The issue of the Nawab's attack on Calcutta has already been told. +He was so depressed by his failure that he now treated Renault with +the greatest respect, and it was now that he gave him the sum of +money--a lakh of rupees, then worth £12,500--which he spent on +provisions and munitions of war. Renault says:-- + + "The Nawab's envoy further gave me to understand that + he was, in his heart, enraged with the English, and continued + to regard them as his enemies. In spite of this we saw + clearly from the treaty just made" (with the English) + "that we should be its victims, and knowing Siraj-ud-daula's + character, his promise to assist me strongly if the + English attacked us did not quiet my mind. I prepared for + whatever might happen by pressing on our preparations and + collecting all kinds of provisions in the Fort." + +The Nawab and the English concluded a treaty of peace and alliance +on the 9th of February, 1757. Renault mentions no actual treaty +between the Nawab and the French, but the French doctor referred to +in a note above asserts that the Nawab demanded that the Council +should bind itself in writing, + + "to oppose the passage of the English past Chandernagore.... + It was merely engaging to defend ourselves against + the maritime force of the English ... because Chandernagore + was the only place on this coast against which they + could undertake any enterprise by water. _This engagement + was signed_ and sent to the Nawab three days after he had + made peace with the English. The Council received in + reply two privileges, the one to coin money with the King's + stamp at Chandernagore, the other liberty of trade for + individual Frenchmen on the same footing as the Company, + and 100,000 rupees on account of the 300,000 which he had + extorted the previous year." + +It does not matter whether this engagement was signed or not.[32] As +a Frenchman thus mentions it, the rumour of its signature must have +been very strong. It is probable that the English heard of it, and +believed it to be conclusive proof of the secret understanding +between the Nawab and the French. The privilege of individual trade +was particularly likely to excite their commercial jealousy, for it +was to this very privilege in their own case that the wealth and +strength of Calcutta were due. Such a rumour, therefore, was not +likely to facilitate negotiations. Nevertheless, Renault sent MM. +Fournier and Nicolas, the latter of whom had many friends amongst +the English, to Calcutta, to re-open the negotiations for a +neutrality. These negotiations seemed to be endless. The most +striking feature was Admiral Watson's apparent vacillation. When the +Council proposed war he wanted peace, when they urged neutrality he +wanted war. Clive went so far as to present a memorial to the +Council, saying it was unfair to continue the negotiations if the +Admiral was determined not to agree to a treaty. It seems as if the +Council wanted war, but wished to throw the responsibility upon the +Admiral. On the other hand the Admiral was only too eager to fight, +but hesitated to involve the Company in a war with the French and +the Nawab combined, at a moment when the British land forces were so +weakened by disease that success might be considered doubtful. He +had also to remember the fact that the Council at Chandernagore was +subordinate to the Council at Pondicherry, and the latter might, +whenever convenient to the French, repudiate the treaty. However, in +spite of all difficulties, the terms were agreed to, the draft was +prepared, and only the signatures were wanting, when a large +reinforcement of Europeans arrived from Bombay, and the Admiral +received formal notification of the declaration of war, and orders +from the Admiralty to attack the French.[33] This put an immediate +end to negotiations, and the envoys were instructed to return to +Chandernagore. At the same time the English determined to try and +prevent the Nawab from joining the French. + +Whilst the Admiral was making up his mind fortune had favoured the +English. The Nawab, in fear of an invasion of Bengal by the Pathans, +had called upon the British for assistance, and on the 3rd of March +Clive's army left Calcutta _en route_ for Murshidabad. The Admiral +now pointed out to the Nawab that the British could not safely leave +Chandernagore behind them in the hands of an enemy, and Clive wrote +to the same effect, saying he would wait near Chandernagore for a +reply. On the 10th of March the Nawab wrote a letter to the Admiral, +which concluded with the following significant words:-- + + "You have understanding and generosity: if your enemy + with an upright heart claims your protection, you will give + him life, but then you must be _well_ satisfied of the innocence + of his intentions: if not, whatever you think right, that do." + +Law says this letter was a forgery,[34] but as the Nawab did not +write any letters himself, the only test of authenticity was his +seal, which was duly attached. The English believed it to be +genuine, and the words quoted could have but one meaning. Admiral +Watson read them as a permission to attack the French without fear +of the Nawab's interference. He prepared to support Clive as soon as +the water in the Hugli would allow his ships to pass up, and, it +must be supposed, informed Clive of the letter he had received. At +any rate, he so informed the Council. + +Clive reached Chandernagore on the 12th, and probably heard on that +day or the next from Calcutta. On the 13th he sent the following +summons--which Renault does not mention, and did not reply to--to +Chandernagore:-- + + "SIR, + + "The King of Great Britain having declared war + against France, I summons you in his name to surrender the + Fort of Chandernagore. In case of refusal you are to answer + the consequences, and expect to be treated according to the + usage of war in such cases. + + "I have the honour to be, sir, + + "Your most obedient and humble servant, + + "ROBERT CLIVE." + +It is important, in the light of what happened +later, to notice that Clive addresses Renault as a +combatant and the head of the garrison. + +In England we have recently seen men eager to vilify their own +nation. France has produced similar monsters. One of them wrote from +Pondicherry:-- + + "The English having changed their minds on the arrival + of the reinforcement from Bombay, our gentlemen at Chandernagore + prepared to ransom themselves, and they would have + done so at whatever price the ransom had been fixed + provided anything had remained to them. That mode of + agreement could not possibly suit the taste of the English. + It was rejected, and the Council of Chandernagore had + no other resource except to surrender on the best conditions + they could obtain from the generosity of their enemy. This + course was so firmly resolved upon that they gave no + thought to defending themselves. The military insisted only + on firing a single discharge, which they desired the Council + would grant them. It was only the marine and the citizens + who, though they had no vote in the Council, cried out + tumultuously that the Fort must be defended. A plot was + formed to prevent the Director's son, who was ready to carry + the keys of the town to the English camp, from going out. + Suddenly some one fired a musket. The English thought + it was the reply to their summons. They commenced on + their side to fire their artillery, and that was how a defence + which lasted ten whole days was begun." + +How much truth is contained in the above paragraph may be judged by +what has been already stated. It will be sufficient to add that +Clive, receiving no answer to his summons, made a sudden attack on a +small earthwork to the south-west of the fort at 3 A.M. on the 14th +of March. For two whole days then, the English had been in sight of +Chandernagore without attacking. The French ladies had been sent to +Chinsurah and Serampore, so that the defenders had nothing to fear +on their account. Besides the French soldiers and civilians, there +were also about 2000 Moorish troops present, whom Law says he +persuaded the Nawab to send down as soon as the English left +Calcutta. Other accounts say that Renault hired them to assist him. +The Nawab had a strong force at Murshidabad ready to march under one +of his commanders, Rai Durlabh Ram; but the latter had experienced +what even a small English force could do in the night attack on the +Nawab's camp, and was by no means inclined to match himself a second +time against Clive; accordingly, he never got further than five +leagues from Murshidabad. Urgent messages were sent from +Chandernagore as soon as the attack began. M. Law begged of the +Nawab to send reinforcements. Mr. Watts, the English Chief, and all +his party in the _Durbar_, did their utmost to prevent any orders +being issued. The Nawab gave orders which he almost immediately +countermanded. Renault ascribes this to a letter which he says +Clive wrote on the 14th of March, the very day of the attack, +promising the Nawab to leave the French alone, but it is not at all +likely that he did so. It is true Clive had written to this effect +on the 22nd of February; but since then much had happened, and he +was now acting, as he thought and said, with the Nawab's permission. +On the 16th of March he wrote to Nand Kumar, Faujdar[35] of Hugli, +as follows:-- + + "The many deceitful wicked measures that the French + have taken to endeavour to deprive me of the Nawab's + favour (tho' I thank God they have proved in vain, since + his Excellency's friendship towards me is daily increasing) + has long made me look on them as enemies to the English, + but I could no longer stifle my resentment when I found + that ... they dared to oppose the freedom of the English + trade on the Ganges by seizing a boat with an English + _dustuck_,[36] and under English colours that was passing by their + town. I am therefore come to a resolution to attack them. + I am told that some of the Government's forces have been + perswaded under promise of great rewards from the French + to join them against us; I should be sorry, at a time when + I am so happy in his Excellency's favour and friendship, that + I should do any injury to his servants; I am therefore to + desire you will send these forces an order to withdraw, and + that no other may come to their assistance."[37] + +What Clive feared was that, though the +Nawab might not interfere openly, some of his +servants might receive secret orders to do so, and +on the 22nd of March he wrote even more curtly +to Rai Durlabh himself:-- + + "I hear you are arrived within 20 miles of Hughly. + Whether you come as a friend or an enemy, I know not. If + as the latter, say so at once, and I will send some people out + to fight you immediately.... Now you know my mind."[38] + +When diplomatic correspondence was conducted in letters of this +kind, it is easy to understand that the Nawab was frightened out of +his wits, and absolutely unable to decide what course he should +take. There was little likelihood of the siege being influenced by +anything he might do. + +The outpost mentioned as the object of the first attack was a small +earthwork, erected at the meeting of three roads. It was covered by +the Moorish troops, who held the roofs of the houses around. As the +intention of the outposts was merely to prevent the town from being +surprised, and to enable the inhabitants to take shelter in the +Fort, the outpost ought to have been withdrawn as quickly as +possible, but, probably because they thought it a point of honour +to make a stout defence wherever they were first attacked, +the defenders stood to it gallantly. Renault sent repeated +reinforcements, first the company of grenadiers, then at 9 o'clock +the company of artillery, and at 10 o'clock, when the surrounding +houses were in flames, and many of the Moors had fled, a company of +volunteers. With these, and a further reinforcement of sixty +sailors, the little fort held out till 7 o'clock in the evening, +when the English, after three fruitless assaults, ceased fire and +withdrew. Street fighting is always confusing, and hence the +following vague description of the day's events from Captain Eyre +Coote's journal:-- + + "Colonel Clive ordered the picquets, with the company's + grenadiers, to march into the French bounds, which is encompassed + with an old ditch,[39] the entrance into it a gateway + with embrasures on the top but no cannons, which the + French evacuated on our people's advancing. As soon as + Captain Lynn, who commanded the party, had taken possession, + he acquainted the Colonel, who ordered Major Kilpatrick + and me, with my company of grenadiers, to join Captain + Lynn, and send him word after we had reconnoitred the + place. On our arrival there we found a party of French was + in possession of a road leading to a redoubt that they had + thrown up close under their fort, where they had a battery + of cannon, and upon our advancing down the road, they fired + some shots at us. We detached some parties through a wood, + and drove them from the road into their batteries with the + loss of some men; we then sent for the Colonel, who, as soon + as he joined us, sent to the camp for more troops. We + continued firing at each other in an irregular manner till + about noon, at which time the Colonel ordered me to continue + with my grenadier company and about 200 sepoys at the + advance post, and that he would go with the rest of our + troops to the entrance, which was about a mile back. About + 2 o'clock word was brought me that the French were making + a sortie. Soon after, I perceived the sepoys retiring from + their post, upon which I sent to the Colonel to let him know + the French were coming out. I was then obliged to divide + my company, which consisted of about 50 men, into 2 or 3 + parties (very much against my inclination) to take possession + of the ground the sepoys had quitted. We fired pretty + warmly for a quarter of an hour from the different parties + at each other, when the French retreated again into their + battery. On this occasion I had a gentleman (Mr. Tooke[40]), + who was a volunteer, killed, and 2 of my men wounded. + The enemy lost 5 or 6 Europeans and some blacks. I got + close under the battery, and was tolerably well sheltered by + an old house, where I continued firing till about 7 o'clock, + at which time I was relieved, and marched back to camp." + +The defenders were much exhausted, as well by the fighting as by the +smoke and heat from the burning houses and the heat of the weather, +for it was almost the hottest season of the year. It seemed probable +that the English would make another attack during the night, and as +the defenders already amounted to a very large portion of the +garrison, it was almost impossible to reinforce them without +leaving the Fort itself in great danger, if Clive managed to +approach it from any other quarter. Renault called a council of war, +and, after taking the opinion of his officers in writing to the +effect that the outposts must be abandoned, he withdrew the +defenders at 9 o'clock, under cover of the darkness: The French had +suffered a loss of only 10 men killed and wounded. Clive mentions +that, at the same time, all the other outposts and batteries, except +those on the river side, were withdrawn. + +Mustering his forces in the Fort, Renault found them to be composed +of 237 soldiers (of whom 117 were deserters from the British), 120 +sailors, 70 half-castes and private Europeans, 100 persons employed +by the Company, 167 Sepoys and 100 _Topasses_. Another French +account puts the total of the French garrison at 489, but this +probably excludes many of the private people.[41] + +On the 15th the English established themselves in the town, and +drove out the Moors who had been stationed on the roofs of the +houses. This gave them to some extent the command of the interior of +the Fort, but no immediate attack was made on the latter. A French +account[42] says this was because-- + + "all their soldiers were drunk with the wine they had found + in the houses. Unfortunately we did not know of this. It + would have been the moment to make a sortie, of which the + results must have been favourable to us, the enemy being + incapable of defence." + +During the night of the 15th the Fort was bombarded, and on the +morning of the 16th the British completed the occupation of the +houses deserted by the Moors. The latter not being received into the +Fort, either fled or were sent away. They betook themselves to Nand +Kumar, the Faujdar of Hugli, announcing the capture of the town. +Nand Kumar, who is said to have had an understanding with the +British, sent on the message to Rai Durlabh and the Nawab, with the +malicious addition that the Fort, if it had not already fallen, +would fall before Rai Durlabh could reach it. This put an end to all +chance of the Nawab interfering. + +The French spent the day in blocking a narrow passage formed by a +sandbank in the river, a short distance below the town. They sank-- + + "four large ships and a hulk,... and had a chain and boom + across in order to prevent our going up with the squadron. + Captain Toby sent his 2nd lieutenant, Mr. Bloomer, that night, + who cut the chain and brought off a sloop that buoyed it up."[43] + +It was apparently this rapid attack on the position that accounts +for the timidity of the pilots and boatmen, who, Renault tells us, +hurried away without staying to sink two other ships which were half +laden, and which, if sunk, would have completely blocked the +passage. Even on the ships which were sunk the masts had been left +standing, so as to point out their position to the enemy. + +Besides the ships sunk in the passage, there were at Chandernagore +the French East Indiaman the _Saint Contest_ (Captain de la Vigne +Buisson), four large ships, and several small ones. The French +needed all the sailors for the Fort, so they sank all the vessels +they could not send up the river except three, which it was supposed +they intended to use as fire-ships. + +Clive, in the meantime, was advancing cautiously, his men erecting +batteries, which seemed to be very easily silenced by the superior +gunnery of the Fort. His object was partly to weary out the garrison +by constant fighting, and partly to creep round to the river face, +so as to be in a position to take the batteries which commanded the +narrow river passage, as soon as Admiral Watson was ready to attack +the Fort. Later on, the naval officers asserted he could not have +taken the Fort without the assistance of the fleet. He said he +could, and it is certain that if he had had no fleet to assist him +his mode of attack would have been a very different one. + +Early in the siege the French were warned from Chinsurah to beware +of treachery amongst the deserters in their pay, and on the 17th of +March a number of arrows were found in the Fort with labels +attached, bearing the words:-- + + "Pardon to deserters who will rejoin their colours, and + rewards to officers who will come over to us." + +These were seized by the officers before the men could see them, but +one of the officers themselves, Charles Cossard de Terraneau, a +sub-lieutenant of the garrison, took advantage of the offer to go +over to the English. This officer had served with credit in the +South of India, and had lost an arm in his country's service. The +reason of his desertion is said to have been a quarrel with M. +Renault. M. Raymond, the translator of a native history of the time +by Gholam Husain Khan,[44] tells a story of De Terraneau which seems +improbable. It is to the effect that he betrayed the secret of the +river passage to Admiral Watson, and that a few years later he sent +home part of the reward of his treachery to his father in France. +The old man returned the money with indignant comments on his son's +conduct, and De Terraneau committed suicide in despair. As a matter +of fact, De Terraneau was a land officer,[45] and therefore not +likely to be able to advise the Admiral, who, as we shall see, +solved the riddle of the passage in a perfectly natural manner, and +the Probate Records show that De Terraneau lived till 1765, and in +his will left his property to his wife Ann, so the probability is +that he lived and died quietly in the British service. His only +trouble seems to have been to get himself received by his new +brother officers. However, he was, so Clive tells us, the only +artillery officer the French had, and his desertion was a very +serious matter. Renault writes:-- + + "The same night, by the improved direction of the + besiegers' bombs, I had no doubt but that he had done us + a bad service." + +On the 18th the French destroyed a battery which the English had +established near the river, and drove them out of a house opposite +the south-east bastion. The same day the big ships of the +squadron--the _Kent_ (Captain Speke), the _Tyger_ (Captain Latham), +and the _Salisbury_ (Captain Martin), appeared below the town. The +_Bridgewater_ and _Kingfisher_ had come up before. Admiral Watson +was on board the _Kent_, and Admiral Pocock on the _Tyger_. The +fleet anchored out of range of the Fort at the Prussian Gardens, a +mile and a half below the town, and half a mile below the narrow +passage in which the ships had been sunk. + +On the 19th Admiral Watson formally announced the declaration of +war,[46] and summoned the Fort to surrender. The Governor called a +council of war, in which there was much difference of opinion. Some +thought the Admiral would not have come so far without his being +certain of his ability to force the passage; indeed the presence of +so many deserters in the garrison rendered it probable that he had +secret sources of information. As a matter of fact, it was only when +Lieutenant Hey, the officer who had brought the summons, and, in +doing so, had rowed between the masts of the sunken vessels, +returned to the _Kent_, that Admiral Watson knew the passage was +clear. Renault and the Council were aware that the Fort could not +resist the big guns of the ships, and accordingly the more +thoughtful members of the council of war determined, if possible, to +try and avoid fighting by offering a ransom. This apparently gave +rise to the idea that they wished to surrender, and an English +officer says:-- + + "Upon the Admiral's sending them a summons ... to + surrender, they were very stout; they gave us to understand + there were two parties in the Factory, the Renaultions and + the anti-Renaultions. The former, which they called the + great-wigg'd gentry, or councillors, were for giving up the + Fort, but the others vowed they would die in the breach. To + these high and lofty expressions the Admiral could give no + other answer than that in a very few days, or hours perhaps, + he would give them a very good opportunity of testifying + their zeal for the Company and the Grand Monarque." + +The offer of ransom was made, and was refused by the Admiral. +Renault says, he-- + + "insisted on our surrendering and the troops taking possession + of the Fort, _promising, however, that every one should keep his + own property_. There was not a man amongst us who did not + prefer to run the risk of whatever might happen to surrendering + in this fashion, without the Fort having yet suffered any + material damage, and every one was willing to risk his own + interests in order to defend those of the Company. Every + one swore to do his best." + +The Admiral could not attack at once, owing to the state of the +river, but to secure his own position against any counter-attack, +such as was very likely with a man like Captain de la Vigne in the +Fort, he sent up boats the same night, and sank the vessels which it +was supposed the French intended to use as fire-ships; and the next +day Mr. John Delamotte, master of the _Kent_, under a heavy fire, +sounded and buoyed the passage for the ships. + +The army, meanwhile, continued its monotonous work ashore, the +soldiers building batteries for the French to knock to pieces, but +succeeding in Clive's object, which was "to keep the enemy +constantly awake."[47] Sometimes this work was dangerous, as, for +instance, on the 21st, when a ball from the Fort knocked down a +verandah close to one of the English batteries, "the rubbish of +which choked up one of our guns, very much bruised two artillery +officers, and buried several men in the ruins."[48] + +By the 22nd Clive had worked his way round to the river, and was +established to the north-east and south-east of the Fort so as to +assist the Admiral, and on the river the Admiral had at last got the +high tide he was waiting for. Surgeon Ives tells the story as +follows:[49]-- + + "The Admiral the same evening ordered lights to be + placed on the masts of the vessels that had been sunk, with + blinds towards the Fort, that we might see how to pass + between them a little before daylight, and without being + discovered by the enemy. + + "At length the glorious morning of the 23rd of March + arrived." Clive's men gallantly stormed the battery covering + the narrow pass,[50] "and upon the ships getting under sail the + Colonel's battery, which had been finished behind a dead + wall," to take off the fire of the Fort when the ships passed + up, began firing away, and had almost battered down the + corner of the south-east bastion before the ships arrived + within shot of the Fort. "The _Tyger_, with Admiral Pocock's + flag flying, took the lead, and about 6 o'clock in the morning + got very well into her station against the north-east bastion. + The _Kent_, with Admiral Watson's flag flying, quickly followed + her, but before she could reach her proper station, the tide of + ebb unfortunately made down the river, which occasioned her + anchor to drag, so that before she brought up she had fallen + abreast of the south-east bastion, the place where the _Salisbury_ + should have been, and from her mainmast aft she was exposed + to the flank guns of the south-west bastion also. The accident + of the _Kent's_ anchor not holding fast, and her driving down + into the _Salisbury's_ station, threw this last ship out of action, + to the great mortification of the captain, officers, and crew, + for she never had it in her power to fire a gun, unless it was + now and then, when she could sheer on the tide. The French, + during the whole time of the _Kent_ and _Tyger's_ approach + towards the Fort, kept up a terrible cannonade upon them, + without any resistance on their part; but as soon as the + ships came properly to an anchor they returned it with such + fury as astonished their adversaries. Colonel Clive's troops + at the same time got into those houses which were nearest + the Fort, and from thence greatly annoyed the enemy with + their musketry. Our ships lay so near to the Fort that the + musket balls fired from their tops, by striking against the + _chunam_[51] walls of the Governor's palace, which was in + the very centre of the Fort, were beaten as flat as a half-crown. + The fire now became general on both sides, and was + kept up with extraordinary spirit. The flank guns of the + south-west bastion galled the _Kent_ very much, and the + Admiral's aide-de-camps being all wounded, Mr. Watson went + down himself to Lieutenant William Brereton, who commanded + the lower deck battery, and ordered him particularly + to direct his fire against those guns, and they were accordingly + soon afterwards silenced. At 8 in the morning + several of the enemy's shot struck the _Kent_ at the same + time; one entered near the foremast, and set fire to two or + three 32-pound cartridges of gunpowder, as the boys held + them in their hands ready to charge the guns. By the explosion, + the wad-nets and other loose things took fire between + decks, and the whole ship was so filled with smoke that the + men, in their confusion, cried out she was on fire in the + gunner's store-room, imagining from the shock they had + felt from the balls that a shell had actually fallen into her. + This notion struck a panic into the greater part of the crew, + and 70 or 80 jumped out of the port-holes into the boats + that were alongside the ship. The French presently saw + this confusion on board the _Kent_, and, resolving to take the + advantage, kept up as hot a fire as possible upon her during + the whole time. Lieutenant Brereton, however, with the + assistance of some other brave men, soon extinguished the + fire, and then running to the ports, he begged the seamen to + come in again, upbraiding them for deserting their quarters; + but finding this had no effect upon them, he thought the + more certain method of succeeding would be to strike them + with a sense of shame, and therefore loudly exclaimed, 'Are + you Britons? You Englishmen, and fly from danger? For + shame! For shame!' This reproach had the desired effect; + to a man they immediately returned into the ship, repaired + to their quarters, and renewed a spirited fire on the enemy. + + "In about three hours from the commencement of the + attack the parapets of the north and south bastions were + almost beaten down; the guns were mostly dismounted, and + we could plainly see from the main-top of the _Kent_ that the + ruins from the parapet and merlons had entirely blocked up + those few guns which otherwise might have been fit for + service. We could easily discern, too, that there had been + a great slaughter among the enemy, who, finding that our + fire against them rather increased, hung out the white flag, + whereupon a cessation of hostilities took place, and the + Admiral sent Lieutenant Brereton (the only commissioned + officer on board the _Kent_ that was not killed or wounded) + and Captain Coote of the King's regiment with a flag of truce + to the Fort, who soon returned, accompanied by the French + Governor's son, with articles of capitulation, which being + settled by the Admiral and Colonel, we soon after took possession + of the place." + +So far then from the besiegers' side; Renault's description of the +fight is as follows:-- + + "The three largest vessels, aided by the high-water of + the equinoctial tides, which, moreover, had moved the vessels + sunk in the narrow passage, passed over the sunken ships, + which did not delay them for a moment, to within half + pistol shot of the Fort, and opened fire at 6 a.m. Then the + troops in the battery on the bank of the Ganges, who had + so far fired only one discharge, suddenly found themselves + overwhelmed with the fire from the tops of the ships, + abandoned it, and had much difficulty in gaining the Fort.... + I immediately sent the company of grenadiers, with a detachment + of the artillery company as reinforcements, to the + south-eastern bastion and the Bastion du Pavillon, which two + bastions face the Ganges; but those troops under the fire of + the ships, joined to that of the land batteries, _rebuilt the + same night_, and of more than 3000 men placed on the roofs + of houses which overlooked the Fort, almost all took flight, + leaving two of their officers behind, one dead and the other + wounded. I was obliged to send immediately all the marine + and the inhabitants from the other posts. + + "The attack was maintained with vigour from 6 a.m. to + 10.30, when all the batteries were covered with dead and + wounded, the guns dismounted, and the merlons destroyed, + in spite of their being strengthened with bales of cloth. No + one could show himself on the bastions, demolished by the + fire of more than 100 guns; the troops were terrified during + this attack by the loss of all the gunners and of nearly + 200 men; the bastions were undermined, and threatened to + crumble away and make a breach, which the exhaustion of + our people, and the smallness of the number who remained, + made it impossible for us to hope to defend successfully. + Not a soldier would put his hand to a gun; it was only the + European marine who stood to their duty, and half of these + were already killed or disabled. A body of English troops, + lying flat on the ground behind the screen which we had commenced + to erect on the bank of the Ganges, was waiting the + signal to attack. Seeing the impossibility of holding out longer, + I thought that in the state in which the Fort was I could not + in prudence expose it to an assault. Consequently I hoisted + the white flag and ordered the drums to beat a parley." + +According to an account written later by a person who was not +present at the siege, Renault lost his Fort by a quarter of an hour. +This writer says the tide was rapidly falling, and, had the eastern +defences of the Fort been able to resist a little longer, the ships +would have found their lower tiers of guns useless, and might have +been easily destroyed by the French. Suppositions of this kind +always suppose a stupidity on the part of the enemy which Renault +had no right to count upon. Admiral Watson must have known the +strength of the fortress he was about to attack before he placed +his ships in a position from which it would be impossible to +withdraw them whenever he wished to do so. + +The flag of truce being displayed, Captain Eyre Coote was sent +ashore, and returned in a quarter of an hour with the Governor's son +bearing "a letter concerning the delivery of the place." Articles +were agreed upon, and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon Captain +Coote, with a company of artillery and two companies of grenadiers, +took possession of the Fort. Before this took place there occurred +an event the consequences of which were very unfortunate for the +French. Everything was in a state of confusion, and the deserters, +who formed the majority of the garrison, expecting no mercy from the +Admiral and Clive, determined to escape. Rushing tumultuously to the +Porte Royale, their arms in their hands, they forced it to be opened +to them, and, finding the northern road to Chinsurah unguarded, made +the best of their way in that direction. They were accompanied by a +number of the military and marine, as well as by some of the +Company's servants and private persons who were determined not to +surrender. As all this took place after the hoisting of the white +flag and pending the conclusion of the capitulation, the English +considered it a breach of the laws of warfare, and when later on +the meaning of the capitulation itself was contested they absolutely +refused to listen to any of the representations of the French. In +all about 150 persons left the Fort. They had agreed to reassemble +at a place a little above Hugli. The English sent a small force +after them, who shot some and captured others, but about 80 officers +and men arrived at the rendezvous in safety. The pursuit, however, +was carried further, and Law writes:-- + + "Constantly pursued, they had to make forced marches. + Some lost their way; others, wearied out, were caught as they + stopped to rest themselves. However, when I least expected + it, I was delighted to see the officers and many of the soldiers + arrive in little bands of 5 and 6, all naked, and so worn out + that they could hardly hold themselves upright. Most of + them had lost their arms." + +This reinforcement increased Law's garrison from 10 or 12 men to 60, +and secured the safety of his person, but the condition of the +fugitives must have been an object lesson to the Nawab and his +_Durbar_ which it was not wise for the French to set before them. A +naval officer writes:-- + + "From the letters that have lately passed between the + Nawab and us, we have great reason to hope he will not + screen the French at all at Cossimbazar or Dacca. I only + wish the Colonel does not alarm him too much, by moving + with the army to the northward, I do assure you he is so + sufficiently frightened that he had rather encounter the new + Mogul[52] himself than accept our assistance, though he strenuously + begged for it about three weeks ago. He writes word + he needs no fuller assurance of our friendship for him, when + a single letter brought us so far on the road to Murshidabad + as Chandernagore."[53] + +The escape of the French from Chandernagore is of interest, as it +shows the extraordinary condition of the country. It is probable +that the peasantry and gentry were indifferent as to whether the +English or the French were victorious, whilst the local authorities +were so paralyzed by the Nawab's hesitation that they did not know +which side to assist. Later on we shall find that small parties, and +even solitary Frenchmen, wandered through the country with little or +no interference, though the English had been recognized as the +friends and allies of the new Nawab, Mir Jafar. + +To return, however, to Renault and the garrison of Chandernagore. +The capitulation proposed by Renault and the Admiral's answers were +to the following effect:-- + +1. The lives of the deserters to be spared. _Answer_. The deserters +to surrender absolutely. + +2. Officers of the garrison to be prisoners on parole, and allowed +to keep their effects. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +3. Soldiers of the garrison to be prisoners of war. _Answer_. Agreed +to, on condition that foreigners may enter the English service. + +4. Sepoys of the garrison to be set free. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +5. Officers and crew of the French Company's ship to be sent to +Pondicherry. _Answer_. These persons to be prisoners of war +according to articles 2 and 3. + +6. The Jesuit fathers to be allowed to practise their religion and +retain their property. _Answer_. No European to be allowed to remain +at Chandernagore, but the fathers to be allowed to retain their +property. + +7. All inhabitants to retain their property. _Answer_. This to be +left to the Admiral's sense of equity. + +8. The French Factories up-country to be left in the hands of their +present chiefs. _Answer_. This to be settled by the Nawab and the +Admiral. + +9. The French Company's servants to go where they please, with their +clothes and linen. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +It is evident that the capitulation was badly drawn up. Civilians +who had taken part in the defence, as had all the Company's +servants, might be justly included in the garrison, and accordingly +Admiral Watson and Clive declared they were all prisoners of war, +and that article 9 merely permitted them to reside where they +pleased on _parole_. On the other hand, Renault and the French +Council declared that, being civilians, nothing could make them part +of the garrison, and therefore under article 9 they might do what +they pleased. Accordingly, they expressed much surprise when they +were stopped at the Fort gates by one of Clive's officers, and +forced to sign, before they were allowed to pass, a paper promising +not to act against Britain directly or indirectly during the course +of the war. + +Another point of difficulty was in reference to article 7. The town +had been in the hands of the British soldiers and sepoys for days. +Much had been plundered, and both soldiers and sailors were wild for +loot. They considered that the Admiral was acting unjustly to them +in restoring their property to civilians who had been offered the +chance of retaining it if they would avoid unnecessary bloodshed by +a prompt surrender. Instead of this, the defence was so desperate +that one officer writes:-- + + "Our losses have been very great, and we have never + yet obtained a victory at so dear a rate. Perhaps you will + hear of few instances where two ships have met with heavier + damage than the _Kent_ and _Tyger_ in this engagement."[54] + +Clive's total loss was only about 40 men killed and wounded, but +the loss on the ships was so great, that before the Fort surrendered +the besiegers had lost quite as many men as the besieged, and it was +by no means clear to the common mind what claim the French had to +leniency. Even English officers wrote:-- + + "The Messieurs themselves deserve but little mercy from + us for their mean behaviour in setting fire to so many bales + of cloth and raw silk in the Fort but a very few minutes + before we entered, and it grieves us much, to see such a + number of stout and good vessels sunk with their whole + cargoes far above the Fort, which is a great loss to us and + no profit to them. Those indeed below, to hinder our passage + were necessary, the others were _merely through mischief_. + But notwithstanding this they scarcely ask a favour from + the Admiral but it is granted." + +The result was that the soldiers on guard began to beat the coolies +who were helping the French to secure their goods, until they were +induced by gifts to leave them alone, and much plundering went on +when the soldiers could manage to escape notice. On one day three +black soldiers were executed, and on another Sergeant Nover[55] and +a private soldier of the 39th Regiment were condemned to death, for +breaking open the Treasury and stealing 3000 rupees. Another theft, +which was not traced, was the holy vessels and treasure of the +Church. + +Many individual Frenchmen were ruined. Of one of these Surgeon Ives +narrates the following pleasing incident:-- + + "It happened unfortunately ... that Monsieur Nicolas, + a man of most amiable character, and the father of a large + family, had not been so provident as the rest of his countrymen + in securing his effects within the Fort, but had left them + in the town; consequently, upon Colonel Clive's first taking + possession of the place, they had all been plundered by our + common soldiers; and the poor gentleman and his family + were to all appearance ruined. The generous and humane + Captain Speke,[56] having heard of the hard fate of Monsieur + Nicolas, took care to represent it to the two admirals in all + its affecting circumstances, who immediately advanced the + sum of 1500 rupees each. Their example was followed by + the five captains of the squadron, who subscribed 5000 + between them. Mr. Doidge added 800 more, and the same + sum was thrown in by another person who was a sincere well-wisher + to this unfortunate gentleman; so that a present of + 9600 rupees, or £1200 sterling was in a few minutes collected + towards the relief of this valuable Frenchman and his + distressed family. One of the company was presently + despatched with this money, who had orders to acquaint + Monsieur Nicolas that a few of his English friends desired + his acceptance of it, as a small testimony of the very high + esteem they had for his moral character, and of their + unfeigned sympathy with him in his misfortunes. The poor + gentleman, quite transported by such an instance of generosity + in an enemy, cried out in a sort of ecstasy, 'Good God, + they axe friends indeed!' He accepted of the present with + great thankfulness, and desired that his most grateful + acknowledgements might be made to his unknown benefactors, + for whose happiness and the happiness of their + families, not only his, but the prayers of his children's + children, he hoped, would frequently be presented to heaven. + He could add no more; the tears, which ran plentifully down + his cheeks, bespoke the feelings of his heart: and, indeed, + implied much more than even Cicero with all his powers of + oratory could possibly have expressed." + +This, however, was but a solitary instance; the state of the French +was, as a rule, wretched in the extreme, and Renault wrote:-- + + "The whole colony is dispersed, and the inhabitants are + seeking an asylum, some--the greatest part--have gone to + Chinsurah, others to the Danes and to Calcutta. This + dispersion being caused by the misery to which our countrymen + are reduced, their poverty, which I cannot relieve, + draws tears from my eyes, the more bitter that I have seen + them risk their lives so generously for the interests of the + Company, and of our nation." + +In such circumstances there was but one consolation possible to +brave men--the knowledge that, in the eyes of friend and foe, they +had done their duty. The officers of the British army and navy all +spoke warmly of the gallant behaviour of the French, and the +historian Broome, himself a soldier and the chronicler of many a +brave deed, expresses himself as follows:-- + + "The conduct of the French on this occasion was most + creditable and well worthy the acknowledged gallantry of + that nation. Monsieur Renault, the Governor, displayed + great courage and determination: but the chief merit of the + defence was due to Monsieur Devignes" (Captain de la + Vigne Buisson), "commander of the French Company's ship, + _Saint Contest_. He took charge of the bastions, and directed + their fire with great skill and judgment, and by his own + example inspired energy and courage into all those around + him." + +Renault himself found some consolation in the gallant behaviour of +his sons. + + "In my misfortune I have had the satisfaction to see my + two sons distinguish themselves in the siege with all the + courage and intrepidity which I could desire. The elder + brother was in the Company's service, and served as a + volunteer; the younger, an officer in the army, was, as has + been said above, commandant of the volunteers." + +Others who are mentioned by Renault and his companions as having +distinguished themselves on the French side, were the Councillors +MM. Caillot, Nicolas, and Picques, Captain de la Vigne Buisson and +his son and officers, M. Sinfray (secretary to the Council), the +officers De Kalli[57] and Launay, the Company's servants Matel, Le +Conte Dompierre, Boissemont and Renault de St. Germain, the private +inhabitant Renault de la Fuye, and the two supercargoes of Indiamen +Delabar and Chambon. Caillot (or Caillaud) was wounded. The +official report of the loss of Chandernagore was drawn up on the +29th of March, 1757. The original is in the French Archives, and +Caillaud's signature shows that he was still suffering from his +wound. Sinfray we shall come across again. He joined Law at +Cossimbazar and accompanied him on his first retreat to Patna. Sent +back by Law, he joined Siraj-ud-daula, and commanded the small +French contingent at Plassey. When the battle was lost he took +refuge in Birbhum, was arrested by the Raja, and handed over to the +English. + +The immediate gain to the English by the capture of Chandernagore +was immense. Clive wrote to the Select Committee at Madras:-- + + "I cannot at present give you an account to what value + has been taken;[58] the French Company had no great stock + of merchandize remaining, having sold off most of their + Imports and even their investment for Europe to pay in part + the large debts they had contracted. With respect to the + artillery and ammunition ... they were not indifferently + furnished: there is likewise a very fine marine arsenal well + stocked. In short nothing could have happened more + seasonable for the expeditious re-establishment of Calcutta + than the reduction of Charnagore" (i.e. Chandernagore). "It + was certainly a large, rich and thriving colony, and the loss + of it is an inexpressible blow to the French Company."[59] + +The French gentlemen, after having signed under protest the document +presented to them by Clive, betook themselves to Chinsurah, where +they repudiated their signatures as having been extorted by force, +subsequent to, and contrary to, the capitulation. They proceeded to +communicate with Pondicherry, their up-country Factories, and the +native Government; they also gave assistance to French soldiers who +had escaped from Chandernagore. Clive and the Calcutta Council were +equally determined to interpret the capitulation in their own way, +and sent Renault an order, through M. Bisdom, the Dutch Director, to +repair to the British camp. Renault refused, and when Clive sent a +party of sepoys for him and the other councillors, they appealed to +M. Bisdom for the protection of the Dutch flag. M. Bisdom informed +them somewhat curtly that they had come to him without his +invitation, that he had no intention of taking any part in their +quarrels, that he would not give them the protection of his flag to +enable them to intrigue against the English, and, in short, +requested them to leave Dutch territory. As it was evident that the +British were prepared to use force, Renault and the Council gave in, +and were taken to Calcutta, where, for some time, they were kept +close prisoners. It was not till the Nawab had been overthrown at +Plassey, that they were absolutely released, and even then it was +only that they might prepare for their departure from Bengal. +Renault surmises, quite correctly, that this severity was probably +due to the fear that they would assist the Nawab. + +The following incident during Renault's captivity shows how little +could be expected from the Nawab towards a friend who was no longer +able to be of use to him. After the capture of Chandernagore the +English Council called on the Nawab to surrender the French +up-country Factories to them. Siraj-ud-daula had not even yet +learned the folly of his double policy. On the 4th of April he wrote +to Clive:-- + + "I received your letter and observe what you desire in + regard to the French factories and other goods. I address + you seeing you are a man of wisdom and knowledge, and + well acquainted with the customs and trade of the world; + and you must know that the French by the permission and + _phirmaund_[60] of the King[61] have built them several factories, + and carried on their trade in this kingdom. I cannot + therefore without hurting my character and exposing + myself to trouble hereafter, deliver up their factories and + goods, unless I have a written order from them for so doing, + and I am perswaded that from your friendship for me you + would never be glad at anything whereby my fame would + suffer; as I on my part am ever desirous of promoting" [yours]. + + "Mr. Renault, the French. Governor being in your power, if + you could get from him a paper under his own hand and + seal to this purpose; 'That of his own will and pleasure, he + thereby gave up to the English Company's servants, and + empowered them to receive all the factories, money and + goods belonging to the French Company without any hindrance + from the Nawab's people;' and would send this to + me, I should be secured by that from any trouble hereafter + on this account. But it is absolutely necessary you come + to some agreement about the King's duties arising from the + French trade.... I shall then be able to answer to his + servants 'that in order to make good the duties accruing + from the French trade I had delivered up their factories + into the hands of the English.'"[62] + +Clive replied on the 8th of April:-- + + "Now that I have granted terms to Mr. Renault, and + that he is under my protection, it is contrary to our custom, + after this, to use violence; and without it how would he ever + of his own will and pleasure, write to desire you to deliver + up his master's property. Weigh the justice of this in your + own mind. Notwithstanding we have reduced the French + so low you, contrary to your own interest and the treaty + you have made with us, that my enemies should be yours, + you still support and encourage them. But should you + think it would hurt your character to deliver up the French + factories and goods, your Excellency need only signify to me + your approbation and I will march up and take them."[63] + +The more we study the records of the time, the more clearly we +realize the terrible determination of Clive's character, and we +almost feel a kind of pity for the weak creatures who found +themselves opposed to him, until we come across incidents like the +above, which show the depths of meanness to which they were prepared +to descend. + +As to Renault's further career little is known, and that little we +should be glad to forget. Placed in charge of the French Settlement +at Karical, he surrendered, on the 5th of April, 1760, to what was +undoubtedly an overwhelming British force, but after so poor a +defence that he was brought before a Court Martial and cashiered. It +speaks highly for the respect in which he had been held by both +nations that none of the various reports and accounts of the siege +mention him by name. Even Lally, who hated the French Civilians, +though he says he deserved death,[64] only refers to him indirectly +as being the same officer of the Company who had surrendered +Chandernagore to Clive. + +We shall now pass to what went on in Siraj-ud-daula's Court and +capital. + + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 12: Journal of M. d'Albert.] + +[Footnote 13: Evidently the Parish Church of St. Louis. Eyre Coote +tells us the French had four guns mounted on its roof.] + +[Footnote 14: In early accounts of India the Muhammadans are always +called _Moors_; the Hindus, _Gentoos_ or _Gentiles_. The _Topasses_ +were Portuguese half-castes, generally employed, even by native +princes, as gunners.] + +[Footnote 15: Captain Broome says there were fifty European ladies +in the Fort. The French accounts say they all retired, previous to +the siege, to Chinsurah and Serampore.] + +[Footnote 16: Captain, afterwards Sir, Eyre Coote.] + +[Footnote 17: The fullest account is one by Renault, dated October +26, 1758.] + +[Footnote 18: The only one, excepting the battle of Biderra, between +the English and Dutch.] + +[Footnote 19: Governor of Pondicherry and President of the Superior +Council.] + +[Footnote 20: Eyre Coote, in his "Journal," mentions an old ditch, +which surrounded the settlement.] + +[Footnote 21: One hundred toises, or 600 feet; but Eyre Coote says +330 yards, the difference probably due to the measurement excluding +or including the outworks.] + +[Footnote 22: Tanks, or artificial ponds, in Bengal are often of +great size. I have seen some a quarter of a mile long.] + +[Footnote 23: Letter to M. de Montorcin, Chandernagore, August 1 +1756. Signature lost.] + +[Footnote 24: The Nawab, in July, 1756, extorted three lakhs from +the French and even more from the Dutch.] + +[Footnote 25: British Museum. Additional MS. 20,914.] + +[Footnote 26: A kind of fibre used in making bags and other coarse +materials.] + +[Footnote 27: Surgeon Ives's Journal.] + +[Footnote 28: Letter to De Montorcin.] + +[Footnote 29: Both English and French use this word "inhabitant" to +signify any resident who was not official, military, or in the +seafaring way.] + +[Footnote 30: This he did through the Armenian Coja Wajid, a wealthy +merchant of Hugli, who advised the Nawab on European affairs. +_Letter from Coja Wajid to Clive, January 17, 1757_.] + +[Footnote 31: A French doctor, who has left an account of the +Revolutions in Bengal, says there were eight outposts, and that the +loss of one would have involved the loss of all the others, as they +could be immediately cut off from the Fort, from which they were too +distant to be easily reinforced. The doctor does not sign his name, +but he was probably one of the six I mentioned above. Their names +were Haillet (doctor), La Haye (surgeon-major), Du Cap (second), Du +Pré (third), Droguet (fourth), and St. Didier (assistant).] + +[Footnote 32: M. Vernet, the Dutch Chief at Cossimbazar, wrote to +the Dutch Director at Chinsurah that he could obtain a copy of this +treaty from the Nawab's secretaries, if he wished for it.] + +[Footnote 33: See page 79 (and note).] + +[Footnote 34: See note, p. 89.] + +[Footnote 35: Governor.] + +[Footnote 36: A document authorising the free transit of certain +goods, and their exemption from custom dues, in favour of English +traders.--_Wilson_.] + +[Footnote 37: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2744, No. 71.] + +[Footnote 38: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2750, No. 83.] + +[Footnote 39: Still visible, I believe, in parts. The gateway +certainly exists.] + +[Footnote 40: Mr. Tooke was a Company's servant. He had +distinguished himself in the defence of Calcutta in 1756, when he +was wounded, and, being taken on board the ships, escaped the +dreadful ordeal of the Black Hole.] + +[Footnote 41: Neither of these accounts agree with the Capitulation +Returns.] + +[Footnote 42: British Museum. Addl. MS. 20,914.] + +[Footnote 43: Remarks on board His Majesty's ship _Tyger_, March +15th.] + +[Footnote 44: His maternal grandfather was a cousin of Aliverdi +Khan.] + +[Footnote 45: Malleson explains this by saying that De Terraneau was +employed in the blocking up of the passage, but the story hardly +needs contradiction.] + +[Footnote 46: This announcement seems superfluous after fighting had +been going on for several days, but it simply shows the friction +between the naval and military services.] + +[Footnote 47: Clive's journal for March 16th. Fort St. George, Sel. +Com. Cons., 28th April, 1757.] + +[Footnote 48: Eyre Coote's journal.] + +[Footnote 49: The passages interpolated are on the authority of a +MS. in the Orme Papers, entitled "News from Bengal."] + +[Footnote 50: Accounts of this detail differ. One says it was +stormed on the 21st, but if so the French would have been more on +their guard, and would surely have strengthened the second battery +in front of the Fort.] + +[Footnote 51: Lime plaster made extremely hard.] + +[Footnote 52: The Emperor at Delhi, who was supposed to be about to +invade Bengal.] + +[Footnote 53: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. 11.] + +[Footnote 54: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. 10.] + +[Footnote 55: Sergeant Nover was pardoned in consideration of +previous good conduct. _Letter from Clive to Colonel Adlercron, +March_ 29, 1757.] + +[Footnote 56: Captain Speke was seriously and his son mortally +wounded in the attack on Chandernagore.] + +[Footnote 57: I cannot identify this name in the Capitulation +Returns. Possibly he was killed.] + +[Footnote 58: Surgeon Ives says the booty taken was valued at +£130,000.] + +[Footnote 59: Orme MSS. India X., p. 2390. Letter of 30th March, +1757.] + +[Footnote 60: _Firman_, or Imperial Charter.] + +[Footnote 61: The Mogul, Emperor, or King of Delhi, to whom the +Bengal Nawabs were nominally tributary.] + +[Footnote 62: Orme MSS. India XI. pp. 2766-7, No. 111.] + +[Footnote 63: Ibid., p. 2768, No. 112.] + +[Footnote 64: Memoirs of Lally. London, 1766.] + + +[Illustration: MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (_After Rennell_.)] + + + + +CHAPTER III + +M. LAW, CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR + + +A few miles out of Murshidabad, capital of the Nawabs of Bengal +since 1704, when Murshid Kuli Khan transferred his residence from +Dacca to the ancient town of Muxadabad and renamed it after himself, +lay a group of European Factories in the village or suburb of +Cossimbazar.[65] Of these, one only, the English, was fortified; the +others, i.e. the French and Dutch, were merely large houses lying in +enclosures, the walls of which might keep out cattle and wild +animals and even thieves, but were useless as fortifications. In +1756 the Chief of the English Factory, as we have already seen, was +the Worshipful Mr. William Watts; the Dutch factory was under M. +Vernet,[66] and the French under M. Jean Law. The last mentioned was +the elder son of William Law, brother of John Law the financier, +who settled in France, and placed his sons in the French service. +French writers[67] on genealogy have hopelessly mixed up +the two brothers, Jean and Jacques François. Both came to +India, both distinguished themselves, both rose to the rank of +colonel, one by his services to the French East India Company, and +one by the usual promotion of an officer in the King's army. The +only proof that the elder was the Chief of Cossimbazar is to be +found in a few letters, mostly copies, in which his name is given as +Jean or John. As a usual rule he signed himself in the French manner +by his surname only, or as Law of Lauriston. + +His experiences during the four years following the accession of +Siraj-ud-daula were painful and exciting, and he has recorded them +in a journal or memoir[68] which has never yet been published, but +which is of great interest to the student of Indian history. For us +it has the added charm of containing a picture of ourselves painted +by one who, though a foreigner by education, was enabled by his +birth to understand our national peculiarities. In the present +chapter I shall limit myself almost entirely to quotations from this +memoir. + +Law was by no means an admirer of Aliverdi Khan's successor,-- + + "Siraj-ud-daula, a young man of twenty-four or twenty-five,[69] + very common in appearance. Before the death of Aliverdi + Khan the character of Siraj-ud-daula was reported to be one + of the worst ever known. In fact, he had distinguished himself + not only by all sorts of debauchery, but by a revolting + cruelty. The Hindu women are accustomed to bathe on the + banks of the Ganges. Siraj-ud-daula, who was informed by + his spies which of them were beautiful, sent his satellites in + disguise in little boats to carry them off. He was often + seen, in the season when the river overflows, causing the + ferry boats to be upset or sunk in order to have the cruel + pleasure of watching the terrified confusion of a hundred + people at a time, men, women, and children, of whom many, + not being able to swim, were sure to perish. When it + became necessary to get rid of some great lord or minister, + Siraj-ud-daula alone appeared in the business, Aliverdi Khan + retiring to one of his houses or gardens outside the town, so + that he might not hear the cries of the persons whom he was + causing to be killed." + +So bad was the reputation of this young prince, that many persons, +among them Mr. Watts, imagined it impossible that the people would +ever tolerate his accession. The European nations in Bengal had no +regular representatives at the Court of the Nawab; and the Chiefs of +the Factories at Cossimbazar, though now and then admitted to the +_Durbar_, transacted their business mainly through _wakils_, or +native agents, who, of course, had the advantage of knowing the +language and, what was of much greater importance, understood all +those indirect ways in which in Eastern countries one's own business +is forwarded and that of one's rivals thwarted. Then, as now, the +difficulty of dealing with native agents was to induce these agents +to express their own opinions frankly and clearly.[70] So far from +the English Chief being corrected by his _wakil_, we find the +latter, whilst applying to other nobles for patronage and +assistance, studiously refraining from making any application to +Siraj-ud-daula when English business had to be transacted at Court. + +The English went even further:-- + + "On certain occasions they refused him admission into + their factory at Cossimbazar and their country houses, + because, in fact, this excessively blustering and impertinent + young man used to break the furniture, or, if it pleased his + fancy, take it away. But Siraj-ud-daula was not the man + to forget what he regarded as an insult. The day after the + capture of the English fort at Cossimbazar, he was heard to + say in full _Durbar_, 'Behold the English, formerly so proud + that they did not wish to receive me in their houses!' In + short, people knew, long before the death of Aliverdi Khan, + that Siraj-ud-daula was hostile to the English." + +With the French it was different:-- + + "On the other hand, he was very well disposed towards + us. It being our interest to humour him, we had received + him with a hundred times more politeness than he deserved. + By the advice of Rai Durlabh Ram and Mohan Lal, we had + recourse to him in important affairs. Consequently, we + gave him presents from time to time, and this confirmed his + friendship for us. The previous year (1755) had been a + very good one for him, owing to the business connected with + the settlement of the Danes in Bengal. In fact, it was by + his influence that I was enabled to conclude this affair, and + Aliverdi Khan allowed him to retain all the profit from it, + so I can say that I had no bad place in the heart of Siraj-ud-daula. + It is true he was a profligate, but a profligate who + was to be feared, who could be useful to us, _and who might + some day be a good man_. Nawajis Muhammad Khan[71] had + been at least as vicious as Siraj-ud-daula, and yet he had + become the idol of the people." + +Law, therefore, had cultivated the young Nawab. Mr. Watts, on the +other hand, was not only foolish enough to neglect him, but carried +his folly to extremes. He was not in a position to prevent his +accession, and ought therefore to have been careful by the +correctness of his behaviour to show no signs of being opposed to +it. So far from this, he is strongly suspected of having entered +into correspondence with the widow of Nawajis Khan, who had adopted +Siraj-ud-daula's younger brother[72] and was supporting his +candidature for the throne, and also with Saukat Jang, Nawab of +Purneah and cousin of Siraj-ud-daula, who was trying to obtain the +throne for himself. Still further, he advised Mr. Drake, Governor of +Calcutta, to give shelter to Kissendas, son of Raj Balav (Nawajis +Khan's _Diwan_), who had fled with the treasures in his charge when +his father was called to account for his master's property. + +Contrary to Mr. Watts's expectations, Aliverdi Khan's last acts so +smoothed the way for Siraj-ud-daula, and the latter acted with such +decision and promptitude on his grandfather's death, that in an +incredibly short time he had all his enemies at his feet, and was at +leisure to attend to state business, and especially the affairs +of the foreign Settlements. Aliverdi Khan had always been +extremely jealous of allowing the European nations to erect any +fortifications, but, during his last illness, all of them, expecting +a contested succession, during which, owing to complications in +Europe, they might find themselves at war with each other in India, +began to repair their old walls or to erect new ones. This was +exactly what Siraj-ud-daula wanted. His first care on his accession +had been to make himself master of his grandfather's and uncle's +treasures. To these he had added those of such of his grandfather's +servants as he could readily lay hands on. Other wealthy nobles and +officers had fled to the English, or were suspected of having +secretly sent their treasures to Calcutta. It was also supposed that +the European Settlements, and especially Calcutta, were filled with +the riches accumulated by the foreigners. Whilst, therefore, the +Nawab was determined to make all the European nations contribute +largely in honour of his accession, and in atonement for their +insolence in fortifying themselves without his permission, he had +special reasons for beginning with the English. In the mean time, +however, he had first to settle with his cousin, Saukat Jang, the +Nawab of Purneah, so he contented himself with sending orders to the +Chiefs of the Factories to pull down their new fortifications. Law +acted wisely and promptly. + + "I immediately drew up an _Arzi_, or Petition, and had one + brought from the Council in Chandernagore of the same + tenour as my own. These two papers were sent to Siraj-ud-daula, + who appeared satisfied with them. He even wrote + me in reply that he did not forbid our repairing old works, + but merely our making new ones. Besides, the spies who + had been sent to Chandernagore, being well received and + satisfied with the presents made them, submitted a report + favourable to us, so that our business was hushed up." + +The English behaved very differently, and their answer, which was +bold if not insolent in tone,[73] reached the Nawab at the very +moment when he had received the submission of the Nawab of Purneah. +Law adds:-- + + "I was assured that the Nawab of Purneah showed him + some letters which he had received from the English. This + is difficult to believe, but this is how the match took fire. + + "Accordingly, no sooner had the Nawab heard the contents + of the answer from the English, than he jumped up in + anger, and, pulling out his sword, swore he would go and + exterminate all the Feringhees.[74] At the same time he gave + orders for the march of his army, and appointed several + Jemadars[75] to command the advance guard. As in his first + burst of rage he had used the general word Feringhees, + which is applied to all Europeans, some friends whom I had + in the army, and who did not know how our business had + ended, sent to warn me to be on my guard, as our Factory + would be besieged. The alarm was great with us, and with + the English, at Cossimbazar. I spent more than twenty-four + hours in much anxiety; carrying wood, provisions, etc., into + the Factory, but I soon knew what to expect. I saw horsemen + arrive and surround the English fort, and at the same + time I received an official letter from the Nawab, telling me + not to be anxious, and that he was as well pleased with us + as he was ill pleased with the English." + +Cossimbazar surrendered without firing a shot, owing to the +treacherous advice of the Nawab's generals, and Siraj-ud-daula +advanced on Calcutta. It was with the greatest difficulty that Law +escaped being forced to march in his train. + + "The remains of the respect which he had formerly felt + for Europeans made him afraid of failure in his attack + on Calcutta, which had been represented to him as a very + strong place, defended by three or four thousand men. He + wrote to me in the strongest terms to engage the Director of + Chandernagore to give him what assistance he could in men + and ammunition. 'Calcutta is yours,' he said to our agent + in full _Durbar_; 'I give you that place and its dependencies + as the price of the services you will render me. I know, + besides, that the English are your enemies; you are always + at war with them either in Europe or on the Coromandel + Coast, so I can interpret your refusal only as a sign of the + little interest you take in what concerns me. I am resolved + to do you as much good as Salabat Jang[76] has done you in + the Deccan, but if you refuse my friendship and the offers I + make you, you will soon see me fall on you and cause you + to experience the same treatment that I am now preparing + for others in your favour.' He wished us to send down at + once to Calcutta all the ships and other vessels which were + at Chandernagore. After having thanked him for his + favourable disposition towards us, I represented to him + that we were not at war with the English, that what had + happened on the Coromandel Coast was a particular affair + which we had settled amicably, and that the English, in + Bengal having given us no cause of offence, it was impossible + for us, without orders either from Europe or Pondicherry, to + give him the assistance he asked for. Such reasons could + only excite irritation in the mind of a man of Siraj-ud-daula's + character. He swore he would have what he wanted + whether we wished it or not, and that, as we lived in his + country, his will ought to be law to us. I did my best to + appease him, but uselessly. At the moment of his departure + his sent us word by one of his uncles that he still counted + on our assistance, and he sent me a letter for the Governor of + Pondicherry, in which he begged him to give us the necessary + orders. I thought to myself this was so much time gained." + +The Nawab captured Calcutta without any open assistance from the +French, and, though he set free most of the prisoners who survived +the Black Hole, he sent Holwell and three others before him to +Murshidabad. Law, who had already sheltered Mrs. Watts and her +family, and such of the English of Cossimbazar as had been able to +escape to him, now showed similar kindness to Holwell and his +companions. Of this he says modestly:-- + + "The gratitude Mr. Holwell expresses for a few little + services which I was able to render him makes me regret + my inability to do as much to deserve his gratitude as I + should have liked to do."[77] + +He also, apparently with some difficulty, obtained consent to M. +Courtin's request for the release of the English prisoners at Dacca; +for-- + + "Siraj-ud-daula, being informed that there were two or + three very charming English ladies at Dacca, was strongly + tempted to adorn his harem with them." + +Law's success in these matters is a striking instance of his +personal influence, for Siraj-ud-daula was by no means any longer +well disposed towards the French and Dutch. + + "The fear of drawing on his back all the European + nations at once had made him politic. At first he pretended + to be satisfied with the reply sent by the Governor + of Chandernagore, and assured him that he would always + treat us with the greatest kindness. He said the same to + the Dutch, but when Calcutta was taken the mask fell. He + had nothing more to fear. Scarcely had he arrived at Hugli + when he sent detachments to Chandernagore and Chinsurah + to summon the commandants to pay contributions, or to + resolve to see their flags taken away and their forts + demolished. In short, we were forced to yield what the + Nawab demanded; whilst he, as he said, was content with + having punished a nation which had offended him, and with + having put the others to ransom to pay for the expenses of + the expedition. We saw the tyrant reappear in triumph at + Murshidabad, little thinking of the punishment which Providence + was preparing for his crimes, and to make which still + more striking, he was yet to have some further successes." + +It may be here pointed out that, not only did the Nawab not insist +on the destruction of the French and Dutch fortifications, but he +did not destroy the fortifications of Calcutta. This proves that if +the English had shown the humility and readiness to contribute which +he desired, he would have left them in peace at the first, or, after +the capture of Calcutta, have permitted them to resettle there +without farther disturbance. In short, the real necessity of making +the European nations respect his authority, instead of guiding him +in a settled course, merely provided a pretext for satisfying his +greed. This is the opinion, not only of the French and English who +were at Murshidabad when the troubles began, but of the English +officials who went there later on and made careful inquiries amongst +all classes of people in order to ascertain the real reason of +Siraj-ud-daula's attack upon the English. + +His avarice was to prove the Nawab's ruin. + + "Siraj-ud-daula was one of the richest Nawabs that had + ever reigned. Without mentioning his revenues, of which + he gave no account at the Court of Delhi, he possessed + immense wealth, both in gold and silver coin, and in jewels + and precious stones, which had been left by the preceding + three Nawabs. In spite of this he thought only of increasing + his wealth. If any extraordinary expense had to be met + he ordered contributions, and levied them with extreme + rigour. Having never known himself what it was to want + money, he supposed that, in due proportion, money was as + common with other people as with himself, and that the + Europeans especially were inexhaustible. His violence + towards them was partly due to this. In fact, from his + behaviour, one would have said his object was to ruin everybody. + He spared no one, not even his relatives, from whom + he took all the pensions and all the offices which they + had held in the time of Aliverdi Khan. Was it possible for + such a man to keep his throne? Those who did not know + him intimately, when they saw him victorious over his + enemies and confirmed as Nawab by a _firman_[78]from the + Great Mogul, were forced to suppose that there was in his + character some great virtue which balanced his vices and + counteracted their effects. However, this young giddy-pate + had no talent for government except that of making himself + feared, and, at the same time, passed for the most cowardly + of men. At first he had shown some regard for the officers of + the army, because, until he was recognized as Nawab, he felt + his need of them. He had even shown generosity, but this + quality, which was quite opposed to his real character, soon disappeared, + to make place for violence and greed, which decided + against him all those who had favoured his accession in the + hope that he would behave discreetly when he became Nawab." + +Owing to the general disgust felt at Murshidabad for the Nawab, his +cousin, Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah, thought the opportunity +favourable for reviving his claims, and, early in October, +Siraj-ud-daula, hearing of his contemplated rebellion, invaded his +country. + + "Every one longed for a change, and many flattered + themselves it would take place. In fact, it was the most + favourable opportunity to procure it. The result would have + been happiness and tranquillity for Bengal. Whilst contributing + to the general good--which even the Dutch might + have interested themselves in--we could have prevented + the misfortunes which have since happened to us. Three or + four hundred Europeans and a few sepoys would have done + the business. If we could have joined this force to the + enemies of Siraj-ud-daula we should have placed on the + throne another Nawab--not, indeed, one wholly to our taste, + but, not to worry about trifles, one to the liking of the house + of Jagat Seth,[79] and the chief Moors and Rajas. I am sure + such a Nawab would have kept his throne. The English + would have been re-established peaceably, they would certainly + have received some compensation, and would have had + to be satisfied whether they liked it or not. The neutrality of + the Ganges assured, at least to the same extent as in the time + of Aliverdi Khan, the English would have been prevented + from invading Bengal, and from sending thither the reinforcements + which had contributed so much to their success + on the Madras Coast. All this depended on us, but how + could we foresee the succession of events which has been as + contrary to us as it has been favourable to the English? As + it was, we remained quiet, and the rash valour of the young + Nawab of Purneah, whilst it delivered Siraj-ud-daula from + the only enemy he had to fear in the country, made it clear + to the whole of Bengal that the change so much desired + could be effected only by the English." + +Mir Jafar and other leaders of the Nawab's army were about to +declare in favour of Saukat Jang when Ramnarain,[80] Naib of Patna, +arrived to support Siraj-ud-daula. Whilst the malcontents were +hesitating what to do, Saukat Jang made a rash attack on the Nawab's +army, and was shot dead in the fight. + + "Behold him then, freed by this event from all his + inquietudes; detested, it is true, but feared even by those + who only knew him by name. In a country where predestination + has so much power over the mind, the star of + Siraj-ud-daula was, people said, predominant. Nothing could + resist him. He was himself persuaded of this. Sure of the + good fortune which protected him, he abandoned himself + more than ever to those passions which urged him to the + commission of every imaginable form of violence. + + "It can be guessed what we had to suffer, we and the + Dutch, at Cossimbazar. Demand followed demand, and insult + followed insult, on the part of the native officers and soldiers; + for they, forming their behaviour on that of their master, + thought they could not sufficiently show their contempt for + everything European. We could not go outside of our Factories + without being exposed to annoyance of one kind or another." + +Every one in the land turned wistful eyes towards the English, but +they lay inactive at Fulta, and it seemed as if help from Madras +would never come. The English, therefore, tried to bring about a +revolution favourable to themselves at Murshidabad, and began to +look for persons who might be induced to undertake it; but this was +not easy, as the Moor nobles had little acquaintance with the +Europeans. Of the Hindus in Bengal-- + + "the best informed were the bankers and merchants, who + by their commercial correspondence had been in a position + to learn many things. The house of Jagat Seth, for instance, + was likely to help the English all the more because to its + knowledge of them it joined several causes of complaint + against Siraj-ud-daula. Up to the death of Aliverdi Khan + it had always enjoyed the greatest respect. It was this + family which had conducted almost all his financial business, + and it may be said that it had long been the chief cause of + all the revolutions in Bengal. But now things were much + changed. Siraj-ud-daula, the most inconsiderate of men, + never supposing that he would need the assistance of mere + bankers, or that he could ever have any reason to fear them, + never showed them the slightest politeness. He wanted + their wealth, and some day or other it was certain he would + seize it. These bankers, then, were the persons to serve the + English. They could by themselves have formed a party, + and, even without the assistance of any Europeans, have + put another Nawab upon the throne and re-established the + English, but this would have required much time. Business + moves very slowly amongst Indians, and this would not have + suited the English. The bankers also were Hindus, and of + a race which does not like to risk danger. To stimulate + them to action it was necessary for the English to commence + operations and achieve some initial successes, and as yet + there seemed no likelihood of their doing so. To negotiate + with Siraj-ud-daula for a peaceful re-establishment was quite + as difficult, unless they were inclined to accept the very + hardest conditions, for the Nawab had now the most extravagant + contempt for all Europeans; a pair of slippers, he + said, is all that is needed to govern them." + +Just as it seemed likely that the English would have to stoop to the +Nawab's terms, they received news of the despatch of reinforcements +from Madras. About the same time, it became known to both French and +English that France and England had declared war against each other +in the preceding May.[81] The English naturally said nothing about +it, and the French were too eager to see the Nawab well beaten to +put any unnecessary obstacles in their way. The negotiations with +the friends of the Europeans at Murshidabad were quietly continued +until Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive arrived. A rapid advance was +then made on Calcutta, which was captured with hardly any +resistance. + +Siraj-ud-daula was so little disturbed by the recapture of Calcutta +that the French thought everything would terminate amicably, but, +possibly owing to the reputation of Watson and Clive, who had so +long fought against the French,[82] they thought it likely that, if +the English demanded compensation for their losses, the Nawab would +allow them to recoup themselves by seizing the French Settlements. +M. Renault, therefore, wrote to Law to make sure that, in any treaty +between the Nawab and the English, an article should be inserted +providing for the neutrality of the Ganges; but the French, at +present, were needlessly alarmed. The English had no intention of +creeping quietly back into the country. Watson and Clive addressed +haughty letters to the Nawab, demanding reparation for the wrongs +inflicted on the English; and the Admiral and the Council declared +war in the name of the King and the Company. This possibly amused +the Nawab, who took no notice of their letters; but it was a +different matter when a small English force sailed up the Hugli, +passed Chandernagore unopposed by the French, captured the fort of +Hugli, burnt Hugli[83] and Bandel towns, and ravaged both banks of +the river down to Calcutta. The French were in an awkward position. +The English had passed Chandernagore without a salute, which was an +unfriendly, if not a hostile act; whilst the Nawab thought that, as +the French had not fired on them, they must be in alliance with +them. Law had to bear the brunt of this suspicion. His common sense +told him that the English would never consent to a neutrality, and +he wrote to Renault that it was absolutely necessary to join the +Moors. + + "The neutrality was by no means obligatory, as no treaty + existed. In fact, what confidence could we have in a forced + neutrality, which had been observed so long only out of + fear of the Nawab, who for the general good of the country + was unwilling to allow any act of hostility to be committed + by the Europeans? Much more so when the English were + at war with the Nawab himself. If they managed to get + the better of him, what would become of this fear, the sole + foundation of the neutrality?" + +So Law wrote to Renault, begging him, if he could not persuade the +English to sign a treaty of neutrality at once, to make up his mind +and join the Nawab. We have seen why Renault could do neither, and +Law, writing after the event says, generously enough:-- + + "I am bound to respect the reasons which determined + M. Renault as well as the gentlemen of the Council, who + were all much too good citizens not to have kept constantly + in their minds the welfare of our nation and the Company. + People always do see things differently, and the event does + not always prove the correctness or incorrectness of the + reasons which have decided us to take one or the other course." + +As soon as the Nawab heard of the plundering of Hugli he set out for +Calcutta, but to blind the English he requested M. Renault to +mediate between them. The English refusal to treat through the +French had the effect of clearing up matters between the latter and +the Nawab; but he could not understand why the French would not +actively assist him. Certain, at any rate, that he had only the +English to deal with, he foolishly played into their hands by +marching to fight them on their own ground, whereas, if he had +remained idle at a little distance, merely forbidding supplies to be +sent them, he could have starved them out of Calcutta in a few +months. As I have said before, Clive attacked his camp on the 5th of +February, and so terrified him that he consented to a shameful +peace, in which he forgot all mention of the neutrality of the +Ganges. Law tells a curious story to the effect that what frightened +the Nawab most of all was a letter from Admiral Watson, threatening +to make him a prisoner and carry him to England. Watson's letter is +extant, and contains no such threat, but it is quite possible that +it was so interpreted to the Nawab. + +Though the Nawab had assured the English that he would have the same +friends and enemies as they, and had omitted to mention the French +in the treaty, he now, of his own accord, gave the French all that +the English had extorted from him. This act could not be kept +secret. + + "A great fault at present, and which has always existed, + in the management of affairs in India, especially in Bengal, + is that nothing is secret. Scarcely had the Nawab formed + any project when it was known to the lowest of his slaves. + The English, who were suspicious, and who had for friends + every one who was an enemy of Siraj-ud-daula, whom all + detested, were soon informed of his proposals to M. Renault + and of the letters written on both sides." + +Yet Law thinks it was only the European war and the fear that +Renault intended an alliance with the Nawab that induced the English +to proceed to extremities:-- + + "The dethronement of the Nawab had become an absolute + necessity. To drive us out of Bengal was only a preliminary + piece of work. A squadron of ours with considerable forces + might arrive. Siraj-ud-daula might join his forces to it. + What, then, would become of the English? They needed + for Nawab a man attached to their interests. Besides, this + revolution was not so difficult to carry out as one might + imagine. With Chandernagore destroyed, nothing could be + more easy; but even if we were left alone the revolution + could have been effected by the junction of the English with + the forces which would have been produced against Siraj-ud-daula + by the crowd of enemies whom he had, and amongst + whom were to be counted the most respectable persons in + the three provinces.[84] This statement demands an explanation. + I have already spoken of the house of Jagat Seth, or + rather of its chiefs, who are named Seth Mahtab Rai and Seth + Sarup Chand, bankers of the Mogul, the richest and most + powerful merchants who have ever lived. They are, I can + say, the _movers_ of the revolution. Without them the English + would never have carried out what they have. I have + already said they were not pleased with Siraj-ud-daula, who + did not show them the same respect as the old Nawab + Aliverdi Khan had done; but the arrival of the English + forces, the capture of the Moorish forts, and the fright of + the Nawab before Calcutta, had made a change which was + apparently in their favour. The Nawab began to perceive + that the bankers were necessary to him. The English + would have no one except them as mediators, and so they + had become, as it were, responsible for the behaviour of + both the Nawab and the English. Accordingly after the + Peace there was nothing but kindness and politeness from + the Nawab towards them, and he consulted them in everything. + At the bottom this behaviour of his was sheer + trickery. The Seths were persuaded that the Nawab who + hated the English must also dislike the persons whom the + English employed. Profiting by the hatred which the + Nawab had drawn on himself by his violence, and distributing + money judiciously, they had long since gained over + those who were nearest to the Nawab, whose imprudence + always enabled them to know what he had in his heart. + From what came to the knowledge of the Seths it was easy + to guess what he intended, and this made them tremble, for + it was nothing less than their destruction, which could be + averted only by his own. The cause of the English had + become that of the Seths; their interests were identical. Can + one be surprised to see them acting in concert? Further, + when one remembers that it was this same house of bankers + that overthrew Sarfaraz Khan[85] to enthrone Aliverdi Khan, + and who, during the reign of the latter, had the management + of all important business, one must confess that it ought not + to be difficult for persons of so much influence to execute a + project in which, the English were taking a share."[86] + +Law could not persuade Renault to act, and without his doing so the +game was nearly hopeless. Still, he worked at forming a French party +in the Court. By means of Coja Wajid, an Armenian merchant of +Hugli, whose property had been plundered by the English, he obtained +an interview with the Nawab, and persuaded him to send the 2000 +soldiers who were with Renault at the beginning of the siege. More +would have been despatched but for the apparent certainty that the +treaty of neutrality would be signed. In fact, Renault was so +worried that, on the complaint of Watson and Clive that Law was +exciting the Nawab against the English, he wrote Law a letter which +caused the latter to ask to be recalled from Cossimbazar, and it was +only at Renault's earnest request that he consented to remain at his +post. Law continued forming his party. + + "It would appear from the English memoirs that we + corrupted the whole _Durbar_ at Murshidabad to our side by + presents and lies. I might with justice retort this reproach. + As a matter of fact, except Siraj-ud-daula himself, one may + say the English had the whole _Durbar_ always in their + favour. Without insisting on this point, let us honestly + agree, since the English themselves confess it, that we were, + like them, much engaged in opposing corruption to corruption + in order to gain the friendship of scoundrels so as to + place ourselves on equal terms with our enemies. This has + always happened, and ought not to cause surprise in a Court + where right counts for nothing and, every other motive apart, + one can never be successful except by the weight of what + one puts in the balance of iniquity. For the rest, right + or wrong, it is certain that the English were always in a + position to put in more than we could. + + "Fear and greed are the two chief motives of Indian + minds. Everything depends on one or the other. Often + they are combined towards the same object, but, when they + are opposed, fear always conquers. A proof of this is easily + to be seen in all the events connected with, the revolution + in Bengal. When, in 1756, Siraj-ud-daula determined to + expel the English, fear and greed combined to make him + act. As soon as he had himself proved the superiority of + the English troops, fear took the upper hand in his mind, + grew stronger day by day, and soon put him in a condition + in which he was unable to follow, and often even to see, his + true interests. + + "I mention the Nawab first. His hatred for the English + certainly indicated friendship for us. I think so myself, but + we have seen what was his character and his state of mind + in general. I ask, in all good faith, whether we could expect + any advantage from his friendship? This person, cowed by + fear, irresolute and imprudent, could he alone be of any use + to us? It was necessary for him to be supported by some + one who had his confidence and was capable by his own + firmness of fixing the irresolution of the Prince. + + "Mohan Lal, chief _Diwan_ of Siraj-ud-daula, was this + man, the greatest scoundrel the earth has ever borne, worthy + minister of such a master, and yet, in truth, the only person + who was really attached to him. He had firmness and also + sufficient judgment to understand that the ruin of Siraj-ud-daula + must necessarily bring on his own. He was as much, + detested as his master. The sworn enemy of the Seths, and + capable of holding his own against them, I think those + bankers would not have succeeded so easily in their project + if he had been free to act, but, unfortunately for us, he had + been for some time, and was at this most critical moment + dangerously ill. He could not leave his house. I went to + see him twice with Siraj-ud-daula, but it was not possible to + get a word from him. There is strong reason to believe he + had been poisoned. Owing to this, Siraj-ud-daula saw himself + deprived of his only support. + + "Coja Wajid, who had introduced me to the Nawab, and + who, it would be natural to suppose, was our patron, was a + great merchant of Hugli. He was consulted by the Nawab + only because, as he had frequented the Europeans and especially + the English, the Nawab imagined he knew them perfectly. + He was one of the most timid of men, who wanted + to be polite to everybody, and who, had he seen the dagger + raised, would have thought he might offend Siraj-ud-daula + by warning him that some one intended to assassinate him.[87] + Possibly he did not love the Seths, but he feared them, + which was sufficient to make him useless to us. + + "Rai Durlabh Ram, the other _Diwan_ of the Nawab, was + the man to whom I was bound to trust most. Before the + arrival of Clive he might have been thought the enemy of + the English. It was he who pretended to have beaten them + and to have taken Calcutta. He wished, he said, to maintain + his reputation; but after the affair of the 5th of February, + in which the only part he took was to share in the flight, he + was not the same man; he feared nothing so much as to + have to fight the English. This fear disposed him to gradually + come to terms with the Seths, of whose greatness he + was very jealous. He also hated the Nawab, by whom he + had been ill-used on many occasions. In short, I could never + get him to say a single word in our favour in the _Durbar_. + The fear of compromising himself made him decide to remain + neutral for the present, though firmly resolved to join finally + the side which appeared to him to be the strongest." + +This, then, was the French party, whose sole bond was dislike to the +Seths, and the members of which, by timidity or ill-health, were +unable to act. It was different with their enemies. + + "The English had on their side in the _Durbar_ the terror + of their arms, the faults of Siraj-ud-daula, the ruling influence + and the refined policy of the Seths, who, to conceal their game + more completely, and knowing that it pleased the Nawab, + often spoke all the ill they could think of about the English, + so as to excite him against them and at the same time gain + his confidence. The Nawab fell readily into the snare, and + said everything that came into his mind, thus enabling his + enemies to guard against all the evil which otherwise he + might have managed to do them. The English had also on + their side all the chief officers in the Nawab's army--Jafar + All Khan, Khodadad Khan Latty, and a number of others + who were attached to them by their presents or the influence + of the Seths, all the ministers of the old Court whom + Siraj-ud-daula had disgraced, nearly all the secretaries,[88] the + writers[89] of the _Durbar_, and even the eunuchs of the harem. + What might they not expect to achieve by the union of all + these forces when guided by so skilful a man as Mr. Watts?" + +With such enemies to combat in the Court itself, Law heard that the +English were marching on Chandernagore. By the most painful efforts +he obtained orders for reinforcements to be sent to the French. +They-- + + "were ready to start, the soldiers had been paid, the Commandant[90] + waited only for final orders. I went to see him + and promised him a large sum if he succeeded in raising the + siege of Chandernagore. I also visited several of the chief + officers, to whom I promised rewards proportionate to their + rank. I represented to the Nawab that Chandernagore must + be certainly captured if the reinforcements did not set out + at once, and I tried to persuade him to give his orders to + the Commandant in my presence. 'All is ready,' replied the + Nawab, 'but before resorting to arms it is proper to try all + possible means to avoid a rupture, and all the more so as the + English have just promised to obey the orders I shall send + them.'[91] I recognized the hand of the Seths in these details. + + They encouraged the Nawab in a false impression about this + affair. On the one hand, they assured him that the march + of the English, was only to frighten us into subscribing to + a treaty of neutrality, and on the other hand they increased + his natural timidity by exaggerating the force of the English + and by representing the risk he ran in assisting us with + reinforcements which would probably not prevent the capture + of Chandernagore if the English were determined to take it, + but would serve as a reason for the English to attack the + Nawab himself. They managed so well that they destroyed + in the evening all the effect I had produced in the morning. + + "I resolved to visit the bankers. They immediately + commenced talking about our debts, and called my attention + to the want of punctuality in our payments. I said that + this was not the question just now, and that I came to them + upon a much more interesting matter, which, however, concerned + them as well as us with respect to those very debts + for which they were asking payment and security. I asked + why they supported the English against us. They denied it, + and, after much explanation, they promised to make any + suggestions I wished to the Nawab. They added that they + were quite sure the English would not attack us, and that + I might remain tranquil. Knowing that they were well + acquainted with the designs of the English, I told them I + knew as well as they did what these were, and that I saw + no way of preventing them from attacking Chandernagore + except by hastening the despatch of the reinforcements which + the Nawab had promised, and that as they were disposed to + serve me, I begged them to make the Nawab understand the + same. They replied that the Nawab wished to avoid any + rupture with the English, and they said many other things + which only showed me that, in spite of their good will, they + would do nothing for us. Ranjit Rai, who was their man + of business as well as the agent of the English, said to me + in a mocking tone, 'You are a Frenchman; are you afraid of + the English? If they attack you, defend yourselves! No + one is ignorant of what your nation has done on the Madras + Coast, and we are curious to see how you will come off in + this business here.' I told him I did not expect to find such + a warlike person in a Bengali merchant, and that sometimes + people repented of their curiosity. That was enough for such + a fellow, but I saw clearly that the laugh would not be on + my side. However, every one was very polite, and I left + the house." + +Law thinks the Seths honestly believed that the English march on +Chandernagore was merely intended to frighten the French, and, as a +proof of their friendliness, narrates a further incident of this +visit:-- + + "The conversation having turned on Siraj-ud-daula, on + the reasons he had given the Seths to fear him, and on his + violent character, I said I understood clearly enough what + they meant, and that they certainly wanted to set up another + Nawab. The Seths, instead of denying this, contented themselves + with saying in a low voice that this was a subject + which should not be talked about. Omichand, the English + agent[92] (who, by the way, cried 'Away with them!' wherever + he went), was present. If the fact had been false, the Seths + would certainly have denied it, and would have reproached + me for talking in such a way. If they had even thought + I intended to thwart them, they would also have denied + it, but considering all that had happened, the vexations + caused us by the Nawab and our obstinate refusals to help + him, they imagined that we should be just as content as they + were to see him deposed, provided only the English would + leave us in peace. In fact, they did not as yet regard us as + enemies." + +Law was, however, ignorant that Clive had already promised, or did +so soon after, to give the property of the French Company to the +Seths in payment of the money the French owed them; but he now for +the first time fully realized the gravity of the situation. The +indiscretion of the Seths showed him the whole extent of the plot, +and the same evening he told the Nawab, but-- + + "the poor young man began to laugh, not being able to + imagine I could be so foolish as to indulge in such ideas." + +And yet, whilst he refused to believe in the treason of his +officers, the Nawab indulged at times in the most violent outbreaks +of temper against them. + + "Siraj-ud-daula was not master of himself.[93] It would + have needed as much firmness in his character as there was + deceitfulness to make the latter quality of use to him. At + certain times his natural disposition overmastered him, + especially when in his harem surrounded by his wives and + servants, when he was accustomed to say openly all that + was in his heart. Sometimes this happened to him in full + _Durbar_." + +The same evening, also, Mr. Watts came to the _Durbar_, and the +matter of the neutrality was talked over. The Nawab wished the two +gentlemen to pledge their respective nations to keep the peace, but +Mr. Watts skilfully avoided giving any promise, and suggested the +Nawab should write to the Admiral. Law, seeing that further delay +was aimed at, exclaimed that the Admiral would pay as little respect +to this letter as to the Nawab's previous ones. + + "'How?' said the Nawab, looking angrily at me instead + of at Mr. Watts: 'who am I then?' All the members of his + Court cried out together that his orders would certainly be + attended to." + +As Law expected, Chandernagore was attacked before the Admiral's +reply was received. Law received the news on the 15th, and hurried +to the Nawab. Reinforcements were ordered and counter-ordered. At +midnight the Nawab's eunuch came to inform Law that the English had +been repulsed with loss, and on the morning of the 16th the Nawab's +troops were ordered to advance, but when the same day news came that +the French had withdrawn into the Fort, every one cried out that the +Fort must fall, and that it was mere folly to incense the English by +sending down troops. They were immediately recalled. Then news +arrived that the Fort was holding out, and Rai Durlabh Ram was +ordered to advance. Again there came a false report that the Fort +had fallen. Law knew Rai Durlabh was a coward, and his whole +reliance was on the second in command, Mir Madan:-- + + "a capable officer, and one who would have attacked the + enemy with pleasure." + +This Mir Madan is said to have been a Hindu convert to +Muhammadanism. Native poems still tell of the gallantry with which +he commanded the Hindu soldiers of the Nawab. He was one of the +first to fall at Plassey, and though it cannot be said that his +death caused the loss of the battle, it is certain that it put an +end to all chance of the victory being contested. + +Law was at his wits' end. It was no time to stick at trifles, and, +that he might know the worst at once, he intercepted Mr. Watts's +letters. From them he gathered that the English intended to march +straight upon Murshidabad. He set about fortifying the enclosure +round the French Factory, and, as he had only 10 or 12 men, he +induced the Nawab to send him a native officer with 100 musketeers. +He soon learned that the reported English advance was merely the +pursuit of the fugitives from Chandernagore, who were mentioned in +the last chapter. By the end of March he had 60 Europeans:-- + + "of whom the half, in truth, were not fit to serve; but what + did that matter? The number was worth 120 to me outside + the fort, since rumour always delights in exaggeration." + +Of the sepoys also, whom the English set free, some 30 found their +way to Law, and so far was he now from being afraid of Mr. Watts, +that it was the latter who had to ask the Nawab's protection. + +The vacillation which had marked the Nawab's conduct previous to the +fall of Chandernagore still continued. He protected Law, but would +not help him with money. + + "Further, at the solicitation of my enemies, the Nawab + sent people to pull down the earthworks I had erected. He + even wished the native agent of the English to be present. + In my life I have never suffered what I did that day. To + the orders of the Nawab I replied that so long as I was in + the Factory no foreigner should touch my fortifications, but + that to keep my agreement with him I was ready to withdraw + and to make over the Factory to him, with which he + could afterwards do as he liked, and for which I should hold + him responsible. At the same time, I made my whole troop + arm themselves, and, having had my munitions loaded on + carts for several days previous, I prepared to depart with + the small amount of money which belonged to me and to + a few other individuals. The Nawab's officer, seeing my + resolution, and fearing to do anything which, might not be + approved, postponed the execution of his orders, and informed + the Nawab of what was happening. He replied that he + absolutely forbade my leaving the Factory, and ordered the + pioneers to be sent away; but at the same time he informed + me that it was absolutely necessary for me to pull down the + earthworks, that under the present circumstances he had + himself to do many things contrary to his own wishes, that + by refusing to obey I should draw the English upon him + and upon us, that we could not defend ourselves and must + therefore submit, that I should not be troubled any more, + and that, finally, he would give me money enough to build + in brick what I had wished to make in earth. I knew well + the value of his promises, but I was forced to humour him. + It did not suit me to abandon the Factory altogether, so I set + my workmen to pull down what I had built, and the same + night the work was finished." + +The English now tried to win over the French soldiers, and had some +success, for many of them were deserters from the British forces, +and they quickly saw how precarious was the shelter which Law could +afford them; but the Nawab could not be persuaded to force Law to +surrender, and, though he agreed to leave the country, Law declared +he would not do even that unless he received passports and money. On +the 8th of April he received passports, and was promised that if he +would go to Phulbari, near Patna, he should there receive all he +wanted. He was allowed four or five days to make his preparations. + + "I profited by this interval to persuade the only man + who dared speak for us to got to action. This was the Nazir + Dalal, a man of no importance, but at the same time a man + in whom the Nawab appeared to have some confidence. As + he was constantly at the Factory, I had opportunities of telling + him many things of particular interest to the Nawab, and I + believed that by politeness and presents I had brought him + over to our interests. A little later, however, I learned that + he received quite as much from the English as from us. He + told the Nawab all that he learned from me, _viz._ the views + of the English and of the Seths, and the risk he himself was + running, and he brought to his notice that the English were + steadily increasing their garrison at Cossimbazar by bringing + up soldiers who pretended they were deserters and wished to + pass over to the Trench. By this trick, indeed, many soldiers + had passed through the Moorish camp without being stopped. + There was also talk of an English fleet preparing to come up + and waiting only for the Nawab's permission. The Nazir + Dalal represented to him that the trading boats might be + loaded with ammunition, and that they ought to be strictly + searched, and the casks and barrels opened, as guns and + mortars might be found in them. The Nawab opened his + eyes at information of this kind, and promptly sent the Nazir + Dalal to tell me not to leave. This order came on the 10th + of April. I accordingly passed my garrison in review before + the Nawab's agent, and a statement showing the monthly + pay of each officer and soldier was sent to the Nawab, who + promised to pay them accordingly." + +On the 12th of April Law received a sudden summons to attend the +_Durbar_ the next day. + + "After some reflection, I determined to obey. I thought + that by taking presents I could avoid the inconveniences I + feared, so I arranged to start early on the morning of the 13th + with five or six persons well armed. A slight rain detained + us till 10 o'clock. On leaving I told my people that M. + Sinfray was their commandant, and ordered him, if I did not + return by 2 o'clock, to send a detachment of forty men to + meet me. We arrived at the Nawab's palace about midday. + He had retired to his harem. We were taken into the + Audience Hall, where they brought us a very bad dinner. + The Nawab, they said, would soon come. However, 5 o'clock + had struck and he had not yet dressed. During this wearisome + interval I was visited by some of the _Diwans_, among + others by the _Arzbegi._[94] I asked him why the Nawab had + called me. He replied with an appearance of sincerity that + as the Nawab was constantly receiving complaints from the + English, about the numerous garrison we had in our Factory, + he had judged it proper to summon both Mr. Watts and + myself in order to reconcile us, and that he hoped to arrange + matters so that the English should have nothing to fear from + us nor we from them. He added that the Nawab was quite + satisfied with my behaviour, and wished me much good. At + last the _Durbar_ hour arrives. I am warned. I pass into a + hall, where I find Mr. Watts and a number of _Diwans_. The + agent of the Seths is present Compliments having passed, + one of the _Diwans_ asks me if I have anything particular to + say to Mr. Watts. I answer that I have not. Thereupon + Mr. Watts addresses me in English: 'The question is, sir, + whether you are prepared to surrender your Factory to me + and to go down to Calcutta with all your people. You will + be well treated, and will be granted the same conditions as + the gentlemen of Chandernagore. This is the Nawab's wish.' + I reply I will do nothing of the kind, that I and all those + with me are free, that if I am forced to leave Cossimbazar + I will surrender the Factory to the Nawab, and to no one else. + Mr. Watts, turning round to the _Diwans_, says excitedly, that + it is impossible to do anything with me, and repeats to them + word for word all that has passed between us. + + "From that moment I saw clearly that the air of the + Court was not healthy for us. It was, however, necessary to + put a good face on matters. The _Arzbegi_ and some others, + taking me aside, begged me to consider what I was doing in + refusing Mr. Watts's propositions, and said that as the Nawab + was determined to have a good understanding with the + English, he would force me to accept them. They then + asked what I intended to do. I said I intended to stay at + Cossimbazar and to oppose, to the utmost of my power, the + ambitious designs of the English. 'Well, well, what can + you do?' they replied. 'You are about a hundred Europeans; + the Nawab has no need of you; you will certainly be forced + to leave this place. It would be much better to accept the + terms offered you by Mr. Watts.' The same persons who had + begged me to do this then took Mr. Watts aside. I do not + know what they said to each other, but a quarter of an hour + after they went into the hall where the Nawab was. + + "I was in the utmost impatience to know the result of + all these parleyings, so much the more as from some words + that had escaped them I had reason to think they intended + to arrest me. + + "Fire or six minutes after Mr. Watts had gone to the + Nawab, the _Arzbegi_, accompanied by some officers and the + agents of the Seths and the English, came and told me aloud, + in the presence of some fifty persons of rank, that the Nawab + ordered me to submit myself entirely to what Mr. Watts + demanded. I told him I would not, and that it was + impossible for the Nawab to have given such an order. + I demanded to be presented to him. 'The Nawab,' they + said, 'does not wish to see you.' I replied, 'It was he who + summoned me; I will not go away till I have seen him.' + The _Arzbegi_ saw I had no intention of giving way, and that + I was well supported, for at this very moment word was + brought of the arrival of our grenadiers, who had been + ordered to come and meet me. Disappointed at not seeing + me appear, they had advanced to the very gates of the palace. + The _Arzbegi_, not knowing what would be the result of this + affair, and wishing to get out of the scrape and to throw the + burden of it on to the Seths' agent, said to him, 'Do you + speak, then; this affair concerns you more than us.' The + Seths' agent wished to speak, but I did not give him time. + I said I would not listen to him, that I did not recognize + him as having any authority, and that I had no business + at all with him. Thereupon the _Arzbegi_ went back to the + Nawab and told him I would not listen to reason, and that + I demanded to speak to him. 'Well, let him come,' said + the Nawab, 'but he must come alone.' At the same time + he asked Mr. Watts to withdraw and wait for him in a + cabinet. The order to appear being given me, I wish to + go--another difficulty! The officers with me do not wish to + let me go alone! A great debate between them and the + Nawab's officers! At last, giving way to my entreaties, + and on my assuring them that I have no fears, I persuade + them to be quiet and to let me go. + + "I presented myself before the Nawab, who returned my + salute in a kindly manner. As soon as I was seated, he told + me, in a shamefaced way, that I must either accept Mr. + Watts's proposals, or must certainly leave his territories. + _Your nation is the cause_, he said, _of all the importunities I + now suffer from the English. I do not wish to put the whole country + in trouble for your sake. You are not strong enough to defend + yourselves; you must give way. You ought to remember that when I had + need of your assistance you always refused it. You ought not to + expect assistance from me now_. + + "It must be confessed that, after all our behaviour to + him, I had not much to reply. I noticed, however, that the + Nawab kept his eyes cast down, and that it was, as it were, + against his will that he paid me this compliment. I told + him I should be dishonoured if I accepted Mr. Watts's proposals, + but that as he was absolutely determined to expel us + from his country, I was ready to withdraw, and that as soon + as I had the necessary passports I would go towards Patna. + At this every one in concert, except the Nawab and Coja + Wajid, cried out that I could not take that road, that the + Nawab would not consent to it. I asked what road they + wished me to take. They said I must go towards Midnapur + or Cuttack. I answered that the English might at any + moment march in that direction and fall upon me. They + replied I must get out of the difficulty as best I could. The + Nawab, meanwhile, kept his face bent down, listening + attentively, but saying nothing. Wishing to force him to + speak, I asked if it was his intention to cause me to fall into + the hands of my enemies? 'No, no,' replied the Nawab, + 'take what road you please, and may God conduct you.' I + stood up and thanked him, received the betel,[95] and went out." + +Gholam Husain Khan says that the Nawab was much affected at parting +with Law, as he now believed in the truth of his warnings against +the English and the English party,-- + + "but as he did not dare to keep him in his service for fear + of offending the English, he told him that at present it was + fit that he should depart; but that if anything new should + happen he would send for him again. '_Send for me again?_' + answered Law. '_Rest assured, my Lord Nawab, that this is + the last time we shall see each other. Remember my words: we + shall never meet again. It is nearly impossible_." + +Law hurried back to his Factory, and by the evening of the 15th of +April he was ready to depart. The same day the Nawab wrote to +Clive:-- + + "Mr. Law I have put out of the city, and have wrote + expressly to my Naib[96] at Patna to turn him and his attendants + out of the bounds of his Subaship, and that he shall not + suffer them to stay in any place within it."[97] + +At the end of April the Nawab wrote to Abdulla Khan, the Afghan +general at Delhi, that he had supplied Law with Rs.10,000. Clive was +quickly informed of this. + +On the morning of the 16th the French marched through Murshidabad +with colours flying and drums beating, prepared against any surprise +in the narrow streets of the city. Mr. Watts wrote to Clive:-- + + "They had 100 Europeans, 60 Tellingees, 30 _hackerys_" + (i.e. bullock-waggons) "and 4 elephants with them."[98] + +Close on their track followed two spies, sent by Mr. Watts to try +and seduce the French soldiers and sepoys. Law left a M. Bugros +behind in charge of the French Factory. + +Shortly after leaving Cossimbazar, Law was reinforced by a party of +45 men, mostly sailors of the _Saint Contest_, who had managed to +escape from the English. On the 2nd of May the French arrived at +Bhagulpur, the Nawab writing to them to move on whenever he heard +they were halting, and not to go so fast when he heard they were on +the march. + + "To satisfy him we should have been always in motion + and yet not advancing; this did not suit us. It was of the + utmost importance to arrive at some place where I could + find means for the equipment of my troop. We were + destitute of everything." + +These contradictory orders, and even letters of recall, reached Law +on his march, but though he sent back M. Sinfray with letters to M. +Bugros and Coja Wajid--which the latter afterwards made over to +Clive--he continued his march to Patna, where he arrived on the 3rd +of June, and was well received by Raja Ramnarain, and where he was +within four or five days' march or sail from Sooty, the mouth of the +Murshidabad or Cossimbazar river, and therefore in a position to +join the Nawab whenever it might be necessary. + +In the mean time fate had avenged Law on one of his lesser enemies. +This was that Ranjit Rai, who had insulted him during his interview +with the Seths. The latter had pursued their old policy of inciting +the English to make extravagant demands which they at the same time +urged the Nawab to refuse. To justify one such demand, the English +produced a letter in the handwriting of Ranjit Rai, purporting to be +written at the dictation of the Seths under instructions from the +Nawab. The latter denied the instructions, and the Seths promptly +asserted that the whole letter was a forgery of their agent's. + + "The notorious Ranjit Rai was driven in disgrace from + the _Durbar_, banished, and assassinated on the road. It was + said he had received 2 lakhs from the English to apply his + masters' seal unknown to them. I can hardly believe this. + This agent was attached to the English only because he knew + the Seths were devoted to them." + +This incident warned the Seths to be more cautious, but still the +plot against the Nawab was well known in the country. Renault, who +had been at this time a prisoner in Calcutta, says:-- + + "Never was a conspiracy conducted as publicly and with + such indiscretion as this was, both by the Moors and the + English. Nothing else was talked about in all the English + settlements, and whilst every place echoed with the noise of + it, the Nawab, who had a number of spies, was ignorant of + everything. Nothing can prove more clearly the general + hatred which was felt towards him."[99] + +M. Sinfray had returned to Murshidabad, but could not obtain an +interview with the Nawab till the 8th of June, when he found him +still absolutely tranquil; and even on the 10th the Nawab wrote to +Law to have no fears on his account; but this letter did not reach +Law till the 19th. + + "I complained of the delay in the strongest terms to + Ramnarain, who received the packets from the Nawab, but it + was quite useless. The Nawab was betrayed by those whom + he thought most attached to him. The Faujdar of Rajmehal + used to stop all his messengers and detain them as long as + he thought fit." + +This officer was a brother of Mir Jafar.[100] The Seths and the +English had long found the chief difficulty in their way to be the +choice of a man of sufficient distinction to replace Siraj-ud-daula +on the throne. At this moment the Nawab himself gave them as a +leader Mir Jafar Ali Khan, who had married the sister of Aliverdi +Khan, and was therefore a relative of his. Mir Jafar was _Bukshi_, +or Paymaster and Generalissimo of the Army, and his influence had +greatly contributed to Siraj-ud-daula's peaceful accession. He was a +man of good reputation, and a brave and skilful soldier. It was such +a person as this that the Nawab, after a long course of petty +insults, saw fit to abuse in the vilest terms in full _Durbar_ and +to dismiss summarily from his post. He now listened to the +proposals of the Seths, and towards the end of April terms were +settled between him and the English.[101] The actual conclusion of +the Treaty took place early in June, and on the 13th of that month +Mr. Watts and the other English gentlemen at Cossimbazar escaped +under the pretence of a hunting expedition and joined Clive in +safety. As soon as he heard of this, the Nawab knew that war was +inevitable, and it had come at a moment when he had disbanded half +his army unpaid, and the other half was grumbling for arrears. Not +only had he insulted Mir Jafar, but he had also managed to quarrel +with Rai Durlabh. Instead of trying to postpone the conflict until +he had crushed these two dangerous enemies, he begged them to be +reconciled to him, and put himself in their hands. Letter after +letter was sent to recall Law, but even the first, despatched on the +13th, did not reach Law till the 22nd, owing to the treachery of the +Faujdar of Rajmehal. Law's letter entreating the Nawab to await his +arrival certainly never reached him, and though Law had started at +the first rumour of danger, before getting the Nawab's letter, he +did not reach Rajmehal till the 1st of July. The Nawab had been +captured in the neighbourhood a few hours before the arrival of his +advance-guard. Gholam Husain Khan says that Law would have been in +time had the Nawab's last remittance been a bill of exchange and not +an order on the Treasury, for-- + + "as slowness of motion seems to be of etiquette with the + people of Hindustan, the disbursing of the money took up + so much time that when M. Law was come down as far + Rajmehal, he found that all was over." + +Law, who was nothing if not philosophical, remarked on this +disappointment:-- + + "In saving Siraj-ud-daula we should have scored a great + success, but possibly he would have been saved for a short + time only. He would have found enemies and traitors + wherever he might have presented himself in the countries + supposed to be subject to him. No one would have acknowledged + him. Forced by Mir Jafar and the English to flee to + a foreign country, he would have been a burden to us rather + than an assistance. + + "In India no one knows what it is to stand by an + unfortunate man. The first idea which suggests itself is to + plunder him of the little[102] which remains to him. Besides, + a character like that of Siraj-ud-daula could nowhere find a + real friend." + +Siraj-ud-daula, defeated by Clive at Plassey on the 23rd of June, +was, says Scrafton,-- + + "himself one of the first that carried the news of his defeat + to the capital, which he reached that night." + +His wisest councillors urged him to surrender to Clive, but he +thought this advice treacherous, and determined to flee towards +Rajmehal. When nearly there he was recognized by a Fakir,[103] whose +ears he had, some time before, ordered to be cut off. The Fakir +informed the Faujdar, who seized him and sent him to Murshidabad, +where Miran, Mir Jafar's son, put him to death on the 4th of July. + +It was necessary for Law to withdraw as quickly as possible if he +was to preserve his liberty. Clive and Mir Jafar wrote urgent +letters to Ramnarain at Patna to stop him, but Ramnarain was no +lover of Mir Jafar, and he was not yet acquainted with Clive, so he +allowed him to pass. Law says:-- + + "On the 16th of July we arrived at Dinapur, eight miles + above Patna, where I soon saw we had no time to lose. + The Raja of Patna himself would not have troubled us much. + By means of our boats we could have avoided him as we + pleased, for though our fleet was in a very bad condition, + still it could have held its own against the naval forces + of Bengal, i.e. the Indian forces, but the English were advancing, + commanded by Major Coote. As the English call + themselves the masters of the aquatic element, it became us + the less to wait for them, when we knew they had stronger + and more numerous boats than we had. Possibly we could + have outsailed them, but we did not wish to give them the + pleasure of seeing us flee. On the 18th instant an order + from the Raja instructed me in the name of Mir Jafar to + halt--no doubt to wait for the English--whilst another on his + own part advised me to hurry off. Some small detachments + of horsemen appeared along the bank, apparently to hinder + us from getting provisions or to lay violent hands on the + boatmen. On this we set sail, resolved to quit all the + dependencies of Bengal. In spite of ourselves we had to + halt at Chupra, twenty-two miles higher up, because our + rowers refused to go further: prayers and threats all seemed + useless. I thought the English had found some means to + gain them over. The boats did not belong to us, but we + should have had little scruple in seizing them had our + Europeans known how to manage them. Unfortunately, + they knew nothing about it. The boats in Bengal have no + keel, and consequently do not carry sail well. So we lost + two days in discussion with the boatmen, but at last, by + doubling their pay, terms were made, and five days after, on + the 25th of July, we arrived at Ghazipur, the first place of + importance in the provinces of Suja-ud-daula, Viceroy of the + Subahs of Oudh, Lucknow, and Allahabad." + +Before Law left Rajmehal on his return to Patna, the Faujdar tried +to stop him on pretence that Mir Jafar wished to reconcile him to +the English. Law thought this unlikely, yet knowing the native +proclivity for underhand intrigue, he wrote him a letter, but the +answer which he received at Chupra was merely an order to +surrender. Law says:-- + + "I had an idea that he might write to me in a quite + different style, _unknown to the English_. I knew the new + Nawab, whom I met at the time I was soliciting reinforcements + to raise the siege of Chandernagore. He had not then + taken up the idea of making himself Nawab. He appeared + to me a very intelligent man, and much inclined to do us + service, pitying us greatly for having to work with a man so + cowardly and undecided as Siraj-ud-daula." + +Law thought his communication-- + + "was well calculated to excite in his mind sentiments + favourable to us, but if it did, Mir Jafar let none of them + appear. The Revolution was too recent and the influence of + the English too great for him to risk the least correspondence + with us." + +From Clive, on the other hand, he received a letter,-- + + "such as became a general who, though an enemy, interested + himself in our fate out of humanity, knowing by his own + experience into what perils and fatigues we were going to + throw ourselves when we left the European Settlements." + +This letter, dated Murshidabad, July 9th, was as follows:-- + + "As the country people are now all become your enemies, + and orders are gone everywhere to intercept your passage, + and I myself have sent parties in quest of you, and orders + are gone to Ramnarain, the Naib of Patna, to seize you if + you pursue that road, you must be sensible if you fall into + their hands you cannot expect to find them a generous + enemy. If, therefore, you have any regard for the men + under your command, I would recommend you to treat with + us, from whom you may expect the most favourable terms in + my power to grant."[104] + +Law does not say much about the hardships of his flight; but Eyre +Coote, who commanded the detachment which followed him, had the +utmost difficulty in persuading his men to advance, and wrote to +Clive that he had never known soldiers exposed to greater hardships. +At Patna Eyre Coote seized the French Factory, where the Chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was lying ill. The military and other Company's +servants had gone on with Law, leaving in charge a person variously +called M. Innocent and Innocent Jesus. He was not a Frenchman, but +nevertheless he was sent down to Calcutta. From Patna Eyre Coote got +as far as Chupra, only to find Law safe beyond the frontier at +Ghazipur, and nothing left for him to do but to return. + +From now on to January, 1761, Law was out of the reach of the +English, living precariously on supplies sent from Bussy in the +south, from his wife at Chinsurah, and from a secret store which M. +de la Bretesche had established at Patna unknown to the English, and +upon loans raised from wealthy natives, such as the Raja of +Bettiah. He believed all along that the French would soon make an +effort to invade Bengal, where there was a large native party in +their favour, and where he could assist them by creating a diversion +in the north. I shall touch on his adventures very briefly. + +His first halt was at Benares, which he reached on the 2nd of +August, and where the Raja Bulwant Singh tried to wheedle and +frighten him into surrendering his guns. He escaped out of his hands +by sheer bluff, and went on to Chunargarh, where he received letters +from Suja-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, a friend of Siraj-ud-daula's, +whom he hoped to persuade into invading Bengal. On the 3rd of +September he reached Allahabad, and here left his troop under the +command of M. le Comte de Carryon, whilst he went on to Lucknow, the +capital of Oudh. + +It is only at this moment that Law bethinks him of describing his +troop. It consisted of 175 Europeans and 100 sepoys drilled in +European fashion. The officers were D'Hurvilliers, le Comte de +Carryon (who had brought a detachment from Dacca before Law left +Cossimbazar), Ensign Brayer (who had commanded the military at +Patna), Ensign Jobard (who had escaped from Chandernagore), and +Ensign Martin de la Case. He also entertained as officers MM. +Debellême (Captain of a French East Indiaman), Boissemont, and La +Ville Martère, Company's servants (these three had all escaped from +Chandernagore), Dangereux and Dubois (Company's servants stationed +at Cossimbazar), Beinges (a Company's servant stationed at Patna), +and two private gentlemen, Kerdizien and Gourbin. Besides these, MM. +Anquetil du Perron,[105] La Rue, Desjoux, Villequain, Desbrosses, +and Calvé, served as volunteers. His chaplain was the Reverend +Father Onofre, and he had two surgeons, Dubois and Le Page. The last +two were probably the surgeons of Cossimbazar and Patna. He had also +with him M. Lenoir, second of Patna, whose acquaintance with the +language and the people was invaluable. Law seems to have been +always able to recruit his sepoys, but he had no great opinion of +them. + + "In fact it may be said that the sepoy is a singular + animal, especially until he has had time to acquire a + proper sense of discipline. As soon as he has received his + red jacket and his gun he thinks he is a different man. He + looks upon himself as a European, and having a very high + estimation of this qualification, he thinks he has the right to + despise all the country people, whom he treats as Kaffirs + and wretched negroes, though he is often just as black as they + are. In every place I have been I have remarked that the + inhabitants have less fear of the European soldier, who in + his disorderly behaviour sometimes shows an amount of + generosity which they would expect in vain from a sepoy." + +Law has left the following description of Lucknow:-- + + "Lucknow, capital of the Subah[106] so called, is 160 miles + north of Allahabad, on the other side of the Ganges, and + about 44 miles from that river. The country is beautiful + and of great fertility, but what can one expect from the best + land without cultivation? It was particularly the fate of + this province and of a large portion of Oudh to have been + exhausted by the wars of Mansur Ali Khan.[107] That prince + at his death left the Treasury empty and a quantity of + debts. Suja-ud-daula, his successor, thought he could + satisfy his creditors, all of them officers of the army, by + giving them orders upon several of the large estates. This + method was too slow for these military gentlemen. In a + short time every officer had become the Farmer,[108] or rather the + Tyrant, of the villages abandoned to him. Forcible executions + quickly reimbursed him to an extent greater than his claim, + but the country suffered. The ill-used inhabitants left it, + and the land remained uncultivated. This might have + been repaired. The good order established by Suja-ud-daula + commenced to bring the inhabitants back when an + evil, against which human prudence was powerless, achieved + their total destruction. For two whole years clouds of + locusts traversed the country regularly with the Monsoon,[109] + and reduced the hopes of the cultivator to nothing. When + two days from Lucknow, we ourselves saw the ravages committed + by this insect. It was perfect weather; suddenly we + saw the sky overcast; a darkness like that of a total eclipse + spread itself abroad and lasted a good hour. In less than no + time we saw the trees under which we were camped stripped + of their leaves. The next day as we journeyed we saw that + the same devastation had been produced for a distance of ten + miles. The grass on the roads and every green thing in the + fields were eaten away down to the roots. This recurrent + plague had driven away the inhabitants, even those who had + survived the exactions of the military. Towns and villages + were abandoned; the small number of people who remained--I + am speaking without exaggeration--only served to + augment the horror of this solitude. We saw nothing but + spectres. + + "The state of the people of Lucknow city, the residence + of the Nawab, was hardly better. The evil was perhaps less + evident owing to the variety of objects, but from what one + could see from time to time nature did not suffer less. The + environs of the palace were covered with poor sick people + lying in the middle of the roads, so that it was impossible + for the Nawab to go out without causing his elephant to + tread on the bodies of several of them, except when he had + the patience to wait and have them cleared out of the way--an + act which would not accord with Oriental ideas of + grandeur. In spite of this there were few accidents. The + animal used to guide its footsteps so as to show it was + more friendly to human beings than men themselves + were." + +At Lucknow Suja-ud-daula greeted him with a sympathetic interest, +which Law quaintly likens to that shown by Dido for Aeneas, but +money was not forthcoming, and Law soon found that Suja-ud-daula was +not on sufficiently good terms with the Mogul's[110] Vizir[111] at +Delhi to risk an attack on Bengal. On the 18th of October he +returned to Allahabad, with the intention of going to Delhi to see +what he could do with the Vizir, but as it might have been dangerous +to disclose his object, he pretended he was going to march south to +Bussy in the Deccan, and obtained a passport from the Maratha +general, Holkar. This took some time, and it was not till March, +1758, that he started for Delhi. He reached Farukhabad without +difficulty, and on the 21st entered the country of the Jats. On the +evening of the 23rd a barber, who came into their camp, warned the +French they would be attacked. The next day the Jats, to the number +of 20,000, attacked them on the march. The fight lasted the whole +day, and the French fired 6000 musket shots and 800 cannon. The +cannon-balls were made of clay moulded round a pebble, and were +found sufficiently effective in the level country. + +Soon after they arrived at Delhi, only to find the Marathas masters +of the situation and in actual possession of the person of the +Shahzada, or Crown Prince.[112] The Prince was friendly, gave Law +money, and eagerly welcomed the idea of attacking Bengal, but he was +himself practically a prisoner. The Vizir, too, could do nothing, +and would give no money. The Marathas amused him with promises, and +tried to trap him into fighting their battles. No one seemed to know +anything about what had happened in Bengal. He spoke to several of +the chief men about the English. + + "I felt sure that, after the Revolution in Bengal, they + would be the only subject of conversation in the capital. The + Revolution had made much noise, but it was ascribed entirely + to the Seths and to Rai Durlabh Ram. Clive's name was + well known. He was, they said, a great captain whom the + Seths had brought from very far at a great expense, to + deliver Bengal from the tyranny of Siraj-ud-daula, as Salabat + Jang had engaged M. Bussy to keep the Marathas in + order. Many of the principal persons even asked me what + country he came from. Others, mixing up all Europeans + together, thought that I was a deputy from Clive. It was + useless for me to say we were enemies, that it was the + English who had done everything in Bengal, that it was + they who governed and not Jafar Ali Khan, who was only + Nawab in name. No one would believe me. In fact, how + could one persuade people who had never seen a race of + men different from their own, that a body of two or three + thousand Europeans at the most was able to dictate the law + in a country as large as Bengal?" + +Law could do nothing at Delhi, and it was only by bribing the +Maratha general that he obtained an escort through the Jat country +to Agra. Most of his soldiers were glad to be off, but about 60 +Europeans deserted with their arms to Delhi, where the Vizir offered +them pay as high as 50 rupees a month. M. Jobard was nearly killed +by some of them when he tried to persuade them to return to duty, +but, a few months after, more than half rejoined Law. + +From Agra, Law went to Chatrapur in Bundelkand, where apparently, +though he does not say so, he was in the service of the Raja +Indrapat. His stay lasted from the 10th of June, 1758, to February, +1759. In order to keep on good terms with the inhabitants, who were +almost all Hindus, Law forbade his men to kill cattle or any of the +sacred birds, or to borrow anything without his permission, and at +the same time severely punished all disorderly behaviour. The people +having never heard of Christians, thought the French must be a kind +of Muhammadans, but they could not make out from what country they +came. Seeing them drink a red wine of which they had a few bottles, +they thought they were drinking blood, and were horrified, but the +good behaviour of the men soon put them on friendly terms. + +Early in 1759 the Shahzada at last invaded Bengal, and on the 5th +of February Law marched to join him; but the invasion was badly +managed, and was an absolute failure. On the 28th of May Law was +back at Chatrapur. The only result of the invasion was that the +lands of a number of Rajas in Bihar were plundered by Miran, son of +Mir Jafar, and the English. These Rajas were all Hindus. + + "They had an understanding with Ramnarain. All these + Rajas, of whom there is a great number in the dependencies + of Bengal, united to each other by the same religion, mutually + support each other as much as they can. They detest the + Muhammadan Government, and if it had not been for the + Seths, the famous bankers, with whom they have close + connections, it is probable that after the Revolution in which + Siraj-ud-daula was the victim, they would all have risen + together to establish a Hindu Government, from which the + English would not have obtained all the advantages they + did from the Muhammadan." + +In 1759 the Dutch risked a quarrel with the English. They refused, +however, any assistance from Law, who, far away as he was, heard all +about it. They were defeated at Biderra on the 25th of November. The +effect of this was to reduce Bengal to such tranquillity that Clive +considered it safe to visit England. The Shahzada, however, thought +the opportunity a favourable one for another invasion, and on the +28th of February, 1760, Law again started to join him. Patna was +besieged, and, according to Broome, was very nearly captured, owing +to Law's skill and the courage of his Frenchmen. In fact, the French +were on the ramparts, when Dr. Fullerton and the English sepoys +arrived just in time to drive them back.[113] + +The siege was raised, and the Prince's general, Kamgar Khan, led the +army about the country with apparently no object but that of +plunder. This suited the Marathas, but did not suit Law. On one +occasion he was ordered with his own troops and a body of Marathas +to capture the little fort of Soupy. The French stormed it at three +o'clock in the morning, but found that the Marathas, who had +carefully avoided the breach, had swarmed the walls, where there was +no one to oppose them, and were carrying off the plunder. + + "My chief occupation and that of the officers, for more + than five hours during which we stayed in Soupy, was to + keep our soldiers and sepoys from bayoneting the Marathas, + who, without having incurred the least danger, had, by their + cleverness and lightness, carried off more than twenty times + as much as our own men, observing among themselves a + kind of order in their plundering, very like that of monkeys + when they strip a field." + +In fact, Law had a personal altercation with the Maratha commander +about a young and beautiful Hindu woman, whom the Maratha wished to +seize, but whom Law was determined to restore unhurt to her +relations, who lived in a village close by. + +For the capture of the fort, Law received from the Shahzada various +high-sounding titles and the right to have the royal music played +before him; but as he could not afford to entertain the native +musicians, he allowed the privilege to sleep. + +In 1760 Mr. Vansittart assumed the Governorship of Bengal, and his +first act was to complete the project begun by his predecessor, Mr. +Holwell, namely, the dethronement of Mir Jafar. This was effected on +the 20th of October, 1760; the ex-Nawab went quietly to Calcutta, +and Mir Kasim reigned in his stead. The Shahzada had now become +Emperor by the death of his father, and had assumed the title of +Shah Alam. He was still hanging with his army round Patna, and Mir +Kasim and the English determined to bring him to book. Kamgar Khan +continued to lead the Imperial army aimlessly about the country, and +in January, 1761, found himself near the town of Bihar. He had 35 to +40 thousand cavalry, maintained chiefly by plunder, but his only +musketeers and artillery were those commanded by Law, i.e. 125 +Europeans and 200 sepoys, with 18 guns of small calibre. The +British commander, Major Carnac, had 650 Europeans and 5 to 6 +thousand sepoys, with 12 guns. Mir Kasim had some 20,000 cavalry, +and the same number of musketeers, all good troops, for "everybody +was paid in the army of Kasim Ali Khan."[114] + +On the 14th of January, scouts brought word of the approach of the +English. The Emperor consulted Law, who advised a retreat, but he +was not deficient in courage, and determined to fight. The next day +was fought the battle of Suan.[115] + + "At the dawn of day we heard that the enemy were on + the march, and that they would quickly appear. No disposition + of our army had yet been made by Kamgar Khan, + who, in fact, troubled himself very little about the matter. + It was at first decided to re-enter the camp, so I put my + men as much as possible under shelter behind a bank, along + which I placed my guns in what I thought the most useful + positions. About 6 or 7 o'clock the enemy were seen + advancing in good order, crossing a canal[116] full of mud and + water, the passage of which might have been easily contested + had we been ready soon enough; but everything was neglected. + For some time we thought the enemy were going + to encamp by the canal, but, seeing that they were still + advancing, the order was given to go and meet them. The + whole army was quickly out of the camp, divided into + several bodies of cavalry, at the head of which were, on their + elephants, the Emperor, the Generalissimo Kamgar Khan, + and other principal chiefs. Scarcely were we out of the camp + when we were halted to await the enemy, everything in the + greatest confusion; one could see no distinction between + right, left, and centre, nothing that had the appearance of + an army intending to attack or even to defend itself. + + "An aide-de-camp brought me an order to march ahead + with all my troop, and to place myself in a position which + he pointed out, a good cannon-shot away. Abandoned to + ourselves we should have been exposed to all the fire of the + English, artillery and even to be outflanked by the enemy + and captured at the first attack. We advanced a few paces + in obedience to the order, but, seeing no one move to support + us, I suspected they wanted to get rid of us. I therefore + brought back my men to where I had first placed them, on + a line about 200 paces in front of the army. + + "The enemy advanced steadily. The English at their + head with all their artillery were already within range of + our guns. They quickly placed their pieces in two batteries + to the right and left, and kept up a very lively cross fire. + In a very short time, having killed many men, elephants, + and horses--amongst others one of mine--they caused the + whole of the Prince's army to turn tail. Kamgar Khan, at + their head, fled as fast as he could, without leaving a single + person to support us. The enemy's fire, opposed to which + ours was but feeble, continued steadily. We were forced to + retire, and did so in good order, having had some soldiers + and sepoys killed and one gun dismounted, which we left on + the field of battle. We regained the village, which sheltered + us for a time. The enemy started in pursuit. Unluckily, + as we issued from the village, our guns traversing a hollow + road, we were stopped by ditches and channels full of mud, + in which the guns stuck fast. As I was trying to disengage + them the English reached us, and surrounded us so as to + cut off all retreat. Then I surrendered with 3 or 4 officers + and about 40 soldiers who were with me, and the guns. It + was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th of January, + 1761, a moment whose malign influence it was as it were + impossible to resist, since it was that of the surrender of + Pondicherry,[117] a place 300 leagues away from us." + +Gholam Husain Khan has left a graphic description of this incident. + + "Monsieur Law, with the small force and the artillery + which he could muster, bravely fought the English themselves, + and for some time he made a shift to withstand their + superiority. Their auxiliaries consisted of large bodies of + natives, commanded by Ramnarain and Raj Balav, but the + engagement was decided by the English, who fell with so + much effect upon the enemy that their onset could not be + withstood by either the Emperor or Kamgar Khan. The + latter, finding he could not resist, turned about and fled. + The Emperor, obliged to follow him, quitted the field of + battle, and the handful of troops that followed M. Law, + discouraged by this flight and tired of the wandering life + which they had hitherto led in his service, turned about + likewise and followed the Emperor. M. Law, finding himself + abandoned and alone, resolved not to turn his back. He + bestrode one of his guns and remained firm in that posture, + waiting the moment for his death. This being reported to + Major Carnac, he detached himself from his main body with + Captain Knox and some other officers, and he advanced to + the man on the gun, without taking with him either a guard + or any Telingas[118] at all. Being arrived near, this troop + alighted from their horses, and, pulling their caps from their + heads, they swept the air with them, as if to make him a + _salam_; and this salute being returned by M. Law in the + same manner, some parley followed in their own language. + The Major, after paying high encomiums to M. Law for his + perseverance, conduct, and bravery, added these words: 'You + have done everything that could be expected from a brave + man; and your name shall be undoubtedly transmitted to + posterity by the pen of history; now loosen your sword from + your loins, come amongst us, and abandon all thoughts of + contending with the English.' The other answered that, if + they would accept of his surrendering himself just as he was + he had no objection, but that as to surrendering himself with + the disgrace of being without his sword, it was a shame he + would never submit to, and that they might take his life if + they were not satisfied with that condition. The English + commanders, admiring his firmness, consented to his surrendering + himself in the manner he wished; after which + the Major, with his officers, shook hands with him in their + European manner, and every sentiment of enmity was instantly + dismissed on both sides. At the same time that + commander sent for his own _palky_, made him sit in it, and + he was sent to the camp. M. Law, unwilling to see or to be + seen, in that condition, shut up the curtains of the _palky_ for + fear of being recognized by any of his friends at camp, but + yet some of his acquaintances, hearing of his having arrived, + went to him; these were Mir Abdulla and Mustapha Ali + Khan. The Major, who had excused him from appearing in + public, informed them that they could not see him for some + days, as he was too much vexed to receive any company. + Ahmed Khan Koreishi, who was an impertinent talker, + having come to look at him, thought to pay his court to + the English by joking on this man's defeat--a behaviour that + has nothing strange [in it] if we consider the times in which + we live and the company he was accustomed to frequent; and + it was in that notion of his, doubtless, that with much pertness + of voice and air he asked him this question: '_And Bibi + Lass,[119] where is she_?' The Major and the officers present, + shocked at the impropriety of the question, reprimanded him + with a severe look and very severe expressions. 'This man,' + they said, 'has fought bravely, and deserves the attention + of all brave men; the impertinences which you have been + offering him may be customary amongst your friends and + your nation, but cannot be suffered in ours, who has it for + a standing rule never to offer an injury to a vanquished foe.' + Ahmed Khan, checked by this reprimand, held his tongue, + and did not answer a word. He tarried about one hour + more in his visit, and then went away much abashed; and + although he was a commander of importance, and one to + whom much honour had always been paid, no one did speak + to him any more, or made a show of standing up at his + departure. This reprimand did much honour to the English; + and it must be acknowledged, to the honour of those + strangers, that as their conduct in war and battle is worthy + of admiration, so, on the other hand, nothing is more modest + and more becoming than their behaviour to an enemy, + whether in the heat of action or in the pride of success and + victory. These people seem to act entirely according to the + rules observed by our ancient commanders and our men of + genius." + +Gholam Husain Khan says the victory was decided by the English; the +following quotation from Major Carnac's Letter to the Select +Committee at Calcutta, dated the 17th of January, 1761, shows how +the courage of the British forces saved them from a great disaster. + + "It gives me particular pleasure to inform you that we + have not lost a man in the action, but a few of the Nawab's + troops who had got up near our rear suffered considerably + from the explosion of one of the French tumbrils. It seems + the enemy had lain a train to it in hopes of it's catching + while our Europeans were storming the battery, but fortunately + we were advanced two or three hundred yards in + the pursuit before it had effect, and the whole shock was + sustained by the foremost of the Nawab's troops who were + blown up to the number of near four hundred, whereof + seventy or eighty died on the spot."[120] + +Law continues:-- + + "The next morning, as the English army started in + pursuit of the Emperor Shah Alam, Major Carnac, from + whom, I must mention in passing, I received all possible + marks of attention and politeness, sent me to Patna, where + in the English Chief, Mr. McGwire, I found an old friend, + who treated me as I should certainly have treated him in + like circumstances. I was in need of everything, and he let + me want for nothing." + +Thus ended Law's attempt to maintain the French party in Bengal. All +hopes of a French attack in force on Calcutta had long since +disappeared, and, under the circumstances, his capture was fortunate +for himself and his comrades. Most of the latter were gradually +picked up by the English. Law was sent to Calcutta, and left Bengal +in 1762. He was now only forty-two years of age. On his arrival in +France he found his services much appreciated by his countrymen, and +was made a Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, +and a Colonel of Infantry. Later on he was appointed Commissary for +the King, Commandant of the French Nation in the East Indies, and +Governor of Pondicherry. Law's account of his adventures was +commenced at Paris in 1763.[121] There exist letters written by him +to the historian Robert Orme, dated as late as 1785, which show the +strong interest he always retained in the affairs of Bengal, where +with adequate resources he might have played a much more +distinguished part. + +We have seen a town besieged by a foreign army; we have seen the +Court of a great Prince distracted by internal dissensions and +trembling at the approach of a too-powerful enemy, and now we shall +pass to the quiet retreats of rural Bengal, which even their +remoteness could not save from some share in the troubles of the +time. In those days, even more than at present, the rivers were the +great highways of the country, but it needs personal acquaintance +with them to enable us to realize the effect they produce upon the +mind of a European. As a rule comparatively shallow, in the dry +weather they pursue a narrow winding course in the middle of a sandy +waste, but in the Rains they fill their beds from side to side, +overtop the banks, and make the country for miles around a series of +great lakes, studded with heavily wooded islands. Amidst these one +can wander for days hardly seeing a single human being, and hearing +nothing but the rushing of the current and the weird cries of +water-birds; at other times the prow of one's boat will suddenly +push itself through overhanging branches into the very midst of a +populous village. At first all is strange and beautiful, but after a +short time the feeling grows that every scene is a repetition; the +banks, the trees, the villages, seem as if we have been looking at +them for a thousand years, and the monotony presses wearily on mind +and heart. It was in a country of this kind that Courtin and his +little band of Frenchmen and natives evaded capture for nearly nine +months, and it adds to our admiration for his character to see how +his French gaiety of heart unites with his tenderness for his absent +wife, not only to conceal the deadly monotony of his life in the +river districts during the Rains, and the depressing and +disheartening effect of the noxious climate in which he and his +companions had to dwell, but also to make light of the imminent +danger in which he stood from the unscrupulous human enemies by whom +he was surrounded. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 65: From certain letters it appears that, strictly +speaking, the English Factory alone was at Cossimbazar, the French +being at Saidabad, and the Dutch at Calcapur. Both Saidabad and +Calcapur were evidently close to Cossimbazar, if not parts of it.] + +[Footnote 66: George Lodewijk Vernet, Senior Merchant.] + +[Footnote 67: The historian Malleson also confuses the two +brothers.] + +[Footnote 68: The best copy I have seen is that in the Manuscript +Department of the British Museum.] + +[Footnote 69: Gholam Husain Khan says that Siraj-ud-daula was born +in the year in which Aliverdi Khan obtained from the Emperor the +_firman_ for Bihar. This, according to Scrafton, was 1736, and the +connection of his birth with this auspicious event was the prime +cause of his grandfather's great reference for him.] + +[Footnote 70: See note, p. 88.] + +[Footnote 71: Uncle of Siraj-ud-daula, who died so shortly before +the death of Aliverdi Khan, that it was supposed he was poisoned to +ensure Siraj-ud-daula's accession.] + +[Footnote 72: Fazl-Kuli-Khan. _Scrafton_.] + +[Footnote 73: Law says; "The rumour ran that M. Drake replied to the +messengers that, since the Nawab wished to fill up the Ditch, he +agreed to it provided it was done with the heads of Moors. I do not +believe he said so, but possibly some thoughtless young Englishman +let slip those words, which, being heard by the messengers, were +reported to the Nawab."] + +[Footnote 74: Europeans. Properly, Franks or Frenchmen. This term +was generally applied by Europeans to the half-caste descendants of +the Portuguese.] + +[Footnote 75: Captains or generals: a term of somewhat indefinite +meaning.] + +[Footnote 76: In alliance with Salabat Jang, Bussy temporarily +acquired a large territory for the French.] + +[Footnote 77: "After Mr. Law had given us a supply of clothes, +linen, provisions, liquors, and cash, we left his Factory with +grateful hearts and compliments." _Holwell_. Letter to Mr. Davis, +February 28, 1757.] + +[Footnote 78: Imperial Charter.] + +[Footnote 79: For an explanation of the influence of the Seths, see +pp. 84, 85, and note.] + +[Footnote 80: Ramnarain is an interesting character. He appears to +have been one of the most faithful of the adherents of the house of +Aliverdi Khan and on its extinction of the English connection. His +gallantry in battle is referred to by Colonel Ironside. _Asiatic +Annual Register_, 1800.] + +[Footnote 81: The official intimation reached Admiral Watson in +January, 1757, but apparently not the formal orders from the +Admiralty. See page 30.] + +[Footnote 82: In a letter to the Secret Committee, London, dated +October 11, 1756, Clive writes: "I hope we shall be able to +dispossess the French of Chandernagore." So it is evident that he +came with this intention to Bengal.] + +[Footnote 83: Clive describes Hugli as "the second city in the +kingdom." _Letter to Lord Hardwicke, Feb_. 23, 1757.] + +[Footnote 84: Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.] + +[Footnote 85: Hearing that Seth Mahtab Rai was to marry a +wonderfully beautiful woman, he forced the Seths to let him see the +young lady. _Scrafton_.] + +[Footnote 86: "If one is to believe certain English writers, the +Seths were an apparently insurmountable obstacle to the project +because of the money we owed them, as if in their perilous position +these bankers would not be inclined to sacrifice something to save +the greater part. Besides, we shall see by what follows that they +sacrificed nothing." _Law_. The extraordinary influence of these +people was due not so much to their dealings with the head of the +State as to the fact that native princes generally make payments, +not in cash, but in bonds. It therefore depends on the bankers what +any man shall get for his bonds. In this way an official, even when +paid by the State, may be ruined by the bankers, who are merely +private persons.] + +[Footnote 87: "In India it is thought disrespectful to tell a great +man distinctly the evil which is said of him. If an inferior knows +that designs are formed against the life of his superior, he must +use circumlocutions, and suggest the subject in vague terms and +speak in enigmas. It is for the great man to divine what is meant. +If he has not the wit, so much the worse for him. As a foreigner, I +was naturally more bold and said what I thought to Siraj-ud-daula. +Coja Wajid did not hesitate to blame me, so that for a long time I +did not know what to think of him. This man finally fell a victim to +his diplomacies, perhaps also to his imprudences. One gets tired of +continual diplomacy, and what is good in the beginning of a business +becomes in the end imprudence." _Law_.] + +[Footnote 88: "Witness the letter written to the English Admiral +Watson, by which it is pretended the Nawab authorized him to +undertake the siege of Chandernagore. The English memoir" (by _Luke +Scrafton_) "confesses it was a surprise, and that the Secretary must +have been bribed to write it in a way suitable to the views of Mr. +Watts. The Nawab never read the letters which he ordered to be +written; besides, the Moors never sign their names; the envelope +being closed and well fastened, the Secretary asks the Nawab for his +seal, and seals it in his presence. Often there is a counterfeit +seal." _Law_. From this it may be seen that the Nawab could always +assert that his Secretary had exceeded his instructions, whilst it +was open to his correspondent to assert the contrary.] + +[Footnote 89: The clerks.] + +[Footnote 90: "This was the boaster Rai Durlabh Ram, who had already +received much from me, but all the treasures of the Universe could +not have freed him from the fear he felt at having to fight the +English. He had with him as his second in command a good officer, +Mir Madan, the only man I counted upon." _Law_.] + +[Footnote 91: Referring to Clive's letter of the 7th of March, +saying he wished to attack Chandernagore, but would await the +Nawab's orders at that place.] + +[Footnote 92: By "agent" Law must mean simply an agent in the plot.] + +[Footnote 93: Scrafton, in his "Reflections" (_pp. 40 and 50_), +says, Siraj-ud-daula indulged in all sorts of debauchery; but his +grandfather, in his last illness, made him swear on the Koran to +give up drinking. He kept his oath, but probably his mind was +affected by his previous excesses.] + +[Footnote 94: Arzbegi, i.e. the officer who receives petitions.] + +[Footnote 95: A preparation of betel-nut (areca-nut) is used by the +natives of Hindustan as a digestive. When offered to a guest, it is +a sign of welcome or dismissal. When sent by a messenger, it is an +assurance of friendship and safe conduct.] + +[Footnote 96: The Governor of Patna was Raja Ramnarain, a Hindu, +with the rank of Naib only. It was considered unsafe to entrust so +important a post to a Muhammadan, or an officer with the rank of +Nawab.] + +[Footnote 97: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2779, No. 120.] + +[Footnote 98: Ibid., India IX., p. 2294.] + +[Footnote 99: Letter from Renault to Dupleix. Dated Chandernagore, +Sept. 4, 1757.] + +[Footnote 100: Broome (p. 154) gives his name as Mir Daood.] + +[Footnote 101: The Council signed the Treaty with Mir Jafar on the +19th of May, but Mr. Watts's first intimation of his readiness to +join the English is, I believe, in a letter dated the 26th of April. +Mir Jafar signed the Treaty early in June.] + +[Footnote 102: So Suja-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, plundered the Nawab +Mir Kasim, when the English drove him from Bengal in 1763.] + +[Footnote 103: Broome (p. 154) says "a fakier, named Dana Shah, +whose nose and ears he had ordered to be cut off thirteen months +before, when on his march against the Nawaub of Purneah."] + +[Footnote 104: Orme MSS., India Office, and Clive correspondence at +Walcot, vol. iv.] + +[Footnote 105: The celebrated traveller. He quickly quarrelled with +and left them.] + +[Footnote 106: Province.] + +[Footnote 107: Nawab of Oudh and father of Suja-ud-daula.] + +[Footnote 108: I.e. the receiver of the rent or revenue.] + +[Footnote 109: The regular winds of the various seasons are called +monsoons, and are named after the point of the compass from which +they blow.] + +[Footnote 110: Alamgir II.] + +[Footnote 111: Imad-ul-mulk, Ghazi-ud-din Khan.] + +[Footnote 112: Ali Gauhar, born 1728. On the death of his father, +November 29, 1759, he assumed the name or title of Shah Alam.] + +[Footnote 113: The old English Factory at Patna was re-opened by Mr. +Pearkes, in July, 1757. See his letters to Council, dated 12th and +14th July, 1757.] + +[Footnote 114: Kasim Ali had a much better army than any of his +predecessors. Though it was not trained in the European manner, +several of the chief officers were Armenians, who effected great +reforms in discipline. Three years later it made a really good fight +against the English.] + +[Footnote 115: The battle is generally known as that of Gaya, but +was fought at Suan. The site is marked in Rennell's map of South +Bihar. It lies about six miles west of the town of Bihar, on the +river Banowra.] + +[Footnote 116: The Banowra River.] + +[Footnote 117: The French capital on the Madras coast. Surrendered +to Eyre Coote.] + +[Footnote 118: Sepoys, so called from the Telingana district in +Madras, where they were first recruited.] + +[Footnote 119: Mrs. Law. _Bibi_ is the equivalent of mistress or +lady. _Lass_ was the native version of Law. Mrs. Law's maiden name +was Jeanne Carvalho.] + +[Footnote 120: Bengal Select Com. Consultations, 28th January, +1761.] + +[Footnote 121: "A part of these Memoirs was written at Paris in +1703, and part at sea in 1764, during my second voyage to India, but +several of the notes were added later." _Law_.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +M. COURTIN, CHIEF OF DACCA + + +Jacques Ignace, son of François Courtin, Chevalier, Seigneur de +Nanteuil, and of Catherine Colin, is, I believe, the correct +designation of the gentleman who appears in all the records of the +French and English East India Companies as M. Courtin, Chief of the +French Factory at Dacca. + +In June 1756, when Siraj-ud-daula marched on Calcutta, he sent word +to his representative, the Nawab Jusserat Khan at Dacca, to seize +the English Factory, and make prisoners of the Company's servants +and soldiers. The English Factory on the site of the present +Government College, was-- + + "little better than a common house, surrounded with a thin + brick wall, one half of it not above nine foot high." The + garrison consisted "of a lieutenant" (Lieutenant John Cudmore), + "4 serjeants, 3 corporals, and 19 European soldiers, + besides 34 black Christians[122] and 60 _Buxerries_."[123] + +[Illustration: DACCA, OR JEHANGIR NAGAR. (_After Rennell_.)] + +On the 27th of June Jusserat Khan sent on the Nawab's order by the +English _wakil_, or agent, to Mr. Becher, the English Chief, and +informed him of the capture of Fort William and the flight of Mr. +Drake. Thinking this was merely a trick to frighten them into +surrender, the Dacca Council requested Mr. Scrafton, third in +Council, to write to M. Courtin, chief of the French Factory, for +information. In reply M. Courtin sent them a number of letters which +he had received from Chandernagore, confirming the bad news from +Calcutta. Taking into consideration the unfortified condition of the +Factory, and that Dacca was only four days by river from Murshidabad +whilst it was fourteen from Calcutta, it seemed idle to hope to +defend it even when assistance could be expected from the latter +place, and, now that it was certain that Calcutta itself had fallen, +any attempt at defence appeared rather "an act of rashness than of +bravery." It was therefore resolved to obtain the best terms they +could through the French. + +The next day M. Fleurin, second of the French Factory--M. +Courtin[124] was not well acquainted with the English language--came +to inform them that the Nawab of Dacca agreed that the ladies and +gentlemen should be allowed to retire to the French Factory on M. +Courtin giving his word that they would there await the orders of +Siraj-ud-daula as to their future fate. The soldiers were to lay +down their arms, and be prisoners to the Nawab. This amicable +arrangement was entirely due to M. Courtin's good offices, and he +was much congratulated on the tact he had shown in preventing the +Nawab from using violent measures, as he seemed inclined to do at +first. As the Nawab would not allow the English to take away any of +their property, except the clothes they were wearing, they were +entirely dependent upon the French for everything, and were treated +with the greatest kindness. The Council wrote:-- + + "The French have behaved with the greatest humanity + to such as have taken refuge at their Factory, and the tenour + of their conduct everywhere to us on this melancholy occasion + has been such as to merit the grateful acknowledgment of + our nation." + +For some two months the English remained in the French Factory, M. +Law, at Cossimbazar, warmly soliciting their release from +Siraj-ud-daula. This he obtained with difficulty, and at last Mr. +Becher and his companions sailed in a sloop provided by M. Courtin +for Fulta, where they arrived safely on the 26th of August. When +Calcutta had been recaptured by the English, M. Courtin, like a good +business man, sent in a bill for the costs of the sloop to the +Council at Calcutta, and the Consultations of the 16th of May, 1757, +duly notify its payment. + +The English did not regain possession of the Factory at Dacca till +the 8th of March, by which time the declaration of War between +France and England was known, and the likelihood of troubles in +Bengal was very apparent. As we have seen, the English were +successful in their attack on Chandernagore, but the whole country +was aware that the Nawab was only the more enraged with them, and +his local officers might at any moment be instructed to take +vengeance on Englishmen found defenceless up country. On the 23rd of +March, Messrs. Sumner and Waller wrote from Dacca that Jusserat Khan +had refused to restore the Factory cannon, and to pass their goods +without a new _parwana_[125] from Murshidabad. It was therefore +still very doubtful whether he would assist the English or the +French at Dacca, and though the English obtained the _parwana_ they +wanted early in May, on the 9th the Council at Calcutta sent them +orders to do the best they could for their own security, and +informed them they had sent an armed sloop to Luckipore to cover +their retreat. They immediately sent down all the goods they could, +but as matters became quieter again they soon resumed business, and +appear to have had no further trouble. + +It may be imagined that M. Courtin and his friends, knowing that the +English had demanded the surrender of the French Factories, had a +very uncomfortable experience all this time.[126] Unfortunately no +Records of the French Factories in Bengal are now to be found, and I +had despaired of obtaining any information about the expulsion from +Dacca, when, in the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris, I came on a MS. +entitled, "_Copy of a letter from M. Courtin from India, written to +his wife, in which are given in detail the different affairs which +he had with the Moors from the 22nd of June, 1757, the day of his +evacuation of Dacca, to the 9th of March, 1758_."[127] + +M. Courtin had married a Madame Direy, widow of a French Company's +servant, and the letter shows she was fortunately in France at the +time of her husband's troubles. As was natural, but inconveniently +enough for us, Courtin does not think it necessary to trouble her +with unintelligible and unpronounceable Indian names. Where +possible, I shall fill them in from the English Records, otherwise I +shall interrupt the course of the letter as little as possible. It +runs as follows:-- + + "Calcapur,[128] April 20, 1758. + + "Word must have reached thee in France of the loss of + Chandernagore, which was taken from us by the English on + the 23rd of March, 1757, after eleven days' siege. I was + then at Dacca, and expecting every day to see M. + Chevalier return from his journey to the King of Assam. + Judge, my dear wife, of the chagrin and embarrassment into + which I was thrown by this deplorable event. The English + had had no idea of attacking Chandernagore until they had + recovered Calcutta from the Moors, taken the Moorish village + at Hugli, and forced the Moors to agree to a most shameful + peace. This was not, as thou wilt see, sufficient for them, + for Siraj-ud-daula had offended them too deeply for them to + stop when once they found themselves on a good road; but + unfortunately we were an obstacle in the way of their + vengeance, otherwise I believe they would have observed + the neutrality which had been always so carefully maintained + by the European nations in the country of the Ganges, in + spite of all the wars which took place in Europe. Many of + the French from Chandernagore--officers, Company's servants, + and others--had taken refuge at Cossimbazar with M. Law, + who formed there a party which opposed the English in + various ways. The English, however, forced Siraj-ud-daula, + against his true interest and in spite of his promise to + protect us, to abandon us, and to make M. Law leave his + Factory and go to Patna. This imprudent act was the ruin + of the Prince and put the final touch to our misfortunes, + whilst it has made the English masters of Bengal, and has + filled their coffers with wealth. + + "I held on at Dacca till the 22nd of June. I was troubled + as little as was possible in such circumstances, owing, I + think, to the gratitude which the English felt for the services + I had rendered them in Dacca the year before. I had all + the more reason to think this was so because, after the + misfortune which befell Chandernagore, they had often + offered to secure to me all my effects and merchandise in + Murshidabad [?]--they were worth a million--provided I + made over to them the French Factory and all that belonged + to the Company, and would myself leave for Pondicherry + in the following October. They said I should not be considered + a prisoner of war, and should not require to be + exchanged. + + "These were, no doubt, very good terms, and most + advantageous to me; but should I not have been dishonoured + for ever if I had had a soul so servile and base as to accept + them? I would have been covered with ignominy in my + own eyes, and without doubt in those of all the world. I + therefore thought it my duty to reject them. + + "Things were on this footing when, at the beginning + of June, I learned that the English, having got rid of M. + Law, were marching upon Murshidabad with all their forces + to achieve the destruction of a Prince who was already half + ruined by his own timidity and cowardice, and still further + weakened by the factions formed against him by the chief + members of his own family--a Prince detested by every one + for his pride and tyranny, and for a thousand dreadful crimes + with which he had already soiled his reputation though he + was barely twenty-five years old. + + "I knew only too well what was preparing against him, + and I was also most eager to find some honourable means of + escape for myself. M. Chevalier's absence troubled me + greatly, and I did not like to leave him behind me. At last + he arrived on the 16th or 17th. I had taken the precaution + to provide myself with a _parwana_, or passport, signed by + Siraj-ud-daula, allowing me to go where I pleased. That + Prince had recalled M. Law to him, but too late, for I felt + certain he could not rejoin him in time to save him or to + check the progress of his enemies. I was in a hurry therefore + to go and help to save him if that were possible, taking + care, however, to choose a route by which I could escape if, + as I thought probable, he should have succumbed beforehand + to the efforts of the English, and the treason of his subjects. + + "It was then the 22nd of June when I started with + about 35 boats,[129] MM. Chevalier, Brayer [possibly a relation + of the M. Brayer who commanded at Patna], Gourlade, the + surgeon, and an Augustine Father, Chaplain of the Factory, + 8 European soldiers, of whom several were old and past + service, 17 topass gunners, 4 or 5 of the Company's servants, + and about 25 or 30 peons.[130] There, my dear wife, is the + troop with which thou seest me start upon my adventures.[131] + To these, however, should be added my Christian clerks, my + domestics, and even my cook, all of whom I dressed and + armed as soldiers to assist me in what I expected to be a + losing game, and which, in fact, had results the most disastrous + in the world for my personal interests. + + "It was not till seven or eight days after I had set out + with this fine troop that I learned there had been a battle at + Plassey between the English and the Nawab, in which the + latter had been defeated and forced to flee, and that Jafar + Ali Khan, his maternal uncle,[132] had been enthroned in his + place. This report, though likely enough as far as I could + judge, did not come from a source so trustworthy that I could + rely on it with entire faith. Accordingly I did not yet + abandon the route which I had proposed to myself; in fact, + I followed it for some days more, and almost as far as the + mouth of the Patna River.[133] There I learned, beyond possibility + of doubt, that Siraj-ud-daula had been captured, conducted + to Murshidabad, and there massacred; that he had + just missed being rejoined by M. Law, who was coming to + meet him, and could easily have done so if he had followed + the instructions given him and had been willing to march + only three hours longer; and that the English had sent a + body of troops towards Patna to capture or destroy M. Law + if possible." + +We have seen in a previous chapter the real reasons why Law was +unable to rejoin Siraj-ud-daula in time for the battle. + + "I now saw that a junction with him had become impossible, + unless I determined to run the most evident risk of + losing my liberty and all I had." + +It appears that Courtin had the Company's effects, as well as his +own private property and that of his companions, on board his little +fleet. + + "This made me change my route immediately. The + mountains of Tibet[134] appeared to me a safe and eminently + suitable asylum until the arrival in the Ganges of the forces + which we flattered ourselves were coming. I therefore directed + my route in this direction, but found myself suddenly and + unexpectedly so close to Murshidabad that for two days + together we heard the sound of the guns fired in honour of + the revolution which had taken place. It is easy to judge + into what alarm this unexpected and disagreeable proximity + threw me. However, we arrived safely, on the 10th of July, + at the capital of the Raja of Dinajpur, who wished to oppose + our passage." + +This was the Raja Ram Nath, whom Orme describes as "a Raja, who with +much timidity, was a good man." + + "We made it in spite of him, threatening to attack him + if he showed any further intention of opposing us. I do not + know what would have happened if he had had a little firmness, + for we learned afterwards that he had always in his + service a body of 5000 infantry and cavalry. The persons + whom he sent to us had at first suggested that I should pretend + I was English, assuring me that by that means all difficulties + would be removed; but I thought this trick too much + beneath a man of honour for me to make use of it, and, in + fact, I objected to pass for anything but what I really was. + + "I found here a French soldier, who had been at the + battle of Plassey, where the brave Sinfray,[135] at the head of + 38 Frenchmen, had fought like a hero for a long time, and + had retreated only at the order of Siraj-ud-daula, who, seeing + himself betrayed and the battle lost, sent him word to cease + fighting. This worthy gentleman afterwards took refuge in + Birbhum, the Raja of which country betrayed him, and disgracefully + handed him over to the English in October last." + +Courtin is somewhat unfair to the Raja (apparently a Muhammadan, as +he was called Assaduzama Muhammad),[136] for this Prince was an ally +of the English, and had offered Clive the assistance of his forces +before the battle of Plassey. It could be no treachery on his part +to pick up fugitives from the battle, like Sinfray, and hand them +over to his allies. I may as well quote one of the Raja's letters to +Clive, received 28th October, 1757:-- + + "Before your letter arrived the French were going + through, some woods in my country. I knew they were your + enemies, therefore I ordered my people to surround them. The + French being afraid, some said they were English, and some + Dutch. In the meantime I received your letter that if I + could apprehend them I should send them to you, therefore + I have sent them. Surajah Dowlat has plundered my + country so much, that there is hardly anything left in it."[137] + +Courtin continues:-- + + "To return to my journey and my adventures. I now + found myself outside of Bengal and in sight of the mountains + of Tibet, a month having elapsed since my departure from + Dacca. I was only two or three days distant from these + mountains, and my intention, as thou hast seen above, was to + go there; but I was prevented by the murmurs of my people, + especially the boatmen, who already began to desert in small + parties. Accordingly I accepted an offer made me on the + part of the Raja of Sahibgunj, to give me a site for a fort, + and to aid me with everything I might want. I descended + the river again for a little, and near this site, which was on + the river bank, I commenced a fort, but the thickness of the + forest forced me to abandon it, and I entered a little river + close by, which conducted me to a marsh, on the borders of + which I found an elevated site admirably situated and in a + very agreeable neighbourhood.[138] This belonged to the same + Raja, and with his consent I again set to work, and that + with such promptitude that in less than a month my fortress + commenced to take form, and visibly progressed owing to + the extraordinary efforts I made to complete it. It was + triangular, with a bastion at each angle. At two of the + angles I had found superb trees with very heavy foliage, and + on the third I erected the mast of my boat and hoisted our + flag. All three bastions had four embrasures, a fine entrance + gate opening on the marsh, and a little open turret above, + A small entrance gate led to the open country. The curtains + were carefully pierced for musketry, and strengthened outside + with a trellis work of bamboo, and finished off with banquettes + on the ramparts. An excellent powder magazine + was built in the same way, and, being situated in the interior + of the fort, was quite safe from any accident. + + "As I had brought workmen of all kinds with me, the + work went on well, especially as the care of our health made + us all industrious. I was not without cannon, and I mounted + on our ramparts two Swedish guns, which afterwards proved + our safety and preservation.[139] Also being provided with the + requisites for making gunpowder, I very soon had nearly + 3000 lbs. weight of very good quality. + + "Hardly anything remained to complete my fortress, + which I had named 'Bourgogne,' except to provide it with + a glaçis. It was already furnished with a market which was + sufficiently flourishing, when to my misfortune I received + the false information that our forces, which were said to be + considerable, were ready to enter the Ganges, and that there + was certain news of the arrival of a very strong squadron at + Pondicherry.[140] On the 8th September there broke out at + Purneah, and in the province of that name, a Evolution + headed by a person named Hazir Ali Khan,[141] who, having + seized the capital, at once wrote to me to join him, and assist + him against the English and Jafar Ali Khan.[142] + + "These two events made me stop everything else and + devote myself entirely to getting my boats out of the little + river by which I had entered the marsh, and which was now + almost quite dried up. I succeeded in doing so after some + time, by means of ditches which I cut from the marsh, but + this took me more than a month and considerable labour, as + I was about two leagues from the great river. To complete + my misfortunes, my troop was attacked by sickness, which + raged with a violence such as I had scarcely ever seen. It + cost me nine soldiers, of whom three were Europeans. The + latter were luckily replaced some days after by the same + number who joined me.[143] Poor M. Brayer and M. Gourlade + had been during almost the whole campaign in the most + pitiable condition, especially the former, who I thought a + thousand times must have died. As for me, the powders + _d'Aillot_ preserved me from the pestilential air, and cured + me from the effects of a fall in my _bajarow_,[144] caused by the + clumsiness of my boatmen. I narrowly escaped breaking + my ribs and back. + + "Before quitting Fort Bourgogne I must tell thee, my + dear wife, that I often played there a very grand rôle. I + was called the 'Fringuey Raja,' or 'King of the Christians.' + I was often chosen as arbiter amongst the little princes in + my neighbourhood, who sent me ambassadors. My reputation + spread so wide, and the respect that I gained was so + great, that the King of Tibet did not disdain to honour me + with an embassy of nearly eight hundred persons, whom I + entertained for nine whole days, and whose chiefs I dismissed + with presents suitable to their rank, their king, our + nation, and the idea which I wished to leave behind me in + this country of the European name. The presents which + were made me consisted of five horses, some bags of scent, + three or four pieces of china, pieces of gilt paper, and a sabre + like those used by the Bhutiyas, or people of Tibet, who are + men as strong and robust as those of Bengal are feeble. + Though pagans like the latter, they eat all kinds of things, + and live almost like the Tartars, from whom they are descended. + They have no beards, and are clothed in a fashion + which is good enough, but which looks singular. They are + very dirty. The complexion of those whom I saw was very + dark, but I know it is not the same in the interior of the + country and in the mountains, where all are as fair as the + Chinese, who are said to be their neighbours. I took some + trouble to form an alliance and to make a party amongst + them. They appeared very willing, but I soon had occasion + to convince myself that not only were they not fitting persons + for my designs, but also that they were playing with me. + It is not that they do not make raids upon the lower country, + but they make these only in the cold weather, always withdrawing + at the commencement of the hot, without trying to + make any permanent conquests. + + "There, then, my reign is finished, or nearly so, for the + good news that I continued to receive (though always without + foundation, as I learned afterwards), joined to the entreaties + of Hazir All Khan and to the unhealthy air which continued + to decimate my poor little troop, induced me at last to + abandon my fort, to embark again upon my boats, and to + reapproach Bengal, from which I had hitherto been travelling + away. The second day after my departure was marked by + a very annoying accident, namely the loss of one of my + largest boats, on which was my library and a quantity of my + effects. These were quickly drawn out of the water, but + were none the less ruined for the Company and for me. + From that moment commence my misfortunes. The sixth + day--I had passed three in the salvage of the effects on my + boat--I received a _pattamar_ (messenger), who informed me + that the English and the troops of Jafar Ali Khan were at + Purneah, from which they had chased Hazir Ali Khan and + wholly destroyed his faction." + +From Broome we see that this was in the middle of December, 1757. It +was now that Clive first heard what Courtin was attempting. He +immediately sent orders direct, and also through the Nawab, to Kasim +Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore, and to Raja Ram Nath of Dinajpur, to +seize the French. + + "It was almost impossible for me to reascend the river + because of the dry banks and the strong currents which + would have put my boats in danger. However, I found + myself in the country of Rungpore, which was a dependency + of Bengal. I determined nevertheless to remain where I + was, flattering myself the English would not come to look + for me, nor the Nawab or the ruler of the province think of + disturbing themselves about me, as I was doing no harm in + the country, and as I was very strict in observing proper + order and discipline. I was so confident on this latter head + that I did not think of throwing up now entrenchments, and + occupied myself only with hunting and walking whilst I + awaited the arrival of the French forces. However, one day, + towards the middle of January, a secret rumour came to me + that Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore, was coming to + attack me. I sent out scouts, who reported that all was + tranquil in his town, and that, far from wishing to come and + look for a quarrel, he was in fear lest I should march against + his town, which was three days' journey from where I was. + Doubtless my men deceived me or did not take the trouble + to go to Rungpore, for on the 15th of the same month, at + 3 p.m., on the opposite side of the river to that on which + we were, there appeared a body of soldiers, cavalry and + infantry, about 600 in number, who approached so near my + fleet that I no longer doubted the correctness of the first + advice which had been given me. I ordered a discharge + of three guns on this troop, which was so well directed that + the enemy were forced to take themselves off and to encamp + a little further from me. Next day the commander sent me + a present of some fruit, and an intimation that he only + wished to see me quit his country. He knew I could not + do this without risk, and, according to the custom of the + infidels, he gave me the strongest possible assurances of my + safety and tranquillity. I took care not to trust to them; + I was then, as I said above, without entrenchments and + without defence, so in the evening I set to work at surrounding + myself with a ditch, the mud taken out of which would + serve me for embrasures. I was short of provisions, which + made me very anxious, and I was still more so when + I learned that the enemy were trying to cut me off from + provisions on all sides, and that their intention was to + capture me by famine or treachery. Their number quickly + increased to 3000 men, of whom a part came over to my + side of the river, and harassed my people whenever they + went out for provisions. This forced me to detach. MM. + Chevalier and Gourlade, with about 10 men, some peons + and boatmen, against one of their little camps, where there + were about 150 men, foot and horse. Our men received + their fire, stormed the camp, and destroyed it after having + put every one to flight. There was not a single person + wounded on our side. This little advantage gave me time to + make a good provision of rice and other things in the villages + near my entrenchments. I cleared out these villages and + drove out the inhabitants, but I was still in need of a + quantity of things necessary to life. To procure these, I + tried to frighten the enemy by cannonading their chief camp + on the other side of the river. This only resulted in making + them withdraw altogether beyond the reach of my guns, not + with the idea of going away, but of starving me out, and, as + I learned later, to give time for a reinforcement of artillery + which they were expecting to arrive. They had already 4 + or 5 guns, but their calibre was small compared with mine, + as I was able to see from the balls which fell in my camp + when it was entrenched only on the land side. + + "The 19th of January, early in the morning, I sent across + the river a number of workmen, supported by a little detachment + under M. Gourlade, to cut down a grove of bamboos + which masked my guns, and to burn down some houses which + were also in their way. I forbade them to engage the enemy, + and all went well until some topasses and peons advanced + too far towards the enemy's camp, and I heard discharges + so loud and frequent on both sides, that I ordered a retreat + to be beaten in my entrenchments, to make my people recross + the river. I fired my guns continually to facilitate this and to + cover the movement. In this skirmish I had only one soldier + wounded, and I do not know whether the enemy had any + losses. This day more than 1500 shots were fired on both + sides. Some of the guns which the enemy brought up + troubled us greatly, as we were not entrenched on the water + side. Several balls fell at my side or passed over my head. + This determined me to set all my people at work the next + night with torches, to put us under cover on this side + also." + +[It was apparently this fight which Kasim Ali reported to Clive on +the 24th of January:-- + + "I wrote expressly to my people to go and take them" + (the French) "and they went immediately and found them + ready to fight. On both sides there were cannon and + _jenjalls_.[145] A _nulla_[146] was between them, which the French + crost, and advancing upon my people, fought with great + intrepidity: but luckily, three or four of them being killed, + they retired into their fort."[147]] + + "The Moors saw, from my manoeuvre, how important it + was for them to seize the ground which I had intended to + clear, and, contrary to my expectation, established themselves + on it the same evening without my being able to hinder + them, keeping themselves always well hidden behind the + bamboos, where they had nothing to fear from my artillery, + and still less from my musketry. Like me they worked at + night, and, having as many prisoners or other workmen at + their command as they wanted, I saw, with regret, next + morning the progress which they had made opposite me. I + could not dislodge them without risking everything. Weak + as I was, I thought it wiser not to hazard anything more in + sorties, but to hold myself always on the defensive. + + "Sheikh Faiz Ulla (that was the name of the Moorish + general) sent me one of his men next day with a present and + proposals of peace, the first condition of which was, of course, + that I should quit his country, and as, since the dry weather + had set in, a very large and dangerous bank had formed in + the river seven or eight leagues below me, he offered me one + or two thousand workmen to assist in making a passage for + my boats. The shocking treachery used by the Moors being + well known to me, I refused to accept his offers except on + his furnishing me with hostages for his good faith. He first + proposed himself, but with such a strong escort that it was + not difficult to see that it was a trap which he was setting + for me, so as to seize and massacre us. After many debates + between our emissaries, he consented to come to my _bajarow_, + he and his servants, and that all of them should serve as + hostages until I was quite out of the domains of his master. + + "I loyally agreed to this arrangement and made preparations + in consequence, but at 7 in the morning on the + 23rd of January, the day I expected the hostages, I was + awakened by a cannon-shot quickly followed by a second, the + ball of which pierced the _rezai_[148] at the foot of my bed from + side to side, and made a great noise. For a long time I had + been accustomed to sleep fully dressed, so I was able to go out + quickly and give orders in the entrenchments. The treachery + and perfidy of the enemy were too manifest; nevertheless, I + forbade a single shot to be fired with musket or cannon, and + simply recommended my people to be on their guard on + the land side. The enemy kept up a continuous and very + lively fire until 4 o'clock in the evening. I considered that + it would be useless for me to reply, and wished to see how far + they would push their insolence. That day we picked up 40 + cannon-balls, and our whole loss was one boatman slightly + wounded in the leg. From 4 o'clock till night the enemy's + fire was continued, but at long intervals. It began again + the next morning. I suffered this as on the previous day + for a couple of hours, at the end of which. I fired several + shots and silenced it. My firing seemed to trouble the + enemy more than I expected it would. One of my boats was + sunk by a cannon-ball, several were pierced through, and + my _rezai_, which used to serve me as a coat, was much + damaged. + + "The succeeding days passed much in the same manner + until the 3rd of February, when, on the same bank and to + the north above my fleet, I saw a new entrenchment, which + had been thrown up during the preceding night. Its batteries + enfiladed mine along their whole length. It was necessary + either to risk everything by making a sortie in order to + destroy it, or to arrange terms. I determined on the latter, + which appeared to me all the more necessary, as I was + beginning to be in want of everything, and as I had just + received letters which deprived me of all hope of the arrival + of our forces in Bengal until April or May. I therefore + informed Sheikh Faiz Ulla that I was ready to enter upon + negotiations, and the same day he sent me some of his people, + with whom I agreed to leave my entrenchments and go + down the river. I consented to do this without hostages, + but, that it might be done in security, I promised them a + sum of money for themselves as well as for their general. + This arrangement being agreed to by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, he + sent me word that, in order that he might not appear to + betray his master, it would be necessary for me next morning + to open the fiercest fire possible on his camp; that he would + reply; that on both sides it should be with the intention of + doing as little hurt as possible; that I should pretend it was + to force him to give me a passport, which he would send me + in the evening; and that I should then send him the + money I had promised. All these precautions were only + to assist his rascality, and they appeared to me all the more + surprising, as he had already repeatedly informed me that + he had his master's permission to give me a passport, and to + let me go where I pleased. But of what are these Moors not + capable? Without being blind to the continuance of his perfidy, + I flattered myself that it might happen that he would not + trouble me on my march when he had received my money. + + "However this might be, my cannon fired from 10 in + the morning till 3 in the evening. Our people, perceiving + that the enemy were firing in earnest, did not spare them + any more than they spared us, and that which was at first, + on our side, only a pretence, finally became serious. At 4 + o'clock I received an envoy, who brought me the passport, + and to whom I paid the money. He assured me that I + might embark my artillery the next morning, and set out the + day after without the slightest apprehension of being interfered + with, I took my precautions, and, in fear of treachery, kept + on shore my two Swedish guns. At last, at seven in the + morning, my boats started, having on board only the sick + and helpless, and I set out by land with my two guns and + the rest of my troop, at the head of which I put myself." + +This triumph of time and treachery was reported by Sheikh Faiz +Ulla's master, Kasim Ali, to Clive, on the 14th of February:[149]-- + + "I before wrote you that I had sent forces to fight the + French, that they had a fort and strong intrenchments, and + that we had a battle with them.... ever since I wrote + you last we have been fighting, my people have behaved well, + and I make no doubt but you have heard it from other people. + God knows what pains and trouble I have taken in this + affair. The French being shut up in their fort and undergoing + much fatigue by always fighting, and likewise being + in want of provisions were obliged to run away in their + boats by night, and went towards the Dinajpur country. + + My people being always ready to fight followed them.... + They can go no other way but through the Dinajpur country. + I have therefore wrote expressly to the Rajah to stop the + passage." + +About this time, though Courtin does not mention it till later, he +began to see what the inevitable end must be. He could not cut his +way through to join Law, and with the whole country in arms against +him he was too weak to hold out for any length of time. Accordingly +he sent messengers secretly to Mr. Luke Scrafton, at Murshidabad. It +was Scrafton, as I have said above, who wrote to Courtin for +assistance when the Nawab of Dacca wanted to take their Factory and +imprison the English. Courtin now wrote to him to save him from +falling into the hands of the natives, and, on the 18th of February, +Scrafton wrote to the Select Committee at Calcutta for the necessary +permission.[150] + +We now rejoin Courtin:-- + + "What was my surprise, at the end of an hour and a + half, to see that we were followed by a body of four or five + hundred men, with two guns drawn by oxen. I pretended + not to notice, and continued my march, but at 3 o'clock + in the afternoon, seeing this troop approach, within range of + my pieces, I pointed them at the Moors, and put my force + in a position of defence. Their rascality followed its usual + course, and they sent me word that I had nothing to fear, + that they would not march so close to me any more, and + that they followed me only to preserve the peace and to + hinder my people, especially the stragglers, from committing + any disorder. I received this excuse for what it was worth, + and pretended to be content with, it, seeing clearly that they + were looking for an opportunity to surprise and destroy us. + + "Several accidents happening to the boats of the rearguard + prevented my troop and myself from rejoining the + main body of the fleet till far on in the night. I found it + anchored in the most disadvantageous position possible, and + in the morning I saw at a distance of one-eighth of a league + the same body of troops, that had followed me the day before, + establishing and settling itself. A moment later I learned + that Sheikh Faiz Ulla was on the opposite bank with his + army and his artillery, that he intended to wait for me in a + narrow place called Choquova,[151] at the foot of which my boats + must pass, and that he was diligently making entrenchments + there. My embarrassment was then extreme. I found + myself surrounded on all sides; I was without any provisions, + destitute of the most necessary articles of life. In + this perplexity I saw only the most cruel alternatives, either + to surrender or to fight to the death so as to perish with our + arms in our hands. The latter appeared to be less dreadful + than the former. + + "After repeated consultations, we determined it would + be best to risk the passage of the fleet by Choquova. We + thought that possibly we should find provisions there, and + that certainly the position could not be worse (for defence) + than that in which we then found ourselves. The passage + was carried out in three hours' time without confusion or + disorder, by means of my Swedish guns on the boat which + led the van. What was our delight to find, not only a better + position than that which we had quitted, but one that was + almost completely entrenched by nature, and had villages + full of rice to the right and left of it. + + "Next day I collected provisions in abundance, cleared + the country round for a quarter of a league, and did my best + to ameliorate my condition. The enemy were disconcerted by + my boldness. They pretended as usual, in order to deceive + me the more easily, that they were not surprised at my march. + They feared rightly that if I commenced new entrenchments + all their trouble would begin again. Besides, I had completely + protected myself from the possibility of surprise. _Pourparlers_ + for an accommodation were renewed and lasted three + days, at the end of which it was agreed that I should + continue my march, that two hostages should be given me + for my safety, and that the army with its guns should retire + from Choquova, and should be sent a long way ahead across + country, and as, at half a league from this place, the river + was no longer navigable because of the bank which had + formed in it, I should be supplied with people to facilitate + my passage. Thou wilt notice, my dear wife, that in all the + negotiations I had for various reasons and on several occasions + proposed to suspend all hostilities until an answer + could be received from Jafar All Khan and the English, to + whom I said I would write to come to some accommodation + with them, offering to send my letter open. This was repeatedly + refused, but the refusal did not prevent my asking + for the honours of war. My letters were despatched secretly + by my own messengers. + + "At last, on the 23rd, I quitted, though with regret + (always expecting treachery), my new position, and approached + the shallow or bank mentioned. It was night when I + arrived. In spite of this I could understand, from the + dreadful noise made by the waters, that I should have + difficulty in traversing this dangerous passage even with the + assistance promised me. I was only too well convinced of + the truth of this when day broke, and I saw that I had + again been betrayed. There was nothing to be seen of the + work which the Moors had engaged to do to lessen the + difficulty of the passage. However, I did not hesitate to + put out with my lighter boats, firmly resolved, if they arrived + safely, to sacrifice the larger, with all that was upon them, + to my safety, and thus to effect my retreat during the night. + With the exception of two, which were lost, they all arrived + safely. During this piece of work, which took up the whole + day, I dissimulated my intentions in the presence of my hostages, + merely letting them see I was somewhat surprised to + find that, contrary to the promise given, there were no workmen, + but that the army, which ought to have been withdrawn, + was still close to us. Their excuses were vague and unsatisfactory. + One of them, who, no doubt, knew the enemy's plans, + asked permission to go to their camp, promising to come + back the next day. Though his demand accorded with my + designs, I agreed to it only after much persuasion, warning + him not to break his _parole_ to return the next morning very + early. This he swore to do. As a rule these people think + nothing of an oath. I did not intend to wait for him, which + his comrade clearly perceived, for, seeing that he himself + had been sacrificed by his master's perfidy, he approved of + the resolution I had taken to set out by night, and swore + that he had acted in good faith, and was ignorant of the + treachery that had been concocted. 'You can,' he said to me, + 'have my throat cut. You would be justified in doing so; + but I will not quit you, even if you give me permission. + If I went to my own people, they would say that I had + disclosed to you the trick which you have yourself discovered, + and would certainly show me less mercy than I + have experienced from you.' After this I contented myself + with having him closely watched. + + "Orders being given to the remaining boats to start by + night, I mounted on horseback to carry certain necessaries + to my detachment on land, which was already a little in + advance and had crossed a small river with the guns. I + had only three blacks with me, and none of us knew the + way. The night was dark, and we wandered from it. I + narrowly escaped being drowned with my horse, and at last + we lost ourselves entirely. If we had been met by any + horsemen, nothing would have been easier than for them to + capture me, our arms and cartridges being all soaked with + water. Luckily I heard our drums beating, and this told us + in what direction we could safely go. + + "My intention was to march by land with my troops and + guns. They objected to this, as I was wet to the skin and + had a cold on the chest, which hardly allowed me to speak; + so I went back to the boats, though with much regret, and + resolved to manage so as not to lose sight of my detachment. + I was in constant anxiety about the latter till 8 o'clock the + next day, when we all came together, except one soldier + topass, who, by his own fault, had remained on a big boat + which we had abandoned, and a _manjhi_,[152] who was drowned + in one of the two little ones which had sunk. + + "Finding myself in the territory of the Raja of Dinajpur, + I imagined I had nothing to do with any one except him, and + that Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his army would not think of + following me through a country which, though tributary to + the Nawab of Bengal, still in no way belonged to Faiz Ulla's + master. The hostage who remained with me, and to whom + I spoke about the matter,[153] did not altogether dissuade me + from this idea, but counselled me to continue my march + and to get farther away, which I did till 6 o'clock in the + evening. What was my surprise when, at 9 o'clock, my + scouts reported that the enemy were pursuing me, and were + not more than a league away at the most. I could not + advance during the night for fear of running on the banks + or shallows with which the river was filled, and which might + cause the loss of my boats and of my people. Accordingly, + I did not set out till the morning, and always remained + myself in the rear (of the fleet). I had stopped to wait for + my land detachment and the guns, and was at some distance + from the rest of my little fleet, when, about half-past nine, + I heard several musket shots fired. In an instant I was + surrounded by the enemy. M. Chevalier, who conducted the + land detachment, fortunately perceived my situation, and, + seeing my danger, brought up the two guns and fired about + 20 shots, which disengaged me, and gave me time to regain + my boats by swift rowing. I had with me only Pedro and + the Moorish hostage mentioned before. Then I landed with + MM. Brayer, Gourlade, and in general every one who was + strong enough to defend himself. At the same time I ordered + the boats to go on. In this skirmish our loss was only one + man slightly wounded in the ear by a musket-ball. + + "My little fleet _en route_, we marched by land on the + bank opposite to that on which was, the main body of the + enemy, who had only cavalry, which we did not trouble + ourselves about It was not the same, however, with the + boats. At the end of an hour the boatmen abandoned them + in a sudden panic, and hurried tumultuously to join me. + When my people were collected, I would have tried to go + and recapture my boats, which the enemy had not delayed + to seize; but not only would this have been a rash undertaking + with so small a force against 3000 men, but also + there was a little river which formed an island between my + boats and me, and so prevented the passage of my guns + This determined me to abandon the boats, and to retreat to + Dinajpur, where I hoped to find an asylum with the Raja + whilst I waited for a reply to my letters to Jafar All Khan + and the English. We marched till 1 o'clock in the afternoon + without being harassed or disquieted--no doubt because + during this time Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people were + occupied in plundering the boats. We were now not very + far from Dinajpur, when we met a body of the Raja's cavalry, + the commander of which begged me to take another road so + as not to pass through his town. Accordingly he gave me + a guide, with whom we marched till half-past five, when we + arrived at a great _gunge_ (market place) at the extremity of + Dinajpur. There they lodged us in a great thatched building. + The want of provisions had caused us to suffer very much in + this retreat." + +This was the battle of Cantanagar. Kasim Ali described it as follows +to Clive:-- + + "My people and the French had a battle, and the latter + finding themselves much, beat, they run away, and left their + boats. They went to Oppoor" "and begged protection of + the Kajah's people.... Bahadur Sing came and told my + people to go a little further off, and they would deliver + them up, but they put us off from day to day."[154] + +About the time he was writing this, Clive was writing to say that he +had received Courtin's offer of surrender, and that Kasim Ali was to +cease hostilities and allow the French to come to him with their +boats and necessaries. Kasim Ali had received orders to the same +effect from Mr. Scrafton, who informed him he was sending an officer +to accept their surrender. This did not however prevent Kasim Ali +from trying to get hold of them, which accounts for the following +letter from Raja Ram Nath to Clive:[155]-- + + "The French are now coming from another country by + boats to go towards Muxadavad, and Kasim Ali Khan's + people have followed them, out of his own country into + mine. They have left their boats among Kasim Ali Khan's + people and are now travelling to Jangepors" (? Tangepur). + + "When I heard this I sent people with all expedition to look + after them, and I now hear that they have surrounded them. + The French want the Nawab's and your orders and _call for justice_[156] + from you. They have hoisted the Nawab's[157] and + your colours, have put on your cloaths (?) and want to go + to Muxadavad. Kasim Ali Khan's people want to carry + them to Rungpore but they refuse to go, and say that if one + of us is taken they will destroy themselves.[158] I am a poor + Zemindar who pays revenues[159] and ready to obey your + orders. If the Rungpore people should take them by force, + and they should kill themselves, it would be a troublesome + affair." + +To return to Courtin's letter. + + "The Raja of Dinajpur did not fail to be embarrassed by + the favour which he had shown to us. Fear was the only + motive which influenced him. He sent word to me to + depart by night under an escort of 200 of his people, who + would conduct me to Murshidabad. I was very nearly + accepting his suggestion, but the hunger and thirst, from + which we suffered greatly, prevented me. So I postponed + giving him a final answer till the next morning, and + then, after full reflection, decided not to move from the + place to which. I had been conducted until I received an + answer to the letters sent to Murshidabad. I thought this + all the wiser, as I was informed that nothing would induce + my enemies to approach or attack me in my asylum.[160] The + place was so retired and so well provided with storehouses, + that I found there a greater appearance of security than in + the open country or the escort offered by the Raja, as his + men were subordinate to the same Prince as the people who + composed the army of Sheikh Faiz Ulla, and were likely + enough to abandon me or to join my enemies in overwhelming + me. My conjectures were well founded, as, several days + after, this same Raja, prompted by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, sent + me word that he could not answer for what might happen to + me if I were attacked; that his troops, being subject to + Murshidabad like those of Kasim All Khan, could not + support me, nor fire on the latter. Finally he sent a certain + priest of his faith, a grave man, who came to suggest to us + that our best course was to leave Dinajpur and gain the + open country, otherwise we were lost. He said that he + knew for certain that if I were so obstinate as to persist in + wishing to remain there, orders had been given to attack us, + cut our throats, and send our heads to Murshidabad. This + person wished to terrify us so as to rid the Raja of us, as he + was dying with fright lest war should be made in the very + heart of his town. I replied that I was resolved to defend + myself against any one who attacked me, to set fire to + everything I found within my reach, to kill as many people + as I could, and to die on my guns when I had used up all + my ammunition; that this was also the intention of my companions, + who preferred to die thus, like brave men, rather than + to be exposed to the ignominies and indignities that we should + undergo if we allowed ourselves to be made prisoners by the + people of Kasim All Khan. The timid Raja, threatened by + both parties, found himself in the utmost embarrassment, for + Sheikh Faiz Ulla, at the gates of his town, put, as it were, + his country under contribution, and demanded from him, + with all imaginable insolence, that he should deliver us up + to him, a thing which the Raja found difficult to do. + + "Some days passed in this way, during which we had + frequent alarms, but the letters I received from Murshidabad + filled every one with perplexity. The English sent me + people on their own account. One of my private friends,[161] + whom I had been so fortunate as to oblige on a similar + occasion, wrote me not to trouble myself about my boats or + my effects, but to come at once to him, and he would see + that they restored or paid for my property, and that they + gave me all that I might need. The orders received by + Sheikh Faiz Ulla and the Raja at the same time, ordered the + one to leave me in peace and the other to furnish me with + everything I wanted. This put my mind in a condition of + serenity to which it had long been a stranger, and threw my + enemies into much confusion. They proposed that I should + resume possession of my boats. I knew, with absolute + certainty, that they had been half looted, still I accepted + them on condition they were brought to Dinajpur. They + did not wish, to do this; but next morning after reflection + they consented, when, in my turn, I declined, and asked only + for provisions and other things necessary for my journey. + This they had the harshness to refuse, doubtless because they + thought that I, being destitute of everything, would have to + go down by whatever route they pleased. I would not + trust them in anything, fearing treachery. + + "At last, without linen, without clothes, except what we + had on our bodies, on the 1st of March, the seventeenth day + after our retreat[162] we set out with our arms and our two + Swedish guns to go to Murshidabad to the English, from + whom I had demanded the honours of war." + + We learn from the correspondence between + Mr. Scrafton and Clive, that Drake, the cowardly + Governor of Calcutta, very naturally could not + understand what was meant by this claim to the + honours of war.[163] + +"My guns were conducted by land by a small detachment, the command +of which I gave to M. Chevalier, and we embarked on some small +boats belonging to the Raja, in which we had hardly room to move. + +"I was not yet at the end of my troubles, for on the 3rd of March, +after dinner, as I was getting back into my boat, one of the +boatmen, wishing to put down a gun, managed to let it off, and sent +a bullet through my left shoulder. It passed through the clavicle +between the sinew and the bone. Luckily the blow was broken by a +button which the bullet first struck; still it passed almost +completely through the shoulder and lodged under the skin, which had +to be opened behind the shoulder to extract it and also the wad. +However unfortunate this wound was, I ought to be very thankful to +God that it was so safely directed, and for the further good fortune +of finding with one of my people sufficient ointment for the +surgeon, who was quite destitute of all necessaries, to dress +my shoulder until the ninth day after, when we arrived at +Murshidabad.[164] This wound caused me much suffering for the first +few days, but, thanks to the Lord, in thirty-two or thirty-three +days it was quite healed and without any bad effects. + +"We rested ourselves from our fatigue till the 20th at my friend's +house, when, with his concurrence and in response to their offers, I +went to the Dutch gentlemen at Cossimbazar, where M. Vernet, their +chief and an old friend of mine, received us with the greatest +kindness. It is from their Settlement that I write to thee, my dear +wife. Until the ships sail for England I shall continue to write +daily, and tell thee everything that is of interest.[165] + +"August 10, 1758. + +"My dear wife, I resume my narrative to tell thee that my boats have +been restored by the English, as well as all the goods that had not +been plundered by Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people, except the +munitions of war. Still, so much of the merchandise, goods and +silver, has disappeared that I am ruined for ever, unless the +English, who have promised to cause everything to be restored, are +able to make the Moors give them up. The English have at length +decided on our fate in a way altogether honourable to us. We are not +prisoners of war, and so we are not subject to exchange; but we are +bound by certain conditions, which they think necessary to their +security, and which only do me honour. What has flattered me even +more is that the two Swedish guns which I had with me on my campaign +have actually been given to me as a present by the commander of the +English troops, who is also Governor of Calcutta, with the most +complimentary expressions." + +Courtin had written to Clive, asking permission to go down to +Pondicherry. Clive replied on the 15th of July, 1758, granting +permission. His letter concludes:-- + + "I am at this moment sending an order to the Captain + Commandant of our troops to restore to you your two guns. + I am charmed at this opportunity of showing you my + appreciation of the way in which you have always behaved + to the English, and my own regard for your merit."[166] + +Courtin continues:-- + + "Saved from so many perils and sufficiently fortunate + to have won such sensible marks of distinction from our + enemies, ought not this, my dear wife, to make me hope that + the gentlemen of the French Company will do their utmost + to procure me some military honour, in order to prove to the + English that my nation is as ready as theirs to recognize my + services?[167] + + "Now, my dear wife, I must end this letter so that it + may be ready for despatch. For fear of its being lost I will + send in the packet another letter for thee. + + "Do not disquiet thyself regarding my health. Thanks + to God I am now actually pretty well. I dare not talk to + thee of the possibility of our meeting. Circumstances are + not favourable for thee to make another voyage to the Indies. + That must depend upon events, thy health, peace, and + wishes, which, in spite of my tender longing for thee, will + always be my guide. + + "If the event of war has not been doubly disastrous to + me, thou shouldst have received some small remittances, + which I have sent, and of which I have advised thee in + duplicate and triplicate. If the decrees of the Lord, after + my having endured so many misfortunes and sufferings, have + also ordained my death before I am in a position to provide + what concerns thee, have I not a right to hope that all my + friends will use their influence to induce the Company not + to abandon one who will be the widow of two men who have + served it well, and with all imaginable disinterestedness? + + "For the rest I repeat that, thanks to God, I am fairly well. + + "I kiss thee, etc., etc." + +One would be glad to be assured that Courtin re-established his +fortune. If he is, as I suppose, the Jacques Ignace Courtin, who was +afterwards _Conseiller au Conseil des Indes_, we may be satisfied he +did so; but French East India Company Records are a hopeless chaos +at the present moment, and all that one can extract from the English +Records is evidence of still further suffering. + +From Murshidabad or Cossimbazar, Courtin went down to Chandernagore, +whence the majority of the French inhabitants had already been sent +to the Madras Coast. The Fort had been blown up, and the private +houses were under sentence of destruction, for the English had +determined to destroy the town, partly in revenge for the behaviour +of Lally, who, acting under instructions from the French East India +Company, had shown great severity to the English in Southern India, +partly because they did not think themselves strong enough to +garrison Chandernagore as well as Calcutta, and feared the Moors +would occupy it if they did not place troops there, and partly +because they dreaded its restoration to France--which actually +happened--when peace was made. At any rate Courtin found the +remnants of his countrymen in despair, and in 1759 he wrote a +letter[168] to Clive and the Council of Calcutta, from which I +quote one or two paragraphs:-- + + "With the most bitter grief I have received advice of + the sentence you have passed on the French Settlement + at Chandernagore, by which all the buildings, as well of + the Company as of private persons, are to be utterly + demolished. + + "Humane and compassionate as you are, Sirs, you would + be sensibly affected--were your eyes witnesses to it as mine + have been--by the distress to which this order has reduced + the hearts of those unhappy inhabitants who remain in that + unfortunate place, particularly if you knew that there is + nothing left to the majority of them beyond these houses, on + whose destruction you have resolved. If I may believe + what I hear, the motive which incites you is that of reprisal + for what has happened at Cuddalore and Madras: it does + not become me to criticize either the conduct of M. Lally, + our general, who, by all accounts, is a man very much to be + respected by me, or your reasons, which you suppose sufficient. + Granting the latter to be so, permit me, Sirs, to + address myself to your generosity and humanity, and those + admirable qualities, so universally esteemed by mankind, + will encourage me to take the liberty to make certain representations. + + "All upbraidings are odious, and nothing is more just + than the French proverb which says, to remind a person of + favours done him cancels the obligation. God forbid, Sirs, + I should be guilty of this to you or your nation by reminding + you for a moment, that these houses, now condemned by + you, served you as an asylum in 1756, and that the owners, + whom you are now reducing to the greatest distress and are + plunging into despair, assisted you to the utmost of their + power, and alleviated your misfortunes as much as they were + able. But what am I saying? Your nation is too polished to + need reminding of what is just. Therefore excuse my saying + that this reason alone is sufficient to cancel the law of + retaliation which you have resolved to execute, and to make + you revoke an order which, I am sure, you could not have + given without much uneasiness of mind. I cast myself at + your feet, imploring, with the most ardent prayers, that + compassion, which I flatter myself I perceive in your hearts, + for these poor creatures, whom you cannot without remorse + render miserable. If you really, Sirs, think I too have had + the happiness to be of some use to you and your nation, + whilst Chief at Dacca, and that I have rendered you some + services, I only beg that you would recollect them for one + moment, and let them induce you to grant the favour I + request for my poor countrymen. I shall then regard it as + the most happy incident in my life, and shall think myself + ten thousand times more indebted to you. + + "If, Sirs, you have absolutely imperative reasons for + reprisal, change, if you please, the object of them. I offer + myself a willing victim, if there must be one, and, if blood + were necessary, I should think myself too happy to offer + mine a sacrifice. But as these barbarous methods are not + made use of in nations so civilized as ours, I have one last + offer to make, which is to ransom and buy all the private + houses at Chandernagore, for which I will enter into whatever + engagements you please, and will give you the best + security in my power." + +The last words seem to imply that Courtin had recovered his +property, at least to a great extent; but his pathetic appeal was +useless in face of national necessities, and so far was +Chandernagore desolated that, in November of the same year, we read +that the English army, under Colonel Forde, was ambushed by the +Dutch garrison of Chinsurah "amongst the buildings and ruins of +Chandernagore." + +From Chandernagore Courtin went to Pondicherry, where he became a +member of the Superior Council. He was one of the chiefs of the +faction opposed to Lally, who contemptuously mentions a printed +"Memorial" of his adventures which Courtin prepared, probably for +presentation to the Directors of the French East India Company.[169] +When, in January, 1761, Lally determined to capitulate, Courtin was +sent to the English commander on the part of the Council. Still +later we find his name attached to a petition, dated August 3, 1762, +presented to the King against Lally.[170] This shows that Courtin +had arrived in France, so that his elevation to the Council of the +Company is by no means improbable. + +To any one who has lived long in India it seems unnatural that in +old days the small colonies of Europeans settled there should have +been incited to mutual conflict and mutual ruin, owing to quarrels +which originated in far-off Europe, and _which were decided without +any reference to the wishes or interests of Europeans living in the +colonies_. The British Settlements alone have successfully survived +the struggle. The least we can do is to acknowledge the merits, +whilst we commiserate the sufferings, of those other gallant men who +strove their best to win the great prize for their own countrymen. +Of the French especially it would appear that their writers have +noticed only those like Dupleix, Bussy, and Lally, who commanded +armies in glorious campaigns that somehow always ended to the +advantage of the British, and have utterly forgotten the civilians +who really kept the game going, and who would have been twice as +formidable to their enemies if the military had been subordinate to +them. The curse of the French East India Company was Militarism, +whilst fortunately for the English our greatest military hero in +India, Lord Clive, was so clear-minded that he could write:-- + + "I have the liberty of an Englishman so strongly implanted + in my nature, that I would have the Civil all in all, + in all times and in all places, cases of immediate danger + excepted." + +How much might have been achieved by men like Renault, Law, and +Courtin, if they had had an adequate military force at their +disposal! They saw, as clearly as did the English, that Bengal was +the heart of India, and they saw the English denude Madras of troops +to defend Bengal, whilst they themselves were left by the French +commanders in a state of hopeless impotence. On the other hand, +owing to the English Company's insistence that military domination +should be the exception and not the rule, British civilians and +British soldiers have, almost always, worked together harmoniously. +It was this union of force which gave us Bengal in the time of which +I have been writing, and to the same source of power we owe the +gradual building up of the great Empire which now dominates the +whole of India. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 122: Probably Portuguese half-castes.] + +[Footnote 123: Matchlock men. Consultations of the Dacca Council, +27th June, 1756. Madras Select Committee Proceedings, 9th November, +1756.] + +[Footnote 124: When Courtin was sent by Count Lally with the +proposals for the surrender of Pondicherry he had to take an +interpreter with him. _Memoirs of Lally_, p. 105.] + +[Footnote 125: I.e. official order.] + +[Footnote 126: I cannot ascertain where M. Fleurin was at this +moment. If at Dacca, then Courtin must have left him behind.] + +[Footnote 127: MSS. Français, Nouvelles Acquisitions, No. 9361. This +is unfortunately only a copy, and the dates are somewhat confused. +Where possible I have corrected them.] + +[Footnote 128: Calcapur, the site of the Dutch Factory. See note, p. +64.] + +[Footnote 129: From a map by Rennell of the neighbourhood of Dacca +it appears that the French Factory was on the River Bourigunga. +There are still several plots of ground in Dacca town belonging to +the French. One of them, popularly known as Frashdanga, is situated +at the mouth of the old bed of the river which forms an island of +the southern portion of the town; but I do not think this is the +site of the French Factory, as the latter appears to have been +situated to the west of the present Nawab's palace.] + +[Footnote 130: Now used in the sense of messengers or office +attendants.] + +[Footnote 131: Orme says (bk. viii. p. 285) that Courtin started +with 30 Europeans and 100 sepoys. From Law's "Memoir" we see that M. +de Carryon took 20 men to Cossimbazar before Law himself left. This +accounts for the smallness of Courtin's force.] + +[Footnote 132: Jafar Ali Khan married the sister of Aliverdi Khan, +Siraj-ud-daula's grandfather.] + +[Footnote 133: I think he must mean the mouth of the Murshidabad +River.] + +[Footnote 134: Courtin means the lower ranges of the Himalayas, +inhabited by the Nepaulese, Bhutiyas, etc. His wanderings therefore +were in the districts of Rungpore and Dinajpur.] + +[Footnote 135: Sinfray, Secretary to the Council at Chandernagore, +was one of the fugitives who, as mentioned above, joined Law at +Cossimbazar.] + +[Footnote 136: Assaduzama Muhammad was nephew to Kamgar Khan, the +general of Shah Alam. _Holwell. Memorial to the Select Committee_, +1760.] + +[Footnote 137: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2859, No. 246.] + +[Footnote 138: Orme says the Fort was on the River Teesta, but +Rennell marks it more correctly a little away from the river and +about fifteen miles south of Jalpaiguri.] + +[Footnote 139: These guns Courtin calls "pièces à la minute." The +proper name should be "canon à la suédoise" or "canon à la minute." +They were invented by the Swedes, who used 3-pounders with improved +methods for loading and firing, so as to be able to fire as many as +ten shots in a minute. The French adopted a 4-pounder gun of this +kind in 1743. The above information was given me by Lieut.-Colonel +Ottley Perry, on the authority of Colonel Colin, an artillery +officer on the French Headquarters Staff.] + +[Footnote 140: This squadron, under the command of Mons. Bouvet, +actually did arrive.] + +[Footnote 141: This rebellion was really conducted by Ukil Singh, +the Hindoo _Diwan_ of Hazir Ali.] + +[Footnote 142: Mir Jafar, Jafar Ali, Mir Jafar Ali Khan, are all +variations of the name of the Nawab whom the English placed on the +throne after the death of Siraj-ud-daula.] + +[Footnote 143: Law says that the French soldiers who wandered the +country in this way were accustomed to disguise themselves as +natives and even as Brahmins, when they wished to avoid notice.] + +[Footnote 144: A kind of native house-boat.] + +[Footnote 145: A heavy gun fired from a rest or stand.] + +[Footnote 146: A ditch or ravine.] + +[Footnote 147: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2901, No. 374.] + +[Footnote 148: A thick quilt used as a covering when in bed, or +sometimes like a blanket to wrap oneself in.] + +[Footnote 149: Orme MSS. India XL, p. 2915, No. 417.] + +[Footnote 150: Bengal Select Com. Consultations, 22nd February, +1758.] + +[Footnote 151: I have not been able to identify this place.] + +[Footnote 152: A boatman.] + +[Footnote 153: See note, p. 88.] + +[Footnote 154: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2923, No. 432.] + +[Footnote 155: Orme MSS. India XL, p. 2926, No. 438.] + +[Footnote 156: This expression is characteristically Indian, and is +used when any one, finding himself oppressed, appeals to some great +personage for protection.] + +[Footnote 157: The Nawab's flag was the usual Turkish crescent.] + +[Footnote 158: Another Indian expression. The last resource against +oppression or injustice in India is to commit suicide by starvation +or some violent means, and to lay the blame on the oppressor. This +is supposed to bring the curse of murder upon him.] + +[Footnote 159: This means simply that the Raja was not an +independent ruler. The sovereign owning all land, _land revenue_ and +_rent_ meant the same thing.] + +[Footnote 160: This seems to want explanation. Probably Courtin had +got into some sort of house used for religious ceremonies, such as +are often found in or close to the market-places of great +landowners.] + +[Footnote 161: He probably refers to Mr. Luke Scrafton.] + +[Footnote 162: I.e. from his entrenchments.] + +[Footnote 163: "Courtin and his party arrived here the 10th. They +are 6 soldiers, Dutch, German and Swede, such as took service with +the French when our Factory at Dacca fell into the hands of Surajeh +Dowleit, 4 gentlemen, some Chitagon (_sic_) fellows and about 20 +peons. Courtin, on his way hither, has, by mischance, received a +ball through his shoulder. They demanded _honneurs de la guerre_, +which Drake has not understood" (_Scrafton to Clive, March_ 12, +1758).] + +[Footnote 164: According to Orme, Courtin's force was reduct from 30 +to 11 Europeans, and from 100 to 30 sepoys.] + +[Footnote 165: The manuscript I translate from contains only the +postscript of the 10th of August.] + +[Footnote 166: A translation. Clive generally wrote to French +officers in their own language.] + +[Footnote 167: Such honours were not uncommonly granted. Law was +made a Colonel, so was another French partisan named Madec. On the +other hand, when a French gentleman had the choice, he often put his +elder son in the Company's service and the younger in the army. +Law's younger brother was in the army. Renault's elder son was in +the Company and the younger in the army.] + +[Footnote 168: Appended to "Bengal Public Proceedings," May 31, +1759.] + +[Footnote 169: I do not know whether this "Memorial" still exists, +but see "Memoirs of Count Lally," p. 53.] + +[Footnote 170: "Memoirs of Count Lally," p. 367.] + + + + + INDEX + + Abdulla Khan + Admiralty, the English + Aeneas + Afghan General, the + _See_ Abdulla Khan + Agra + Ahmed Khan Koreishi + Alamgir II., Emperor, assassinated November 29, 1759 + Ali Gauhar + _See_ Shah Alam + Aliverdi Khan + his opinion of Europeans + sister of + Allahabad + Amina Begum, mother of Siraj-ud-daula + Anquetil du Perron, M. + Anti-Renaultions + "Arabian Nights" + Archives, French + _Areca-nut_ + Armenian officers + Armenians + _Arz-begi_ (Gholam Ali Khan) + _Arzi_ + _Asiatic Annual Register_ + Assaduzama Muhammad, Raja of Birbhum + Assam, King of + Audience Hall, the + Augustine Father + Aurengzebe + + Bahadur Singh + Bahar + _See_ Bihar + _Bajarow_ + Balasore + Bandel + Bankers, influence of Indian + Banowra River + Barber, a native + Battle of the 5th of February + Becher, Mr. Richard + Beinges, M. + Benares + Bengal + Nawabs of + records + revolution in + rivers of + Bengali merchant + Berhampur + _Betel_ + Bettiah, Raja of + Bhagulpur + Bhutiyas + Bibi Lass + _See_ Mrs. Law + Bibliothèque Nationale + Biderra, battle of + Bihar, Hindu Rajas of + map of south + province of + town of + Birbhum + Raja of _See_ Assaduzama Muhammad + Bisdom, Adrian, Director of the Dutch in Bengal + Black Hole, the + Bloomer, Lieut. + Boissemont, M. + Bombay + Bourigunga River + Bouvet, M. + Brahmins + Brayer, Ensign + M., one of Courtin's companions + Brereton, Lieut. William + _Bridgewater_, H.M.S. (Captain Smith) + British. _See_ English + civilians + Museum, MS. Department + Broome, Captain A., Author of the "Rise and Progress of the + Bengal Army" (Calcutta, 1850) + Budge Budge, battle of + Bugros, M. + _Bukshi_ + Bulwant Singh, Raja of Benares + Bundelkand or Bundelcund + Bussy, M. + _Buxerries_ + + Caillot, or Caillaud + Calcapur + Calcutta + English Council at + Calvé, M. + Cannon balls of clay + Cantanagar, battle of + Capitulation of Chandernagore, dispute as to terms of + Capucins, church of + Carnac, Major John + Carryon, M. le Comte de + Carvalho, Jeanne. _See_ Mrs. Law + Cause of Siraj-ud-daula's attack on the English + Chambon, M + Chandernagore + booty taken at + cemetery at + council at + deserters from + garrison of + possibility of its capture by English land forces alone + terms of capitulation of + Chatrapur + _Chauth_ + Chevalier, M. + Chinese + Chinsurah + Chittagong + Choquova + Christian clerks + Christians + Chunargarh + _Chunam_ + Chupra or Chapra. + Cicero + Civil Power, the + Clive, Lieut.-Colonel Robert (Lord Clive) + Coja Wajid + Colbert, M. + Colin, Catherine + Colonel + Coote, Captain (Sir) Eyre + Coromandel, Coast of, _See_ Madras Coast + Cossimbazar + Cossimbazar River + Courtin, François, + Jacques Ignace + Courtin, Mrs. + _See_ Madame Direy + Courtin's Memorial + Cuddalore + Cudmore, Lieut. John + Cuttack + + Dacca; + Council at; + Government College at; + Nawab of; + Palace of present Nawab + _D'Aillot_, powders + D'Albert, M. le Chevalier + Dana Shah + Danes + Dangereux, M. + Davis, Mr. + Debellême, M. le Capitaine + De Carryon, M. le Comte + Deccan + De Kalli, M. + Delabar, M. + De la Bretesche, M. + Delamotte, Mr. John + De la Vigne Buisson; + M. le Capitaine; + jun. + De Leyrit, M. + Delhi + De Montorcin, M. + Desbrosses, M. + Deserters, English; + French + Desjoux, M. + De Terraneau, Ann.; + Lieut. Charles Cossard; + senior + De Tury; + M., Commandant of Chandernagore + D'Hurvilliers, M. + Dido + Dinajpur; + Raja of + Dinapur + Direy, Madame, _See_ Mrs. Courtin + _Diwan_ + Doctor, French + Doidge, Mr. + Drake, Roger, jun.; + President of the Council at Calcutta + Droguet, M. + Dubois; + M., French Company's servant; + M., Sturgeon Major + Du Cap, M. + Dupleix, Marquis + Du Pré, M. + Durbar, The + _Dustuck_ + Dutch; + Director. _See_ M. Bisdom; + Octagon, the + + East India Company, English; + Forces + East India Company, French + Elephants, gentleness of + Engineers, want of + England + English; + _See_ British; + agent of; + ladies at Dacca; + Records; + trade privileges of + Eunuchs + Europe + Europeans + Europeans, generosity and courage of, + + Fakir, _See_ Dana Shah + Farmers of estates, + Farukhabad, + _Faujdar_, + Fazl-kuli-khan, + Feringhees, + _Firman_, + Fleurin, M., + Forde, Colonel, + Fort Bourgogne, + d'Orleans, + William, + Fournier, M., + France, + King of, + Frashdanga, + French, + civilians, + ladies, + mistaken for Muhammadans, + proverb, + soldiers, + up-country factories, + Fringuey Raja, + Fullerton, Dr. William, + Fulta, + + Ganges river, _See_ Hugli River + Gaya, + Gentiles, or Gentoos, + Germans, + Ghazipur, + Gholam Husain Khan, + Gourbin, M. + Gourlade, M., + Grand Monarque, the, + Great Britain, + King of, + _Gunge_, + _Gunny_, + + _Hackerys_, + Haillet, M., + Hardwicke, Lord, + Hazir Ali Khan, + Hey, Lieut., + Himalayas, + Hindu advisers of the Nawab, + Hindu Rajas, + women, ill-treatment of--by Siraj-ud-daula, + Hindus, the, + Hindustan, + Holkar, + Holwell, John Zephaniah, Governor, + Honours of war, + Hugli, Faujdar of, _See_ Nand Kumar + fort, + River, + town, + + Imad-al-Muluk, Ghazi-ud-din Khan, + India, + Southern, + Indian expressions, characteristic, + minds, motives of, + ways of business, + Indies, The, + Indrapat, Raja of Bundelkand, + _Inhabitants_, + Innocent, or Innocent Jesus, + Ironside, Colonel Gilbert, + Ives, Surgeon Edward, author of "A + Voyage from England to India in + 1754, with, a narrative of the operations + of the squadron and army in + India, under Watson and Clive, + 1755-1757; Also a Journey from Persia to England," (London, 1799) + + Jafar Ali Khan. + _See_ Mir Jafar Ali Khan + Jagat Seth, family of + _See_ Seths + Jalpaiguri + Jats, the + _Jemadars_ + Jesuit Church, the + Fathers, the + Jobard, M. + Jugdea + _See_ Luckipore + Jusserat Khan, Nawab of Dacca + + Kaffirs + Kamgar Khan + Karical + Kasim Ali Khan, Nawab of Bengal + _See_ Mir Kasim + Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore + _Kent_, H.M.S. + Kerdizien, M. + Khodadad Khan Latty + Kilpatrick, Major James + King + _See_ Mogul + _Kingfisher_, H.M.S. + Kissendas, son of Raj Balav + Knox, Captain Ranfurlie + Kooti Ghat + Koran, the + + La Haye, M. + Lal Dighi + Lally, Count + Memoirs of + Laporterie, M. + La Rue, M. + Latham, Captain + Launay, M. + La Ville Martère, M. + Law, Jacques François + Jean, of Lauriston + Madame Jeanne + John, of Lauriston, the Financier + William + Law's Memoir + Le Conte Dompierre + Lee, Corporal + Le Noir, M. + Le Page, M., Second Surgeon + Locusts + Luckipore + _See_ Jugdea + Lucknow + Lynn, Captain + + McGwire, Mr. William + Madec, Colonel + Madras + Coast + _See_ Coromandel + Malleson, Colonel G.B., Author of "History of the French in India + from the Founding of Pondicherry in 1674 to the Capture of that + Place in 1761" (London, 1868) + Manik Chand, Raja + _Manjhi_ + Maratha Commander + Law's altercation with + General, the + Marathas + Martin, Captain + Martin de la Case, Ensign + Matel, M. + Midnapur + Militarism + Minchin, Captain George, Captain-Commandant of Calcutta + Mir Abdulla + Miran, son of Mir Jafar + Mir Daood, brother of Mir Jafar, and Faujdar of Rajmehal + Mir Jafar Ali Khan, made Nawab by the English after Plassey + Mir Kasim, or Kasim Ali Khan, son-in-law and successor of Mir Jafar + army of + Mir Madan + Mogul + _See_ King + Mohan Lal, favourite of the Nawab + Monsoon + Moor hostages + nobles + Moorish colours + forts + soldiers + treachery + Moors + Muhammadhans + Murshidabad + _See_ Muxadabad + or Cossimbazar River + Murshid Kuli Khan + Mustapha Ali Khan + Mutinies + Muxadabad + _See_ Murshidabad + + _Naib_ + Nand Kumar, Faujdar of Hugli + Native indifference to the quarrels of the Europeans + _Nautch_ + Naval officer, an English + Nawab, the + _See_ Siraj-ud-daula + Hindu advisers and servants of + Nawajis Muhammad Khan, uncle of Siraj-ud-daula + Nawajis Muhammad Khan's widow + Nazir Dalal, the + Negroes + Nepaulese + Neutrality in the Ganges + News from Bengal + Nicolas, M.F. + Nover, Sergeant + Nullah + + Omichand + Onofre, Reverend Father + Oppoor + Orissa + Orme Papers or MSS. + Orme, Robert, historian + Oudh + Nawab of. _See_ Suja-ud-daula + + Pagodas or Hindu Temples + Paris + _Parwana_ + Pathans + Patna + Naib of + River + _Pattamar_ + Pavilion, Bastion du + Pearkes, Mr. Paul Richard + Pedro + _Peons_ + Perry, Lieut.-Colonel Ottley + Phulbari + Picques, M. + Pilots, French + Plassey, battle of + Pocock, Admiral (Sir) George + Pondicherry + Superior Council of + Porte Royale, the + Portuguese half-castes + Predestination + Priest, Hindu + Probate Records (Mayor's Court, Calcutta) + Prussian Gardens + Purneah + Nawab of. _See_ Saukat Jang + + Raj Durlabh Ram, Raja + Rains, the + Raj Balav, Raja + Rajas, Hindu + Rajmehal + Faujdar of. + _See_ Mir Daood + Ramnarain, Raja, Naib or Deputy Governor of Patua + Ram Nath, Raja of Dinajpur + Ranjit Rai, agent of the Seths + Raymond, M. + Renault, Pierre, Director of Chandernagore (Malleson calls him + Renault de St. Germain, but he never signs himself as such) + Renault, de St. Germain, eldest son of Pierre Renault + Renault, Lieut., second son of Pierre Renault + Renault, de la Fuye, M. + Renaultions, the + Rennell, Major James, geographer + _Rezai_, + Royal Music, the + Rungpore + Raja of. _See_ Kasizn All Khan + + Sahibgunj, Raja of + Saidabad. + _Saint Contest_, the + St. Didier, M. + St. Louis, Order of + Parish Church of + Salabat Jang + _Salisbury_, H.M.S. + Sarfaraz Khan, Nawab of Bengal, defeated and killed in battle + by Aliverdi Khan in 1742 + Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah and cousin of Siraj-ud-daula + Scrafton, Mr. Luke, Author of "Reflections on the Government + of Indostan" (London, 1770) + Scrafton's "Reflections" + Select Committee at Calcutta + at Madras + Sepoys, 10. _See_ Telingas + French + Law's opinion of + Serampore, Danish Settlement + Seth Mahtab Rai, grandson of Jagat Seth + Seth Sarup Chand, grandson of Jagat Seth + Seths, agent of + _See_ Ranjit Rai + Seths: the family of Jagat Seth + Shah, Alam + _See_ Ali Gauhar + Shahzada or Crown Prince + _See_ Shah Alam + Sheikh Faiz Ulla + Sinfray, M. + Siraj-ud-daula + _See_ Nawab + cause of his attack on the English + his aunt, widow of Nawajia Khan + his mother + _See_ Amina Begum + his younger brother + _See_ Fazl-kuli-khan + Slippers, a pair of + Sooty + Soupy, fort of + Speke, Captain + Spies employed by the English, + by the Nawab + Suan, battle of + Subah + Suja-ud-daula, Nawabof Oudh + Summer, Mr. William Brightwell + Surgeons, French + Swedes + Swedish guns + Swiss + + Tangepur, or Tanjipur, + Tanks used for military purposes + Tartars + Teesta River + Telingas or Tellingees + Tibet + king of, + Toby, Captain--of the _Kingfisher_ + Tooke, Mr. William + Topasses + Treaty between the English and Mir Jafar + between the English and Siraj-ud-daula + between the French and Siraj-ud-daula + Turkish Crescent, the + _Tyger_, H.M.S. + + Ukil Singh + + Vansittart, Governor Henry + Vernet, M. George, Lodewjk + Villequain, M. + Vizir, The + Volunteers, English + French + + _Wakils_ + Walcot, Clive Correspondence at + Waller, Mr. Samuel + War, Declaration of, between England and France + Water Gate, the + Watson, Admiral Charles + Watts, Mrs. Amelia + the Worshipful Mr. William + + Zemindar, collector of revenue + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Frenchmen in Bengal, by S.C. Hill + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10946 *** diff --git a/10946-h/10946-h.htm b/10946-h/10946-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a7067f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/10946-h/10946-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12688 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> + <meta content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" + http-equiv="Content-Type"> + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Three Frenchmen in Bengal, by S. C. Hill.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + .note, + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} + + .poem + {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 5em;} + + .figure, .figcenter, .figright + {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img, .figcenter img, .figright img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p, .figright p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + .figright {float: right;} + + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%;} + + .side { float:right; + font-size: 75%; + width: 25%; + padding-left:10px; + border-left: dashed thin; + margin-left: 10px; + text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; + font-weight: bold; + font-style: italic;} + + // --> + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10946 ***</div> + +<h1>THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL</h1> +<br> +<br> +<a + name="[Illustration:_THE_GANGES_VALLEY_AND_THE_EUROPEAN_SETTLEMENTS_IN"></a><img + src="images/tfb001.jpg" + title="THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN" + alt="THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN" + style="width: 819px; height: 534px;"><br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL</h1> +<h1>OR</h1> +<h1><i>THE COMMERCIAL RUIN OF THE FRENCH SETTLEMENTS IN 1757</i></h1> +<h1>BY</h1> +<h1>S.C. HILL, B.A., B.Sc.</h1> +<h1><small>OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE RECORDS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA +AUTHOR +OF "MAJOR-GENERAL CLAUD MARTIN"</small></h1> +<h1><i>WITH MAPS AND PLANS</i></h1> +<h1><br> +</h1> +<h1>1903</h1> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>TO</h2> +<h2>MY DEAR WIFE</h2> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> +<br> +<p>This account of the commercial ruin of the French Settlements, taken +almost entirely from hitherto unpublished documents, originated as +follows. Whilst engaged in historical research connected with the +Government Records in Calcutta, I found many references to the +French in Bengal which interested me strongly in the personal side +of their quarrel with the English, but the information obtainable +from the Indian Records alone was still meagre and incomplete. A few +months ago, however, I came across Law's Memoir in the British +Museum; and, a little later, when visiting Paris to examine the +French Archives, I found not only a copy of Law's Memoir, but also +Renault's and Courtin's letters, of which there are, I believe, no +copies in England. In these papers I thought that I had sufficient +material to give something like an idea of Bengal as it appeared to +the French when Clive arrived there. There is much bitterness in +these old French accounts, and much misconception of the English, +but they were written when misconception of national enemies was the +rule and not the exception, and when the rights of non-belligerents +were little respected in time of war. Some of the accusations I have +checked by giving the English version, but I think that, whilst it +is only justice to our Anglo-Indian heroes to let the world know +what manner of men their opponents were, it is equally only justice +to their opponents to allow them to give their own version of the +story. This is my apology, if any one should think I allow them to +say too much.</p> +<p>The translations are my own, and were made in a state of some +perplexity as to how far I was bound to follow my originals—the +writings of men who, of course, were not literary, and often had not +only no pretension to style but also no knowledge of grammar. I have +tried, however, to preserve both form and spirit; but if any reader +is dissatisfied, and would like to see the original papers for +himself, the courtesy of the Record officials in both Paris and +London will give him access to an immense quantity of documents as +interesting as they are important.</p> +<p>In the various accounts that I have used there are naturally +slightly different versions of particular incidents, and often it is +not easy to decide which is the correct one. Under the +circumstances I may perhaps be excused for not always calling +attention to discrepancies which the reader will detect for himself. +He will also notice that the ground covered in one narrative is +partly traversed in one or both of the others. This has been due to +the necessity of treating the story from the point of view of each +of the three chief actors.</p> +<p>I may here mention that the correspondence between Clive and the +princes of Bengal, from which I have given some illustrative +passages, was first seen by me in a collection of papers printed in +1893 in the Government of India Central Printing Office, Calcutta, +under the direction of Mr. G.W. Forrest, C.I.E. These papers have +not yet been published, but there exists a complete though slightly +different copy of this correspondence in the India Office Library +(Orme MSS. India XI.), and it is from the latter copy that I have, +by permission, made the extracts here given. The remaining English +quotations, when not from printed books, have been taken chiefly +from other volumes of the Orme MSS., a smaller number from the +Bengal and Madras Records in the India Office, and a few from MSS. +in the British Museum or among the Clive papers at Walcot, to which +last I was allowed access by the kindness of the Earl of Powis.</p> +<p>Finally, I wish to express my thanks to M. Omont of the +Bibliothèque +Nationale, Paris, to Mr. W. Foster of the Record Department of the +India Office, and to Mr. J.A. Herbert of the British Museum, for +their kind and valuable assistance.</p> +<p style="text-align: right;">S.C. HILL.</p> +<p><i>September</i> 6, 1903.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<br> +<p>CHAPTER</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I. </a>THE QUARREL +WITH THE ENGLISH</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II. </a>M. +RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a> M. LAW, +CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a> M. COURTIN, +CHIEF OF DACCA</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#INDEX">INDEX</a></p> +<br> +<p>MAPS AND PLANS</p> +<p><a + href="#[Illustration:_THE_GANGES_VALLEY_AND_THE_EUROPEAN_SETTLEMENTS_IN">THE +GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN BENGAL, 1756.</a> +(<i>After Rennell</i>) <i>Frontispiece</i></p> +<p><a + href="#[Illustration:_MAP_OF_THE_RIVER_HUGLI_FROM_BANDEL_TO_FULTA._(After Rennell">MAP +OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA.</a> (<i>After Rennell</i>) <i>To +face page</i></p> +<p><a href="#FORT_DORLÉANS_CHANDERNAGORE_1749._Mouchet.">FORT +D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749.</a> (<i>Mouchet</i>)</p> +<p><a href="#MUXADABAD_OR_MURSHIDABAD">MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD</a>. (<i>After +Rennell</i>)</p> +<p><a href="#DACCA_OR_JEHANGIR_NAGAR">DACCA, OR JEHANGIR-NAGAR. </a>(<i>After +Rennell</i>)</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a + name="[Illustration:_MAP_OF_THE_RIVER_HUGLI_FROM_BANDEL_TO_FULTA._(After Rennell"></a> +<h2><img src="images/tfb002.jpg" + title="MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (After" + alt="MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (After" + style="width: 882px; height: 381px;"></h2> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL</h1> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a name="CHAPTER_I"></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h2>THE QUARREL WITH THE ENGLISH</h2> +<br> +<p>Writing in 1725, the French naval commander, the Chevalier d'Albert, +tells us that the three most handsome towns on the Ganges were +Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the chief Factories of the +English, French, and Dutch. These towns were all situated within +thirty miles of each other. Calcutta, the latest founded, was the +greatest and the richest, owing partly to its situation, which +permitted the largest ships of the time to anchor at its quays, and +partly to the privilege enjoyed by the English merchants of trading +freely as individuals through the length and breadth of the land. +Native merchants and native artisans crowded to Calcutta, and the +French and Dutch, less advantageously situated and hampered by +restrictions of trade, had no chance of competing with the English +on equal terms. The same was of course true of their minor +establishments in the interior. All three nations had important +Factories at Cossimbazar (in the neighbourhood of Murshidabad, the +Capital of Bengal) and at Dacca, and minor Factories at Jugdea or +Luckipore, and at Balasore. The French and Dutch had also Factories +at Patna. Besides Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the only +Factory which was fortified was the English Factory at Cossimbazar.</p> +<p>During the long reign of the usurper, Aliverdi Khan,<a name="1"></a><a + href="#Note_1">[1]</a> that strong +and politic ruler enforced peace among his European guests, and +forbade any fortification of the Factories, except such as was +necessary to protect them against possible incursions of the +Marathas, who at that time made periodical attacks on Muhammadans +and Hindus alike to enforce the payment of the <i>chauth</i>,<a + name="2"></a><a href="#Note_2">[2]</a> or +blackmail, which they levied upon all the countries within their +reach. In Southern India the English and French had been constantly +at war whenever there was war in Europe, but in Bengal the strength +of the Government, the terror of the Marathas, and the general +weakness of the Europeans had contrived to enforce a neutrality. +Still there was nothing to guarantee its continuance if the fear of +the native Government and of the Marathas were once removed, and if +any one of the three nations happened to find itself much stronger +than the others. The fear of the Marathas had nearly disappeared, +but that of the Government still remained. However, it was not till +more than sixty years after the foundation of Calcutta that there +appeared any possibility of a breach of peace amongst the Europeans +in Bengal. During this time the three Factories, Calcutta always +leading, increased rapidly in wealth and importance. To the +Government they were already a cause of anxiety and an object of +greed. Even during the life of Aliverdi Khan there were many of his +counsellors who advised the reduction of the status of Europeans to +that of the Armenians, i.e. mere traders at the mercy of local +officials; but Aliverdi Khan, whether owing to the enfeeblement of +his energies by age or to an intelligent recognition of the value of +European commerce, would not allow any steps to be taken against the +Europeans. Many stories are told of the debates in his <i>Durbar</i><a + name="3"></a><a href="#Note_3">[3]</a> +on this subject: according to one, he is reported to have compared +the Europeans to bees who produce honey when left in peace, but +furiously attack those who foolishly disturb them; according to +another he compared them to a fire<a name="4"></a><a href="#Note_4">[4]</a> +which had come out of the sea +and was playing harmlessly on the shore, but which would devastate +the whole land if any one were so imprudent as to anger it. His +wisdom died with him, and in April, 1756, his grandson, +Siraj-ud-daula, a young man of nineteen,<a name="5"></a><a + href="#Note_5">[5]</a> already notorious for +his debauchery and cruelty, came to the throne. The French—who, of +all Europeans, knew him best, for he seems to have preferred them to +all others—say his chief characteristics were cruelty, rapacity, +and cowardice. In his public speeches he seemed to be ambitious of +military fame. Calcutta was described to him as a strong fortress, +full of wealth, which belonged largely to his native subjects, and +inhabited by a race of foreigners who had grown insolent on their +privileges. As a proof of this, it was pointed out that they had not +presented him with the offerings which, according to Oriental +custom, are the due of a sovereign on his accession. The only +person who dared oppose the wishes of the young Nawab was his +mother,<a name="6"></a><a href="#Note_6">[6]</a> but her advice was of +no avail, and her taunt that he, a +soldier, was going to war upon mere traders, was equally +inefficacious. The records of the time give no definite information +as to the tortuous diplomacy which fanned the quarrel between him +and the English, but it is sufficiently clear that the English +refused to surrender the son of one of his uncle's <i>diwans</i>,<a + name="7"></a><a href="#Note_7">[7]</a> who, +with his master's and his father's wealth, had betaken himself to +Calcutta. Siraj-ud-daula, by the treacherous promises of his +commanders, made himself master of the English Factory at +Cossimbazar without firing a shot, and on the 20th of June, 1756, +found himself in possession of Fort William, the fortified Factory +of Calcutta.<a name="8"></a><a href="#Note_8">[8]</a> The Governor, the +commandant<a name="9"></a><a href="#Note_9">[9]</a> of the troops, and +some two hundred persons of lesser note, had deserted the Fort +almost as soon as it was actually invested, and Holwell, one of the +councillors, an ex-surgeon, and the gallant few who stood by him and +continued the defence, were captured, and, to the number of 146, +cast into a little dungeon,<a name="10"></a><a href="#Note_10">[10]</a> +intended for military offenders, +from which, the next morning, only twenty-three came out alive. The +English took refuge at Fulta, thirty miles down the river, where the +Nawab, in his pride and ignorance, left them unmolested. There they +were gradually reinforced from Madras, first by Major Kilpatrick, +and later on by Colonel Clive and Admiral Watson. About the same +time both French and English learned that war had been declared in +Europe between England and France in the previous May, but, for +different reasons, neither nation thought the time suitable for +making the fact formally known.</p> +<p>Towards the end of December the English, animated by the desire of +revenge and of repairing their ruined fortunes, advanced on +Calcutta, and on the 2nd of January, 1757, the British flag again +floated over Fort William. The Governor, Manik Chand, was, like many +of the Nawab's servants, a Hindu. Some say he was scared away by a +bullet through his turban; others, that he was roused from the +enjoyment of a <i>nautch</i>—a native dance—by the news of the arrival +of the English.<a name="11"></a><a href="#Note_11">[11]</a> Hastening +to Murshidabad, he reported his +defeat, and asserted that the British they had now to deal with were +very different from those they had driven from or captured in +Calcutta.</p> +<p>The English were not satisfied with recovering Calcutta. They wished +to impress the Nawab, and so they sent a small force to Hugli, which +lies above Chandernagore and Chinsurah, stormed the Muhammadan fort, +burnt the town, and destroyed the magazines, which would have +supplied the Nawab's army in an attack on Calcutta. The inhabitants +of the country had never known anything so terrible as the big guns +of the ships, and the Nawab actually believed the men-of-war could +ascend the river and bombard him in his palace at Murshidabad. +Calling on the French and Dutch for aid, which they refused, he +determined to try his fortune a second time at Calcutta. At first, +everything seemed the same as on the former occasion: the native +merchants and artisans disappeared from the town; but it was not as +he thought, out of fear, but because the English wished to have them +out of the way, and so expelled them. Except for the military camp +to the north of the city, where Clive was stationed with his little +army, the town lay open to his attack. Envoys from Calcutta soon +appeared asking for terms, and the Nawab pretended to be willing to +negotiate in order to gain time while he outflanked Clive and seized +the town. Seeing through this pretence Watson and Clive thought it +was time to give him a lesson, and, on the morning of the 5th of +February, in the midst of a dense fog, Clive beat up his quarters. +Though Clive had to retire when the whole army was roused, the +slaughter amongst the enemy had been immense; and though he +mockingly informed the Nawab that he had been careful to "injure +none but those who got in his way," the Nawab himself narrowly +escaped capture. The action, however, was in no sense decisive. Most +of the Nawab's military leaders were eager to avenge their disgrace, +but some of the chief nobles, notably his Hindu advisers, +exaggerated the loss already incurred and the future danger, and +advised him to make peace. In fact, the cruelty and folly of the +Nawab had turned his Court into a nest of traitors. With one or two +exceptions there was not a man of note upon whom he could rely, and +he had not the wit to distinguish the faithful from the unfaithful. +Accordingly he granted the English everything they asked for—the +full restoration of all their privileges, and restitution of all +they had lost in the sack of Calcutta. As the English valued their +losses at several hundreds of thousands, and the Nawab had found +only some £5000 in the treasury of Fort William, it is clear that +the wealth of Calcutta was either sunk in the Ganges or had fallen +as booty into the hands of the Moorish soldiers.</p> +<p>Siraj-ud-daula, though he did not yet know it, was a ruined man when +he returned to his capital. His only chance of safety lay in one of +two courses—either a loyal acceptance of the conditions imposed by +the English or a loyal alliance with the French against the English. +From the Dutch he could hope for nothing. They were as friendly to +the English as commercial rivals could be. They had always declared +they were mere traders and would not fight, and they kept their +word. After the capture of Calcutta the Nawab had exacted heavy +contributions from both the French and Dutch; but France and England +were now at war, and he thought it might be possible that in these +circumstances the restoration of their money to the French and the +promise of future privileges might win them to his side. He could +not, however, decide finally on either course, and the French were +not eager to meet him. They detested his character, and they +preferred, if the English would agree, to preserve the old +neutrality and to trade in peace. Further, they had received no +supplies of men or money for a long time; the fortifications of +Chandernagore, i.e. of Fort d'Orléans, were practically in +ruins, +and the lesser Factories in the interior were helpless. Their +military force, for attack, was next to nothing: all they could +offer was wise counsel and brave leaders. They were loth to offer +these to a man like the Nawab against Europeans, and he and his +Court were as loth to accept them. Unluckily for the French, +deserters from Chandernagore had served the Nawab's artillery when +he took Calcutta, and it was even asserted that the French had +supplied the Nawab with gunpowder; and so when the English heard of +these new negotiations, they considered the proposals for a +neutrality to be a mere blind; they forgot the kindness shown by the +French to English refugees at Dacca, Cossimbazar, and Chandernagore, +and determined that, as a permanent peace with the Nawab was out of +the question, they would, whilst he hesitated as to his course of +action, anticipate him by destroying the one element of force which, +if added to his power, might have made him irresistible. They +continued the negotiations for a neutrality on the Ganges only until +they were reinforced by a body of 500 Europeans from Bombay, when +they sent back the French envoys and exacted permission from the +Nawab to attack Chandernagore. Clive marched on that town with a +land force of 4000 Europeans and Sepoys, and Admiral Watson +proceeded up the river with a small but powerful squadron.</p> +<p>Thus began the ruin of the French in Bengal. The chief French +Factories were, as I have said, at Chandernagore, Cossimbazar, and +Dacca. The Chiefs of these Factories were M. Renault, the Director +of all the French in Bengal; M. Law, a nephew of the celebrated Law +of Lauriston, the financier; and M. Courtin. It is the doings and +sufferings of these three gallant men which are recorded in the +following chapters. They had no hope of being able to resist the +English by themselves, but they hoped, and actually believed, that +France would send them assistance if they could only hold out till +it arrived. Renault, whose case was the most desperate, perhaps +thought that the Nawab would, in his own interest, support him if +the English attacked Chandernagore; but knowing the Nawab as well as +he did, and reflecting that he had himself refused the Nawab +assistance when he asked for it, his hope must have been a feeble +one. Still he could not, with honour, give up a fortified position +without attempting a defence, and he determined to do his best. When +he failed, all that Law and Courtin could expect to do was to +maintain their personal liberty and create a diversion in the north +of Bengal when French forces attacked it in the south. It was not +their fault that the attack was never made.</p> +<p>I shall make no mention of the fate of the Factories at Balasore and +Jugdea. At these the number of Frenchmen was so very small that +resistance and escape were equally hopeless. Patna lay on the line +of Law's retreat, and, as we shall see, he was joined by the +second and other subordinate officers of that Factory. The chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was too ill to be moved, but he managed, by the +assistance of his native friends, to secure a large portion of the +property of the French East India Company, and so to finance Law +during his wanderings.</p> +<br> +<p style="font-weight: bold;"><big>Notes:</big></p> +<p>[<a name="Note_1"></a><a href="#1">1</a>: Aliverdi Khan entered +Muxadavad or Murshidabad as a +conqueror on the 30th of March, 1742. He died on the 10th of April, +1756. (<i>Scrafton</i>.)]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_2"></a><a href="#2">2</a>: Literally the fourth part +of the Revenues. The Marathas +extorted the right to levy this from the Emperor Aurengzebe, and +under pretext of collecting it they ravaged a large portion of +India.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_3"></a><a href="#3">3</a>: Court, or Court officials +and nobles.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_4"></a><a href="#4">4</a>: Such fires are mentioned +in many Indian legends. In the +"Arabian Nights" we read of a demon changing himself into a flaming +fire.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_5"></a><a href="#5">5</a>: His age is stated by some +as nineteen, by others as +about twenty-five. See note, p. 66.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_6"></a><a href="#6">6</a>: Amina Begum.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_7"></a><a href="#7">7</a>: <i>Diwan</i>, i.e. +Minister or Manager.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_8"></a><a href="#8">8</a>: The English at Dacca +surrendered to the Nawab of that +place, and were afterwards released. Those at Jugdea and Balasore +escaped direct to Fulta.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_9"></a><a href="#9">9</a>: Captain George Minchin.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_10"></a><a href="#10">10</a>: Known in history as the +Black Hole of Calcutta.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_11"></a><a href="#11">11</a>: Both stories may be +true. Manik Chand was nearly +killed at the battle of Budge Budge by a bullet passing through his +turban, and the incident of the <i>nautch</i> may have happened at +Calcutta, where he certainly showed less courage.]<br> +<br> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"><a + name="FORT_DORLÉANS_CHANDERNAGORE_1749._Mouchet."></a><img + src="images/tfb003.jpg" + title="FORT D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (Mouchet.)" + alt="FORT D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (Mouchet.)" + style="width: 604px; height: 784px;"></p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a name="CHAPTER_II"></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h2>M. RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE</h2> +<br> +<p>The French East India Company was founded in 1664, during the +ministry of M. Colbert. Chandernagore, on the Ganges, or rather that +mouth of it now known as the River Hugli, was founded in 1676; and +in 1688 the town and territory were ceded to France by the Emperor +Aurengzebe. I know of no plan of Chandernagore in the 17th century, +and those of the 18th are extremely rare. Two or three are to be +found in Paris, but the destruction of the Fort and many of the +buildings by the English after its capture in 1757, and the decay of +the town after its restoration to the French, owing to diminished +trade, make it extremely difficult to recognize old landmarks. The +Settlement, however, consisted of a strip of land, about two leagues +in length and one in depth, on the right or western bank of the +Hugli. Fort d'Orléans lay in the middle of the river front. It +was +commenced in 1691, and finished in 1693.<a name="12"></a>[<a + href="#Note_12">12</a>] Facing the north was +the Porte Royale, and to the east, or river-side, was the Water +Gate. The north-eastern bastion was known as that of the Standard, +or Pavillon. The north-western bastion was overlooked by the Jesuit +Church, and the south-eastern by the Dutch Octagon. This last +building was situated on one of a number of pieces of land which, +though within the French bounds, belonged to the Dutch before the +grant of the imperial charter, and which the Dutch had always +refused to sell. The Factory buildings were in the Fort itself. To +the west lay the Company's Tank, the hospitals, and the cemetery. +European houses, interspersed with native dwellings, lay all around. +M. d'Albert says that these houses were large and convenient, but +chiefly of one story only, built along avenues of fine trees, or +along the handsome quay. D'Albert also mentions a chapel in the +Fort,<a name="13"></a>[<a href="#Note_13">13</a>] the churches of the +Jesuits and the Capucins, and some +miserable <i>pagodas</i> belonging to the Hindus, who, owing to the +necessity of employing them as clerks and servants, were allowed the +exercise of their religion. In his time the Europeans numbered about +500. There were besides some 400 Armenians, Moors<a name="14"></a>[<a + href="#Note_14">14</a>] and Topasses, +1400 to 1500 Christians, including slaves, and 18,000 to 20,000 +Gentiles, divided, he says, into 52 different castes or occupations. +It is to be supposed that the European houses had improved in the +thirty years since d'Albert's visit; at any rate many of those which +were close to the Fort now commanded its interior from their roofs +or upper stories, exactly as the houses of the leading officials in +Calcutta commanded the interior of Fort William. No other fact could +be so significant of the security which the Europeans in Bengal +believed they enjoyed from any attack by the forces of the native +Government. The site of the Fort is now covered with native huts. +The Cemetery still remains and the Company's Tank (now known as Lal +Dighi), whilst Kooti Ghat is the old landing-place of Fort +d'Orleans.</p> +<p>As regards the European population at the time of the siege we have +no definite information. The Returns drawn up by the French +officials at the time of the capitulation do not include the women +and children or the native and mixed population. The ladies,<a name="15"></a>[<a + href="#Note_15">15</a>] and +it is to be presumed the other women also, for there is no mention +of women during the siege, retired to the Dutch and Danish +settlements at Chinsurah and Serampore a few days before, and the +native population disappeared as soon as the British army +approached. The Returns therefore show only 538 Europeans and 66 +Topasses. The Governor or Director, as already mentioned, was Pierre +Renault: his Council consisted of MM. Fournier, Caillot, Laporterie, +Nicolas, and Picques. There were 36 Frenchmen of lesser rank in the +Company's service, as well as 6 surgeons. The troops were commanded +by M. de Tury and 10 officers. There were also 10 officers of the +French East India Company's vessels, and 107 persons of sufficient +importance for their <i>parole</i> to be demanded when the Fort fell. +Apparently these Returns do not include those who were killed in the +defence, nor have we any definite information as to the number of +French sepoys, but Eyre Coote<a name="16"></a>[<a href="#Note_16">16</a>] +says there were 500.</p> +<p>The story of the siege is to be gathered from many accounts. M. +Renault and his Council submitted an official report; Renault wrote +many letters to Dupleix and other patrons or friends; several of the +Council and other private persons did the same.<a name="17"></a>[<a + href="#Note_17">17</a>] M. Jean Law, +whose personal experiences we shall deal with in the next chapter, +was Chief of Cossimbazar, and watched the siege, as it were, from +the outside. His straightforward narrative helps us now and then to +correct a mis-statement made by the besieged in the bitterness of +defeat. On the English side, besides the Bengal records, there are +Clive's and Eyre Coote's military journals, the Logs of the British +ships of war, and the journal of Surgeon Edward Ives of His +Majesty's ship <i>Kent</i>. Thus this passage of arms, almost the only +one in Bengal<a name="18"></a>[<a href="#Note_18">18</a>] in which the +protagonists were Europeans, is no +obscure event, but one in which almost every incident was seen and +described from opposite points of view. This multiplicity of +authorities makes it difficult to form a connected narrative, and, +in respect to many incidents, I shall have to follow that account +which seems to enter into the fullest or most interesting detail.</p> +<p>It will now be necessary to go back a little. After the capture of +Calcutta in June, 1756, the behaviour of the Nawab to all Europeans +was so overbearing that Renault found it necessary to ask the +Superior Council of Pondicherry for reinforcements, but all that he +received was 67 Europeans and 167 Sepoys. No money was sent him, and +every day he expected to hear that war had broken out between +France and England.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Full +of these inquietudes, gentlemen, I was in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">most +cruel embarrassment, knowing not even what to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">desire. A +strong detestation of the tyranny of the Nawab,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and of +the excesses which he was committing against</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Europeans, +made me long for the arrival of the English in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +Ganges to take vengeance for them. At the same time</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I feared +the consequences of war being declared. In every</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">letter M. +de Leyrit<a name="19"></a>[<a href="#Note_19">19</a>] impressed upon me +the necessity of</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fortifying +Chandernagore as best I could, and of putting the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">town in a +state of security against a surprise, but you have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">only to +look at Chandernagore to see how difficult it was for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">us, +absolutely destitute as we were of men and money, to do</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">this with +a town open on all sides, and with nothing even to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">mark it +off from the surrounding country."<a name="20"></a>[<a href="#Note_20">20</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>He goes on to describe Fort d'Orléans—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"almost +in the middle of the settlement, surrounded by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">houses, +which command it, a square of about 600 feet,<a name="21"></a>[<a + href="#Note_21">21</a>]</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">built of +brick, flanked with four bastions, with six guns</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">each, +without ramparts or glacis. The southern curtain,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">about 4 +feet thick, not raised to its full height, was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">provided +only with a battery of 3 guns; there was a similar</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">battery +to the west, but the rest of the west curtain was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">only a +wall of mud and brick, about a foot and a half thick,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and 8 or +10 feet high; there were warehouses ranged</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">against +the east curtain which faced the Ganges, and which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">was still +in process of construction; the whole of this side</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">had no +ditch, and that round the other sides was dry, only 4</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">feet in +depth, and a mere ravine. The walls of the Fort up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to the +ramparts were 15 feet high, and the houses, on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">edge of +the counterscarp, which commanded it, were as much</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">as 30 +feet."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Perhaps the Fort was best defended on the west, where the Company's +Tank<a name="22"></a>[<a href="#Note_22">22</a>] was situated. Its bank +was only about twelve feet from the +Fort Ditch. This use of tanks for defensive purposes was an +excellent one, as they also provided the garrison with a good supply +of drinking water. A little later Clive protected his great barracks +at Berhampur with a line of large tanks along the landward side. +However, this tank protected one side only, and the task of holding +such a fort with an inadequate garrison was not a hopeful one even +for a Frenchman. It was only his weakness which had made Renault +submit to pay the contribution demanded by the Nawab on his +triumphant return from Calcutta in July of the previous year, and he +and his comrades felt very bitterly the neglect of the Company in +not sending money and reinforcements. One of his younger +subordinates wrote to a friend in Pondicherry:<a name="23"></a>[<a + href="#Note_23">23</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"But +the 3-1/2 lahks that the Company has to pay to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Nawab, is +that a trifle? Yes, my dear fellow, for I should</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">like it +to have to pay still more, to teach it how to leave</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">this +Factory, which is, beyond contradiction, the finest of its</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">settlements, +denuded of soldiers and munitions of war, so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that it +is not possible for us to show our teeth."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The wish was prophetic.</p> +<p>Like the English the French were forbidden by the Nawab to fortify +themselves. Renault dared not pay attention to this order. He had +seen what had happened to the English by the neglect of proper +precautions, and when things were at their worst, the Nawab had to +seek his alliance against the English, grant him leave to fortify +Chandernagore, and, later on, even to provide him with money under +the pretence that he was simply restoring the sum forcibly extorted +from him the previous year.<a name="24"></a>[<a href="#Note_24">24</a>] +Trade was at a standstill, and +Renault was determined that if the enemies of his nation were +destined to take the Company's property, they should have the utmost +difficulty possible in doing so. He expended the money on provisions +and ammunition. At the same time, that he might not lose any chance +of settling affairs peaceably with the English, he refused to +associate himself with the Nawab, and entered upon negotiations for +a neutrality in the Ganges. To protect himself if these failed, he +began raising fortifications and pulling down the houses which +commanded the Fort or masked its fire.</p> +<p>He could not pull down the houses on the south of the Fort, from +which Clive subsequently made his attack, partly for want of time, +partly because the native workmen ran away, and partly because of +the bad feeling prevalent in the motley force which formed his +garrison.<a name="25"></a>[<a href="#Note_25">25</a>] The most fatal +defect of all was the want of a +military engineer. The person who held that position had been sent +from France. He was a master mason, and had no knowledge of +engineering. It had been the same story in Calcutta. Drake's two +engineers had been a subaltern in the military and a young +covenanted servant. Renault had to supervise the fortifications +himself.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I +commenced to pull down the church and the house</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +Jesuit fathers, situated on the edge of the Ditch, also</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">all the +houses of private persons which masked the entire</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">north +curtain. The wood taken from the ruins of these</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">served to +construct a barrier extending from bastion to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">bastion +and supporting this same north curtain, which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">seemed +ready to fall to pieces from old age."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This barrier was placed four feet outside the wall, the intervening +space being filled in with earth.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Also +in front of Porte Royale" (i.e. outside the gate in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +avenue), "the weakest side of the Fort, I placed a battery</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of 3 +guns, and worked hard at clearing out and enlarging</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +Ditch, but there was no time to make it of any use as a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">defence. +A warehouse on which I put bales of <i>gunny</i><a name="26"></a>[<a + href="#Note_26">26</a>] to</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">prevent +cannon balls from breaking in the vaults of the roof,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">served it +as a casemate."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The east or river curtain was left alone. The French were, in fact, +so confident that the ships of war would not be able to force their +way up the river, and that Clive would not therefore think of +attacking on that side, that the only precaution they took at first +was the erection of two batteries outside the Fort. It is a +well-known maxim in war that one should attack at that point at +which the enemy deems himself most secure, and it will be seen that +all Clive's efforts were aimed at preparing for Admiral Watson to +attack on the east.</p> +<p>As regards artillery Renault was better off.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +alarm which the Prince" (Siraj-ud-daula) "gave us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in June +last having given me reason to examine into the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">state of +the artillery, I found that not one of the carriages</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +guns on the ramparts was in a serviceable condition,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">not a +field-piece mounted, not a platform ready for the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">mortars. +I gave all my attention to these matters, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fortunately +had time to put them right."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>To serve his guns Renault had the sailors of the Company's ship, +<i>Saint Contest</i>, whose commander, M. de la Vigne Buisson, was the +soul of the defence.</p> +<p>About this time he received a somewhat doubtful increase to his +garrison, a crowd of deserters from the English East India Company's +forces. The latter at this time were composed of men of all +nationalities, English, Germans, Swiss, Dutch, and even French. Many +of them, and naturally the foreigners especially, were ready to +desert upon little provocation. The hardships of service in a +country where the climate and roads were execrable, where food and +pay were equally uncertain, and where promises were made not to be +kept, were provocations which the best soldiers might have found it +difficult to resist. We read of whole regiments in the English and +French services refusing to obey orders, and of mutinies of officers +as well as of men. The one reward of service was the chance of +plunder, and naturally, then, as soon as the fighting with the Nawab +had stopped for a time, the desertions from the British forces were +numerous. Colonel Clive had more than once written to Renault to +remonstrate with him for taking British soldiers into his service. +Probably Renault could have retorted the accusation with justice—at +any rate, he went on enlisting deserters; and from those who had now +come over he formed a company of grenadiers of 50 men, one of +artillery of 30, and one of sailors of 60, wisely giving them a +little higher pay than usual, "to excite their emulation." One of +these was a man named Lee,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"a +corporal and a deserter from the <i>Tyger</i>, who pledged</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">himself +to the enemy that he would throw two shells out of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">three +into the <i>Tyger</i>, but whilst he was bringing the mortars</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to bear +for that purpose, he was disabled by a musket bullet</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">from the <i>Kent's</i> +tops. He was afterwards sent home a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">prisoner +to England."<a name="27"></a>[<a href="#Note_27">27</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>As might be expected the younger Frenchmen were wild with delight at +the chance of seeing a good fight. Some of them had been much +disappointed that the Nawab had not attacked Chandernagore in June, +1756. One of them wrote<a name="28"></a>[<a href="#Note_28">28</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I +was charmed with the adventure and the chance</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of +carrying a musket, having always had" (what Frenchman</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">hasn't?) +"a secret leaning towards a military life. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">intended +to kill a dozen Moors myself in the first sortie we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">made, for +I was determined not to stand like a stock on a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">bastion, +where one only runs the risk of getting wounds</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">without +having any of the pleasure of inflicting them."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>If not the highest form of military spirit, this was at any rate one +of which a good commander might make much use. Renault took +advantage of this feeling, and from the young men of the colony, +such as Company's servants, ships' officers, supercargoes, and +European inhabitants,<a name="29"></a>[<a href="#Note_29">29</a>] he +made a company of volunteers, to whom, +at their own request, he gave his son, an officer of the garrison, +as commander.</p> +<p>One of the volunteer officers writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I +had the honour to be appointed lieutenant, and was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">much +pleased when I saw the spirit of emulation which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">reigned +in every heart. I cannot sufficiently praise the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">spirit of +exactitude with which every one was animated, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +progress which all made in so short a time in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">management +of their arms. I lay stress on the fact that it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">was an +occupation entirely novel to them, and one of which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +commencement always appears very hard, but they overcame</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">all +difficulties, and found amusement in what to others</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">would +appear merely laborious."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>All this time Renault was watching the war between the English and +the Moors. In January the English sailed up the Hugli, passed +Chandernagore contemptuously without a salute, burned the Moorish +towns of Hugli and Bandel, ravaged the banks of the river, and +retired to Calcutta. Up to this the Nawab had not condescended to +notice the English; now, in a moment of timidity, he asked the +intervention of the French as mediators.<a name="30"></a>[<a + href="#Note_30">30</a>] Renault eagerly +complied, for had his mediation been accepted, he would have +inserted in the treaty a clause enforcing peace amongst the +Europeans in Bengal; but the English refused to treat through the +French. This could have only one meaning. Renault felt that his +course was now clear, and was on the point of offering the alliance +which the Nawab had so long sought for, when he received orders from +M. de Leyrit forbidding him to attack the English by land. As M. Law +writes, if Renault had been free to join the Nawab with 500 +Europeans, either Clive would not have ventured a night attack on +the Nawab's camp, or, had he done so, the event would probably have +been very different. Under the circumstances, all that Renault could +do was to continue his fortifications. It was now that he first +realized that Admiral Watson would take part in the attack.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"As +the ships of war were what we had most to fear</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">from, we +constructed on the river bank a battery of 6 guns,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">four of +which covered the approach to the Fort. From the foot</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +battery a bank twenty-two feet high stretching to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the Fort, +was begun, so as to protect the curtain on this side</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">from the +fire of the ships, <i>but it was not finished</i>. We had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">also to +attend to the inhabited portion of the town; it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">impossible +to do more, but we determined to protect it from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a +surprise, and so ditches were dug across the streets and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">outposts +established."<a name="31"></a>[<a href="#Note_31">31</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It was this waste of valuable time upon the defence of the town that +a capable engineer would have saved Renault from the mistake of +committing. Had he limited his efforts to strengthening the walls of +the Fort and cleared away the surrounding houses, he would have been +not only stronger against the attack of the land force, but also in +a much better position to resist the ships.</p> +<p>The issue of the Nawab's attack on Calcutta has already been told. +He was so depressed by his failure that he now treated Renault with +the greatest respect, and it was now that he gave him the sum of +money—a lakh of rupees, then worth £12,500—which he spent on +provisions and munitions of war. Renault says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +Nawab's envoy further gave me to understand that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">he was, +in his heart, enraged with the English, and continued</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to regard +them as his enemies. In spite of this we saw</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">clearly +from the treaty just made" (with the English)</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"that we +should be its victims, and knowing Siraj-ud-daula's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">character, +his promise to assist me strongly if the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">English +attacked us did not quiet my mind. I prepared for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">whatever +might happen by pressing on our preparations and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">collecting +all kinds of provisions in the Fort."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The Nawab and the English concluded a treaty of peace and alliance +on the 9th of February, 1757. Renault mentions no actual treaty +between the Nawab and the French, but the French doctor referred to +in a note above asserts that the Nawab demanded that the Council +should bind itself in writing,</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"to +oppose the passage of the English past Chandernagore....</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">It was +merely engaging to defend ourselves against</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +maritime force of the English ... because Chandernagore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">was the +only place on this coast against which they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">could +undertake any enterprise by water. <i>This engagement</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">was signed</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new;"> and sent to the Nawab three days +after he had</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">made +peace with the English. The Council received in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">reply two +privileges, the one to coin money with the King's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">stamp at +Chandernagore, the other liberty of trade for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">individual +Frenchmen on the same footing as the Company,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and +100,000 rupees on account of the 300,000 which he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">extorted +the previous year."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It does not matter whether this engagement was signed or not.<a + name="32"></a>[<a href="#Note_32">32</a>] As +a Frenchman thus mentions it, the rumour of its signature must have +been very strong. It is probable that the English heard of it, and +believed it to be conclusive proof of the secret understanding +between the Nawab and the French. The privilege of individual trade +was particularly likely to excite their commercial jealousy, for it +was to this very privilege in their own case that the wealth and +strength of Calcutta were due. Such a rumour, therefore, was not +likely to facilitate negotiations. Nevertheless, Renault sent MM. +Fournier and Nicolas, the latter of whom had many friends amongst +the English, to Calcutta, to re-open the negotiations for a +neutrality. These negotiations seemed to be endless. The most +striking feature was Admiral Watson's apparent vacillation. When the +Council proposed war he wanted peace, when they urged neutrality he +wanted war. Clive went so far as to present a memorial to the +Council, saying it was unfair to continue the negotiations if the +Admiral was determined not to agree to a treaty. It seems as if the +Council wanted war, but wished to throw the responsibility upon the +Admiral. On the other hand the Admiral was only too eager to fight, +but hesitated to involve the Company in a war with the French and +the Nawab combined, at a moment when the British land forces were so +weakened by disease that success might be considered doubtful. He +had also to remember the fact that the Council at Chandernagore was +subordinate to the Council at Pondicherry, and the latter might, +whenever convenient to the French, repudiate the treaty. However, in +spite of all difficulties, the terms were agreed to, the draft was +prepared, and only the signatures were wanting, when a large +reinforcement of Europeans arrived from Bombay, and the Admiral +received formal notification of the declaration of war, and orders +from the Admiralty to attack the French.<a name="33"></a>[<a + href="#Note_33">33</a>] This put an immediate +end to negotiations, and the envoys were instructed to return to +Chandernagore. At the same time the English determined to try and +prevent the Nawab from joining the French.</p> +<p>Whilst the Admiral was making up his mind fortune had favoured the +English. The Nawab, in fear of an invasion of Bengal by the Pathans, +had called upon the British for assistance, and on the 3rd of March +Clive's army left Calcutta <i>en route</i> for Murshidabad. The +Admiral +now pointed out to the Nawab that the British could not safely leave +Chandernagore behind them in the hands of an enemy, and Clive wrote +to the same effect, saying he would wait near Chandernagore for a +reply. On the 10th of March the Nawab wrote a letter to the Admiral, +which concluded with the following significant words:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"You +have understanding and generosity: if your enemy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with an +upright heart claims your protection, you will give</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">him life, +but then you must be <i>well</i> satisfied of the innocence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of his +intentions: if not, whatever you think right, that do."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law says this letter was a forgery,<a name="34"></a>[<a + href="#Note_34">34</a>] but as the Nawab did not +write any letters himself, the only test of authenticity was his +seal, which was duly attached. The English believed it to be +genuine, and the words quoted could have but one meaning. Admiral +Watson read them as a permission to attack the French without fear +of the Nawab's interference. He prepared to support Clive as soon as +the water in the Hugli would allow his ships to pass up, and, it +must be supposed, informed Clive of the letter he had received. At +any rate, he so informed the Council.</p> +<p>Clive reached Chandernagore on the 12th, and probably heard on that +day or the next from Calcutta. On the 13th he sent the following +summons—which Renault does not mention, and did not reply to—to +Chandernagore:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"SIR,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The King +of Great Britain having declared war</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">against +France, I summons you in his name to surrender the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Fort of +Chandernagore. In case of refusal you are to answer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +consequences, and expect to be treated according to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">usage of +war in such cases.</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I have the +honour to be, sir,</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + </div> + <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Your most +obedient and humble servant,</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + </div> + <div style="text-align: right;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"ROBERT CLIVE."</span><br> + </div> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It is important, in the light of what happened +later, to notice that Clive addresses Renault as a +combatant and the head of the garrison.</p> +<p>In England we have recently seen men eager to vilify their own +nation. France has produced similar monsters. One of them wrote from +Pondicherry:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +English having changed their minds on the arrival</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +reinforcement from Bombay, our gentlemen at Chandernagore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">prepared +to ransom themselves, and they would have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">done so +at whatever price the ransom had been fixed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">provided +anything had remained to them. That mode of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">agreement +could not possibly suit the taste of the English.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">It was +rejected, and the Council of Chandernagore had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">no other +resource except to surrender on the best conditions</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">they +could obtain from the generosity of their enemy. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">course +was so firmly resolved upon that they gave no</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">thought +to defending themselves. The military insisted only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">on firing +a single discharge, which they desired the Council</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">would +grant them. It was only the marine and the citizens</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">who, +though they had no vote in the Council, cried out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">tumultuously +that the Fort must be defended. A plot was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">formed to +prevent the Director's son, who was ready to carry</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the keys +of the town to the English camp, from going out.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Suddenly +some one fired a musket. The English thought</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">it was +the reply to their summons. They commenced on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +side to fire their artillery, and that was how a defence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">which +lasted ten whole days was begun."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>How much truth is contained in the above paragraph may be judged by +what has been already stated. It will be sufficient to add that +Clive, receiving no answer to his summons, made a sudden attack on a +small earthwork to the south-west of the fort at 3 A.M. on the 14th +of March. For two whole days then, the English had been in sight of +Chandernagore without attacking. The French ladies had been sent to +Chinsurah and Serampore, so that the defenders had nothing to fear +on their account. Besides the French soldiers and civilians, there +were also about 2000 Moorish troops present, whom Law says he +persuaded the Nawab to send down as soon as the English left +Calcutta. Other accounts say that Renault hired them to assist him. +The Nawab had a strong force at Murshidabad ready to march under one +of his commanders, Rai Durlabh Ram; but the latter had experienced +what even a small English force could do in the night attack on the +Nawab's camp, and was by no means inclined to match himself a second +time against Clive; accordingly, he never got further than five +leagues from Murshidabad. Urgent messages were sent from +Chandernagore as soon as the attack began. M. Law begged of the +Nawab to send reinforcements. Mr. Watts, the English Chief, and all +his party in the <i>Durbar</i>, did their utmost to prevent any orders +being issued. The Nawab gave orders which he almost immediately +countermanded. Renault ascribes this to a letter which he says +Clive wrote on the 14th of March, the very day of the attack, +promising the Nawab to leave the French alone, but it is not at all +likely that he did so. It is true Clive had written to this effect +on the 22nd of February; but since then much had happened, and he +was now acting, as he thought and said, with the Nawab's permission. +On the 16th of March he wrote to Nand Kumar, Faujdar<a name="35"></a>[<a + href="#Note_35">35</a>] of Hugli, +as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +many deceitful wicked measures that the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">have +taken to endeavour to deprive me of the Nawab's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">favour +(tho' I thank God they have proved in vain, since</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">his +Excellency's friendship towards me is daily increasing)</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">has long +made me look on them as enemies to the English,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">but I +could no longer stifle my resentment when I found</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that ... +they dared to oppose the freedom of the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">trade on +the Ganges by seizing a boat with an English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;"><i>dustuck</i>,<a + name="36"></a>[<a href="#Note_36">36</a>] and under English colours +that was passing by their</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">town. I +am therefore come to a resolution to attack them.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I am told +that some of the Government's forces have been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">perswaded +under promise of great rewards from the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to join +them against us; I should be sorry, at a time when</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I am so +happy in his Excellency's favour and friendship, that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I should +do any injury to his servants; I am therefore to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">desire +you will send these forces an order to withdraw, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that no +other may come to their assistance."<a name="37"></a>[<a href="#Note_37">37</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>What Clive feared was that, though the +Nawab might not interfere openly, some of his +servants might receive secret orders to do so, and +on the 22nd of March he wrote even more curtly +to Rai Durlabh himself:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I +hear you are arrived within 20 miles of Hughly.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Whether +you come as a friend or an enemy, I know not. If</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">as the +latter, say so at once, and I will send some people out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to fight +you immediately.... Now you know my mind."<a name="38"></a>[<a + href="#Note_38">38</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>When diplomatic correspondence was conducted in letters of this +kind, it is easy to understand that the Nawab was frightened out of +his wits, and absolutely unable to decide what course he should +take. There was little likelihood of the siege being influenced by +anything he might do.</p> +<p>The outpost mentioned as the object of the first attack was a small +earthwork, erected at the meeting of three roads. It was covered by +the Moorish troops, who held the roofs of the houses around. As the +intention of the outposts was merely to prevent the town from being +surprised, and to enable the inhabitants to take shelter in the +Fort, the outpost ought to have been withdrawn as quickly as +possible, but, probably because they thought it a point of honour to +make a stout defence wherever they were first attacked, the +defenders stood to it gallantly. Renault sent repeated +reinforcements, first the company of grenadiers, then at 9 o'clock +the company of artillery, and at 10 o'clock, when the surrounding +houses were in flames, and many of the Moors had fled, a company of +volunteers. With these, and a further reinforcement of sixty +sailors, the little fort held out till 7 o'clock in the evening, +when the English, after three fruitless assaults, ceased fire and +withdrew. Street fighting is always confusing, and hence the +following vague description of the day's events from Captain Eyre +Coote's journal:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Colonel +Clive ordered the picquets, with the company's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">grenadiers, +to march into the French bounds, which is encompassed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with an +old ditch,<a name="39"></a>[<a href="#Note_39">39</a>] the entrance +into it a gateway</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with +embrasures on the top but no cannons, which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">French +evacuated on our people's advancing. As soon as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Captain +Lynn, who commanded the party, had taken possession,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">he +acquainted the Colonel, who ordered Major Kilpatrick</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and me, +with my company of grenadiers, to join Captain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Lynn, and +send him word after we had reconnoitred the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">place. On +our arrival there we found a party of French was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in +possession of a road leading to a redoubt that they had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">thrown up +close under their fort, where they had a battery</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of +cannon, and upon our advancing down the road, they fired</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">some +shots at us. We detached some parties through a wood,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and drove +them from the road into their batteries with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">loss of +some men; we then sent for the Colonel, who, as soon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">as he +joined us, sent to the camp for more troops. We</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">continued +firing at each other in an irregular manner till</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">about +noon, at which time the Colonel ordered me to continue</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with my +grenadier company and about 200 sepoys at the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">advance +post, and that he would go with the rest of our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">troops to +the entrance, which was about a mile back. About</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">2 o'clock +word was brought me that the French were making</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a sortie. +Soon after, I perceived the sepoys retiring from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +post, upon which I sent to the Colonel to let him know</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +French were coming out. I was then obliged to divide</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">my +company, which consisted of about 50 men, into 2 or 3</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">parties +(very much against my inclination) to take possession</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +ground the sepoys had quitted. We fired pretty</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">warmly +for a quarter of an hour from the different parties</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">at each +other, when the French retreated again into their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">battery. +On this occasion I had a gentleman (Mr. Tooke<a name="40"></a>[<a + href="#Note_40">40</a>]),</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">who was a +volunteer, killed, and 2 of my men wounded.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">The enemy +lost 5 or 6 Europeans and some blacks. I got</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">close +under the battery, and was tolerably well sheltered by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">an old +house, where I continued firing till about 7 o'clock,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">at which +time I was relieved, and marched back to camp."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The defenders were much exhausted, as well by the fighting as by the +smoke and heat from the burning houses and the heat of the weather, +for it was almost the hottest season of the year. It seemed probable +that the English would make another attack during the night, and as +the defenders already amounted to a very large portion of the +garrison, it was almost impossible to reinforce them without +leaving the Fort itself in great danger, if Clive managed to +approach it from any other quarter. Renault called a council of war, +and, after taking the opinion of his officers in writing to the +effect that the outposts must be abandoned, he withdrew the +defenders at 9 o'clock, under cover of the darkness: The French had +suffered a loss of only 10 men killed and wounded. Clive mentions +that, at the same time, all the other outposts and batteries, except +those on the river side, were withdrawn.</p> +<p>Mustering his forces in the Fort, Renault found them to be composed +of 237 soldiers (of whom 117 were deserters from the British), 120 +sailors, 70 half-castes and private Europeans, 100 persons employed +by the Company, 167 Sepoys and 100 <i>Topasses</i>. Another French +account puts the total of the French garrison at 489, but this +probably excludes many of the private people.<a name="41"></a>[<a + href="#Note_41">41</a>]</p> +<p>On the 15th the English established themselves in the town, and +drove out the Moors who had been stationed on the roofs of the +houses. This gave them to some extent the command of the interior of +the Fort, but no immediate attack was made on the latter. A French +account<a name="42"></a>[<a href="#Note_42">42</a>] says this was +because—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"all +their soldiers were drunk with the wine they had found</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in the +houses. Unfortunately we did not know of this. It</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">would +have been the moment to make a sortie, of which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">results +must have been favourable to us, the enemy being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">incapable +of defence."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>During the night of the 15th the Fort was bombarded, and on the +morning of the 16th the British completed the occupation of the +houses deserted by the Moors. The latter not being received into the +Fort, either fled or were sent away. They betook themselves to Nand +Kumar, the Faujdar of Hugli, announcing the capture of the town. +Nand Kumar, who is said to have had an understanding with the +British, sent on the message to Rai Durlabh and the Nawab, with the +malicious addition that the Fort, if it had not already fallen, +would fall before Rai Durlabh could reach it. This put an end to all +chance of the Nawab interfering.</p> +<p>The French spent the day in blocking a narrow passage formed by a +sandbank in the river, a short distance below the town. They sank—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"four +large ships and a hulk,... and had a chain and boom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">across in +order to prevent our going up with the squadron.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Captain +Toby sent his 2nd lieutenant, Mr. Bloomer, that night,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">who cut +the chain and brought off a sloop that buoyed it up."<a name="43"></a>[<a + href="#Note_43">43</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It was apparently this rapid attack on the position that accounts +for the timidity of the pilots and boatmen, who, Renault tells us, +hurried away without staying to sink two other ships which were half +laden, and which, if sunk, would have completely blocked the +passage. Even on the ships which were sunk the masts had been left +standing, so as to point out their position to the enemy.</p> +<p>Besides the ships sunk in the passage, there were at Chandernagore +the French East Indiaman the <i>Saint Contest</i> (Captain de la Vigne +Buisson), four large ships, and several small ones. The French +needed all the sailors for the Fort, so they sank all the vessels +they could not send up the river except three, which it was supposed +they intended to use as fire-ships.</p> +<p>Clive, in the meantime, was advancing cautiously, his men erecting +batteries, which seemed to be very easily silenced by the superior +gunnery of the Fort. His object was partly to weary out the garrison +by constant fighting, and partly to creep round to the river face, +so as to be in a position to take the batteries which commanded the +narrow river passage, as soon as Admiral Watson was ready to attack +the Fort. Later on, the naval officers asserted he could not have +taken the Fort without the assistance of the fleet. He said he +could, and it is certain that if he had had no fleet to assist him +his mode of attack would have been a very different one.</p> +<p>Early in the siege the French were warned from Chinsurah to beware +of treachery amongst the deserters in their pay, and on the 17th of +March a number of arrows were found in the Fort with labels +attached, bearing the words:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Pardon +to deserters who will rejoin their colours, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">rewards +to officers who will come over to us."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>These were seized by the officers before the men could see them, but +one of the officers themselves, Charles Cossard de Terraneau, a +sub-lieutenant of the garrison, took advantage of the offer to go +over to the English. This officer had served with credit in the +South of India, and had lost an arm in his country's service. The +reason of his desertion is said to have been a quarrel with M. +Renault. M. Raymond, the translator of a native history of the time +by Gholam Husain Khan,<a name="44"></a>[<a href="#Note_44">44</a>] +tells a story of De Terraneau which seems +improbable. It is to the effect that he betrayed the secret of the +river passage to Admiral Watson, and that a few years later he sent +home part of the reward of his treachery to his father in France. +The old man returned the money with indignant comments on his son's +conduct, and De Terraneau committed suicide in despair. As a matter +of fact, De Terraneau was a land officer,<a name="45"></a>[<a + href="#Note_45">45</a>] and therefore not +likely to be able to advise the Admiral, who, as we shall see, +solved the riddle of the passage in a perfectly natural manner, and +the Probate Records show that De Terraneau lived till 1765, and in +his will left his property to his wife Ann, so the probability is +that he lived and died quietly in the British service. His only +trouble seems to have been to get himself received by his new +brother officers. However, he was, so Clive tells us, the only +artillery officer the French had, and his desertion was a very +serious matter. Renault writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +same night, by the improved direction of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">besiegers' +bombs, I had no doubt but that he had done us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a bad +service."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>On the 18th the French destroyed a battery which the English had +established near the river, and drove them out of a house opposite +the south-east bastion. The same day the big ships of the +squadron—the <i>Kent</i> (Captain Speke), the <i>Tyger</i> (Captain +Latham), +and the <i>Salisbury</i> (Captain Martin), appeared below the town. +The +<i>Bridgewater</i> and <i>Kingfisher</i> had come up before. Admiral +Watson +was on board the <i>Kent</i>, and Admiral Pocock on the <i>Tyger</i>. +The +fleet anchored out of range of the Fort at the Prussian Gardens, a +mile and a half below the town, and half a mile below the narrow +passage in which the ships had been sunk.</p> +<p>On the 19th Admiral Watson formally announced the declaration of +war,<a name="46"></a>[<a href="#Note_46">46</a>] and summoned the Fort +to surrender. The Governor called a +council of war, in which there was much difference of opinion. Some +thought the Admiral would not have come so far without his being +certain of his ability to force the passage; indeed the presence of +so many deserters in the garrison rendered it probable that he had +secret sources of information. As a matter of fact, it was only when +Lieutenant Hey, the officer who had brought the summons, and, in +doing so, had rowed between the masts of the sunken vessels, +returned to the <i>Kent</i>, that Admiral Watson knew the passage was +clear. Renault and the Council were aware that the Fort could not +resist the big guns of the ships, and accordingly the more +thoughtful members of the council of war determined, if possible, to +try and avoid fighting by offering a ransom. This apparently gave +rise to the idea that they wished to surrender, and an English +officer says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Upon +the Admiral's sending them a summons ... to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">surrender, +they were very stout; they gave us to understand</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">there +were two parties in the Factory, the Renaultions and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +anti-Renaultions. The former, which they called the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">great-wigg'd +gentry, or councillors, were for giving up the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Fort, but +the others vowed they would die in the breach. To</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">these +high and lofty expressions the Admiral could give no</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">other +answer than that in a very few days, or hours perhaps,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">he would +give them a very good opportunity of testifying</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +zeal for the Company and the Grand Monarque."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The offer of ransom was made, and was refused by the Admiral. +Renault says, he—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"insisted +on our surrendering and the troops taking possession</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +Fort, <i>promising, however, that every one should keep his</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">own property</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new;">. There was not a man amongst us who +did not</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">prefer to +run the risk of whatever might happen to surrendering</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in this +fashion, without the Fort having yet suffered any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">material +damage, and every one was willing to risk his own</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">interests +in order to defend those of the Company. Every</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">one swore +to do his best."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The Admiral could not attack at once, owing to the state of the +river, but to secure his own position against any counter-attack, +such as was very likely with a man like Captain de la Vigne in the +Fort, he sent up boats the same night, and sank the vessels which it +was supposed the French intended to use as fire-ships; and the next +day Mr. John Delamotte, master of the <i>Kent</i>, under a heavy fire, +sounded and buoyed the passage for the ships.</p> +<p>The army, meanwhile, continued its monotonous work ashore, the +soldiers building batteries for the French to knock to pieces, but +succeeding in Clive's object, which was "to keep the enemy +constantly awake."<a name="47"></a>[<a href="#Note_47">47</a>] +Sometimes this work was dangerous, as, for +instance, on the 21st, when a ball from the Fort knocked down a +verandah close to one of the English batteries, "the rubbish of +which choked up one of our guns, very much bruised two artillery +officers, and buried several men in the ruins."<a name="48"></a>[<a + href="#Note_48">48</a>]</p> +<p>By the 22nd Clive had worked his way round to the river, and was +established to the north-east and south-east of the Fort so as to +assist the Admiral, and on the river the Admiral had at last got the +high tide he was waiting for. Surgeon Ives tells the story as +follows:<a name="49"></a>[<a href="#Note_49">49</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +Admiral the same evening ordered lights to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">placed on +the masts of the vessels that had been sunk, with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">blinds +towards the Fort, that we might see how to pass</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">between +them a little before daylight, and without being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">discovered +by the enemy.</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"At +length the glorious morning of the 23rd of March</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">arrived." +Clive's men gallantly stormed the battery covering</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +narrow pass,<a name="50"></a>[<a href="#Note_50">50</a>] "and upon the +ships getting under sail the</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Colonel's +battery, which had been finished behind a dead</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">wall," to +take off the fire of the Fort when the ships passed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">up, began +firing away, and had almost battered down the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">corner of +the south-east bastion before the ships arrived</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">within +shot of the Fort. "The <i>Tyger</i>, with Admiral Pocock's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">flag +flying, took the lead, and about 6 o'clock in the morning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">got very +well into her station against the north-east bastion.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">The <i>Kent</i>, +with Admiral Watson's flag flying, quickly followed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">her, but +before she could reach her proper station, the tide of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">ebb +unfortunately made down the river, which occasioned her</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">anchor to +drag, so that before she brought up she had fallen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">abreast +of the south-east bastion, the place where the <i>Salisbury</i></span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">should +have been, and from her mainmast aft she was exposed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to the +flank guns of the south-west bastion also. The accident</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the <i>Kent's</i> +anchor not holding fast, and her driving down</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">into the <i>Salisbury's</i> +station, threw this last ship out of action,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to the +great mortification of the captain, officers, and crew,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">for she +never had it in her power to fire a gun, unless it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">now and +then, when she could sheer on the tide. The French,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">during +the whole time of the <i>Kent</i> and <i>Tyger's</i> approach</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">towards +the Fort, kept up a terrible cannonade upon them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">without +any resistance on their part; but as soon as the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">ships +came properly to an anchor they returned it with such</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fury as +astonished their adversaries. Colonel Clive's troops</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">at the +same time got into those houses which were nearest</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the Fort, +and from thence greatly annoyed the enemy with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +musketry. Our ships lay so near to the Fort that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">musket +balls fired from their tops, by striking against the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;"><i>chunam</i><a + name="51"></a>[<a href="#Note_51">51</a>] walls of the Governor's palace, +which was in</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the very +centre of the Fort, were beaten as flat as a half-crown.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">The fire +now became general on both sides, and was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">kept up +with extraordinary spirit. The flank guns of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">south-west +bastion galled the <i>Kent</i> very much, and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Admiral's +aide-de-camps being all wounded, Mr. Watson went</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">down +himself to Lieutenant William Brereton, who commanded</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the lower +deck battery, and ordered him particularly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to direct +his fire against those guns, and they were accordingly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">soon +afterwards silenced. At 8 in the morning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">several +of the enemy's shot struck the <i>Kent</i> at the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">time; one +entered near the foremast, and set fire to two or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">three +32-pound cartridges of gunpowder, as the boys held</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">them in +their hands ready to charge the guns. By the explosion,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +wad-nets and other loose things took fire between</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">decks, +and the whole ship was so filled with smoke that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">men, in +their confusion, cried out she was on fire in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">gunner's +store-room, imagining from the shock they had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">felt from +the balls that a shell had actually fallen into her.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">This +notion struck a panic into the greater part of the crew,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and 70 or +80 jumped out of the port-holes into the boats</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that were +alongside the ship. The French presently saw</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">this +confusion on board the <i>Kent</i>, and, resolving to take the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">advantage, +kept up as hot a fire as possible upon her during</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the whole +time. Lieutenant Brereton, however, with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">assistance +of some other brave men, soon extinguished the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fire, and +then running to the ports, he begged the seamen to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">come in +again, upbraiding them for deserting their quarters;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">but +finding this had no effect upon them, he thought the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">more +certain method of succeeding would be to strike them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with a +sense of shame, and therefore loudly exclaimed, 'Are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">you +Britons? You Englishmen, and fly from danger? For</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">shame! +For shame!' This reproach had the desired effect;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to a man +they immediately returned into the ship, repaired</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to their +quarters, and renewed a spirited fire on the enemy.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"In about +three hours from the commencement of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">attack +the parapets of the north and south bastions were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">almost +beaten down; the guns were mostly dismounted, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">we could +plainly see from the main-top of the <i>Kent</i> that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">ruins +from the parapet and merlons had entirely blocked up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">those few +guns which otherwise might have been fit for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">service. +We could easily discern, too, that there had been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a great +slaughter among the enemy, who, finding that our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fire +against them rather increased, hung out the white flag,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">whereupon +a cessation of hostilities took place, and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Admiral +sent Lieutenant Brereton (the only commissioned</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">officer +on board the <i>Kent</i> that was not killed or wounded)</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and +Captain Coote of the King's regiment with a flag of truce</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to the +Fort, who soon returned, accompanied by the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Governor's +son, with articles of capitulation, which being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">settled +by the Admiral and Colonel, we soon after took possession</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +place."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>So far then from the besiegers' side; Renault's description of the +fight is as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +three largest vessels, aided by the high-water of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +equinoctial tides, which, moreover, had moved the vessels</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">sunk in +the narrow passage, passed over the sunken ships,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">which did +not delay them for a moment, to within half</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">pistol +shot of the Fort, and opened fire at 6 a.m. Then the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">troops in +the battery on the bank of the Ganges, who had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">so far +fired only one discharge, suddenly found themselves</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">overwhelmed +with the fire from the tops of the ships,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">abandoned +it, and had much difficulty in gaining the Fort....</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I +immediately sent the company of grenadiers, with a detachment</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +artillery company as reinforcements, to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">south-eastern +bastion and the Bastion du Pavillon, which two</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">bastions +face the Ganges; but those troops under the fire of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +ships, joined to that of the land batteries, <i>rebuilt the</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">same night</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new;">, and of more than 3000 men placed +on the roofs</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of houses +which overlooked the Fort, almost all took flight,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">leaving +two of their officers behind, one dead and the other</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">wounded. +I was obliged to send immediately all the marine</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and the +inhabitants from the other posts.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +attack was maintained with vigour from 6 a.m. to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">10.30, +when all the batteries were covered with dead and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">wounded, +the guns dismounted, and the merlons destroyed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in spite +of their being strengthened with bales of cloth. No</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">one could +show himself on the bastions, demolished by the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fire of +more than 100 guns; the troops were terrified during</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">this +attack by the loss of all the gunners and of nearly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">200 men; +the bastions were undermined, and threatened to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">crumble +away and make a breach, which the exhaustion of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">our +people, and the smallness of the number who remained,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">made it +impossible for us to hope to defend successfully.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Not a +soldier would put his hand to a gun; it was only the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">European +marine who stood to their duty, and half of these</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">were +already killed or disabled. A body of English troops,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">lying +flat on the ground behind the screen which we had commenced</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to erect +on the bank of the Ganges, was waiting the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">signal to +attack. Seeing the impossibility of holding out longer,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I thought +that in the state in which the Fort was I could not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in +prudence expose it to an assault. Consequently I hoisted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the white +flag and ordered the drums to beat a parley."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>According to an account written later by a person who was not +present at the siege, Renault lost his Fort by a quarter of an hour. +This writer says the tide was rapidly falling, and, had the eastern +defences of the Fort been able to resist a little longer, the ships +would have found their lower tiers of guns useless, and might have +been easily destroyed by the French. Suppositions of this kind +always suppose a stupidity on the part of the enemy which Renault +had no right to count upon. Admiral Watson must have known the +strength of the fortress he was about to attack before he placed +his ships in a position from which it would be impossible to +withdraw them whenever he wished to do so.</p> +<p>The flag of truce being displayed, Captain Eyre Coote was sent +ashore, and returned in a quarter of an hour with the Governor's son +bearing "a letter concerning the delivery of the place." Articles +were agreed upon, and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon Captain +Coote, with a company of artillery and two companies of grenadiers, +took possession of the Fort. Before this took place there occurred +an event the consequences of which were very unfortunate for the +French. Everything was in a state of confusion, and the deserters, +who formed the majority of the garrison, expecting no mercy from the +Admiral and Clive, determined to escape. Rushing tumultuously to the +Porte Royale, their arms in their hands, they forced it to be opened +to them, and, finding the northern road to Chinsurah unguarded, made +the best of their way in that direction. They were accompanied by a +number of the military and marine, as well as by some of the +Company's servants and private persons who were determined not to +surrender. As all this took place after the hoisting of the white +flag and pending the conclusion of the capitulation, the English +considered it a breach of the laws of warfare, and when later on +the meaning of the capitulation itself was contested they absolutely +refused to listen to any of the representations of the French. In +all about 150 persons left the Fort. They had agreed to reassemble +at a place a little above Hugli. The English sent a small force +after them, who shot some and captured others, but about 80 officers +and men arrived at the rendezvous in safety. The pursuit, however, +was carried further, and Law writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Constantly +pursued, they had to make forced marches.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Some lost +their way; others, wearied out, were caught as they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">stopped +to rest themselves. However, when I least expected</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">it, I was +delighted to see the officers and many of the soldiers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">arrive in +little bands of 5 and 6, all naked, and so worn out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that they +could hardly hold themselves upright. Most of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">them had +lost their arms."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This reinforcement increased Law's garrison from 10 or 12 men to 60, +and secured the safety of his person, but the condition of the +fugitives must have been an object lesson to the Nawab and his +<i>Durbar</i> which it was not wise for the French to set before them. +A +naval officer writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"From +the letters that have lately passed between the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Nawab and +us, we have great reason to hope he will not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">screen +the French at all at Cossimbazar or Dacca. I only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">wish the +Colonel does not alarm him too much, by moving</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with the +army to the northward, I do assure you he is so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">sufficiently +frightened that he had rather encounter the new</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Mogul<a + name="52"></a>[<a href="#Note_52">52</a>] himself than accept our +assistance, though he strenuously</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">begged +for it about three weeks ago. He writes word</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">he needs +no fuller assurance of our friendship for him, when</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a single +letter brought us so far on the road to Murshidabad</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">as +Chandernagore."<a name="53"></a>[<a href="#Note_53">53</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The escape of the French from Chandernagore is of interest, as it +shows the extraordinary condition of the country. It is probable +that the peasantry and gentry were indifferent as to whether the +English or the French were victorious, whilst the local authorities +were so paralyzed by the Nawab's hesitation that they did not know +which side to assist. Later on we shall find that small parties, and +even solitary Frenchmen, wandered through the country with little or +no interference, though the English had been recognized as the +friends and allies of the new Nawab, Mir Jafar.</p> +<p>To return, however, to Renault and the garrison of Chandernagore. +The capitulation proposed by Renault and the Admiral's answers were +to the following effect:—</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">1. The lives of the deserters to be +spared. <i>Answer</i>. The deserters +to surrender absolutely.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">2. Officers of the garrison to be +prisoners on parole, and allowed +to keep their effects. <i>Answer</i>. Agreed to.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">3. Soldiers of the garrison to be +prisoners of war. <i>Answer</i>. Agreed +to, on condition that foreigners may enter the English service.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">4. Sepoys of the garrison to be set free. +<i>Answer</i>. Agreed to.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">5. Officers and crew of the French +Company's ship to be sent to +Pondicherry. <i>Answer</i>. These persons to be prisoners of war +according to articles 2 and 3.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">6. The Jesuit fathers to be allowed to +practise their religion and +retain their property. <i>Answer</i>. No European to be allowed to +remain +at Chandernagore, but the fathers to be allowed to retain their +property.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">7. All inhabitants to retain their +property. <i>Answer</i>. This to be +left to the Admiral's sense of equity.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">8. The French Factories up-country to be +left in the hands of their +present chiefs. <i>Answer</i>. This to be settled by the Nawab and the +Admiral.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">9. The French Company's servants to go +where they please, with their +clothes and linen. <i>Answer</i>. Agreed to.</p> +<p>It is evident that the capitulation was badly drawn up. Civilians +who had taken part in the defence, as had all the Company's +servants, might be justly included in the garrison, and accordingly +Admiral Watson and Clive declared they were all prisoners of war, +and that article 9 merely permitted them to reside where they +pleased on <i>parole</i>. On the other hand, Renault and the French +Council declared that, being civilians, nothing could make them part +of the garrison, and therefore under article 9 they might do what +they pleased. Accordingly, they expressed much surprise when they +were stopped at the Fort gates by one of Clive's officers, and +forced to sign, before they were allowed to pass, a paper promising +not to act against Britain directly or indirectly during the course +of the war.</p> +<p>Another point of difficulty was in reference to article 7. The town +had been in the hands of the British soldiers and sepoys for days. +Much had been plundered, and both soldiers and sailors were wild for +loot. They considered that the Admiral was acting unjustly to them +in restoring their property to civilians who had been offered the +chance of retaining it if they would avoid unnecessary bloodshed by +a prompt surrender. Instead of this, the defence was so desperate +that one officer writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Our +losses have been very great, and we have never</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">yet +obtained a victory at so dear a rate. Perhaps you will</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">hear of +few instances where two ships have met with heavier</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">damage +than the <i>Kent</i> and <i>Tyger</i> in this engagement."<a name="54"></a>[<a + href="#Note_54">54</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Clive's total loss was only about 40 men killed and wounded, but +the loss on the ships was so great, that before the Fort surrendered +the besiegers had lost quite as many men as the besieged, and it was +by no means clear to the common mind what claim the French had to +leniency. Even English officers wrote:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +Messieurs themselves deserve but little mercy from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">us for +their mean behaviour in setting fire to so many bales</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of cloth +and raw silk in the Fort but a very few minutes</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">before we +entered, and it grieves us much, to see such a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">number of +stout and good vessels sunk with their whole</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">cargoes +far above the Fort, which is a great loss to us and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">no profit +to them. Those indeed below, to hinder our passage</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">were +necessary, the others were <i>merely through mischief</i>.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">But +notwithstanding this they scarcely ask a favour from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +Admiral but it is granted."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The result was that the soldiers on guard began to beat the coolies +who were helping the French to secure their goods, until they were +induced by gifts to leave them alone, and much plundering went on +when the soldiers could manage to escape notice. On one day three +black soldiers were executed, and on another Sergeant Nover<a name="55"></a>[<a + href="#Note_55">55</a>] and +a private soldier of the 39th Regiment were condemned to death, for +breaking open the Treasury and stealing 3000 rupees. Another theft, +which was not traced, was the holy vessels and treasure of the +Church.</p> +<p>Many individual Frenchmen were ruined. Of one of these Surgeon Ives +narrates the following pleasing incident:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"It +happened unfortunately ... that Monsieur Nicolas,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a man of +most amiable character, and the father of a large</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">family, +had not been so provident as the rest of his countrymen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in +securing his effects within the Fort, but had left them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in the +town; consequently, upon Colonel Clive's first taking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">possession +of the place, they had all been plundered by our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">common +soldiers; and the poor gentleman and his family</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">were to +all appearance ruined. The generous and humane</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Captain +Speke,<a name="56"></a>[<a href="#Note_56">56</a>] having heard of the +hard fate of Monsieur</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Nicolas, +took care to represent it to the two admirals in all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">its +affecting circumstances, who immediately advanced the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">sum of +1500 rupees each. Their example was followed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the five +captains of the squadron, who subscribed 5000</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">between +them. Mr. Doidge added 800 more, and the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">sum was +thrown in by another person who was a sincere well-wisher</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to this +unfortunate gentleman; so that a present of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">9600 +rupees, or £1200 sterling was in a few minutes collected</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">towards +the relief of this valuable Frenchman and his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">distressed +family. One of the company was presently</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">despatched +with this money, who had orders to acquaint</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Monsieur +Nicolas that a few of his English friends desired</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">his +acceptance of it, as a small testimony of the very high</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">esteem +they had for his moral character, and of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">unfeigned +sympathy with him in his misfortunes. The poor</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">gentleman, +quite transported by such an instance of generosity</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in an +enemy, cried out in a sort of ecstasy, 'Good God,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">they axe +friends indeed!' He accepted of the present with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">great +thankfulness, and desired that his most grateful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">acknowledgements +might be made to his unknown benefactors,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">for whose +happiness and the happiness of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">families, +not only his, but the prayers of his children's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">children, +he hoped, would frequently be presented to heaven.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">He could +add no more; the tears, which ran plentifully down</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">his +cheeks, bespoke the feelings of his heart: and, indeed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">implied +much more than even Cicero with all his powers of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">oratory +could possibly have expressed."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This, however, was but a solitary instance; the state of the French +was, as a rule, wretched in the extreme, and Renault wrote:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +whole colony is dispersed, and the inhabitants are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">seeking +an asylum, some—the greatest part—have gone to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Chinsurah, +others to the Danes and to Calcutta. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">dispersion +being caused by the misery to which our countrymen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">are +reduced, their poverty, which I cannot relieve,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">draws +tears from my eyes, the more bitter that I have seen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">them risk +their lives so generously for the interests of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Company, +and of our nation."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>In such circumstances there was but one consolation possible to +brave men—the knowledge that, in the eyes of friend and foe, they +had done their duty. The officers of the British army and navy all +spoke warmly of the gallant behaviour of the French, and the +historian Broome, himself a soldier and the chronicler of many a +brave deed, expresses himself as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +conduct of the French on this occasion was most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">creditable +and well worthy the acknowledged gallantry of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that +nation. Monsieur Renault, the Governor, displayed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">great +courage and determination: but the chief merit of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">defence +was due to Monsieur Devignes" (Captain de la</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Vigne +Buisson), "commander of the French Company's ship,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;"><i>Saint +Contest</i>. He took charge of the bastions, and directed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +fire with great skill and judgment, and by his own</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">example +inspired energy and courage into all those around</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">him."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Renault himself found some consolation in the gallant behaviour of +his sons.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"In +my misfortune I have had the satisfaction to see my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">two +sons distinguish themselves in the siege with all the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">courage +and intrepidity which I could desire. The elder</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brother +was in the Company's service, and served as a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">volunteer; +the younger, an officer in the army, was, as has</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +said above, commandant of the volunteers."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Others who are mentioned by Renault and his companions as having +distinguished themselves on the French side, were the Councillors +MM. Caillot, Nicolas, and Picques, Captain de la Vigne Buisson and +his son and officers, M. Sinfray (secretary to the Council), the +officers De Kalli<a name="57"></a>[<a href="#Note_57">57</a>] and +Launay, the Company's servants Matel, Le +Conte Dompierre, Boissemont and Renault de St. Germain, the private +inhabitant Renault de la Fuye, and the two supercargoes of Indiamen +Delabar and Chambon. Caillot (or Caillaud) was wounded. The +official report of the loss of Chandernagore was drawn up on the +29th of March, 1757. The original is in the French Archives, and +Caillaud's signature shows that he was still suffering from his +wound. Sinfray we shall come across again. He joined Law at +Cossimbazar and accompanied him on his first retreat to Patna. Sent +back by Law, he joined Siraj-ud-daula, and commanded the small +French contingent at Plassey. When the battle was lost he took +refuge in Birbhum, was arrested by the Raja, and handed over to the +English.</p> +<p>The immediate gain to the English by the capture of Chandernagore +was immense. Clive wrote to the Select Committee at Madras:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +cannot at present give you an account to what value</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">has +been taken;<a name="58"></a>[<a href="#Note_58">58</a>] the French +Company had no great stock</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +merchandize remaining, having sold off most of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Imports +and even their investment for Europe to pay in part</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +large debts they had contracted. With respect to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">artillery +and ammunition ... they were not indifferently</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">furnished: +there is likewise a very fine marine arsenal well</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">stocked. +In short nothing could have happened more</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seasonable +for the expeditious re-establishment of Calcutta</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +the reduction of Charnagore" (i.e. Chandernagore). "It</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +certainly a large, rich and thriving colony, and the loss</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +it is an inexpressible blow to the French Company."<a name="59"></a>[<a + href="#Note_59">59</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The French gentlemen, after having signed under protest the document +presented to them by Clive, betook themselves to Chinsurah, where +they repudiated their signatures as having been extorted by force, +subsequent to, and contrary to, the capitulation. They proceeded to +communicate with Pondicherry, their up-country Factories, and the +native Government; they also gave assistance to French soldiers who +had escaped from Chandernagore. Clive and the Calcutta Council were +equally determined to interpret the capitulation in their own way, +and sent Renault an order, through M. Bisdom, the Dutch Director, to +repair to the British camp. Renault refused, and when Clive sent a +party of sepoys for him and the other councillors, they appealed to +M. Bisdom for the protection of the Dutch flag. M. Bisdom informed +them somewhat curtly that they had come to him without his +invitation, that he had no intention of taking any part in their +quarrels, that he would not give them the protection of his flag to +enable them to intrigue against the English, and, in short, +requested them to leave Dutch territory. As it was evident that the +British were prepared to use force, Renault and the Council gave in, +and were taken to Calcutta, where, for some time, they were kept +close prisoners. It was not till the Nawab had been overthrown at +Plassey, that they were absolutely released, and even then it was +only that they might prepare for their departure from Bengal. +Renault surmises, quite correctly, that this severity was probably +due to the fear that they would assist the Nawab.</p> +<p>The following incident during Renault's captivity shows how little +could be expected from the Nawab towards a friend who was no longer +able to be of use to him. After the capture of Chandernagore the +English Council called on the Nawab to surrender the French +up-country Factories to them. Siraj-ud-daula had not even yet +learned the folly of his double policy. On the 4th of April he wrote +to Clive:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +received your letter and observe what you desire in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">regard +to the French factories and other goods. I address</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +seeing you are a man of wisdom and knowledge, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">well +acquainted with the customs and trade of the world;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +you must know that the French by the permission and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>phirmaund</i><a + name="60"></a>[<a href="#Note_60">60</a>] of the King<a name="61"></a>[<a + href="#Note_61">61</a>] have built them several factories,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +carried on their trade in this kingdom. I cannot</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">therefore +without hurting my character and exposing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +to trouble hereafter, deliver up their factories and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">goods, +unless I have a written order from them for so doing,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +I am perswaded that from your friendship for me you</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +never be glad at anything whereby my fame would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suffer; +as I on my part am ever desirous of promoting" [yours].</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Mr. +Renault, the French. Governor being in your power, if</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +could get from him a paper under his own hand and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seal +to this purpose; 'That of his own will and pleasure, he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thereby +gave up to the English Company's servants, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">empowered +them to receive all the factories, money and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">goods +belonging to the French Company without any hindrance</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the Nawab's people;' and would send this to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me, +I should be secured by that from any trouble hereafter</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +this account. But it is absolutely necessary you come</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +some agreement about the King's duties arising from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">French +trade.... I shall then be able to answer to his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">servants +'that in order to make good the duties accruing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the French trade I had delivered up their factories</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">into +the hands of the English.'"<a name="62"></a>[<a href="#Note_62">62</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Clive replied on the 8th of April:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Now +that I have granted terms to Mr. Renault, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +he is under my protection, it is contrary to our custom,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">after +this, to use violence; and without it how would he ever</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +his own will and pleasure, write to desire you to deliver</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">up +his master's property. Weigh the justice of this in your</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">own +mind. Notwithstanding we have reduced the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +low you, contrary to your own interest and the treaty</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +have made with us, that my enemies should be yours,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +still support and encourage them. But should you</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">think +it would hurt your character to deliver up the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">factories +and goods, your Excellency need only signify to me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +approbation and I will march up and take them."<a name="63"></a>[<a + href="#Note_63">63</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The more we study the records of the time, the more clearly we +realize the terrible determination of Clive's character, and we +almost feel a kind of pity for the weak creatures who found +themselves opposed to him, until we come across incidents like the +above, which show the depths of meanness to which they were prepared +to descend.</p> +<p>As to Renault's further career little is known, and that little we +should be glad to forget. Placed in charge of the French Settlement +at Karical, he surrendered, on the 5th of April, 1760, to what was +undoubtedly an overwhelming British force, but after so poor a +defence that he was brought before a Court Martial and cashiered. It +speaks highly for the respect in which he had been held by both +nations that none of the various reports and accounts of the siege +mention him by name. Even Lally, who hated the French Civilians, +though he says he deserved death,<a name="64"></a>[<a href="#Note_64">64</a>] +only refers to him indirectly +as being the same officer of the Company who had surrendered +Chandernagore to Clive.</p> +<p>We shall now pass to what went on in Siraj-ud-daula's Court and +capital.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>Notes:</h2> +<p>[<a name="Note_12"></a><a href="#12">12</a>: Journal of M. d'Albert.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_13"></a><a href="#13">13</a>: Evidently the Parish +Church of St. Louis. Eyre Coote +tells us the French had four guns mounted on its roof.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_14"></a><a href="#14">14</a>: In early accounts of +India the Muhammadans are always +called <i>Moors</i>; the Hindus, <i>Gentoos</i> or <i>Gentiles</i>. +The <i>Topasses</i> +were Portuguese half-castes, generally employed, even by native +princes, as gunners.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_15"></a><a href="#15">15</a>: Captain Broome says +there were fifty European ladies +in the Fort. The French accounts say they all retired, previous to +the siege, to Chinsurah and Serampore.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_16"></a><a href="#16">16</a>: Captain, afterwards +Sir, Eyre Coote.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_17"></a><a href="#17">17</a>: The fullest account is +one by Renault, dated October +26, 1758.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_18"></a><a href="#18">18</a>: The only one, excepting +the battle of Biderra, between +the English and Dutch.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_19"></a><a href="#19">19</a>: Governor of Pondicherry +and President of the Superior +Council.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_20"></a><a href="#20">20</a>: Eyre Coote, in his +"Journal," mentions an old ditch, +which surrounded the settlement.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_21"></a><a href="#21">21</a>: One hundred toises, or +600 feet; but Eyre Coote says +330 yards, the difference probably due to the measurement excluding +or including the outworks.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_22"></a><a href="#22">22</a>: Tanks, or artificial +ponds, in Bengal are often of +great size. I have seen some a quarter of a mile long.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_23"></a><a href="#23">23</a>: Letter to M. de +Montorcin, Chandernagore, August 1 +1756. Signature lost.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_24"></a><a href="#24">24</a>: The Nawab, in July, +1756, extorted three lakhs from +the French and even more from the Dutch.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_25"></a><a href="#25">25:</a> British Museum. +Additional MS. 20,914.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_26"></a><a href="#26">26</a>: A kind of fibre used in +making bags and other coarse +materials.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_27"></a><a href="#27">27</a>: Surgeon Ives's Journal.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_28"></a><a href="#28">28</a>: Letter to De Montorcin.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_29"></a><a href="#29">29</a>: Both English and French +use this word "inhabitant" to +signify any resident who was not official, military, or in the +seafaring way.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_30"></a><a href="#30">30</a>: This he did through the +Armenian Coja Wajid, a wealthy +merchant of Hugli, who advised the Nawab on European affairs. +<i>Letter from Coja Wajid to Clive, January 17, 1757</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_31"></a><a href="#31">31</a>: A French doctor, who +has left an account of the +Revolutions in Bengal, says there were eight outposts, and that the +loss of one would have involved the loss of all the others, as they +could be immediately cut off from the Fort, from which they were too +distant to be easily reinforced. The doctor does not sign his name, +but he was probably one of the six I mentioned above. Their names +were Haillet (doctor), La Haye (surgeon-major), Du Cap (second), Du +Pré (third), Droguet (fourth), and St. Didier (assistant).]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_32"></a><a href="#32">32</a>: M. Vernet, the Dutch +Chief at Cossimbazar, wrote to +the Dutch Director at Chinsurah that he could obtain a copy of this +treaty from the Nawab's secretaries, if he wished for it.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_33"></a><a href="#33">33</a>: See page 79 (and note).]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_34"></a><a href="#34">34</a>: See note, p. 89.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_35"></a><a href="#35">35</a>: Governor.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_36"></a><a href="#36">36</a>: A document authorising +the free transit of certain +goods, and their exemption from custom dues, in favour of English +traders.—<i>Wilson</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_37"></a><a href="#37">37</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., p. +2744, No. 71.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_38"></a><a href="#38">38</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., p. +2750, No. 83.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_39"></a><a href="#39">39</a>: Still visible, I +believe, in parts. The gateway +certainly exists.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_40"></a><a href="#40">40</a>: Mr. Tooke was a +Company's servant. He had +distinguished himself in the defence of Calcutta in 1756, when he +was wounded, and, being taken on board the ships, escaped the +dreadful ordeal of the Black Hole.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_41"></a><a href="#41">41</a>: Neither of these +accounts agree with the Capitulation +Returns.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_42"></a><a href="#42">42</a>: British Museum. Addl. +MS. 20,914.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_43"></a><a href="#43">43</a>: Remarks on board His +Majesty's ship <i>Tyger</i>, March +15th.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_44"></a><a href="#44">44</a>: His maternal +grandfather was a cousin of Aliverdi +Khan.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_45"></a><a href="#45">45</a>: Malleson explains this +by saying that De Terraneau was +employed in the blocking up of the passage, but the story hardly +needs contradiction.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_46"></a><a href="#46">46</a>: This announcement seems +superfluous after fighting had +been going on for several days, but it simply shows the friction +between the naval and military services.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_47"></a><a href="#47">47</a>: Clive's journal for +March 16th. Fort St. George, Sel. +Com. Cons., 28th April, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_48"></a><a href="#48">48</a>: Eyre Coote's journal.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_49"></a><a href="#49">49</a>: The passages +interpolated are on the authority of a +MS. in the Orme Papers, entitled "News from Bengal."]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_50"></a><a href="#50">50</a>: Accounts of this detail +differ. One says it was +stormed on the 21st, but if so the French would have been more on +their guard, and would surely have strengthened the second battery +in front of the Fort.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_51"></a><a href="#51">51</a>: Lime plaster made +extremely hard.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_52"></a><a href="#52">52</a>: The Emperor at Delhi, +who was supposed to be about to +invade Bengal.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_53"></a><a href="#53">53</a>: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. +11.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_54"></a><a href="#54">54</a>: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. +10.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_55"></a><a href="#55">55</a>: Sergeant Nover was +pardoned in consideration of +previous good conduct. <i>Letter from Clive to Colonel Adlercron, +March</i> 29, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_56"></a><a href="#56">56</a>: Captain Speke was +seriously and his son mortally +wounded in the attack on Chandernagore.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_57"></a><a href="#57">57</a>: I cannot identify this +name in the Capitulation +Returns. Possibly he was killed.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_58"></a><a href="#58">58</a>: Surgeon Ives says the +booty taken was valued at +£130,000.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_59"></a><a href="#59">59</a>: Orme MSS. India X., p. +2390. Letter of 30th March, +1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_60"></a><a href="#60">60</a>: <i>Firman</i>, or +Imperial Charter.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_61"></a><a href="#61">61</a>: The Mogul, Emperor, or +King of Delhi, to whom the +Bengal Nawabs were nominally tributary.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_62"></a><a href="#62">62</a>: Orme MSS. India XI. pp. +2766-7, No. 111.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_63"></a><a href="#63">63</a>: Ibid., p. 2768, No. +112.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_64"></a><a href="#64">64</a>: Memoirs of Lally. +London, 1766.]</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a name="CHAPTER_III"></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h2>M. LAW, CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR</h2> +<br> +<p>A few miles out of Murshidabad, capital of the Nawabs of Bengal +since 1704, when Murshid Kuli Khan transferred his residence from +Dacca to the ancient town of Muxadabad and renamed it after himself, +lay a group of European Factories in the village or suburb of +Cossimbazar.[<a name="65"></a><a href="#Note_65">65</a>] Of these, one +only, the English, was fortified; the +others, i.e. the French and Dutch, were merely large houses lying in +enclosures, the walls of which might keep out cattle and wild +animals and even thieves, but were useless as fortifications. In +1756 the Chief of the English Factory, as we have already seen, was +the Worshipful Mr. William Watts; the Dutch factory was under M. +Vernet,[<a name="66"></a><a href="#Note_66" style="font-style: italic;">66</a>] +and the French under M. Jean Law. The last mentioned was +the elder son of William Law, brother of John</p> +<p><a name="MUXADABAD_OR_MURSHIDABAD"></a><img src="images/tfb004.jpg" + title="MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (After Rennell.)" + alt="MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (After Rennell.)" + style="width: 897px; height: 1700px;"></p> +<p>Law the financier, who settled in France, and placed his sons in +the French service. French writers[<a name="67"></a><a href="#Note_67">67</a>] +on genealogy have hopelessly +mixed up the two brothers, Jean and Jacques François. Both came +to +India, both distinguished themselves, both rose to the rank of +colonel, one by his services to the French East India Company, and +one by the usual promotion of an officer in the King's army. The +only proof that the elder was the Chief of Cossimbazar is to be +found in a few letters, mostly copies, in which his name is given as +Jean or John. As a usual rule he signed himself in the French manner +by his surname only, or as Law of Lauriston.</p> +<p>His experiences during the four years following the accession of +Siraj-ud-daula were painful and exciting, and he has recorded them +in a journal or memoir[<a name="68"></a><a href="#Note_68">68</a>] +which has never yet been published, but +which is of great interest to the student of Indian history. For us +it has the added charm of containing a picture of ourselves painted +by one who, though a foreigner by education, was enabled by his +birth to understand our national peculiarities. In the present +chapter I shall limit myself almost entirely to quotations from this +memoir.</p> +<p>Law was by no means an admirer of Aliverdi Khan's successor,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Siraj-ud-daula, +a young man of twenty-four or twenty-five,[<a name="69"></a><a + href="#Note_69">69</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">very +common in appearance. Before the death of Aliverdi</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Khan +the character of Siraj-ud-daula was reported to be one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the worst ever known. In fact, he had distinguished himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +only by all sorts of debauchery, but by a revolting</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cruelty. +The Hindu women are accustomed to bathe on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">banks +of the Ganges. Siraj-ud-daula, who was informed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +spies which of them were beautiful, sent his satellites in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">disguise +in little boats to carry them off. He was often</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seen, +in the season when the river overflows, causing the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ferry +boats to be upset or sunk in order to have the cruel</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pleasure +of watching the terrified confusion of a hundred</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +at a time, men, women, and children, of whom many,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +being able to swim, were sure to perish. When it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">became +necessary to get rid of some great lord or minister,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula +alone appeared in the business, Aliverdi Khan</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">retiring +to one of his houses or gardens outside the town, so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +he might not hear the cries of the persons whom he was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">causing +to be killed."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>So bad was the reputation of this young prince, that many persons, +among them Mr. Watts, imagined it impossible that the people would +ever tolerate his accession. The European nations in Bengal had no +regular representatives at the Court of the Nawab; and the Chiefs of +the Factories at Cossimbazar, though now and then admitted to the +<i>Durbar</i>, transacted their business mainly through <i>wakils</i>, +or +native agents, who, of course, had the advantage of knowing the +language and, what was of much greater importance, understood all +those indirect ways in which in Eastern countries one's own business +is forwarded and that of one's rivals thwarted. Then, as now, the +difficulty of dealing with native agents was to induce these agents +to express their own opinions frankly and clearly.[<a name="70"></a><a + href="#Note_70">70</a>] So far from +the English Chief being corrected by his <i>wakil</i>, we find the +latter, whilst applying to other nobles for patronage and +assistance, studiously refraining from making any application to +Siraj-ud-daula when English business had to be transacted at Court.</p> +<p>The English went even further:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"On +certain occasions they refused him admission into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +factory at Cossimbazar and their country houses,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">because, +in fact, this excessively blustering and impertinent</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">young +man used to break the furniture, or, if it pleased his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fancy, +take it away. But Siraj-ud-daula was not the man</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +forget what he regarded as an insult. The day after the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">capture +of the English fort at Cossimbazar, he was heard to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">say +in full <i>Durbar</i>, 'Behold the English, formerly so proud</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +they did not wish to receive me in their houses!' In</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">short, +people knew, long before the death of Aliverdi Khan,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +Siraj-ud-daula was hostile to the English."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>With the French it was different:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"On +the other hand, he was very well disposed towards</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us. +It being our interest to humour him, we had received</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +with a hundred times more politeness than he deserved.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">By +the advice of Rai Durlabh Ram and Mohan Lal, we had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">recourse +to him in important affairs. Consequently, we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">gave +him presents from time to time, and this confirmed his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">friendship +for us. The previous year (1755) had been a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">very +good one for him, owing to the business connected with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +settlement of the Danes in Bengal. In fact, it was by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +influence that I was enabled to conclude this affair, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Aliverdi +Khan allowed him to retain all the profit from it,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +I can say that I had no bad place in the heart of Siraj-ud-daula.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It +is true he was a profligate, but a profligate who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +to be feared, who could be useful to us, <i>and who might</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">some day be a good man</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">. Nawajis Muhammad +Khan[<a name="71"></a><a href="#Note_71">71</a>] had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +at least as vicious as Siraj-ud-daula, and yet he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">become +the idol of the people."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law, therefore, had cultivated the young Nawab. Mr. Watts, on the +other hand, was not only foolish enough to neglect him, but carried +his folly to extremes. He was not in a position to prevent his +accession, and ought therefore to have been careful by the +correctness of his behaviour to show no signs of being opposed to +it. So far from this, he is strongly suspected of having entered +into correspondence with the widow of Nawajis Khan, who had adopted +Siraj-ud-daula's younger brother[<a name="72"></a><a href="#Note_72">72</a>] +and was supporting his +candidature for the throne, and also with Saukat Jang, Nawab of +Purneah and cousin of Siraj-ud-daula, who was trying to obtain the +throne for himself. Still further, he advised Mr. Drake, Governor of +Calcutta, to give shelter to Kissendas, son of Raj Balav (Nawajis +Khan's <i>Diwan</i>), who had fled with the treasures in his charge +when +his father was called to account for his master's property.</p> +<p>Contrary to Mr. Watts's expectations, Aliverdi Khan's last acts so +smoothed the way for Siraj-ud-daula, and the latter acted with such +decision and promptitude on his grandfather's death, that in an +incredibly short time he had all his enemies at his feet, and was at +leisure to attend to state business, and especially the affairs of +the foreign Settlements. Aliverdi Khan had always been extremely +jealous of allowing the European nations to erect any +fortifications, but, during his last illness, all of them, expecting +a contested succession, during which, owing to complications in +Europe, they might find themselves at war with each other in India, +began to repair their old walls or to erect new ones. This was +exactly what Siraj-ud-daula wanted. His first care on his accession +had been to make himself master of his grandfather's and uncle's +treasures. To these he had added those of such of his grandfather's +servants as he could readily lay hands on. Other wealthy nobles and +officers had fled to the English, or were suspected of having +secretly sent their treasures to Calcutta. It was also supposed that +the European Settlements, and especially Calcutta, were filled with +the riches accumulated by the foreigners. Whilst, therefore, the +Nawab was determined to make all the European nations contribute +largely in honour of his accession, and in atonement for their +insolence in fortifying themselves without his permission, he had +special reasons for beginning with the English. In the mean time, +however, he had first to settle with his cousin, Saukat Jang, the +Nawab of Purneah, so he contented himself with sending orders to the +Chiefs of the Factories to pull down their new fortifications. Law +acted wisely and promptly.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +immediately drew up an <i>Arzi</i>, or Petition, and had one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brought +from the Council in Chandernagore of the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">tenour +as my own. These two papers were sent to Siraj-ud-daula,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +appeared satisfied with them. He even wrote</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +in reply that he did not forbid our repairing old works,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +merely our making new ones. Besides, the spies who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been sent to Chandernagore, being well received and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">satisfied +with the presents made them, submitted a report</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favourable +to us, so that our business was hushed up."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The English behaved very differently, and their answer, which was +bold if not insolent in tone,[<a name="73"></a><a href="#Note_73">73</a>] +reached the Nawab at the very +moment when he had received the submission of the Nawab of Purneah. +Law adds:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +was assured that the Nawab of Purneah showed him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">some +letters which he had received from the English. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">is +difficult to believe, but this is how the match took fire.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Accordingly, +no sooner had the Nawab heard the contents</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the answer from the English, than he jumped up in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">anger, +and, pulling out his sword, swore he would go and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">exterminate +all the Feringhees.[<a name="74"></a><a href="#Note_74">74</a>] At the +same time he gave</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">orders +for the march of his army, and appointed several</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Jemadars[<a + name="75"></a><a href="#Note_75">75</a>] to command the advance guard. +As in his first</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">burst +of rage he had used the general word Feringhees,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +is applied to all Europeans, some friends whom I had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the army, and who did not know how our business had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ended, +sent to warn me to be on my guard, as our Factory</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +be besieged. The alarm was great with us, and with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English, at Cossimbazar. I spent more than twenty-four</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hours +in much anxiety; carrying wood, provisions, etc., into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Factory, but I soon knew what to expect. I saw horsemen </span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arrive +and surround the English fort, and at the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">time +I received an official letter from the Nawab, telling me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +to be anxious, and that he was as well pleased with us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +he was ill pleased with the English."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Cossimbazar surrendered without firing a shot, owing to the +treacherous advice of the Nawab's generals, and Siraj-ud-daula +advanced on Calcutta. It was with the greatest difficulty that Law +escaped being forced to march in his train.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +remains of the respect which he had formerly felt</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +Europeans made him afraid of failure in his attack</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +Calcutta, which had been represented to him as a very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">strong +place, defended by three or four thousand men. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wrote +to me in the strongest terms to engage the Director of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Chandernagore +to give him what assistance he could in men</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +ammunition. 'Calcutta is yours,' he said to our agent</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +full <i>Durbar</i>; 'I give you that place and its dependencies</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +the price of the services you will render me. I know,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">besides, +that the English are your enemies; you are always</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +war with them either in Europe or on the Coromandel</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Coast, +so I can interpret your refusal only as a sign of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">little +interest you take in what concerns me. I am resolved</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +do you as much good as Salabat Jang[<a name="76"></a><a href="#Note_76">76</a>] +has done you in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Deccan, but if you refuse my friendship and the offers I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">make +you, you will soon see me fall on you and cause you</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +experience the same treatment that I am now preparing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +others in your favour.' He wished us to send down at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">once +to Calcutta all the ships and other vessels which were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +Chandernagore. After having thanked him for his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favourable +disposition towards us, I represented to him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +we were not at war with the English, that what had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">happened +on the Coromandel Coast was a particular affair</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +we had settled amicably, and that the English, in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Bengal +having given us no cause of offence, it was impossible</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +us, without orders either from Europe or Pondicherry, to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">give +him the assistance he asked for. Such reasons could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">only +excite irritation in the mind of a man of Siraj-ud-daula's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">character. +He swore he would have what he wanted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whether +we wished it or not, and that, as we lived in his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country, +his will ought to be law to us. I did my best to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">appease +him, but uselessly. At the moment of his departure</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +sent us word by one of his uncles that he still counted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +our assistance, and he sent me a letter for the Governor of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Pondicherry, +in which he begged him to give us the necessary</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">orders. +I thought to myself this was so much time gained."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The Nawab captured Calcutta without any open assistance from the +French, and, though he set free most of the prisoners who survived +the Black Hole, he sent Holwell and three others before him to +Murshidabad. Law, who had already sheltered Mrs. Watts and her +family, and such of the English of Cossimbazar as had been able to +escape to him, now showed similar kindness to Holwell and his +companions. Of this he says modestly:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +gratitude Mr. Holwell expresses for a few little</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">services +which I was able to render him makes me regret</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +inability to do as much to deserve his gratitude as I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">should +have liked to do."[<a name="77"></a><a href="#Note_77">77</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>He also, apparently with some difficulty, obtained consent to M. +Courtin's request for the release of the English prisoners at Dacca; +for—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Siraj-ud-daula, +being informed that there were two or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">three +very charming English ladies at Dacca, was strongly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">tempted +to adorn his harem with them."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law's success in these matters is a striking instance of his +personal influence, for Siraj-ud-daula was by no means any longer +well disposed towards the French and Dutch.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +fear of drawing on his back all the European</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">nations +at once had made him politic. At first he pretended</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be satisfied with the reply sent by the Governor</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Chandernagore, and assured him that he would always</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">treat +us with the greatest kindness. He said the same to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Dutch, but when Calcutta was taken the mask fell. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +nothing more to fear. Scarcely had he arrived at Hugli</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">when +he sent detachments to Chandernagore and Chinsurah</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +summon the commandants to pay contributions, or to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">resolve +to see their flags taken away and their forts</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">demolished. +In short, we were forced to yield what the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +demanded; whilst he, as he said, was content with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">having +punished a nation which had offended him, and with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">having +put the others to ransom to pay for the expenses of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +expedition. We saw the tyrant reappear in triumph at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Murshidabad, +little thinking of the punishment which Providence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +preparing for his crimes, and to make which still</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +striking, he was yet to have some further successes."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It may be here pointed out that, not only did the Nawab not insist +on the destruction of the French and Dutch fortifications, but he +did not destroy the fortifications of Calcutta. This proves that if +the English had shown the humility and readiness to contribute which +he desired, he would have left them in peace at the first, or, after +the capture of Calcutta, have permitted them to resettle there +without farther disturbance. In short, the real necessity of making +the European nations respect his authority, instead of guiding him +in a settled course, merely provided a pretext for satisfying his +greed. This is the opinion, not only of the French and English who +were at Murshidabad when the troubles began, but of the English +officials who went there later on and made careful inquiries amongst +all classes of people in order to ascertain the real reason of +Siraj-ud-daula's attack upon the English.</p> +<p>His avarice was to prove the Nawab's ruin.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Siraj-ud-daula +was one of the richest Nawabs that had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ever +reigned. Without mentioning his revenues, of which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +gave no account at the Court of Delhi, he possessed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">immense +wealth, both in gold and silver coin, and in jewels</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +precious stones, which had been left by the preceding</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">three +Nawabs. In spite of this he thought only of increasing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +wealth. If any extraordinary expense had to be met</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +ordered contributions, and levied them with extreme</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rigour. +Having never known himself what it was to want</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">money, +he supposed that, in due proportion, money was as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">common +with other people as with himself, and that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Europeans +especially were inexhaustible. His violence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">towards +them was partly due to this. In fact, from his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">behaviour, +one would have said his object was to ruin everybody.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">He +spared no one, not even his relatives, from whom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +took all the pensions and all the offices which they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +held in the time of Aliverdi Khan. Was it possible for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">such +a man to keep his throne? Those who did not know</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +intimately, when they saw him victorious over his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies +and confirmed as Nawab by a <i>firman</i>[<a name="78"></a><a + href="#Note_78">78</a>]from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Great +Mogul, were forced to suppose that there was in his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">character +some great virtue which balanced his vices and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">counteracted +their effects. However, this young giddy-pate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +no talent for government except that of making himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">feared, +and, at the same time, passed for the most cowardly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +men. At first he had shown some regard for the officers of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +army, because, until he was recognized as Nawab, he felt</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +need of them. He had even shown generosity, but this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">quality, +which was quite opposed to his real character,<br> + soon disappeared,</span><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +make place for violence and greed, which decided</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">against +him all those who had favoured his accession in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hope +that he would behave discreetly when he became Nawab."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Owing to the general disgust felt at Murshidabad for the Nawab, his +cousin, Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah, thought the opportunity +favourable for reviving his claims, and, early in October, +Siraj-ud-daula, hearing of his contemplated rebellion, invaded his +country.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Every +one longed for a change, and many flattered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">themselves +it would take place. In fact, it was the most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favourable +opportunity to procure it. The result would have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +happiness and tranquillity for Bengal. Whilst contributing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the general good—which even the Dutch might</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +interested themselves in—we could have prevented</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +misfortunes which have since happened to us. Three or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">four +hundred Europeans and a few sepoys would have done</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +business. If we could have joined this force to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies +of Siraj-ud-daula we should have placed on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">throne +another Nawab—not, indeed, one wholly to our taste,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but, +not to worry about trifles, one to the liking of the house</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Jagat Seth,[<a name="79"></a><a href="#Note_79">79</a>] and the chief +Moors and Rajas. I am sure</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">such +a Nawab would have kept his throne. The English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +have been re-established peaceably, they would certainly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +received some compensation, and would have had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be satisfied whether they liked it or not. The neutrality of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Ganges assured, at least to the same extent as in the time</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Aliverdi Khan, the English would have been prevented</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +invading Bengal, and from sending thither the reinforcements</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +had contributed so much to their success</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +the Madras Coast. All this depended on us, but how</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +we foresee the succession of events which has been as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">contrary +to us as it has been favourable to the English? As</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +was, we remained quiet, and the rash valour of the young</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +of Purneah, whilst it delivered Siraj-ud-daula from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +only enemy he had to fear in the country, made it clear</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the whole of Bengal that the change so much desired</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +be effected only by the English."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Mir Jafar and other leaders of the Nawab's army were about to +declare in favour of Saukat Jang when Ramnarain,[<a name="80"></a><a + href="#Note_80">80</a>] Naib of Patna, +arrived to support Siraj-ud-daula. Whilst the malcontents were +hesitating what to do, Saukat Jang made a rash attack on the Nawab's +army, and was shot dead in the fight.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Behold +him then, freed by this event from all his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">inquietudes; +detested, it is true, but feared even by those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +only knew him by name. In a country where predestination</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">has +so much power over the mind, the star of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula +was, people said, predominant. Nothing could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">resist +him. He was himself persuaded of this. Sure of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">good +fortune which protected him, he abandoned himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +than ever to those passions which urged him to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commission +of every imaginable form of violence.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +can be guessed what we had to suffer, we and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dutch, +at Cossimbazar. Demand followed demand, and insult</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">followed +insult, on the part of the native officers and soldiers;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +they, forming their behaviour on that of their master,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thought +they could not sufficiently show their contempt for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">everything +European. We could not go outside of our Factories</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">without +being exposed to annoyance of one kind or another."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Every one in the land turned wistful eyes towards the English, but +they lay inactive at Fulta, and it seemed as if help from Madras +would never come. The English, therefore, tried to bring about a +revolution favourable to themselves at Murshidabad, and began to +look for persons who might be induced to undertake it; but this was +not easy, as the Moor nobles had little acquaintance with the +Europeans. Of the Hindus in Bengal—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"the +best informed were the bankers and merchants, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +their commercial correspondence had been in a position</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +learn many things. The house of Jagat Seth, for instance,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +likely to help the English all the more because to its</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">knowledge +of them it joined several causes of complaint</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">against +Siraj-ud-daula. Up to the death of Aliverdi Khan</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +had always enjoyed the greatest respect. It was this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">family +which had conducted almost all his financial business,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +it may be said that it had long been the chief cause of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">all +the revolutions in Bengal. But now things were much</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">changed. +Siraj-ud-daula, the most inconsiderate of men,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">never +supposing that he would need the assistance of mere</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bankers, +or that he could ever have any reason to fear them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">never +showed them the slightest politeness. He wanted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +wealth, and some day or other it was certain he would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seize +it. These bankers, then, were the persons to serve the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English. +They could by themselves have formed a party,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and, +even without the assistance of any Europeans, have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">put +another Nawab upon the throne and re-established the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English, +but this would have required much time. Business</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">moves +very slowly amongst Indians, and this would not have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suited +the English. The bankers also were Hindus, and of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +race which does not like to risk danger. To stimulate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +to action it was necessary for the English to commence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">operations +and achieve some initial successes, and as yet</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">there +seemed no likelihood of their doing so. To negotiate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +Siraj-ud-daula for a peaceful re-establishment was quite</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +difficult, unless they were inclined to accept the very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hardest +conditions, for the Nawab had now the most extravagant</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">contempt +for all Europeans; a pair of slippers, he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">said, +is all that is needed to govern them."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Just as it seemed likely that the English would have to stoop to the +Nawab's terms, they received news of the despatch of reinforcements +from Madras. About the same time, it became known to both French and +English that France and England had declared war against each other +in the preceding May.[<a name="81"></a><a href="#Note_81">81</a>] The +English naturally said nothing about +it, and the French were too eager to see the Nawab well beaten to +put any unnecessary obstacles in their way. The negotiations with +the friends of the Europeans at Murshidabad were quietly continued +until Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive arrived. A rapid advance was +then made on Calcutta, which was captured with hardly any +resistance.</p> +<p>Siraj-ud-daula was so little disturbed by the recapture of Calcutta +that the French thought everything would terminate amicably, but, +possibly owing to the reputation of Watson and Clive, who had so +long fought against the French,[<a name="82"></a><a href="#Note_82">82</a>] +they thought it likely that, if +the English demanded compensation for their losses, the Nawab would +allow them to recoup themselves by seizing the French Settlements. +M. Renault, therefore, wrote to Law to make sure that, in any treaty +between the Nawab and the English, an article should be inserted +providing for the neutrality of the Ganges; but the French, at +present, were needlessly alarmed. The English had no intention of +creeping quietly back into the country. Watson and Clive addressed +haughty letters to the Nawab, demanding reparation for the wrongs +inflicted on the English; and the Admiral and the Council declared +war in the name of the King and the Company. This possibly amused +the Nawab, who took no notice of their letters; but it was a +different matter when a small English force sailed up the Hugli, +passed Chandernagore unopposed by the French, captured the fort of +Hugli, burnt Hugli[<a name="83"></a><a href="#Note_83">83</a>] and +Bandel towns, and ravaged both banks of +the river down to Calcutta. The French were in an awkward position. +The English had passed Chandernagore without a salute, which was an +unfriendly, if not a hostile act; whilst the Nawab thought that, as +the French had not fired on them, they must be in alliance with +them. Law had to bear the brunt of this suspicion. His common sense +told him that the English would never consent to a neutrality, and +he wrote to Renault that it was absolutely necessary to join the +Moors.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +neutrality was by no means obligatory, as no treaty</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">existed. +In fact, what confidence could we have in a forced</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">neutrality, +which had been observed so long only out of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fear +of the Nawab, who for the general good of the country</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +unwilling to allow any act of hostility to be committed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +the Europeans? Much more so when the English were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +war with the Nawab himself. If they managed to get</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +better of him, what would become of this fear, the sole</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">foundation +of the neutrality?"</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>So Law wrote to Renault, begging him, if he could not persuade the +English to sign a treaty of neutrality at once, to make up his mind +and join the Nawab. We have seen why Renault could do neither, and +Law, writing after the event says, generously enough:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +am bound to respect the reasons which determined</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">M. +Renault as well as the gentlemen of the Council, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +all much too good citizens not to have kept constantly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +their minds the welfare of our nation and the Company.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">People +always do see things differently, and the event does</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +always prove the correctness or incorrectness of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reasons +which have decided us to take one or the other course."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>As soon as the Nawab heard of the plundering of Hugli he set out for +Calcutta, but to blind the English he requested M. Renault to +mediate between them. The English refusal to treat through the +French had the effect of clearing up matters between the latter and +the Nawab; but he could not understand why the French would not +actively assist him. Certain, at any rate, that he had only the +English to deal with, he foolishly played into their hands by +marching to fight them on their own ground, whereas, if he had +remained idle at a little distance, merely forbidding supplies to be +sent them, he could have starved them out of Calcutta in a few +months. As I have said before, Clive attacked his camp on the 5th of +February, and so terrified him that he consented to a shameful +peace, in which he forgot all mention of the neutrality of the +Ganges. Law tells a curious story to the effect that what frightened +the Nawab most of all was a letter from Admiral Watson, threatening +to make him a prisoner and carry him to England. Watson's letter is +extant, and contains no such threat, but it is quite possible that +it was so interpreted to the Nawab.</p> +<p>Though the Nawab had assured the English that he would have the same +friends and enemies as they, and had omitted to mention the French +in the treaty, he now, of his own accord, gave the French all that +the English had extorted from him. This act could not be kept +secret.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"A +great fault at present, and which has always existed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the management of affairs in India, especially in Bengal,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">is +that nothing is secret. Scarcely had the Nawab formed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">any +project when it was known to the lowest of his slaves.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +English, who were suspicious, and who had for friends</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">every +one who was an enemy of Siraj-ud-daula, whom all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">detested, +were soon informed of his proposals to M. Renault</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +of the letters written on both sides."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Yet Law thinks it was only the European war and the fear that +Renault intended an alliance with the Nawab that induced the English +to proceed to extremities:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +dethronement of the Nawab had become an absolute</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">necessity. +To drive us out of Bengal was only a preliminary</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">piece +of work. A squadron of ours with considerable forces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">might +arrive. Siraj-ud-daula might join his forces to it.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">What, +then, would become of the English? They needed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +Nawab a man attached to their interests. Besides, this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">revolution +was not so difficult to carry out as one might</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">imagine. +With Chandernagore destroyed, nothing could be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +easy; but even if we were left alone the revolution</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +have been effected by the junction of the English with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +forces which would have been produced against Siraj-ud-daula</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +the crowd of enemies whom he had, and amongst</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +were to be counted the most respectable persons in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +three provinces.[<a name="84"></a><a href="#Note_84">84</a>] This +statement demands an explanation.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +have already spoken of the house of Jagat Seth, or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rather +of its chiefs, who are named Seth Mahtab Rai and Seth</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Sarup +Chand, bankers of the Mogul, the richest and most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">powerful +merchants who have ever lived. They are, I can</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">say, +the <i>movers</i> of the revolution. Without them the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +never have carried out what they have. I have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">already +said they were not pleased with Siraj-ud-daula, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">did +not show them the same respect as the old Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Aliverdi +Khan had done; but the arrival of the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">forces, +the capture of the Moorish forts, and the fright of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab before Calcutta, had made a change which was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">apparently +in their favour. The Nawab began to perceive</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +the bankers were necessary to him. The English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +have no one except them as mediators, and so they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +become, as it were, responsible for the behaviour of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">both +the Nawab and the English. Accordingly after the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Peace +there was nothing but kindness and politeness from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab towards them, and he consulted them in everything.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">At +the bottom this behaviour of his was sheer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">trickery. +The Seths were persuaded that the Nawab who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hated +the English must also dislike the persons whom the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +employed. Profiting by the hatred which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +had drawn on himself by his violence, and distributing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">money +judiciously, they had long since gained over</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">those +who were nearest to the Nawab, whose imprudence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">always +enabled them to know what he had in his heart.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">From +what came to the knowledge of the Seths it was easy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +guess what he intended, and this made them tremble, for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +was nothing less than their destruction, which could be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">averted +only by his own. The cause of the English had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">become +that of the Seths; their interests were identical. Can</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +be surprised to see them acting in concert? Further,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">when +one remembers that it was this same house of bankers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +overthrew Sarfaraz Khan[<a name="85"></a><a href="#Note_85">85</a>] to +enthrone Aliverdi Khan,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +who, during the reign of the latter, had the management</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +all important business, one must confess that it ought not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be difficult for persons of so much influence to execute a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">project +in which, the English were taking a share."[<a name="86"></a><a + href="#Note_86">86</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law could not persuade Renault to act, and without his doing so the +game was nearly hopeless. Still, he worked at forming a French party +in the Court. By means of Coja Wajid, an Armenian merchant of +Hugli, whose property had been plundered by the English, he obtained +an interview with the Nawab, and persuaded him to send the 2000 +soldiers who were with Renault at the beginning of the siege. More +would have been despatched but for the apparent certainty that the +treaty of neutrality would be signed. In fact, Renault was so +worried that, on the complaint of Watson and Clive that Law was +exciting the Nawab against the English, he wrote Law a letter which +caused the latter to ask to be recalled from Cossimbazar, and it was +only at Renault's earnest request that he consented to remain at his +post. Law continued forming his party.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"<span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It would appear +from the English memoirs that we</span></span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">corrupted +the whole <i>Durbar</i> at Murshidabad to our side by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">presents +and lies. I might with justice retort this reproach.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">As +a matter of fact, except Siraj-ud-daula himself, one may</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">say +the English had the whole <i>Durbar</i> always in their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favour. +Without insisting on this point, let us honestly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">agree, +since the English themselves confess it, that we were,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">like +them, much engaged in opposing corruption to corruption</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +order to gain the friendship of scoundrels so as to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">place +ourselves on equal terms with our enemies. This has</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">always +happened, and ought not to cause surprise in a Court</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">where +right counts for nothing and, every other motive apart,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +can never be successful except by the weight of what</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +puts in the balance of iniquity. For the rest, right</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +wrong, it is certain that the English were always in a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">position +to put in more than we could.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Fear +and greed are the two chief motives of Indian</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">minds. +Everything depends on one or the other. Often</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +are combined towards the same object, but, when they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">are +opposed, fear always conquers. A proof of this is easily</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be seen in all the events connected with, the revolution</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +Bengal. When, in 1756, Siraj-ud-daula determined to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">expel +the English, fear and greed combined to make him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">act. +As soon as he had himself proved the superiority of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English troops, fear took the upper hand in his mind,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">grew +stronger day by day, and soon put him in a condition</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +which he was unable to follow, and often even to see, his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">true +interests.</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +mention the Nawab first. His hatred for the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">certainly +indicated friendship for us. I think so myself, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">we +have seen what was his character and his state of mind</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +general. I ask, in all good faith, whether we could expect</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">any +advantage from his friendship? This person, cowed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fear, +irresolute and imprudent, could he alone be of any use</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +us? It was necessary for him to be supported by some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +who had his confidence and was capable by his own</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">firmness +of fixing the irresolution of the Prince.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Mohan +Lal, chief <i>Diwan</i> of Siraj-ud-daula, was this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">man, +the greatest scoundrel the earth has ever borne, worthy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">minister +of such a master, and yet, in truth, the only person</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +was really attached to him. He had firmness and also</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sufficient +judgment to understand that the ruin of Siraj-ud-daula</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">must +necessarily bring on his own. He was as much,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">detested +as his master. The sworn enemy of the Seths, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">capable +of holding his own against them, I think those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bankers +would not have succeeded so easily in their project</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">if +he had been free to act, but, unfortunately for us, he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +for some time, and was at this most critical moment</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dangerously +ill. He could not leave his house. I went to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">see +him twice with Siraj-ud-daula, but it was not possible to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">get +a word from him. There is strong reason to believe he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been poisoned. Owing to this, Siraj-ud-daula saw himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">deprived +of his only support.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Coja +Wajid, who had introduced me to the Nawab, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who, +it would be natural to suppose, was our patron, was a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">great +merchant of Hugli. He was consulted by the Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">only +because, as he had frequented the Europeans and especially</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English, the Nawab imagined he knew them perfectly.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">He +was one of the most timid of men, who wanted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be polite to everybody, and who, had he seen the dagger</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">raised, +would have thought he might offend Siraj-ud-daula</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +warning him that some one intended to assassinate him.[<a name="87"></a><a + href="#Note_87">87</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Possibly +he did not love the Seths, but he feared them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +was sufficient to make him useless to us.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Rai +Durlabh Ram, the other <i>Diwan</i> of the Nawab, was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +man to whom I was bound to trust most. Before the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arrival +of Clive he might have been thought the enemy of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English. It was he who pretended to have beaten them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to have taken Calcutta. He wished, he said, to maintain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +reputation; but after the affair of the 5th of February,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +which the only part he took was to share in the flight, he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +not the same man; he feared nothing so much as to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +to fight the English. This fear disposed him to gradually</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">come +to terms with the Seths, of whose greatness he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +very jealous. He also hated the Nawab, by whom he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been ill-used on many occasions. In short, I could never</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">get +him to say a single word in our favour in the <i>Durbar</i>.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +fear of compromising himself made him decide to remain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">neutral +for the present, though firmly resolved to join finally</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +side which appeared to him to be the strongest."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This, then, was the French party, whose sole bond was dislike to the +Seths, and the members of which, by timidity or ill-health, were +unable to act. It was different with their enemies.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +English had on their side in the <i>Durbar</i> the terror</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +their arms, the faults of Siraj-ud-daula, the ruling influence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +the refined policy of the Seths, who, to conceal their game</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +completely, and knowing that it pleased the Nawab,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">often +spoke all the ill they could think of about the English,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +as to excite him against them and at the same time gain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +confidence. The Nawab fell readily into the snare, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">said +everything that came into his mind, thus enabling his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies +to guard against all the evil which otherwise he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">might +have managed to do them. The English had also on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +side all the chief officers in the Nawab's army—Jafar</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">All +Khan, Khodadad Khan Latty, and a number of others</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +were attached to them by their presents or the influence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the Seths, all the ministers of the old Court whom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula +had disgraced, nearly all the secretaries,[<a name="88"></a><a + href="#Note_88">88</a>] the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">writers[<a + name="89"></a><a href="#Note_89">89</a>] of the <i>Durbar</i>, and +even the eunuchs of the harem.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">What +might they not expect to achieve by the union of all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">these +forces when guided by so skilful a man as Mr. Watts?"</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>With such enemies to combat in the Court itself, Law heard that the +English were marching on Chandernagore. By the most painful efforts +he obtained orders for reinforcements to be sent to the French. +They—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"were +ready to start, the soldiers had been paid, the Commandant[<a name="90"></a><a + href="#Note_90">90</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">waited +only for final orders. I went to see him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +promised him a large sum if he succeeded in raising the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">siege +of Chandernagore. I also visited several of the chief</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">officers, +to whom I promised rewards proportionate to their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rank. +I represented to the Nawab that Chandernagore must</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">be +certainly captured if the reinforcements did not set out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +once, and I tried to persuade him to give his orders to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Commandant in my presence. 'All is ready,' replied the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab, +'but before resorting to arms it is proper to try all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">possible +means to avoid a rupture, and all the more so as the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +have just promised to obey the orders I shall send</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them.'[<a + name="91"></a><a href="#Note_91">91</a>] I recognized the hand of the +Seths in these details.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">They +encouraged the Nawab in a false impression about this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">affair. +On the one hand, they assured him that the march</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the English, was only to frighten us into subscribing to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +treaty of neutrality, and on the other hand they increased</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +natural timidity by exaggerating the force of the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +by representing the risk he ran in assisting us with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reinforcements +which would probably not prevent the capture</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Chandernagore if the English were determined to take it,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +would serve as a reason for the English to attack the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +himself. They managed so well that they destroyed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the evening all the effect I had produced in the morning.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +resolved to visit the bankers. They immediately</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commenced +talking about our debts, and called my attention</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the want of punctuality in our payments. I said that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +was not the question just now, and that I came to them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">upon +a much more interesting matter, which, however, concerned</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +as well as us with respect to those very debts</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +which they were asking payment and security. I asked</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">why +they supported the English against us. They denied it,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and, +after much explanation, they promised to make any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suggestions +I wished to the Nawab. They added that they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +quite sure the English would not attack us, and that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +might remain tranquil. Knowing that they were well</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">acquainted +with the designs of the English, I told them I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">knew +as well as they did what these were, and that I saw</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">no +way of preventing them from attacking Chandernagore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">except +by hastening the despatch of the reinforcements which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab had promised, and that as they were disposed to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">serve +me, I begged them to make the Nawab understand the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">same. +They replied that the Nawab wished to avoid any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rupture +with the English, and they said many other things</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +only showed me that, in spite of their good will, they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +do nothing for us. Ranjit Rai, who was their man</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +business as well as the agent of the English, said to me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +a mocking tone, 'You are a Frenchman; are you afraid of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English? If they attack you, defend yourselves! No</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +is ignorant of what your nation has done on the Madras</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Coast, +and we are curious to see how you will come off in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +business here.' I told him I did not expect to find such</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +warlike person in a Bengali merchant, and that sometimes</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +repented of their curiosity. That was enough for such</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +fellow, but I saw clearly that the laugh would not be on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +side. However, every one was very polite, and I left</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +house."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law thinks the Seths honestly believed that the English march on +Chandernagore was merely intended to frighten the French, and, as a +proof of their friendliness, narrates a further incident of this +visit:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +conversation having turned on Siraj-ud-daula, on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +reasons he had given the Seths to fear him, and on his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">violent +character, I said I understood clearly enough what</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +meant, and that they certainly wanted to set up another</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab. +The Seths, instead of denying this, contented themselves</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +saying in a low voice that this was a subject</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +should not be talked about. Omichand, the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">agent[<a + name="92"></a><a href="#Note_92">92</a>] (who, by the way, cried 'Away +with them!' wherever</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +went), was present. If the fact had been false, the Seths</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +certainly have denied it, and would have reproached</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +for talking in such a way. If they had even thought</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +intended to thwart them, they would also have denied</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it, +but considering all that had happened, the vexations</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">caused +us by the Nawab and our obstinate refusals to help</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him, +they imagined that we should be just as content as they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +to see him deposed, provided only the English would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">leave +us in peace. In fact, they did not as yet regard us as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law was, however, ignorant that Clive had already promised, or did +so soon after, to give the property of the French Company to the +Seths in payment of the money the French owed them; but he now for +the first time fully realized the gravity of the situation. The +indiscretion of the Seths showed him the whole extent of the plot, +and the same evening he told the Nawab, but—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"the +poor young man began to laugh, not being able to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">imagine +I could be so foolish as to indulge in such ideas."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>And yet, whilst he refused to believe in the treason of his +officers, the Nawab indulged at times in the most violent outbreaks +of temper against them.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Siraj-ud-daula +was not master of himself.[<a name="93"></a><a href="#Note_93">93</a>] +It would</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +needed as much firmness in his character as there was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">deceitfulness +to make the latter quality of use to him. At</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">certain +times his natural disposition overmastered him,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">especially +when in his harem surrounded by his wives and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">servants, +when he was accustomed to say openly all that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +in his heart. Sometimes this happened to him in full</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>Durbar</i>."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The same evening, also, Mr. Watts came to the <i>Durbar</i>, and +the +matter of the neutrality was talked over. The Nawab wished the two +gentlemen to pledge their respective nations to keep the peace, but +Mr. Watts skilfully avoided giving any promise, and suggested the +Nawab should write to the Admiral. Law, seeing that further delay +was aimed at, exclaimed that the Admiral would pay as little respect +to this letter as to the Nawab's previous ones.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"'How?' +said the Nawab, looking angrily at me instead</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +at Mr. Watts: 'who am I then?' All the members of his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Court +cried out together that his orders would certainly be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">attended +to."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>As Law expected, Chandernagore was attacked before the Admiral's +reply was received. Law received the news on the 15th, and hurried +to the Nawab. Reinforcements were ordered and counter-ordered. At +midnight the Nawab's eunuch came to inform Law that the English had +been repulsed with loss, and on the morning of the 16th the Nawab's +troops were ordered to advance, but when the same day news came that +the French had withdrawn into the Fort, every one cried out that the +Fort must fall, and that it was mere folly to incense the English by +sending down troops. They were immediately recalled. Then news +arrived that the Fort was holding out, and Rai Durlabh Ram was +ordered to advance. Again there came a false report that the Fort +had fallen. Law knew Rai Durlabh was a coward, and his whole +reliance was on the second in command, Mir Madan:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"a +capable officer, and one who would have attacked the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemy +with pleasure."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This Mir Madan is said to have been a Hindu convert to +Muhammadanism. Native poems still tell of the gallantry with which +he commanded the Hindu soldiers of the Nawab. He was one of the +first to fall at Plassey, and though it cannot be said that his +death caused the loss of the battle, it is certain that it put an +end to all chance of the victory being contested.</p> +<p>Law was at his wits' end. It was no time to stick at trifles, and, +that he might know the worst at once, he intercepted Mr. Watts's +letters. From them he gathered that the English intended to march +straight upon Murshidabad. He set about fortifying the enclosure +round the French Factory, and, as he had only 10 or 12 men, he +induced the Nawab to send him a native officer with 100 musketeers. +He soon learned that the reported English advance was merely the +pursuit of the fugitives from Chandernagore, who were mentioned in +the last chapter. By the end of March he had 60 Europeans:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"of +whom the half, in truth, were not fit to serve; but what</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">did +that matter? The number was worth 120 to me outside</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +fort, since rumour always delights in exaggeration."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Of the sepoys also, whom the English set free, some 30 found their +way to Law, and so far was he now from being afraid of Mr. Watts, +that it was the latter who had to ask the Nawab's protection.</p> +<p>The vacillation which had marked the Nawab's conduct previous to the +fall of Chandernagore still continued. He protected Law, but would +not help him with money.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Further, +at the solicitation of my enemies, the Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sent +people to pull down the earthworks I had erected. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">even +wished the native agent of the English to be present.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">In +my life I have never suffered what I did that day. To</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +orders of the Nawab I replied that so long as I was in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Factory no foreigner should touch my fortifications, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +to keep my agreement with him I was ready to withdraw</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to make over the Factory to him, with which he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +afterwards do as he liked, and for which I should hold</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +responsible. At the same time, I made my whole troop</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arm +themselves, and, having had my munitions loaded on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">carts +for several days previous, I prepared to depart with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +small amount of money which belonged to me and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +few other individuals. The Nawab's officer, seeing my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">resolution, +and fearing to do anything which, might not be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">approved, +postponed the execution of his orders, and informed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab of what was happening. He replied that he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">absolutely +forbade my leaving the Factory, and ordered the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pioneers +to be sent away; but at the same time he informed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +that it was absolutely necessary for me to pull down the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">earthworks, +that under the present circumstances he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">himself +to do many things contrary to his own wishes, that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +refusing to obey I should draw the English upon him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +upon us, that we could not defend ourselves and must</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">therefore +submit, that I should not be troubled any more,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +that, finally, he would give me money enough to build</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +brick what I had wished to make in earth. I knew well</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +value of his promises, but I was forced to humour him.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It +did not suit me to abandon the Factory altogether, so I set</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +workmen to pull down what I had built, and the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">night +the work was finished."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The English now tried to win over the French soldiers, and had some +success, for many of them were deserters from the British forces, +and they quickly saw how precarious was the shelter which Law could +afford them; but the Nawab could not be persuaded to force Law to +surrender, and, though he agreed to leave the country, Law declared +he would not do even that unless he received passports and money. On +the 8th of April he received passports, and was promised that if he +would go to Phulbari, near Patna, he should there receive all he +wanted. He was allowed four or five days to make his preparations.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +profited by this interval to persuade the only man</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +dared speak for us to got to action. This was the Nazir</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dalal, +a man of no importance, but at the same time a man</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +whom the Nawab appeared to have some confidence. As</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +was constantly at the Factory, I had opportunities of telling</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +many things of particular interest to the Nawab, and I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">believed +that by politeness and presents I had brought him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">over +to our interests. A little later, however, I learned that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +received quite as much from the English as from us. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">told +the Nawab all that he learned from me, <i>viz.</i> the views</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the English and of the Seths, and the risk he himself was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">running, +and he brought to his notice that the English were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">steadily +increasing their garrison at Cossimbazar by bringing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">up +soldiers who pretended they were deserters and wished to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pass +over to the Trench. By this trick, indeed, many soldiers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +passed through the Moorish camp without being stopped.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">There +was also talk of an English fleet preparing to come up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +waiting only for the Nawab's permission. The Nazir</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dalal +represented to him that the trading boats might be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">loaded +with ammunition, and that they ought to be strictly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">searched, +and the casks and barrels opened, as guns and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mortars +might be found in them. The Nawab opened his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">eyes +at information of this kind, and promptly sent the Nazir</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dalal +to tell me not to leave. This order came on the 10th</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +April. I accordingly passed my garrison in review before</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab's agent, and a statement showing the monthly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pay +of each officer and soldier was sent to the Nawab, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">promised +to pay them accordingly."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>On the 12th of April Law received a sudden summons to attend the +<i>Durbar</i> the next day.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"After +some reflection, I determined to obey. I thought</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +by taking presents I could avoid the inconveniences I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">feared, +so I arranged to start early on the morning of the 13th</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +five or six persons well armed. A slight rain detained</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +till 10 o'clock. On leaving I told my people that M.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Sinfray +was their commandant, and ordered him, if I did not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">return +by 2 o'clock, to send a detachment of forty men to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">meet +me. We arrived at the Nawab's palace about midday.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">He +had retired to his harem. We were taken into the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Audience +Hall, where they brought us a very bad dinner.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +Nawab, they said, would soon come. However, 5 o'clock</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +struck and he had not yet dressed. During this wearisome</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">interval +I was visited by some of the <i>Diwans</i>, among</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">others +by the <i>Arzbegi.</i>[<a name="94"></a><a href="#Note_94">94</a>] I +asked him why the Nawab had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">called +me. He replied with an appearance of sincerity that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +the Nawab was constantly receiving complaints from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English, +about the numerous garrison we had in our Factory,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +had judged it proper to summon both Mr. Watts and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +in order to reconcile us, and that he hoped to arrange</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">matters +so that the English should have nothing to fear from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +nor we from them. He added that the Nawab was quite</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">satisfied +with my behaviour, and wished me much good. At</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">last +the <i>Durbar</i> hour arrives. I am warned. I pass into a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hall, +where I find Mr. Watts and a number of <i>Diwans</i>. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">agent +of the Seths is present Compliments having passed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +of the <i>Diwans</i> asks me if I have anything particular to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">say +to Mr. Watts. I answer that I have not. Thereupon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Mr. +Watts addresses me in English: 'The question is, sir,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whether +you are prepared to surrender your Factory to me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to go down to Calcutta with all your people. You will</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">be +well treated, and will be granted the same conditions as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +gentlemen of Chandernagore. This is the Nawab's wish.'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +reply I will do nothing of the kind, that I and all those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +me are free, that if I am forced to leave Cossimbazar</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +will surrender the Factory to the Nawab, and to no one else.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Mr. +Watts, turning round to the <i>Diwans</i>, says excitedly, that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +is impossible to do anything with me, and repeats to them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">word +for word all that has passed between us.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"From +that moment I saw clearly that the air of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Court +was not healthy for us. It was, however, necessary to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">put +a good face on matters. The <i>Arzbegi</i> and some others,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">taking +me aside, begged me to consider what I was doing in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">refusing +Mr. Watts's propositions, and said that as the Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +determined to have a good understanding with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English, +he would force me to accept them. They then</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">asked +what I intended to do. I said I intended to stay at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Cossimbazar +and to oppose, to the utmost of my power, the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ambitious +designs of the English. 'Well, well, what can</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +do?' they replied. 'You are about a hundred Europeans;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab has no need of you; you will certainly be forced</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +leave this place. It would be much better to accept the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">terms +offered you by Mr. Watts.' The same persons who had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">begged +me to do this then took Mr. Watts aside. I do not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">know +what they said to each other, but a quarter of an hour</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">after +they went into the hall where the Nawab was.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +was in the utmost impatience to know the result of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">all +these parleyings, so much the more as from some words</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +had escaped them I had reason to think they intended</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +arrest me.</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Fire +or six minutes after Mr. Watts had gone to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab, +the <i>Arzbegi</i>, accompanied by some officers and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">agents +of the Seths and the English, came and told me aloud,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the presence of some fifty persons of rank, that the Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ordered +me to submit myself entirely to what Mr. Watts</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">demanded. +I told him I would not, and that it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">impossible +for the Nawab to have given such an order.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +demanded to be presented to him. 'The Nawab,' they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">said, +'does not wish to see you.' I replied, 'It was he who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">summoned +me; I will not go away till I have seen him.'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The + <i>Arzbegi</i> saw I had no intention of giving way, and that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was well supported, for at this very moment word was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brought +of the arrival of our grenadiers, who had been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ordered +to come and meet me. Disappointed at not seeing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +appear, they had advanced to the very gates of the palace.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The + <i>Arzbegi</i>, not knowing what would be the result of this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">affair, +and wishing to get out of the scrape and to throw the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">burden +of it on to the Seths' agent, said to him, 'Do you</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">speak, +then; this affair concerns you more than us.' The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Seths' +agent wished to speak, but I did not give him time.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +said I would not listen to him, that I did not recognize</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +as having any authority, and that I had no business</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +all with him. Thereupon the <i>Arzbegi</i> went back to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +and told him I would not listen to reason, and that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +demanded to speak to him. 'Well, let him come,' said</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab, 'but he must come alone.' At the same time</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +asked Mr. Watts to withdraw and wait for him in a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cabinet. +The order to appear being given me, I wish to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">go—another +difficulty! The officers with me do not wish to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">let +me go alone! A great debate between them and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab's +officers! At last, giving way to my entreaties,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +on my assuring them that I have no fears, I persuade</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +to be quiet and to let me go.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +presented myself before the Nawab, who returned my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">salute +in a kindly manner. As soon as I was seated, he told</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me, +in a shamefaced way, that I must either accept Mr.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Watts's +proposals, or must certainly leave his territories.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>Your +nation is the cause</i>, he said, <i>of all the importunities I</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">now suffer from the English. I do +not wish to put the whole country</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">in trouble for your sake. You are +not strong enough to defend</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">yourselves; you must give way. You +ought to remember that when I had</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">need of your assistance you always +refused it. You ought not to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">expect assistance from me now</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +must be confessed that, after all our behaviour to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him, +I had not much to reply. I noticed, however, that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +kept his eyes cast down, and that it was, as it were,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">against +his will that he paid me this compliment. I told</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +I should be dishonoured if I accepted Mr. Watts's proposals,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +that as he was absolutely determined to expel us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +his country, I was ready to withdraw, and that as soon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +I had the necessary passports I would go towards Patna.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">At +this every one in concert, except the Nawab and Coja</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Wajid, +cried out that I could not take that road, that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +would not consent to it. I asked what road they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wished +me to take. They said I must go towards Midnapur</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +Cuttack. I answered that the English might at any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">moment +march in that direction and fall upon me. They</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">replied +I must get out of the difficulty as best I could. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab, +meanwhile, kept his face bent down, listening</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">attentively, +but saying nothing. Wishing to force him to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">speak, +I asked if it was his intention to cause me to fall into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +hands of my enemies? 'No, no,' replied the Nawab,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">'take +what road you please, and may God conduct you.' I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">stood +up and thanked him, received the betel,[<a name="95"></a><a + href="#Note_95">95</a>] and went out."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Gholam Husain Khan says that the Nawab was much affected at parting +with Law, as he now believed in the truth of his warnings against +the English and the English party,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"but +as he did not dare to keep him in his service for fear</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +offending the English, he told him that at present it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fit +that he should depart; but that if anything new should</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">happen +he would send for him again. '<i>Send for me again?</i>'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">answered +Law. '<i>Rest assured, my Lord Nawab, that this is</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the last time we shall see each +other. Remember my words: we</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">shall never meet again. It is +nearly impossible</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law hurried back to his Factory, and by the evening of the 15th of +April he was ready to depart. The same day the Nawab wrote to +Clive:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Mr. +Law I have put out of the city, and have wrote</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">expressly +to my Naib[<a name="96"></a><a href="#Note_96">96</a>] at Patna to turn +him and his attendants</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">out +of the bounds of his Subaship, and that he shall not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suffer +them to stay in any place within it."[<a name="97"></a><a + href="#Note_97">97</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>At the end of April the Nawab wrote to Abdulla Khan, the Afghan +general at Delhi, that he had supplied Law with Rs.10,000. Clive was +quickly informed of this.</p> +<p>On the morning of the 16th the French marched through Murshidabad +with colours flying and drums beating, prepared against any surprise +in the narrow streets of the city. Mr. Watts wrote to Clive:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"They +had 100 Europeans, 60 Tellingees, 30 <i>hackerys</i>"</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">(i.e. +bullock-waggons) "and 4 elephants with them."[<a name="98"></a><a + href="#Note_98">98</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Close on their track followed two spies, sent by Mr. Watts to try +and seduce the French soldiers and sepoys. Law left a M. Bugros +behind in charge of the French Factory.</p> +<p>Shortly after leaving Cossimbazar, Law was reinforced by a party of +45 men, mostly sailors of the <i>Saint Contest</i>, who had managed to +escape from the English. On the 2nd of May the French arrived at +Bhagulpur, the Nawab writing to them to move on whenever he heard +they were halting, and not to go so fast when he heard they were on +the march.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"To +satisfy him we should have been always in motion</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +yet not advancing; this did not suit us. It was of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">utmost +importance to arrive at some place where I could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">find +means for the equipment of my troop. We were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">destitute +of everything."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>These contradictory orders, and even letters of recall, reached Law +on his march, but though he sent back M. Sinfray with letters to M. +Bugros and Coja Wajid—which the latter afterwards made over to +Clive—he continued his march to Patna, where he arrived on the 3rd +of June, and was well received by Raja Ramnarain, and where he was +within four or five days' march or sail from Sooty, the mouth of the +Murshidabad or Cossimbazar river, and therefore in a position to +join the Nawab whenever it might be necessary.</p> +<p>In the mean time fate had avenged Law on one of his lesser enemies. +This was that Ranjit Rai, who had insulted him during his interview +with the Seths. The latter had pursued their old policy of inciting +the English to make extravagant demands which they at the same time +urged the Nawab to refuse. To justify one such demand, the English +produced a letter in the handwriting of Ranjit Rai, purporting to be +written at the dictation of the Seths under instructions from the +Nawab. The latter denied the instructions, and the Seths promptly +asserted that the whole letter was a forgery of their agent's.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +notorious Ranjit Rai was driven in disgrace from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the + <i>Durbar</i>, banished, and assassinated on the road. It was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">said +he had received 2 lakhs from the English to apply his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">masters' +seal unknown to them. I can hardly believe this.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">This +agent was attached to the English only because he knew</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Seths were devoted to them."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This incident warned the Seths to be more cautious, but still the +plot against the Nawab was well known in the country. Renault, who +had been at this time a prisoner in Calcutta, says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Never +was a conspiracy conducted as publicly and with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">such +indiscretion as this was, both by the Moors and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English. +Nothing else was talked about in all the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">settlements, +and whilst every place echoed with the noise of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it, +the Nawab, who had a number of spies, was ignorant of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">everything. +Nothing can prove more clearly the general</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hatred +which was felt towards him."[<a name="99"></a><a href="#Note_99">99</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>M. Sinfray had returned to Murshidabad, but could not obtain an +interview with the Nawab till the 8th of June, when he found him +still absolutely tranquil; and even on the 10th the Nawab wrote to +Law to have no fears on his account; but this letter did not reach +Law till the 19th.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +complained of the delay in the strongest terms to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Ramnarain, +who received the packets from the Nawab, but it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +quite useless. The Nawab was betrayed by those whom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +thought most attached to him. The Faujdar of Rajmehal</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">used +to stop all his messengers and detain them as long as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +thought fit."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This officer was a brother of Mir Jafar.[<a name="100"></a><a + href="#Note_100">100</a>] The Seths and the +English had long found the chief difficulty in their way to be the +choice of a man of sufficient distinction to replace Siraj-ud-daula +on the throne. At this moment the Nawab himself gave them as a +leader Mir Jafar Ali Khan, who had married the sister of Aliverdi +Khan, and was therefore a relative of his. Mir Jafar was <i>Bukshi</i>, +or Paymaster and Generalissimo of the Army, and his influence had +greatly contributed to Siraj-ud-daula's peaceful accession. He was a +man of good reputation, and a brave and skilful soldier. It was such +a person as this that the Nawab, after a long course of petty +insults, saw fit to abuse in the vilest terms in full <i>Durbar</i> +and +to dismiss summarily from his post. He now listened to the +proposals of the Seths, and towards the end of April terms were +settled between him and the English.[<a name="101"></a><a + href="#Note_101">101</a>] The actual conclusion of +the Treaty took place early in June, and on the 13th of that month +Mr. Watts and the other English gentlemen at Cossimbazar escaped +under the pretence of a hunting expedition and joined Clive in +safety. As soon as he heard of this, the Nawab knew that war was +inevitable, and it had come at a moment when he had disbanded half +his army unpaid, and the other half was grumbling for arrears. Not +only had he insulted Mir Jafar, but he had also managed to quarrel +with Rai Durlabh. Instead of trying to postpone the conflict until +he had crushed these two dangerous enemies, he begged them to be +reconciled to him, and put himself in their hands. Letter after +letter was sent to recall Law, but even the first, despatched on the +13th, did not reach Law till the 22nd, owing to the treachery of the +Faujdar of Rajmehal. Law's letter entreating the Nawab to await his +arrival certainly never reached him, and though Law had started at +the first rumour of danger, before getting the Nawab's letter, he +did not reach Rajmehal till the 1st of July. The Nawab had been +captured in the neighbourhood a few hours before the arrival of his +advance-guard. Gholam Husain Khan says that Law would have been in +time had the Nawab's last remittance been a bill of exchange and not +an order on the Treasury, for—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"as +slowness of motion seems to be of etiquette with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +of Hindustan, the disbursing of the money took up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +much time that when M. Law was come down as far</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Rajmehal, +he found that all was over."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law, who was nothing if not philosophical, remarked on this +disappointment:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"In +saving Siraj-ud-daula we should have scored a great</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">success, +but possibly he would have been saved for a short</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">time +only. He would have found enemies and traitors</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wherever +he might have presented himself in the countries</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">supposed +to be subject to him. No one would have acknowledged</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him. +Forced by Mir Jafar and the English to flee to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +foreign country, he would have been a burden to us rather</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +an assistance.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"In +India no one knows what it is to stand by an</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unfortunate +man. The first idea which suggests itself is to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">plunder +him of the little[<a name="102"></a><a href="#Note_102">102</a>] which +remains to him. Besides,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +character like that of Siraj-ud-daula could nowhere find a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">real +friend."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Siraj-ud-daula, defeated by Clive at Plassey on the 23rd of June, +was, says Scrafton,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"himself +one of the first that carried the news of his defeat</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the capital, which he reached that night."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>His wisest councillors urged him to surrender to Clive, but he +thought this advice treacherous, and determined to flee towards +Rajmehal. When nearly there he was recognized by a Fakir,[<a name="103"></a><a + href="#Note_103">103</a>] whose +ears he had, some time before, ordered to be cut off. The Fakir +informed the Faujdar, who seized him and sent him to Murshidabad, +where Miran, Mir Jafar's son, put him to death on the 4th of July.</p> +<p>It was necessary for Law to withdraw as quickly as possible if he +was to preserve his liberty. Clive and Mir Jafar wrote urgent +letters to Ramnarain at Patna to stop him, but Ramnarain was no +lover of Mir Jafar, and he was not yet acquainted with Clive, so he +allowed him to pass. Law says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"On +the 16th of July we arrived at Dinapur, eight miles</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">above +Patna, where I soon saw we had no time to lose.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +Raja of Patna himself would not have troubled us much.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">By +means of our boats we could have avoided him as we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pleased, +for though our fleet was in a very bad condition,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">still +it could have held its own against the naval forces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Bengal, i.e. the Indian forces, but the English were advancing,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commanded +by Major Coote. As the English call</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">themselves +the masters of the aquatic element, it became us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +less to wait for them, when we knew they had stronger</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +more numerous boats than we had. Possibly we could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +outsailed them, but we did not wish to give them the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pleasure +of seeing us flee. On the 18th instant an order</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the Raja instructed me in the name of Mir Jafar to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">halt—no +doubt to wait for the English—whilst another on his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">own +part advised me to hurry off. Some small detachments</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +horsemen appeared along the bank, apparently to hinder</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +from getting provisions or to lay violent hands on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boatmen. +On this we set sail, resolved to quit all the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dependencies +of Bengal. In spite of ourselves we had to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">halt +at Chupra, twenty-two miles higher up, because our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rowers +refused to go further: prayers and threats all seemed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">useless. +I thought the English had found some means to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">gain +them over. The boats did not belong to us, but we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">should +have had little scruple in seizing them had our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Europeans +known how to manage them. Unfortunately,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +knew nothing about it. The boats in Bengal have no</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">keel, +and consequently do not carry sail well. So we lost</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">two +days in discussion with the boatmen, but at last, by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">doubling +their pay, terms were made, and five days after, on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +25th of July, we arrived at Ghazipur, the first place of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">importance +in the provinces of Suja-ud-daula, Viceroy of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Subahs +of Oudh, Lucknow, and Allahabad."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Before Law left Rajmehal on his return to Patna, the Faujdar tried +to stop him on pretence that Mir Jafar wished to reconcile him to +the English. Law thought this unlikely, yet knowing the native +proclivity for underhand intrigue, he wrote him a letter, but the +answer which he received at Chupra was merely an order to +surrender. Law says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +had an idea that he might write to me in a quite</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">different +style, <i>unknown to the English</i>. I knew the new</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab, +whom I met at the time I was soliciting reinforcements</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +raise the siege of Chandernagore. He had not then</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">taken +up the idea of making himself Nawab. He appeared</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +me a very intelligent man, and much inclined to do us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">service, +pitying us greatly for having to work with a man so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cowardly +and undecided as Siraj-ud-daula."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law thought his communication—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"was +well calculated to excite in his mind sentiments</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favourable +to us, but if it did, Mir Jafar let none of them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">appear. +The Revolution was too recent and the influence of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English too great for him to risk the least correspondence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +us."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>From Clive, on the other hand, he received a letter,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"such +as became a general who, though an enemy, interested</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">himself +in our fate out of humanity, knowing by his own</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">experience +into what perils and fatigues we were going to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">throw +ourselves when we left the European Settlements."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This letter, dated Murshidabad, July 9th, was as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"As +the country people are now all become your enemies,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +orders are gone everywhere to intercept your passage,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +I myself have sent parties in quest of you, and orders</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">are +gone to Ramnarain, the Naib of Patna, to seize you if</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +pursue that road, you must be sensible if you fall into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +hands you cannot expect to find them a generous</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemy. +If, therefore, you have any regard for the men</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">under +your command, I would recommend you to treat with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us, +from whom you may expect the most favourable terms in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +power to grant."[<a name="104"></a><a href="#Note_104">104</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law does not say much about the hardships of his flight; but Eyre +Coote, who commanded the detachment which followed him, had the +utmost difficulty in persuading his men to advance, and wrote to +Clive that he had never known soldiers exposed to greater hardships. +At Patna Eyre Coote seized the French Factory, where the Chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was lying ill. The military and other Company's +servants had gone on with Law, leaving in charge a person variously +called M. Innocent and Innocent Jesus. He was not a Frenchman, but +nevertheless he was sent down to Calcutta. From Patna Eyre Coote got +as far as Chupra, only to find Law safe beyond the frontier at +Ghazipur, and nothing left for him to do but to return.</p> +<p>From now on to January, 1761, Law was out of the reach of the +English, living precariously on supplies sent from Bussy in the +south, from his wife at Chinsurah, and from a secret store which M. +de la Bretesche had established at Patna unknown to the English, and +upon loans raised from wealthy natives, such as the Raja of +Bettiah. He believed all along that the French would soon make an +effort to invade Bengal, where there was a large native party in +their favour, and where he could assist them by creating a diversion +in the north. I shall touch on his adventures very briefly.</p> +<p>His first halt was at Benares, which he reached on the 2nd of +August, and where the Raja Bulwant Singh tried to wheedle and +frighten him into surrendering his guns. He escaped out of his hands +by sheer bluff, and went on to Chunargarh, where he received letters +from Suja-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, a friend of Siraj-ud-daula's, +whom he hoped to persuade into invading Bengal. On the 3rd of +September he reached Allahabad, and here left his troop under the +command of M. le Comte de Carryon, whilst he went on to Lucknow, the +capital of Oudh.</p> +<p>It is only at this moment that Law bethinks him of describing his +troop. It consisted of 175 Europeans and 100 sepoys drilled in +European fashion. The officers were D'Hurvilliers, le Comte de +Carryon (who had brought a detachment from Dacca before Law left +Cossimbazar), Ensign Brayer (who had commanded the military at +Patna), Ensign Jobard (who had escaped from Chandernagore), and +Ensign Martin de la Case. He also entertained as officers MM. +Debellême (Captain of a French East Indiaman), Boissemont, and La +Ville Martère, Company's servants (these three had all escaped +from +Chandernagore), Dangereux and Dubois (Company's servants stationed +at Cossimbazar), Beinges (a Company's servant stationed at Patna), +and two private gentlemen, Kerdizien and Gourbin. Besides these, MM. +Anquetil du Perron,[<a name="105"></a><a href="#Note_105">105</a>] La +Rue, Desjoux, Villequain, Desbrosses, +and Calvé, served as volunteers. His chaplain was the Reverend +Father Onofre, and he had two surgeons, Dubois and Le Page. The last +two were probably the surgeons of Cossimbazar and Patna. He had also +with him M. Lenoir, second of Patna, whose acquaintance with the +language and the people was invaluable. Law seems to have been +always able to recruit his sepoys, but he had no great opinion of +them.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"In +fact it may be said that the sepoy is a singular</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">animal, +especially until he has had time to acquire a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">proper +sense of discipline. As soon as he has received his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">red +jacket and his gun he thinks he is a different man. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">looks +upon himself as a European, and having a very high</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">estimation +of this qualification, he thinks he has the right to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">despise +all the country people, whom he treats as Kaffirs</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +wretched negroes, though he is often just as black as they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">are. +In every place I have been I have remarked that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">inhabitants +have less fear of the European soldier, who in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +disorderly behaviour sometimes shows an amount of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">generosity +which they would expect in vain from a sepoy."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law has left the following description of Lucknow:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Lucknow, +capital of the Subah[<a name="106"></a><a href="#Note_106">106</a>] so +called, is 160 miles</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">north +of Allahabad, on the other side of the Ganges, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">about +44 miles from that river. The country is beautiful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +of great fertility, but what can one expect from the best</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">land +without cultivation? It was particularly the fate of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +province and of a large portion of Oudh to have been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">exhausted +by the wars of Mansur Ali Khan.[<a name="107"></a><a href="#Note_107">107</a>] +That prince</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +his death left the Treasury empty and a quantity of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">debts. +Suja-ud-daula, his successor, thought he could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">satisfy +his creditors, all of them officers of the army, by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">giving +them orders upon several of the large estates. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">method +was too slow for these military gentlemen. In a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">short +time every officer had become the Farmer,[<a name="108"></a><a + href="#Note_108">108</a>] or rather the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Tyrant, +of the villages abandoned to him. Forcible executions</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">quickly +reimbursed him to an extent greater than his claim,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +the country suffered. The ill-used inhabitants left it,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +the land remained uncultivated. This might have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +repaired. The good order established by Suja-ud-daula</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commenced +to bring the inhabitants back when an</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">evil, +against which human prudence was powerless, achieved</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +total destruction. For two whole years clouds of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">locusts +traversed the country regularly with the Monsoon,[<a name="109"></a><a + href="#Note_109">109</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +reduced the hopes of the cultivator to nothing. When</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">two +days from Lucknow, we ourselves saw the ravages committed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +this insect. It was perfect weather; suddenly we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">saw +the sky overcast; a darkness like that of a total eclipse</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">spread +itself abroad and lasted a good hour. In less than no</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">time +we saw the trees under which we were camped stripped</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +their leaves. The next day as we journeyed we saw that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +same devastation had been produced for a distance of ten</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">miles. +The grass on the roads and every green thing in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fields +were eaten away down to the roots. This recurrent</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">plague +had driven away the inhabitants, even those who had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">survived +the exactions of the military. Towns and villages</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +abandoned; the small number of people who remained—I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">am +speaking without exaggeration—only served to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">augment +the horror of this solitude. We saw nothing but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">spectres.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +state of the people of Lucknow city, the residence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the Nawab, was hardly better. The evil was perhaps less</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">evident +owing to the variety of objects, but from what one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +see from time to time nature did not suffer less. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">environs +of the palace were covered with poor sick people</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">lying +in the middle of the roads, so that it was impossible</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +the Nawab to go out without causing his elephant to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">tread +on the bodies of several of them, except when he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +patience to wait and have them cleared out of the way—an</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">act +which would not accord with Oriental ideas of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">grandeur. +In spite of this there were few accidents. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">animal +used to guide its footsteps so as to show it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +friendly to human beings than men themselves</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>At Lucknow Suja-ud-daula greeted him with a sympathetic interest, +which Law quaintly likens to that shown by Dido for Aeneas, but +money was not forthcoming, and Law soon found that Suja-ud-daula was +not on sufficiently good terms with the Mogul's[<a name="110"></a><a + href="#Note_110">110</a>] Vizir[<a name="111"></a><a href="#Note_111">111</a>] +at +Delhi to risk an attack on Bengal. On the 18th of October he +returned to Allahabad, with the intention of going to Delhi to see +what he could do with the Vizir, but as it might have been dangerous +to disclose his object, he pretended he was going to march south to +Bussy in the Deccan, and obtained a passport from the Maratha +general, Holkar. This took some time, and it was not till March, +1758, that he started for Delhi. He reached Farukhabad without +difficulty, and on the 21st entered the country of the Jats. On the +evening of the 23rd a barber, who came into their camp, warned the +French they would be attacked. The next day the Jats, to the number +of 20,000, attacked them on the march. The fight lasted the whole +day, and the French fired 6000 musket shots and 800 cannon. The +cannon-balls were made of clay moulded round a pebble, and were +found sufficiently effective in the level country.</p> +<p>Soon after they arrived at Delhi, only to find the Marathas masters +of the situation and in actual possession of the person of the +Shahzada, or Crown Prince.[<a name="112"></a><a href="#Note_112">112</a>] +The Prince was friendly, gave Law +money, and eagerly welcomed the idea of attacking Bengal, but he was +himself practically a prisoner. The Vizir, too, could do nothing, +and would give no money. The Marathas amused him with promises, and +tried to trap him into fighting their battles. No one seemed to know +anything about what had happened in Bengal. He spoke to several of +the chief men about the English.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +felt sure that, after the Revolution in Bengal, they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +be the only subject of conversation in the capital. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Revolution +had made much noise, but it was ascribed entirely</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the Seths and to Rai Durlabh Ram. Clive's name was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">well +known. He was, they said, a great captain whom the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Seths +had brought from very far at a great expense, to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">deliver +Bengal from the tyranny of Siraj-ud-daula, as Salabat</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Jang +had engaged M. Bussy to keep the Marathas in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">order. +Many of the principal persons even asked me what</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country +he came from. Others, mixing up all Europeans</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">together, +thought that I was a deputy from Clive. It was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">useless +for me to say we were enemies, that it was the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +who had done everything in Bengal, that it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +who governed and not Jafar Ali Khan, who was only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +in name. No one would believe me. In fact, how</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +one persuade people who had never seen a race of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">men +different from their own, that a body of two or three</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thousand +Europeans at the most was able to dictate the law</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +a country as large as Bengal?"</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law could do nothing at Delhi, and it was only by bribing the +Maratha general that he obtained an escort through the Jat country +to Agra. Most of his soldiers were glad to be off, but about 60 +Europeans deserted with their arms to Delhi, where the Vizir offered +them pay as high as 50 rupees a month. M. Jobard was nearly killed +by some of them when he tried to persuade them to return to duty, +but, a few months after, more than half rejoined Law.</p> +<p>From Agra, Law went to Chatrapur in Bundelkand, where apparently, +though he does not say so, he was in the service of the Raja +Indrapat. His stay lasted from the 10th of June, 1758, to February, +1759. In order to keep on good terms with the inhabitants, who were +almost all Hindus, Law forbade his men to kill cattle or any of the +sacred birds, or to borrow anything without his permission, and at +the same time severely punished all disorderly behaviour. The people +having never heard of Christians, thought the French must be a kind +of Muhammadans, but they could not make out from what country they +came. Seeing them drink a red wine of which they had a few bottles, +they thought they were drinking blood, and were horrified, but the +good behaviour of the men soon put them on friendly terms.</p> +<p>Early in 1759 the Shahzada at last invaded Bengal, and on the 5th +of February Law marched to join him; but the invasion was badly +managed, and was an absolute failure. On the 28th of May Law was +back at Chatrapur. The only result of the invasion was that the +lands of a number of Rajas in Bihar were plundered by Miran, son of +Mir Jafar, and the English. These Rajas were all Hindus.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"They +had an understanding with Ramnarain. All these</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Rajas, +of whom there is a great number in the dependencies</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Bengal, united to each other by the same religion, mutually</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">support +each other as much as they can. They detest the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Muhammadan +Government, and if it had not been for the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Seths, +the famous bankers, with whom they have close</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">connections, +it is probable that after the Revolution in which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula +was the victim, they would all have risen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">together +to establish a Hindu Government, from which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +would not have obtained all the advantages they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">did +from the Muhammadan."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>In 1759 the Dutch risked a quarrel with the English. They refused, +however, any assistance from Law, who, far away as he was, heard all +about it. They were defeated at Biderra on the 25th of November. The +effect of this was to reduce Bengal to such tranquillity that Clive +considered it safe to visit England. The Shahzada, however, thought +the opportunity a favourable one for another invasion, and on the +28th of February, 1760, Law again started to join him. Patna was +besieged, and, according to Broome, was very nearly captured, owing +to Law's skill and the courage of his Frenchmen. In fact, the French +were on the ramparts, when Dr. Fullerton and the English sepoys +arrived just in time to drive them back.[<a name="113"></a><a + href="#Note_113">113</a>]</p> +<p>The siege was raised, and the Prince's general, Kamgar Khan, led the +army about the country with apparently no object but that of +plunder. This suited the Marathas, but did not suit Law. On one +occasion he was ordered with his own troops and a body of Marathas +to capture the little fort of Soupy. The French stormed it at three +o'clock in the morning, but found that the Marathas, who had +carefully avoided the breach, had swarmed the walls, where there was +no one to oppose them, and were carrying off the plunder.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My +chief occupation and that of the officers, for more</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +five hours during which we stayed in Soupy, was to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">keep +our soldiers and sepoys from bayoneting the Marathas,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who, +without having incurred the least danger, had, by their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cleverness +and lightness, carried off more than twenty times</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +much as our own men, observing among themselves a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">kind +of order in their plundering, very like that of monkeys</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">when +they strip a field."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>In fact, Law had a personal altercation with the Maratha commander +about a young and beautiful Hindu woman, whom the Maratha wished to +seize, but whom Law was determined to restore unhurt to her +relations, who lived in a village close by.</p> +<p>For the capture of the fort, Law received from the Shahzada various +high-sounding titles and the right to have the royal music played +before him; but as he could not afford to entertain the native +musicians, he allowed the privilege to sleep.</p> +<p>In 1760 Mr. Vansittart assumed the Governorship of Bengal, and his +first act was to complete the project begun by his predecessor, Mr. +Holwell, namely, the dethronement of Mir Jafar. This was effected on +the 20th of October, 1760; the ex-Nawab went quietly to Calcutta, +and Mir Kasim reigned in his stead. The Shahzada had now become +Emperor by the death of his father, and had assumed the title of +Shah Alam. He was still hanging with his army round Patna, and Mir +Kasim and the English determined to bring him to book. Kamgar Khan +continued to lead the Imperial army aimlessly about the country, and +in January, 1761, found himself near the town of Bihar. He had 35 to +40 thousand cavalry, maintained chiefly by plunder, but his only +musketeers and artillery were those commanded by Law, i.e. 125 +Europeans and 200 sepoys, with 18 guns of small calibre. The +British commander, Major Carnac, had 650 Europeans and 5 to 6 +thousand sepoys, with 12 guns. Mir Kasim had some 20,000 cavalry, +and the same number of musketeers, all good troops, for "everybody +was paid in the army of Kasim Ali Khan."[<a name="114"></a><a + href="#Note_114">114</a>]</p> +<p>On the 14th of January, scouts brought word of the approach of the +English. The Emperor consulted Law, who advised a retreat, but he +was not deficient in courage, and determined to fight. The next day +was fought the battle of Suan.[<a name="115"></a><a href="#Note_115">115</a>]</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"At +the dawn of day we heard that the enemy were on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +march, and that they would quickly appear. No disposition</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +our army had yet been made by Kamgar Khan,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who, +in fact, troubled himself very little about the matter.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It +was at first decided to re-enter the camp, so I put my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">men +as much as possible under shelter behind a bank, along</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I placed my guns in what I thought the most useful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">positions. +About 6 or 7 o'clock the enemy were seen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advancing +in good order, crossing a canal[<a name="116"></a><a href="#Note_116">116</a>] +full of mud and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">water, +the passage of which might have been easily contested</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +we been ready soon enough; but everything was neglected.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">For +some time we thought the enemy were going</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +encamp by the canal, but, seeing that they were still</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advancing, +the order was given to go and meet them. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whole +army was quickly out of the camp, divided into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">several +bodies of cavalry, at the head of which were, on their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">elephants, +the Emperor, the Generalissimo Kamgar Khan,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +other principal chiefs. Scarcely were we out of the camp</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">when +we were halted to await the enemy, everything in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">greatest +confusion; one could see no distinction between</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">right, +left, and centre, nothing that had the appearance of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">an +army intending to attack or even to defend itself.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"An +aide-de-camp brought me an order to march ahead</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +all my troop, and to place myself in a position which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +pointed out, a good cannon-shot away. Abandoned to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ourselves +we should have been exposed to all the fire of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English, +artillery and even to be outflanked by the enemy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +captured at the first attack. We advanced a few paces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +obedience to the order, but, seeing no one move to support</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us, +I suspected they wanted to get rid of us. I therefore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brought +back my men to where I had first placed them, on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +line about 200 paces in front of the army.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +enemy advanced steadily. The English at their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">head +with all their artillery were already within range of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +guns. They quickly placed their pieces in two batteries</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the right and left, and kept up a very lively cross fire.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">In +a very short time, having killed many men, elephants,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +horses—amongst others one of mine—they caused the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whole +of the Prince's army to turn tail. Kamgar Khan, at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +head, fled as fast as he could, without leaving a single</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">person +to support us. The enemy's fire, opposed to which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ours +was but feeble, continued steadily. We were forced to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">retire, +and did so in good order, having had some soldiers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +sepoys killed and one gun dismounted, which we left on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +field of battle. We regained the village, which sheltered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +for a time. The enemy started in pursuit. Unluckily,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +we issued from the village, our guns traversing a hollow</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">road, +we were stopped by ditches and channels full of mud,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +which the guns stuck fast. As I was trying to disengage</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +the English reached us, and surrounded us so as to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cut +off all retreat. Then I surrendered with 3 or 4 officers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +about 40 soldiers who were with me, and the guns. It</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th of January,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">1761, +a moment whose malign influence it was as it were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">impossible +to resist, since it was that of the surrender of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Pondicherry,[<a + name="117"></a><a href="#Note_117">117</a>] a place 300 leagues away +from us."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Gholam Husain Khan has left a graphic description of this incident.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Monsieur +Law, with the small force and the artillery</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +he could muster, bravely fought the English themselves,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +for some time he made a shift to withstand their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">superiority. +Their auxiliaries consisted of large bodies of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">natives, +commanded by Ramnarain and Raj Balav, but the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">engagement +was decided by the English, who fell with so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">much +effect upon the enemy that their onset could not be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">withstood +by either the Emperor or Kamgar Khan. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">latter, +finding he could not resist, turned about and fled.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +Emperor, obliged to follow him, quitted the field of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">battle, +and the handful of troops that followed M. Law,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">discouraged +by this flight and tired of the wandering life</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +they had hitherto led in his service, turned about</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">likewise +and followed the Emperor. M. Law, finding himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">abandoned +and alone, resolved not to turn his back. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bestrode +one of his guns and remained firm in that posture,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">waiting +the moment for his death. This being reported to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Major +Carnac, he detached himself from his main body with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Captain +Knox and some other officers, and he advanced to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +man on the gun, without taking with him either a guard</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +any Telingas[<a name="118"></a><a href="#Note_118">118</a>] at all. +Being arrived near, this troop</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">alighted +from their horses, and, pulling their caps from their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">heads, +they swept the air with them, as if to make him a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>salam</i>; +and this salute being returned by M. Law in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">same +manner, some parley followed in their own language.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +Major, after paying high encomiums to M. Law for his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">perseverance, +conduct, and bravery, added these words: 'You</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +done everything that could be expected from a brave</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">man; +and your name shall be undoubtedly transmitted to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">posterity +by the pen of history; now loosen your sword from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +loins, come amongst us, and abandon all thoughts of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">contending +with the English.' The other answered that, if</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +would accept of his surrendering himself just as he was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +had no objection, but that as to surrendering himself with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +disgrace of being without his sword, it was a shame he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +never submit to, and that they might take his life if</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +were not satisfied with that condition. The English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commanders, +admiring his firmness, consented to his surrendering</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">himself +in the manner he wished; after which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Major, with his officers, shook hands with him in their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">European +manner, and every sentiment of enmity was instantly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dismissed +on both sides. At the same time that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commander +sent for his own <i>palky</i>, made him sit in it, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +was sent to the camp. M. Law, unwilling to see or to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seen, +in that condition, shut up the curtains of the <i>palky</i> for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fear +of being recognized by any of his friends at camp, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">yet +some of his acquaintances, hearing of his having arrived,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">went +to him; these were Mir Abdulla and Mustapha Ali</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Khan. +The Major, who had excused him from appearing in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">public, +informed them that they could not see him for some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">days, +as he was too much vexed to receive any company.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Ahmed +Khan Koreishi, who was an impertinent talker,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">having +come to look at him, thought to pay his court to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English by joking on this man's defeat—a behaviour that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">has +nothing strange [in it] if we consider the times in which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">we +live and the company he was accustomed to frequent; and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +was in that notion of his, doubtless, that with much pertness</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +voice and air he asked him this question: '<i>And Bibi</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lass,</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em;">[<a name="119"></a><a href="#Note_119">119</a>]</span></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em;"> where is she</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">?' The Major and +the officers present,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">shocked +at the impropriety of the question, reprimanded him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +a severe look and very severe expressions. 'This man,'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +said, 'has fought bravely, and deserves the attention</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +all brave men; the impertinences which you have been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">offering +him may be customary amongst your friends and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +nation, but cannot be suffered in ours, who has it for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +standing rule never to offer an injury to a vanquished foe.'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Ahmed +Khan, checked by this reprimand, held his tongue,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +did not answer a word. He tarried about one hour</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +in his visit, and then went away much abashed; and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">although +he was a commander of importance, and one to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +much honour had always been paid, no one did speak</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +him any more, or made a show of standing up at his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">departure. +This reprimand did much honour to the English;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +it must be acknowledged, to the honour of those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">strangers, +that as their conduct in war and battle is worthy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +admiration, so, on the other hand, nothing is more modest</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +more becoming than their behaviour to an enemy,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whether +in the heat of action or in the pride of success and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">victory. +These people seem to act entirely according to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rules +observed by our ancient commanders and our men of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">genius."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Gholam Husain Khan says the victory was decided by the English; the +following quotation from Major Carnac's Letter to the Select +Committee at Calcutta, dated the 17th of January, 1761, shows how +the courage of the British forces saved them from a great disaster.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +gives me particular pleasure to inform you that we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +not lost a man in the action, but a few of the Nawab's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">troops +who had got up near our rear suffered considerably</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the explosion of one of the French tumbrils. It seems</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +enemy had lain a train to it in hopes of it's catching</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">while +our Europeans were storming the battery, but fortunately</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">we +were advanced two or three hundred yards in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +pursuit before it had effect, and the whole shock was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sustained +by the foremost of the Nawab's troops who were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">blown +up to the number of near four hundred, whereof</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seventy +or eighty died on the spot."[<a name="120"></a><a href="#Note_120">120</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law continues:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +next morning, as the English army started in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pursuit +of the Emperor Shah Alam, Major Carnac, from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom, +I must mention in passing, I received all possible</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">marks +of attention and politeness, sent me to Patna, where</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the English Chief, Mr. McGwire, I found an old friend,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +treated me as I should certainly have treated him in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">like +circumstances. I was in need of everything, and he let</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +want for nothing."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Thus ended Law's attempt to maintain the French party in Bengal. All +hopes of a French attack in force on Calcutta had long since +disappeared, and, under the circumstances, his capture was fortunate +for himself and his comrades. Most of the latter were gradually +picked up by the English. Law was sent to Calcutta, and left Bengal +in 1762. He was now only forty-two years of age. On his arrival in +France he found his services much appreciated by his countrymen, and +was made a Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, +and a Colonel of Infantry. Later on he was appointed Commissary for +the King, Commandant of the French Nation in the East Indies, and +Governor of Pondicherry. Law's account of his adventures was +commenced at Paris in 1763.[<a name="121"></a><a href="#Note_121">121</a>] +There exist letters written by him +to the historian Robert Orme, dated as late as 1785, which show the +strong interest he always retained in the affairs of Bengal, where +with adequate resources he might have played a much more +distinguished part.</p> +<p>We have seen a town besieged by a foreign army; we have seen the +Court of a great Prince distracted by internal dissensions and +trembling at the approach of a too-powerful enemy, and now we shall +pass to the quiet retreats of rural Bengal, which even their +remoteness could not save from some share in the troubles of the +time. In those days, even more than at present, the rivers were the +great highways of the country, but it needs personal acquaintance +with them to enable us to realize the effect they produce upon the +mind of a European. As a rule comparatively shallow, in the dry +weather they pursue a narrow winding course in the middle of a sandy +waste, but in the Rains they fill their beds from side to side, +overtop the banks, and make the country for miles around a series of +great lakes, studded with heavily wooded islands. Amidst these one +can wander for days hardly seeing a single human being, and hearing +nothing but the rushing of the current and the weird cries of +water-birds; at other times the prow of one's boat will suddenly +push itself through overhanging branches into the very midst of a +populous village. At first all is strange and beautiful, but after a +short time the feeling grows that every scene is a repetition; the +banks, the trees, the villages, seem as if we have been looking at +them for a thousand years, and the monotony presses wearily on mind +and heart. It was in a country of this kind that Courtin and his +little band of Frenchmen and natives evaded capture for nearly nine +months, and it adds to our admiration for his character to see how +his French gaiety of heart unites with his tenderness for his absent +wife, not only to conceal the deadly monotony of his life in the +river districts during the Rains, and the depressing and +disheartening effect of the noxious climate in which he and his +companions had to dwell, but also to make light of the imminent +danger in which he stood from the unscrupulous human enemies by whom +he was surrounded.</p> +<br> +<p>Notes:</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_65"></a><a href="#65">65</a>: From certain letters it +appears that, strictly +speaking, the English Factory alone was at Cossimbazar, the French +being at Saidabad, and the Dutch at Calcapur. Both Saidabad and +Calcapur were evidently close to Cossimbazar, if not parts of it.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_66"></a><a href="#66">66</a>: George Lodewijk Vernet, +Senior Merchant.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_67"></a><a href="#67">67</a>: The historian Malleson +also confuses the two +brothers.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_68"></a><a href="#68">68</a>: The best copy I have +seen is that in the Manuscript +Department of the British Museum.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_69"></a><a href="#69">69</a>: Gholam Husain Khan says +that Siraj-ud-daula was born +in the year in which Aliverdi Khan obtained from the Emperor the +<i>firman</i> for Bihar. This, according to Scrafton, was 1736, and the +connection of his birth with this auspicious event was the prime +cause of his grandfather's great reference for him.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_70"></a><a href="#70">70</a>: See <a href="#Note_87">note</a>, +p. 88.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_71"></a><a href="#71">71</a>: Uncle of +Siraj-ud-daula, who died so shortly before +the death of Aliverdi Khan, that it was supposed he was poisoned to +ensure Siraj-ud-daula's accession.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_72"></a><a href="#72">72</a>: Fazl-Kuli-Khan. <i>Scrafton</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_73"></a><a href="#73">73</a>: Law says; "The rumour +ran that M. Drake replied to the +messengers that, since the Nawab wished to fill up the Ditch, he +agreed to it provided it was done with the heads of Moors. I do not +believe he said so, but possibly some thoughtless young Englishman +let slip those words, which, being heard by the messengers, were +reported to the Nawab."]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_74"></a><a href="#74">74</a>: Europeans. Properly, +Franks or Frenchmen. This term +was generally applied by Europeans to the half-caste descendants of +the Portuguese.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_75"></a><a href="#75">75</a>: Captains or generals: a +term of somewhat indefinite +meaning.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_76"></a><a href="#76">76</a>: In alliance with +Salabat Jang, Bussy temporarily +acquired a large territory for the French.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_77"></a><a href="#77">77</a>: "After Mr. Law had +given us a supply of clothes, +linen, provisions, liquors, and cash, we left his Factory with +grateful hearts and compliments." <i>Holwell</i>. Letter to Mr. Davis, +February 28, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_78"></a><a href="#78">78</a>: Imperial Charter.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_79"></a><a href="#79">79</a>: For an explanation of +the influence of the Seths, see +pp. 84, 85, and note.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_80"></a><a href="#80">80</a>: Ramnarain is an +interesting character. He appears to +have been one of the most faithful of the adherents of the house of +Aliverdi Khan and on its extinction of the English connection. His +gallantry in battle is referred to by Colonel Ironside. <i>Asiatic +Annual Register</i>, 1800.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_81"></a><a href="#81">81</a>: The official intimation +reached Admiral Watson in +January, 1757, but apparently not the formal orders from the +Admiralty. See page 30.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_82"></a><a href="#82">82</a>: In a letter to the +Secret Committee, London, dated +October 11, 1756, Clive writes: "I hope we shall be able to +dispossess the French of Chandernagore." So it is evident that he +came with this intention to Bengal.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_83"></a><a href="#83">83</a>: Clive describes Hugli +as "the second city in the +kingdom." <i>Letter to Lord Hardwicke, Feb</i>. 23, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_84"></a><a href="#84">84</a>: Bengal, Bihar, and +Orissa.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_85"></a><a href="#85">85</a>: Hearing that Seth +Mahtab Rai was to marry a +wonderfully beautiful woman, he forced the Seths to let him see the +young lady. <i>Scrafton</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_86"></a><a href="#86">86</a>: "If one is to believe +certain English writers, the +Seths were an apparently insurmountable obstacle to the project +because of the money we owed them, as if in their perilous position +these bankers would not be inclined to sacrifice something to save +the greater part. Besides, we shall see by what follows that they +sacrificed nothing." <i>Law</i>. The extraordinary influence of these +people was due not so much to their dealings with the head of the +State as to the fact that native princes generally make payments, +not in cash, but in bonds. It therefore depends on the bankers what +any man shall get for his bonds. In this way an official, even when +paid by the State, may be ruined by the bankers, who are merely +private persons.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_87"></a><a href="#87">87</a>: "In India it is thought +disrespectful to tell a great +man distinctly the evil which is said of him. If an inferior knows +that designs are formed against the life of his superior, he must +use circumlocutions, and suggest the subject in vague terms and +speak in enigmas. It is for the great man to divine what is meant. +If he has not the wit, so much the worse for him. As a foreigner, I +was naturally more bold and said what I thought to Siraj-ud-daula. +Coja Wajid did not hesitate to blame me, so that for a long time I +did not know what to think of him. This man finally fell a victim to +his diplomacies, perhaps also to his imprudences. One gets tired of +continual diplomacy, and what is good in the beginning of a business +becomes in the end imprudence." <i>Law</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_88"></a><a href="#88">88</a>: "Witness the letter +written to the English Admiral +Watson, by which it is pretended the Nawab authorized him to +undertake the siege of Chandernagore. The English memoir" (by <i>Luke +Scrafton</i>) "confesses it was a surprise, and that the Secretary must +have been bribed to write it in a way suitable to the views of Mr. +Watts. The Nawab never read the letters which he ordered to be +written; besides, the Moors never sign their names; the envelope +being closed and well fastened, the Secretary asks the Nawab for his +seal, and seals it in his presence. Often there is a counterfeit +seal." <i>Law</i>. From this it may be seen that the Nawab could +always +assert that his Secretary had exceeded his instructions, whilst it +was open to his correspondent to assert the contrary.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_89"></a><a href="#89">89</a>: The clerks.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_90"></a><a href="#90">90</a>: "This was the boaster +Rai Durlabh Ram, who had already +received much from me, but all the treasures of the Universe could +not have freed him from the fear he felt at having to fight the +English. He had with him as his second in command a good officer, +Mir Madan, the only man I counted upon." <i>Law</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_91"></a><a href="#91">91</a>: Referring to Clive's +letter of the 7th of March, +saying he wished to attack Chandernagore, but would await the +Nawab's orders at that place.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_92"></a><a href="#92">92</a>: By "agent" Law must +mean simply an agent in the plot.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_93"></a><a href="#93">93</a>: Scrafton, in his +"Reflections" (<i>pp. 40 and 50</i>), +says, Siraj-ud-daula indulged in all sorts of debauchery; but his +grandfather, in his last illness, made him swear on the Koran to +give up drinking. He kept his oath, but probably his mind was +affected by his previous excesses.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_94"></a><a href="#94">94</a>: Arzbegi, i.e. the +officer who receives petitions.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_95"></a><a href="#95">95</a>: A preparation of +betel-nut (areca-nut) is used by the +natives of Hindustan as a digestive. When offered to a guest, it is +a sign of welcome or dismissal. When sent by a messenger, it is an +assurance of friendship and safe conduct.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_96"></a><a href="#96">96</a>: The Governor of Patna +was Raja Ramnarain, a Hindu, +with the rank of Naib only. It was considered unsafe to entrust so +important a post to a Muhammadan, or an officer with the rank of +Nawab.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_97"></a><a href="#97">97</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., p. +2779, No. 120.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_98"></a><a href="#98">98</a>: Ibid., India IX., p. +2294.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_99"></a><a href="#99">99</a>: Letter from Renault to +Dupleix. Dated Chandernagore, +Sept. 4, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_100"></a><a href="#100">100</a>: Broome (p. 154) +gives his name as Mir Daood.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_101"></a><a href="#101">101</a>: The Council signed +the Treaty with Mir Jafar on the +19th of May, but Mr. Watts's first intimation of his readiness to +join the English is, I believe, in a letter dated the 26th of April. +Mir Jafar signed the Treaty early in June.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_102"></a><a href="#102">102</a>: So Suja-ud-daula, +Nawab of Oudh, plundered the Nawab +Mir Kasim, when the English drove him from Bengal in 1763.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_103"></a><a href="#103">103</a>: Broome (p. 154) says +"a fakier, named Dana Shah, +whose nose and ears he had ordered to be cut off thirteen months +before, when on his march against the Nawaub of Purneah."]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_104"></a><a href="#104">104</a>: Orme MSS., India +Office, and Clive correspondence at +Walcot, vol. iv.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_105"></a><a href="#105">105</a>: The celebrated +traveller. He quickly quarrelled with +and left them.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_106"></a><a href="#106">106</a>: Province.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_107"></a><a href="#107">107</a>: Nawab of Oudh and +father of Suja-ud-daula.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_108"></a><a href="#108">108</a>: I.e. the receiver of +the rent or revenue.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_109"></a><a href="#109">109</a>: The regular winds of +the various seasons are called +monsoons, and are named after the point of the compass from which +they blow.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_110"></a><a href="#110">110</a>: Alamgir II.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_111"></a><a href="#111">111</a>: Imad-ul-mulk, +Ghazi-ud-din Khan.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_112"></a><a href="#112">112</a>: Ali Gauhar, born +1728. On the death of his father, +November 29, 1759, he assumed the name or title of Shah Alam.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_113"></a><a href="#113">113</a>: The old English +Factory at Patna was re-opened by Mr. +Pearkes, in July, 1757. See his letters to Council, dated 12th and +14th July, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_114"></a><a href="#114">114</a>: Kasim Ali had a much +better army than any of his +predecessors. Though it was not trained in the European manner, +several of the chief officers were Armenians, who effected great +reforms in discipline. Three years later it made a really good fight +against the English.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_115"></a><a href="#115">115</a>: The battle is +generally known as that of Gaya, but +was fought at Suan. The site is marked in Rennell's map of South +Bihar. It lies about six miles west of the town of Bihar, on the +river Banowra.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_116"></a><a href="#116">116</a>: The Banowra River.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_117"></a><a href="#117">117</a>: The French capital +on the Madras coast. Surrendered +to Eyre Coote.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_118"></a><a href="#118">118</a>: Sepoys, so called +from the Telingana district in +Madras, where they were first recruited.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_119"></a><a href="#119">119</a>: Mrs. Law. <i>Bibi</i> +is the equivalent of mistress or +lady. <i>Lass</i> was the native version of Law. Mrs. Law's maiden +name +was Jeanne Carvalho.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_120"></a><a href="#120">120</a>: Bengal Select Com. +Consultations, 28th January, +1761.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_121"></a><a href="#121">121</a>: "A part of these +Memoirs was written at Paris in +1703, and part at sea in 1764, during my second voyage to India, but +several of the notes were added later." <i>Law</i>.]</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h2>M. COURTIN, CHIEF OF DACCA</h2> +<br> +<p>Jacques Ignace, son of François Courtin, Chevalier, Seigneur +de +Nanteuil, and of Catherine Colin, is, I believe, the correct +designation of the gentleman who appears in all the records of the +French and English East India Companies as M. Courtin, Chief of the +French Factory at Dacca.</p> +<p>In June 1756, when Siraj-ud-daula marched on Calcutta, he sent word +to his representative, the Nawab Jusserat Khan at Dacca, to seize +the English Factory, and make prisoners of the Company's servants +and soldiers. The English Factory on the site of the present +Government College, was—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"little +better than a common house, surrounded with a thin</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brick +wall, one half of it not above nine foot high." The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">garrison +consisted "of a lieutenant" (Lieutenant John Cudmore),</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"4 +serjeants, 3 corporals, and 19 European soldiers,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">besides +34 black Christians[<a name="122"></a><a href="#Note_122">122</a>] and +60 <i>Buxerries</i>."[<a name="123"></a><a href="#Note_123">123</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p style="text-align: center;"><a name="DACCA_OR_JEHANGIR_NAGAR"></a><img + src="images/tfb005.jpg" + title="DACCA, OR JEHANGIR NAGAR. (After Rennell.)" + alt="DACCA, OR JEHANGIR NAGAR. (After Rennell.)" + style="width: 590px; height: 811px;"></p> +<p>On the 27th of June Jusserat Khan sent on the Nawab's order by the +English <i>wakil</i>, or agent, to Mr. Becher, the English Chief, and +informed him of the capture of Fort William and the flight of Mr. +Drake. Thinking this was merely a trick to frighten them into +surrender, the Dacca Council requested Mr. Scrafton, third in +Council, to write to M. Courtin, chief of the French Factory, for +information. In reply M. Courtin sent them a number of letters which +he had received from Chandernagore, confirming the bad news from +Calcutta. Taking into consideration the unfortified condition of the +Factory, and that Dacca was only four days by river from Murshidabad +whilst it was fourteen from Calcutta, it seemed idle to hope to +defend it even when assistance could be expected from the latter +place, and, now that it was certain that Calcutta itself had fallen, +any attempt at defence appeared rather "an act of rashness than of +bravery." It was therefore resolved to obtain the best terms they +could through the French.</p> +<p>The next day M. Fleurin, second of the French Factory—M. +Courtin[<a name="124"></a><a href="#Note_124">124</a>] was not well +acquainted with the English language—came +to inform them that the Nawab of Dacca agreed that the ladies and +gentlemen should be allowed to retire to the French Factory on M. +Courtin giving his word that they would there await the orders of +Siraj-ud-daula as to their future fate. The soldiers were to lay +down their arms, and be prisoners to the Nawab. This amicable +arrangement was entirely due to M. Courtin's good offices, and he +was much congratulated on the tact he had shown in preventing the +Nawab from using violent measures, as he seemed inclined to do at +first. As the Nawab would not allow the English to take away any of +their property, except the clothes they were wearing, they were +entirely dependent upon the French for everything, and were treated +with the greatest kindness. The Council wrote:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +French have behaved with the greatest humanity</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +such as have taken refuge at their Factory, and the tenour</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +their conduct everywhere to us on this melancholy occasion</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">has +been such as to merit the grateful acknowledgment of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +nation."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>For some two months the English remained in the French Factory, M. +Law, at Cossimbazar, warmly soliciting their release from +Siraj-ud-daula. This he obtained with difficulty, and at last Mr. +Becher and his companions sailed in a sloop provided by M. Courtin +for Fulta, where they arrived safely on the 26th of August. When +Calcutta had been recaptured by the English, M. Courtin, like a good +business man, sent in a bill for the costs of the sloop to the +Council at Calcutta, and the Consultations of the 16th of May, 1757, +duly notify its payment.</p> +<p>The English did not regain possession of the Factory at Dacca till +the 8th of March, by which time the declaration of War between +France and England was known, and the likelihood of troubles in +Bengal was very apparent. As we have seen, the English were +successful in their attack on Chandernagore, but the whole country +was aware that the Nawab was only the more enraged with them, and +his local officers might at any moment be instructed to take +vengeance on Englishmen found defenceless up country. On the 23rd of +March, Messrs. Sumner and Waller wrote from Dacca that Jusserat Khan +had refused to restore the Factory cannon, and to pass their goods +without a new <i>parwana</i>[<a name="125"></a><a href="#Note_125">125</a>] +from Murshidabad. It was therefore +still very doubtful whether he would assist the English or the +French at Dacca, and though the English obtained the <i>parwana</i> +they +wanted early in May, on the 9th the Council at Calcutta sent them +orders to do the best they could for their own security, and +informed them they had sent an armed sloop to Luckipore to cover +their retreat. They immediately sent down all the goods they could, +but as matters became quieter again they soon resumed business, and +appear to have had no further trouble.</p> +<p>It may be imagined that M. Courtin and his friends, knowing that the +English had demanded the surrender of the French Factories, had a +very uncomfortable experience all this time.[<a name="126"></a><a + href="#Note_126">126</a>] Unfortunately no +Records of the French Factories in Bengal are now to be found, and I +had despaired of obtaining any information about the expulsion from +Dacca, when, in the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris, I came on a +MS. +entitled, "<i>Copy of a letter from M. Courtin from India, written to +his wife, in which are given in detail the different affairs which +he had with the Moors from the 22nd of June, 1757, the day of his +evacuation of Dacca, to the 9th of March, 1758</i>."[<a name="127"></a><a + href="#Note_127">127</a>]</p> +<p>M. Courtin had married a Madame Direy, widow of a French Company's +servant, and the letter shows she was fortunately in France at the +time of her husband's troubles. As was natural, but inconveniently +enough for us, Courtin does not think it necessary to trouble her +with unintelligible and unpronounceable Indian names. Where +possible, I shall fill them in from the English Records, otherwise I +shall interrupt the course of the letter as little as possible. It +runs as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Calcapur,[<a + name="128"></a><a href="#Note_128">128</a>] April 20, 1758.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Word +must have reached thee in France of the loss of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Chandernagore, +which was taken from us by the English on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +23rd of March, 1757, after eleven days' siege. I was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">then +at Dacca, and expecting every day to see M.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Chevalier +return from his journey to the King of Assam.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Judge, +my dear wife, of the chagrin and embarrassment into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I was thrown by this deplorable event. The English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +had no idea of attacking Chandernagore until they had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">recovered +Calcutta from the Moors, taken the Moorish village</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +Hugli, and forced the Moors to agree to a most shameful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">peace. +This was not, as thou wilt see, sufficient for them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +Siraj-ud-daula had offended them too deeply for them to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">stop +when once they found themselves on a good road; but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unfortunately +we were an obstacle in the way of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">vengeance, +otherwise I believe they would have observed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +neutrality which had been always so carefully maintained</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +the European nations in the country of the Ganges, in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">spite +of all the wars which took place in Europe. Many of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +French from Chandernagore—officers, Company's servants,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +others—had taken refuge at Cossimbazar with M. Law,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +formed there a party which opposed the English in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">various +ways. The English, however, forced Siraj-ud-daula,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">against +his true interest and in spite of his promise to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">protect +us, to abandon us, and to make M. Law leave his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Factory +and go to Patna. This imprudent act was the ruin</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the Prince and put the final touch to our misfortunes,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whilst +it has made the English masters of Bengal, and has</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">filled +their coffers with wealth.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +held on at Dacca till the 22nd of June. I was troubled</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +little as was possible in such circumstances, owing, I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">think, +to the gratitude which the English felt for the services</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +had rendered them in Dacca the year before. I had all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +more reason to think this was so because, after the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">misfortune +which befell Chandernagore, they had often</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">offered +to secure to me all my effects and merchandise in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Murshidabad +[?]—they were worth a million—provided I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">made +over to them the French Factory and all that belonged</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the Company, and would myself leave for Pondicherry</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the following October. They said I should not be considered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +prisoner of war, and should not require to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">exchanged.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"These +were, no doubt, very good terms, and most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advantageous +to me; but should I not have been dishonoured</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +ever if I had had a soul so servile and base as to accept</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them? +I would have been covered with ignominy in my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">own +eyes, and without doubt in those of all the world. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">therefore +thought it my duty to reject them.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Things +were on this footing when, at the beginning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +June, I learned that the English, having got rid of M.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Law, +were marching upon Murshidabad with all their forces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +achieve the destruction of a Prince who was already half</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ruined +by his own timidity and cowardice, and still further</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">weakened +by the factions formed against him by the chief</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">members +of his own family—a Prince detested by every one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +his pride and tyranny, and for a thousand dreadful crimes</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +which he had already soiled his reputation though he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +barely twenty-five years old.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +knew only too well what was preparing against him,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +I was also most eager to find some honourable means of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">escape +for myself. M. Chevalier's absence troubled me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">greatly, +and I did not like to leave him behind me. At last</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +arrived on the 16th or 17th. I had taken the precaution</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +provide myself with a <i>parwana</i>, or passport, signed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula, +allowing me to go where I pleased. That</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Prince +had recalled M. Law to him, but too late, for I felt</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">certain +he could not rejoin him in time to save him or to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">check +the progress of his enemies. I was in a hurry therefore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +go and help to save him if that were possible, taking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">care, +however, to choose a route by which I could escape if,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +I thought probable, he should have succumbed beforehand</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the efforts of the English, and the treason of his subjects.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +was then the 22nd of June when I started with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">about +35 boats,[<a name="129"></a><a href="#Note_129">129</a>] MM. Chevalier, +Brayer [possibly a relation</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the M. Brayer who commanded at Patna], Gourlade, the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">surgeon, +and an Augustine Father, Chaplain of the Factory,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">8 +European soldiers, of whom several were old and past</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">service, +17 topass gunners, 4 or 5 of the Company's servants,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +about 25 or 30 peons.[<a name="130"></a><a href="#Note_130">130</a>] +There, my dear wife, is the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">troop +with which thou seest me start upon my adventures.[<a name="131"></a><a + href="#Note_131">131</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">To +these, however, should be added my Christian clerks, my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">domestics, +and even my cook, all of whom I dressed and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">armed +as soldiers to assist me in what I expected to be a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">losing +game, and which, in fact, had results the most disastrous</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the world for my personal interests.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +was not till seven or eight days after I had set out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +this fine troop that I learned there had been a battle at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Plassey +between the English and the Nawab, in which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">latter +had been defeated and forced to flee, and that Jafar</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Ali +Khan, his maternal uncle,[<a name="132"></a><a href="#Note_132">132</a>] +had been enthroned in his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">place. +This report, though likely enough as far as I could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">judge, +did not come from a source so trustworthy that I could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rely +on it with entire faith. Accordingly I did not yet</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">abandon +the route which I had proposed to myself; in fact,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +followed it for some days more, and almost as far as the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mouth +of the Patna River.[<a name="133"></a><a href="#Note_133">133</a>] +There I learned, beyond possibility</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +doubt, that Siraj-ud-daula had been captured, conducted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +Murshidabad, and there massacred; that he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">just +missed being rejoined by M. Law, who was coming to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">meet +him, and could easily have done so if he had followed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +instructions given him and had been willing to march</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">only +three hours longer; and that the English had sent a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">body +of troops towards Patna to capture or destroy M. Law</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">if +possible."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>We have seen in a previous chapter the real reasons why Law was +unable to rejoin Siraj-ud-daula in time for the battle.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +now saw that a junction with him had become impossible,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unless +I determined to run the most evident risk of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">losing +my liberty and all I had."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It appears that Courtin had the Company's effects, as well as his +own private property and that of his companions, on board his little +fleet.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"This +made me change my route immediately. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mountains +of Tibet[<a name="134"></a><a href="#Note_134">134</a>] appeared to me +a safe and eminently</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suitable +asylum until the arrival in the Ganges of the forces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +we flattered ourselves were coming. I therefore directed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +route in this direction, but found myself suddenly and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unexpectedly +so close to Murshidabad that for two days</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">together +we heard the sound of the guns fired in honour of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +revolution which had taken place. It is easy to judge</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">into +what alarm this unexpected and disagreeable proximity</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">threw +me. However, we arrived safely, on the 10th of July,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +the capital of the Raja of Dinajpur, who wished to oppose</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +passage."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This was the Raja Ram Nath, whom Orme describes as "a Raja, who with +much timidity, was a good man."</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"We +made it in spite of him, threatening to attack him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">if +he showed any further intention of opposing us. I do not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">know +what would have happened if he had had a little firmness,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +we learned afterwards that he had always in his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">service +a body of 5000 infantry and cavalry. The persons</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +he sent to us had at first suggested that I should pretend</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was English, assuring me that by that means all difficulties</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +be removed; but I thought this trick too much</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">beneath +a man of honour for me to make use of it, and, in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fact, +I objected to pass for anything but what I really was.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +found here a French soldier, who had been at the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">battle +of Plassey, where the brave Sinfray,[<a name="135"></a><a + href="#Note_135">135</a>] at the head of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">38 +Frenchmen, had fought like a hero for a long time, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +retreated only at the order of Siraj-ud-daula, who, seeing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">himself +betrayed and the battle lost, sent him word to cease</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fighting. +This worthy gentleman afterwards took refuge in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Birbhum, +the Raja of which country betrayed him, and disgracefully</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">handed +him over to the English in October last."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Courtin is somewhat unfair to the Raja (apparently a Muhammadan, as +he was called Assaduzama Muhammad),[<a name="136"></a><a + href="#Note_136">136</a>] for this Prince was an ally +of the English, and had offered Clive the assistance of his forces +before the battle of Plassey. It could be no treachery on his part +to pick up fugitives from the battle, like Sinfray, and hand them +over to his allies. I may as well quote one of the Raja's letters to +Clive, received 28th October, 1757:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Before +your letter arrived the French were going</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">through, +some woods in my country. I knew they were your</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies, +therefore I ordered my people to surround them. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">French +being afraid, some said they were English, and some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dutch. +In the meantime I received your letter that if I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +apprehend them I should send them to you, therefore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +have sent them. Surajah Dowlat has plundered my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country +so much, that there is hardly anything left in it."[<a name="137"></a><a + href="#Note_137">137</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Courtin continues:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"To +return to my journey and my adventures. I now</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">found +myself outside of Bengal and in sight of the mountains</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Tibet, a month having elapsed since my departure from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dacca. +I was only two or three days distant from these</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mountains, +and my intention, as thou hast seen above, was to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">go +there; but I was prevented by the murmurs of my people,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">especially +the boatmen, who already began to desert in small</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">parties. +Accordingly I accepted an offer made me on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">part +of the Raja of Sahibgunj, to give me a site for a fort,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to aid me with everything I might want. I descended</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +river again for a little, and near this site, which was on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +river bank, I commenced a fort, but the thickness of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">forest +forced me to abandon it, and I entered a little river</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">close +by, which conducted me to a marsh, on the borders of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I found an elevated site admirably situated and in a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">very +agreeable neighbourhood.[<a name="138"></a><a href="#Note_138">138</a>] +This belonged to the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Raja, +and with his consent I again set to work, and that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +such promptitude that in less than a month my fortress</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commenced +to take form, and visibly progressed owing to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +extraordinary efforts I made to complete it. It was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">triangular, +with a bastion at each angle. At two of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">angles +I had found superb trees with very heavy foliage, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +the third I erected the mast of my boat and hoisted our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">flag. +All three bastions had four embrasures, a fine entrance</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">gate +opening on the marsh, and a little open turret above,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">A +small entrance gate led to the open country. The curtains</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +carefully pierced for musketry, and strengthened outside</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +a trellis work of bamboo, and finished off with banquettes</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +the ramparts. An excellent powder magazine</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +built in the same way, and, being situated in the interior</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the fort, was quite safe from any accident.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"As +I had brought workmen of all kinds with me, the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">work +went on well, especially as the care of our health made</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +all industrious. I was not without cannon, and I mounted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +our ramparts two Swedish guns, which afterwards proved</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +safety and preservation.[<a name="139"></a><a href="#Note_139">139</a>] +Also being provided with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">requisites +for making gunpowder, I very soon had nearly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">3000 +lbs. weight of very good quality.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Hardly +anything remained to complete my fortress,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I had named 'Bourgogne,' except to provide it with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +glaçis. It was already furnished with a market which was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sufficiently +flourishing, when to my misfortune I received</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +false information that our forces, which were said to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">considerable, +were ready to enter the Ganges, and that there</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +certain news of the arrival of a very strong squadron at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Pondicherry.[<a + name="140"></a><a href="#Note_140">140</a>] On the 8th September there +broke out at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Purneah, +and in the province of that name, a Evolution</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">headed +by a person named Hazir Ali Khan,[<a name="141"></a><a href="#Note_141">141</a>] +who, having</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seized +the capital, at once wrote to me to join him, and assist</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +against the English and Jafar Ali Khan.[<a name="142"></a><a + href="#Note_142">142</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"These +two events made me stop everything else and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">devote +myself entirely to getting my boats out of the little</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">river +by which I had entered the marsh, and which was now</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">almost +quite dried up. I succeeded in doing so after some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">time, +by means of ditches which I cut from the marsh, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +took me more than a month and considerable labour, as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was about two leagues from the great river. To complete</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +misfortunes, my troop was attacked by sickness, which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">raged +with a violence such as I had scarcely ever seen. It</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cost +me nine soldiers, of whom three were Europeans. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">latter +were luckily replaced some days after by the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">number +who joined me.[<a name="143"></a><a href="#Note_143">143</a>] Poor M. +Brayer and M. Gourlade</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been during almost the whole campaign in the most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pitiable +condition, especially the former, who I thought a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thousand +times must have died. As for me, the powders</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>d'Aillot</i> +preserved me from the pestilential air, and cured</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +from the effects of a fall in my <i>bajarow</i>,[<a name="144"></a><a + href="#Note_144">144</a>] caused by the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">clumsiness +of my boatmen. I narrowly escaped breaking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +ribs and back.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Before +quitting Fort Bourgogne I must tell thee, my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dear +wife, that I often played there a very grand rôle. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +called the 'Fringuey Raja,' or 'King of the Christians.'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was often chosen as arbiter amongst the little princes in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +neighbourhood, who sent me ambassadors. My reputation</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">spread +so wide, and the respect that I gained was so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">great, +that the King of Tibet did not disdain to honour me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +an embassy of nearly eight hundred persons, whom I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">entertained +for nine whole days, and whose chiefs I dismissed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +presents suitable to their rank, their king, our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">nation, +and the idea which I wished to leave behind me in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +country of the European name. The presents which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +made me consisted of five horses, some bags of scent,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">three +or four pieces of china, pieces of gilt paper, and a sabre</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">like +those used by the Bhutiyas, or people of Tibet, who are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">men +as strong and robust as those of Bengal are feeble.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Though +pagans like the latter, they eat all kinds of things,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +live almost like the Tartars, from whom they are descended.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">They +have no beards, and are clothed in a fashion</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +is good enough, but which looks singular. They are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">very +dirty. The complexion of those whom I saw was very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dark, +but I know it is not the same in the interior of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country +and in the mountains, where all are as fair as the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Chinese, +who are said to be their neighbours. I took some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">trouble +to form an alliance and to make a party amongst</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them. +They appeared very willing, but I soon had occasion</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +convince myself that not only were they not fitting persons</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +my designs, but also that they were playing with me.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It +is not that they do not make raids upon the lower country,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +they make these only in the cold weather, always withdrawing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +the commencement of the hot, without trying to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">make +any permanent conquests.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"There, +then, my reign is finished, or nearly so, for the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">good +news that I continued to receive (though always without</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">foundation, +as I learned afterwards), joined to the entreaties</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Hazir All Khan and to the unhealthy air which continued</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +decimate my poor little troop, induced me at last to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">abandon +my fort, to embark again upon my boats, and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reapproach +Bengal, from which I had hitherto been travelling</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">away. +The second day after my departure was marked by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +very annoying accident, namely the loss of one of my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">largest +boats, on which was my library and a quantity of my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">effects. +These were quickly drawn out of the water, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +none the less ruined for the Company and for me.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">From +that moment commence my misfortunes. The sixth</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">day—I +had passed three in the salvage of the effects on my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boat—I +received a <i>pattamar</i> (messenger), who informed me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +the English and the troops of Jafar Ali Khan were at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Purneah, +from which they had chased Hazir Ali Khan and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wholly +destroyed his faction."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>From Broome we see that this was in the middle of December, 1757. It +was now that Clive first heard what Courtin was attempting. He +immediately sent orders direct, and also through the Nawab, to Kasim +Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore, and to Raja Ram Nath of Dinajpur, to +seize the French.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"It was almost impossible for me to +reascend the river</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">because of the dry banks and the +strong currents which</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">would have put my boats in danger. +However, I found</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">myself in the country of Rungpore, +which was a dependency</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">of Bengal. I determined +nevertheless to remain where I</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">was, flattering myself the English +would not come to look</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">for me, nor the Nawab or the ruler +of the province think of</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">disturbing themselves about me, as +I was doing no harm in</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the country, and as I was very +strict in observing proper</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">order and discipline. I was so +confident on this latter head</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">that I did not think of throwing up +now entrenchments, and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">occupied myself only with hunting +and walking whilst I</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">awaited the arrival of the French +forces. However, one day,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">towards the middle of January, a +secret rumour came to me</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">that Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of +Rungpore, was coming to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">attack me. I sent out scouts, who +reported that all was</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">tranquil in his town, and that, far +from wishing to come and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">look for a quarrel, he was in fear +lest I should march against</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">his town, which was three days' +journey from where I was.</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Doubtless my men deceived me or did +not take the trouble</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">to go to Rungpore, for on the 15th +of the same month, at</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">3 p.m., on the opposite side of the +river to that on which</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">we were, there appeared a body of +soldiers, cavalry and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">infantry, about 600 in number, who +approached so near my</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">fleet that I no longer doubted the +correctness of the first</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">advice which had been given me. I +ordered a discharge</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">of three guns on this troop, which +was so well directed that</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the enemy were forced to take +themselves off and to encamp</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">a little further from me. Next day +the commander sent me</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">a present of some fruit, and an +intimation that he only</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">wished to see me quit his country. +He knew I could not</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">do this without risk, and, +according to the custom of the</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">infidels, he gave me the strongest +possible assurances of my</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">safety and tranquillity. I took +care not to trust to them;</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I was then, as I said above, +without entrenchments and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">without defence, so in the evening +I set to work at surrounding</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">myself with a ditch, the mud taken +out of which would</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">serve me for embrasures. I was +short of provisions, which</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">made me very anxious, and I was +still more so when</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I learned that the enemy were +trying to cut me off from</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">provisions on all sides, and that +their intention was to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">capture me by famine or treachery. +Their number quickly</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">increased to 3000 men, of whom a +part came over to my</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">side of the river, and harassed my +people whenever they</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">went out for provisions. This +forced me to detach. MM.</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chevalier and Gourlade, with about +10 men, some peons</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">and boatmen, against one of their +little camps, where there</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">were about 150 men, foot and horse. +Our men received</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">their fire, stormed the camp, and +destroyed it after having</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">put every one to flight. There was +not a single person</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">wounded on our side. This little +advantage gave me time to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">make a good provision of rice and +other things in the villages</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">near my entrenchments. I cleared +out these villages and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">drove out the inhabitants, but I +was still in need of a</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">quantity of things necessary to +life. To procure these, I</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">tried to frighten the enemy by +cannonading their chief camp</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">on the other side of the river. +This only resulted in making</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">them withdraw altogether beyond the +reach of my guns, not</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">with the idea of going away, but of +starving me out, and, as</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I learned later, to give time for a +reinforcement of artillery</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">which they were expecting to +arrive. They had already 4</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">or 5 guns, but their calibre was +small compared with mine,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">as I was able to see from the balls +which fell in my camp</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">when it was entrenched only on the +land side.</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"The 19th of January, early in the +morning, I sent across</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the river a number of workmen, +supported by a little detachment</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">under M. Gourlade, to cut down a +grove of bamboos</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">which masked my guns, and to burn +down some houses which</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">were also in their way. I forbade +them to engage the enemy,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">and all went well until some +topasses and peons advanced</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">too far towards the enemy's camp, +and I heard discharges</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">so loud and frequent on both sides, +that I ordered a retreat</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">to be beaten in my entrenchments, +to make my people recross</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the river. I fired my guns +continually to facilitate this and to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">cover the movement. In this +skirmish I had only one soldier</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">wounded, and I do not know whether +the enemy had any</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">losses. This day more than 1500 +shots were fired on both</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">sides. Some of the guns which the +enemy brought up</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">troubled us greatly, as we were not +entrenched on the water</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">side. Several balls fell at my side +or passed over my head.</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">This determined me to set all my +people at work the next</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">night with torches, to put us under +cover on this side</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">also."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"></p> +<p>[It was apparently this fight which Kasim Ali reported to Clive on +the 24th of January:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +wrote expressly to my people to go and take them"</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">(the +French) "and they went immediately and found them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ready +to fight. On both sides there were cannon and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>jenjalls</i>.[<a + name="145"></a><a href="#Note_145">145</a>] A <i>nulla</i>[<a + name="146"></a><a href="#Note_146">146</a>] was between them, which +the French</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">crost, +and advancing upon my people, fought with great</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">intrepidity: +but luckily, three or four of them being killed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +retired into their fort."[<a name="147"></a><a href="#Note_147">147</a>]]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +Moors saw, from my manoeuvre, how important it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +for them to seize the ground which I had intended to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">clear, +and, contrary to my expectation, established themselves</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +it the same evening without my being able to hinder</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them, +keeping themselves always well hidden behind the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bamboos, +where they had nothing to fear from my artillery,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +still less from my musketry. Like me they worked at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">night, +and, having as many prisoners or other workmen at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +command as they wanted, I saw, with regret, next</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">morning +the progress which they had made opposite me. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +not dislodge them without risking everything. Weak</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +I was, I thought it wiser not to hazard anything more in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sorties, +but to hold myself always on the defensive.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Sheikh +Faiz Ulla (that was the name of the Moorish</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">general) +sent me one of his men next day with a present and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">proposals +of peace, the first condition of which was, of course,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +I should quit his country, and as, since the dry weather</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +set in, a very large and dangerous bank had formed in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +river seven or eight leagues below me, he offered me one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +two thousand workmen to assist in making a passage for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +boats. The shocking treachery used by the Moors being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">well +known to me, I refused to accept his offers except on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +furnishing me with hostages for his good faith. He first</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">proposed +himself, but with such a strong escort that it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +difficult to see that it was a trap which he was setting</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +me, so as to seize and massacre us. After many debates</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">between +our emissaries, he consented to come to my <i>bajarow</i>,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +and his servants, and that all of them should serve as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hostages +until I was quite out of the domains of his master.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +loyally agreed to this arrangement and made preparations</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +consequence, but at 7 in the morning on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">23rd +of January, the day I expected the hostages, I was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">awakened +by a cannon-shot quickly followed by a second, the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ball +of which pierced the <i>rezai</i>[<a name="148"></a><a href="#Note_148">148</a>] +at the foot of my bed from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">side +to side, and made a great noise. For a long time I had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +accustomed to sleep fully dressed, so I was able to go out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">quickly +and give orders in the entrenchments. The treachery</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +perfidy of the enemy were too manifest; nevertheless, I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">forbade +a single shot to be fired with musket or cannon, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">simply +recommended my people to be on their guard on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +land side. The enemy kept up a continuous and very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">lively +fire until 4 o'clock in the evening. I considered that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +would be useless for me to reply, and wished to see how far</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +would push their insolence. That day we picked up 40</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cannon-balls, +and our whole loss was one boatman slightly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wounded +in the leg. From 4 o'clock till night the enemy's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fire +was continued, but at long intervals. It began again</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +next morning. I suffered this as on the previous day</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +a couple of hours, at the end of which. I fired several</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">shots +and silenced it. My firing seemed to trouble the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemy +more than I expected it would. One of my boats was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sunk +by a cannon-ball, several were pierced through, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my + <i>rezai</i>, which used to serve me as a coat, was much</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">damaged.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +succeeding days passed much in the same manner</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">until +the 3rd of February, when, on the same bank and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +north above my fleet, I saw a new entrenchment, which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been thrown up during the preceding night. Its batteries</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enfiladed +mine along their whole length. It was necessary</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">either +to risk everything by making a sortie in order to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">destroy +it, or to arrange terms. I determined on the latter,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +appeared to me all the more necessary, as I was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">beginning +to be in want of everything, and as I had just</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">received +letters which deprived me of all hope of the arrival</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +our forces in Bengal until April or May. I therefore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">informed +Sheikh Faiz Ulla that I was ready to enter upon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">negotiations, +and the same day he sent me some of his people,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +whom I agreed to leave my entrenchments and go</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">down +the river. I consented to do this without hostages,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but, +that it might be done in security, I promised them a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sum +of money for themselves as well as for their general.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">This +arrangement being agreed to by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sent +me word that, in order that he might not appear to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">betray +his master, it would be necessary for me next morning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +open the fiercest fire possible on his camp; that he would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reply; +that on both sides it should be with the intention of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">doing +as little hurt as possible; that I should pretend it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +force him to give me a passport, which he would send me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the evening; and that I should then send him the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">money +I had promised. All these precautions were only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +assist his rascality, and they appeared to me all the more</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">surprising, +as he had already repeatedly informed me that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +had his master's permission to give me a passport, and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">let +me go where I pleased. But of what are these Moors not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">capable? +Without being blind to the continuance of his perfidy,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +flattered myself that it might happen that he would not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">trouble +me on my march when he had received my money.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"However +this might be, my cannon fired from 10 in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +morning till 3 in the evening. Our people, perceiving</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +the enemy were firing in earnest, did not spare them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">any +more than they spared us, and that which was at first,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +our side, only a pretence, finally became serious. At 4</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">o'clock +I received an envoy, who brought me the passport,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to whom I paid the money. He assured me that I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">might +embark my artillery the next morning, and set out the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">day +after without the slightest apprehension of being interfered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with, +I took my precautions, and, in fear of treachery, kept</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +shore my two Swedish guns. At last, at seven in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">morning, +my boats started, having on board only the sick</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +helpless, and I set out by land with my two guns and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +rest of my troop, at the head of which I put myself."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This triumph of time and treachery was reported by Sheikh Faiz +Ulla's master, Kasim Ali, to Clive, on the 14th of February:[<a + name="149"></a><a href="#Note_149">149</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +before wrote you that I had sent forces to fight the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">French, +that they had a fort and strong intrenchments, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +we had a battle with them.... ever since I wrote</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +last we have been fighting, my people have behaved well,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +I make no doubt but you have heard it from other people.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">God +knows what pains and trouble I have taken in this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">affair. +The French being shut up in their fort and undergoing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">much +fatigue by always fighting, and likewise being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +want of provisions were obliged to run away in their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats +by night, and went towards the Dinajpur country.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">My +people being always ready to fight followed them....</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">They +can go no other way but through the Dinajpur country.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +have therefore wrote expressly to the Rajah to stop the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">passage."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>About this time, though Courtin does not mention it till later, he +began to see what the inevitable end must be. He could not cut his +way through to join Law, and with the whole country in arms against +him he was too weak to hold out for any length of time. Accordingly +he sent messengers secretly to Mr. Luke Scrafton, at Murshidabad. It +was Scrafton, as I have said above, who wrote to Courtin for +assistance when the Nawab of Dacca wanted to take their Factory and +imprison the English. Courtin now wrote to him to save him from +falling into the hands of the natives, and, on the 18th of February, +Scrafton wrote to the Select Committee at Calcutta for the necessary +permission.[<a name="150"></a><a href="#Note_150">150</a>]</p> +<p>We now rejoin Courtin:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"What +was my surprise, at the end of an hour and a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">half, +to see that we were followed by a body of four or five</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hundred +men, with two guns drawn by oxen. I pretended</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +to notice, and continued my march, but at 3 o'clock</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the afternoon, seeing this troop approach, within range of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +pieces, I pointed them at the Moors, and put my force</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +a position of defence. Their rascality followed its usual</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">course, +and they sent me word that I had nothing to fear,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +they would not march so close to me any more, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +they followed me only to preserve the peace and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hinder +my people, especially the stragglers, from committing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">any +disorder. I received this excuse for what it was worth,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +pretended to be content with, it, seeing clearly that they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +looking for an opportunity to surprise and destroy us.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Several +accidents happening to the boats of the rearguard</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">prevented +my troop and myself from rejoining the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">main +body of the fleet till far on in the night. I found it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">anchored +in the most disadvantageous position possible, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the morning I saw at a distance of one-eighth of a league</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +same body of troops, that had followed me the day before,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">establishing +and settling itself. A moment later I learned</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +Sheikh Faiz Ulla was on the opposite bank with his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">army +and his artillery, that he intended to wait for me in a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">narrow +place called Choquova,[<a name="151"></a><a href="#Note_151">151</a>] +at the foot of which my boats</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">must +pass, and that he was diligently making entrenchments</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">there. +My embarrassment was then extreme. I found</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +surrounded on all sides; I was without any provisions,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">destitute +of the most necessary articles of life. In</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +perplexity I saw only the most cruel alternatives, either</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +surrender or to fight to the death so as to perish with our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arms +in our hands. The latter appeared to be less dreadful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +the former.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"After +repeated consultations, we determined it would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">be +best to risk the passage of the fleet by Choquova. We</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thought +that possibly we should find provisions there, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +certainly the position could not be worse (for defence)</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +that in which we then found ourselves. The passage</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +carried out in three hours' time without confusion or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">disorder, +by means of my Swedish guns on the boat which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">led +the van. What was our delight to find, not only a better</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">position +than that which we had quitted, but one that was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">almost +completely entrenched by nature, and had villages</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">full +of rice to the right and left of it.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Next +day I collected provisions in abundance, cleared</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +country round for a quarter of a league, and did my best</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +ameliorate my condition. The enemy were disconcerted by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +boldness. They pretended as usual, in order to deceive</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +the more easily, that they were not surprised at my march.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">They +feared rightly that if I commenced new entrenchments</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">all +their trouble would begin again. Besides, I had completely</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">protected +myself from the possibility of surprise. <i>Pourparlers</i></span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +an accommodation were renewed and lasted three</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">days, +at the end of which it was agreed that I should</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">continue +my march, that two hostages should be given me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +my safety, and that the army with its guns should retire</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +Choquova, and should be sent a long way ahead across</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country, +and as, at half a league from this place, the river</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +no longer navigable because of the bank which had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">formed +in it, I should be supplied with people to facilitate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +passage. Thou wilt notice, my dear wife, that in all the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">negotiations +I had for various reasons and on several occasions</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">proposed +to suspend all hostilities until an answer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +be received from Jafar All Khan and the English, to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +I said I would write to come to some accommodation</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +them, offering to send my letter open. This was repeatedly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">refused, +but the refusal did not prevent my asking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +the honours of war. My letters were despatched secretly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +my own messengers.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"At +last, on the 23rd, I quitted, though with regret</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">(always +expecting treachery), my new position, and approached</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +shallow or bank mentioned. It was night when I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arrived. +In spite of this I could understand, from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dreadful +noise made by the waters, that I should have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">difficulty +in traversing this dangerous passage even with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">assistance +promised me. I was only too well convinced of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +truth of this when day broke, and I saw that I had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">again +been betrayed. There was nothing to be seen of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">work +which the Moors had engaged to do to lessen the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">difficulty +of the passage. However, I did not hesitate to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">put +out with my lighter boats, firmly resolved, if they arrived</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">safely, +to sacrifice the larger, with all that was upon them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +my safety, and thus to effect my retreat during the night.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">With +the exception of two, which were lost, they all arrived</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">safely. +During this piece of work, which took up the whole</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">day, +I dissimulated my intentions in the presence of my hostages,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">merely +letting them see I was somewhat surprised to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">find +that, contrary to the promise given, there were no workmen,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +that the army, which ought to have been withdrawn,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +still close to us. Their excuses were vague and unsatisfactory.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">One +of them, who, no doubt, knew the enemy's plans,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">asked +permission to go to their camp, promising to come</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">back +the next day. Though his demand accorded with my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">designs, +I agreed to it only after much persuasion, warning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +not to break his <i>parole</i> to return the next morning very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">early. +This he swore to do. As a rule these people think</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">nothing +of an oath. I did not intend to wait for him, which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +comrade clearly perceived, for, seeing that he himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been sacrificed by his master's perfidy, he approved of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +resolution I had taken to set out by night, and swore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +he had acted in good faith, and was ignorant of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">treachery +that had been concocted. 'You can,' he said to me,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">'have +my throat cut. You would be justified in doing so;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +I will not quit you, even if you give me permission.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">If +I went to my own people, they would say that I had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">disclosed +to you the trick which you have yourself discovered,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +would certainly show me less mercy than I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +experienced from you.' After this I contented myself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +having him closely watched.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Orders +being given to the remaining boats to start by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">night, +I mounted on horseback to carry certain necessaries</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +my detachment on land, which was already a little in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advance +and had crossed a small river with the guns. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +only three blacks with me, and none of us knew the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">way. +The night was dark, and we wandered from it. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">narrowly +escaped being drowned with my horse, and at last</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">we +lost ourselves entirely. If we had been met by any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">horsemen, +nothing would have been easier than for them to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">capture +me, our arms and cartridges being all soaked with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">water. +Luckily I heard our drums beating, and this told us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +what direction we could safely go.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My +intention was to march by land with my troops and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">guns. +They objected to this, as I was wet to the skin and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +a cold on the chest, which hardly allowed me to speak;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +I went back to the boats, though with much regret, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">resolved +to manage so as not to lose sight of my detachment.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was in constant anxiety about the latter till 8 o'clock the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">next +day, when we all came together, except one soldier</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">topass, +who, by his own fault, had remained on a big boat</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +we had abandoned, and a <i>manjhi</i>,[<a name="152"></a><a + href="#Note_152">152</a>] who was drowned</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +one of the two little ones which had sunk.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Finding +myself in the territory of the Raja of Dinajpur,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +imagined I had nothing to do with any one except him, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his army would not think of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">following +me through a country which, though tributary to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab of Bengal, still in no way belonged to Faiz Ulla's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">master. +The hostage who remained with me, and to whom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +spoke about the matter,[<a name="153"></a><a href="#Note_153">153</a>] +did not altogether dissuade me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +this idea, but counselled me to continue my march</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to get farther away, which I did till 6 o'clock in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">evening. +What was my surprise when, at 9 o'clock, my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">scouts +reported that the enemy were pursuing me, and were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +more than a league away at the most. I could not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advance +during the night for fear of running on the banks</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +shallows with which the river was filled, and which might</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cause +the loss of my boats and of my people. Accordingly,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +did not set out till the morning, and always remained</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +in the rear (of the fleet). I had stopped to wait for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +land detachment and the guns, and was at some distance</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the rest of my little fleet, when, about half-past nine,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +heard several musket shots fired. In an instant I was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">surrounded +by the enemy. M. Chevalier, who conducted the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">land +detachment, fortunately perceived my situation, and,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seeing +my danger, brought up the two guns and fired about</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">20 +shots, which disengaged me, and gave me time to regain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +boats by swift rowing. I had with me only Pedro and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Moorish hostage mentioned before. Then I landed with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">MM. +Brayer, Gourlade, and in general every one who was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">strong +enough to defend himself. At the same time I ordered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +boats to go on. In this skirmish our loss was only one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">man +slightly wounded in the ear by a musket-ball.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My +little fleet <i>en route</i>, we marched by land on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bank +opposite to that on which was, the main body of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemy, +who had only cavalry, which we did not trouble</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ourselves +about It was not the same, however, with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats. +At the end of an hour the boatmen abandoned them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +a sudden panic, and hurried tumultuously to join me.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">When +my people were collected, I would have tried to go</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +recapture my boats, which the enemy had not delayed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +seize; but not only would this have been a rash undertaking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +so small a force against 3000 men, but also</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">there +was a little river which formed an island between my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats +and me, and so prevented the passage of my guns</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">This +determined me to abandon the boats, and to retreat to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dinajpur, +where I hoped to find an asylum with the Raja</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whilst +I waited for a reply to my letters to Jafar All Khan</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +the English. We marched till 1 o'clock in the afternoon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">without +being harassed or disquieted—no doubt because</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">during +this time Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">occupied +in plundering the boats. We were now not very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">far +from Dinajpur, when we met a body of the Raja's cavalry,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +commander of which begged me to take another road so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +not to pass through his town. Accordingly he gave me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +guide, with whom we marched till half-past five, when we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arrived +at a great <i>gunge</i> (market place) at the extremity of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dinajpur. +There they lodged us in a great thatched building.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +want of provisions had caused us to suffer very much in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +retreat."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This was the battle of Cantanagar. Kasim Ali described it as follows +to Clive:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My +people and the French had a battle, and the latter</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">finding +themselves much, beat, they run away, and left their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats. +They went to Oppoor" "and begged protection of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Kajah's people.... Bahadur Sing came and told my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +to go a little further off, and they would deliver</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +up, but they put us off from day to day."[<a name="154"></a><a + href="#Note_154">154</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>About the time he was writing this, Clive was writing to say that he +had received Courtin's offer of surrender, and that Kasim Ali was to +cease hostilities and allow the French to come to him with their +boats and necessaries. Kasim Ali had received orders to the same +effect from Mr. Scrafton, who informed him he was sending an officer +to accept their surrender. This did not however prevent Kasim Ali +from trying to get hold of them, which accounts for the following +letter from Raja Ram Nath to Clive:[<a name="155"></a><a + href="#Note_155">155</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +French are now coming from another country by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats +to go towards Muxadavad, and Kasim Ali Khan's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +have followed them, out of his own country into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mine. +They have left their boats among Kasim Ali Khan's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +and are now travelling to Jangepors" (? Tangepur).</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"When +I heard this I sent people with all expedition to look</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">after +them, and I now hear that they have surrounded them.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +French want the Nawab's and your orders and <i>call for justice</i>[<a + name="156"></a><a href="#Note_156">156</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +you. They have hoisted the Nawab's[<a name="157"></a><a href="#Note_157">157</a>] +and</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +colours, have put on your cloaths (?) and want to go</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +Muxadavad. Kasim Ali Khan's people want to carry</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +to Rungpore but they refuse to go, and say that if one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +us is taken they will destroy themselves.[<a name="158"></a><a + href="#Note_158">158</a>] I am a poor</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Zemindar +who pays revenues[<a name="159"></a><a href="#Note_159">159</a>] and +ready to obey your</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">orders. +If the Rungpore people should take them by force,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +they should kill themselves, it would be a troublesome</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">affair."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>To return to Courtin's letter.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +Raja of Dinajpur did not fail to be embarrassed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +favour which he had shown to us. Fear was the only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">motive +which influenced him. He sent word to me to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">depart +by night under an escort of 200 of his people, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +conduct me to Murshidabad. I was very nearly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">accepting +his suggestion, but the hunger and thirst, from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +we suffered greatly, prevented me. So I postponed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">giving +him a final answer till the next morning, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">then, +after full reflection, decided not to move from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">place +to which. I had been conducted until I received an</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">answer +to the letters sent to Murshidabad. I thought this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">all +the wiser, as I was informed that nothing would induce</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +enemies to approach or attack me in my asylum.[<a name="160"></a><a + href="#Note_160">160</a>] The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">place +was so retired and so well provided with storehouses,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +I found there a greater appearance of security than in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +open country or the escort offered by the Raja, as his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">men +were subordinate to the same Prince as the people who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">composed +the army of Sheikh Faiz Ulla, and were likely</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enough +to abandon me or to join my enemies in overwhelming</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me. +My conjectures were well founded, as, several days</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">after, +this same Raja, prompted by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, sent</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +word that he could not answer for what might happen to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +if I were attacked; that his troops, being subject to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Murshidabad +like those of Kasim All Khan, could not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">support +me, nor fire on the latter. Finally he sent a certain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">priest +of his faith, a grave man, who came to suggest to us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +our best course was to leave Dinajpur and gain the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">open +country, otherwise we were lost. He said that he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">knew +for certain that if I were so obstinate as to persist in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wishing +to remain there, orders had been given to attack us,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cut +our throats, and send our heads to Murshidabad. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">person +wished to terrify us so as to rid the Raja of us, as he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +dying with fright lest war should be made in the very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">heart +of his town. I replied that I was resolved to defend</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +against any one who attacked me, to set fire to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">everything +I found within my reach, to kill as many people</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +I could, and to die on my guns when I had used up all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +ammunition; that this was also the intention of my companions,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +preferred to die thus, like brave men, rather than</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be exposed to the ignominies and indignities that we should</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">undergo +if we allowed ourselves to be made prisoners by the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +of Kasim All Khan. The timid Raja, threatened by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">both +parties, found himself in the utmost embarrassment, for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Sheikh +Faiz Ulla, at the gates of his town, put, as it were,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +country under contribution, and demanded from him,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +all imaginable insolence, that he should deliver us up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +him, a thing which the Raja found difficult to do.</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <br> + "Some days passed in this way, during which we had</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + frequent alarms, but the letters I received from Murshidabad</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + filled every one with perplexity. The English sent me</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + people on their own account. One of my private friends,[<a + name="161"></a><a href="#Note_161">161</a>]</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <br> + whom I had been so fortunate as to oblige on a similar</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + occasion, wrote me not to trouble myself about my boats or</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + my effects, but to come at once to him, and he would see</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + that they restored or paid for my property, and that they</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + gave me all that I might need. The orders received by</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <br> + Sheikh Faiz Ulla and the Raja at the same time, ordered the</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + one to leave me in peace and the other to furnish me with</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + everything I wanted. This put my mind in a condition of</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + serenity to which it had long been a stranger, and threw my</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + enemies into much confusion. They proposed that I should</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + resume possession of my boats. I knew, with absolute</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <br> + certainty, that they had been half looted, still I accepted</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + them on condition they were brought to Dinajpur. They</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + did not wish, to do this; but next morning after reflection</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + they consented, when, in my turn, I declined, and asked only</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + for provisions and other things necessary for my journey.</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + This they had the harshness to refuse, doubtless because they</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <br> + thought that I, being destitute of everything, would have to</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + go down by whatever route they pleased. I would not</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + trust them in anything, fearing treachery.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + "At last, without linen, without clothes, except what we</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + had on our bodies, on the 1st of March, the seventeenth day</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + after our retreat[<a name="162"></a><a href="#Note_162">162</a>] +we set out with our arms and our two</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + Swedish guns to go to Murshidabad to the English, from</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + whom I had demanded the honours of war."</span><br> + <blockquote> + </blockquote> +</blockquote> +<span>We learn from the correspondence between </span><span>Mr. +Scrafton and Clive, that Drake, the cowardly</span><br> +<span>Governor of Calcutta, very naturally could not </span><span>understand +what was meant by this claim to the</span><br> +<span>honours of war.[<a name="163"></a><a href="#Note_163">163</a>]</span><br> +<blockquote> +</blockquote> +<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 40px;"> <span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My guns were +conducted by land by a small detachment,<br> + the command +of which I gave to M. Chevalier, and we<br> + embarked on some small +boats belonging to the Raja,<br> + in which we had hardly room to move. +</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> +<span style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + "I was not yet at the end of my troubles, for on the<br> + 3rd of March, +after dinner, as I was getting back into<br> + my boat, one of the +boatmen, wishing to put down a gun,<br> + managed to let it off, and sent +a bullet through my left<br> + shoulder. It passed through the clavicle +between the sinew<br> + and the bone. Luckily the blow was broken by a +button which<br> + the bullet first struck; still it passed almost +completely<br> + through the shoulder and lodged under the skin, which had<br> + to be opened behind the shoulder to extract it and also the<br> + wad. +However unfortunate this wound was, I ought to be very<br> + thankful to +God that it was so safely directed, and for the<br> + further good fortune +of finding with one of my people sufficient<br> + ointment for the +surgeon, who was quite destitute of all necessaries,<br> + to dress my +shoulder until the ninth day after, when we arrived at<br> + Murshidabad.[<a name="164"></a><a href="#Note_164">164</a>] This +wound caused me much suffering for the first<br> + few days, but, thanks to the Lord, in thirty-two or thirty-three<br> + days it was quite healed and without any bad effects. +</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> +<span style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + "We rested ourselves from our fatigue till the 20th at my friend's<br> + house, when, with his concurrence and in response to their offers,<br> + I +went to the Dutch gentlemen at Cossimbazar, where M. Vernet, their<br> + chief and an old friend of mine, received us with the greatest +kindness.<br> + It is from their Settlement that I write to thee, my dear +wife. Until<br> + the ships sail for England I shall continue to write +daily, and tell<br> + thee everything that is of interest.[<a name="165"></a><a + href="#Note_165">165</a>] +<br> +<br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> +</span><span style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> "August +10, 1758.<br> + </span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> +<span style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> "My +dear wife, I resume my narrative to tell thee that my boats have<br> + been restored by the English, as well as all the goods that had +not<br> + been plundered by Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people, except the +munitions<br> + of war. Still, so much of the merchandise, goods and +silver, has<br> + disappeared that I am ruined for ever, unless the +English, who have<br> + promised to cause everything to be restored, are +able to make the Moors <br> + give them up. The English have at length +decided on our fate in a way<br> + altogether honourable to us. We are not +prisoners of war, and so we are<br> + not subject to exchange; but we are +bound by certain conditions, which<br> + they think necessary to their +security, and which only do me honour.<br> + What has flattered me even +more is that the two Swedish guns which I<br> + had with me on my campaign +have actually been given to me as a present<br> + by the commander of the +English troops, who is also Governor of Calcutta,<br> + with the most +complimentary expressions."</span> </div> +<p></p> +<p>Courtin had written to Clive, asking permission to go down to +Pondicherry. Clive replied on the 15th of July, 1758, granting +permission. His letter concludes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +am at this moment sending an order to the Captain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Commandant +of our troops to restore to you your two guns.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +am charmed at this opportunity of showing you my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">appreciation +of the way in which you have always behaved</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the English, and my own regard for your merit."[<a name="166"></a><a + href="#Note_166">166</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Courtin continues:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Saved +from so many perils and sufficiently fortunate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +have won such sensible marks of distinction from our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies, +ought not this, my dear wife, to make me hope that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +gentlemen of the French Company will do their utmost</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +procure me some military honour, in order to prove to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +that my nation is as ready as theirs to recognize my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">services?[<a + name="167"></a><a href="#Note_167">167</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Now, +my dear wife, I must end this letter so that it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">may +be ready for despatch. For fear of its being lost I will</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">send +in the packet another letter for thee.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Do +not disquiet thyself regarding my health. Thanks</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +God I am now actually pretty well. I dare not talk to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thee +of the possibility of our meeting. Circumstances are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +favourable for thee to make another voyage to the Indies.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">That +must depend upon events, thy health, peace, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wishes, +which, in spite of my tender longing for thee, will</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">always +be my guide.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"If +the event of war has not been doubly disastrous to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me, +thou shouldst have received some small remittances,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I have sent, and of which I have advised thee in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">duplicate +and triplicate. If the decrees of the Lord, after</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +having endured so many misfortunes and sufferings, have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">also +ordained my death before I am in a position to provide</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">what +concerns thee, have I not a right to hope that all my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">friends +will use their influence to induce the Company not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +abandon one who will be the widow of two men who have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">served +it well, and with all imaginable disinterestedness?</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"For +the rest I repeat that, thanks to God, I am fairly well.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +kiss thee, etc., etc."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>One would be glad to be assured that Courtin re-established his +fortune. If he is, as I suppose, the Jacques Ignace Courtin, who was +afterwards <i>Conseiller au Conseil des Indes</i>, we may be satisfied +he +did so; but French East India Company Records are a hopeless chaos +at the present moment, and all that one can extract from the English +Records is evidence of still further suffering.</p> +<p>From Murshidabad or Cossimbazar, Courtin went down to Chandernagore, +whence the majority of the French inhabitants had already been sent +to the Madras Coast. The Fort had been blown up, and the private +houses were under sentence of destruction, for the English had +determined to destroy the town, partly in revenge for the behaviour +of Lally, who, acting under instructions from the French East India +Company, had shown great severity to the English in Southern India, +partly because they did not think themselves strong enough to +garrison Chandernagore as well as Calcutta, and feared the Moors +would occupy it if they did not place troops there, and partly +because they dreaded its restoration to France—which actually +happened—when peace was made. At any rate Courtin found the +remnants of his countrymen in despair, and in 1759 he wrote a +letter[<a name="168"></a><a href="#Note_168">168</a>] to Clive and the +Council of Calcutta, from which I +quote one or two paragraphs:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"With +the most bitter grief I have received advice of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +sentence you have passed on the French Settlement</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +Chandernagore, by which all the buildings, as well of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Company as of private persons, are to be utterly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">demolished.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Humane +and compassionate as you are, Sirs, you would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">be +sensibly affected—were your eyes witnesses to it as mine</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +been—by the distress to which this order has reduced</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +hearts of those unhappy inhabitants who remain in that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unfortunate +place, particularly if you knew that there is</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">nothing +left to the majority of them beyond these houses, on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whose +destruction you have resolved. If I may believe</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">what +I hear, the motive which incites you is that of reprisal</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +what has happened at Cuddalore and Madras: it does</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +become me to criticize either the conduct of M. Lally,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +general, who, by all accounts, is a man very much to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">respected +by me, or your reasons, which you suppose sufficient.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Granting +the latter to be so, permit me, Sirs, to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">address +myself to your generosity and humanity, and those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">admirable +qualities, so universally esteemed by mankind,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">will +encourage me to take the liberty to make certain representations.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"All +upbraidings are odious, and nothing is more just</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +the French proverb which says, to remind a person of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favours +done him cancels the obligation. God forbid, Sirs,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +should be guilty of this to you or your nation by reminding</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +for a moment, that these houses, now condemned by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you, +served you as an asylum in 1756, and that the owners,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +you are now reducing to the greatest distress and are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">plunging +into despair, assisted you to the utmost of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">power, +and alleviated your misfortunes as much as they were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">able. +But what am I saying? Your nation is too polished to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">need +reminding of what is just. Therefore excuse my saying</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +this reason alone is sufficient to cancel the law of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">retaliation +which you have resolved to execute, and to make</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +revoke an order which, I am sure, you could not have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">given +without much uneasiness of mind. I cast myself at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +feet, imploring, with the most ardent prayers, that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">compassion, +which I flatter myself I perceive in your hearts,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +these poor creatures, whom you cannot without remorse</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">render +miserable. If you really, Sirs, think I too have had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +happiness to be of some use to you and your nation,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whilst +Chief at Dacca, and that I have rendered you some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">services, +I only beg that you would recollect them for one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">moment, +and let them induce you to grant the favour I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">request +for my poor countrymen. I shall then regard it as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +most happy incident in my life, and shall think myself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ten +thousand times more indebted to you.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"If, +Sirs, you have absolutely imperative reasons for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reprisal, +change, if you please, the object of them. I offer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +a willing victim, if there must be one, and, if blood</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +necessary, I should think myself too happy to offer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mine +a sacrifice. But as these barbarous methods are not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">made +use of in nations so civilized as ours, I have one last</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">offer +to make, which is to ransom and buy all the private</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">houses +at Chandernagore, for which I will enter into whatever</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">engagements +you please, and will give you the best</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">security +in my power."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The last words seem to imply that Courtin had recovered his +property, at least to a great extent; but his pathetic appeal was +useless in face of national necessities, and so far was +Chandernagore desolated that, in November of the same year, we read +that the English army, under Colonel Forde, was ambushed by the +Dutch garrison of Chinsurah "amongst the buildings and ruins of +Chandernagore."</p> +<p>From Chandernagore Courtin went to Pondicherry, where he became a +member of the Superior Council. He was one of the chiefs of the +faction opposed to Lally, who contemptuously mentions a printed +"Memorial" of his adventures which Courtin prepared, probably for +presentation to the Directors of the French East India Company.[<a + name="169"></a><a href="#Note_169">169</a>] +When, in January, 1761, Lally determined to capitulate, Courtin was +sent to the English commander on the part of the Council. Still +later we find his name attached to a petition, dated August 3, 1762, +presented to the King against Lally.[<a name="170"></a><a + href="#Note_170">170</a>] This shows that Courtin +had arrived in France, so that his elevation to the Council of the +Company is by no means improbable.</p> +<p>To any one who has lived long in India it seems unnatural that in +old days the small colonies of Europeans settled there should have +been incited to mutual conflict and mutual ruin, owing to quarrels +which originated in far-off Europe, and <i>which were decided without +any reference to the wishes or interests of Europeans living in the +colonies</i>. The British Settlements alone have successfully survived +the struggle. The least we can do is to acknowledge the merits, +whilst we commiserate the sufferings, of those other gallant men who +strove their best to win the great prize for their own countrymen. +Of the French especially it would appear that their writers have +noticed only those like Dupleix, Bussy, and Lally, who commanded +armies in glorious campaigns that somehow always ended to the +advantage of the British, and have utterly forgotten the civilians +who really kept the game going, and who would have been twice as +formidable to their enemies if the military had been subordinate to +them. The curse of the French East India Company was Militarism, +whilst fortunately for the English our greatest military hero in +India, Lord Clive, was so clear-minded that he could write:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +have the liberty of an Englishman so strongly implanted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +my nature, that I would have the Civil all in all,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +all times and in all places, cases of immediate danger</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">excepted."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>How much might have been achieved by men like Renault, Law, and +Courtin, if they had had an adequate military force at their +disposal! They saw, as clearly as did the English, that Bengal was +the heart of India, and they saw the English denude Madras of troops +to defend Bengal, whilst they themselves were left by the French +commanders in a state of hopeless impotence. On the other hand, +owing to the English Company's insistence that military domination +should be the exception and not the rule, British civilians and +British soldiers have, almost always, worked together harmoniously. +It was this union of force which gave us Bengal in the time of which +I have been writing, and to the same source of power we owe the +gradual building up of the great Empire which now dominates the +whole of India.</p> +<br> +<p>Notes:</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_122"></a><a href="#122">122</a>: Probably Portuguese +half-castes.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_123"></a><a href="#123">123</a>: Matchlock men. +Consultations of the Dacca Council, +27th June, 1756. Madras Select Committee Proceedings, 9th November, +1756.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_124"></a><a href="#124">124</a>: When Courtin was +sent by Count Lally with the +proposals for the surrender of Pondicherry he had to take an +interpreter with him. <i>Memoirs of Lally</i>, p. 105.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_125"></a><a href="#125">125</a>: I.e. official order.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_126"></a><a href="#126">126</a>: I cannot ascertain +where M. Fleurin was at this +moment. If at Dacca, then Courtin must have left him behind.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_127"></a><a href="#127">127</a>: MSS. +Français, Nouvelles Acquisitions, No. 9361. This +is unfortunately only a copy, and the dates are somewhat confused. +Where possible I have corrected them.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_128"></a><a href="#128">128</a>: Calcapur, the site +of the Dutch Factory. See note, p. +64.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_129"></a><a href="#129">129</a>: From a map by +Rennell of the neighbourhood of Dacca +it appears that the French Factory was on the River Bourigunga. +There are still several plots of ground in Dacca town belonging to +the French. One of them, popularly known as Frashdanga, is situated +at the mouth of the old bed of the river which forms an island of +the southern portion of the town; but I do not think this is the +site of the French Factory, as the latter appears to have been +situated to the west of the present Nawab's palace.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_130"></a><a href="#130">130</a>: Now used in the +sense of messengers or office +attendants.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_131"></a><a href="#131">131</a>: Orme says (bk. viii. +p. 285) that Courtin started +with 30 Europeans and 100 sepoys. From Law's "Memoir" we see that M. +de Carryon took 20 men to Cossimbazar before Law himself left. This +accounts for the smallness of Courtin's force.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_132"></a><a href="#132">132</a>: Jafar Ali Khan +married the sister of Aliverdi Khan, +Siraj-ud-daula's grandfather.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_133"></a><a href="#133">133</a>: I think he must mean +the mouth of the Murshidabad +River.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_134"></a><a href="#134">134</a>: Courtin means the +lower ranges of the Himalayas, +inhabited by the Nepaulese, Bhutiyas, etc. His wanderings therefore +were in the districts of Rungpore and Dinajpur.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_135"></a><a href="#135">135</a>: Sinfray, Secretary +to the Council at Chandernagore, +was one of the fugitives who, as mentioned above, joined Law at +Cossimbazar.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_136"></a><a href="#136">136</a>: Assaduzama Muhammad +was nephew to Kamgar Khan, the +general of Shah Alam. <i>Holwell. Memorial to the Select Committee</i>, +1760.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_137"></a><a href="#137">137</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., +p. 2859, No. 246.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_138"></a><a href="#138">138</a>: Orme says the Fort +was on the River Teesta, but +Rennell marks it more correctly a little away from the river and +about fifteen miles south of Jalpaiguri.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_139"></a><a href="#139">139</a>: These guns Courtin +calls "pièces à la minute." The +proper name should be "canon à la suédoise" or "canon +à la minute." +They were invented by the Swedes, who used 3-pounders with improved +methods for loading and firing, so as to be able to fire as many as +ten shots in a minute. The French adopted a 4-pounder gun of this +kind in 1743. The above information was given me by Lieut.-Colonel +Ottley Perry, on the authority of Colonel Colin, an artillery +officer on the French Headquarters Staff.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_140"></a><a href="#140">140</a>: This squadron, under +the command of Mons. Bouvet, +actually did arrive.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_141"></a><a href="#141">141</a>: This rebellion was +really conducted by Ukil Singh, +the Hindoo <i>Diwan</i> of Hazir Ali.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_142"></a><a href="#142">142</a>: Mir Jafar, Jafar +Ali, Mir Jafar Ali Khan, are all +variations of the name of the Nawab whom the English placed on the +throne after the death of Siraj-ud-daula.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_143"></a><a href="#143">143</a>: Law says that the +French soldiers who wandered the +country in this way were accustomed to disguise themselves as +natives and even as Brahmins, when they wished to avoid notice.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_144"></a><a href="#144">144</a>: A kind of native +house-boat.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_145"></a><a href="#145">145</a>: A heavy gun fired +from a rest or stand.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_146"></a><a href="#146">146</a>: A ditch or ravine.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_147"></a><a href="#147">147</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., +p. 2901, No. 374.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_148"></a><a href="#148">148</a>: A thick quilt used +as a covering when in bed, or +sometimes like a blanket to wrap oneself in.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_149"></a><a href="#149">149</a>: Orme MSS. India XL, +p. 2915, No. 417.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_150"></a><a href="#150">150</a>: Bengal Select Com. +Consultations, 22nd February, +1758.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_151"></a><a href="#151">151</a>: I have not been able +to identify this place.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_152"></a><a href="#152">152</a>: A boatman.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_153"></a><a href="#153">153</a>: See <a + href="#Note_87">note</a>, p. 88.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_154"></a><a href="#154">154</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., +p. 2923, No. 432.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_155"></a><a href="#155">155</a>: Orme MSS. India XL, +p. 2926, No. 438.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_156"></a><a href="#156">156</a>: This expression is +characteristically Indian, and is +used when any one, finding himself oppressed, appeals to some great +personage for protection.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_157"></a><a href="#157">157</a>: The Nawab's flag was +the usual Turkish crescent.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_158"></a><a href="#158">158</a>: Another Indian +expression. The last resource against +oppression or injustice in India is to commit suicide by starvation +or some violent means, and to lay the blame on the oppressor. This +is supposed to bring the curse of murder upon him.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_159"></a><a href="#159">159</a>: This means simply +that the Raja was not an +independent ruler. The sovereign owning all land, <i>land revenue</i> +and +<i>rent</i> meant the same thing.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_160"></a><a href="#160">160</a>: This seems to want +explanation. Probably Courtin had +got into some sort of house used for religious ceremonies, such as +are often found in or close to the market-places of great +landowners.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_161"></a><a href="#161">161</a>: He probably refers +to Mr. Luke Scrafton.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_162"></a><a href="#162">162</a>: I.e. from his +entrenchments.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_163"></a><a href="#163">163</a>: "Courtin and his +party arrived here the 10th. They +are 6 soldiers, Dutch, German and Swede, such as took service with +the French when our Factory at Dacca fell into the hands of Surajeh +Dowleit, 4 gentlemen, some Chitagon (<i>sic</i>) fellows and about 20 +peons. Courtin, on his way hither, has, by mischance, received a +ball through his shoulder. They demanded <i>honneurs de la guerre</i>, +which Drake has not understood" (<i>Scrafton to Clive, March</i> 12, +1758).]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_164"></a><a href="#164">164</a>: According to Orme, +Courtin's force was reduct from 30 +to 11 Europeans, and from 100 to 30 sepoys.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_165"></a><a href="#165">165</a>: The manuscript I +translate from contains only the +postscript of the 10th of August.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_166"></a><a href="#166">166</a>: A translation. Clive +generally wrote to French +officers in their own language.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_167"></a><a href="#167">167</a>: Such honours were +not uncommonly granted. Law was +made a Colonel, so was another French partisan named Madec. On the +other hand, when a French gentleman had the choice, he often put his +elder son in the Company's service and the younger in the army. +Law's younger brother was in the army. Renault's elder son was in +the Company and the younger in the army.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_168"></a><a href="#168">168</a>: Appended to "Bengal +Public Proceedings," May 31, +1759.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_169"></a><a href="#169">169</a>: I do not know +whether this "Memorial" still exists, +but see "Memoirs of Count Lally," p. 53.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_170"></a><a href="#170">170</a>: "Memoirs of Count +Lally," p. 367.]</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="INDEX"></a><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-weight: bold;">INDEX</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Abdulla Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Admiralty, the English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Aeneas</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Afghan General, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Abdulla Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Agra</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ahmed Khan Koreishi</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Alamgir II., Emperor, assassinated +November 29, 1759</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ali Gauhar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Shah Alam</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Aliverdi Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his opinion of Europeans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sister of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Allahabad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Amina Begum, mother of Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Anquetil du Perron, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Anti-Renaultions</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Arabian Nights"</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Archives, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Areca-nut</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Armenian officers</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Armenians</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Arz-begi</i> (Gholam Ali Khan)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Arzi</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Asiatic Annual Register</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Assaduzama Muhammad, Raja of Birbhum</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Assam, King of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Audience Hall, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Augustine Father</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Aurengzebe</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bahadur Singh</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bahar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Bihar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Bajarow</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Balasore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bandel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bankers, influence of Indian</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Banowra River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Barber, a native</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Battle of the 5th of February</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Becher, Mr. Richard</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Beinges, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Benares</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bengal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nawabs of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">records</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">revolution in</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rivers of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bengali merchant</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Berhampur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Betel</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bettiah, Raja of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bhagulpur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bhutiyas</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bibi Lass</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mrs. Law</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bibliothèque Nationale</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Biderra, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bihar, Hindu Rajas of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">map of south</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">province of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">town of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Birbhum</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Raja of <i>See</i> Assaduzama Muhammad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bisdom, Adrian, Director of the Dutch +in Bengal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Black Hole, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bloomer, Lieut.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Boissemont, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bombay</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bourigunga River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bouvet, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Brahmins</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Brayer, Ensign</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M., one of Courtin's companions</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Brereton, Lieut. William</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Bridgewater</i>, H.M.S. (Captain +Smith)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">British. <i>See</i> English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">civilians</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Museum, MS. Department</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Broome, Captain A., Author of the +"Rise and Progress of the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bengal Army" (Calcutta, 1850)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Budge Budge, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bugros, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Bukshi</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bulwant Singh, Raja of Benares</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bundelkand or Bundelcund</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bussy, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Buxerries</i></span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Caillot, or Caillaud</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Calcapur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Calcutta</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">English Council at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Calvé, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cannon balls of clay</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cantanagar, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Capitulation of Chandernagore, +dispute as to terms of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Capucins, church of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Carnac, Major John</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Carryon, M. le Comte de</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Carvalho, Jeanne. <i>See</i> Mrs. Law</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cause of Siraj-ud-daula's attack on +the English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chambon, M</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chandernagore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">booty taken at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cemetery at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">council at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">deserters from</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">garrison of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">possibility of its capture by English +land forces alone</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">terms of capitulation of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chatrapur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Chauth</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chevalier, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chinese</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chinsurah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chittagong</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Choquova</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Christian clerks</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Christians</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chunargarh</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Chunam</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chupra or Chapra.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cicero</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Civil Power, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Clive, Lieut.-Colonel Robert (Lord +Clive)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Coja Wajid</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Colbert, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Colin, Catherine</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Colonel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Coote, Captain (Sir) Eyre</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Coromandel, Coast of, <i>See</i> +Madras Coast</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cossimbazar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cossimbazar River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Courtin, François,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Jacques Ignace</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Courtin, Mrs.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Madame Direy</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Courtin's Memorial</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cuddalore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cudmore, Lieut. John</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cuttack</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dacca;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Council at;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Government College at;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nawab of;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Palace of present Nawab</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>D'Aillot</i>, powders</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">D'Albert, M. le Chevalier</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dana Shah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Danes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dangereux, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Davis, Mr.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Debellême, M. le Capitaine</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Carryon, M. le Comte</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Deccan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Kalli, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Delabar, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De la Bretesche, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Delamotte, Mr. John</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De la Vigne Buisson;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M. le Capitaine;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">jun.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Leyrit, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Delhi</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Montorcin, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Desbrosses, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Deserters, English;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Desjoux, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Terraneau, Ann.;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lieut. Charles Cossard;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">senior</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Tury;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M., Commandant of Chandernagore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">D'Hurvilliers, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dido</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dinajpur;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Raja of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dinapur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Direy, Madame, <i>See</i> Mrs. +Courtin</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Diwan</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Doctor, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Doidge, Mr.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Drake, Roger, jun.;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">President of the Council at Calcutta</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Droguet, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dubois;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M., French Company's servant;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M., Sturgeon Major</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Du Cap, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dupleix, Marquis</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Du Pré, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Durbar, The</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Dustuck</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dutch;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Director. <i>See</i> M. Bisdom;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Octagon, the</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">East India Company, English;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Forces</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">East India Company, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Elephants, gentleness of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Engineers, want of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">England</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">English;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> British;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">agent of;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ladies at Dacca;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Records;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">trade privileges of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Eunuchs</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Europe</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Europeans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Europeans, generosity and courage of,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fakir, <i>See</i> Dana Shah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Farmers of estates,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Farukhabad,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Faujdar</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fazl-kuli-khan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Feringhees,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Firman</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fleurin, M.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Forde, Colonel,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fort Bourgogne,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">d'Orleans,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">William,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fournier, M.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">France,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">King of,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Frashdanga,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">French,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">civilians,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ladies,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">mistaken for Muhammadans,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">proverb,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">soldiers,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">up-country factories,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fringuey Raja,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fullerton, Dr. William,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fulta,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ganges river, <i>See</i> Hugli River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gaya,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gentiles, or Gentoos,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Germans,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ghazipur,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gholam Husain Khan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gourbin, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gourlade, M.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Grand Monarque, the,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Great Britain,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">King of,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Gunge</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Gunny</i>,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Hackerys</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Haillet, M.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hardwicke, Lord,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hazir Ali Khan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hey, Lieut.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Himalayas,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hindu advisers of the Nawab,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hindu Rajas,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">women, ill-treatment of—by +Siraj-ud-daula,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hindus, the,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hindustan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Holkar,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Holwell, John Zephaniah, Governor,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Honours of war,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hugli, Faujdar of, <i>See</i> Nand +Kumar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fort,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">River,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">town,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Imad-al-Muluk, Ghazi-ud-din Khan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">India,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Southern,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Indian expressions, characteristic,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">minds, motives of,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ways of business,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Indies, The,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Indrapat, Raja of Bundelkand,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Inhabitants</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Innocent, or Innocent Jesus,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ironside, Colonel Gilbert,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ives, Surgeon Edward, author of "A</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Voyage from England to India in</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">1754, with, a narrative of the +operations</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of the squadron and army in</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">India, under Watson and Clive,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">1755-1757; Also a Journey from Persia +to England," (London, 1799)</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jafar Ali Khan.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mir Jafar Ali Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jagat Seth, family of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Seths</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jalpaiguri</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jats, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Jemadars</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jesuit Church, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fathers, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jobard, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jugdea</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Luckipore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jusserat Khan, Nawab of Dacca</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kaffirs</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kamgar Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Karical</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kasim Ali Khan, Nawab of Bengal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mir Kasim</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Kent</i>, H.M.S.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kerdizien, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Khodadad Khan Latty</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kilpatrick, Major James</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">King</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mogul</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Kingfisher</i>, H.M.S.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kissendas, son of Raj Balav</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Knox, Captain Ranfurlie</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kooti Ghat</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Koran, the</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">La Haye, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lal Dighi</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lally, Count</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Memoirs of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Laporterie, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">La Rue, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Latham, Captain</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Launay, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">La Ville Martère, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Law, Jacques François</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Jean, of Lauriston</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Madame Jeanne</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">John, of Lauriston, the Financier</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">William</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Law's Memoir</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Le Conte Dompierre</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lee, Corporal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Le Noir, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Le Page, M., Second Surgeon</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Locusts</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Luckipore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Jugdea</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lucknow</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lynn, Captain</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">McGwire, Mr. William</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Madec, Colonel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Madras</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Coast</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Coromandel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Malleson, Colonel G.B., Author of +"History of the French in India</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">from the Founding of Pondicherry in +1674 to the Capture of that</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Place in 1761" (London, 1868)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Manik Chand, Raja</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Manjhi</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Maratha Commander</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Law's altercation with</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">General, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Marathas</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Martin, Captain</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Martin de la Case, Ensign</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Matel, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Midnapur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Militarism</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Minchin, Captain George, +Captain-Commandant of Calcutta</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Abdulla</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Miran, son of Mir Jafar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Daood, brother of Mir Jafar, and +Faujdar of Rajmehal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Jafar Ali Khan, made Nawab by the +English after Plassey</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Kasim, or Kasim Ali Khan, +son-in-law and successor of Mir Jafar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">army of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Madan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mogul</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> King</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mohan Lal, favourite of the Nawab</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Monsoon</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Moor hostages</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">nobles</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Moorish colours</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">forts</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">soldiers</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">treachery</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Moors</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Muhammadhans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Murshidabad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Muxadabad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">or Cossimbazar River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Murshid Kuli Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mustapha Ali Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mutinies</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Muxadabad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Murshidabad</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Naib</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nand Kumar, Faujdar of Hugli</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Native indifference to the quarrels +of the Europeans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Nautch</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Naval officer, an English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nawab, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hindu advisers and servants of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nawajis Muhammad Khan, uncle of +Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nawajis Muhammad Khan's widow</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nazir Dalal, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Negroes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nepaulese</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Neutrality in the Ganges</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">News from Bengal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nicolas, M.F.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nover, Sergeant</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nullah</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Omichand</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Onofre, Reverend Father</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Oppoor</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Orissa</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Orme Papers or MSS.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Orme, Robert, historian</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Oudh</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nawab of. <i>See</i> Suja-ud-daula</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pagodas or Hindu Temples</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Paris</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Parwana</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pathans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Patna</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Naib of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Pattamar</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pavilion, Bastion du</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pearkes, Mr. Paul Richard</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pedro</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Peons</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Perry, Lieut.-Colonel Ottley</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Phulbari</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Picques, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pilots, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Plassey, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pocock, Admiral (Sir) George</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pondicherry</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Superior Council of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Porte Royale, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Portuguese half-castes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Predestination</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Priest, Hindu</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Probate Records (Mayor's Court, +Calcutta)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Prussian Gardens</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Purneah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nawab of. <i>See</i> Saukat Jang</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Raj Durlabh Ram, Raja</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rains, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Raj Balav, Raja</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rajas, Hindu</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rajmehal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Faujdar of.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mir Daood</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ramnarain, Raja, Naib or Deputy +Governor of Patua</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ram Nath, Raja of Dinajpur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ranjit Rai, agent of the Seths</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Raymond, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renault, Pierre, Director of +Chandernagore (Malleson calls him</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Renault de St. Germain, but he never +signs himself as such)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renault, de St. Germain, eldest son +of Pierre Renault</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renault, Lieut., second son of Pierre +Renault</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renault, de la Fuye, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renaultions, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rennell, Major James, geographer</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Rezai</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Royal Music, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rungpore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Raja of. <i>See</i> Kasizn All Khan</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sahibgunj, Raja of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Saidabad.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Saint Contest</i>, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">St. Didier, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">St. Louis, Order of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Parish Church of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Salabat Jang</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Salisbury</i>, H.M.S.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sarfaraz Khan, Nawab of Bengal, +defeated and killed in battle</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">by Aliverdi Khan in 1742</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah and +cousin of Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Scrafton, Mr. Luke, Author of +"Reflections on the Government</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Indostan" (London, 1770)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Scrafton's "Reflections"</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Select Committee at Calcutta</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Madras</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sepoys, 10. <i>See</i> Telingas</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Law's opinion of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Serampore, Danish Settlement</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Seth Mahtab Rai, grandson of Jagat +Seth</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Seth Sarup Chand, grandson of Jagat +Seth</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Seths, agent of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Ranjit Rai</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Seths: the family of Jagat Seth</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shah, Alam</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Ali Gauhar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shahzada or Crown Prince</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Shah Alam</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sheikh Faiz Ulla</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sinfray, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Nawab</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cause of his attack on the English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his aunt, widow of Nawajia Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his mother</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;"><i>See</i> Amina Begum</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his younger brother</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;"><i>See</i> Fazl-kuli-khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Slippers, a pair of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sooty</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Soupy, fort of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Speke, Captain</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Spies employed by the English,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">by the Nawab</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Suan, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Subah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Suja-ud-daula, Nawabof Oudh</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Summer, Mr. William Brightwell</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Surgeons, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Swedes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Swedish guns</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Swiss</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tangepur, or Tanjipur,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tanks used for military purposes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tartars</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Teesta River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Telingas or Tellingees</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tibet</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">king of,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Toby, Captain—of the <i>Kingfisher</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tooke, Mr. William</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Topasses</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Treaty between the English and Mir +Jafar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">between the English and Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">between the French and Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Turkish Crescent, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Tyger</i>, H.M.S.</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ukil Singh</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Vansittart, Governor Henry</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Vernet, M. George, Lodewjk</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Villequain, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Vizir, The</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Volunteers, English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">French</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Wakils</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Walcot, Clive Correspondence at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Waller, Mr. Samuel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">War, Declaration of, between England +and France</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Water Gate, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Watson, Admiral Charles</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Watts, Mrs. Amelia</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">the Worshipful Mr. William</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Zemindar, collector of revenue</span><br> +<br> +<br> +<p></p> +THE END +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10946 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/10946-h/images/tfb001.jpg b/10946-h/images/tfb001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..70a2f67 --- /dev/null +++ b/10946-h/images/tfb001.jpg diff --git a/10946-h/images/tfb002.jpg b/10946-h/images/tfb002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b398211 --- /dev/null +++ b/10946-h/images/tfb002.jpg diff --git a/10946-h/images/tfb003.jpg b/10946-h/images/tfb003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f93d4c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/10946-h/images/tfb003.jpg diff --git a/10946-h/images/tfb004.jpg b/10946-h/images/tfb004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ed1990 --- /dev/null +++ b/10946-h/images/tfb004.jpg diff --git a/10946-h/images/tfb005.jpg b/10946-h/images/tfb005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..829fa1e --- /dev/null +++ b/10946-h/images/tfb005.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..41d03d6 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10946 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10946) diff --git a/old/10946-8.txt b/old/10946-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5579cdc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10946-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6355 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Frenchmen in Bengal, by S.C. Hill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Three Frenchmen in Bengal + The Commercial Ruin of the French Settlements in 1757 + +Author: S.C. Hill + +Release Date: February 4, 2004 [EBook #10946] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL *** + + + + +Produced by Wilelmina Malliere and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + + + + +[Illustration: THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN +BENGAL, 1756 (_After Rennell_.)] + + + + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + +OR + +_THE COMMERCIAL RUIN OF THE FRENCH SETTLEMENTS IN 1757_ + +BY + +S.C. HILL, B.A., B.Sc. + +OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE RECORDS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AUTHOR +OF "MAJOR-GENERAL CLAUD MARTIN" + +_WITH MAPS AND PLANS_ + + +1903 + + + + +TO + +MY DEAR WIFE + + + + +PREFACE + + +This account of the commercial ruin of the French Settlements, taken +almost entirely from hitherto unpublished documents, originated as +follows. Whilst engaged in historical research connected with the +Government Records in Calcutta, I found many references to the +French in Bengal which interested me strongly in the personal side +of their quarrel with the English, but the information obtainable +from the Indian Records alone was still meagre and incomplete. A few +months ago, however, I came across Law's Memoir in the British +Museum; and, a little later, when visiting Paris to examine the +French Archives, I found not only a copy of Law's Memoir, but also +Renault's and Courtin's letters, of which there are, I believe, no +copies in England. In these papers I thought that I had sufficient +material to give something like an idea of Bengal as it appeared to +the French when Clive arrived there. There is much bitterness in +these old French accounts, and much misconception of the English, +but they were written when misconception of national enemies was the +rule and not the exception, and when the rights of non-belligerents +were little respected in time of war. Some of the accusations I have +checked by giving the English version, but I think that, whilst it +is only justice to our Anglo-Indian heroes to let the world know +what manner of men their opponents were, it is equally only justice +to their opponents to allow them to give their own version of the +story. This is my apology, if any one should think I allow them to +say too much. + +The translations are my own, and were made in a state of some +perplexity as to how far I was bound to follow my originals--the +writings of men who, of course, were not literary, and often had not +only no pretension to style but also no knowledge of grammar. I have +tried, however, to preserve both form and spirit; but if any reader +is dissatisfied, and would like to see the original papers for +himself, the courtesy of the Record officials in both Paris and +London will give him access to an immense quantity of documents as +interesting as they are important. + +In the various accounts that I have used there are naturally +slightly different versions of particular incidents, and often +it is not easy to decide which is the correct one. Under the +circumstances I may perhaps be excused for not always calling +attention to discrepancies which the reader will detect for himself. +He will also notice that the ground covered in one narrative is +partly traversed in one or both of the others. This has been due to +the necessity of treating the story from the point of view of each +of the three chief actors. + +I may here mention that the correspondence between Clive and the +princes of Bengal, from which I have given some illustrative +passages, was first seen by me in a collection of papers printed in +1893 in the Government of India Central Printing Office, Calcutta, +under the direction of Mr. G.W. Forrest, C.I.E. These papers have +not yet been published, but there exists a complete though slightly +different copy of this correspondence in the India Office Library +(Orme MSS. India XI.), and it is from the latter copy that I have, +by permission, made the extracts here given. The remaining English +quotations, when not from printed books, have been taken chiefly +from other volumes of the Orme MSS., a smaller number from the +Bengal and Madras Records in the India Office, and a few from MSS. +in the British Museum or among the Clive papers at Walcot, to which +last I was allowed access by the kindness of the Earl of Powis. + +Finally, I wish to express my thanks to M. Omont of the Bibliothèque +Nationale, Paris, to Mr. W. Foster of the Record Department of the +India Office, and to Mr. J.A. Herbert of the British Museum, for +their kind and valuable assistance. + +S.C. HILL. + +_September_ 6, 1903. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I. THE QUARREL WITH THE ENGLISH + + II. M. RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE + + III. M. LAW, CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR + + IV. M. COURTIN, CHIEF OF DACCA + + INDEX + + +MAPS AND PLANS + +THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN BENGAL, 1756. +(_After Rennell_) _Frontispiece_ + +MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (_After Rennell_) _To +face page_ + +FORT D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (_Mouchet_) + +MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (_After Rennell_) + +DACCA, OR JEHANGIR-NAGAR. (_After Rennell_) + + + + +[Illustration: MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (_After +Rennell_.)] + + + + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE QUARREL WITH THE ENGLISH + + +Writing in 1725, the French naval commander, the Chevalier d'Albert, +tells us that the three most handsome towns on the Ganges were +Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the chief Factories of the +English, French, and Dutch. These towns were all situated within +thirty miles of each other. Calcutta, the latest founded, was the +greatest and the richest, owing partly to its situation, which +permitted the largest ships of the time to anchor at its quays, and +partly to the privilege enjoyed by the English merchants of trading +freely as individuals through the length and breadth of the land. +Native merchants and native artisans crowded to Calcutta, and the +French and Dutch, less advantageously situated and hampered by +restrictions of trade, had no chance of competing with the English +on equal terms. The same was of course true of their minor +establishments in the interior. All three nations had important +Factories at Cossimbazar (in the neighbourhood of Murshidabad, the +Capital of Bengal) and at Dacca, and minor Factories at Jugdea or +Luckipore, and at Balasore. The French and Dutch had also Factories +at Patna. Besides Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the only +Factory which was fortified was the English Factory at Cossimbazar. + +During the long reign of the usurper, Aliverdi Khan,[1] that strong +and politic ruler enforced peace among his European guests, and +forbade any fortification of the Factories, except such as was +necessary to protect them against possible incursions of the +Marathas, who at that time made periodical attacks on Muhammadans +and Hindus alike to enforce the payment of the _chauth_,[2] or +blackmail, which they levied upon all the countries within their +reach. In Southern India the English and French had been constantly +at war whenever there was war in Europe, but in Bengal the strength +of the Government, the terror of the Marathas, and the general +weakness of the Europeans had contrived to enforce a neutrality. +Still there was nothing to guarantee its continuance if the fear of +the native Government and of the Marathas were once removed, and if +any one of the three nations happened to find itself much stronger +than the others. The fear of the Marathas had nearly disappeared, +but that of the Government still remained. However, it was not till +more than sixty years after the foundation of Calcutta that there +appeared any possibility of a breach of peace amongst the Europeans +in Bengal. During this time the three Factories, Calcutta always +leading, increased rapidly in wealth and importance. To the +Government they were already a cause of anxiety and an object of +greed. Even during the life of Aliverdi Khan there were many of his +counsellors who advised the reduction of the status of Europeans to +that of the Armenians, i.e. mere traders at the mercy of local +officials; but Aliverdi Khan, whether owing to the enfeeblement of +his energies by age or to an intelligent recognition of the value of +European commerce, would not allow any steps to be taken against the +Europeans. Many stories are told of the debates in his _Durbar_[3] +on this subject: according to one, he is reported to have compared +the Europeans to bees who produce honey when left in peace, but +furiously attack those who foolishly disturb them; according to +another he compared them to a fire[4] which had come out of the sea +and was playing harmlessly on the shore, but which would devastate +the whole land if any one were so imprudent as to anger it. His +wisdom died with him, and in April, 1756, his grandson, +Siraj-ud-daula, a young man of nineteen,[5] already notorious for +his debauchery and cruelty, came to the throne. The French--who, of +all Europeans, knew him best, for he seems to have preferred them to +all others--say his chief characteristics were cruelty, rapacity, +and cowardice. In his public speeches he seemed to be ambitious of +military fame. Calcutta was described to him as a strong fortress, +full of wealth, which belonged largely to his native subjects, and +inhabited by a race of foreigners who had grown insolent on their +privileges. As a proof of this, it was pointed out that they had not +presented him with the offerings which, according to Oriental +custom, are the due of a sovereign on his accession. The only +person who dared oppose the wishes of the young Nawab was his +mother,[6] but her advice was of no avail, and her taunt that he, a +soldier, was going to war upon mere traders, was equally +inefficacious. The records of the time give no definite information +as to the tortuous diplomacy which fanned the quarrel between him +and the English, but it is sufficiently clear that the English +refused to surrender the son of one of his uncle's _diwans_,[7] who, +with his master's and his father's wealth, had betaken himself to +Calcutta. Siraj-ud-daula, by the treacherous promises of his +commanders, made himself master of the English Factory at +Cossimbazar without firing a shot, and on the 20th of June, 1756, +found himself in possession of Fort William, the fortified Factory +of Calcutta.[8] The Governor, the commandant[9] of the troops, and +some two hundred persons of lesser note, had deserted the Fort +almost as soon as it was actually invested, and Holwell, one of the +councillors, an ex-surgeon, and the gallant few who stood by him and +continued the defence, were captured, and, to the number of 146, +cast into a little dungeon,[10] intended for military offenders, +from which, the next morning, only twenty-three came out alive. The +English took refuge at Fulta, thirty miles down the river, where the +Nawab, in his pride and ignorance, left them unmolested. There they +were gradually reinforced from Madras, first by Major Kilpatrick, +and later on by Colonel Clive and Admiral Watson. About the same +time both French and English learned that war had been declared in +Europe between England and France in the previous May, but, for +different reasons, neither nation thought the time suitable for +making the fact formally known. + +Towards the end of December the English, animated by the desire of +revenge and of repairing their ruined fortunes, advanced on +Calcutta, and on the 2nd of January, 1757, the British flag again +floated over Fort William. The Governor, Manik Chand, was, like many +of the Nawab's servants, a Hindu. Some say he was scared away by a +bullet through his turban; others, that he was roused from the +enjoyment of a _nautch_--a native dance--by the news of the arrival +of the English.[11] Hastening to Murshidabad, he reported his +defeat, and asserted that the British they had now to deal with were +very different from those they had driven from or captured in +Calcutta. + +The English were not satisfied with recovering Calcutta. They wished +to impress the Nawab, and so they sent a small force to Hugli, which +lies above Chandernagore and Chinsurah, stormed the Muhammadan fort, +burnt the town, and destroyed the magazines, which would have +supplied the Nawab's army in an attack on Calcutta. The inhabitants +of the country had never known anything so terrible as the big guns +of the ships, and the Nawab actually believed the men-of-war could +ascend the river and bombard him in his palace at Murshidabad. +Calling on the French and Dutch for aid, which they refused, he +determined to try his fortune a second time at Calcutta. At first, +everything seemed the same as on the former occasion: the native +merchants and artisans disappeared from the town; but it was not as +he thought, out of fear, but because the English wished to have them +out of the way, and so expelled them. Except for the military camp +to the north of the city, where Clive was stationed with his little +army, the town lay open to his attack. Envoys from Calcutta soon +appeared asking for terms, and the Nawab pretended to be willing to +negotiate in order to gain time while he outflanked Clive and seized +the town. Seeing through this pretence Watson and Clive thought it +was time to give him a lesson, and, on the morning of the 5th of +February, in the midst of a dense fog, Clive beat up his quarters. +Though Clive had to retire when the whole army was roused, the +slaughter amongst the enemy had been immense; and though he +mockingly informed the Nawab that he had been careful to "injure +none but those who got in his way," the Nawab himself narrowly +escaped capture. The action, however, was in no sense decisive. Most +of the Nawab's military leaders were eager to avenge their disgrace, +but some of the chief nobles, notably his Hindu advisers, +exaggerated the loss already incurred and the future danger, and +advised him to make peace. In fact, the cruelty and folly of the +Nawab had turned his Court into a nest of traitors. With one or two +exceptions there was not a man of note upon whom he could rely, and +he had not the wit to distinguish the faithful from the unfaithful. +Accordingly he granted the English everything they asked for--the +full restoration of all their privileges, and restitution of all +they had lost in the sack of Calcutta. As the English valued their +losses at several hundreds of thousands, and the Nawab had found +only some £5000 in the treasury of Fort William, it is clear that +the wealth of Calcutta was either sunk in the Ganges or had fallen +as booty into the hands of the Moorish soldiers. + +Siraj-ud-daula, though he did not yet know it, was a ruined man when +he returned to his capital. His only chance of safety lay in one of +two courses--either a loyal acceptance of the conditions imposed by +the English or a loyal alliance with the French against the English. +From the Dutch he could hope for nothing. They were as friendly to +the English as commercial rivals could be. They had always declared +they were mere traders and would not fight, and they kept their +word. After the capture of Calcutta the Nawab had exacted heavy +contributions from both the French and Dutch; but France and England +were now at war, and he thought it might be possible that in these +circumstances the restoration of their money to the French and the +promise of future privileges might win them to his side. He could +not, however, decide finally on either course, and the French were +not eager to meet him. They detested his character, and they +preferred, if the English would agree, to preserve the old +neutrality and to trade in peace. Further, they had received no +supplies of men or money for a long time; the fortifications of +Chandernagore, i.e. of Fort d'Orléans, were practically in ruins, +and the lesser Factories in the interior were helpless. Their +military force, for attack, was next to nothing: all they could +offer was wise counsel and brave leaders. They were loth to offer +these to a man like the Nawab against Europeans, and he and his +Court were as loth to accept them. Unluckily for the French, +deserters from Chandernagore had served the Nawab's artillery when +he took Calcutta, and it was even asserted that the French had +supplied the Nawab with gunpowder; and so when the English heard of +these new negotiations, they considered the proposals for a +neutrality to be a mere blind; they forgot the kindness shown by the +French to English refugees at Dacca, Cossimbazar, and Chandernagore, +and determined that, as a permanent peace with the Nawab was out of +the question, they would, whilst he hesitated as to his course of +action, anticipate him by destroying the one element of force which, +if added to his power, might have made him irresistible. They +continued the negotiations for a neutrality on the Ganges only until +they were reinforced by a body of 500 Europeans from Bombay, when +they sent back the French envoys and exacted permission from the +Nawab to attack Chandernagore. Clive marched on that town with a +land force of 4000 Europeans and Sepoys, and Admiral Watson +proceeded up the river with a small but powerful squadron. + +Thus began the ruin of the French in Bengal. The chief French +Factories were, as I have said, at Chandernagore, Cossimbazar, and +Dacca. The Chiefs of these Factories were M. Renault, the Director +of all the French in Bengal; M. Law, a nephew of the celebrated Law +of Lauriston, the financier; and M. Courtin. It is the doings and +sufferings of these three gallant men which are recorded in the +following chapters. They had no hope of being able to resist the +English by themselves, but they hoped, and actually believed, that +France would send them assistance if they could only hold out till +it arrived. Renault, whose case was the most desperate, perhaps +thought that the Nawab would, in his own interest, support him if +the English attacked Chandernagore; but knowing the Nawab as well as +he did, and reflecting that he had himself refused the Nawab +assistance when he asked for it, his hope must have been a feeble +one. Still he could not, with honour, give up a fortified position +without attempting a defence, and he determined to do his best. When +he failed, all that Law and Courtin could expect to do was to +maintain their personal liberty and create a diversion in the north +of Bengal when French forces attacked it in the south. It was not +their fault that the attack was never made. + +I shall make no mention of the fate of the Factories at Balasore and +Jugdea. At these the number of Frenchmen was so very small that +resistance and escape were equally hopeless. Patna lay on the line +of Law's retreat, and, as we shall see, he was joined by the +second and other subordinate officers of that Factory. The chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was too ill to be moved, but he managed, by the +assistance of his native friends, to secure a large portion of the +property of the French East India Company, and so to finance Law +during his wanderings. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Aliverdi Khan entered Muxadavad or Murshidabad as a +conqueror on the 30th of March, 1742. He died on the 10th of April, +1756. (_Scrafton_.)] + +[Footnote 2: Literally the fourth part of the Revenues. The Marathas +extorted the right to levy this from the Emperor Aurengzebe, and +under pretext of collecting it they ravaged a large portion of +India.] + +[Footnote 3: Court, or Court officials and nobles.] + +[Footnote 4: Such fires are mentioned in many Indian legends. In the +"Arabian Nights" we read of a demon changing himself into a flaming +fire.] + +[Footnote 5: His age is stated by some as nineteen, by others as +about twenty-five. See note, p. 66.] + +[Footnote 6: Amina Begum.] + +[Footnote 7: _Diwan_, i.e. Minister or Manager.] + +[Footnote 8: The English at Dacca surrendered to the Nawab of that +place, and were afterwards released. Those at Jugdea and Balasore +escaped direct to Fulta.] + +[Footnote 9: Captain George Minchin.] + +[Footnote 10: Known in history as the Black Hole of Calcutta.] + +[Footnote 11: Both stories may be true. Manik Chand was nearly +killed at the battle of Budge Budge by a bullet passing through his +turban, and the incident of the _nautch_ may have happened at +Calcutta, where he certainly showed less courage.] + +[Illustration: FORT D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (_Mouchet._)] + + + + +CHAPTER II + +M. RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE + + +The French East India Company was founded in 1664, during the +ministry of M. Colbert. Chandernagore, on the Ganges, or rather that +mouth of it now known as the River Hugli, was founded in 1676; and +in 1688 the town and territory were ceded to France by the Emperor +Aurengzebe. I know of no plan of Chandernagore in the 17th century, +and those of the 18th are extremely rare. Two or three are to be +found in Paris, but the destruction of the Fort and many of the +buildings by the English after its capture in 1757, and the decay of +the town after its restoration to the French, owing to diminished +trade, make it extremely difficult to recognize old landmarks. The +Settlement, however, consisted of a strip of land, about two leagues +in length and one in depth, on the right or western bank of the +Hugli. Fort d'Orléans lay in the middle of the river front. It was +commenced in 1691, and finished in 1693.[12] Facing the north was +the Porte Royale, and to the east, or river-side, was the Water +Gate. The north-eastern bastion was known as that of the Standard, +or Pavillon. The north-western bastion was overlooked by the Jesuit +Church, and the south-eastern by the Dutch Octagon. This last +building was situated on one of a number of pieces of land which, +though within the French bounds, belonged to the Dutch before the +grant of the imperial charter, and which the Dutch had always +refused to sell. The Factory buildings were in the Fort itself. To +the west lay the Company's Tank, the hospitals, and the cemetery. +European houses, interspersed with native dwellings, lay all around. +M. d'Albert says that these houses were large and convenient, but +chiefly of one story only, built along avenues of fine trees, or +along the handsome quay. D'Albert also mentions a chapel in the +Fort,[13] the churches of the Jesuits and the Capucins, and some +miserable _pagodas_ belonging to the Hindus, who, owing to the +necessity of employing them as clerks and servants, were allowed the +exercise of their religion. In his time the Europeans numbered about +500. There were besides some 400 Armenians, Moors[14] and Topasses, +1400 to 1500 Christians, including slaves, and 18,000 to 20,000 +Gentiles, divided, he says, into 52 different castes or occupations. +It is to be supposed that the European houses had improved in the +thirty years since d'Albert's visit; at any rate many of those which +were close to the Fort now commanded its interior from their roofs +or upper stories, exactly as the houses of the leading officials in +Calcutta commanded the interior of Fort William. No other fact could +be so significant of the security which the Europeans in Bengal +believed they enjoyed from any attack by the forces of the native +Government. The site of the Fort is now covered with native huts. +The Cemetery still remains and the Company's Tank (now known as Lal +Dighi), whilst Kooti Ghat is the old landing-place of Fort +d'Orleans. + +As regards the European population at the time of the siege we have +no definite information. The Returns drawn up by the French +officials at the time of the capitulation do not include the women +and children or the native and mixed population. The ladies,[15] and +it is to be presumed the other women also, for there is no mention +of women during the siege, retired to the Dutch and Danish +settlements at Chinsurah and Serampore a few days before, and the +native population disappeared as soon as the British army +approached. The Returns therefore show only 538 Europeans and 66 +Topasses. The Governor or Director, as already mentioned, was Pierre +Renault: his Council consisted of MM. Fournier, Caillot, Laporterie, +Nicolas, and Picques. There were 36 Frenchmen of lesser rank in the +Company's service, as well as 6 surgeons. The troops were commanded +by M. de Tury and 10 officers. There were also 10 officers of the +French East India Company's vessels, and 107 persons of sufficient +importance for their _parole_ to be demanded when the Fort fell. +Apparently these Returns do not include those who were killed in the +defence, nor have we any definite information as to the number of +French sepoys, but Eyre Coote[16] says there were 500. + +The story of the siege is to be gathered from many accounts. M. +Renault and his Council submitted an official report; Renault wrote +many letters to Dupleix and other patrons or friends; several of the +Council and other private persons did the same.[17] M. Jean Law, +whose personal experiences we shall deal with in the next chapter, +was Chief of Cossimbazar, and watched the siege, as it were, from +the outside. His straightforward narrative helps us now and then to +correct a mis-statement made by the besieged in the bitterness of +defeat. On the English side, besides the Bengal records, there are +Clive's and Eyre Coote's military journals, the Logs of the British +ships of war, and the journal of Surgeon Edward Ives of His +Majesty's ship _Kent_. Thus this passage of arms, almost the only +one in Bengal[18] in which the protagonists were Europeans, is no +obscure event, but one in which almost every incident was seen and +described from opposite points of view. This multiplicity of +authorities makes it difficult to form a connected narrative, and, +in respect to many incidents, I shall have to follow that account +which seems to enter into the fullest or most interesting detail. + +It will now be necessary to go back a little. After the capture of +Calcutta in June, 1756, the behaviour of the Nawab to all Europeans +was so overbearing that Renault found it necessary to ask the +Superior Council of Pondicherry for reinforcements, but all that he +received was 67 Europeans and 167 Sepoys. No money was sent him, and +every day he expected to hear that war had broken out between +France and England. + + "Full of these inquietudes, gentlemen, I was in the + most cruel embarrassment, knowing not even what to + desire. A strong detestation of the tyranny of the Nawab, + and of the excesses which he was committing against + Europeans, made me long for the arrival of the English in + the Ganges to take vengeance for them. At the same time + I feared the consequences of war being declared. In every + letter M. de Leyrit[19] impressed upon me the necessity of + fortifying Chandernagore as best I could, and of putting the + town in a state of security against a surprise, but you have + only to look at Chandernagore to see how difficult it was for + us, absolutely destitute as we were of men and money, to do + this with a town open on all sides, and with nothing even to + mark it off from the surrounding country."[20] + +He goes on to describe Fort d'Orléans-- + + "almost in the middle of the settlement, surrounded by + houses, which command it, a square of about 600 feet,[21] + built of brick, flanked with four bastions, with six guns + each, without ramparts or glacis. The southern curtain, + about 4 feet thick, not raised to its full height, was + provided only with a battery of 3 guns; there was a similar + battery to the west, but the rest of the west curtain was + only a wall of mud and brick, about a foot and a half thick, + and 8 or 10 feet high; there were warehouses ranged + against the east curtain which faced the Ganges, and which + was still in process of construction; the whole of this side + had no ditch, and that round the other sides was dry, only 4 + feet in depth, and a mere ravine. The walls of the Fort up + to the ramparts were 15 feet high, and the houses, on the + edge of the counterscarp, which commanded it, were as much + as 30 feet." + +Perhaps the Fort was best defended on the west, where the Company's +Tank[22] was situated. Its bank was only about twelve feet from the +Fort Ditch. This use of tanks for defensive purposes was an +excellent one, as they also provided the garrison with a good supply +of drinking water. A little later Clive protected his great barracks +at Berhampur with a line of large tanks along the landward side. +However, this tank protected one side only, and the task of holding +such a fort with an inadequate garrison was not a hopeful one even +for a Frenchman. It was only his weakness which had made Renault +submit to pay the contribution demanded by the Nawab on his +triumphant return from Calcutta in July of the previous year, and he +and his comrades felt very bitterly the neglect of the Company in +not sending money and reinforcements. One of his younger +subordinates wrote to a friend in Pondicherry:[23]-- + + "But the 3-1/2 lahks that the Company has to pay to the + Nawab, is that a trifle? Yes, my dear fellow, for I should + like it to have to pay still more, to teach it how to leave + this Factory, which is, beyond contradiction, the finest of its + settlements, denuded of soldiers and munitions of war, so + that it is not possible for us to show our teeth." + +The wish was prophetic. + +Like the English the French were forbidden by the Nawab to fortify +themselves. Renault dared not pay attention to this order. He had +seen what had happened to the English by the neglect of proper +precautions, and when things were at their worst, the Nawab had to +seek his alliance against the English, grant him leave to fortify +Chandernagore, and, later on, even to provide him with money under +the pretence that he was simply restoring the sum forcibly extorted +from him the previous year.[24] Trade was at a standstill, and +Renault was determined that if the enemies of his nation were +destined to take the Company's property, they should have the utmost +difficulty possible in doing so. He expended the money on provisions +and ammunition. At the same time, that he might not lose any chance +of settling affairs peaceably with the English, he refused to +associate himself with the Nawab, and entered upon negotiations for +a neutrality in the Ganges. To protect himself if these failed, he +began raising fortifications and pulling down the houses which +commanded the Fort or masked its fire. + +He could not pull down the houses on the south of the Fort, from +which Clive subsequently made his attack, partly for want of time, +partly because the native workmen ran away, and partly because of +the bad feeling prevalent in the motley force which formed his +garrison.[25] The most fatal defect of all was the want of a +military engineer. The person who held that position had been sent +from France. He was a master mason, and had no knowledge of +engineering. It had been the same story in Calcutta. Drake's two +engineers had been a subaltern in the military and a young +covenanted servant. Renault had to supervise the fortifications +himself. + + "I commenced to pull down the church and the house + of the Jesuit fathers, situated on the edge of the Ditch, also + all the houses of private persons which masked the entire + north curtain. The wood taken from the ruins of these + served to construct a barrier extending from bastion to + bastion and supporting this same north curtain, which + seemed ready to fall to pieces from old age." + +This barrier was placed four feet outside the wall, the intervening +space being filled in with earth. + + "Also in front of Porte Royale" (i.e. outside the gate in + the avenue), "the weakest side of the Fort, I placed a battery + of 3 guns, and worked hard at clearing out and enlarging + the Ditch, but there was no time to make it of any use as a + defence. A warehouse on which I put bales of _gunny_[26] to + prevent cannon balls from breaking in the vaults of the roof, + served it as a casemate." + +The east or river curtain was left alone. The French were, in fact, +so confident that the ships of war would not be able to force their +way up the river, and that Clive would not therefore think of +attacking on that side, that the only precaution they took at first +was the erection of two batteries outside the Fort. It is a +well-known maxim in war that one should attack at that point at +which the enemy deems himself most secure, and it will be seen that +all Clive's efforts were aimed at preparing for Admiral Watson to +attack on the east. + +As regards artillery Renault was better off. + + "The alarm which the Prince" (Siraj-ud-daula) "gave us + in June last having given me reason to examine into the + state of the artillery, I found that not one of the carriages + of the guns on the ramparts was in a serviceable condition, + not a field-piece mounted, not a platform ready for the + mortars. I gave all my attention to these matters, and + fortunately had time to put them right." + +To serve his guns Renault had the sailors of the Company's ship, +_Saint Contest_, whose commander, M. de la Vigne Buisson, was the +soul of the defence. + +About this time he received a somewhat doubtful increase to his +garrison, a crowd of deserters from the English East India Company's +forces. The latter at this time were composed of men of all +nationalities, English, Germans, Swiss, Dutch, and even French. Many +of them, and naturally the foreigners especially, were ready to +desert upon little provocation. The hardships of service in a +country where the climate and roads were execrable, where food and +pay were equally uncertain, and where promises were made not to be +kept, were provocations which the best soldiers might have found it +difficult to resist. We read of whole regiments in the English and +French services refusing to obey orders, and of mutinies of officers +as well as of men. The one reward of service was the chance of +plunder, and naturally, then, as soon as the fighting with the Nawab +had stopped for a time, the desertions from the British forces were +numerous. Colonel Clive had more than once written to Renault to +remonstrate with him for taking British soldiers into his service. +Probably Renault could have retorted the accusation with justice--at +any rate, he went on enlisting deserters; and from those who had now +come over he formed a company of grenadiers of 50 men, one of +artillery of 30, and one of sailors of 60, wisely giving them a +little higher pay than usual, "to excite their emulation." One of +these was a man named Lee,-- + + "a corporal and a deserter from the _Tyger_, who pledged + himself to the enemy that he would throw two shells out of + three into the _Tyger_, but whilst he was bringing the mortars + to bear for that purpose, he was disabled by a musket bullet + from the _Kent's_ tops. He was afterwards sent home a + prisoner to England."[27] + +As might be expected the younger Frenchmen were wild with delight at +the chance of seeing a good fight. Some of them had been much +disappointed that the Nawab had not attacked Chandernagore in June, +1756. One of them wrote[28]-- + + "I was charmed with the adventure and the chance + of carrying a musket, having always had" (what Frenchman + hasn't?) "a secret leaning towards a military life. I + intended to kill a dozen Moors myself in the first sortie we + made, for I was determined not to stand like a stock on a + bastion, where one only runs the risk of getting wounds + without having any of the pleasure of inflicting them." + +If not the highest form of military spirit, this was at any rate one +of which a good commander might make much use. Renault took +advantage of this feeling, and from the young men of the colony, +such as Company's servants, ships' officers, supercargoes, and +European inhabitants,[29] he made a company of volunteers, to whom, +at their own request, he gave his son, an officer of the garrison, +as commander. + +One of the volunteer officers writes:-- + + "I had the honour to be appointed lieutenant, and was + much pleased when I saw the spirit of emulation which + reigned in every heart. I cannot sufficiently praise the + spirit of exactitude with which every one was animated, and + the progress which all made in so short a time in the + management of their arms. I lay stress on the fact that it + was an occupation entirely novel to them, and one of which + the commencement always appears very hard, but they overcame + all difficulties, and found amusement in what to others + would appear merely laborious." + +All this time Renault was watching the war between the English and +the Moors. In January the English sailed up the Hugli, passed +Chandernagore contemptuously without a salute, burned the Moorish +towns of Hugli and Bandel, ravaged the banks of the river, and +retired to Calcutta. Up to this the Nawab had not condescended to +notice the English; now, in a moment of timidity, he asked the +intervention of the French as mediators.[30] Renault eagerly +complied, for had his mediation been accepted, he would have +inserted in the treaty a clause enforcing peace amongst the +Europeans in Bengal; but the English refused to treat through the +French. This could have only one meaning. Renault felt that his +course was now clear, and was on the point of offering the alliance +which the Nawab had so long sought for, when he received orders from +M. de Leyrit forbidding him to attack the English by land. As M. Law +writes, if Renault had been free to join the Nawab with 500 +Europeans, either Clive would not have ventured a night attack on +the Nawab's camp, or, had he done so, the event would probably have +been very different. Under the circumstances, all that Renault could +do was to continue his fortifications. It was now that he first +realized that Admiral Watson would take part in the attack. + + "As the ships of war were what we had most to fear + from, we constructed on the river bank a battery of 6 guns, + four of which covered the approach to the Fort. From the foot + of the battery a bank twenty-two feet high stretching to + the Fort, was begun, so as to protect the curtain on this side + from the fire of the ships, _but it was not finished_. We had + also to attend to the inhabited portion of the town; it was + impossible to do more, but we determined to protect it from + a surprise, and so ditches were dug across the streets and + outposts established."[31] + +It was this waste of valuable time upon the defence of the town that +a capable engineer would have saved Renault from the mistake of +committing. Had he limited his efforts to strengthening the walls of +the Fort and cleared away the surrounding houses, he would have been +not only stronger against the attack of the land force, but also in +a much better position to resist the ships. + +The issue of the Nawab's attack on Calcutta has already been told. +He was so depressed by his failure that he now treated Renault with +the greatest respect, and it was now that he gave him the sum of +money--a lakh of rupees, then worth £12,500--which he spent on +provisions and munitions of war. Renault says:-- + + "The Nawab's envoy further gave me to understand that + he was, in his heart, enraged with the English, and continued + to regard them as his enemies. In spite of this we saw + clearly from the treaty just made" (with the English) + "that we should be its victims, and knowing Siraj-ud-daula's + character, his promise to assist me strongly if the + English attacked us did not quiet my mind. I prepared for + whatever might happen by pressing on our preparations and + collecting all kinds of provisions in the Fort." + +The Nawab and the English concluded a treaty of peace and alliance +on the 9th of February, 1757. Renault mentions no actual treaty +between the Nawab and the French, but the French doctor referred to +in a note above asserts that the Nawab demanded that the Council +should bind itself in writing, + + "to oppose the passage of the English past Chandernagore.... + It was merely engaging to defend ourselves against + the maritime force of the English ... because Chandernagore + was the only place on this coast against which they + could undertake any enterprise by water. _This engagement + was signed_ and sent to the Nawab three days after he had + made peace with the English. The Council received in + reply two privileges, the one to coin money with the King's + stamp at Chandernagore, the other liberty of trade for + individual Frenchmen on the same footing as the Company, + and 100,000 rupees on account of the 300,000 which he had + extorted the previous year." + +It does not matter whether this engagement was signed or not.[32] As +a Frenchman thus mentions it, the rumour of its signature must have +been very strong. It is probable that the English heard of it, and +believed it to be conclusive proof of the secret understanding +between the Nawab and the French. The privilege of individual trade +was particularly likely to excite their commercial jealousy, for it +was to this very privilege in their own case that the wealth and +strength of Calcutta were due. Such a rumour, therefore, was not +likely to facilitate negotiations. Nevertheless, Renault sent MM. +Fournier and Nicolas, the latter of whom had many friends amongst +the English, to Calcutta, to re-open the negotiations for a +neutrality. These negotiations seemed to be endless. The most +striking feature was Admiral Watson's apparent vacillation. When the +Council proposed war he wanted peace, when they urged neutrality he +wanted war. Clive went so far as to present a memorial to the +Council, saying it was unfair to continue the negotiations if the +Admiral was determined not to agree to a treaty. It seems as if the +Council wanted war, but wished to throw the responsibility upon the +Admiral. On the other hand the Admiral was only too eager to fight, +but hesitated to involve the Company in a war with the French and +the Nawab combined, at a moment when the British land forces were so +weakened by disease that success might be considered doubtful. He +had also to remember the fact that the Council at Chandernagore was +subordinate to the Council at Pondicherry, and the latter might, +whenever convenient to the French, repudiate the treaty. However, in +spite of all difficulties, the terms were agreed to, the draft was +prepared, and only the signatures were wanting, when a large +reinforcement of Europeans arrived from Bombay, and the Admiral +received formal notification of the declaration of war, and orders +from the Admiralty to attack the French.[33] This put an immediate +end to negotiations, and the envoys were instructed to return to +Chandernagore. At the same time the English determined to try and +prevent the Nawab from joining the French. + +Whilst the Admiral was making up his mind fortune had favoured the +English. The Nawab, in fear of an invasion of Bengal by the Pathans, +had called upon the British for assistance, and on the 3rd of March +Clive's army left Calcutta _en route_ for Murshidabad. The Admiral +now pointed out to the Nawab that the British could not safely leave +Chandernagore behind them in the hands of an enemy, and Clive wrote +to the same effect, saying he would wait near Chandernagore for a +reply. On the 10th of March the Nawab wrote a letter to the Admiral, +which concluded with the following significant words:-- + + "You have understanding and generosity: if your enemy + with an upright heart claims your protection, you will give + him life, but then you must be _well_ satisfied of the innocence + of his intentions: if not, whatever you think right, that do." + +Law says this letter was a forgery,[34] but as the Nawab did not +write any letters himself, the only test of authenticity was his +seal, which was duly attached. The English believed it to be +genuine, and the words quoted could have but one meaning. Admiral +Watson read them as a permission to attack the French without fear +of the Nawab's interference. He prepared to support Clive as soon as +the water in the Hugli would allow his ships to pass up, and, it +must be supposed, informed Clive of the letter he had received. At +any rate, he so informed the Council. + +Clive reached Chandernagore on the 12th, and probably heard on that +day or the next from Calcutta. On the 13th he sent the following +summons--which Renault does not mention, and did not reply to--to +Chandernagore:-- + + "SIR, + + "The King of Great Britain having declared war + against France, I summons you in his name to surrender the + Fort of Chandernagore. In case of refusal you are to answer + the consequences, and expect to be treated according to the + usage of war in such cases. + + "I have the honour to be, sir, + + "Your most obedient and humble servant, + + "ROBERT CLIVE." + +It is important, in the light of what happened +later, to notice that Clive addresses Renault as a +combatant and the head of the garrison. + +In England we have recently seen men eager to vilify their own +nation. France has produced similar monsters. One of them wrote from +Pondicherry:-- + + "The English having changed their minds on the arrival + of the reinforcement from Bombay, our gentlemen at Chandernagore + prepared to ransom themselves, and they would have + done so at whatever price the ransom had been fixed + provided anything had remained to them. That mode of + agreement could not possibly suit the taste of the English. + It was rejected, and the Council of Chandernagore had + no other resource except to surrender on the best conditions + they could obtain from the generosity of their enemy. This + course was so firmly resolved upon that they gave no + thought to defending themselves. The military insisted only + on firing a single discharge, which they desired the Council + would grant them. It was only the marine and the citizens + who, though they had no vote in the Council, cried out + tumultuously that the Fort must be defended. A plot was + formed to prevent the Director's son, who was ready to carry + the keys of the town to the English camp, from going out. + Suddenly some one fired a musket. The English thought + it was the reply to their summons. They commenced on + their side to fire their artillery, and that was how a defence + which lasted ten whole days was begun." + +How much truth is contained in the above paragraph may be judged by +what has been already stated. It will be sufficient to add that +Clive, receiving no answer to his summons, made a sudden attack on a +small earthwork to the south-west of the fort at 3 A.M. on the 14th +of March. For two whole days then, the English had been in sight of +Chandernagore without attacking. The French ladies had been sent to +Chinsurah and Serampore, so that the defenders had nothing to fear +on their account. Besides the French soldiers and civilians, there +were also about 2000 Moorish troops present, whom Law says he +persuaded the Nawab to send down as soon as the English left +Calcutta. Other accounts say that Renault hired them to assist him. +The Nawab had a strong force at Murshidabad ready to march under one +of his commanders, Rai Durlabh Ram; but the latter had experienced +what even a small English force could do in the night attack on the +Nawab's camp, and was by no means inclined to match himself a second +time against Clive; accordingly, he never got further than five +leagues from Murshidabad. Urgent messages were sent from +Chandernagore as soon as the attack began. M. Law begged of the +Nawab to send reinforcements. Mr. Watts, the English Chief, and all +his party in the _Durbar_, did their utmost to prevent any orders +being issued. The Nawab gave orders which he almost immediately +countermanded. Renault ascribes this to a letter which he says +Clive wrote on the 14th of March, the very day of the attack, +promising the Nawab to leave the French alone, but it is not at all +likely that he did so. It is true Clive had written to this effect +on the 22nd of February; but since then much had happened, and he +was now acting, as he thought and said, with the Nawab's permission. +On the 16th of March he wrote to Nand Kumar, Faujdar[35] of Hugli, +as follows:-- + + "The many deceitful wicked measures that the French + have taken to endeavour to deprive me of the Nawab's + favour (tho' I thank God they have proved in vain, since + his Excellency's friendship towards me is daily increasing) + has long made me look on them as enemies to the English, + but I could no longer stifle my resentment when I found + that ... they dared to oppose the freedom of the English + trade on the Ganges by seizing a boat with an English + _dustuck_,[36] and under English colours that was passing by their + town. I am therefore come to a resolution to attack them. + I am told that some of the Government's forces have been + perswaded under promise of great rewards from the French + to join them against us; I should be sorry, at a time when + I am so happy in his Excellency's favour and friendship, that + I should do any injury to his servants; I am therefore to + desire you will send these forces an order to withdraw, and + that no other may come to their assistance."[37] + +What Clive feared was that, though the +Nawab might not interfere openly, some of his +servants might receive secret orders to do so, and +on the 22nd of March he wrote even more curtly +to Rai Durlabh himself:-- + + "I hear you are arrived within 20 miles of Hughly. + Whether you come as a friend or an enemy, I know not. If + as the latter, say so at once, and I will send some people out + to fight you immediately.... Now you know my mind."[38] + +When diplomatic correspondence was conducted in letters of this +kind, it is easy to understand that the Nawab was frightened out of +his wits, and absolutely unable to decide what course he should +take. There was little likelihood of the siege being influenced by +anything he might do. + +The outpost mentioned as the object of the first attack was a small +earthwork, erected at the meeting of three roads. It was covered by +the Moorish troops, who held the roofs of the houses around. As the +intention of the outposts was merely to prevent the town from being +surprised, and to enable the inhabitants to take shelter in the +Fort, the outpost ought to have been withdrawn as quickly as +possible, but, probably because they thought it a point of honour +to make a stout defence wherever they were first attacked, +the defenders stood to it gallantly. Renault sent repeated +reinforcements, first the company of grenadiers, then at 9 o'clock +the company of artillery, and at 10 o'clock, when the surrounding +houses were in flames, and many of the Moors had fled, a company of +volunteers. With these, and a further reinforcement of sixty +sailors, the little fort held out till 7 o'clock in the evening, +when the English, after three fruitless assaults, ceased fire and +withdrew. Street fighting is always confusing, and hence the +following vague description of the day's events from Captain Eyre +Coote's journal:-- + + "Colonel Clive ordered the picquets, with the company's + grenadiers, to march into the French bounds, which is encompassed + with an old ditch,[39] the entrance into it a gateway + with embrasures on the top but no cannons, which the + French evacuated on our people's advancing. As soon as + Captain Lynn, who commanded the party, had taken possession, + he acquainted the Colonel, who ordered Major Kilpatrick + and me, with my company of grenadiers, to join Captain + Lynn, and send him word after we had reconnoitred the + place. On our arrival there we found a party of French was + in possession of a road leading to a redoubt that they had + thrown up close under their fort, where they had a battery + of cannon, and upon our advancing down the road, they fired + some shots at us. We detached some parties through a wood, + and drove them from the road into their batteries with the + loss of some men; we then sent for the Colonel, who, as soon + as he joined us, sent to the camp for more troops. We + continued firing at each other in an irregular manner till + about noon, at which time the Colonel ordered me to continue + with my grenadier company and about 200 sepoys at the + advance post, and that he would go with the rest of our + troops to the entrance, which was about a mile back. About + 2 o'clock word was brought me that the French were making + a sortie. Soon after, I perceived the sepoys retiring from + their post, upon which I sent to the Colonel to let him know + the French were coming out. I was then obliged to divide + my company, which consisted of about 50 men, into 2 or 3 + parties (very much against my inclination) to take possession + of the ground the sepoys had quitted. We fired pretty + warmly for a quarter of an hour from the different parties + at each other, when the French retreated again into their + battery. On this occasion I had a gentleman (Mr. Tooke[40]), + who was a volunteer, killed, and 2 of my men wounded. + The enemy lost 5 or 6 Europeans and some blacks. I got + close under the battery, and was tolerably well sheltered by + an old house, where I continued firing till about 7 o'clock, + at which time I was relieved, and marched back to camp." + +The defenders were much exhausted, as well by the fighting as by the +smoke and heat from the burning houses and the heat of the weather, +for it was almost the hottest season of the year. It seemed probable +that the English would make another attack during the night, and as +the defenders already amounted to a very large portion of the +garrison, it was almost impossible to reinforce them without +leaving the Fort itself in great danger, if Clive managed to +approach it from any other quarter. Renault called a council of war, +and, after taking the opinion of his officers in writing to the +effect that the outposts must be abandoned, he withdrew the +defenders at 9 o'clock, under cover of the darkness: The French had +suffered a loss of only 10 men killed and wounded. Clive mentions +that, at the same time, all the other outposts and batteries, except +those on the river side, were withdrawn. + +Mustering his forces in the Fort, Renault found them to be composed +of 237 soldiers (of whom 117 were deserters from the British), 120 +sailors, 70 half-castes and private Europeans, 100 persons employed +by the Company, 167 Sepoys and 100 _Topasses_. Another French +account puts the total of the French garrison at 489, but this +probably excludes many of the private people.[41] + +On the 15th the English established themselves in the town, and +drove out the Moors who had been stationed on the roofs of the +houses. This gave them to some extent the command of the interior of +the Fort, but no immediate attack was made on the latter. A French +account[42] says this was because-- + + "all their soldiers were drunk with the wine they had found + in the houses. Unfortunately we did not know of this. It + would have been the moment to make a sortie, of which the + results must have been favourable to us, the enemy being + incapable of defence." + +During the night of the 15th the Fort was bombarded, and on the +morning of the 16th the British completed the occupation of the +houses deserted by the Moors. The latter not being received into the +Fort, either fled or were sent away. They betook themselves to Nand +Kumar, the Faujdar of Hugli, announcing the capture of the town. +Nand Kumar, who is said to have had an understanding with the +British, sent on the message to Rai Durlabh and the Nawab, with the +malicious addition that the Fort, if it had not already fallen, +would fall before Rai Durlabh could reach it. This put an end to all +chance of the Nawab interfering. + +The French spent the day in blocking a narrow passage formed by a +sandbank in the river, a short distance below the town. They sank-- + + "four large ships and a hulk,... and had a chain and boom + across in order to prevent our going up with the squadron. + Captain Toby sent his 2nd lieutenant, Mr. Bloomer, that night, + who cut the chain and brought off a sloop that buoyed it up."[43] + +It was apparently this rapid attack on the position that accounts +for the timidity of the pilots and boatmen, who, Renault tells us, +hurried away without staying to sink two other ships which were half +laden, and which, if sunk, would have completely blocked the +passage. Even on the ships which were sunk the masts had been left +standing, so as to point out their position to the enemy. + +Besides the ships sunk in the passage, there were at Chandernagore +the French East Indiaman the _Saint Contest_ (Captain de la Vigne +Buisson), four large ships, and several small ones. The French +needed all the sailors for the Fort, so they sank all the vessels +they could not send up the river except three, which it was supposed +they intended to use as fire-ships. + +Clive, in the meantime, was advancing cautiously, his men erecting +batteries, which seemed to be very easily silenced by the superior +gunnery of the Fort. His object was partly to weary out the garrison +by constant fighting, and partly to creep round to the river face, +so as to be in a position to take the batteries which commanded the +narrow river passage, as soon as Admiral Watson was ready to attack +the Fort. Later on, the naval officers asserted he could not have +taken the Fort without the assistance of the fleet. He said he +could, and it is certain that if he had had no fleet to assist him +his mode of attack would have been a very different one. + +Early in the siege the French were warned from Chinsurah to beware +of treachery amongst the deserters in their pay, and on the 17th of +March a number of arrows were found in the Fort with labels +attached, bearing the words:-- + + "Pardon to deserters who will rejoin their colours, and + rewards to officers who will come over to us." + +These were seized by the officers before the men could see them, but +one of the officers themselves, Charles Cossard de Terraneau, a +sub-lieutenant of the garrison, took advantage of the offer to go +over to the English. This officer had served with credit in the +South of India, and had lost an arm in his country's service. The +reason of his desertion is said to have been a quarrel with M. +Renault. M. Raymond, the translator of a native history of the time +by Gholam Husain Khan,[44] tells a story of De Terraneau which seems +improbable. It is to the effect that he betrayed the secret of the +river passage to Admiral Watson, and that a few years later he sent +home part of the reward of his treachery to his father in France. +The old man returned the money with indignant comments on his son's +conduct, and De Terraneau committed suicide in despair. As a matter +of fact, De Terraneau was a land officer,[45] and therefore not +likely to be able to advise the Admiral, who, as we shall see, +solved the riddle of the passage in a perfectly natural manner, and +the Probate Records show that De Terraneau lived till 1765, and in +his will left his property to his wife Ann, so the probability is +that he lived and died quietly in the British service. His only +trouble seems to have been to get himself received by his new +brother officers. However, he was, so Clive tells us, the only +artillery officer the French had, and his desertion was a very +serious matter. Renault writes:-- + + "The same night, by the improved direction of the + besiegers' bombs, I had no doubt but that he had done us + a bad service." + +On the 18th the French destroyed a battery which the English had +established near the river, and drove them out of a house opposite +the south-east bastion. The same day the big ships of the +squadron--the _Kent_ (Captain Speke), the _Tyger_ (Captain Latham), +and the _Salisbury_ (Captain Martin), appeared below the town. The +_Bridgewater_ and _Kingfisher_ had come up before. Admiral Watson +was on board the _Kent_, and Admiral Pocock on the _Tyger_. The +fleet anchored out of range of the Fort at the Prussian Gardens, a +mile and a half below the town, and half a mile below the narrow +passage in which the ships had been sunk. + +On the 19th Admiral Watson formally announced the declaration of +war,[46] and summoned the Fort to surrender. The Governor called a +council of war, in which there was much difference of opinion. Some +thought the Admiral would not have come so far without his being +certain of his ability to force the passage; indeed the presence of +so many deserters in the garrison rendered it probable that he had +secret sources of information. As a matter of fact, it was only when +Lieutenant Hey, the officer who had brought the summons, and, in +doing so, had rowed between the masts of the sunken vessels, +returned to the _Kent_, that Admiral Watson knew the passage was +clear. Renault and the Council were aware that the Fort could not +resist the big guns of the ships, and accordingly the more +thoughtful members of the council of war determined, if possible, to +try and avoid fighting by offering a ransom. This apparently gave +rise to the idea that they wished to surrender, and an English +officer says:-- + + "Upon the Admiral's sending them a summons ... to + surrender, they were very stout; they gave us to understand + there were two parties in the Factory, the Renaultions and + the anti-Renaultions. The former, which they called the + great-wigg'd gentry, or councillors, were for giving up the + Fort, but the others vowed they would die in the breach. To + these high and lofty expressions the Admiral could give no + other answer than that in a very few days, or hours perhaps, + he would give them a very good opportunity of testifying + their zeal for the Company and the Grand Monarque." + +The offer of ransom was made, and was refused by the Admiral. +Renault says, he-- + + "insisted on our surrendering and the troops taking possession + of the Fort, _promising, however, that every one should keep his + own property_. There was not a man amongst us who did not + prefer to run the risk of whatever might happen to surrendering + in this fashion, without the Fort having yet suffered any + material damage, and every one was willing to risk his own + interests in order to defend those of the Company. Every + one swore to do his best." + +The Admiral could not attack at once, owing to the state of the +river, but to secure his own position against any counter-attack, +such as was very likely with a man like Captain de la Vigne in the +Fort, he sent up boats the same night, and sank the vessels which it +was supposed the French intended to use as fire-ships; and the next +day Mr. John Delamotte, master of the _Kent_, under a heavy fire, +sounded and buoyed the passage for the ships. + +The army, meanwhile, continued its monotonous work ashore, the +soldiers building batteries for the French to knock to pieces, but +succeeding in Clive's object, which was "to keep the enemy +constantly awake."[47] Sometimes this work was dangerous, as, for +instance, on the 21st, when a ball from the Fort knocked down a +verandah close to one of the English batteries, "the rubbish of +which choked up one of our guns, very much bruised two artillery +officers, and buried several men in the ruins."[48] + +By the 22nd Clive had worked his way round to the river, and was +established to the north-east and south-east of the Fort so as to +assist the Admiral, and on the river the Admiral had at last got the +high tide he was waiting for. Surgeon Ives tells the story as +follows:[49]-- + + "The Admiral the same evening ordered lights to be + placed on the masts of the vessels that had been sunk, with + blinds towards the Fort, that we might see how to pass + between them a little before daylight, and without being + discovered by the enemy. + + "At length the glorious morning of the 23rd of March + arrived." Clive's men gallantly stormed the battery covering + the narrow pass,[50] "and upon the ships getting under sail the + Colonel's battery, which had been finished behind a dead + wall," to take off the fire of the Fort when the ships passed + up, began firing away, and had almost battered down the + corner of the south-east bastion before the ships arrived + within shot of the Fort. "The _Tyger_, with Admiral Pocock's + flag flying, took the lead, and about 6 o'clock in the morning + got very well into her station against the north-east bastion. + The _Kent_, with Admiral Watson's flag flying, quickly followed + her, but before she could reach her proper station, the tide of + ebb unfortunately made down the river, which occasioned her + anchor to drag, so that before she brought up she had fallen + abreast of the south-east bastion, the place where the _Salisbury_ + should have been, and from her mainmast aft she was exposed + to the flank guns of the south-west bastion also. The accident + of the _Kent's_ anchor not holding fast, and her driving down + into the _Salisbury's_ station, threw this last ship out of action, + to the great mortification of the captain, officers, and crew, + for she never had it in her power to fire a gun, unless it was + now and then, when she could sheer on the tide. The French, + during the whole time of the _Kent_ and _Tyger's_ approach + towards the Fort, kept up a terrible cannonade upon them, + without any resistance on their part; but as soon as the + ships came properly to an anchor they returned it with such + fury as astonished their adversaries. Colonel Clive's troops + at the same time got into those houses which were nearest + the Fort, and from thence greatly annoyed the enemy with + their musketry. Our ships lay so near to the Fort that the + musket balls fired from their tops, by striking against the + _chunam_[51] walls of the Governor's palace, which was in + the very centre of the Fort, were beaten as flat as a half-crown. + The fire now became general on both sides, and was + kept up with extraordinary spirit. The flank guns of the + south-west bastion galled the _Kent_ very much, and the + Admiral's aide-de-camps being all wounded, Mr. Watson went + down himself to Lieutenant William Brereton, who commanded + the lower deck battery, and ordered him particularly + to direct his fire against those guns, and they were accordingly + soon afterwards silenced. At 8 in the morning + several of the enemy's shot struck the _Kent_ at the same + time; one entered near the foremast, and set fire to two or + three 32-pound cartridges of gunpowder, as the boys held + them in their hands ready to charge the guns. By the explosion, + the wad-nets and other loose things took fire between + decks, and the whole ship was so filled with smoke that the + men, in their confusion, cried out she was on fire in the + gunner's store-room, imagining from the shock they had + felt from the balls that a shell had actually fallen into her. + This notion struck a panic into the greater part of the crew, + and 70 or 80 jumped out of the port-holes into the boats + that were alongside the ship. The French presently saw + this confusion on board the _Kent_, and, resolving to take the + advantage, kept up as hot a fire as possible upon her during + the whole time. Lieutenant Brereton, however, with the + assistance of some other brave men, soon extinguished the + fire, and then running to the ports, he begged the seamen to + come in again, upbraiding them for deserting their quarters; + but finding this had no effect upon them, he thought the + more certain method of succeeding would be to strike them + with a sense of shame, and therefore loudly exclaimed, 'Are + you Britons? You Englishmen, and fly from danger? For + shame! For shame!' This reproach had the desired effect; + to a man they immediately returned into the ship, repaired + to their quarters, and renewed a spirited fire on the enemy. + + "In about three hours from the commencement of the + attack the parapets of the north and south bastions were + almost beaten down; the guns were mostly dismounted, and + we could plainly see from the main-top of the _Kent_ that the + ruins from the parapet and merlons had entirely blocked up + those few guns which otherwise might have been fit for + service. We could easily discern, too, that there had been + a great slaughter among the enemy, who, finding that our + fire against them rather increased, hung out the white flag, + whereupon a cessation of hostilities took place, and the + Admiral sent Lieutenant Brereton (the only commissioned + officer on board the _Kent_ that was not killed or wounded) + and Captain Coote of the King's regiment with a flag of truce + to the Fort, who soon returned, accompanied by the French + Governor's son, with articles of capitulation, which being + settled by the Admiral and Colonel, we soon after took possession + of the place." + +So far then from the besiegers' side; Renault's description of the +fight is as follows:-- + + "The three largest vessels, aided by the high-water of + the equinoctial tides, which, moreover, had moved the vessels + sunk in the narrow passage, passed over the sunken ships, + which did not delay them for a moment, to within half + pistol shot of the Fort, and opened fire at 6 a.m. Then the + troops in the battery on the bank of the Ganges, who had + so far fired only one discharge, suddenly found themselves + overwhelmed with the fire from the tops of the ships, + abandoned it, and had much difficulty in gaining the Fort.... + I immediately sent the company of grenadiers, with a detachment + of the artillery company as reinforcements, to the + south-eastern bastion and the Bastion du Pavillon, which two + bastions face the Ganges; but those troops under the fire of + the ships, joined to that of the land batteries, _rebuilt the + same night_, and of more than 3000 men placed on the roofs + of houses which overlooked the Fort, almost all took flight, + leaving two of their officers behind, one dead and the other + wounded. I was obliged to send immediately all the marine + and the inhabitants from the other posts. + + "The attack was maintained with vigour from 6 a.m. to + 10.30, when all the batteries were covered with dead and + wounded, the guns dismounted, and the merlons destroyed, + in spite of their being strengthened with bales of cloth. No + one could show himself on the bastions, demolished by the + fire of more than 100 guns; the troops were terrified during + this attack by the loss of all the gunners and of nearly + 200 men; the bastions were undermined, and threatened to + crumble away and make a breach, which the exhaustion of + our people, and the smallness of the number who remained, + made it impossible for us to hope to defend successfully. + Not a soldier would put his hand to a gun; it was only the + European marine who stood to their duty, and half of these + were already killed or disabled. A body of English troops, + lying flat on the ground behind the screen which we had commenced + to erect on the bank of the Ganges, was waiting the + signal to attack. Seeing the impossibility of holding out longer, + I thought that in the state in which the Fort was I could not + in prudence expose it to an assault. Consequently I hoisted + the white flag and ordered the drums to beat a parley." + +According to an account written later by a person who was not +present at the siege, Renault lost his Fort by a quarter of an hour. +This writer says the tide was rapidly falling, and, had the eastern +defences of the Fort been able to resist a little longer, the ships +would have found their lower tiers of guns useless, and might have +been easily destroyed by the French. Suppositions of this kind +always suppose a stupidity on the part of the enemy which Renault +had no right to count upon. Admiral Watson must have known the +strength of the fortress he was about to attack before he placed +his ships in a position from which it would be impossible to +withdraw them whenever he wished to do so. + +The flag of truce being displayed, Captain Eyre Coote was sent +ashore, and returned in a quarter of an hour with the Governor's son +bearing "a letter concerning the delivery of the place." Articles +were agreed upon, and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon Captain +Coote, with a company of artillery and two companies of grenadiers, +took possession of the Fort. Before this took place there occurred +an event the consequences of which were very unfortunate for the +French. Everything was in a state of confusion, and the deserters, +who formed the majority of the garrison, expecting no mercy from the +Admiral and Clive, determined to escape. Rushing tumultuously to the +Porte Royale, their arms in their hands, they forced it to be opened +to them, and, finding the northern road to Chinsurah unguarded, made +the best of their way in that direction. They were accompanied by a +number of the military and marine, as well as by some of the +Company's servants and private persons who were determined not to +surrender. As all this took place after the hoisting of the white +flag and pending the conclusion of the capitulation, the English +considered it a breach of the laws of warfare, and when later on +the meaning of the capitulation itself was contested they absolutely +refused to listen to any of the representations of the French. In +all about 150 persons left the Fort. They had agreed to reassemble +at a place a little above Hugli. The English sent a small force +after them, who shot some and captured others, but about 80 officers +and men arrived at the rendezvous in safety. The pursuit, however, +was carried further, and Law writes:-- + + "Constantly pursued, they had to make forced marches. + Some lost their way; others, wearied out, were caught as they + stopped to rest themselves. However, when I least expected + it, I was delighted to see the officers and many of the soldiers + arrive in little bands of 5 and 6, all naked, and so worn out + that they could hardly hold themselves upright. Most of + them had lost their arms." + +This reinforcement increased Law's garrison from 10 or 12 men to 60, +and secured the safety of his person, but the condition of the +fugitives must have been an object lesson to the Nawab and his +_Durbar_ which it was not wise for the French to set before them. A +naval officer writes:-- + + "From the letters that have lately passed between the + Nawab and us, we have great reason to hope he will not + screen the French at all at Cossimbazar or Dacca. I only + wish the Colonel does not alarm him too much, by moving + with the army to the northward, I do assure you he is so + sufficiently frightened that he had rather encounter the new + Mogul[52] himself than accept our assistance, though he strenuously + begged for it about three weeks ago. He writes word + he needs no fuller assurance of our friendship for him, when + a single letter brought us so far on the road to Murshidabad + as Chandernagore."[53] + +The escape of the French from Chandernagore is of interest, as it +shows the extraordinary condition of the country. It is probable +that the peasantry and gentry were indifferent as to whether the +English or the French were victorious, whilst the local authorities +were so paralyzed by the Nawab's hesitation that they did not know +which side to assist. Later on we shall find that small parties, and +even solitary Frenchmen, wandered through the country with little or +no interference, though the English had been recognized as the +friends and allies of the new Nawab, Mir Jafar. + +To return, however, to Renault and the garrison of Chandernagore. +The capitulation proposed by Renault and the Admiral's answers were +to the following effect:-- + +1. The lives of the deserters to be spared. _Answer_. The deserters +to surrender absolutely. + +2. Officers of the garrison to be prisoners on parole, and allowed +to keep their effects. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +3. Soldiers of the garrison to be prisoners of war. _Answer_. Agreed +to, on condition that foreigners may enter the English service. + +4. Sepoys of the garrison to be set free. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +5. Officers and crew of the French Company's ship to be sent to +Pondicherry. _Answer_. These persons to be prisoners of war +according to articles 2 and 3. + +6. The Jesuit fathers to be allowed to practise their religion and +retain their property. _Answer_. No European to be allowed to remain +at Chandernagore, but the fathers to be allowed to retain their +property. + +7. All inhabitants to retain their property. _Answer_. This to be +left to the Admiral's sense of equity. + +8. The French Factories up-country to be left in the hands of their +present chiefs. _Answer_. This to be settled by the Nawab and the +Admiral. + +9. The French Company's servants to go where they please, with their +clothes and linen. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +It is evident that the capitulation was badly drawn up. Civilians +who had taken part in the defence, as had all the Company's +servants, might be justly included in the garrison, and accordingly +Admiral Watson and Clive declared they were all prisoners of war, +and that article 9 merely permitted them to reside where they +pleased on _parole_. On the other hand, Renault and the French +Council declared that, being civilians, nothing could make them part +of the garrison, and therefore under article 9 they might do what +they pleased. Accordingly, they expressed much surprise when they +were stopped at the Fort gates by one of Clive's officers, and +forced to sign, before they were allowed to pass, a paper promising +not to act against Britain directly or indirectly during the course +of the war. + +Another point of difficulty was in reference to article 7. The town +had been in the hands of the British soldiers and sepoys for days. +Much had been plundered, and both soldiers and sailors were wild for +loot. They considered that the Admiral was acting unjustly to them +in restoring their property to civilians who had been offered the +chance of retaining it if they would avoid unnecessary bloodshed by +a prompt surrender. Instead of this, the defence was so desperate +that one officer writes:-- + + "Our losses have been very great, and we have never + yet obtained a victory at so dear a rate. Perhaps you will + hear of few instances where two ships have met with heavier + damage than the _Kent_ and _Tyger_ in this engagement."[54] + +Clive's total loss was only about 40 men killed and wounded, but +the loss on the ships was so great, that before the Fort surrendered +the besiegers had lost quite as many men as the besieged, and it was +by no means clear to the common mind what claim the French had to +leniency. Even English officers wrote:-- + + "The Messieurs themselves deserve but little mercy from + us for their mean behaviour in setting fire to so many bales + of cloth and raw silk in the Fort but a very few minutes + before we entered, and it grieves us much, to see such a + number of stout and good vessels sunk with their whole + cargoes far above the Fort, which is a great loss to us and + no profit to them. Those indeed below, to hinder our passage + were necessary, the others were _merely through mischief_. + But notwithstanding this they scarcely ask a favour from + the Admiral but it is granted." + +The result was that the soldiers on guard began to beat the coolies +who were helping the French to secure their goods, until they were +induced by gifts to leave them alone, and much plundering went on +when the soldiers could manage to escape notice. On one day three +black soldiers were executed, and on another Sergeant Nover[55] and +a private soldier of the 39th Regiment were condemned to death, for +breaking open the Treasury and stealing 3000 rupees. Another theft, +which was not traced, was the holy vessels and treasure of the +Church. + +Many individual Frenchmen were ruined. Of one of these Surgeon Ives +narrates the following pleasing incident:-- + + "It happened unfortunately ... that Monsieur Nicolas, + a man of most amiable character, and the father of a large + family, had not been so provident as the rest of his countrymen + in securing his effects within the Fort, but had left them + in the town; consequently, upon Colonel Clive's first taking + possession of the place, they had all been plundered by our + common soldiers; and the poor gentleman and his family + were to all appearance ruined. The generous and humane + Captain Speke,[56] having heard of the hard fate of Monsieur + Nicolas, took care to represent it to the two admirals in all + its affecting circumstances, who immediately advanced the + sum of 1500 rupees each. Their example was followed by + the five captains of the squadron, who subscribed 5000 + between them. Mr. Doidge added 800 more, and the same + sum was thrown in by another person who was a sincere well-wisher + to this unfortunate gentleman; so that a present of + 9600 rupees, or £1200 sterling was in a few minutes collected + towards the relief of this valuable Frenchman and his + distressed family. One of the company was presently + despatched with this money, who had orders to acquaint + Monsieur Nicolas that a few of his English friends desired + his acceptance of it, as a small testimony of the very high + esteem they had for his moral character, and of their + unfeigned sympathy with him in his misfortunes. The poor + gentleman, quite transported by such an instance of generosity + in an enemy, cried out in a sort of ecstasy, 'Good God, + they axe friends indeed!' He accepted of the present with + great thankfulness, and desired that his most grateful + acknowledgements might be made to his unknown benefactors, + for whose happiness and the happiness of their + families, not only his, but the prayers of his children's + children, he hoped, would frequently be presented to heaven. + He could add no more; the tears, which ran plentifully down + his cheeks, bespoke the feelings of his heart: and, indeed, + implied much more than even Cicero with all his powers of + oratory could possibly have expressed." + +This, however, was but a solitary instance; the state of the French +was, as a rule, wretched in the extreme, and Renault wrote:-- + + "The whole colony is dispersed, and the inhabitants are + seeking an asylum, some--the greatest part--have gone to + Chinsurah, others to the Danes and to Calcutta. This + dispersion being caused by the misery to which our countrymen + are reduced, their poverty, which I cannot relieve, + draws tears from my eyes, the more bitter that I have seen + them risk their lives so generously for the interests of the + Company, and of our nation." + +In such circumstances there was but one consolation possible to +brave men--the knowledge that, in the eyes of friend and foe, they +had done their duty. The officers of the British army and navy all +spoke warmly of the gallant behaviour of the French, and the +historian Broome, himself a soldier and the chronicler of many a +brave deed, expresses himself as follows:-- + + "The conduct of the French on this occasion was most + creditable and well worthy the acknowledged gallantry of + that nation. Monsieur Renault, the Governor, displayed + great courage and determination: but the chief merit of the + defence was due to Monsieur Devignes" (Captain de la + Vigne Buisson), "commander of the French Company's ship, + _Saint Contest_. He took charge of the bastions, and directed + their fire with great skill and judgment, and by his own + example inspired energy and courage into all those around + him." + +Renault himself found some consolation in the gallant behaviour of +his sons. + + "In my misfortune I have had the satisfaction to see my + two sons distinguish themselves in the siege with all the + courage and intrepidity which I could desire. The elder + brother was in the Company's service, and served as a + volunteer; the younger, an officer in the army, was, as has + been said above, commandant of the volunteers." + +Others who are mentioned by Renault and his companions as having +distinguished themselves on the French side, were the Councillors +MM. Caillot, Nicolas, and Picques, Captain de la Vigne Buisson and +his son and officers, M. Sinfray (secretary to the Council), the +officers De Kalli[57] and Launay, the Company's servants Matel, Le +Conte Dompierre, Boissemont and Renault de St. Germain, the private +inhabitant Renault de la Fuye, and the two supercargoes of Indiamen +Delabar and Chambon. Caillot (or Caillaud) was wounded. The +official report of the loss of Chandernagore was drawn up on the +29th of March, 1757. The original is in the French Archives, and +Caillaud's signature shows that he was still suffering from his +wound. Sinfray we shall come across again. He joined Law at +Cossimbazar and accompanied him on his first retreat to Patna. Sent +back by Law, he joined Siraj-ud-daula, and commanded the small +French contingent at Plassey. When the battle was lost he took +refuge in Birbhum, was arrested by the Raja, and handed over to the +English. + +The immediate gain to the English by the capture of Chandernagore +was immense. Clive wrote to the Select Committee at Madras:-- + + "I cannot at present give you an account to what value + has been taken;[58] the French Company had no great stock + of merchandize remaining, having sold off most of their + Imports and even their investment for Europe to pay in part + the large debts they had contracted. With respect to the + artillery and ammunition ... they were not indifferently + furnished: there is likewise a very fine marine arsenal well + stocked. In short nothing could have happened more + seasonable for the expeditious re-establishment of Calcutta + than the reduction of Charnagore" (i.e. Chandernagore). "It + was certainly a large, rich and thriving colony, and the loss + of it is an inexpressible blow to the French Company."[59] + +The French gentlemen, after having signed under protest the document +presented to them by Clive, betook themselves to Chinsurah, where +they repudiated their signatures as having been extorted by force, +subsequent to, and contrary to, the capitulation. They proceeded to +communicate with Pondicherry, their up-country Factories, and the +native Government; they also gave assistance to French soldiers who +had escaped from Chandernagore. Clive and the Calcutta Council were +equally determined to interpret the capitulation in their own way, +and sent Renault an order, through M. Bisdom, the Dutch Director, to +repair to the British camp. Renault refused, and when Clive sent a +party of sepoys for him and the other councillors, they appealed to +M. Bisdom for the protection of the Dutch flag. M. Bisdom informed +them somewhat curtly that they had come to him without his +invitation, that he had no intention of taking any part in their +quarrels, that he would not give them the protection of his flag to +enable them to intrigue against the English, and, in short, +requested them to leave Dutch territory. As it was evident that the +British were prepared to use force, Renault and the Council gave in, +and were taken to Calcutta, where, for some time, they were kept +close prisoners. It was not till the Nawab had been overthrown at +Plassey, that they were absolutely released, and even then it was +only that they might prepare for their departure from Bengal. +Renault surmises, quite correctly, that this severity was probably +due to the fear that they would assist the Nawab. + +The following incident during Renault's captivity shows how little +could be expected from the Nawab towards a friend who was no longer +able to be of use to him. After the capture of Chandernagore the +English Council called on the Nawab to surrender the French +up-country Factories to them. Siraj-ud-daula had not even yet +learned the folly of his double policy. On the 4th of April he wrote +to Clive:-- + + "I received your letter and observe what you desire in + regard to the French factories and other goods. I address + you seeing you are a man of wisdom and knowledge, and + well acquainted with the customs and trade of the world; + and you must know that the French by the permission and + _phirmaund_[60] of the King[61] have built them several factories, + and carried on their trade in this kingdom. I cannot + therefore without hurting my character and exposing + myself to trouble hereafter, deliver up their factories and + goods, unless I have a written order from them for so doing, + and I am perswaded that from your friendship for me you + would never be glad at anything whereby my fame would + suffer; as I on my part am ever desirous of promoting" [yours]. + + "Mr. Renault, the French. Governor being in your power, if + you could get from him a paper under his own hand and + seal to this purpose; 'That of his own will and pleasure, he + thereby gave up to the English Company's servants, and + empowered them to receive all the factories, money and + goods belonging to the French Company without any hindrance + from the Nawab's people;' and would send this to + me, I should be secured by that from any trouble hereafter + on this account. But it is absolutely necessary you come + to some agreement about the King's duties arising from the + French trade.... I shall then be able to answer to his + servants 'that in order to make good the duties accruing + from the French trade I had delivered up their factories + into the hands of the English.'"[62] + +Clive replied on the 8th of April:-- + + "Now that I have granted terms to Mr. Renault, and + that he is under my protection, it is contrary to our custom, + after this, to use violence; and without it how would he ever + of his own will and pleasure, write to desire you to deliver + up his master's property. Weigh the justice of this in your + own mind. Notwithstanding we have reduced the French + so low you, contrary to your own interest and the treaty + you have made with us, that my enemies should be yours, + you still support and encourage them. But should you + think it would hurt your character to deliver up the French + factories and goods, your Excellency need only signify to me + your approbation and I will march up and take them."[63] + +The more we study the records of the time, the more clearly we +realize the terrible determination of Clive's character, and we +almost feel a kind of pity for the weak creatures who found +themselves opposed to him, until we come across incidents like the +above, which show the depths of meanness to which they were prepared +to descend. + +As to Renault's further career little is known, and that little we +should be glad to forget. Placed in charge of the French Settlement +at Karical, he surrendered, on the 5th of April, 1760, to what was +undoubtedly an overwhelming British force, but after so poor a +defence that he was brought before a Court Martial and cashiered. It +speaks highly for the respect in which he had been held by both +nations that none of the various reports and accounts of the siege +mention him by name. Even Lally, who hated the French Civilians, +though he says he deserved death,[64] only refers to him indirectly +as being the same officer of the Company who had surrendered +Chandernagore to Clive. + +We shall now pass to what went on in Siraj-ud-daula's Court and +capital. + + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 12: Journal of M. d'Albert.] + +[Footnote 13: Evidently the Parish Church of St. Louis. Eyre Coote +tells us the French had four guns mounted on its roof.] + +[Footnote 14: In early accounts of India the Muhammadans are always +called _Moors_; the Hindus, _Gentoos_ or _Gentiles_. The _Topasses_ +were Portuguese half-castes, generally employed, even by native +princes, as gunners.] + +[Footnote 15: Captain Broome says there were fifty European ladies +in the Fort. The French accounts say they all retired, previous to +the siege, to Chinsurah and Serampore.] + +[Footnote 16: Captain, afterwards Sir, Eyre Coote.] + +[Footnote 17: The fullest account is one by Renault, dated October +26, 1758.] + +[Footnote 18: The only one, excepting the battle of Biderra, between +the English and Dutch.] + +[Footnote 19: Governor of Pondicherry and President of the Superior +Council.] + +[Footnote 20: Eyre Coote, in his "Journal," mentions an old ditch, +which surrounded the settlement.] + +[Footnote 21: One hundred toises, or 600 feet; but Eyre Coote says +330 yards, the difference probably due to the measurement excluding +or including the outworks.] + +[Footnote 22: Tanks, or artificial ponds, in Bengal are often of +great size. I have seen some a quarter of a mile long.] + +[Footnote 23: Letter to M. de Montorcin, Chandernagore, August 1 +1756. Signature lost.] + +[Footnote 24: The Nawab, in July, 1756, extorted three lakhs from +the French and even more from the Dutch.] + +[Footnote 25: British Museum. Additional MS. 20,914.] + +[Footnote 26: A kind of fibre used in making bags and other coarse +materials.] + +[Footnote 27: Surgeon Ives's Journal.] + +[Footnote 28: Letter to De Montorcin.] + +[Footnote 29: Both English and French use this word "inhabitant" to +signify any resident who was not official, military, or in the +seafaring way.] + +[Footnote 30: This he did through the Armenian Coja Wajid, a wealthy +merchant of Hugli, who advised the Nawab on European affairs. +_Letter from Coja Wajid to Clive, January 17, 1757_.] + +[Footnote 31: A French doctor, who has left an account of the +Revolutions in Bengal, says there were eight outposts, and that the +loss of one would have involved the loss of all the others, as they +could be immediately cut off from the Fort, from which they were too +distant to be easily reinforced. The doctor does not sign his name, +but he was probably one of the six I mentioned above. Their names +were Haillet (doctor), La Haye (surgeon-major), Du Cap (second), Du +Pré (third), Droguet (fourth), and St. Didier (assistant).] + +[Footnote 32: M. Vernet, the Dutch Chief at Cossimbazar, wrote to +the Dutch Director at Chinsurah that he could obtain a copy of this +treaty from the Nawab's secretaries, if he wished for it.] + +[Footnote 33: See page 79 (and note).] + +[Footnote 34: See note, p. 89.] + +[Footnote 35: Governor.] + +[Footnote 36: A document authorising the free transit of certain +goods, and their exemption from custom dues, in favour of English +traders.--_Wilson_.] + +[Footnote 37: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2744, No. 71.] + +[Footnote 38: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2750, No. 83.] + +[Footnote 39: Still visible, I believe, in parts. The gateway +certainly exists.] + +[Footnote 40: Mr. Tooke was a Company's servant. He had +distinguished himself in the defence of Calcutta in 1756, when he +was wounded, and, being taken on board the ships, escaped the +dreadful ordeal of the Black Hole.] + +[Footnote 41: Neither of these accounts agree with the Capitulation +Returns.] + +[Footnote 42: British Museum. Addl. MS. 20,914.] + +[Footnote 43: Remarks on board His Majesty's ship _Tyger_, March +15th.] + +[Footnote 44: His maternal grandfather was a cousin of Aliverdi +Khan.] + +[Footnote 45: Malleson explains this by saying that De Terraneau was +employed in the blocking up of the passage, but the story hardly +needs contradiction.] + +[Footnote 46: This announcement seems superfluous after fighting had +been going on for several days, but it simply shows the friction +between the naval and military services.] + +[Footnote 47: Clive's journal for March 16th. Fort St. George, Sel. +Com. Cons., 28th April, 1757.] + +[Footnote 48: Eyre Coote's journal.] + +[Footnote 49: The passages interpolated are on the authority of a +MS. in the Orme Papers, entitled "News from Bengal."] + +[Footnote 50: Accounts of this detail differ. One says it was +stormed on the 21st, but if so the French would have been more on +their guard, and would surely have strengthened the second battery +in front of the Fort.] + +[Footnote 51: Lime plaster made extremely hard.] + +[Footnote 52: The Emperor at Delhi, who was supposed to be about to +invade Bengal.] + +[Footnote 53: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. 11.] + +[Footnote 54: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. 10.] + +[Footnote 55: Sergeant Nover was pardoned in consideration of +previous good conduct. _Letter from Clive to Colonel Adlercron, +March_ 29, 1757.] + +[Footnote 56: Captain Speke was seriously and his son mortally +wounded in the attack on Chandernagore.] + +[Footnote 57: I cannot identify this name in the Capitulation +Returns. Possibly he was killed.] + +[Footnote 58: Surgeon Ives says the booty taken was valued at +£130,000.] + +[Footnote 59: Orme MSS. India X., p. 2390. Letter of 30th March, +1757.] + +[Footnote 60: _Firman_, or Imperial Charter.] + +[Footnote 61: The Mogul, Emperor, or King of Delhi, to whom the +Bengal Nawabs were nominally tributary.] + +[Footnote 62: Orme MSS. India XI. pp. 2766-7, No. 111.] + +[Footnote 63: Ibid., p. 2768, No. 112.] + +[Footnote 64: Memoirs of Lally. London, 1766.] + + +[Illustration: MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (_After Rennell_.)] + + + + +CHAPTER III + +M. LAW, CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR + + +A few miles out of Murshidabad, capital of the Nawabs of Bengal +since 1704, when Murshid Kuli Khan transferred his residence from +Dacca to the ancient town of Muxadabad and renamed it after himself, +lay a group of European Factories in the village or suburb of +Cossimbazar.[65] Of these, one only, the English, was fortified; the +others, i.e. the French and Dutch, were merely large houses lying in +enclosures, the walls of which might keep out cattle and wild +animals and even thieves, but were useless as fortifications. In +1756 the Chief of the English Factory, as we have already seen, was +the Worshipful Mr. William Watts; the Dutch factory was under M. +Vernet,[66] and the French under M. Jean Law. The last mentioned was +the elder son of William Law, brother of John Law the financier, +who settled in France, and placed his sons in the French service. +French writers[67] on genealogy have hopelessly mixed up +the two brothers, Jean and Jacques François. Both came to +India, both distinguished themselves, both rose to the rank of +colonel, one by his services to the French East India Company, and +one by the usual promotion of an officer in the King's army. The +only proof that the elder was the Chief of Cossimbazar is to be +found in a few letters, mostly copies, in which his name is given as +Jean or John. As a usual rule he signed himself in the French manner +by his surname only, or as Law of Lauriston. + +His experiences during the four years following the accession of +Siraj-ud-daula were painful and exciting, and he has recorded them +in a journal or memoir[68] which has never yet been published, but +which is of great interest to the student of Indian history. For us +it has the added charm of containing a picture of ourselves painted +by one who, though a foreigner by education, was enabled by his +birth to understand our national peculiarities. In the present +chapter I shall limit myself almost entirely to quotations from this +memoir. + +Law was by no means an admirer of Aliverdi Khan's successor,-- + + "Siraj-ud-daula, a young man of twenty-four or twenty-five,[69] + very common in appearance. Before the death of Aliverdi + Khan the character of Siraj-ud-daula was reported to be one + of the worst ever known. In fact, he had distinguished himself + not only by all sorts of debauchery, but by a revolting + cruelty. The Hindu women are accustomed to bathe on the + banks of the Ganges. Siraj-ud-daula, who was informed by + his spies which of them were beautiful, sent his satellites in + disguise in little boats to carry them off. He was often + seen, in the season when the river overflows, causing the + ferry boats to be upset or sunk in order to have the cruel + pleasure of watching the terrified confusion of a hundred + people at a time, men, women, and children, of whom many, + not being able to swim, were sure to perish. When it + became necessary to get rid of some great lord or minister, + Siraj-ud-daula alone appeared in the business, Aliverdi Khan + retiring to one of his houses or gardens outside the town, so + that he might not hear the cries of the persons whom he was + causing to be killed." + +So bad was the reputation of this young prince, that many persons, +among them Mr. Watts, imagined it impossible that the people would +ever tolerate his accession. The European nations in Bengal had no +regular representatives at the Court of the Nawab; and the Chiefs of +the Factories at Cossimbazar, though now and then admitted to the +_Durbar_, transacted their business mainly through _wakils_, or +native agents, who, of course, had the advantage of knowing the +language and, what was of much greater importance, understood all +those indirect ways in which in Eastern countries one's own business +is forwarded and that of one's rivals thwarted. Then, as now, the +difficulty of dealing with native agents was to induce these agents +to express their own opinions frankly and clearly.[70] So far from +the English Chief being corrected by his _wakil_, we find the +latter, whilst applying to other nobles for patronage and +assistance, studiously refraining from making any application to +Siraj-ud-daula when English business had to be transacted at Court. + +The English went even further:-- + + "On certain occasions they refused him admission into + their factory at Cossimbazar and their country houses, + because, in fact, this excessively blustering and impertinent + young man used to break the furniture, or, if it pleased his + fancy, take it away. But Siraj-ud-daula was not the man + to forget what he regarded as an insult. The day after the + capture of the English fort at Cossimbazar, he was heard to + say in full _Durbar_, 'Behold the English, formerly so proud + that they did not wish to receive me in their houses!' In + short, people knew, long before the death of Aliverdi Khan, + that Siraj-ud-daula was hostile to the English." + +With the French it was different:-- + + "On the other hand, he was very well disposed towards + us. It being our interest to humour him, we had received + him with a hundred times more politeness than he deserved. + By the advice of Rai Durlabh Ram and Mohan Lal, we had + recourse to him in important affairs. Consequently, we + gave him presents from time to time, and this confirmed his + friendship for us. The previous year (1755) had been a + very good one for him, owing to the business connected with + the settlement of the Danes in Bengal. In fact, it was by + his influence that I was enabled to conclude this affair, and + Aliverdi Khan allowed him to retain all the profit from it, + so I can say that I had no bad place in the heart of Siraj-ud-daula. + It is true he was a profligate, but a profligate who + was to be feared, who could be useful to us, _and who might + some day be a good man_. Nawajis Muhammad Khan[71] had + been at least as vicious as Siraj-ud-daula, and yet he had + become the idol of the people." + +Law, therefore, had cultivated the young Nawab. Mr. Watts, on the +other hand, was not only foolish enough to neglect him, but carried +his folly to extremes. He was not in a position to prevent his +accession, and ought therefore to have been careful by the +correctness of his behaviour to show no signs of being opposed to +it. So far from this, he is strongly suspected of having entered +into correspondence with the widow of Nawajis Khan, who had adopted +Siraj-ud-daula's younger brother[72] and was supporting his +candidature for the throne, and also with Saukat Jang, Nawab of +Purneah and cousin of Siraj-ud-daula, who was trying to obtain the +throne for himself. Still further, he advised Mr. Drake, Governor of +Calcutta, to give shelter to Kissendas, son of Raj Balav (Nawajis +Khan's _Diwan_), who had fled with the treasures in his charge when +his father was called to account for his master's property. + +Contrary to Mr. Watts's expectations, Aliverdi Khan's last acts so +smoothed the way for Siraj-ud-daula, and the latter acted with such +decision and promptitude on his grandfather's death, that in an +incredibly short time he had all his enemies at his feet, and was at +leisure to attend to state business, and especially the affairs +of the foreign Settlements. Aliverdi Khan had always been +extremely jealous of allowing the European nations to erect any +fortifications, but, during his last illness, all of them, expecting +a contested succession, during which, owing to complications in +Europe, they might find themselves at war with each other in India, +began to repair their old walls or to erect new ones. This was +exactly what Siraj-ud-daula wanted. His first care on his accession +had been to make himself master of his grandfather's and uncle's +treasures. To these he had added those of such of his grandfather's +servants as he could readily lay hands on. Other wealthy nobles and +officers had fled to the English, or were suspected of having +secretly sent their treasures to Calcutta. It was also supposed that +the European Settlements, and especially Calcutta, were filled with +the riches accumulated by the foreigners. Whilst, therefore, the +Nawab was determined to make all the European nations contribute +largely in honour of his accession, and in atonement for their +insolence in fortifying themselves without his permission, he had +special reasons for beginning with the English. In the mean time, +however, he had first to settle with his cousin, Saukat Jang, the +Nawab of Purneah, so he contented himself with sending orders to the +Chiefs of the Factories to pull down their new fortifications. Law +acted wisely and promptly. + + "I immediately drew up an _Arzi_, or Petition, and had one + brought from the Council in Chandernagore of the same + tenour as my own. These two papers were sent to Siraj-ud-daula, + who appeared satisfied with them. He even wrote + me in reply that he did not forbid our repairing old works, + but merely our making new ones. Besides, the spies who + had been sent to Chandernagore, being well received and + satisfied with the presents made them, submitted a report + favourable to us, so that our business was hushed up." + +The English behaved very differently, and their answer, which was +bold if not insolent in tone,[73] reached the Nawab at the very +moment when he had received the submission of the Nawab of Purneah. +Law adds:-- + + "I was assured that the Nawab of Purneah showed him + some letters which he had received from the English. This + is difficult to believe, but this is how the match took fire. + + "Accordingly, no sooner had the Nawab heard the contents + of the answer from the English, than he jumped up in + anger, and, pulling out his sword, swore he would go and + exterminate all the Feringhees.[74] At the same time he gave + orders for the march of his army, and appointed several + Jemadars[75] to command the advance guard. As in his first + burst of rage he had used the general word Feringhees, + which is applied to all Europeans, some friends whom I had + in the army, and who did not know how our business had + ended, sent to warn me to be on my guard, as our Factory + would be besieged. The alarm was great with us, and with + the English, at Cossimbazar. I spent more than twenty-four + hours in much anxiety; carrying wood, provisions, etc., into + the Factory, but I soon knew what to expect. I saw horsemen + arrive and surround the English fort, and at the same + time I received an official letter from the Nawab, telling me + not to be anxious, and that he was as well pleased with us + as he was ill pleased with the English." + +Cossimbazar surrendered without firing a shot, owing to the +treacherous advice of the Nawab's generals, and Siraj-ud-daula +advanced on Calcutta. It was with the greatest difficulty that Law +escaped being forced to march in his train. + + "The remains of the respect which he had formerly felt + for Europeans made him afraid of failure in his attack + on Calcutta, which had been represented to him as a very + strong place, defended by three or four thousand men. He + wrote to me in the strongest terms to engage the Director of + Chandernagore to give him what assistance he could in men + and ammunition. 'Calcutta is yours,' he said to our agent + in full _Durbar_; 'I give you that place and its dependencies + as the price of the services you will render me. I know, + besides, that the English are your enemies; you are always + at war with them either in Europe or on the Coromandel + Coast, so I can interpret your refusal only as a sign of the + little interest you take in what concerns me. I am resolved + to do you as much good as Salabat Jang[76] has done you in + the Deccan, but if you refuse my friendship and the offers I + make you, you will soon see me fall on you and cause you + to experience the same treatment that I am now preparing + for others in your favour.' He wished us to send down at + once to Calcutta all the ships and other vessels which were + at Chandernagore. After having thanked him for his + favourable disposition towards us, I represented to him + that we were not at war with the English, that what had + happened on the Coromandel Coast was a particular affair + which we had settled amicably, and that the English, in + Bengal having given us no cause of offence, it was impossible + for us, without orders either from Europe or Pondicherry, to + give him the assistance he asked for. Such reasons could + only excite irritation in the mind of a man of Siraj-ud-daula's + character. He swore he would have what he wanted + whether we wished it or not, and that, as we lived in his + country, his will ought to be law to us. I did my best to + appease him, but uselessly. At the moment of his departure + his sent us word by one of his uncles that he still counted + on our assistance, and he sent me a letter for the Governor of + Pondicherry, in which he begged him to give us the necessary + orders. I thought to myself this was so much time gained." + +The Nawab captured Calcutta without any open assistance from the +French, and, though he set free most of the prisoners who survived +the Black Hole, he sent Holwell and three others before him to +Murshidabad. Law, who had already sheltered Mrs. Watts and her +family, and such of the English of Cossimbazar as had been able to +escape to him, now showed similar kindness to Holwell and his +companions. Of this he says modestly:-- + + "The gratitude Mr. Holwell expresses for a few little + services which I was able to render him makes me regret + my inability to do as much to deserve his gratitude as I + should have liked to do."[77] + +He also, apparently with some difficulty, obtained consent to M. +Courtin's request for the release of the English prisoners at Dacca; +for-- + + "Siraj-ud-daula, being informed that there were two or + three very charming English ladies at Dacca, was strongly + tempted to adorn his harem with them." + +Law's success in these matters is a striking instance of his +personal influence, for Siraj-ud-daula was by no means any longer +well disposed towards the French and Dutch. + + "The fear of drawing on his back all the European + nations at once had made him politic. At first he pretended + to be satisfied with the reply sent by the Governor + of Chandernagore, and assured him that he would always + treat us with the greatest kindness. He said the same to + the Dutch, but when Calcutta was taken the mask fell. He + had nothing more to fear. Scarcely had he arrived at Hugli + when he sent detachments to Chandernagore and Chinsurah + to summon the commandants to pay contributions, or to + resolve to see their flags taken away and their forts + demolished. In short, we were forced to yield what the + Nawab demanded; whilst he, as he said, was content with + having punished a nation which had offended him, and with + having put the others to ransom to pay for the expenses of + the expedition. We saw the tyrant reappear in triumph at + Murshidabad, little thinking of the punishment which Providence + was preparing for his crimes, and to make which still + more striking, he was yet to have some further successes." + +It may be here pointed out that, not only did the Nawab not insist +on the destruction of the French and Dutch fortifications, but he +did not destroy the fortifications of Calcutta. This proves that if +the English had shown the humility and readiness to contribute which +he desired, he would have left them in peace at the first, or, after +the capture of Calcutta, have permitted them to resettle there +without farther disturbance. In short, the real necessity of making +the European nations respect his authority, instead of guiding him +in a settled course, merely provided a pretext for satisfying his +greed. This is the opinion, not only of the French and English who +were at Murshidabad when the troubles began, but of the English +officials who went there later on and made careful inquiries amongst +all classes of people in order to ascertain the real reason of +Siraj-ud-daula's attack upon the English. + +His avarice was to prove the Nawab's ruin. + + "Siraj-ud-daula was one of the richest Nawabs that had + ever reigned. Without mentioning his revenues, of which + he gave no account at the Court of Delhi, he possessed + immense wealth, both in gold and silver coin, and in jewels + and precious stones, which had been left by the preceding + three Nawabs. In spite of this he thought only of increasing + his wealth. If any extraordinary expense had to be met + he ordered contributions, and levied them with extreme + rigour. Having never known himself what it was to want + money, he supposed that, in due proportion, money was as + common with other people as with himself, and that the + Europeans especially were inexhaustible. His violence + towards them was partly due to this. In fact, from his + behaviour, one would have said his object was to ruin everybody. + He spared no one, not even his relatives, from whom + he took all the pensions and all the offices which they + had held in the time of Aliverdi Khan. Was it possible for + such a man to keep his throne? Those who did not know + him intimately, when they saw him victorious over his + enemies and confirmed as Nawab by a _firman_[78]from the + Great Mogul, were forced to suppose that there was in his + character some great virtue which balanced his vices and + counteracted their effects. However, this young giddy-pate + had no talent for government except that of making himself + feared, and, at the same time, passed for the most cowardly + of men. At first he had shown some regard for the officers of + the army, because, until he was recognized as Nawab, he felt + his need of them. He had even shown generosity, but this + quality, which was quite opposed to his real character, soon disappeared, + to make place for violence and greed, which decided + against him all those who had favoured his accession in the + hope that he would behave discreetly when he became Nawab." + +Owing to the general disgust felt at Murshidabad for the Nawab, his +cousin, Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah, thought the opportunity +favourable for reviving his claims, and, early in October, +Siraj-ud-daula, hearing of his contemplated rebellion, invaded his +country. + + "Every one longed for a change, and many flattered + themselves it would take place. In fact, it was the most + favourable opportunity to procure it. The result would have + been happiness and tranquillity for Bengal. Whilst contributing + to the general good--which even the Dutch might + have interested themselves in--we could have prevented + the misfortunes which have since happened to us. Three or + four hundred Europeans and a few sepoys would have done + the business. If we could have joined this force to the + enemies of Siraj-ud-daula we should have placed on the + throne another Nawab--not, indeed, one wholly to our taste, + but, not to worry about trifles, one to the liking of the house + of Jagat Seth,[79] and the chief Moors and Rajas. I am sure + such a Nawab would have kept his throne. The English + would have been re-established peaceably, they would certainly + have received some compensation, and would have had + to be satisfied whether they liked it or not. The neutrality of + the Ganges assured, at least to the same extent as in the time + of Aliverdi Khan, the English would have been prevented + from invading Bengal, and from sending thither the reinforcements + which had contributed so much to their success + on the Madras Coast. All this depended on us, but how + could we foresee the succession of events which has been as + contrary to us as it has been favourable to the English? As + it was, we remained quiet, and the rash valour of the young + Nawab of Purneah, whilst it delivered Siraj-ud-daula from + the only enemy he had to fear in the country, made it clear + to the whole of Bengal that the change so much desired + could be effected only by the English." + +Mir Jafar and other leaders of the Nawab's army were about to +declare in favour of Saukat Jang when Ramnarain,[80] Naib of Patna, +arrived to support Siraj-ud-daula. Whilst the malcontents were +hesitating what to do, Saukat Jang made a rash attack on the Nawab's +army, and was shot dead in the fight. + + "Behold him then, freed by this event from all his + inquietudes; detested, it is true, but feared even by those + who only knew him by name. In a country where predestination + has so much power over the mind, the star of + Siraj-ud-daula was, people said, predominant. Nothing could + resist him. He was himself persuaded of this. Sure of the + good fortune which protected him, he abandoned himself + more than ever to those passions which urged him to the + commission of every imaginable form of violence. + + "It can be guessed what we had to suffer, we and the + Dutch, at Cossimbazar. Demand followed demand, and insult + followed insult, on the part of the native officers and soldiers; + for they, forming their behaviour on that of their master, + thought they could not sufficiently show their contempt for + everything European. We could not go outside of our Factories + without being exposed to annoyance of one kind or another." + +Every one in the land turned wistful eyes towards the English, but +they lay inactive at Fulta, and it seemed as if help from Madras +would never come. The English, therefore, tried to bring about a +revolution favourable to themselves at Murshidabad, and began to +look for persons who might be induced to undertake it; but this was +not easy, as the Moor nobles had little acquaintance with the +Europeans. Of the Hindus in Bengal-- + + "the best informed were the bankers and merchants, who + by their commercial correspondence had been in a position + to learn many things. The house of Jagat Seth, for instance, + was likely to help the English all the more because to its + knowledge of them it joined several causes of complaint + against Siraj-ud-daula. Up to the death of Aliverdi Khan + it had always enjoyed the greatest respect. It was this + family which had conducted almost all his financial business, + and it may be said that it had long been the chief cause of + all the revolutions in Bengal. But now things were much + changed. Siraj-ud-daula, the most inconsiderate of men, + never supposing that he would need the assistance of mere + bankers, or that he could ever have any reason to fear them, + never showed them the slightest politeness. He wanted + their wealth, and some day or other it was certain he would + seize it. These bankers, then, were the persons to serve the + English. They could by themselves have formed a party, + and, even without the assistance of any Europeans, have + put another Nawab upon the throne and re-established the + English, but this would have required much time. Business + moves very slowly amongst Indians, and this would not have + suited the English. The bankers also were Hindus, and of + a race which does not like to risk danger. To stimulate + them to action it was necessary for the English to commence + operations and achieve some initial successes, and as yet + there seemed no likelihood of their doing so. To negotiate + with Siraj-ud-daula for a peaceful re-establishment was quite + as difficult, unless they were inclined to accept the very + hardest conditions, for the Nawab had now the most extravagant + contempt for all Europeans; a pair of slippers, he + said, is all that is needed to govern them." + +Just as it seemed likely that the English would have to stoop to the +Nawab's terms, they received news of the despatch of reinforcements +from Madras. About the same time, it became known to both French and +English that France and England had declared war against each other +in the preceding May.[81] The English naturally said nothing about +it, and the French were too eager to see the Nawab well beaten to +put any unnecessary obstacles in their way. The negotiations with +the friends of the Europeans at Murshidabad were quietly continued +until Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive arrived. A rapid advance was +then made on Calcutta, which was captured with hardly any +resistance. + +Siraj-ud-daula was so little disturbed by the recapture of Calcutta +that the French thought everything would terminate amicably, but, +possibly owing to the reputation of Watson and Clive, who had so +long fought against the French,[82] they thought it likely that, if +the English demanded compensation for their losses, the Nawab would +allow them to recoup themselves by seizing the French Settlements. +M. Renault, therefore, wrote to Law to make sure that, in any treaty +between the Nawab and the English, an article should be inserted +providing for the neutrality of the Ganges; but the French, at +present, were needlessly alarmed. The English had no intention of +creeping quietly back into the country. Watson and Clive addressed +haughty letters to the Nawab, demanding reparation for the wrongs +inflicted on the English; and the Admiral and the Council declared +war in the name of the King and the Company. This possibly amused +the Nawab, who took no notice of their letters; but it was a +different matter when a small English force sailed up the Hugli, +passed Chandernagore unopposed by the French, captured the fort of +Hugli, burnt Hugli[83] and Bandel towns, and ravaged both banks of +the river down to Calcutta. The French were in an awkward position. +The English had passed Chandernagore without a salute, which was an +unfriendly, if not a hostile act; whilst the Nawab thought that, as +the French had not fired on them, they must be in alliance with +them. Law had to bear the brunt of this suspicion. His common sense +told him that the English would never consent to a neutrality, and +he wrote to Renault that it was absolutely necessary to join the +Moors. + + "The neutrality was by no means obligatory, as no treaty + existed. In fact, what confidence could we have in a forced + neutrality, which had been observed so long only out of + fear of the Nawab, who for the general good of the country + was unwilling to allow any act of hostility to be committed + by the Europeans? Much more so when the English were + at war with the Nawab himself. If they managed to get + the better of him, what would become of this fear, the sole + foundation of the neutrality?" + +So Law wrote to Renault, begging him, if he could not persuade the +English to sign a treaty of neutrality at once, to make up his mind +and join the Nawab. We have seen why Renault could do neither, and +Law, writing after the event says, generously enough:-- + + "I am bound to respect the reasons which determined + M. Renault as well as the gentlemen of the Council, who + were all much too good citizens not to have kept constantly + in their minds the welfare of our nation and the Company. + People always do see things differently, and the event does + not always prove the correctness or incorrectness of the + reasons which have decided us to take one or the other course." + +As soon as the Nawab heard of the plundering of Hugli he set out for +Calcutta, but to blind the English he requested M. Renault to +mediate between them. The English refusal to treat through the +French had the effect of clearing up matters between the latter and +the Nawab; but he could not understand why the French would not +actively assist him. Certain, at any rate, that he had only the +English to deal with, he foolishly played into their hands by +marching to fight them on their own ground, whereas, if he had +remained idle at a little distance, merely forbidding supplies to be +sent them, he could have starved them out of Calcutta in a few +months. As I have said before, Clive attacked his camp on the 5th of +February, and so terrified him that he consented to a shameful +peace, in which he forgot all mention of the neutrality of the +Ganges. Law tells a curious story to the effect that what frightened +the Nawab most of all was a letter from Admiral Watson, threatening +to make him a prisoner and carry him to England. Watson's letter is +extant, and contains no such threat, but it is quite possible that +it was so interpreted to the Nawab. + +Though the Nawab had assured the English that he would have the same +friends and enemies as they, and had omitted to mention the French +in the treaty, he now, of his own accord, gave the French all that +the English had extorted from him. This act could not be kept +secret. + + "A great fault at present, and which has always existed, + in the management of affairs in India, especially in Bengal, + is that nothing is secret. Scarcely had the Nawab formed + any project when it was known to the lowest of his slaves. + The English, who were suspicious, and who had for friends + every one who was an enemy of Siraj-ud-daula, whom all + detested, were soon informed of his proposals to M. Renault + and of the letters written on both sides." + +Yet Law thinks it was only the European war and the fear that +Renault intended an alliance with the Nawab that induced the English +to proceed to extremities:-- + + "The dethronement of the Nawab had become an absolute + necessity. To drive us out of Bengal was only a preliminary + piece of work. A squadron of ours with considerable forces + might arrive. Siraj-ud-daula might join his forces to it. + What, then, would become of the English? They needed + for Nawab a man attached to their interests. Besides, this + revolution was not so difficult to carry out as one might + imagine. With Chandernagore destroyed, nothing could be + more easy; but even if we were left alone the revolution + could have been effected by the junction of the English with + the forces which would have been produced against Siraj-ud-daula + by the crowd of enemies whom he had, and amongst + whom were to be counted the most respectable persons in + the three provinces.[84] This statement demands an explanation. + I have already spoken of the house of Jagat Seth, or + rather of its chiefs, who are named Seth Mahtab Rai and Seth + Sarup Chand, bankers of the Mogul, the richest and most + powerful merchants who have ever lived. They are, I can + say, the _movers_ of the revolution. Without them the English + would never have carried out what they have. I have + already said they were not pleased with Siraj-ud-daula, who + did not show them the same respect as the old Nawab + Aliverdi Khan had done; but the arrival of the English + forces, the capture of the Moorish forts, and the fright of + the Nawab before Calcutta, had made a change which was + apparently in their favour. The Nawab began to perceive + that the bankers were necessary to him. The English + would have no one except them as mediators, and so they + had become, as it were, responsible for the behaviour of + both the Nawab and the English. Accordingly after the + Peace there was nothing but kindness and politeness from + the Nawab towards them, and he consulted them in everything. + At the bottom this behaviour of his was sheer + trickery. The Seths were persuaded that the Nawab who + hated the English must also dislike the persons whom the + English employed. Profiting by the hatred which the + Nawab had drawn on himself by his violence, and distributing + money judiciously, they had long since gained over + those who were nearest to the Nawab, whose imprudence + always enabled them to know what he had in his heart. + From what came to the knowledge of the Seths it was easy + to guess what he intended, and this made them tremble, for + it was nothing less than their destruction, which could be + averted only by his own. The cause of the English had + become that of the Seths; their interests were identical. Can + one be surprised to see them acting in concert? Further, + when one remembers that it was this same house of bankers + that overthrew Sarfaraz Khan[85] to enthrone Aliverdi Khan, + and who, during the reign of the latter, had the management + of all important business, one must confess that it ought not + to be difficult for persons of so much influence to execute a + project in which, the English were taking a share."[86] + +Law could not persuade Renault to act, and without his doing so the +game was nearly hopeless. Still, he worked at forming a French party +in the Court. By means of Coja Wajid, an Armenian merchant of +Hugli, whose property had been plundered by the English, he obtained +an interview with the Nawab, and persuaded him to send the 2000 +soldiers who were with Renault at the beginning of the siege. More +would have been despatched but for the apparent certainty that the +treaty of neutrality would be signed. In fact, Renault was so +worried that, on the complaint of Watson and Clive that Law was +exciting the Nawab against the English, he wrote Law a letter which +caused the latter to ask to be recalled from Cossimbazar, and it was +only at Renault's earnest request that he consented to remain at his +post. Law continued forming his party. + + "It would appear from the English memoirs that we + corrupted the whole _Durbar_ at Murshidabad to our side by + presents and lies. I might with justice retort this reproach. + As a matter of fact, except Siraj-ud-daula himself, one may + say the English had the whole _Durbar_ always in their + favour. Without insisting on this point, let us honestly + agree, since the English themselves confess it, that we were, + like them, much engaged in opposing corruption to corruption + in order to gain the friendship of scoundrels so as to + place ourselves on equal terms with our enemies. This has + always happened, and ought not to cause surprise in a Court + where right counts for nothing and, every other motive apart, + one can never be successful except by the weight of what + one puts in the balance of iniquity. For the rest, right + or wrong, it is certain that the English were always in a + position to put in more than we could. + + "Fear and greed are the two chief motives of Indian + minds. Everything depends on one or the other. Often + they are combined towards the same object, but, when they + are opposed, fear always conquers. A proof of this is easily + to be seen in all the events connected with, the revolution + in Bengal. When, in 1756, Siraj-ud-daula determined to + expel the English, fear and greed combined to make him + act. As soon as he had himself proved the superiority of + the English troops, fear took the upper hand in his mind, + grew stronger day by day, and soon put him in a condition + in which he was unable to follow, and often even to see, his + true interests. + + "I mention the Nawab first. His hatred for the English + certainly indicated friendship for us. I think so myself, but + we have seen what was his character and his state of mind + in general. I ask, in all good faith, whether we could expect + any advantage from his friendship? This person, cowed by + fear, irresolute and imprudent, could he alone be of any use + to us? It was necessary for him to be supported by some + one who had his confidence and was capable by his own + firmness of fixing the irresolution of the Prince. + + "Mohan Lal, chief _Diwan_ of Siraj-ud-daula, was this + man, the greatest scoundrel the earth has ever borne, worthy + minister of such a master, and yet, in truth, the only person + who was really attached to him. He had firmness and also + sufficient judgment to understand that the ruin of Siraj-ud-daula + must necessarily bring on his own. He was as much, + detested as his master. The sworn enemy of the Seths, and + capable of holding his own against them, I think those + bankers would not have succeeded so easily in their project + if he had been free to act, but, unfortunately for us, he had + been for some time, and was at this most critical moment + dangerously ill. He could not leave his house. I went to + see him twice with Siraj-ud-daula, but it was not possible to + get a word from him. There is strong reason to believe he + had been poisoned. Owing to this, Siraj-ud-daula saw himself + deprived of his only support. + + "Coja Wajid, who had introduced me to the Nawab, and + who, it would be natural to suppose, was our patron, was a + great merchant of Hugli. He was consulted by the Nawab + only because, as he had frequented the Europeans and especially + the English, the Nawab imagined he knew them perfectly. + He was one of the most timid of men, who wanted + to be polite to everybody, and who, had he seen the dagger + raised, would have thought he might offend Siraj-ud-daula + by warning him that some one intended to assassinate him.[87] + Possibly he did not love the Seths, but he feared them, + which was sufficient to make him useless to us. + + "Rai Durlabh Ram, the other _Diwan_ of the Nawab, was + the man to whom I was bound to trust most. Before the + arrival of Clive he might have been thought the enemy of + the English. It was he who pretended to have beaten them + and to have taken Calcutta. He wished, he said, to maintain + his reputation; but after the affair of the 5th of February, + in which the only part he took was to share in the flight, he + was not the same man; he feared nothing so much as to + have to fight the English. This fear disposed him to gradually + come to terms with the Seths, of whose greatness he + was very jealous. He also hated the Nawab, by whom he + had been ill-used on many occasions. In short, I could never + get him to say a single word in our favour in the _Durbar_. + The fear of compromising himself made him decide to remain + neutral for the present, though firmly resolved to join finally + the side which appeared to him to be the strongest." + +This, then, was the French party, whose sole bond was dislike to the +Seths, and the members of which, by timidity or ill-health, were +unable to act. It was different with their enemies. + + "The English had on their side in the _Durbar_ the terror + of their arms, the faults of Siraj-ud-daula, the ruling influence + and the refined policy of the Seths, who, to conceal their game + more completely, and knowing that it pleased the Nawab, + often spoke all the ill they could think of about the English, + so as to excite him against them and at the same time gain + his confidence. The Nawab fell readily into the snare, and + said everything that came into his mind, thus enabling his + enemies to guard against all the evil which otherwise he + might have managed to do them. The English had also on + their side all the chief officers in the Nawab's army--Jafar + All Khan, Khodadad Khan Latty, and a number of others + who were attached to them by their presents or the influence + of the Seths, all the ministers of the old Court whom + Siraj-ud-daula had disgraced, nearly all the secretaries,[88] the + writers[89] of the _Durbar_, and even the eunuchs of the harem. + What might they not expect to achieve by the union of all + these forces when guided by so skilful a man as Mr. Watts?" + +With such enemies to combat in the Court itself, Law heard that the +English were marching on Chandernagore. By the most painful efforts +he obtained orders for reinforcements to be sent to the French. +They-- + + "were ready to start, the soldiers had been paid, the Commandant[90] + waited only for final orders. I went to see him + and promised him a large sum if he succeeded in raising the + siege of Chandernagore. I also visited several of the chief + officers, to whom I promised rewards proportionate to their + rank. I represented to the Nawab that Chandernagore must + be certainly captured if the reinforcements did not set out + at once, and I tried to persuade him to give his orders to + the Commandant in my presence. 'All is ready,' replied the + Nawab, 'but before resorting to arms it is proper to try all + possible means to avoid a rupture, and all the more so as the + English have just promised to obey the orders I shall send + them.'[91] I recognized the hand of the Seths in these details. + + They encouraged the Nawab in a false impression about this + affair. On the one hand, they assured him that the march + of the English, was only to frighten us into subscribing to + a treaty of neutrality, and on the other hand they increased + his natural timidity by exaggerating the force of the English + and by representing the risk he ran in assisting us with + reinforcements which would probably not prevent the capture + of Chandernagore if the English were determined to take it, + but would serve as a reason for the English to attack the + Nawab himself. They managed so well that they destroyed + in the evening all the effect I had produced in the morning. + + "I resolved to visit the bankers. They immediately + commenced talking about our debts, and called my attention + to the want of punctuality in our payments. I said that + this was not the question just now, and that I came to them + upon a much more interesting matter, which, however, concerned + them as well as us with respect to those very debts + for which they were asking payment and security. I asked + why they supported the English against us. They denied it, + and, after much explanation, they promised to make any + suggestions I wished to the Nawab. They added that they + were quite sure the English would not attack us, and that + I might remain tranquil. Knowing that they were well + acquainted with the designs of the English, I told them I + knew as well as they did what these were, and that I saw + no way of preventing them from attacking Chandernagore + except by hastening the despatch of the reinforcements which + the Nawab had promised, and that as they were disposed to + serve me, I begged them to make the Nawab understand the + same. They replied that the Nawab wished to avoid any + rupture with the English, and they said many other things + which only showed me that, in spite of their good will, they + would do nothing for us. Ranjit Rai, who was their man + of business as well as the agent of the English, said to me + in a mocking tone, 'You are a Frenchman; are you afraid of + the English? If they attack you, defend yourselves! No + one is ignorant of what your nation has done on the Madras + Coast, and we are curious to see how you will come off in + this business here.' I told him I did not expect to find such + a warlike person in a Bengali merchant, and that sometimes + people repented of their curiosity. That was enough for such + a fellow, but I saw clearly that the laugh would not be on + my side. However, every one was very polite, and I left + the house." + +Law thinks the Seths honestly believed that the English march on +Chandernagore was merely intended to frighten the French, and, as a +proof of their friendliness, narrates a further incident of this +visit:-- + + "The conversation having turned on Siraj-ud-daula, on + the reasons he had given the Seths to fear him, and on his + violent character, I said I understood clearly enough what + they meant, and that they certainly wanted to set up another + Nawab. The Seths, instead of denying this, contented themselves + with saying in a low voice that this was a subject + which should not be talked about. Omichand, the English + agent[92] (who, by the way, cried 'Away with them!' wherever + he went), was present. If the fact had been false, the Seths + would certainly have denied it, and would have reproached + me for talking in such a way. If they had even thought + I intended to thwart them, they would also have denied + it, but considering all that had happened, the vexations + caused us by the Nawab and our obstinate refusals to help + him, they imagined that we should be just as content as they + were to see him deposed, provided only the English would + leave us in peace. In fact, they did not as yet regard us as + enemies." + +Law was, however, ignorant that Clive had already promised, or did +so soon after, to give the property of the French Company to the +Seths in payment of the money the French owed them; but he now for +the first time fully realized the gravity of the situation. The +indiscretion of the Seths showed him the whole extent of the plot, +and the same evening he told the Nawab, but-- + + "the poor young man began to laugh, not being able to + imagine I could be so foolish as to indulge in such ideas." + +And yet, whilst he refused to believe in the treason of his +officers, the Nawab indulged at times in the most violent outbreaks +of temper against them. + + "Siraj-ud-daula was not master of himself.[93] It would + have needed as much firmness in his character as there was + deceitfulness to make the latter quality of use to him. At + certain times his natural disposition overmastered him, + especially when in his harem surrounded by his wives and + servants, when he was accustomed to say openly all that + was in his heart. Sometimes this happened to him in full + _Durbar_." + +The same evening, also, Mr. Watts came to the _Durbar_, and the +matter of the neutrality was talked over. The Nawab wished the two +gentlemen to pledge their respective nations to keep the peace, but +Mr. Watts skilfully avoided giving any promise, and suggested the +Nawab should write to the Admiral. Law, seeing that further delay +was aimed at, exclaimed that the Admiral would pay as little respect +to this letter as to the Nawab's previous ones. + + "'How?' said the Nawab, looking angrily at me instead + of at Mr. Watts: 'who am I then?' All the members of his + Court cried out together that his orders would certainly be + attended to." + +As Law expected, Chandernagore was attacked before the Admiral's +reply was received. Law received the news on the 15th, and hurried +to the Nawab. Reinforcements were ordered and counter-ordered. At +midnight the Nawab's eunuch came to inform Law that the English had +been repulsed with loss, and on the morning of the 16th the Nawab's +troops were ordered to advance, but when the same day news came that +the French had withdrawn into the Fort, every one cried out that the +Fort must fall, and that it was mere folly to incense the English by +sending down troops. They were immediately recalled. Then news +arrived that the Fort was holding out, and Rai Durlabh Ram was +ordered to advance. Again there came a false report that the Fort +had fallen. Law knew Rai Durlabh was a coward, and his whole +reliance was on the second in command, Mir Madan:-- + + "a capable officer, and one who would have attacked the + enemy with pleasure." + +This Mir Madan is said to have been a Hindu convert to +Muhammadanism. Native poems still tell of the gallantry with which +he commanded the Hindu soldiers of the Nawab. He was one of the +first to fall at Plassey, and though it cannot be said that his +death caused the loss of the battle, it is certain that it put an +end to all chance of the victory being contested. + +Law was at his wits' end. It was no time to stick at trifles, and, +that he might know the worst at once, he intercepted Mr. Watts's +letters. From them he gathered that the English intended to march +straight upon Murshidabad. He set about fortifying the enclosure +round the French Factory, and, as he had only 10 or 12 men, he +induced the Nawab to send him a native officer with 100 musketeers. +He soon learned that the reported English advance was merely the +pursuit of the fugitives from Chandernagore, who were mentioned in +the last chapter. By the end of March he had 60 Europeans:-- + + "of whom the half, in truth, were not fit to serve; but what + did that matter? The number was worth 120 to me outside + the fort, since rumour always delights in exaggeration." + +Of the sepoys also, whom the English set free, some 30 found their +way to Law, and so far was he now from being afraid of Mr. Watts, +that it was the latter who had to ask the Nawab's protection. + +The vacillation which had marked the Nawab's conduct previous to the +fall of Chandernagore still continued. He protected Law, but would +not help him with money. + + "Further, at the solicitation of my enemies, the Nawab + sent people to pull down the earthworks I had erected. He + even wished the native agent of the English to be present. + In my life I have never suffered what I did that day. To + the orders of the Nawab I replied that so long as I was in + the Factory no foreigner should touch my fortifications, but + that to keep my agreement with him I was ready to withdraw + and to make over the Factory to him, with which he + could afterwards do as he liked, and for which I should hold + him responsible. At the same time, I made my whole troop + arm themselves, and, having had my munitions loaded on + carts for several days previous, I prepared to depart with + the small amount of money which belonged to me and to + a few other individuals. The Nawab's officer, seeing my + resolution, and fearing to do anything which, might not be + approved, postponed the execution of his orders, and informed + the Nawab of what was happening. He replied that he + absolutely forbade my leaving the Factory, and ordered the + pioneers to be sent away; but at the same time he informed + me that it was absolutely necessary for me to pull down the + earthworks, that under the present circumstances he had + himself to do many things contrary to his own wishes, that + by refusing to obey I should draw the English upon him + and upon us, that we could not defend ourselves and must + therefore submit, that I should not be troubled any more, + and that, finally, he would give me money enough to build + in brick what I had wished to make in earth. I knew well + the value of his promises, but I was forced to humour him. + It did not suit me to abandon the Factory altogether, so I set + my workmen to pull down what I had built, and the same + night the work was finished." + +The English now tried to win over the French soldiers, and had some +success, for many of them were deserters from the British forces, +and they quickly saw how precarious was the shelter which Law could +afford them; but the Nawab could not be persuaded to force Law to +surrender, and, though he agreed to leave the country, Law declared +he would not do even that unless he received passports and money. On +the 8th of April he received passports, and was promised that if he +would go to Phulbari, near Patna, he should there receive all he +wanted. He was allowed four or five days to make his preparations. + + "I profited by this interval to persuade the only man + who dared speak for us to got to action. This was the Nazir + Dalal, a man of no importance, but at the same time a man + in whom the Nawab appeared to have some confidence. As + he was constantly at the Factory, I had opportunities of telling + him many things of particular interest to the Nawab, and I + believed that by politeness and presents I had brought him + over to our interests. A little later, however, I learned that + he received quite as much from the English as from us. He + told the Nawab all that he learned from me, _viz._ the views + of the English and of the Seths, and the risk he himself was + running, and he brought to his notice that the English were + steadily increasing their garrison at Cossimbazar by bringing + up soldiers who pretended they were deserters and wished to + pass over to the Trench. By this trick, indeed, many soldiers + had passed through the Moorish camp without being stopped. + There was also talk of an English fleet preparing to come up + and waiting only for the Nawab's permission. The Nazir + Dalal represented to him that the trading boats might be + loaded with ammunition, and that they ought to be strictly + searched, and the casks and barrels opened, as guns and + mortars might be found in them. The Nawab opened his + eyes at information of this kind, and promptly sent the Nazir + Dalal to tell me not to leave. This order came on the 10th + of April. I accordingly passed my garrison in review before + the Nawab's agent, and a statement showing the monthly + pay of each officer and soldier was sent to the Nawab, who + promised to pay them accordingly." + +On the 12th of April Law received a sudden summons to attend the +_Durbar_ the next day. + + "After some reflection, I determined to obey. I thought + that by taking presents I could avoid the inconveniences I + feared, so I arranged to start early on the morning of the 13th + with five or six persons well armed. A slight rain detained + us till 10 o'clock. On leaving I told my people that M. + Sinfray was their commandant, and ordered him, if I did not + return by 2 o'clock, to send a detachment of forty men to + meet me. We arrived at the Nawab's palace about midday. + He had retired to his harem. We were taken into the + Audience Hall, where they brought us a very bad dinner. + The Nawab, they said, would soon come. However, 5 o'clock + had struck and he had not yet dressed. During this wearisome + interval I was visited by some of the _Diwans_, among + others by the _Arzbegi._[94] I asked him why the Nawab had + called me. He replied with an appearance of sincerity that + as the Nawab was constantly receiving complaints from the + English, about the numerous garrison we had in our Factory, + he had judged it proper to summon both Mr. Watts and + myself in order to reconcile us, and that he hoped to arrange + matters so that the English should have nothing to fear from + us nor we from them. He added that the Nawab was quite + satisfied with my behaviour, and wished me much good. At + last the _Durbar_ hour arrives. I am warned. I pass into a + hall, where I find Mr. Watts and a number of _Diwans_. The + agent of the Seths is present Compliments having passed, + one of the _Diwans_ asks me if I have anything particular to + say to Mr. Watts. I answer that I have not. Thereupon + Mr. Watts addresses me in English: 'The question is, sir, + whether you are prepared to surrender your Factory to me + and to go down to Calcutta with all your people. You will + be well treated, and will be granted the same conditions as + the gentlemen of Chandernagore. This is the Nawab's wish.' + I reply I will do nothing of the kind, that I and all those + with me are free, that if I am forced to leave Cossimbazar + I will surrender the Factory to the Nawab, and to no one else. + Mr. Watts, turning round to the _Diwans_, says excitedly, that + it is impossible to do anything with me, and repeats to them + word for word all that has passed between us. + + "From that moment I saw clearly that the air of the + Court was not healthy for us. It was, however, necessary to + put a good face on matters. The _Arzbegi_ and some others, + taking me aside, begged me to consider what I was doing in + refusing Mr. Watts's propositions, and said that as the Nawab + was determined to have a good understanding with the + English, he would force me to accept them. They then + asked what I intended to do. I said I intended to stay at + Cossimbazar and to oppose, to the utmost of my power, the + ambitious designs of the English. 'Well, well, what can + you do?' they replied. 'You are about a hundred Europeans; + the Nawab has no need of you; you will certainly be forced + to leave this place. It would be much better to accept the + terms offered you by Mr. Watts.' The same persons who had + begged me to do this then took Mr. Watts aside. I do not + know what they said to each other, but a quarter of an hour + after they went into the hall where the Nawab was. + + "I was in the utmost impatience to know the result of + all these parleyings, so much the more as from some words + that had escaped them I had reason to think they intended + to arrest me. + + "Fire or six minutes after Mr. Watts had gone to the + Nawab, the _Arzbegi_, accompanied by some officers and the + agents of the Seths and the English, came and told me aloud, + in the presence of some fifty persons of rank, that the Nawab + ordered me to submit myself entirely to what Mr. Watts + demanded. I told him I would not, and that it was + impossible for the Nawab to have given such an order. + I demanded to be presented to him. 'The Nawab,' they + said, 'does not wish to see you.' I replied, 'It was he who + summoned me; I will not go away till I have seen him.' + The _Arzbegi_ saw I had no intention of giving way, and that + I was well supported, for at this very moment word was + brought of the arrival of our grenadiers, who had been + ordered to come and meet me. Disappointed at not seeing + me appear, they had advanced to the very gates of the palace. + The _Arzbegi_, not knowing what would be the result of this + affair, and wishing to get out of the scrape and to throw the + burden of it on to the Seths' agent, said to him, 'Do you + speak, then; this affair concerns you more than us.' The + Seths' agent wished to speak, but I did not give him time. + I said I would not listen to him, that I did not recognize + him as having any authority, and that I had no business + at all with him. Thereupon the _Arzbegi_ went back to the + Nawab and told him I would not listen to reason, and that + I demanded to speak to him. 'Well, let him come,' said + the Nawab, 'but he must come alone.' At the same time + he asked Mr. Watts to withdraw and wait for him in a + cabinet. The order to appear being given me, I wish to + go--another difficulty! The officers with me do not wish to + let me go alone! A great debate between them and the + Nawab's officers! At last, giving way to my entreaties, + and on my assuring them that I have no fears, I persuade + them to be quiet and to let me go. + + "I presented myself before the Nawab, who returned my + salute in a kindly manner. As soon as I was seated, he told + me, in a shamefaced way, that I must either accept Mr. + Watts's proposals, or must certainly leave his territories. + _Your nation is the cause_, he said, _of all the importunities I + now suffer from the English. I do not wish to put the whole country + in trouble for your sake. You are not strong enough to defend + yourselves; you must give way. You ought to remember that when I had + need of your assistance you always refused it. You ought not to + expect assistance from me now_. + + "It must be confessed that, after all our behaviour to + him, I had not much to reply. I noticed, however, that the + Nawab kept his eyes cast down, and that it was, as it were, + against his will that he paid me this compliment. I told + him I should be dishonoured if I accepted Mr. Watts's proposals, + but that as he was absolutely determined to expel us + from his country, I was ready to withdraw, and that as soon + as I had the necessary passports I would go towards Patna. + At this every one in concert, except the Nawab and Coja + Wajid, cried out that I could not take that road, that the + Nawab would not consent to it. I asked what road they + wished me to take. They said I must go towards Midnapur + or Cuttack. I answered that the English might at any + moment march in that direction and fall upon me. They + replied I must get out of the difficulty as best I could. The + Nawab, meanwhile, kept his face bent down, listening + attentively, but saying nothing. Wishing to force him to + speak, I asked if it was his intention to cause me to fall into + the hands of my enemies? 'No, no,' replied the Nawab, + 'take what road you please, and may God conduct you.' I + stood up and thanked him, received the betel,[95] and went out." + +Gholam Husain Khan says that the Nawab was much affected at parting +with Law, as he now believed in the truth of his warnings against +the English and the English party,-- + + "but as he did not dare to keep him in his service for fear + of offending the English, he told him that at present it was + fit that he should depart; but that if anything new should + happen he would send for him again. '_Send for me again?_' + answered Law. '_Rest assured, my Lord Nawab, that this is + the last time we shall see each other. Remember my words: we + shall never meet again. It is nearly impossible_." + +Law hurried back to his Factory, and by the evening of the 15th of +April he was ready to depart. The same day the Nawab wrote to +Clive:-- + + "Mr. Law I have put out of the city, and have wrote + expressly to my Naib[96] at Patna to turn him and his attendants + out of the bounds of his Subaship, and that he shall not + suffer them to stay in any place within it."[97] + +At the end of April the Nawab wrote to Abdulla Khan, the Afghan +general at Delhi, that he had supplied Law with Rs.10,000. Clive was +quickly informed of this. + +On the morning of the 16th the French marched through Murshidabad +with colours flying and drums beating, prepared against any surprise +in the narrow streets of the city. Mr. Watts wrote to Clive:-- + + "They had 100 Europeans, 60 Tellingees, 30 _hackerys_" + (i.e. bullock-waggons) "and 4 elephants with them."[98] + +Close on their track followed two spies, sent by Mr. Watts to try +and seduce the French soldiers and sepoys. Law left a M. Bugros +behind in charge of the French Factory. + +Shortly after leaving Cossimbazar, Law was reinforced by a party of +45 men, mostly sailors of the _Saint Contest_, who had managed to +escape from the English. On the 2nd of May the French arrived at +Bhagulpur, the Nawab writing to them to move on whenever he heard +they were halting, and not to go so fast when he heard they were on +the march. + + "To satisfy him we should have been always in motion + and yet not advancing; this did not suit us. It was of the + utmost importance to arrive at some place where I could + find means for the equipment of my troop. We were + destitute of everything." + +These contradictory orders, and even letters of recall, reached Law +on his march, but though he sent back M. Sinfray with letters to M. +Bugros and Coja Wajid--which the latter afterwards made over to +Clive--he continued his march to Patna, where he arrived on the 3rd +of June, and was well received by Raja Ramnarain, and where he was +within four or five days' march or sail from Sooty, the mouth of the +Murshidabad or Cossimbazar river, and therefore in a position to +join the Nawab whenever it might be necessary. + +In the mean time fate had avenged Law on one of his lesser enemies. +This was that Ranjit Rai, who had insulted him during his interview +with the Seths. The latter had pursued their old policy of inciting +the English to make extravagant demands which they at the same time +urged the Nawab to refuse. To justify one such demand, the English +produced a letter in the handwriting of Ranjit Rai, purporting to be +written at the dictation of the Seths under instructions from the +Nawab. The latter denied the instructions, and the Seths promptly +asserted that the whole letter was a forgery of their agent's. + + "The notorious Ranjit Rai was driven in disgrace from + the _Durbar_, banished, and assassinated on the road. It was + said he had received 2 lakhs from the English to apply his + masters' seal unknown to them. I can hardly believe this. + This agent was attached to the English only because he knew + the Seths were devoted to them." + +This incident warned the Seths to be more cautious, but still the +plot against the Nawab was well known in the country. Renault, who +had been at this time a prisoner in Calcutta, says:-- + + "Never was a conspiracy conducted as publicly and with + such indiscretion as this was, both by the Moors and the + English. Nothing else was talked about in all the English + settlements, and whilst every place echoed with the noise of + it, the Nawab, who had a number of spies, was ignorant of + everything. Nothing can prove more clearly the general + hatred which was felt towards him."[99] + +M. Sinfray had returned to Murshidabad, but could not obtain an +interview with the Nawab till the 8th of June, when he found him +still absolutely tranquil; and even on the 10th the Nawab wrote to +Law to have no fears on his account; but this letter did not reach +Law till the 19th. + + "I complained of the delay in the strongest terms to + Ramnarain, who received the packets from the Nawab, but it + was quite useless. The Nawab was betrayed by those whom + he thought most attached to him. The Faujdar of Rajmehal + used to stop all his messengers and detain them as long as + he thought fit." + +This officer was a brother of Mir Jafar.[100] The Seths and the +English had long found the chief difficulty in their way to be the +choice of a man of sufficient distinction to replace Siraj-ud-daula +on the throne. At this moment the Nawab himself gave them as a +leader Mir Jafar Ali Khan, who had married the sister of Aliverdi +Khan, and was therefore a relative of his. Mir Jafar was _Bukshi_, +or Paymaster and Generalissimo of the Army, and his influence had +greatly contributed to Siraj-ud-daula's peaceful accession. He was a +man of good reputation, and a brave and skilful soldier. It was such +a person as this that the Nawab, after a long course of petty +insults, saw fit to abuse in the vilest terms in full _Durbar_ and +to dismiss summarily from his post. He now listened to the +proposals of the Seths, and towards the end of April terms were +settled between him and the English.[101] The actual conclusion of +the Treaty took place early in June, and on the 13th of that month +Mr. Watts and the other English gentlemen at Cossimbazar escaped +under the pretence of a hunting expedition and joined Clive in +safety. As soon as he heard of this, the Nawab knew that war was +inevitable, and it had come at a moment when he had disbanded half +his army unpaid, and the other half was grumbling for arrears. Not +only had he insulted Mir Jafar, but he had also managed to quarrel +with Rai Durlabh. Instead of trying to postpone the conflict until +he had crushed these two dangerous enemies, he begged them to be +reconciled to him, and put himself in their hands. Letter after +letter was sent to recall Law, but even the first, despatched on the +13th, did not reach Law till the 22nd, owing to the treachery of the +Faujdar of Rajmehal. Law's letter entreating the Nawab to await his +arrival certainly never reached him, and though Law had started at +the first rumour of danger, before getting the Nawab's letter, he +did not reach Rajmehal till the 1st of July. The Nawab had been +captured in the neighbourhood a few hours before the arrival of his +advance-guard. Gholam Husain Khan says that Law would have been in +time had the Nawab's last remittance been a bill of exchange and not +an order on the Treasury, for-- + + "as slowness of motion seems to be of etiquette with the + people of Hindustan, the disbursing of the money took up + so much time that when M. Law was come down as far + Rajmehal, he found that all was over." + +Law, who was nothing if not philosophical, remarked on this +disappointment:-- + + "In saving Siraj-ud-daula we should have scored a great + success, but possibly he would have been saved for a short + time only. He would have found enemies and traitors + wherever he might have presented himself in the countries + supposed to be subject to him. No one would have acknowledged + him. Forced by Mir Jafar and the English to flee to + a foreign country, he would have been a burden to us rather + than an assistance. + + "In India no one knows what it is to stand by an + unfortunate man. The first idea which suggests itself is to + plunder him of the little[102] which remains to him. Besides, + a character like that of Siraj-ud-daula could nowhere find a + real friend." + +Siraj-ud-daula, defeated by Clive at Plassey on the 23rd of June, +was, says Scrafton,-- + + "himself one of the first that carried the news of his defeat + to the capital, which he reached that night." + +His wisest councillors urged him to surrender to Clive, but he +thought this advice treacherous, and determined to flee towards +Rajmehal. When nearly there he was recognized by a Fakir,[103] whose +ears he had, some time before, ordered to be cut off. The Fakir +informed the Faujdar, who seized him and sent him to Murshidabad, +where Miran, Mir Jafar's son, put him to death on the 4th of July. + +It was necessary for Law to withdraw as quickly as possible if he +was to preserve his liberty. Clive and Mir Jafar wrote urgent +letters to Ramnarain at Patna to stop him, but Ramnarain was no +lover of Mir Jafar, and he was not yet acquainted with Clive, so he +allowed him to pass. Law says:-- + + "On the 16th of July we arrived at Dinapur, eight miles + above Patna, where I soon saw we had no time to lose. + The Raja of Patna himself would not have troubled us much. + By means of our boats we could have avoided him as we + pleased, for though our fleet was in a very bad condition, + still it could have held its own against the naval forces + of Bengal, i.e. the Indian forces, but the English were advancing, + commanded by Major Coote. As the English call + themselves the masters of the aquatic element, it became us + the less to wait for them, when we knew they had stronger + and more numerous boats than we had. Possibly we could + have outsailed them, but we did not wish to give them the + pleasure of seeing us flee. On the 18th instant an order + from the Raja instructed me in the name of Mir Jafar to + halt--no doubt to wait for the English--whilst another on his + own part advised me to hurry off. Some small detachments + of horsemen appeared along the bank, apparently to hinder + us from getting provisions or to lay violent hands on the + boatmen. On this we set sail, resolved to quit all the + dependencies of Bengal. In spite of ourselves we had to + halt at Chupra, twenty-two miles higher up, because our + rowers refused to go further: prayers and threats all seemed + useless. I thought the English had found some means to + gain them over. The boats did not belong to us, but we + should have had little scruple in seizing them had our + Europeans known how to manage them. Unfortunately, + they knew nothing about it. The boats in Bengal have no + keel, and consequently do not carry sail well. So we lost + two days in discussion with the boatmen, but at last, by + doubling their pay, terms were made, and five days after, on + the 25th of July, we arrived at Ghazipur, the first place of + importance in the provinces of Suja-ud-daula, Viceroy of the + Subahs of Oudh, Lucknow, and Allahabad." + +Before Law left Rajmehal on his return to Patna, the Faujdar tried +to stop him on pretence that Mir Jafar wished to reconcile him to +the English. Law thought this unlikely, yet knowing the native +proclivity for underhand intrigue, he wrote him a letter, but the +answer which he received at Chupra was merely an order to +surrender. Law says:-- + + "I had an idea that he might write to me in a quite + different style, _unknown to the English_. I knew the new + Nawab, whom I met at the time I was soliciting reinforcements + to raise the siege of Chandernagore. He had not then + taken up the idea of making himself Nawab. He appeared + to me a very intelligent man, and much inclined to do us + service, pitying us greatly for having to work with a man so + cowardly and undecided as Siraj-ud-daula." + +Law thought his communication-- + + "was well calculated to excite in his mind sentiments + favourable to us, but if it did, Mir Jafar let none of them + appear. The Revolution was too recent and the influence of + the English too great for him to risk the least correspondence + with us." + +From Clive, on the other hand, he received a letter,-- + + "such as became a general who, though an enemy, interested + himself in our fate out of humanity, knowing by his own + experience into what perils and fatigues we were going to + throw ourselves when we left the European Settlements." + +This letter, dated Murshidabad, July 9th, was as follows:-- + + "As the country people are now all become your enemies, + and orders are gone everywhere to intercept your passage, + and I myself have sent parties in quest of you, and orders + are gone to Ramnarain, the Naib of Patna, to seize you if + you pursue that road, you must be sensible if you fall into + their hands you cannot expect to find them a generous + enemy. If, therefore, you have any regard for the men + under your command, I would recommend you to treat with + us, from whom you may expect the most favourable terms in + my power to grant."[104] + +Law does not say much about the hardships of his flight; but Eyre +Coote, who commanded the detachment which followed him, had the +utmost difficulty in persuading his men to advance, and wrote to +Clive that he had never known soldiers exposed to greater hardships. +At Patna Eyre Coote seized the French Factory, where the Chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was lying ill. The military and other Company's +servants had gone on with Law, leaving in charge a person variously +called M. Innocent and Innocent Jesus. He was not a Frenchman, but +nevertheless he was sent down to Calcutta. From Patna Eyre Coote got +as far as Chupra, only to find Law safe beyond the frontier at +Ghazipur, and nothing left for him to do but to return. + +From now on to January, 1761, Law was out of the reach of the +English, living precariously on supplies sent from Bussy in the +south, from his wife at Chinsurah, and from a secret store which M. +de la Bretesche had established at Patna unknown to the English, and +upon loans raised from wealthy natives, such as the Raja of +Bettiah. He believed all along that the French would soon make an +effort to invade Bengal, where there was a large native party in +their favour, and where he could assist them by creating a diversion +in the north. I shall touch on his adventures very briefly. + +His first halt was at Benares, which he reached on the 2nd of +August, and where the Raja Bulwant Singh tried to wheedle and +frighten him into surrendering his guns. He escaped out of his hands +by sheer bluff, and went on to Chunargarh, where he received letters +from Suja-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, a friend of Siraj-ud-daula's, +whom he hoped to persuade into invading Bengal. On the 3rd of +September he reached Allahabad, and here left his troop under the +command of M. le Comte de Carryon, whilst he went on to Lucknow, the +capital of Oudh. + +It is only at this moment that Law bethinks him of describing his +troop. It consisted of 175 Europeans and 100 sepoys drilled in +European fashion. The officers were D'Hurvilliers, le Comte de +Carryon (who had brought a detachment from Dacca before Law left +Cossimbazar), Ensign Brayer (who had commanded the military at +Patna), Ensign Jobard (who had escaped from Chandernagore), and +Ensign Martin de la Case. He also entertained as officers MM. +Debellême (Captain of a French East Indiaman), Boissemont, and La +Ville Martère, Company's servants (these three had all escaped from +Chandernagore), Dangereux and Dubois (Company's servants stationed +at Cossimbazar), Beinges (a Company's servant stationed at Patna), +and two private gentlemen, Kerdizien and Gourbin. Besides these, MM. +Anquetil du Perron,[105] La Rue, Desjoux, Villequain, Desbrosses, +and Calvé, served as volunteers. His chaplain was the Reverend +Father Onofre, and he had two surgeons, Dubois and Le Page. The last +two were probably the surgeons of Cossimbazar and Patna. He had also +with him M. Lenoir, second of Patna, whose acquaintance with the +language and the people was invaluable. Law seems to have been +always able to recruit his sepoys, but he had no great opinion of +them. + + "In fact it may be said that the sepoy is a singular + animal, especially until he has had time to acquire a + proper sense of discipline. As soon as he has received his + red jacket and his gun he thinks he is a different man. He + looks upon himself as a European, and having a very high + estimation of this qualification, he thinks he has the right to + despise all the country people, whom he treats as Kaffirs + and wretched negroes, though he is often just as black as they + are. In every place I have been I have remarked that the + inhabitants have less fear of the European soldier, who in + his disorderly behaviour sometimes shows an amount of + generosity which they would expect in vain from a sepoy." + +Law has left the following description of Lucknow:-- + + "Lucknow, capital of the Subah[106] so called, is 160 miles + north of Allahabad, on the other side of the Ganges, and + about 44 miles from that river. The country is beautiful + and of great fertility, but what can one expect from the best + land without cultivation? It was particularly the fate of + this province and of a large portion of Oudh to have been + exhausted by the wars of Mansur Ali Khan.[107] That prince + at his death left the Treasury empty and a quantity of + debts. Suja-ud-daula, his successor, thought he could + satisfy his creditors, all of them officers of the army, by + giving them orders upon several of the large estates. This + method was too slow for these military gentlemen. In a + short time every officer had become the Farmer,[108] or rather the + Tyrant, of the villages abandoned to him. Forcible executions + quickly reimbursed him to an extent greater than his claim, + but the country suffered. The ill-used inhabitants left it, + and the land remained uncultivated. This might have + been repaired. The good order established by Suja-ud-daula + commenced to bring the inhabitants back when an + evil, against which human prudence was powerless, achieved + their total destruction. For two whole years clouds of + locusts traversed the country regularly with the Monsoon,[109] + and reduced the hopes of the cultivator to nothing. When + two days from Lucknow, we ourselves saw the ravages committed + by this insect. It was perfect weather; suddenly we + saw the sky overcast; a darkness like that of a total eclipse + spread itself abroad and lasted a good hour. In less than no + time we saw the trees under which we were camped stripped + of their leaves. The next day as we journeyed we saw that + the same devastation had been produced for a distance of ten + miles. The grass on the roads and every green thing in the + fields were eaten away down to the roots. This recurrent + plague had driven away the inhabitants, even those who had + survived the exactions of the military. Towns and villages + were abandoned; the small number of people who remained--I + am speaking without exaggeration--only served to + augment the horror of this solitude. We saw nothing but + spectres. + + "The state of the people of Lucknow city, the residence + of the Nawab, was hardly better. The evil was perhaps less + evident owing to the variety of objects, but from what one + could see from time to time nature did not suffer less. The + environs of the palace were covered with poor sick people + lying in the middle of the roads, so that it was impossible + for the Nawab to go out without causing his elephant to + tread on the bodies of several of them, except when he had + the patience to wait and have them cleared out of the way--an + act which would not accord with Oriental ideas of + grandeur. In spite of this there were few accidents. The + animal used to guide its footsteps so as to show it was + more friendly to human beings than men themselves + were." + +At Lucknow Suja-ud-daula greeted him with a sympathetic interest, +which Law quaintly likens to that shown by Dido for Aeneas, but +money was not forthcoming, and Law soon found that Suja-ud-daula was +not on sufficiently good terms with the Mogul's[110] Vizir[111] at +Delhi to risk an attack on Bengal. On the 18th of October he +returned to Allahabad, with the intention of going to Delhi to see +what he could do with the Vizir, but as it might have been dangerous +to disclose his object, he pretended he was going to march south to +Bussy in the Deccan, and obtained a passport from the Maratha +general, Holkar. This took some time, and it was not till March, +1758, that he started for Delhi. He reached Farukhabad without +difficulty, and on the 21st entered the country of the Jats. On the +evening of the 23rd a barber, who came into their camp, warned the +French they would be attacked. The next day the Jats, to the number +of 20,000, attacked them on the march. The fight lasted the whole +day, and the French fired 6000 musket shots and 800 cannon. The +cannon-balls were made of clay moulded round a pebble, and were +found sufficiently effective in the level country. + +Soon after they arrived at Delhi, only to find the Marathas masters +of the situation and in actual possession of the person of the +Shahzada, or Crown Prince.[112] The Prince was friendly, gave Law +money, and eagerly welcomed the idea of attacking Bengal, but he was +himself practically a prisoner. The Vizir, too, could do nothing, +and would give no money. The Marathas amused him with promises, and +tried to trap him into fighting their battles. No one seemed to know +anything about what had happened in Bengal. He spoke to several of +the chief men about the English. + + "I felt sure that, after the Revolution in Bengal, they + would be the only subject of conversation in the capital. The + Revolution had made much noise, but it was ascribed entirely + to the Seths and to Rai Durlabh Ram. Clive's name was + well known. He was, they said, a great captain whom the + Seths had brought from very far at a great expense, to + deliver Bengal from the tyranny of Siraj-ud-daula, as Salabat + Jang had engaged M. Bussy to keep the Marathas in + order. Many of the principal persons even asked me what + country he came from. Others, mixing up all Europeans + together, thought that I was a deputy from Clive. It was + useless for me to say we were enemies, that it was the + English who had done everything in Bengal, that it was + they who governed and not Jafar Ali Khan, who was only + Nawab in name. No one would believe me. In fact, how + could one persuade people who had never seen a race of + men different from their own, that a body of two or three + thousand Europeans at the most was able to dictate the law + in a country as large as Bengal?" + +Law could do nothing at Delhi, and it was only by bribing the +Maratha general that he obtained an escort through the Jat country +to Agra. Most of his soldiers were glad to be off, but about 60 +Europeans deserted with their arms to Delhi, where the Vizir offered +them pay as high as 50 rupees a month. M. Jobard was nearly killed +by some of them when he tried to persuade them to return to duty, +but, a few months after, more than half rejoined Law. + +From Agra, Law went to Chatrapur in Bundelkand, where apparently, +though he does not say so, he was in the service of the Raja +Indrapat. His stay lasted from the 10th of June, 1758, to February, +1759. In order to keep on good terms with the inhabitants, who were +almost all Hindus, Law forbade his men to kill cattle or any of the +sacred birds, or to borrow anything without his permission, and at +the same time severely punished all disorderly behaviour. The people +having never heard of Christians, thought the French must be a kind +of Muhammadans, but they could not make out from what country they +came. Seeing them drink a red wine of which they had a few bottles, +they thought they were drinking blood, and were horrified, but the +good behaviour of the men soon put them on friendly terms. + +Early in 1759 the Shahzada at last invaded Bengal, and on the 5th +of February Law marched to join him; but the invasion was badly +managed, and was an absolute failure. On the 28th of May Law was +back at Chatrapur. The only result of the invasion was that the +lands of a number of Rajas in Bihar were plundered by Miran, son of +Mir Jafar, and the English. These Rajas were all Hindus. + + "They had an understanding with Ramnarain. All these + Rajas, of whom there is a great number in the dependencies + of Bengal, united to each other by the same religion, mutually + support each other as much as they can. They detest the + Muhammadan Government, and if it had not been for the + Seths, the famous bankers, with whom they have close + connections, it is probable that after the Revolution in which + Siraj-ud-daula was the victim, they would all have risen + together to establish a Hindu Government, from which the + English would not have obtained all the advantages they + did from the Muhammadan." + +In 1759 the Dutch risked a quarrel with the English. They refused, +however, any assistance from Law, who, far away as he was, heard all +about it. They were defeated at Biderra on the 25th of November. The +effect of this was to reduce Bengal to such tranquillity that Clive +considered it safe to visit England. The Shahzada, however, thought +the opportunity a favourable one for another invasion, and on the +28th of February, 1760, Law again started to join him. Patna was +besieged, and, according to Broome, was very nearly captured, owing +to Law's skill and the courage of his Frenchmen. In fact, the French +were on the ramparts, when Dr. Fullerton and the English sepoys +arrived just in time to drive them back.[113] + +The siege was raised, and the Prince's general, Kamgar Khan, led the +army about the country with apparently no object but that of +plunder. This suited the Marathas, but did not suit Law. On one +occasion he was ordered with his own troops and a body of Marathas +to capture the little fort of Soupy. The French stormed it at three +o'clock in the morning, but found that the Marathas, who had +carefully avoided the breach, had swarmed the walls, where there was +no one to oppose them, and were carrying off the plunder. + + "My chief occupation and that of the officers, for more + than five hours during which we stayed in Soupy, was to + keep our soldiers and sepoys from bayoneting the Marathas, + who, without having incurred the least danger, had, by their + cleverness and lightness, carried off more than twenty times + as much as our own men, observing among themselves a + kind of order in their plundering, very like that of monkeys + when they strip a field." + +In fact, Law had a personal altercation with the Maratha commander +about a young and beautiful Hindu woman, whom the Maratha wished to +seize, but whom Law was determined to restore unhurt to her +relations, who lived in a village close by. + +For the capture of the fort, Law received from the Shahzada various +high-sounding titles and the right to have the royal music played +before him; but as he could not afford to entertain the native +musicians, he allowed the privilege to sleep. + +In 1760 Mr. Vansittart assumed the Governorship of Bengal, and his +first act was to complete the project begun by his predecessor, Mr. +Holwell, namely, the dethronement of Mir Jafar. This was effected on +the 20th of October, 1760; the ex-Nawab went quietly to Calcutta, +and Mir Kasim reigned in his stead. The Shahzada had now become +Emperor by the death of his father, and had assumed the title of +Shah Alam. He was still hanging with his army round Patna, and Mir +Kasim and the English determined to bring him to book. Kamgar Khan +continued to lead the Imperial army aimlessly about the country, and +in January, 1761, found himself near the town of Bihar. He had 35 to +40 thousand cavalry, maintained chiefly by plunder, but his only +musketeers and artillery were those commanded by Law, i.e. 125 +Europeans and 200 sepoys, with 18 guns of small calibre. The +British commander, Major Carnac, had 650 Europeans and 5 to 6 +thousand sepoys, with 12 guns. Mir Kasim had some 20,000 cavalry, +and the same number of musketeers, all good troops, for "everybody +was paid in the army of Kasim Ali Khan."[114] + +On the 14th of January, scouts brought word of the approach of the +English. The Emperor consulted Law, who advised a retreat, but he +was not deficient in courage, and determined to fight. The next day +was fought the battle of Suan.[115] + + "At the dawn of day we heard that the enemy were on + the march, and that they would quickly appear. No disposition + of our army had yet been made by Kamgar Khan, + who, in fact, troubled himself very little about the matter. + It was at first decided to re-enter the camp, so I put my + men as much as possible under shelter behind a bank, along + which I placed my guns in what I thought the most useful + positions. About 6 or 7 o'clock the enemy were seen + advancing in good order, crossing a canal[116] full of mud and + water, the passage of which might have been easily contested + had we been ready soon enough; but everything was neglected. + For some time we thought the enemy were going + to encamp by the canal, but, seeing that they were still + advancing, the order was given to go and meet them. The + whole army was quickly out of the camp, divided into + several bodies of cavalry, at the head of which were, on their + elephants, the Emperor, the Generalissimo Kamgar Khan, + and other principal chiefs. Scarcely were we out of the camp + when we were halted to await the enemy, everything in the + greatest confusion; one could see no distinction between + right, left, and centre, nothing that had the appearance of + an army intending to attack or even to defend itself. + + "An aide-de-camp brought me an order to march ahead + with all my troop, and to place myself in a position which + he pointed out, a good cannon-shot away. Abandoned to + ourselves we should have been exposed to all the fire of the + English, artillery and even to be outflanked by the enemy + and captured at the first attack. We advanced a few paces + in obedience to the order, but, seeing no one move to support + us, I suspected they wanted to get rid of us. I therefore + brought back my men to where I had first placed them, on + a line about 200 paces in front of the army. + + "The enemy advanced steadily. The English at their + head with all their artillery were already within range of + our guns. They quickly placed their pieces in two batteries + to the right and left, and kept up a very lively cross fire. + In a very short time, having killed many men, elephants, + and horses--amongst others one of mine--they caused the + whole of the Prince's army to turn tail. Kamgar Khan, at + their head, fled as fast as he could, without leaving a single + person to support us. The enemy's fire, opposed to which + ours was but feeble, continued steadily. We were forced to + retire, and did so in good order, having had some soldiers + and sepoys killed and one gun dismounted, which we left on + the field of battle. We regained the village, which sheltered + us for a time. The enemy started in pursuit. Unluckily, + as we issued from the village, our guns traversing a hollow + road, we were stopped by ditches and channels full of mud, + in which the guns stuck fast. As I was trying to disengage + them the English reached us, and surrounded us so as to + cut off all retreat. Then I surrendered with 3 or 4 officers + and about 40 soldiers who were with me, and the guns. It + was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th of January, + 1761, a moment whose malign influence it was as it were + impossible to resist, since it was that of the surrender of + Pondicherry,[117] a place 300 leagues away from us." + +Gholam Husain Khan has left a graphic description of this incident. + + "Monsieur Law, with the small force and the artillery + which he could muster, bravely fought the English themselves, + and for some time he made a shift to withstand their + superiority. Their auxiliaries consisted of large bodies of + natives, commanded by Ramnarain and Raj Balav, but the + engagement was decided by the English, who fell with so + much effect upon the enemy that their onset could not be + withstood by either the Emperor or Kamgar Khan. The + latter, finding he could not resist, turned about and fled. + The Emperor, obliged to follow him, quitted the field of + battle, and the handful of troops that followed M. Law, + discouraged by this flight and tired of the wandering life + which they had hitherto led in his service, turned about + likewise and followed the Emperor. M. Law, finding himself + abandoned and alone, resolved not to turn his back. He + bestrode one of his guns and remained firm in that posture, + waiting the moment for his death. This being reported to + Major Carnac, he detached himself from his main body with + Captain Knox and some other officers, and he advanced to + the man on the gun, without taking with him either a guard + or any Telingas[118] at all. Being arrived near, this troop + alighted from their horses, and, pulling their caps from their + heads, they swept the air with them, as if to make him a + _salam_; and this salute being returned by M. Law in the + same manner, some parley followed in their own language. + The Major, after paying high encomiums to M. Law for his + perseverance, conduct, and bravery, added these words: 'You + have done everything that could be expected from a brave + man; and your name shall be undoubtedly transmitted to + posterity by the pen of history; now loosen your sword from + your loins, come amongst us, and abandon all thoughts of + contending with the English.' The other answered that, if + they would accept of his surrendering himself just as he was + he had no objection, but that as to surrendering himself with + the disgrace of being without his sword, it was a shame he + would never submit to, and that they might take his life if + they were not satisfied with that condition. The English + commanders, admiring his firmness, consented to his surrendering + himself in the manner he wished; after which + the Major, with his officers, shook hands with him in their + European manner, and every sentiment of enmity was instantly + dismissed on both sides. At the same time that + commander sent for his own _palky_, made him sit in it, and + he was sent to the camp. M. Law, unwilling to see or to be + seen, in that condition, shut up the curtains of the _palky_ for + fear of being recognized by any of his friends at camp, but + yet some of his acquaintances, hearing of his having arrived, + went to him; these were Mir Abdulla and Mustapha Ali + Khan. The Major, who had excused him from appearing in + public, informed them that they could not see him for some + days, as he was too much vexed to receive any company. + Ahmed Khan Koreishi, who was an impertinent talker, + having come to look at him, thought to pay his court to + the English by joking on this man's defeat--a behaviour that + has nothing strange [in it] if we consider the times in which + we live and the company he was accustomed to frequent; and + it was in that notion of his, doubtless, that with much pertness + of voice and air he asked him this question: '_And Bibi + Lass,[119] where is she_?' The Major and the officers present, + shocked at the impropriety of the question, reprimanded him + with a severe look and very severe expressions. 'This man,' + they said, 'has fought bravely, and deserves the attention + of all brave men; the impertinences which you have been + offering him may be customary amongst your friends and + your nation, but cannot be suffered in ours, who has it for + a standing rule never to offer an injury to a vanquished foe.' + Ahmed Khan, checked by this reprimand, held his tongue, + and did not answer a word. He tarried about one hour + more in his visit, and then went away much abashed; and + although he was a commander of importance, and one to + whom much honour had always been paid, no one did speak + to him any more, or made a show of standing up at his + departure. This reprimand did much honour to the English; + and it must be acknowledged, to the honour of those + strangers, that as their conduct in war and battle is worthy + of admiration, so, on the other hand, nothing is more modest + and more becoming than their behaviour to an enemy, + whether in the heat of action or in the pride of success and + victory. These people seem to act entirely according to the + rules observed by our ancient commanders and our men of + genius." + +Gholam Husain Khan says the victory was decided by the English; the +following quotation from Major Carnac's Letter to the Select +Committee at Calcutta, dated the 17th of January, 1761, shows how +the courage of the British forces saved them from a great disaster. + + "It gives me particular pleasure to inform you that we + have not lost a man in the action, but a few of the Nawab's + troops who had got up near our rear suffered considerably + from the explosion of one of the French tumbrils. It seems + the enemy had lain a train to it in hopes of it's catching + while our Europeans were storming the battery, but fortunately + we were advanced two or three hundred yards in + the pursuit before it had effect, and the whole shock was + sustained by the foremost of the Nawab's troops who were + blown up to the number of near four hundred, whereof + seventy or eighty died on the spot."[120] + +Law continues:-- + + "The next morning, as the English army started in + pursuit of the Emperor Shah Alam, Major Carnac, from + whom, I must mention in passing, I received all possible + marks of attention and politeness, sent me to Patna, where + in the English Chief, Mr. McGwire, I found an old friend, + who treated me as I should certainly have treated him in + like circumstances. I was in need of everything, and he let + me want for nothing." + +Thus ended Law's attempt to maintain the French party in Bengal. All +hopes of a French attack in force on Calcutta had long since +disappeared, and, under the circumstances, his capture was fortunate +for himself and his comrades. Most of the latter were gradually +picked up by the English. Law was sent to Calcutta, and left Bengal +in 1762. He was now only forty-two years of age. On his arrival in +France he found his services much appreciated by his countrymen, and +was made a Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, +and a Colonel of Infantry. Later on he was appointed Commissary for +the King, Commandant of the French Nation in the East Indies, and +Governor of Pondicherry. Law's account of his adventures was +commenced at Paris in 1763.[121] There exist letters written by him +to the historian Robert Orme, dated as late as 1785, which show the +strong interest he always retained in the affairs of Bengal, where +with adequate resources he might have played a much more +distinguished part. + +We have seen a town besieged by a foreign army; we have seen the +Court of a great Prince distracted by internal dissensions and +trembling at the approach of a too-powerful enemy, and now we shall +pass to the quiet retreats of rural Bengal, which even their +remoteness could not save from some share in the troubles of the +time. In those days, even more than at present, the rivers were the +great highways of the country, but it needs personal acquaintance +with them to enable us to realize the effect they produce upon the +mind of a European. As a rule comparatively shallow, in the dry +weather they pursue a narrow winding course in the middle of a sandy +waste, but in the Rains they fill their beds from side to side, +overtop the banks, and make the country for miles around a series of +great lakes, studded with heavily wooded islands. Amidst these one +can wander for days hardly seeing a single human being, and hearing +nothing but the rushing of the current and the weird cries of +water-birds; at other times the prow of one's boat will suddenly +push itself through overhanging branches into the very midst of a +populous village. At first all is strange and beautiful, but after a +short time the feeling grows that every scene is a repetition; the +banks, the trees, the villages, seem as if we have been looking at +them for a thousand years, and the monotony presses wearily on mind +and heart. It was in a country of this kind that Courtin and his +little band of Frenchmen and natives evaded capture for nearly nine +months, and it adds to our admiration for his character to see how +his French gaiety of heart unites with his tenderness for his absent +wife, not only to conceal the deadly monotony of his life in the +river districts during the Rains, and the depressing and +disheartening effect of the noxious climate in which he and his +companions had to dwell, but also to make light of the imminent +danger in which he stood from the unscrupulous human enemies by whom +he was surrounded. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 65: From certain letters it appears that, strictly +speaking, the English Factory alone was at Cossimbazar, the French +being at Saidabad, and the Dutch at Calcapur. Both Saidabad and +Calcapur were evidently close to Cossimbazar, if not parts of it.] + +[Footnote 66: George Lodewijk Vernet, Senior Merchant.] + +[Footnote 67: The historian Malleson also confuses the two +brothers.] + +[Footnote 68: The best copy I have seen is that in the Manuscript +Department of the British Museum.] + +[Footnote 69: Gholam Husain Khan says that Siraj-ud-daula was born +in the year in which Aliverdi Khan obtained from the Emperor the +_firman_ for Bihar. This, according to Scrafton, was 1736, and the +connection of his birth with this auspicious event was the prime +cause of his grandfather's great reference for him.] + +[Footnote 70: See note, p. 88.] + +[Footnote 71: Uncle of Siraj-ud-daula, who died so shortly before +the death of Aliverdi Khan, that it was supposed he was poisoned to +ensure Siraj-ud-daula's accession.] + +[Footnote 72: Fazl-Kuli-Khan. _Scrafton_.] + +[Footnote 73: Law says; "The rumour ran that M. Drake replied to the +messengers that, since the Nawab wished to fill up the Ditch, he +agreed to it provided it was done with the heads of Moors. I do not +believe he said so, but possibly some thoughtless young Englishman +let slip those words, which, being heard by the messengers, were +reported to the Nawab."] + +[Footnote 74: Europeans. Properly, Franks or Frenchmen. This term +was generally applied by Europeans to the half-caste descendants of +the Portuguese.] + +[Footnote 75: Captains or generals: a term of somewhat indefinite +meaning.] + +[Footnote 76: In alliance with Salabat Jang, Bussy temporarily +acquired a large territory for the French.] + +[Footnote 77: "After Mr. Law had given us a supply of clothes, +linen, provisions, liquors, and cash, we left his Factory with +grateful hearts and compliments." _Holwell_. Letter to Mr. Davis, +February 28, 1757.] + +[Footnote 78: Imperial Charter.] + +[Footnote 79: For an explanation of the influence of the Seths, see +pp. 84, 85, and note.] + +[Footnote 80: Ramnarain is an interesting character. He appears to +have been one of the most faithful of the adherents of the house of +Aliverdi Khan and on its extinction of the English connection. His +gallantry in battle is referred to by Colonel Ironside. _Asiatic +Annual Register_, 1800.] + +[Footnote 81: The official intimation reached Admiral Watson in +January, 1757, but apparently not the formal orders from the +Admiralty. See page 30.] + +[Footnote 82: In a letter to the Secret Committee, London, dated +October 11, 1756, Clive writes: "I hope we shall be able to +dispossess the French of Chandernagore." So it is evident that he +came with this intention to Bengal.] + +[Footnote 83: Clive describes Hugli as "the second city in the +kingdom." _Letter to Lord Hardwicke, Feb_. 23, 1757.] + +[Footnote 84: Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.] + +[Footnote 85: Hearing that Seth Mahtab Rai was to marry a +wonderfully beautiful woman, he forced the Seths to let him see the +young lady. _Scrafton_.] + +[Footnote 86: "If one is to believe certain English writers, the +Seths were an apparently insurmountable obstacle to the project +because of the money we owed them, as if in their perilous position +these bankers would not be inclined to sacrifice something to save +the greater part. Besides, we shall see by what follows that they +sacrificed nothing." _Law_. The extraordinary influence of these +people was due not so much to their dealings with the head of the +State as to the fact that native princes generally make payments, +not in cash, but in bonds. It therefore depends on the bankers what +any man shall get for his bonds. In this way an official, even when +paid by the State, may be ruined by the bankers, who are merely +private persons.] + +[Footnote 87: "In India it is thought disrespectful to tell a great +man distinctly the evil which is said of him. If an inferior knows +that designs are formed against the life of his superior, he must +use circumlocutions, and suggest the subject in vague terms and +speak in enigmas. It is for the great man to divine what is meant. +If he has not the wit, so much the worse for him. As a foreigner, I +was naturally more bold and said what I thought to Siraj-ud-daula. +Coja Wajid did not hesitate to blame me, so that for a long time I +did not know what to think of him. This man finally fell a victim to +his diplomacies, perhaps also to his imprudences. One gets tired of +continual diplomacy, and what is good in the beginning of a business +becomes in the end imprudence." _Law_.] + +[Footnote 88: "Witness the letter written to the English Admiral +Watson, by which it is pretended the Nawab authorized him to +undertake the siege of Chandernagore. The English memoir" (by _Luke +Scrafton_) "confesses it was a surprise, and that the Secretary must +have been bribed to write it in a way suitable to the views of Mr. +Watts. The Nawab never read the letters which he ordered to be +written; besides, the Moors never sign their names; the envelope +being closed and well fastened, the Secretary asks the Nawab for his +seal, and seals it in his presence. Often there is a counterfeit +seal." _Law_. From this it may be seen that the Nawab could always +assert that his Secretary had exceeded his instructions, whilst it +was open to his correspondent to assert the contrary.] + +[Footnote 89: The clerks.] + +[Footnote 90: "This was the boaster Rai Durlabh Ram, who had already +received much from me, but all the treasures of the Universe could +not have freed him from the fear he felt at having to fight the +English. He had with him as his second in command a good officer, +Mir Madan, the only man I counted upon." _Law_.] + +[Footnote 91: Referring to Clive's letter of the 7th of March, +saying he wished to attack Chandernagore, but would await the +Nawab's orders at that place.] + +[Footnote 92: By "agent" Law must mean simply an agent in the plot.] + +[Footnote 93: Scrafton, in his "Reflections" (_pp. 40 and 50_), +says, Siraj-ud-daula indulged in all sorts of debauchery; but his +grandfather, in his last illness, made him swear on the Koran to +give up drinking. He kept his oath, but probably his mind was +affected by his previous excesses.] + +[Footnote 94: Arzbegi, i.e. the officer who receives petitions.] + +[Footnote 95: A preparation of betel-nut (areca-nut) is used by the +natives of Hindustan as a digestive. When offered to a guest, it is +a sign of welcome or dismissal. When sent by a messenger, it is an +assurance of friendship and safe conduct.] + +[Footnote 96: The Governor of Patna was Raja Ramnarain, a Hindu, +with the rank of Naib only. It was considered unsafe to entrust so +important a post to a Muhammadan, or an officer with the rank of +Nawab.] + +[Footnote 97: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2779, No. 120.] + +[Footnote 98: Ibid., India IX., p. 2294.] + +[Footnote 99: Letter from Renault to Dupleix. Dated Chandernagore, +Sept. 4, 1757.] + +[Footnote 100: Broome (p. 154) gives his name as Mir Daood.] + +[Footnote 101: The Council signed the Treaty with Mir Jafar on the +19th of May, but Mr. Watts's first intimation of his readiness to +join the English is, I believe, in a letter dated the 26th of April. +Mir Jafar signed the Treaty early in June.] + +[Footnote 102: So Suja-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, plundered the Nawab +Mir Kasim, when the English drove him from Bengal in 1763.] + +[Footnote 103: Broome (p. 154) says "a fakier, named Dana Shah, +whose nose and ears he had ordered to be cut off thirteen months +before, when on his march against the Nawaub of Purneah."] + +[Footnote 104: Orme MSS., India Office, and Clive correspondence at +Walcot, vol. iv.] + +[Footnote 105: The celebrated traveller. He quickly quarrelled with +and left them.] + +[Footnote 106: Province.] + +[Footnote 107: Nawab of Oudh and father of Suja-ud-daula.] + +[Footnote 108: I.e. the receiver of the rent or revenue.] + +[Footnote 109: The regular winds of the various seasons are called +monsoons, and are named after the point of the compass from which +they blow.] + +[Footnote 110: Alamgir II.] + +[Footnote 111: Imad-ul-mulk, Ghazi-ud-din Khan.] + +[Footnote 112: Ali Gauhar, born 1728. On the death of his father, +November 29, 1759, he assumed the name or title of Shah Alam.] + +[Footnote 113: The old English Factory at Patna was re-opened by Mr. +Pearkes, in July, 1757. See his letters to Council, dated 12th and +14th July, 1757.] + +[Footnote 114: Kasim Ali had a much better army than any of his +predecessors. Though it was not trained in the European manner, +several of the chief officers were Armenians, who effected great +reforms in discipline. Three years later it made a really good fight +against the English.] + +[Footnote 115: The battle is generally known as that of Gaya, but +was fought at Suan. The site is marked in Rennell's map of South +Bihar. It lies about six miles west of the town of Bihar, on the +river Banowra.] + +[Footnote 116: The Banowra River.] + +[Footnote 117: The French capital on the Madras coast. Surrendered +to Eyre Coote.] + +[Footnote 118: Sepoys, so called from the Telingana district in +Madras, where they were first recruited.] + +[Footnote 119: Mrs. Law. _Bibi_ is the equivalent of mistress or +lady. _Lass_ was the native version of Law. Mrs. Law's maiden name +was Jeanne Carvalho.] + +[Footnote 120: Bengal Select Com. Consultations, 28th January, +1761.] + +[Footnote 121: "A part of these Memoirs was written at Paris in +1703, and part at sea in 1764, during my second voyage to India, but +several of the notes were added later." _Law_.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +M. COURTIN, CHIEF OF DACCA + + +Jacques Ignace, son of François Courtin, Chevalier, Seigneur de +Nanteuil, and of Catherine Colin, is, I believe, the correct +designation of the gentleman who appears in all the records of the +French and English East India Companies as M. Courtin, Chief of the +French Factory at Dacca. + +In June 1756, when Siraj-ud-daula marched on Calcutta, he sent word +to his representative, the Nawab Jusserat Khan at Dacca, to seize +the English Factory, and make prisoners of the Company's servants +and soldiers. The English Factory on the site of the present +Government College, was-- + + "little better than a common house, surrounded with a thin + brick wall, one half of it not above nine foot high." The + garrison consisted "of a lieutenant" (Lieutenant John Cudmore), + "4 serjeants, 3 corporals, and 19 European soldiers, + besides 34 black Christians[122] and 60 _Buxerries_."[123] + +[Illustration: DACCA, OR JEHANGIR NAGAR. (_After Rennell_.)] + +On the 27th of June Jusserat Khan sent on the Nawab's order by the +English _wakil_, or agent, to Mr. Becher, the English Chief, and +informed him of the capture of Fort William and the flight of Mr. +Drake. Thinking this was merely a trick to frighten them into +surrender, the Dacca Council requested Mr. Scrafton, third in +Council, to write to M. Courtin, chief of the French Factory, for +information. In reply M. Courtin sent them a number of letters which +he had received from Chandernagore, confirming the bad news from +Calcutta. Taking into consideration the unfortified condition of the +Factory, and that Dacca was only four days by river from Murshidabad +whilst it was fourteen from Calcutta, it seemed idle to hope to +defend it even when assistance could be expected from the latter +place, and, now that it was certain that Calcutta itself had fallen, +any attempt at defence appeared rather "an act of rashness than of +bravery." It was therefore resolved to obtain the best terms they +could through the French. + +The next day M. Fleurin, second of the French Factory--M. +Courtin[124] was not well acquainted with the English language--came +to inform them that the Nawab of Dacca agreed that the ladies and +gentlemen should be allowed to retire to the French Factory on M. +Courtin giving his word that they would there await the orders of +Siraj-ud-daula as to their future fate. The soldiers were to lay +down their arms, and be prisoners to the Nawab. This amicable +arrangement was entirely due to M. Courtin's good offices, and he +was much congratulated on the tact he had shown in preventing the +Nawab from using violent measures, as he seemed inclined to do at +first. As the Nawab would not allow the English to take away any of +their property, except the clothes they were wearing, they were +entirely dependent upon the French for everything, and were treated +with the greatest kindness. The Council wrote:-- + + "The French have behaved with the greatest humanity + to such as have taken refuge at their Factory, and the tenour + of their conduct everywhere to us on this melancholy occasion + has been such as to merit the grateful acknowledgment of + our nation." + +For some two months the English remained in the French Factory, M. +Law, at Cossimbazar, warmly soliciting their release from +Siraj-ud-daula. This he obtained with difficulty, and at last Mr. +Becher and his companions sailed in a sloop provided by M. Courtin +for Fulta, where they arrived safely on the 26th of August. When +Calcutta had been recaptured by the English, M. Courtin, like a good +business man, sent in a bill for the costs of the sloop to the +Council at Calcutta, and the Consultations of the 16th of May, 1757, +duly notify its payment. + +The English did not regain possession of the Factory at Dacca till +the 8th of March, by which time the declaration of War between +France and England was known, and the likelihood of troubles in +Bengal was very apparent. As we have seen, the English were +successful in their attack on Chandernagore, but the whole country +was aware that the Nawab was only the more enraged with them, and +his local officers might at any moment be instructed to take +vengeance on Englishmen found defenceless up country. On the 23rd of +March, Messrs. Sumner and Waller wrote from Dacca that Jusserat Khan +had refused to restore the Factory cannon, and to pass their goods +without a new _parwana_[125] from Murshidabad. It was therefore +still very doubtful whether he would assist the English or the +French at Dacca, and though the English obtained the _parwana_ they +wanted early in May, on the 9th the Council at Calcutta sent them +orders to do the best they could for their own security, and +informed them they had sent an armed sloop to Luckipore to cover +their retreat. They immediately sent down all the goods they could, +but as matters became quieter again they soon resumed business, and +appear to have had no further trouble. + +It may be imagined that M. Courtin and his friends, knowing that the +English had demanded the surrender of the French Factories, had a +very uncomfortable experience all this time.[126] Unfortunately no +Records of the French Factories in Bengal are now to be found, and I +had despaired of obtaining any information about the expulsion from +Dacca, when, in the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris, I came on a MS. +entitled, "_Copy of a letter from M. Courtin from India, written to +his wife, in which are given in detail the different affairs which +he had with the Moors from the 22nd of June, 1757, the day of his +evacuation of Dacca, to the 9th of March, 1758_."[127] + +M. Courtin had married a Madame Direy, widow of a French Company's +servant, and the letter shows she was fortunately in France at the +time of her husband's troubles. As was natural, but inconveniently +enough for us, Courtin does not think it necessary to trouble her +with unintelligible and unpronounceable Indian names. Where +possible, I shall fill them in from the English Records, otherwise I +shall interrupt the course of the letter as little as possible. It +runs as follows:-- + + "Calcapur,[128] April 20, 1758. + + "Word must have reached thee in France of the loss of + Chandernagore, which was taken from us by the English on + the 23rd of March, 1757, after eleven days' siege. I was + then at Dacca, and expecting every day to see M. + Chevalier return from his journey to the King of Assam. + Judge, my dear wife, of the chagrin and embarrassment into + which I was thrown by this deplorable event. The English + had had no idea of attacking Chandernagore until they had + recovered Calcutta from the Moors, taken the Moorish village + at Hugli, and forced the Moors to agree to a most shameful + peace. This was not, as thou wilt see, sufficient for them, + for Siraj-ud-daula had offended them too deeply for them to + stop when once they found themselves on a good road; but + unfortunately we were an obstacle in the way of their + vengeance, otherwise I believe they would have observed + the neutrality which had been always so carefully maintained + by the European nations in the country of the Ganges, in + spite of all the wars which took place in Europe. Many of + the French from Chandernagore--officers, Company's servants, + and others--had taken refuge at Cossimbazar with M. Law, + who formed there a party which opposed the English in + various ways. The English, however, forced Siraj-ud-daula, + against his true interest and in spite of his promise to + protect us, to abandon us, and to make M. Law leave his + Factory and go to Patna. This imprudent act was the ruin + of the Prince and put the final touch to our misfortunes, + whilst it has made the English masters of Bengal, and has + filled their coffers with wealth. + + "I held on at Dacca till the 22nd of June. I was troubled + as little as was possible in such circumstances, owing, I + think, to the gratitude which the English felt for the services + I had rendered them in Dacca the year before. I had all + the more reason to think this was so because, after the + misfortune which befell Chandernagore, they had often + offered to secure to me all my effects and merchandise in + Murshidabad [?]--they were worth a million--provided I + made over to them the French Factory and all that belonged + to the Company, and would myself leave for Pondicherry + in the following October. They said I should not be considered + a prisoner of war, and should not require to be + exchanged. + + "These were, no doubt, very good terms, and most + advantageous to me; but should I not have been dishonoured + for ever if I had had a soul so servile and base as to accept + them? I would have been covered with ignominy in my + own eyes, and without doubt in those of all the world. I + therefore thought it my duty to reject them. + + "Things were on this footing when, at the beginning + of June, I learned that the English, having got rid of M. + Law, were marching upon Murshidabad with all their forces + to achieve the destruction of a Prince who was already half + ruined by his own timidity and cowardice, and still further + weakened by the factions formed against him by the chief + members of his own family--a Prince detested by every one + for his pride and tyranny, and for a thousand dreadful crimes + with which he had already soiled his reputation though he + was barely twenty-five years old. + + "I knew only too well what was preparing against him, + and I was also most eager to find some honourable means of + escape for myself. M. Chevalier's absence troubled me + greatly, and I did not like to leave him behind me. At last + he arrived on the 16th or 17th. I had taken the precaution + to provide myself with a _parwana_, or passport, signed by + Siraj-ud-daula, allowing me to go where I pleased. That + Prince had recalled M. Law to him, but too late, for I felt + certain he could not rejoin him in time to save him or to + check the progress of his enemies. I was in a hurry therefore + to go and help to save him if that were possible, taking + care, however, to choose a route by which I could escape if, + as I thought probable, he should have succumbed beforehand + to the efforts of the English, and the treason of his subjects. + + "It was then the 22nd of June when I started with + about 35 boats,[129] MM. Chevalier, Brayer [possibly a relation + of the M. Brayer who commanded at Patna], Gourlade, the + surgeon, and an Augustine Father, Chaplain of the Factory, + 8 European soldiers, of whom several were old and past + service, 17 topass gunners, 4 or 5 of the Company's servants, + and about 25 or 30 peons.[130] There, my dear wife, is the + troop with which thou seest me start upon my adventures.[131] + To these, however, should be added my Christian clerks, my + domestics, and even my cook, all of whom I dressed and + armed as soldiers to assist me in what I expected to be a + losing game, and which, in fact, had results the most disastrous + in the world for my personal interests. + + "It was not till seven or eight days after I had set out + with this fine troop that I learned there had been a battle at + Plassey between the English and the Nawab, in which the + latter had been defeated and forced to flee, and that Jafar + Ali Khan, his maternal uncle,[132] had been enthroned in his + place. This report, though likely enough as far as I could + judge, did not come from a source so trustworthy that I could + rely on it with entire faith. Accordingly I did not yet + abandon the route which I had proposed to myself; in fact, + I followed it for some days more, and almost as far as the + mouth of the Patna River.[133] There I learned, beyond possibility + of doubt, that Siraj-ud-daula had been captured, conducted + to Murshidabad, and there massacred; that he had + just missed being rejoined by M. Law, who was coming to + meet him, and could easily have done so if he had followed + the instructions given him and had been willing to march + only three hours longer; and that the English had sent a + body of troops towards Patna to capture or destroy M. Law + if possible." + +We have seen in a previous chapter the real reasons why Law was +unable to rejoin Siraj-ud-daula in time for the battle. + + "I now saw that a junction with him had become impossible, + unless I determined to run the most evident risk of + losing my liberty and all I had." + +It appears that Courtin had the Company's effects, as well as his +own private property and that of his companions, on board his little +fleet. + + "This made me change my route immediately. The + mountains of Tibet[134] appeared to me a safe and eminently + suitable asylum until the arrival in the Ganges of the forces + which we flattered ourselves were coming. I therefore directed + my route in this direction, but found myself suddenly and + unexpectedly so close to Murshidabad that for two days + together we heard the sound of the guns fired in honour of + the revolution which had taken place. It is easy to judge + into what alarm this unexpected and disagreeable proximity + threw me. However, we arrived safely, on the 10th of July, + at the capital of the Raja of Dinajpur, who wished to oppose + our passage." + +This was the Raja Ram Nath, whom Orme describes as "a Raja, who with +much timidity, was a good man." + + "We made it in spite of him, threatening to attack him + if he showed any further intention of opposing us. I do not + know what would have happened if he had had a little firmness, + for we learned afterwards that he had always in his + service a body of 5000 infantry and cavalry. The persons + whom he sent to us had at first suggested that I should pretend + I was English, assuring me that by that means all difficulties + would be removed; but I thought this trick too much + beneath a man of honour for me to make use of it, and, in + fact, I objected to pass for anything but what I really was. + + "I found here a French soldier, who had been at the + battle of Plassey, where the brave Sinfray,[135] at the head of + 38 Frenchmen, had fought like a hero for a long time, and + had retreated only at the order of Siraj-ud-daula, who, seeing + himself betrayed and the battle lost, sent him word to cease + fighting. This worthy gentleman afterwards took refuge in + Birbhum, the Raja of which country betrayed him, and disgracefully + handed him over to the English in October last." + +Courtin is somewhat unfair to the Raja (apparently a Muhammadan, as +he was called Assaduzama Muhammad),[136] for this Prince was an ally +of the English, and had offered Clive the assistance of his forces +before the battle of Plassey. It could be no treachery on his part +to pick up fugitives from the battle, like Sinfray, and hand them +over to his allies. I may as well quote one of the Raja's letters to +Clive, received 28th October, 1757:-- + + "Before your letter arrived the French were going + through, some woods in my country. I knew they were your + enemies, therefore I ordered my people to surround them. The + French being afraid, some said they were English, and some + Dutch. In the meantime I received your letter that if I + could apprehend them I should send them to you, therefore + I have sent them. Surajah Dowlat has plundered my + country so much, that there is hardly anything left in it."[137] + +Courtin continues:-- + + "To return to my journey and my adventures. I now + found myself outside of Bengal and in sight of the mountains + of Tibet, a month having elapsed since my departure from + Dacca. I was only two or three days distant from these + mountains, and my intention, as thou hast seen above, was to + go there; but I was prevented by the murmurs of my people, + especially the boatmen, who already began to desert in small + parties. Accordingly I accepted an offer made me on the + part of the Raja of Sahibgunj, to give me a site for a fort, + and to aid me with everything I might want. I descended + the river again for a little, and near this site, which was on + the river bank, I commenced a fort, but the thickness of the + forest forced me to abandon it, and I entered a little river + close by, which conducted me to a marsh, on the borders of + which I found an elevated site admirably situated and in a + very agreeable neighbourhood.[138] This belonged to the same + Raja, and with his consent I again set to work, and that + with such promptitude that in less than a month my fortress + commenced to take form, and visibly progressed owing to + the extraordinary efforts I made to complete it. It was + triangular, with a bastion at each angle. At two of the + angles I had found superb trees with very heavy foliage, and + on the third I erected the mast of my boat and hoisted our + flag. All three bastions had four embrasures, a fine entrance + gate opening on the marsh, and a little open turret above, + A small entrance gate led to the open country. The curtains + were carefully pierced for musketry, and strengthened outside + with a trellis work of bamboo, and finished off with banquettes + on the ramparts. An excellent powder magazine + was built in the same way, and, being situated in the interior + of the fort, was quite safe from any accident. + + "As I had brought workmen of all kinds with me, the + work went on well, especially as the care of our health made + us all industrious. I was not without cannon, and I mounted + on our ramparts two Swedish guns, which afterwards proved + our safety and preservation.[139] Also being provided with the + requisites for making gunpowder, I very soon had nearly + 3000 lbs. weight of very good quality. + + "Hardly anything remained to complete my fortress, + which I had named 'Bourgogne,' except to provide it with + a glaçis. It was already furnished with a market which was + sufficiently flourishing, when to my misfortune I received + the false information that our forces, which were said to be + considerable, were ready to enter the Ganges, and that there + was certain news of the arrival of a very strong squadron at + Pondicherry.[140] On the 8th September there broke out at + Purneah, and in the province of that name, a Evolution + headed by a person named Hazir Ali Khan,[141] who, having + seized the capital, at once wrote to me to join him, and assist + him against the English and Jafar Ali Khan.[142] + + "These two events made me stop everything else and + devote myself entirely to getting my boats out of the little + river by which I had entered the marsh, and which was now + almost quite dried up. I succeeded in doing so after some + time, by means of ditches which I cut from the marsh, but + this took me more than a month and considerable labour, as + I was about two leagues from the great river. To complete + my misfortunes, my troop was attacked by sickness, which + raged with a violence such as I had scarcely ever seen. It + cost me nine soldiers, of whom three were Europeans. The + latter were luckily replaced some days after by the same + number who joined me.[143] Poor M. Brayer and M. Gourlade + had been during almost the whole campaign in the most + pitiable condition, especially the former, who I thought a + thousand times must have died. As for me, the powders + _d'Aillot_ preserved me from the pestilential air, and cured + me from the effects of a fall in my _bajarow_,[144] caused by the + clumsiness of my boatmen. I narrowly escaped breaking + my ribs and back. + + "Before quitting Fort Bourgogne I must tell thee, my + dear wife, that I often played there a very grand rôle. I + was called the 'Fringuey Raja,' or 'King of the Christians.' + I was often chosen as arbiter amongst the little princes in + my neighbourhood, who sent me ambassadors. My reputation + spread so wide, and the respect that I gained was so + great, that the King of Tibet did not disdain to honour me + with an embassy of nearly eight hundred persons, whom I + entertained for nine whole days, and whose chiefs I dismissed + with presents suitable to their rank, their king, our + nation, and the idea which I wished to leave behind me in + this country of the European name. The presents which + were made me consisted of five horses, some bags of scent, + three or four pieces of china, pieces of gilt paper, and a sabre + like those used by the Bhutiyas, or people of Tibet, who are + men as strong and robust as those of Bengal are feeble. + Though pagans like the latter, they eat all kinds of things, + and live almost like the Tartars, from whom they are descended. + They have no beards, and are clothed in a fashion + which is good enough, but which looks singular. They are + very dirty. The complexion of those whom I saw was very + dark, but I know it is not the same in the interior of the + country and in the mountains, where all are as fair as the + Chinese, who are said to be their neighbours. I took some + trouble to form an alliance and to make a party amongst + them. They appeared very willing, but I soon had occasion + to convince myself that not only were they not fitting persons + for my designs, but also that they were playing with me. + It is not that they do not make raids upon the lower country, + but they make these only in the cold weather, always withdrawing + at the commencement of the hot, without trying to + make any permanent conquests. + + "There, then, my reign is finished, or nearly so, for the + good news that I continued to receive (though always without + foundation, as I learned afterwards), joined to the entreaties + of Hazir All Khan and to the unhealthy air which continued + to decimate my poor little troop, induced me at last to + abandon my fort, to embark again upon my boats, and to + reapproach Bengal, from which I had hitherto been travelling + away. The second day after my departure was marked by + a very annoying accident, namely the loss of one of my + largest boats, on which was my library and a quantity of my + effects. These were quickly drawn out of the water, but + were none the less ruined for the Company and for me. + From that moment commence my misfortunes. The sixth + day--I had passed three in the salvage of the effects on my + boat--I received a _pattamar_ (messenger), who informed me + that the English and the troops of Jafar Ali Khan were at + Purneah, from which they had chased Hazir Ali Khan and + wholly destroyed his faction." + +From Broome we see that this was in the middle of December, 1757. It +was now that Clive first heard what Courtin was attempting. He +immediately sent orders direct, and also through the Nawab, to Kasim +Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore, and to Raja Ram Nath of Dinajpur, to +seize the French. + + "It was almost impossible for me to reascend the river + because of the dry banks and the strong currents which + would have put my boats in danger. However, I found + myself in the country of Rungpore, which was a dependency + of Bengal. I determined nevertheless to remain where I + was, flattering myself the English would not come to look + for me, nor the Nawab or the ruler of the province think of + disturbing themselves about me, as I was doing no harm in + the country, and as I was very strict in observing proper + order and discipline. I was so confident on this latter head + that I did not think of throwing up now entrenchments, and + occupied myself only with hunting and walking whilst I + awaited the arrival of the French forces. However, one day, + towards the middle of January, a secret rumour came to me + that Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore, was coming to + attack me. I sent out scouts, who reported that all was + tranquil in his town, and that, far from wishing to come and + look for a quarrel, he was in fear lest I should march against + his town, which was three days' journey from where I was. + Doubtless my men deceived me or did not take the trouble + to go to Rungpore, for on the 15th of the same month, at + 3 p.m., on the opposite side of the river to that on which + we were, there appeared a body of soldiers, cavalry and + infantry, about 600 in number, who approached so near my + fleet that I no longer doubted the correctness of the first + advice which had been given me. I ordered a discharge + of three guns on this troop, which was so well directed that + the enemy were forced to take themselves off and to encamp + a little further from me. Next day the commander sent me + a present of some fruit, and an intimation that he only + wished to see me quit his country. He knew I could not + do this without risk, and, according to the custom of the + infidels, he gave me the strongest possible assurances of my + safety and tranquillity. I took care not to trust to them; + I was then, as I said above, without entrenchments and + without defence, so in the evening I set to work at surrounding + myself with a ditch, the mud taken out of which would + serve me for embrasures. I was short of provisions, which + made me very anxious, and I was still more so when + I learned that the enemy were trying to cut me off from + provisions on all sides, and that their intention was to + capture me by famine or treachery. Their number quickly + increased to 3000 men, of whom a part came over to my + side of the river, and harassed my people whenever they + went out for provisions. This forced me to detach. MM. + Chevalier and Gourlade, with about 10 men, some peons + and boatmen, against one of their little camps, where there + were about 150 men, foot and horse. Our men received + their fire, stormed the camp, and destroyed it after having + put every one to flight. There was not a single person + wounded on our side. This little advantage gave me time to + make a good provision of rice and other things in the villages + near my entrenchments. I cleared out these villages and + drove out the inhabitants, but I was still in need of a + quantity of things necessary to life. To procure these, I + tried to frighten the enemy by cannonading their chief camp + on the other side of the river. This only resulted in making + them withdraw altogether beyond the reach of my guns, not + with the idea of going away, but of starving me out, and, as + I learned later, to give time for a reinforcement of artillery + which they were expecting to arrive. They had already 4 + or 5 guns, but their calibre was small compared with mine, + as I was able to see from the balls which fell in my camp + when it was entrenched only on the land side. + + "The 19th of January, early in the morning, I sent across + the river a number of workmen, supported by a little detachment + under M. Gourlade, to cut down a grove of bamboos + which masked my guns, and to burn down some houses which + were also in their way. I forbade them to engage the enemy, + and all went well until some topasses and peons advanced + too far towards the enemy's camp, and I heard discharges + so loud and frequent on both sides, that I ordered a retreat + to be beaten in my entrenchments, to make my people recross + the river. I fired my guns continually to facilitate this and to + cover the movement. In this skirmish I had only one soldier + wounded, and I do not know whether the enemy had any + losses. This day more than 1500 shots were fired on both + sides. Some of the guns which the enemy brought up + troubled us greatly, as we were not entrenched on the water + side. Several balls fell at my side or passed over my head. + This determined me to set all my people at work the next + night with torches, to put us under cover on this side + also." + +[It was apparently this fight which Kasim Ali reported to Clive on +the 24th of January:-- + + "I wrote expressly to my people to go and take them" + (the French) "and they went immediately and found them + ready to fight. On both sides there were cannon and + _jenjalls_.[145] A _nulla_[146] was between them, which the French + crost, and advancing upon my people, fought with great + intrepidity: but luckily, three or four of them being killed, + they retired into their fort."[147]] + + "The Moors saw, from my manoeuvre, how important it + was for them to seize the ground which I had intended to + clear, and, contrary to my expectation, established themselves + on it the same evening without my being able to hinder + them, keeping themselves always well hidden behind the + bamboos, where they had nothing to fear from my artillery, + and still less from my musketry. Like me they worked at + night, and, having as many prisoners or other workmen at + their command as they wanted, I saw, with regret, next + morning the progress which they had made opposite me. I + could not dislodge them without risking everything. Weak + as I was, I thought it wiser not to hazard anything more in + sorties, but to hold myself always on the defensive. + + "Sheikh Faiz Ulla (that was the name of the Moorish + general) sent me one of his men next day with a present and + proposals of peace, the first condition of which was, of course, + that I should quit his country, and as, since the dry weather + had set in, a very large and dangerous bank had formed in + the river seven or eight leagues below me, he offered me one + or two thousand workmen to assist in making a passage for + my boats. The shocking treachery used by the Moors being + well known to me, I refused to accept his offers except on + his furnishing me with hostages for his good faith. He first + proposed himself, but with such a strong escort that it was + not difficult to see that it was a trap which he was setting + for me, so as to seize and massacre us. After many debates + between our emissaries, he consented to come to my _bajarow_, + he and his servants, and that all of them should serve as + hostages until I was quite out of the domains of his master. + + "I loyally agreed to this arrangement and made preparations + in consequence, but at 7 in the morning on the + 23rd of January, the day I expected the hostages, I was + awakened by a cannon-shot quickly followed by a second, the + ball of which pierced the _rezai_[148] at the foot of my bed from + side to side, and made a great noise. For a long time I had + been accustomed to sleep fully dressed, so I was able to go out + quickly and give orders in the entrenchments. The treachery + and perfidy of the enemy were too manifest; nevertheless, I + forbade a single shot to be fired with musket or cannon, and + simply recommended my people to be on their guard on + the land side. The enemy kept up a continuous and very + lively fire until 4 o'clock in the evening. I considered that + it would be useless for me to reply, and wished to see how far + they would push their insolence. That day we picked up 40 + cannon-balls, and our whole loss was one boatman slightly + wounded in the leg. From 4 o'clock till night the enemy's + fire was continued, but at long intervals. It began again + the next morning. I suffered this as on the previous day + for a couple of hours, at the end of which. I fired several + shots and silenced it. My firing seemed to trouble the + enemy more than I expected it would. One of my boats was + sunk by a cannon-ball, several were pierced through, and + my _rezai_, which used to serve me as a coat, was much + damaged. + + "The succeeding days passed much in the same manner + until the 3rd of February, when, on the same bank and to + the north above my fleet, I saw a new entrenchment, which + had been thrown up during the preceding night. Its batteries + enfiladed mine along their whole length. It was necessary + either to risk everything by making a sortie in order to + destroy it, or to arrange terms. I determined on the latter, + which appeared to me all the more necessary, as I was + beginning to be in want of everything, and as I had just + received letters which deprived me of all hope of the arrival + of our forces in Bengal until April or May. I therefore + informed Sheikh Faiz Ulla that I was ready to enter upon + negotiations, and the same day he sent me some of his people, + with whom I agreed to leave my entrenchments and go + down the river. I consented to do this without hostages, + but, that it might be done in security, I promised them a + sum of money for themselves as well as for their general. + This arrangement being agreed to by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, he + sent me word that, in order that he might not appear to + betray his master, it would be necessary for me next morning + to open the fiercest fire possible on his camp; that he would + reply; that on both sides it should be with the intention of + doing as little hurt as possible; that I should pretend it was + to force him to give me a passport, which he would send me + in the evening; and that I should then send him the + money I had promised. All these precautions were only + to assist his rascality, and they appeared to me all the more + surprising, as he had already repeatedly informed me that + he had his master's permission to give me a passport, and to + let me go where I pleased. But of what are these Moors not + capable? Without being blind to the continuance of his perfidy, + I flattered myself that it might happen that he would not + trouble me on my march when he had received my money. + + "However this might be, my cannon fired from 10 in + the morning till 3 in the evening. Our people, perceiving + that the enemy were firing in earnest, did not spare them + any more than they spared us, and that which was at first, + on our side, only a pretence, finally became serious. At 4 + o'clock I received an envoy, who brought me the passport, + and to whom I paid the money. He assured me that I + might embark my artillery the next morning, and set out the + day after without the slightest apprehension of being interfered + with, I took my precautions, and, in fear of treachery, kept + on shore my two Swedish guns. At last, at seven in the + morning, my boats started, having on board only the sick + and helpless, and I set out by land with my two guns and + the rest of my troop, at the head of which I put myself." + +This triumph of time and treachery was reported by Sheikh Faiz +Ulla's master, Kasim Ali, to Clive, on the 14th of February:[149]-- + + "I before wrote you that I had sent forces to fight the + French, that they had a fort and strong intrenchments, and + that we had a battle with them.... ever since I wrote + you last we have been fighting, my people have behaved well, + and I make no doubt but you have heard it from other people. + God knows what pains and trouble I have taken in this + affair. The French being shut up in their fort and undergoing + much fatigue by always fighting, and likewise being + in want of provisions were obliged to run away in their + boats by night, and went towards the Dinajpur country. + + My people being always ready to fight followed them.... + They can go no other way but through the Dinajpur country. + I have therefore wrote expressly to the Rajah to stop the + passage." + +About this time, though Courtin does not mention it till later, he +began to see what the inevitable end must be. He could not cut his +way through to join Law, and with the whole country in arms against +him he was too weak to hold out for any length of time. Accordingly +he sent messengers secretly to Mr. Luke Scrafton, at Murshidabad. It +was Scrafton, as I have said above, who wrote to Courtin for +assistance when the Nawab of Dacca wanted to take their Factory and +imprison the English. Courtin now wrote to him to save him from +falling into the hands of the natives, and, on the 18th of February, +Scrafton wrote to the Select Committee at Calcutta for the necessary +permission.[150] + +We now rejoin Courtin:-- + + "What was my surprise, at the end of an hour and a + half, to see that we were followed by a body of four or five + hundred men, with two guns drawn by oxen. I pretended + not to notice, and continued my march, but at 3 o'clock + in the afternoon, seeing this troop approach, within range of + my pieces, I pointed them at the Moors, and put my force + in a position of defence. Their rascality followed its usual + course, and they sent me word that I had nothing to fear, + that they would not march so close to me any more, and + that they followed me only to preserve the peace and to + hinder my people, especially the stragglers, from committing + any disorder. I received this excuse for what it was worth, + and pretended to be content with, it, seeing clearly that they + were looking for an opportunity to surprise and destroy us. + + "Several accidents happening to the boats of the rearguard + prevented my troop and myself from rejoining the + main body of the fleet till far on in the night. I found it + anchored in the most disadvantageous position possible, and + in the morning I saw at a distance of one-eighth of a league + the same body of troops, that had followed me the day before, + establishing and settling itself. A moment later I learned + that Sheikh Faiz Ulla was on the opposite bank with his + army and his artillery, that he intended to wait for me in a + narrow place called Choquova,[151] at the foot of which my boats + must pass, and that he was diligently making entrenchments + there. My embarrassment was then extreme. I found + myself surrounded on all sides; I was without any provisions, + destitute of the most necessary articles of life. In + this perplexity I saw only the most cruel alternatives, either + to surrender or to fight to the death so as to perish with our + arms in our hands. The latter appeared to be less dreadful + than the former. + + "After repeated consultations, we determined it would + be best to risk the passage of the fleet by Choquova. We + thought that possibly we should find provisions there, and + that certainly the position could not be worse (for defence) + than that in which we then found ourselves. The passage + was carried out in three hours' time without confusion or + disorder, by means of my Swedish guns on the boat which + led the van. What was our delight to find, not only a better + position than that which we had quitted, but one that was + almost completely entrenched by nature, and had villages + full of rice to the right and left of it. + + "Next day I collected provisions in abundance, cleared + the country round for a quarter of a league, and did my best + to ameliorate my condition. The enemy were disconcerted by + my boldness. They pretended as usual, in order to deceive + me the more easily, that they were not surprised at my march. + They feared rightly that if I commenced new entrenchments + all their trouble would begin again. Besides, I had completely + protected myself from the possibility of surprise. _Pourparlers_ + for an accommodation were renewed and lasted three + days, at the end of which it was agreed that I should + continue my march, that two hostages should be given me + for my safety, and that the army with its guns should retire + from Choquova, and should be sent a long way ahead across + country, and as, at half a league from this place, the river + was no longer navigable because of the bank which had + formed in it, I should be supplied with people to facilitate + my passage. Thou wilt notice, my dear wife, that in all the + negotiations I had for various reasons and on several occasions + proposed to suspend all hostilities until an answer + could be received from Jafar All Khan and the English, to + whom I said I would write to come to some accommodation + with them, offering to send my letter open. This was repeatedly + refused, but the refusal did not prevent my asking + for the honours of war. My letters were despatched secretly + by my own messengers. + + "At last, on the 23rd, I quitted, though with regret + (always expecting treachery), my new position, and approached + the shallow or bank mentioned. It was night when I + arrived. In spite of this I could understand, from the + dreadful noise made by the waters, that I should have + difficulty in traversing this dangerous passage even with the + assistance promised me. I was only too well convinced of + the truth of this when day broke, and I saw that I had + again been betrayed. There was nothing to be seen of the + work which the Moors had engaged to do to lessen the + difficulty of the passage. However, I did not hesitate to + put out with my lighter boats, firmly resolved, if they arrived + safely, to sacrifice the larger, with all that was upon them, + to my safety, and thus to effect my retreat during the night. + With the exception of two, which were lost, they all arrived + safely. During this piece of work, which took up the whole + day, I dissimulated my intentions in the presence of my hostages, + merely letting them see I was somewhat surprised to + find that, contrary to the promise given, there were no workmen, + but that the army, which ought to have been withdrawn, + was still close to us. Their excuses were vague and unsatisfactory. + One of them, who, no doubt, knew the enemy's plans, + asked permission to go to their camp, promising to come + back the next day. Though his demand accorded with my + designs, I agreed to it only after much persuasion, warning + him not to break his _parole_ to return the next morning very + early. This he swore to do. As a rule these people think + nothing of an oath. I did not intend to wait for him, which + his comrade clearly perceived, for, seeing that he himself + had been sacrificed by his master's perfidy, he approved of + the resolution I had taken to set out by night, and swore + that he had acted in good faith, and was ignorant of the + treachery that had been concocted. 'You can,' he said to me, + 'have my throat cut. You would be justified in doing so; + but I will not quit you, even if you give me permission. + If I went to my own people, they would say that I had + disclosed to you the trick which you have yourself discovered, + and would certainly show me less mercy than I + have experienced from you.' After this I contented myself + with having him closely watched. + + "Orders being given to the remaining boats to start by + night, I mounted on horseback to carry certain necessaries + to my detachment on land, which was already a little in + advance and had crossed a small river with the guns. I + had only three blacks with me, and none of us knew the + way. The night was dark, and we wandered from it. I + narrowly escaped being drowned with my horse, and at last + we lost ourselves entirely. If we had been met by any + horsemen, nothing would have been easier than for them to + capture me, our arms and cartridges being all soaked with + water. Luckily I heard our drums beating, and this told us + in what direction we could safely go. + + "My intention was to march by land with my troops and + guns. They objected to this, as I was wet to the skin and + had a cold on the chest, which hardly allowed me to speak; + so I went back to the boats, though with much regret, and + resolved to manage so as not to lose sight of my detachment. + I was in constant anxiety about the latter till 8 o'clock the + next day, when we all came together, except one soldier + topass, who, by his own fault, had remained on a big boat + which we had abandoned, and a _manjhi_,[152] who was drowned + in one of the two little ones which had sunk. + + "Finding myself in the territory of the Raja of Dinajpur, + I imagined I had nothing to do with any one except him, and + that Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his army would not think of + following me through a country which, though tributary to + the Nawab of Bengal, still in no way belonged to Faiz Ulla's + master. The hostage who remained with me, and to whom + I spoke about the matter,[153] did not altogether dissuade me + from this idea, but counselled me to continue my march + and to get farther away, which I did till 6 o'clock in the + evening. What was my surprise when, at 9 o'clock, my + scouts reported that the enemy were pursuing me, and were + not more than a league away at the most. I could not + advance during the night for fear of running on the banks + or shallows with which the river was filled, and which might + cause the loss of my boats and of my people. Accordingly, + I did not set out till the morning, and always remained + myself in the rear (of the fleet). I had stopped to wait for + my land detachment and the guns, and was at some distance + from the rest of my little fleet, when, about half-past nine, + I heard several musket shots fired. In an instant I was + surrounded by the enemy. M. Chevalier, who conducted the + land detachment, fortunately perceived my situation, and, + seeing my danger, brought up the two guns and fired about + 20 shots, which disengaged me, and gave me time to regain + my boats by swift rowing. I had with me only Pedro and + the Moorish hostage mentioned before. Then I landed with + MM. Brayer, Gourlade, and in general every one who was + strong enough to defend himself. At the same time I ordered + the boats to go on. In this skirmish our loss was only one + man slightly wounded in the ear by a musket-ball. + + "My little fleet _en route_, we marched by land on the + bank opposite to that on which was, the main body of the + enemy, who had only cavalry, which we did not trouble + ourselves about It was not the same, however, with the + boats. At the end of an hour the boatmen abandoned them + in a sudden panic, and hurried tumultuously to join me. + When my people were collected, I would have tried to go + and recapture my boats, which the enemy had not delayed + to seize; but not only would this have been a rash undertaking + with so small a force against 3000 men, but also + there was a little river which formed an island between my + boats and me, and so prevented the passage of my guns + This determined me to abandon the boats, and to retreat to + Dinajpur, where I hoped to find an asylum with the Raja + whilst I waited for a reply to my letters to Jafar All Khan + and the English. We marched till 1 o'clock in the afternoon + without being harassed or disquieted--no doubt because + during this time Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people were + occupied in plundering the boats. We were now not very + far from Dinajpur, when we met a body of the Raja's cavalry, + the commander of which begged me to take another road so + as not to pass through his town. Accordingly he gave me + a guide, with whom we marched till half-past five, when we + arrived at a great _gunge_ (market place) at the extremity of + Dinajpur. There they lodged us in a great thatched building. + The want of provisions had caused us to suffer very much in + this retreat." + +This was the battle of Cantanagar. Kasim Ali described it as follows +to Clive:-- + + "My people and the French had a battle, and the latter + finding themselves much, beat, they run away, and left their + boats. They went to Oppoor" "and begged protection of + the Kajah's people.... Bahadur Sing came and told my + people to go a little further off, and they would deliver + them up, but they put us off from day to day."[154] + +About the time he was writing this, Clive was writing to say that he +had received Courtin's offer of surrender, and that Kasim Ali was to +cease hostilities and allow the French to come to him with their +boats and necessaries. Kasim Ali had received orders to the same +effect from Mr. Scrafton, who informed him he was sending an officer +to accept their surrender. This did not however prevent Kasim Ali +from trying to get hold of them, which accounts for the following +letter from Raja Ram Nath to Clive:[155]-- + + "The French are now coming from another country by + boats to go towards Muxadavad, and Kasim Ali Khan's + people have followed them, out of his own country into + mine. They have left their boats among Kasim Ali Khan's + people and are now travelling to Jangepors" (? Tangepur). + + "When I heard this I sent people with all expedition to look + after them, and I now hear that they have surrounded them. + The French want the Nawab's and your orders and _call for justice_[156] + from you. They have hoisted the Nawab's[157] and + your colours, have put on your cloaths (?) and want to go + to Muxadavad. Kasim Ali Khan's people want to carry + them to Rungpore but they refuse to go, and say that if one + of us is taken they will destroy themselves.[158] I am a poor + Zemindar who pays revenues[159] and ready to obey your + orders. If the Rungpore people should take them by force, + and they should kill themselves, it would be a troublesome + affair." + +To return to Courtin's letter. + + "The Raja of Dinajpur did not fail to be embarrassed by + the favour which he had shown to us. Fear was the only + motive which influenced him. He sent word to me to + depart by night under an escort of 200 of his people, who + would conduct me to Murshidabad. I was very nearly + accepting his suggestion, but the hunger and thirst, from + which we suffered greatly, prevented me. So I postponed + giving him a final answer till the next morning, and + then, after full reflection, decided not to move from the + place to which. I had been conducted until I received an + answer to the letters sent to Murshidabad. I thought this + all the wiser, as I was informed that nothing would induce + my enemies to approach or attack me in my asylum.[160] The + place was so retired and so well provided with storehouses, + that I found there a greater appearance of security than in + the open country or the escort offered by the Raja, as his + men were subordinate to the same Prince as the people who + composed the army of Sheikh Faiz Ulla, and were likely + enough to abandon me or to join my enemies in overwhelming + me. My conjectures were well founded, as, several days + after, this same Raja, prompted by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, sent + me word that he could not answer for what might happen to + me if I were attacked; that his troops, being subject to + Murshidabad like those of Kasim All Khan, could not + support me, nor fire on the latter. Finally he sent a certain + priest of his faith, a grave man, who came to suggest to us + that our best course was to leave Dinajpur and gain the + open country, otherwise we were lost. He said that he + knew for certain that if I were so obstinate as to persist in + wishing to remain there, orders had been given to attack us, + cut our throats, and send our heads to Murshidabad. This + person wished to terrify us so as to rid the Raja of us, as he + was dying with fright lest war should be made in the very + heart of his town. I replied that I was resolved to defend + myself against any one who attacked me, to set fire to + everything I found within my reach, to kill as many people + as I could, and to die on my guns when I had used up all + my ammunition; that this was also the intention of my companions, + who preferred to die thus, like brave men, rather than + to be exposed to the ignominies and indignities that we should + undergo if we allowed ourselves to be made prisoners by the + people of Kasim All Khan. The timid Raja, threatened by + both parties, found himself in the utmost embarrassment, for + Sheikh Faiz Ulla, at the gates of his town, put, as it were, + his country under contribution, and demanded from him, + with all imaginable insolence, that he should deliver us up + to him, a thing which the Raja found difficult to do. + + "Some days passed in this way, during which we had + frequent alarms, but the letters I received from Murshidabad + filled every one with perplexity. The English sent me + people on their own account. One of my private friends,[161] + whom I had been so fortunate as to oblige on a similar + occasion, wrote me not to trouble myself about my boats or + my effects, but to come at once to him, and he would see + that they restored or paid for my property, and that they + gave me all that I might need. The orders received by + Sheikh Faiz Ulla and the Raja at the same time, ordered the + one to leave me in peace and the other to furnish me with + everything I wanted. This put my mind in a condition of + serenity to which it had long been a stranger, and threw my + enemies into much confusion. They proposed that I should + resume possession of my boats. I knew, with absolute + certainty, that they had been half looted, still I accepted + them on condition they were brought to Dinajpur. They + did not wish, to do this; but next morning after reflection + they consented, when, in my turn, I declined, and asked only + for provisions and other things necessary for my journey. + This they had the harshness to refuse, doubtless because they + thought that I, being destitute of everything, would have to + go down by whatever route they pleased. I would not + trust them in anything, fearing treachery. + + "At last, without linen, without clothes, except what we + had on our bodies, on the 1st of March, the seventeenth day + after our retreat[162] we set out with our arms and our two + Swedish guns to go to Murshidabad to the English, from + whom I had demanded the honours of war." + + We learn from the correspondence between + Mr. Scrafton and Clive, that Drake, the cowardly + Governor of Calcutta, very naturally could not + understand what was meant by this claim to the + honours of war.[163] + +"My guns were conducted by land by a small detachment, the command +of which I gave to M. Chevalier, and we embarked on some small +boats belonging to the Raja, in which we had hardly room to move. + +"I was not yet at the end of my troubles, for on the 3rd of March, +after dinner, as I was getting back into my boat, one of the +boatmen, wishing to put down a gun, managed to let it off, and sent +a bullet through my left shoulder. It passed through the clavicle +between the sinew and the bone. Luckily the blow was broken by a +button which the bullet first struck; still it passed almost +completely through the shoulder and lodged under the skin, which had +to be opened behind the shoulder to extract it and also the wad. +However unfortunate this wound was, I ought to be very thankful to +God that it was so safely directed, and for the further good fortune +of finding with one of my people sufficient ointment for the +surgeon, who was quite destitute of all necessaries, to dress +my shoulder until the ninth day after, when we arrived at +Murshidabad.[164] This wound caused me much suffering for the first +few days, but, thanks to the Lord, in thirty-two or thirty-three +days it was quite healed and without any bad effects. + +"We rested ourselves from our fatigue till the 20th at my friend's +house, when, with his concurrence and in response to their offers, I +went to the Dutch gentlemen at Cossimbazar, where M. Vernet, their +chief and an old friend of mine, received us with the greatest +kindness. It is from their Settlement that I write to thee, my dear +wife. Until the ships sail for England I shall continue to write +daily, and tell thee everything that is of interest.[165] + +"August 10, 1758. + +"My dear wife, I resume my narrative to tell thee that my boats have +been restored by the English, as well as all the goods that had not +been plundered by Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people, except the +munitions of war. Still, so much of the merchandise, goods and +silver, has disappeared that I am ruined for ever, unless the +English, who have promised to cause everything to be restored, are +able to make the Moors give them up. The English have at length +decided on our fate in a way altogether honourable to us. We are not +prisoners of war, and so we are not subject to exchange; but we are +bound by certain conditions, which they think necessary to their +security, and which only do me honour. What has flattered me even +more is that the two Swedish guns which I had with me on my campaign +have actually been given to me as a present by the commander of the +English troops, who is also Governor of Calcutta, with the most +complimentary expressions." + +Courtin had written to Clive, asking permission to go down to +Pondicherry. Clive replied on the 15th of July, 1758, granting +permission. His letter concludes:-- + + "I am at this moment sending an order to the Captain + Commandant of our troops to restore to you your two guns. + I am charmed at this opportunity of showing you my + appreciation of the way in which you have always behaved + to the English, and my own regard for your merit."[166] + +Courtin continues:-- + + "Saved from so many perils and sufficiently fortunate + to have won such sensible marks of distinction from our + enemies, ought not this, my dear wife, to make me hope that + the gentlemen of the French Company will do their utmost + to procure me some military honour, in order to prove to the + English that my nation is as ready as theirs to recognize my + services?[167] + + "Now, my dear wife, I must end this letter so that it + may be ready for despatch. For fear of its being lost I will + send in the packet another letter for thee. + + "Do not disquiet thyself regarding my health. Thanks + to God I am now actually pretty well. I dare not talk to + thee of the possibility of our meeting. Circumstances are + not favourable for thee to make another voyage to the Indies. + That must depend upon events, thy health, peace, and + wishes, which, in spite of my tender longing for thee, will + always be my guide. + + "If the event of war has not been doubly disastrous to + me, thou shouldst have received some small remittances, + which I have sent, and of which I have advised thee in + duplicate and triplicate. If the decrees of the Lord, after + my having endured so many misfortunes and sufferings, have + also ordained my death before I am in a position to provide + what concerns thee, have I not a right to hope that all my + friends will use their influence to induce the Company not + to abandon one who will be the widow of two men who have + served it well, and with all imaginable disinterestedness? + + "For the rest I repeat that, thanks to God, I am fairly well. + + "I kiss thee, etc., etc." + +One would be glad to be assured that Courtin re-established his +fortune. If he is, as I suppose, the Jacques Ignace Courtin, who was +afterwards _Conseiller au Conseil des Indes_, we may be satisfied he +did so; but French East India Company Records are a hopeless chaos +at the present moment, and all that one can extract from the English +Records is evidence of still further suffering. + +From Murshidabad or Cossimbazar, Courtin went down to Chandernagore, +whence the majority of the French inhabitants had already been sent +to the Madras Coast. The Fort had been blown up, and the private +houses were under sentence of destruction, for the English had +determined to destroy the town, partly in revenge for the behaviour +of Lally, who, acting under instructions from the French East India +Company, had shown great severity to the English in Southern India, +partly because they did not think themselves strong enough to +garrison Chandernagore as well as Calcutta, and feared the Moors +would occupy it if they did not place troops there, and partly +because they dreaded its restoration to France--which actually +happened--when peace was made. At any rate Courtin found the +remnants of his countrymen in despair, and in 1759 he wrote a +letter[168] to Clive and the Council of Calcutta, from which I +quote one or two paragraphs:-- + + "With the most bitter grief I have received advice of + the sentence you have passed on the French Settlement + at Chandernagore, by which all the buildings, as well of + the Company as of private persons, are to be utterly + demolished. + + "Humane and compassionate as you are, Sirs, you would + be sensibly affected--were your eyes witnesses to it as mine + have been--by the distress to which this order has reduced + the hearts of those unhappy inhabitants who remain in that + unfortunate place, particularly if you knew that there is + nothing left to the majority of them beyond these houses, on + whose destruction you have resolved. If I may believe + what I hear, the motive which incites you is that of reprisal + for what has happened at Cuddalore and Madras: it does + not become me to criticize either the conduct of M. Lally, + our general, who, by all accounts, is a man very much to be + respected by me, or your reasons, which you suppose sufficient. + Granting the latter to be so, permit me, Sirs, to + address myself to your generosity and humanity, and those + admirable qualities, so universally esteemed by mankind, + will encourage me to take the liberty to make certain representations. + + "All upbraidings are odious, and nothing is more just + than the French proverb which says, to remind a person of + favours done him cancels the obligation. God forbid, Sirs, + I should be guilty of this to you or your nation by reminding + you for a moment, that these houses, now condemned by + you, served you as an asylum in 1756, and that the owners, + whom you are now reducing to the greatest distress and are + plunging into despair, assisted you to the utmost of their + power, and alleviated your misfortunes as much as they were + able. But what am I saying? Your nation is too polished to + need reminding of what is just. Therefore excuse my saying + that this reason alone is sufficient to cancel the law of + retaliation which you have resolved to execute, and to make + you revoke an order which, I am sure, you could not have + given without much uneasiness of mind. I cast myself at + your feet, imploring, with the most ardent prayers, that + compassion, which I flatter myself I perceive in your hearts, + for these poor creatures, whom you cannot without remorse + render miserable. If you really, Sirs, think I too have had + the happiness to be of some use to you and your nation, + whilst Chief at Dacca, and that I have rendered you some + services, I only beg that you would recollect them for one + moment, and let them induce you to grant the favour I + request for my poor countrymen. I shall then regard it as + the most happy incident in my life, and shall think myself + ten thousand times more indebted to you. + + "If, Sirs, you have absolutely imperative reasons for + reprisal, change, if you please, the object of them. I offer + myself a willing victim, if there must be one, and, if blood + were necessary, I should think myself too happy to offer + mine a sacrifice. But as these barbarous methods are not + made use of in nations so civilized as ours, I have one last + offer to make, which is to ransom and buy all the private + houses at Chandernagore, for which I will enter into whatever + engagements you please, and will give you the best + security in my power." + +The last words seem to imply that Courtin had recovered his +property, at least to a great extent; but his pathetic appeal was +useless in face of national necessities, and so far was +Chandernagore desolated that, in November of the same year, we read +that the English army, under Colonel Forde, was ambushed by the +Dutch garrison of Chinsurah "amongst the buildings and ruins of +Chandernagore." + +From Chandernagore Courtin went to Pondicherry, where he became a +member of the Superior Council. He was one of the chiefs of the +faction opposed to Lally, who contemptuously mentions a printed +"Memorial" of his adventures which Courtin prepared, probably for +presentation to the Directors of the French East India Company.[169] +When, in January, 1761, Lally determined to capitulate, Courtin was +sent to the English commander on the part of the Council. Still +later we find his name attached to a petition, dated August 3, 1762, +presented to the King against Lally.[170] This shows that Courtin +had arrived in France, so that his elevation to the Council of the +Company is by no means improbable. + +To any one who has lived long in India it seems unnatural that in +old days the small colonies of Europeans settled there should have +been incited to mutual conflict and mutual ruin, owing to quarrels +which originated in far-off Europe, and _which were decided without +any reference to the wishes or interests of Europeans living in the +colonies_. The British Settlements alone have successfully survived +the struggle. The least we can do is to acknowledge the merits, +whilst we commiserate the sufferings, of those other gallant men who +strove their best to win the great prize for their own countrymen. +Of the French especially it would appear that their writers have +noticed only those like Dupleix, Bussy, and Lally, who commanded +armies in glorious campaigns that somehow always ended to the +advantage of the British, and have utterly forgotten the civilians +who really kept the game going, and who would have been twice as +formidable to their enemies if the military had been subordinate to +them. The curse of the French East India Company was Militarism, +whilst fortunately for the English our greatest military hero in +India, Lord Clive, was so clear-minded that he could write:-- + + "I have the liberty of an Englishman so strongly implanted + in my nature, that I would have the Civil all in all, + in all times and in all places, cases of immediate danger + excepted." + +How much might have been achieved by men like Renault, Law, and +Courtin, if they had had an adequate military force at their +disposal! They saw, as clearly as did the English, that Bengal was +the heart of India, and they saw the English denude Madras of troops +to defend Bengal, whilst they themselves were left by the French +commanders in a state of hopeless impotence. On the other hand, +owing to the English Company's insistence that military domination +should be the exception and not the rule, British civilians and +British soldiers have, almost always, worked together harmoniously. +It was this union of force which gave us Bengal in the time of which +I have been writing, and to the same source of power we owe the +gradual building up of the great Empire which now dominates the +whole of India. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 122: Probably Portuguese half-castes.] + +[Footnote 123: Matchlock men. Consultations of the Dacca Council, +27th June, 1756. Madras Select Committee Proceedings, 9th November, +1756.] + +[Footnote 124: When Courtin was sent by Count Lally with the +proposals for the surrender of Pondicherry he had to take an +interpreter with him. _Memoirs of Lally_, p. 105.] + +[Footnote 125: I.e. official order.] + +[Footnote 126: I cannot ascertain where M. Fleurin was at this +moment. If at Dacca, then Courtin must have left him behind.] + +[Footnote 127: MSS. Français, Nouvelles Acquisitions, No. 9361. This +is unfortunately only a copy, and the dates are somewhat confused. +Where possible I have corrected them.] + +[Footnote 128: Calcapur, the site of the Dutch Factory. See note, p. +64.] + +[Footnote 129: From a map by Rennell of the neighbourhood of Dacca +it appears that the French Factory was on the River Bourigunga. +There are still several plots of ground in Dacca town belonging to +the French. One of them, popularly known as Frashdanga, is situated +at the mouth of the old bed of the river which forms an island of +the southern portion of the town; but I do not think this is the +site of the French Factory, as the latter appears to have been +situated to the west of the present Nawab's palace.] + +[Footnote 130: Now used in the sense of messengers or office +attendants.] + +[Footnote 131: Orme says (bk. viii. p. 285) that Courtin started +with 30 Europeans and 100 sepoys. From Law's "Memoir" we see that M. +de Carryon took 20 men to Cossimbazar before Law himself left. This +accounts for the smallness of Courtin's force.] + +[Footnote 132: Jafar Ali Khan married the sister of Aliverdi Khan, +Siraj-ud-daula's grandfather.] + +[Footnote 133: I think he must mean the mouth of the Murshidabad +River.] + +[Footnote 134: Courtin means the lower ranges of the Himalayas, +inhabited by the Nepaulese, Bhutiyas, etc. His wanderings therefore +were in the districts of Rungpore and Dinajpur.] + +[Footnote 135: Sinfray, Secretary to the Council at Chandernagore, +was one of the fugitives who, as mentioned above, joined Law at +Cossimbazar.] + +[Footnote 136: Assaduzama Muhammad was nephew to Kamgar Khan, the +general of Shah Alam. _Holwell. Memorial to the Select Committee_, +1760.] + +[Footnote 137: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2859, No. 246.] + +[Footnote 138: Orme says the Fort was on the River Teesta, but +Rennell marks it more correctly a little away from the river and +about fifteen miles south of Jalpaiguri.] + +[Footnote 139: These guns Courtin calls "pièces à la minute." The +proper name should be "canon à la suédoise" or "canon à la minute." +They were invented by the Swedes, who used 3-pounders with improved +methods for loading and firing, so as to be able to fire as many as +ten shots in a minute. The French adopted a 4-pounder gun of this +kind in 1743. The above information was given me by Lieut.-Colonel +Ottley Perry, on the authority of Colonel Colin, an artillery +officer on the French Headquarters Staff.] + +[Footnote 140: This squadron, under the command of Mons. Bouvet, +actually did arrive.] + +[Footnote 141: This rebellion was really conducted by Ukil Singh, +the Hindoo _Diwan_ of Hazir Ali.] + +[Footnote 142: Mir Jafar, Jafar Ali, Mir Jafar Ali Khan, are all +variations of the name of the Nawab whom the English placed on the +throne after the death of Siraj-ud-daula.] + +[Footnote 143: Law says that the French soldiers who wandered the +country in this way were accustomed to disguise themselves as +natives and even as Brahmins, when they wished to avoid notice.] + +[Footnote 144: A kind of native house-boat.] + +[Footnote 145: A heavy gun fired from a rest or stand.] + +[Footnote 146: A ditch or ravine.] + +[Footnote 147: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2901, No. 374.] + +[Footnote 148: A thick quilt used as a covering when in bed, or +sometimes like a blanket to wrap oneself in.] + +[Footnote 149: Orme MSS. India XL, p. 2915, No. 417.] + +[Footnote 150: Bengal Select Com. Consultations, 22nd February, +1758.] + +[Footnote 151: I have not been able to identify this place.] + +[Footnote 152: A boatman.] + +[Footnote 153: See note, p. 88.] + +[Footnote 154: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2923, No. 432.] + +[Footnote 155: Orme MSS. India XL, p. 2926, No. 438.] + +[Footnote 156: This expression is characteristically Indian, and is +used when any one, finding himself oppressed, appeals to some great +personage for protection.] + +[Footnote 157: The Nawab's flag was the usual Turkish crescent.] + +[Footnote 158: Another Indian expression. The last resource against +oppression or injustice in India is to commit suicide by starvation +or some violent means, and to lay the blame on the oppressor. This +is supposed to bring the curse of murder upon him.] + +[Footnote 159: This means simply that the Raja was not an +independent ruler. The sovereign owning all land, _land revenue_ and +_rent_ meant the same thing.] + +[Footnote 160: This seems to want explanation. Probably Courtin had +got into some sort of house used for religious ceremonies, such as +are often found in or close to the market-places of great +landowners.] + +[Footnote 161: He probably refers to Mr. Luke Scrafton.] + +[Footnote 162: I.e. from his entrenchments.] + +[Footnote 163: "Courtin and his party arrived here the 10th. They +are 6 soldiers, Dutch, German and Swede, such as took service with +the French when our Factory at Dacca fell into the hands of Surajeh +Dowleit, 4 gentlemen, some Chitagon (_sic_) fellows and about 20 +peons. Courtin, on his way hither, has, by mischance, received a +ball through his shoulder. They demanded _honneurs de la guerre_, +which Drake has not understood" (_Scrafton to Clive, March_ 12, +1758).] + +[Footnote 164: According to Orme, Courtin's force was reduct from 30 +to 11 Europeans, and from 100 to 30 sepoys.] + +[Footnote 165: The manuscript I translate from contains only the +postscript of the 10th of August.] + +[Footnote 166: A translation. Clive generally wrote to French +officers in their own language.] + +[Footnote 167: Such honours were not uncommonly granted. Law was +made a Colonel, so was another French partisan named Madec. On the +other hand, when a French gentleman had the choice, he often put his +elder son in the Company's service and the younger in the army. +Law's younger brother was in the army. Renault's elder son was in +the Company and the younger in the army.] + +[Footnote 168: Appended to "Bengal Public Proceedings," May 31, +1759.] + +[Footnote 169: I do not know whether this "Memorial" still exists, +but see "Memoirs of Count Lally," p. 53.] + +[Footnote 170: "Memoirs of Count Lally," p. 367.] + + + + + INDEX + + Abdulla Khan + Admiralty, the English + Aeneas + Afghan General, the + _See_ Abdulla Khan + Agra + Ahmed Khan Koreishi + Alamgir II., Emperor, assassinated November 29, 1759 + Ali Gauhar + _See_ Shah Alam + Aliverdi Khan + his opinion of Europeans + sister of + Allahabad + Amina Begum, mother of Siraj-ud-daula + Anquetil du Perron, M. + Anti-Renaultions + "Arabian Nights" + Archives, French + _Areca-nut_ + Armenian officers + Armenians + _Arz-begi_ (Gholam Ali Khan) + _Arzi_ + _Asiatic Annual Register_ + Assaduzama Muhammad, Raja of Birbhum + Assam, King of + Audience Hall, the + Augustine Father + Aurengzebe + + Bahadur Singh + Bahar + _See_ Bihar + _Bajarow_ + Balasore + Bandel + Bankers, influence of Indian + Banowra River + Barber, a native + Battle of the 5th of February + Becher, Mr. Richard + Beinges, M. + Benares + Bengal + Nawabs of + records + revolution in + rivers of + Bengali merchant + Berhampur + _Betel_ + Bettiah, Raja of + Bhagulpur + Bhutiyas + Bibi Lass + _See_ Mrs. Law + Bibliothèque Nationale + Biderra, battle of + Bihar, Hindu Rajas of + map of south + province of + town of + Birbhum + Raja of _See_ Assaduzama Muhammad + Bisdom, Adrian, Director of the Dutch in Bengal + Black Hole, the + Bloomer, Lieut. + Boissemont, M. + Bombay + Bourigunga River + Bouvet, M. + Brahmins + Brayer, Ensign + M., one of Courtin's companions + Brereton, Lieut. William + _Bridgewater_, H.M.S. (Captain Smith) + British. _See_ English + civilians + Museum, MS. Department + Broome, Captain A., Author of the "Rise and Progress of the + Bengal Army" (Calcutta, 1850) + Budge Budge, battle of + Bugros, M. + _Bukshi_ + Bulwant Singh, Raja of Benares + Bundelkand or Bundelcund + Bussy, M. + _Buxerries_ + + Caillot, or Caillaud + Calcapur + Calcutta + English Council at + Calvé, M. + Cannon balls of clay + Cantanagar, battle of + Capitulation of Chandernagore, dispute as to terms of + Capucins, church of + Carnac, Major John + Carryon, M. le Comte de + Carvalho, Jeanne. _See_ Mrs. Law + Cause of Siraj-ud-daula's attack on the English + Chambon, M + Chandernagore + booty taken at + cemetery at + council at + deserters from + garrison of + possibility of its capture by English land forces alone + terms of capitulation of + Chatrapur + _Chauth_ + Chevalier, M. + Chinese + Chinsurah + Chittagong + Choquova + Christian clerks + Christians + Chunargarh + _Chunam_ + Chupra or Chapra. + Cicero + Civil Power, the + Clive, Lieut.-Colonel Robert (Lord Clive) + Coja Wajid + Colbert, M. + Colin, Catherine + Colonel + Coote, Captain (Sir) Eyre + Coromandel, Coast of, _See_ Madras Coast + Cossimbazar + Cossimbazar River + Courtin, François, + Jacques Ignace + Courtin, Mrs. + _See_ Madame Direy + Courtin's Memorial + Cuddalore + Cudmore, Lieut. John + Cuttack + + Dacca; + Council at; + Government College at; + Nawab of; + Palace of present Nawab + _D'Aillot_, powders + D'Albert, M. le Chevalier + Dana Shah + Danes + Dangereux, M. + Davis, Mr. + Debellême, M. le Capitaine + De Carryon, M. le Comte + Deccan + De Kalli, M. + Delabar, M. + De la Bretesche, M. + Delamotte, Mr. John + De la Vigne Buisson; + M. le Capitaine; + jun. + De Leyrit, M. + Delhi + De Montorcin, M. + Desbrosses, M. + Deserters, English; + French + Desjoux, M. + De Terraneau, Ann.; + Lieut. Charles Cossard; + senior + De Tury; + M., Commandant of Chandernagore + D'Hurvilliers, M. + Dido + Dinajpur; + Raja of + Dinapur + Direy, Madame, _See_ Mrs. Courtin + _Diwan_ + Doctor, French + Doidge, Mr. + Drake, Roger, jun.; + President of the Council at Calcutta + Droguet, M. + Dubois; + M., French Company's servant; + M., Sturgeon Major + Du Cap, M. + Dupleix, Marquis + Du Pré, M. + Durbar, The + _Dustuck_ + Dutch; + Director. _See_ M. Bisdom; + Octagon, the + + East India Company, English; + Forces + East India Company, French + Elephants, gentleness of + Engineers, want of + England + English; + _See_ British; + agent of; + ladies at Dacca; + Records; + trade privileges of + Eunuchs + Europe + Europeans + Europeans, generosity and courage of, + + Fakir, _See_ Dana Shah + Farmers of estates, + Farukhabad, + _Faujdar_, + Fazl-kuli-khan, + Feringhees, + _Firman_, + Fleurin, M., + Forde, Colonel, + Fort Bourgogne, + d'Orleans, + William, + Fournier, M., + France, + King of, + Frashdanga, + French, + civilians, + ladies, + mistaken for Muhammadans, + proverb, + soldiers, + up-country factories, + Fringuey Raja, + Fullerton, Dr. William, + Fulta, + + Ganges river, _See_ Hugli River + Gaya, + Gentiles, or Gentoos, + Germans, + Ghazipur, + Gholam Husain Khan, + Gourbin, M. + Gourlade, M., + Grand Monarque, the, + Great Britain, + King of, + _Gunge_, + _Gunny_, + + _Hackerys_, + Haillet, M., + Hardwicke, Lord, + Hazir Ali Khan, + Hey, Lieut., + Himalayas, + Hindu advisers of the Nawab, + Hindu Rajas, + women, ill-treatment of--by Siraj-ud-daula, + Hindus, the, + Hindustan, + Holkar, + Holwell, John Zephaniah, Governor, + Honours of war, + Hugli, Faujdar of, _See_ Nand Kumar + fort, + River, + town, + + Imad-al-Muluk, Ghazi-ud-din Khan, + India, + Southern, + Indian expressions, characteristic, + minds, motives of, + ways of business, + Indies, The, + Indrapat, Raja of Bundelkand, + _Inhabitants_, + Innocent, or Innocent Jesus, + Ironside, Colonel Gilbert, + Ives, Surgeon Edward, author of "A + Voyage from England to India in + 1754, with, a narrative of the operations + of the squadron and army in + India, under Watson and Clive, + 1755-1757; Also a Journey from Persia to England," (London, 1799) + + Jafar Ali Khan. + _See_ Mir Jafar Ali Khan + Jagat Seth, family of + _See_ Seths + Jalpaiguri + Jats, the + _Jemadars_ + Jesuit Church, the + Fathers, the + Jobard, M. + Jugdea + _See_ Luckipore + Jusserat Khan, Nawab of Dacca + + Kaffirs + Kamgar Khan + Karical + Kasim Ali Khan, Nawab of Bengal + _See_ Mir Kasim + Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore + _Kent_, H.M.S. + Kerdizien, M. + Khodadad Khan Latty + Kilpatrick, Major James + King + _See_ Mogul + _Kingfisher_, H.M.S. + Kissendas, son of Raj Balav + Knox, Captain Ranfurlie + Kooti Ghat + Koran, the + + La Haye, M. + Lal Dighi + Lally, Count + Memoirs of + Laporterie, M. + La Rue, M. + Latham, Captain + Launay, M. + La Ville Martère, M. + Law, Jacques François + Jean, of Lauriston + Madame Jeanne + John, of Lauriston, the Financier + William + Law's Memoir + Le Conte Dompierre + Lee, Corporal + Le Noir, M. + Le Page, M., Second Surgeon + Locusts + Luckipore + _See_ Jugdea + Lucknow + Lynn, Captain + + McGwire, Mr. William + Madec, Colonel + Madras + Coast + _See_ Coromandel + Malleson, Colonel G.B., Author of "History of the French in India + from the Founding of Pondicherry in 1674 to the Capture of that + Place in 1761" (London, 1868) + Manik Chand, Raja + _Manjhi_ + Maratha Commander + Law's altercation with + General, the + Marathas + Martin, Captain + Martin de la Case, Ensign + Matel, M. + Midnapur + Militarism + Minchin, Captain George, Captain-Commandant of Calcutta + Mir Abdulla + Miran, son of Mir Jafar + Mir Daood, brother of Mir Jafar, and Faujdar of Rajmehal + Mir Jafar Ali Khan, made Nawab by the English after Plassey + Mir Kasim, or Kasim Ali Khan, son-in-law and successor of Mir Jafar + army of + Mir Madan + Mogul + _See_ King + Mohan Lal, favourite of the Nawab + Monsoon + Moor hostages + nobles + Moorish colours + forts + soldiers + treachery + Moors + Muhammadhans + Murshidabad + _See_ Muxadabad + or Cossimbazar River + Murshid Kuli Khan + Mustapha Ali Khan + Mutinies + Muxadabad + _See_ Murshidabad + + _Naib_ + Nand Kumar, Faujdar of Hugli + Native indifference to the quarrels of the Europeans + _Nautch_ + Naval officer, an English + Nawab, the + _See_ Siraj-ud-daula + Hindu advisers and servants of + Nawajis Muhammad Khan, uncle of Siraj-ud-daula + Nawajis Muhammad Khan's widow + Nazir Dalal, the + Negroes + Nepaulese + Neutrality in the Ganges + News from Bengal + Nicolas, M.F. + Nover, Sergeant + Nullah + + Omichand + Onofre, Reverend Father + Oppoor + Orissa + Orme Papers or MSS. + Orme, Robert, historian + Oudh + Nawab of. _See_ Suja-ud-daula + + Pagodas or Hindu Temples + Paris + _Parwana_ + Pathans + Patna + Naib of + River + _Pattamar_ + Pavilion, Bastion du + Pearkes, Mr. Paul Richard + Pedro + _Peons_ + Perry, Lieut.-Colonel Ottley + Phulbari + Picques, M. + Pilots, French + Plassey, battle of + Pocock, Admiral (Sir) George + Pondicherry + Superior Council of + Porte Royale, the + Portuguese half-castes + Predestination + Priest, Hindu + Probate Records (Mayor's Court, Calcutta) + Prussian Gardens + Purneah + Nawab of. _See_ Saukat Jang + + Raj Durlabh Ram, Raja + Rains, the + Raj Balav, Raja + Rajas, Hindu + Rajmehal + Faujdar of. + _See_ Mir Daood + Ramnarain, Raja, Naib or Deputy Governor of Patua + Ram Nath, Raja of Dinajpur + Ranjit Rai, agent of the Seths + Raymond, M. + Renault, Pierre, Director of Chandernagore (Malleson calls him + Renault de St. Germain, but he never signs himself as such) + Renault, de St. Germain, eldest son of Pierre Renault + Renault, Lieut., second son of Pierre Renault + Renault, de la Fuye, M. + Renaultions, the + Rennell, Major James, geographer + _Rezai_, + Royal Music, the + Rungpore + Raja of. _See_ Kasizn All Khan + + Sahibgunj, Raja of + Saidabad. + _Saint Contest_, the + St. Didier, M. + St. Louis, Order of + Parish Church of + Salabat Jang + _Salisbury_, H.M.S. + Sarfaraz Khan, Nawab of Bengal, defeated and killed in battle + by Aliverdi Khan in 1742 + Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah and cousin of Siraj-ud-daula + Scrafton, Mr. Luke, Author of "Reflections on the Government + of Indostan" (London, 1770) + Scrafton's "Reflections" + Select Committee at Calcutta + at Madras + Sepoys, 10. _See_ Telingas + French + Law's opinion of + Serampore, Danish Settlement + Seth Mahtab Rai, grandson of Jagat Seth + Seth Sarup Chand, grandson of Jagat Seth + Seths, agent of + _See_ Ranjit Rai + Seths: the family of Jagat Seth + Shah, Alam + _See_ Ali Gauhar + Shahzada or Crown Prince + _See_ Shah Alam + Sheikh Faiz Ulla + Sinfray, M. + Siraj-ud-daula + _See_ Nawab + cause of his attack on the English + his aunt, widow of Nawajia Khan + his mother + _See_ Amina Begum + his younger brother + _See_ Fazl-kuli-khan + Slippers, a pair of + Sooty + Soupy, fort of + Speke, Captain + Spies employed by the English, + by the Nawab + Suan, battle of + Subah + Suja-ud-daula, Nawabof Oudh + Summer, Mr. William Brightwell + Surgeons, French + Swedes + Swedish guns + Swiss + + Tangepur, or Tanjipur, + Tanks used for military purposes + Tartars + Teesta River + Telingas or Tellingees + Tibet + king of, + Toby, Captain--of the _Kingfisher_ + Tooke, Mr. William + Topasses + Treaty between the English and Mir Jafar + between the English and Siraj-ud-daula + between the French and Siraj-ud-daula + Turkish Crescent, the + _Tyger_, H.M.S. + + Ukil Singh + + Vansittart, Governor Henry + Vernet, M. George, Lodewjk + Villequain, M. + Vizir, The + Volunteers, English + French + + _Wakils_ + Walcot, Clive Correspondence at + Waller, Mr. Samuel + War, Declaration of, between England and France + Water Gate, the + Watson, Admiral Charles + Watts, Mrs. Amelia + the Worshipful Mr. William + + Zemindar, collector of revenue + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Frenchmen in Bengal, by S.C. 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Hill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Three Frenchmen in Bengal + The Commercial Ruin of the French Settlements in 1757 + +Author: S.C. Hill + +Release Date: February 4, 2004 [EBook #10946] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL *** + + + + +Produced by Wilelmina Malliere and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1>THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL</h1> +<br> +<br> +<a + name="[Illustration:_THE_GANGES_VALLEY_AND_THE_EUROPEAN_SETTLEMENTS_IN"></a><img + src="images/tfb001.jpg" + title="THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN" + alt="THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN" + style="width: 819px; height: 534px;"><br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL</h1> +<h1>OR</h1> +<h1><i>THE COMMERCIAL RUIN OF THE FRENCH SETTLEMENTS IN 1757</i></h1> +<h1>BY</h1> +<h1>S.C. HILL, B.A., B.Sc.</h1> +<h1><small>OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE RECORDS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA +AUTHOR +OF "MAJOR-GENERAL CLAUD MARTIN"</small></h1> +<h1><i>WITH MAPS AND PLANS</i></h1> +<h1><br> +</h1> +<h1>1903</h1> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>TO</h2> +<h2>MY DEAR WIFE</h2> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> +<br> +<p>This account of the commercial ruin of the French Settlements, taken +almost entirely from hitherto unpublished documents, originated as +follows. Whilst engaged in historical research connected with the +Government Records in Calcutta, I found many references to the +French in Bengal which interested me strongly in the personal side +of their quarrel with the English, but the information obtainable +from the Indian Records alone was still meagre and incomplete. A few +months ago, however, I came across Law's Memoir in the British +Museum; and, a little later, when visiting Paris to examine the +French Archives, I found not only a copy of Law's Memoir, but also +Renault's and Courtin's letters, of which there are, I believe, no +copies in England. In these papers I thought that I had sufficient +material to give something like an idea of Bengal as it appeared to +the French when Clive arrived there. There is much bitterness in +these old French accounts, and much misconception of the English, +but they were written when misconception of national enemies was the +rule and not the exception, and when the rights of non-belligerents +were little respected in time of war. Some of the accusations I have +checked by giving the English version, but I think that, whilst it +is only justice to our Anglo-Indian heroes to let the world know +what manner of men their opponents were, it is equally only justice +to their opponents to allow them to give their own version of the +story. This is my apology, if any one should think I allow them to +say too much.</p> +<p>The translations are my own, and were made in a state of some +perplexity as to how far I was bound to follow my originals—the +writings of men who, of course, were not literary, and often had not +only no pretension to style but also no knowledge of grammar. I have +tried, however, to preserve both form and spirit; but if any reader +is dissatisfied, and would like to see the original papers for +himself, the courtesy of the Record officials in both Paris and +London will give him access to an immense quantity of documents as +interesting as they are important.</p> +<p>In the various accounts that I have used there are naturally +slightly different versions of particular incidents, and often it is +not easy to decide which is the correct one. Under the +circumstances I may perhaps be excused for not always calling +attention to discrepancies which the reader will detect for himself. +He will also notice that the ground covered in one narrative is +partly traversed in one or both of the others. This has been due to +the necessity of treating the story from the point of view of each +of the three chief actors.</p> +<p>I may here mention that the correspondence between Clive and the +princes of Bengal, from which I have given some illustrative +passages, was first seen by me in a collection of papers printed in +1893 in the Government of India Central Printing Office, Calcutta, +under the direction of Mr. G.W. Forrest, C.I.E. These papers have +not yet been published, but there exists a complete though slightly +different copy of this correspondence in the India Office Library +(Orme MSS. India XI.), and it is from the latter copy that I have, +by permission, made the extracts here given. The remaining English +quotations, when not from printed books, have been taken chiefly +from other volumes of the Orme MSS., a smaller number from the +Bengal and Madras Records in the India Office, and a few from MSS. +in the British Museum or among the Clive papers at Walcot, to which +last I was allowed access by the kindness of the Earl of Powis.</p> +<p>Finally, I wish to express my thanks to M. Omont of the +Bibliothèque +Nationale, Paris, to Mr. W. Foster of the Record Department of the +India Office, and to Mr. J.A. Herbert of the British Museum, for +their kind and valuable assistance.</p> +<p style="text-align: right;">S.C. HILL.</p> +<p><i>September</i> 6, 1903.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<br> +<p>CHAPTER</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I. </a>THE QUARREL +WITH THE ENGLISH</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II. </a>M. +RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a> M. LAW, +CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a> M. COURTIN, +CHIEF OF DACCA</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="#INDEX">INDEX</a></p> +<br> +<p>MAPS AND PLANS</p> +<p><a + href="#[Illustration:_THE_GANGES_VALLEY_AND_THE_EUROPEAN_SETTLEMENTS_IN">THE +GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN BENGAL, 1756.</a> +(<i>After Rennell</i>) <i>Frontispiece</i></p> +<p><a + href="#[Illustration:_MAP_OF_THE_RIVER_HUGLI_FROM_BANDEL_TO_FULTA._(After Rennell">MAP +OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA.</a> (<i>After Rennell</i>) <i>To +face page</i></p> +<p><a href="#FORT_DORLÉANS_CHANDERNAGORE_1749._Mouchet.">FORT +D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749.</a> (<i>Mouchet</i>)</p> +<p><a href="#MUXADABAD_OR_MURSHIDABAD">MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD</a>. (<i>After +Rennell</i>)</p> +<p><a href="#DACCA_OR_JEHANGIR_NAGAR">DACCA, OR JEHANGIR-NAGAR. </a>(<i>After +Rennell</i>)</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a + name="[Illustration:_MAP_OF_THE_RIVER_HUGLI_FROM_BANDEL_TO_FULTA._(After Rennell"></a> +<h2><img src="images/tfb002.jpg" + title="MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (After" + alt="MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (After" + style="width: 882px; height: 381px;"></h2> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL</h1> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a name="CHAPTER_I"></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h2>THE QUARREL WITH THE ENGLISH</h2> +<br> +<p>Writing in 1725, the French naval commander, the Chevalier d'Albert, +tells us that the three most handsome towns on the Ganges were +Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the chief Factories of the +English, French, and Dutch. These towns were all situated within +thirty miles of each other. Calcutta, the latest founded, was the +greatest and the richest, owing partly to its situation, which +permitted the largest ships of the time to anchor at its quays, and +partly to the privilege enjoyed by the English merchants of trading +freely as individuals through the length and breadth of the land. +Native merchants and native artisans crowded to Calcutta, and the +French and Dutch, less advantageously situated and hampered by +restrictions of trade, had no chance of competing with the English +on equal terms. The same was of course true of their minor +establishments in the interior. All three nations had important +Factories at Cossimbazar (in the neighbourhood of Murshidabad, the +Capital of Bengal) and at Dacca, and minor Factories at Jugdea or +Luckipore, and at Balasore. The French and Dutch had also Factories +at Patna. Besides Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the only +Factory which was fortified was the English Factory at Cossimbazar.</p> +<p>During the long reign of the usurper, Aliverdi Khan,<a name="1"></a><a + href="#Note_1">[1]</a> that strong +and politic ruler enforced peace among his European guests, and +forbade any fortification of the Factories, except such as was +necessary to protect them against possible incursions of the +Marathas, who at that time made periodical attacks on Muhammadans +and Hindus alike to enforce the payment of the <i>chauth</i>,<a + name="2"></a><a href="#Note_2">[2]</a> or +blackmail, which they levied upon all the countries within their +reach. In Southern India the English and French had been constantly +at war whenever there was war in Europe, but in Bengal the strength +of the Government, the terror of the Marathas, and the general +weakness of the Europeans had contrived to enforce a neutrality. +Still there was nothing to guarantee its continuance if the fear of +the native Government and of the Marathas were once removed, and if +any one of the three nations happened to find itself much stronger +than the others. The fear of the Marathas had nearly disappeared, +but that of the Government still remained. However, it was not till +more than sixty years after the foundation of Calcutta that there +appeared any possibility of a breach of peace amongst the Europeans +in Bengal. During this time the three Factories, Calcutta always +leading, increased rapidly in wealth and importance. To the +Government they were already a cause of anxiety and an object of +greed. Even during the life of Aliverdi Khan there were many of his +counsellors who advised the reduction of the status of Europeans to +that of the Armenians, i.e. mere traders at the mercy of local +officials; but Aliverdi Khan, whether owing to the enfeeblement of +his energies by age or to an intelligent recognition of the value of +European commerce, would not allow any steps to be taken against the +Europeans. Many stories are told of the debates in his <i>Durbar</i><a + name="3"></a><a href="#Note_3">[3]</a> +on this subject: according to one, he is reported to have compared +the Europeans to bees who produce honey when left in peace, but +furiously attack those who foolishly disturb them; according to +another he compared them to a fire<a name="4"></a><a href="#Note_4">[4]</a> +which had come out of the sea +and was playing harmlessly on the shore, but which would devastate +the whole land if any one were so imprudent as to anger it. His +wisdom died with him, and in April, 1756, his grandson, +Siraj-ud-daula, a young man of nineteen,<a name="5"></a><a + href="#Note_5">[5]</a> already notorious for +his debauchery and cruelty, came to the throne. The French—who, of +all Europeans, knew him best, for he seems to have preferred them to +all others—say his chief characteristics were cruelty, rapacity, +and cowardice. In his public speeches he seemed to be ambitious of +military fame. Calcutta was described to him as a strong fortress, +full of wealth, which belonged largely to his native subjects, and +inhabited by a race of foreigners who had grown insolent on their +privileges. As a proof of this, it was pointed out that they had not +presented him with the offerings which, according to Oriental +custom, are the due of a sovereign on his accession. The only +person who dared oppose the wishes of the young Nawab was his +mother,<a name="6"></a><a href="#Note_6">[6]</a> but her advice was of +no avail, and her taunt that he, a +soldier, was going to war upon mere traders, was equally +inefficacious. The records of the time give no definite information +as to the tortuous diplomacy which fanned the quarrel between him +and the English, but it is sufficiently clear that the English +refused to surrender the son of one of his uncle's <i>diwans</i>,<a + name="7"></a><a href="#Note_7">[7]</a> who, +with his master's and his father's wealth, had betaken himself to +Calcutta. Siraj-ud-daula, by the treacherous promises of his +commanders, made himself master of the English Factory at +Cossimbazar without firing a shot, and on the 20th of June, 1756, +found himself in possession of Fort William, the fortified Factory +of Calcutta.<a name="8"></a><a href="#Note_8">[8]</a> The Governor, the +commandant<a name="9"></a><a href="#Note_9">[9]</a> of the troops, and +some two hundred persons of lesser note, had deserted the Fort +almost as soon as it was actually invested, and Holwell, one of the +councillors, an ex-surgeon, and the gallant few who stood by him and +continued the defence, were captured, and, to the number of 146, +cast into a little dungeon,<a name="10"></a><a href="#Note_10">[10]</a> +intended for military offenders, +from which, the next morning, only twenty-three came out alive. The +English took refuge at Fulta, thirty miles down the river, where the +Nawab, in his pride and ignorance, left them unmolested. There they +were gradually reinforced from Madras, first by Major Kilpatrick, +and later on by Colonel Clive and Admiral Watson. About the same +time both French and English learned that war had been declared in +Europe between England and France in the previous May, but, for +different reasons, neither nation thought the time suitable for +making the fact formally known.</p> +<p>Towards the end of December the English, animated by the desire of +revenge and of repairing their ruined fortunes, advanced on +Calcutta, and on the 2nd of January, 1757, the British flag again +floated over Fort William. The Governor, Manik Chand, was, like many +of the Nawab's servants, a Hindu. Some say he was scared away by a +bullet through his turban; others, that he was roused from the +enjoyment of a <i>nautch</i>—a native dance—by the news of the arrival +of the English.<a name="11"></a><a href="#Note_11">[11]</a> Hastening +to Murshidabad, he reported his +defeat, and asserted that the British they had now to deal with were +very different from those they had driven from or captured in +Calcutta.</p> +<p>The English were not satisfied with recovering Calcutta. They wished +to impress the Nawab, and so they sent a small force to Hugli, which +lies above Chandernagore and Chinsurah, stormed the Muhammadan fort, +burnt the town, and destroyed the magazines, which would have +supplied the Nawab's army in an attack on Calcutta. The inhabitants +of the country had never known anything so terrible as the big guns +of the ships, and the Nawab actually believed the men-of-war could +ascend the river and bombard him in his palace at Murshidabad. +Calling on the French and Dutch for aid, which they refused, he +determined to try his fortune a second time at Calcutta. At first, +everything seemed the same as on the former occasion: the native +merchants and artisans disappeared from the town; but it was not as +he thought, out of fear, but because the English wished to have them +out of the way, and so expelled them. Except for the military camp +to the north of the city, where Clive was stationed with his little +army, the town lay open to his attack. Envoys from Calcutta soon +appeared asking for terms, and the Nawab pretended to be willing to +negotiate in order to gain time while he outflanked Clive and seized +the town. Seeing through this pretence Watson and Clive thought it +was time to give him a lesson, and, on the morning of the 5th of +February, in the midst of a dense fog, Clive beat up his quarters. +Though Clive had to retire when the whole army was roused, the +slaughter amongst the enemy had been immense; and though he +mockingly informed the Nawab that he had been careful to "injure +none but those who got in his way," the Nawab himself narrowly +escaped capture. The action, however, was in no sense decisive. Most +of the Nawab's military leaders were eager to avenge their disgrace, +but some of the chief nobles, notably his Hindu advisers, +exaggerated the loss already incurred and the future danger, and +advised him to make peace. In fact, the cruelty and folly of the +Nawab had turned his Court into a nest of traitors. With one or two +exceptions there was not a man of note upon whom he could rely, and +he had not the wit to distinguish the faithful from the unfaithful. +Accordingly he granted the English everything they asked for—the +full restoration of all their privileges, and restitution of all +they had lost in the sack of Calcutta. As the English valued their +losses at several hundreds of thousands, and the Nawab had found +only some £5000 in the treasury of Fort William, it is clear that +the wealth of Calcutta was either sunk in the Ganges or had fallen +as booty into the hands of the Moorish soldiers.</p> +<p>Siraj-ud-daula, though he did not yet know it, was a ruined man when +he returned to his capital. His only chance of safety lay in one of +two courses—either a loyal acceptance of the conditions imposed by +the English or a loyal alliance with the French against the English. +From the Dutch he could hope for nothing. They were as friendly to +the English as commercial rivals could be. They had always declared +they were mere traders and would not fight, and they kept their +word. After the capture of Calcutta the Nawab had exacted heavy +contributions from both the French and Dutch; but France and England +were now at war, and he thought it might be possible that in these +circumstances the restoration of their money to the French and the +promise of future privileges might win them to his side. He could +not, however, decide finally on either course, and the French were +not eager to meet him. They detested his character, and they +preferred, if the English would agree, to preserve the old +neutrality and to trade in peace. Further, they had received no +supplies of men or money for a long time; the fortifications of +Chandernagore, i.e. of Fort d'Orléans, were practically in +ruins, +and the lesser Factories in the interior were helpless. Their +military force, for attack, was next to nothing: all they could +offer was wise counsel and brave leaders. They were loth to offer +these to a man like the Nawab against Europeans, and he and his +Court were as loth to accept them. Unluckily for the French, +deserters from Chandernagore had served the Nawab's artillery when +he took Calcutta, and it was even asserted that the French had +supplied the Nawab with gunpowder; and so when the English heard of +these new negotiations, they considered the proposals for a +neutrality to be a mere blind; they forgot the kindness shown by the +French to English refugees at Dacca, Cossimbazar, and Chandernagore, +and determined that, as a permanent peace with the Nawab was out of +the question, they would, whilst he hesitated as to his course of +action, anticipate him by destroying the one element of force which, +if added to his power, might have made him irresistible. They +continued the negotiations for a neutrality on the Ganges only until +they were reinforced by a body of 500 Europeans from Bombay, when +they sent back the French envoys and exacted permission from the +Nawab to attack Chandernagore. Clive marched on that town with a +land force of 4000 Europeans and Sepoys, and Admiral Watson +proceeded up the river with a small but powerful squadron.</p> +<p>Thus began the ruin of the French in Bengal. The chief French +Factories were, as I have said, at Chandernagore, Cossimbazar, and +Dacca. The Chiefs of these Factories were M. Renault, the Director +of all the French in Bengal; M. Law, a nephew of the celebrated Law +of Lauriston, the financier; and M. Courtin. It is the doings and +sufferings of these three gallant men which are recorded in the +following chapters. They had no hope of being able to resist the +English by themselves, but they hoped, and actually believed, that +France would send them assistance if they could only hold out till +it arrived. Renault, whose case was the most desperate, perhaps +thought that the Nawab would, in his own interest, support him if +the English attacked Chandernagore; but knowing the Nawab as well as +he did, and reflecting that he had himself refused the Nawab +assistance when he asked for it, his hope must have been a feeble +one. Still he could not, with honour, give up a fortified position +without attempting a defence, and he determined to do his best. When +he failed, all that Law and Courtin could expect to do was to +maintain their personal liberty and create a diversion in the north +of Bengal when French forces attacked it in the south. It was not +their fault that the attack was never made.</p> +<p>I shall make no mention of the fate of the Factories at Balasore and +Jugdea. At these the number of Frenchmen was so very small that +resistance and escape were equally hopeless. Patna lay on the line +of Law's retreat, and, as we shall see, he was joined by the +second and other subordinate officers of that Factory. The chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was too ill to be moved, but he managed, by the +assistance of his native friends, to secure a large portion of the +property of the French East India Company, and so to finance Law +during his wanderings.</p> +<br> +<p style="font-weight: bold;"><big>Notes:</big></p> +<p>[<a name="Note_1"></a><a href="#1">1</a>: Aliverdi Khan entered +Muxadavad or Murshidabad as a +conqueror on the 30th of March, 1742. He died on the 10th of April, +1756. (<i>Scrafton</i>.)]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_2"></a><a href="#2">2</a>: Literally the fourth part +of the Revenues. The Marathas +extorted the right to levy this from the Emperor Aurengzebe, and +under pretext of collecting it they ravaged a large portion of +India.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_3"></a><a href="#3">3</a>: Court, or Court officials +and nobles.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_4"></a><a href="#4">4</a>: Such fires are mentioned +in many Indian legends. In the +"Arabian Nights" we read of a demon changing himself into a flaming +fire.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_5"></a><a href="#5">5</a>: His age is stated by some +as nineteen, by others as +about twenty-five. See note, p. 66.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_6"></a><a href="#6">6</a>: Amina Begum.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_7"></a><a href="#7">7</a>: <i>Diwan</i>, i.e. +Minister or Manager.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_8"></a><a href="#8">8</a>: The English at Dacca +surrendered to the Nawab of that +place, and were afterwards released. Those at Jugdea and Balasore +escaped direct to Fulta.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_9"></a><a href="#9">9</a>: Captain George Minchin.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_10"></a><a href="#10">10</a>: Known in history as the +Black Hole of Calcutta.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_11"></a><a href="#11">11</a>: Both stories may be +true. Manik Chand was nearly +killed at the battle of Budge Budge by a bullet passing through his +turban, and the incident of the <i>nautch</i> may have happened at +Calcutta, where he certainly showed less courage.]<br> +<br> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"><a + name="FORT_DORLÉANS_CHANDERNAGORE_1749._Mouchet."></a><img + src="images/tfb003.jpg" + title="FORT D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (Mouchet.)" + alt="FORT D'ORLÉANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (Mouchet.)" + style="width: 604px; height: 784px;"></p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a name="CHAPTER_II"></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h2>M. RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE</h2> +<br> +<p>The French East India Company was founded in 1664, during the +ministry of M. Colbert. Chandernagore, on the Ganges, or rather that +mouth of it now known as the River Hugli, was founded in 1676; and +in 1688 the town and territory were ceded to France by the Emperor +Aurengzebe. I know of no plan of Chandernagore in the 17th century, +and those of the 18th are extremely rare. Two or three are to be +found in Paris, but the destruction of the Fort and many of the +buildings by the English after its capture in 1757, and the decay of +the town after its restoration to the French, owing to diminished +trade, make it extremely difficult to recognize old landmarks. The +Settlement, however, consisted of a strip of land, about two leagues +in length and one in depth, on the right or western bank of the +Hugli. Fort d'Orléans lay in the middle of the river front. It +was +commenced in 1691, and finished in 1693.<a name="12"></a>[<a + href="#Note_12">12</a>] Facing the north was +the Porte Royale, and to the east, or river-side, was the Water +Gate. The north-eastern bastion was known as that of the Standard, +or Pavillon. The north-western bastion was overlooked by the Jesuit +Church, and the south-eastern by the Dutch Octagon. This last +building was situated on one of a number of pieces of land which, +though within the French bounds, belonged to the Dutch before the +grant of the imperial charter, and which the Dutch had always +refused to sell. The Factory buildings were in the Fort itself. To +the west lay the Company's Tank, the hospitals, and the cemetery. +European houses, interspersed with native dwellings, lay all around. +M. d'Albert says that these houses were large and convenient, but +chiefly of one story only, built along avenues of fine trees, or +along the handsome quay. D'Albert also mentions a chapel in the +Fort,<a name="13"></a>[<a href="#Note_13">13</a>] the churches of the +Jesuits and the Capucins, and some +miserable <i>pagodas</i> belonging to the Hindus, who, owing to the +necessity of employing them as clerks and servants, were allowed the +exercise of their religion. In his time the Europeans numbered about +500. There were besides some 400 Armenians, Moors<a name="14"></a>[<a + href="#Note_14">14</a>] and Topasses, +1400 to 1500 Christians, including slaves, and 18,000 to 20,000 +Gentiles, divided, he says, into 52 different castes or occupations. +It is to be supposed that the European houses had improved in the +thirty years since d'Albert's visit; at any rate many of those which +were close to the Fort now commanded its interior from their roofs +or upper stories, exactly as the houses of the leading officials in +Calcutta commanded the interior of Fort William. No other fact could +be so significant of the security which the Europeans in Bengal +believed they enjoyed from any attack by the forces of the native +Government. The site of the Fort is now covered with native huts. +The Cemetery still remains and the Company's Tank (now known as Lal +Dighi), whilst Kooti Ghat is the old landing-place of Fort +d'Orleans.</p> +<p>As regards the European population at the time of the siege we have +no definite information. The Returns drawn up by the French +officials at the time of the capitulation do not include the women +and children or the native and mixed population. The ladies,<a name="15"></a>[<a + href="#Note_15">15</a>] and +it is to be presumed the other women also, for there is no mention +of women during the siege, retired to the Dutch and Danish +settlements at Chinsurah and Serampore a few days before, and the +native population disappeared as soon as the British army +approached. The Returns therefore show only 538 Europeans and 66 +Topasses. The Governor or Director, as already mentioned, was Pierre +Renault: his Council consisted of MM. Fournier, Caillot, Laporterie, +Nicolas, and Picques. There were 36 Frenchmen of lesser rank in the +Company's service, as well as 6 surgeons. The troops were commanded +by M. de Tury and 10 officers. There were also 10 officers of the +French East India Company's vessels, and 107 persons of sufficient +importance for their <i>parole</i> to be demanded when the Fort fell. +Apparently these Returns do not include those who were killed in the +defence, nor have we any definite information as to the number of +French sepoys, but Eyre Coote<a name="16"></a>[<a href="#Note_16">16</a>] +says there were 500.</p> +<p>The story of the siege is to be gathered from many accounts. M. +Renault and his Council submitted an official report; Renault wrote +many letters to Dupleix and other patrons or friends; several of the +Council and other private persons did the same.<a name="17"></a>[<a + href="#Note_17">17</a>] M. Jean Law, +whose personal experiences we shall deal with in the next chapter, +was Chief of Cossimbazar, and watched the siege, as it were, from +the outside. His straightforward narrative helps us now and then to +correct a mis-statement made by the besieged in the bitterness of +defeat. On the English side, besides the Bengal records, there are +Clive's and Eyre Coote's military journals, the Logs of the British +ships of war, and the journal of Surgeon Edward Ives of His +Majesty's ship <i>Kent</i>. Thus this passage of arms, almost the only +one in Bengal<a name="18"></a>[<a href="#Note_18">18</a>] in which the +protagonists were Europeans, is no +obscure event, but one in which almost every incident was seen and +described from opposite points of view. This multiplicity of +authorities makes it difficult to form a connected narrative, and, +in respect to many incidents, I shall have to follow that account +which seems to enter into the fullest or most interesting detail.</p> +<p>It will now be necessary to go back a little. After the capture of +Calcutta in June, 1756, the behaviour of the Nawab to all Europeans +was so overbearing that Renault found it necessary to ask the +Superior Council of Pondicherry for reinforcements, but all that he +received was 67 Europeans and 167 Sepoys. No money was sent him, and +every day he expected to hear that war had broken out between +France and England.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Full +of these inquietudes, gentlemen, I was in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">most +cruel embarrassment, knowing not even what to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">desire. A +strong detestation of the tyranny of the Nawab,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and of +the excesses which he was committing against</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Europeans, +made me long for the arrival of the English in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +Ganges to take vengeance for them. At the same time</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I feared +the consequences of war being declared. In every</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">letter M. +de Leyrit<a name="19"></a>[<a href="#Note_19">19</a>] impressed upon me +the necessity of</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fortifying +Chandernagore as best I could, and of putting the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">town in a +state of security against a surprise, but you have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">only to +look at Chandernagore to see how difficult it was for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">us, +absolutely destitute as we were of men and money, to do</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">this with +a town open on all sides, and with nothing even to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">mark it +off from the surrounding country."<a name="20"></a>[<a href="#Note_20">20</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>He goes on to describe Fort d'Orléans—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"almost +in the middle of the settlement, surrounded by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">houses, +which command it, a square of about 600 feet,<a name="21"></a>[<a + href="#Note_21">21</a>]</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">built of +brick, flanked with four bastions, with six guns</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">each, +without ramparts or glacis. The southern curtain,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">about 4 +feet thick, not raised to its full height, was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">provided +only with a battery of 3 guns; there was a similar</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">battery +to the west, but the rest of the west curtain was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">only a +wall of mud and brick, about a foot and a half thick,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and 8 or +10 feet high; there were warehouses ranged</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">against +the east curtain which faced the Ganges, and which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">was still +in process of construction; the whole of this side</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">had no +ditch, and that round the other sides was dry, only 4</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">feet in +depth, and a mere ravine. The walls of the Fort up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to the +ramparts were 15 feet high, and the houses, on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">edge of +the counterscarp, which commanded it, were as much</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">as 30 +feet."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Perhaps the Fort was best defended on the west, where the Company's +Tank<a name="22"></a>[<a href="#Note_22">22</a>] was situated. Its bank +was only about twelve feet from the +Fort Ditch. This use of tanks for defensive purposes was an +excellent one, as they also provided the garrison with a good supply +of drinking water. A little later Clive protected his great barracks +at Berhampur with a line of large tanks along the landward side. +However, this tank protected one side only, and the task of holding +such a fort with an inadequate garrison was not a hopeful one even +for a Frenchman. It was only his weakness which had made Renault +submit to pay the contribution demanded by the Nawab on his +triumphant return from Calcutta in July of the previous year, and he +and his comrades felt very bitterly the neglect of the Company in +not sending money and reinforcements. One of his younger +subordinates wrote to a friend in Pondicherry:<a name="23"></a>[<a + href="#Note_23">23</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"But +the 3-1/2 lahks that the Company has to pay to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Nawab, is +that a trifle? Yes, my dear fellow, for I should</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">like it +to have to pay still more, to teach it how to leave</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">this +Factory, which is, beyond contradiction, the finest of its</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">settlements, +denuded of soldiers and munitions of war, so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that it +is not possible for us to show our teeth."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The wish was prophetic.</p> +<p>Like the English the French were forbidden by the Nawab to fortify +themselves. Renault dared not pay attention to this order. He had +seen what had happened to the English by the neglect of proper +precautions, and when things were at their worst, the Nawab had to +seek his alliance against the English, grant him leave to fortify +Chandernagore, and, later on, even to provide him with money under +the pretence that he was simply restoring the sum forcibly extorted +from him the previous year.<a name="24"></a>[<a href="#Note_24">24</a>] +Trade was at a standstill, and +Renault was determined that if the enemies of his nation were +destined to take the Company's property, they should have the utmost +difficulty possible in doing so. He expended the money on provisions +and ammunition. At the same time, that he might not lose any chance +of settling affairs peaceably with the English, he refused to +associate himself with the Nawab, and entered upon negotiations for +a neutrality in the Ganges. To protect himself if these failed, he +began raising fortifications and pulling down the houses which +commanded the Fort or masked its fire.</p> +<p>He could not pull down the houses on the south of the Fort, from +which Clive subsequently made his attack, partly for want of time, +partly because the native workmen ran away, and partly because of +the bad feeling prevalent in the motley force which formed his +garrison.<a name="25"></a>[<a href="#Note_25">25</a>] The most fatal +defect of all was the want of a +military engineer. The person who held that position had been sent +from France. He was a master mason, and had no knowledge of +engineering. It had been the same story in Calcutta. Drake's two +engineers had been a subaltern in the military and a young +covenanted servant. Renault had to supervise the fortifications +himself.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I +commenced to pull down the church and the house</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +Jesuit fathers, situated on the edge of the Ditch, also</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">all the +houses of private persons which masked the entire</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">north +curtain. The wood taken from the ruins of these</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">served to +construct a barrier extending from bastion to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">bastion +and supporting this same north curtain, which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">seemed +ready to fall to pieces from old age."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This barrier was placed four feet outside the wall, the intervening +space being filled in with earth.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Also +in front of Porte Royale" (i.e. outside the gate in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +avenue), "the weakest side of the Fort, I placed a battery</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of 3 +guns, and worked hard at clearing out and enlarging</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +Ditch, but there was no time to make it of any use as a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">defence. +A warehouse on which I put bales of <i>gunny</i><a name="26"></a>[<a + href="#Note_26">26</a>] to</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">prevent +cannon balls from breaking in the vaults of the roof,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">served it +as a casemate."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The east or river curtain was left alone. The French were, in fact, +so confident that the ships of war would not be able to force their +way up the river, and that Clive would not therefore think of +attacking on that side, that the only precaution they took at first +was the erection of two batteries outside the Fort. It is a +well-known maxim in war that one should attack at that point at +which the enemy deems himself most secure, and it will be seen that +all Clive's efforts were aimed at preparing for Admiral Watson to +attack on the east.</p> +<p>As regards artillery Renault was better off.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +alarm which the Prince" (Siraj-ud-daula) "gave us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in June +last having given me reason to examine into the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">state of +the artillery, I found that not one of the carriages</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +guns on the ramparts was in a serviceable condition,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">not a +field-piece mounted, not a platform ready for the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">mortars. +I gave all my attention to these matters, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fortunately +had time to put them right."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>To serve his guns Renault had the sailors of the Company's ship, +<i>Saint Contest</i>, whose commander, M. de la Vigne Buisson, was the +soul of the defence.</p> +<p>About this time he received a somewhat doubtful increase to his +garrison, a crowd of deserters from the English East India Company's +forces. The latter at this time were composed of men of all +nationalities, English, Germans, Swiss, Dutch, and even French. Many +of them, and naturally the foreigners especially, were ready to +desert upon little provocation. The hardships of service in a +country where the climate and roads were execrable, where food and +pay were equally uncertain, and where promises were made not to be +kept, were provocations which the best soldiers might have found it +difficult to resist. We read of whole regiments in the English and +French services refusing to obey orders, and of mutinies of officers +as well as of men. The one reward of service was the chance of +plunder, and naturally, then, as soon as the fighting with the Nawab +had stopped for a time, the desertions from the British forces were +numerous. Colonel Clive had more than once written to Renault to +remonstrate with him for taking British soldiers into his service. +Probably Renault could have retorted the accusation with justice—at +any rate, he went on enlisting deserters; and from those who had now +come over he formed a company of grenadiers of 50 men, one of +artillery of 30, and one of sailors of 60, wisely giving them a +little higher pay than usual, "to excite their emulation." One of +these was a man named Lee,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"a +corporal and a deserter from the <i>Tyger</i>, who pledged</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">himself +to the enemy that he would throw two shells out of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">three +into the <i>Tyger</i>, but whilst he was bringing the mortars</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to bear +for that purpose, he was disabled by a musket bullet</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">from the <i>Kent's</i> +tops. He was afterwards sent home a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">prisoner +to England."<a name="27"></a>[<a href="#Note_27">27</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>As might be expected the younger Frenchmen were wild with delight at +the chance of seeing a good fight. Some of them had been much +disappointed that the Nawab had not attacked Chandernagore in June, +1756. One of them wrote<a name="28"></a>[<a href="#Note_28">28</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I +was charmed with the adventure and the chance</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of +carrying a musket, having always had" (what Frenchman</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">hasn't?) +"a secret leaning towards a military life. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">intended +to kill a dozen Moors myself in the first sortie we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">made, for +I was determined not to stand like a stock on a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">bastion, +where one only runs the risk of getting wounds</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">without +having any of the pleasure of inflicting them."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>If not the highest form of military spirit, this was at any rate one +of which a good commander might make much use. Renault took +advantage of this feeling, and from the young men of the colony, +such as Company's servants, ships' officers, supercargoes, and +European inhabitants,<a name="29"></a>[<a href="#Note_29">29</a>] he +made a company of volunteers, to whom, +at their own request, he gave his son, an officer of the garrison, +as commander.</p> +<p>One of the volunteer officers writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I +had the honour to be appointed lieutenant, and was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">much +pleased when I saw the spirit of emulation which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">reigned +in every heart. I cannot sufficiently praise the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">spirit of +exactitude with which every one was animated, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +progress which all made in so short a time in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">management +of their arms. I lay stress on the fact that it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">was an +occupation entirely novel to them, and one of which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +commencement always appears very hard, but they overcame</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">all +difficulties, and found amusement in what to others</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">would +appear merely laborious."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>All this time Renault was watching the war between the English and +the Moors. In January the English sailed up the Hugli, passed +Chandernagore contemptuously without a salute, burned the Moorish +towns of Hugli and Bandel, ravaged the banks of the river, and +retired to Calcutta. Up to this the Nawab had not condescended to +notice the English; now, in a moment of timidity, he asked the +intervention of the French as mediators.<a name="30"></a>[<a + href="#Note_30">30</a>] Renault eagerly +complied, for had his mediation been accepted, he would have +inserted in the treaty a clause enforcing peace amongst the +Europeans in Bengal; but the English refused to treat through the +French. This could have only one meaning. Renault felt that his +course was now clear, and was on the point of offering the alliance +which the Nawab had so long sought for, when he received orders from +M. de Leyrit forbidding him to attack the English by land. As M. Law +writes, if Renault had been free to join the Nawab with 500 +Europeans, either Clive would not have ventured a night attack on +the Nawab's camp, or, had he done so, the event would probably have +been very different. Under the circumstances, all that Renault could +do was to continue his fortifications. It was now that he first +realized that Admiral Watson would take part in the attack.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"As +the ships of war were what we had most to fear</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">from, we +constructed on the river bank a battery of 6 guns,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">four of +which covered the approach to the Fort. From the foot</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +battery a bank twenty-two feet high stretching to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the Fort, +was begun, so as to protect the curtain on this side</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">from the +fire of the ships, <i>but it was not finished</i>. We had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">also to +attend to the inhabited portion of the town; it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">impossible +to do more, but we determined to protect it from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a +surprise, and so ditches were dug across the streets and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">outposts +established."<a name="31"></a>[<a href="#Note_31">31</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It was this waste of valuable time upon the defence of the town that +a capable engineer would have saved Renault from the mistake of +committing. Had he limited his efforts to strengthening the walls of +the Fort and cleared away the surrounding houses, he would have been +not only stronger against the attack of the land force, but also in +a much better position to resist the ships.</p> +<p>The issue of the Nawab's attack on Calcutta has already been told. +He was so depressed by his failure that he now treated Renault with +the greatest respect, and it was now that he gave him the sum of +money—a lakh of rupees, then worth £12,500—which he spent on +provisions and munitions of war. Renault says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +Nawab's envoy further gave me to understand that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">he was, +in his heart, enraged with the English, and continued</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to regard +them as his enemies. In spite of this we saw</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">clearly +from the treaty just made" (with the English)</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"that we +should be its victims, and knowing Siraj-ud-daula's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">character, +his promise to assist me strongly if the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">English +attacked us did not quiet my mind. I prepared for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">whatever +might happen by pressing on our preparations and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">collecting +all kinds of provisions in the Fort."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The Nawab and the English concluded a treaty of peace and alliance +on the 9th of February, 1757. Renault mentions no actual treaty +between the Nawab and the French, but the French doctor referred to +in a note above asserts that the Nawab demanded that the Council +should bind itself in writing,</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"to +oppose the passage of the English past Chandernagore....</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">It was +merely engaging to defend ourselves against</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +maritime force of the English ... because Chandernagore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">was the +only place on this coast against which they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">could +undertake any enterprise by water. <i>This engagement</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">was signed</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new;"> and sent to the Nawab three days +after he had</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">made +peace with the English. The Council received in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">reply two +privileges, the one to coin money with the King's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">stamp at +Chandernagore, the other liberty of trade for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">individual +Frenchmen on the same footing as the Company,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and +100,000 rupees on account of the 300,000 which he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">extorted +the previous year."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It does not matter whether this engagement was signed or not.<a + name="32"></a>[<a href="#Note_32">32</a>] As +a Frenchman thus mentions it, the rumour of its signature must have +been very strong. It is probable that the English heard of it, and +believed it to be conclusive proof of the secret understanding +between the Nawab and the French. The privilege of individual trade +was particularly likely to excite their commercial jealousy, for it +was to this very privilege in their own case that the wealth and +strength of Calcutta were due. Such a rumour, therefore, was not +likely to facilitate negotiations. Nevertheless, Renault sent MM. +Fournier and Nicolas, the latter of whom had many friends amongst +the English, to Calcutta, to re-open the negotiations for a +neutrality. These negotiations seemed to be endless. The most +striking feature was Admiral Watson's apparent vacillation. When the +Council proposed war he wanted peace, when they urged neutrality he +wanted war. Clive went so far as to present a memorial to the +Council, saying it was unfair to continue the negotiations if the +Admiral was determined not to agree to a treaty. It seems as if the +Council wanted war, but wished to throw the responsibility upon the +Admiral. On the other hand the Admiral was only too eager to fight, +but hesitated to involve the Company in a war with the French and +the Nawab combined, at a moment when the British land forces were so +weakened by disease that success might be considered doubtful. He +had also to remember the fact that the Council at Chandernagore was +subordinate to the Council at Pondicherry, and the latter might, +whenever convenient to the French, repudiate the treaty. However, in +spite of all difficulties, the terms were agreed to, the draft was +prepared, and only the signatures were wanting, when a large +reinforcement of Europeans arrived from Bombay, and the Admiral +received formal notification of the declaration of war, and orders +from the Admiralty to attack the French.<a name="33"></a>[<a + href="#Note_33">33</a>] This put an immediate +end to negotiations, and the envoys were instructed to return to +Chandernagore. At the same time the English determined to try and +prevent the Nawab from joining the French.</p> +<p>Whilst the Admiral was making up his mind fortune had favoured the +English. The Nawab, in fear of an invasion of Bengal by the Pathans, +had called upon the British for assistance, and on the 3rd of March +Clive's army left Calcutta <i>en route</i> for Murshidabad. The +Admiral +now pointed out to the Nawab that the British could not safely leave +Chandernagore behind them in the hands of an enemy, and Clive wrote +to the same effect, saying he would wait near Chandernagore for a +reply. On the 10th of March the Nawab wrote a letter to the Admiral, +which concluded with the following significant words:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"You +have understanding and generosity: if your enemy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with an +upright heart claims your protection, you will give</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">him life, +but then you must be <i>well</i> satisfied of the innocence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of his +intentions: if not, whatever you think right, that do."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law says this letter was a forgery,<a name="34"></a>[<a + href="#Note_34">34</a>] but as the Nawab did not +write any letters himself, the only test of authenticity was his +seal, which was duly attached. The English believed it to be +genuine, and the words quoted could have but one meaning. Admiral +Watson read them as a permission to attack the French without fear +of the Nawab's interference. He prepared to support Clive as soon as +the water in the Hugli would allow his ships to pass up, and, it +must be supposed, informed Clive of the letter he had received. At +any rate, he so informed the Council.</p> +<p>Clive reached Chandernagore on the 12th, and probably heard on that +day or the next from Calcutta. On the 13th he sent the following +summons—which Renault does not mention, and did not reply to—to +Chandernagore:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"SIR,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The King +of Great Britain having declared war</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">against +France, I summons you in his name to surrender the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Fort of +Chandernagore. In case of refusal you are to answer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +consequences, and expect to be treated according to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">usage of +war in such cases.</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I have the +honour to be, sir,</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + </div> + <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Your most +obedient and humble servant,</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + </div> + <div style="text-align: right;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"ROBERT CLIVE."</span><br> + </div> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It is important, in the light of what happened +later, to notice that Clive addresses Renault as a +combatant and the head of the garrison.</p> +<p>In England we have recently seen men eager to vilify their own +nation. France has produced similar monsters. One of them wrote from +Pondicherry:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +English having changed their minds on the arrival</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +reinforcement from Bombay, our gentlemen at Chandernagore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">prepared +to ransom themselves, and they would have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">done so +at whatever price the ransom had been fixed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">provided +anything had remained to them. That mode of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">agreement +could not possibly suit the taste of the English.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">It was +rejected, and the Council of Chandernagore had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">no other +resource except to surrender on the best conditions</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">they +could obtain from the generosity of their enemy. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">course +was so firmly resolved upon that they gave no</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">thought +to defending themselves. The military insisted only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">on firing +a single discharge, which they desired the Council</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">would +grant them. It was only the marine and the citizens</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">who, +though they had no vote in the Council, cried out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">tumultuously +that the Fort must be defended. A plot was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">formed to +prevent the Director's son, who was ready to carry</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the keys +of the town to the English camp, from going out.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Suddenly +some one fired a musket. The English thought</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">it was +the reply to their summons. They commenced on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +side to fire their artillery, and that was how a defence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">which +lasted ten whole days was begun."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>How much truth is contained in the above paragraph may be judged by +what has been already stated. It will be sufficient to add that +Clive, receiving no answer to his summons, made a sudden attack on a +small earthwork to the south-west of the fort at 3 A.M. on the 14th +of March. For two whole days then, the English had been in sight of +Chandernagore without attacking. The French ladies had been sent to +Chinsurah and Serampore, so that the defenders had nothing to fear +on their account. Besides the French soldiers and civilians, there +were also about 2000 Moorish troops present, whom Law says he +persuaded the Nawab to send down as soon as the English left +Calcutta. Other accounts say that Renault hired them to assist him. +The Nawab had a strong force at Murshidabad ready to march under one +of his commanders, Rai Durlabh Ram; but the latter had experienced +what even a small English force could do in the night attack on the +Nawab's camp, and was by no means inclined to match himself a second +time against Clive; accordingly, he never got further than five +leagues from Murshidabad. Urgent messages were sent from +Chandernagore as soon as the attack began. M. Law begged of the +Nawab to send reinforcements. Mr. Watts, the English Chief, and all +his party in the <i>Durbar</i>, did their utmost to prevent any orders +being issued. The Nawab gave orders which he almost immediately +countermanded. Renault ascribes this to a letter which he says +Clive wrote on the 14th of March, the very day of the attack, +promising the Nawab to leave the French alone, but it is not at all +likely that he did so. It is true Clive had written to this effect +on the 22nd of February; but since then much had happened, and he +was now acting, as he thought and said, with the Nawab's permission. +On the 16th of March he wrote to Nand Kumar, Faujdar<a name="35"></a>[<a + href="#Note_35">35</a>] of Hugli, +as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +many deceitful wicked measures that the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">have +taken to endeavour to deprive me of the Nawab's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">favour +(tho' I thank God they have proved in vain, since</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">his +Excellency's friendship towards me is daily increasing)</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">has long +made me look on them as enemies to the English,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">but I +could no longer stifle my resentment when I found</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that ... +they dared to oppose the freedom of the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">trade on +the Ganges by seizing a boat with an English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;"><i>dustuck</i>,<a + name="36"></a>[<a href="#Note_36">36</a>] and under English colours +that was passing by their</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">town. I +am therefore come to a resolution to attack them.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I am told +that some of the Government's forces have been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">perswaded +under promise of great rewards from the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to join +them against us; I should be sorry, at a time when</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I am so +happy in his Excellency's favour and friendship, that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I should +do any injury to his servants; I am therefore to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">desire +you will send these forces an order to withdraw, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that no +other may come to their assistance."<a name="37"></a>[<a href="#Note_37">37</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>What Clive feared was that, though the +Nawab might not interfere openly, some of his +servants might receive secret orders to do so, and +on the 22nd of March he wrote even more curtly +to Rai Durlabh himself:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"I +hear you are arrived within 20 miles of Hughly.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Whether +you come as a friend or an enemy, I know not. If</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">as the +latter, say so at once, and I will send some people out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to fight +you immediately.... Now you know my mind."<a name="38"></a>[<a + href="#Note_38">38</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>When diplomatic correspondence was conducted in letters of this +kind, it is easy to understand that the Nawab was frightened out of +his wits, and absolutely unable to decide what course he should +take. There was little likelihood of the siege being influenced by +anything he might do.</p> +<p>The outpost mentioned as the object of the first attack was a small +earthwork, erected at the meeting of three roads. It was covered by +the Moorish troops, who held the roofs of the houses around. As the +intention of the outposts was merely to prevent the town from being +surprised, and to enable the inhabitants to take shelter in the +Fort, the outpost ought to have been withdrawn as quickly as +possible, but, probably because they thought it a point of honour to +make a stout defence wherever they were first attacked, the +defenders stood to it gallantly. Renault sent repeated +reinforcements, first the company of grenadiers, then at 9 o'clock +the company of artillery, and at 10 o'clock, when the surrounding +houses were in flames, and many of the Moors had fled, a company of +volunteers. With these, and a further reinforcement of sixty +sailors, the little fort held out till 7 o'clock in the evening, +when the English, after three fruitless assaults, ceased fire and +withdrew. Street fighting is always confusing, and hence the +following vague description of the day's events from Captain Eyre +Coote's journal:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Colonel +Clive ordered the picquets, with the company's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">grenadiers, +to march into the French bounds, which is encompassed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with an +old ditch,<a name="39"></a>[<a href="#Note_39">39</a>] the entrance +into it a gateway</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with +embrasures on the top but no cannons, which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">French +evacuated on our people's advancing. As soon as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Captain +Lynn, who commanded the party, had taken possession,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">he +acquainted the Colonel, who ordered Major Kilpatrick</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and me, +with my company of grenadiers, to join Captain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Lynn, and +send him word after we had reconnoitred the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">place. On +our arrival there we found a party of French was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in +possession of a road leading to a redoubt that they had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">thrown up +close under their fort, where they had a battery</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of +cannon, and upon our advancing down the road, they fired</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">some +shots at us. We detached some parties through a wood,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and drove +them from the road into their batteries with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">loss of +some men; we then sent for the Colonel, who, as soon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">as he +joined us, sent to the camp for more troops. We</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">continued +firing at each other in an irregular manner till</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">about +noon, at which time the Colonel ordered me to continue</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with my +grenadier company and about 200 sepoys at the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">advance +post, and that he would go with the rest of our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">troops to +the entrance, which was about a mile back. About</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">2 o'clock +word was brought me that the French were making</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a sortie. +Soon after, I perceived the sepoys retiring from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +post, upon which I sent to the Colonel to let him know</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +French were coming out. I was then obliged to divide</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">my +company, which consisted of about 50 men, into 2 or 3</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">parties +(very much against my inclination) to take possession</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +ground the sepoys had quitted. We fired pretty</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">warmly +for a quarter of an hour from the different parties</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">at each +other, when the French retreated again into their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">battery. +On this occasion I had a gentleman (Mr. Tooke<a name="40"></a>[<a + href="#Note_40">40</a>]),</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">who was a +volunteer, killed, and 2 of my men wounded.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">The enemy +lost 5 or 6 Europeans and some blacks. I got</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">close +under the battery, and was tolerably well sheltered by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">an old +house, where I continued firing till about 7 o'clock,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">at which +time I was relieved, and marched back to camp."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The defenders were much exhausted, as well by the fighting as by the +smoke and heat from the burning houses and the heat of the weather, +for it was almost the hottest season of the year. It seemed probable +that the English would make another attack during the night, and as +the defenders already amounted to a very large portion of the +garrison, it was almost impossible to reinforce them without +leaving the Fort itself in great danger, if Clive managed to +approach it from any other quarter. Renault called a council of war, +and, after taking the opinion of his officers in writing to the +effect that the outposts must be abandoned, he withdrew the +defenders at 9 o'clock, under cover of the darkness: The French had +suffered a loss of only 10 men killed and wounded. Clive mentions +that, at the same time, all the other outposts and batteries, except +those on the river side, were withdrawn.</p> +<p>Mustering his forces in the Fort, Renault found them to be composed +of 237 soldiers (of whom 117 were deserters from the British), 120 +sailors, 70 half-castes and private Europeans, 100 persons employed +by the Company, 167 Sepoys and 100 <i>Topasses</i>. Another French +account puts the total of the French garrison at 489, but this +probably excludes many of the private people.<a name="41"></a>[<a + href="#Note_41">41</a>]</p> +<p>On the 15th the English established themselves in the town, and +drove out the Moors who had been stationed on the roofs of the +houses. This gave them to some extent the command of the interior of +the Fort, but no immediate attack was made on the latter. A French +account<a name="42"></a>[<a href="#Note_42">42</a>] says this was +because—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"all +their soldiers were drunk with the wine they had found</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in the +houses. Unfortunately we did not know of this. It</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">would +have been the moment to make a sortie, of which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">results +must have been favourable to us, the enemy being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">incapable +of defence."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>During the night of the 15th the Fort was bombarded, and on the +morning of the 16th the British completed the occupation of the +houses deserted by the Moors. The latter not being received into the +Fort, either fled or were sent away. They betook themselves to Nand +Kumar, the Faujdar of Hugli, announcing the capture of the town. +Nand Kumar, who is said to have had an understanding with the +British, sent on the message to Rai Durlabh and the Nawab, with the +malicious addition that the Fort, if it had not already fallen, +would fall before Rai Durlabh could reach it. This put an end to all +chance of the Nawab interfering.</p> +<p>The French spent the day in blocking a narrow passage formed by a +sandbank in the river, a short distance below the town. They sank—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"four +large ships and a hulk,... and had a chain and boom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">across in +order to prevent our going up with the squadron.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Captain +Toby sent his 2nd lieutenant, Mr. Bloomer, that night,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">who cut +the chain and brought off a sloop that buoyed it up."<a name="43"></a>[<a + href="#Note_43">43</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It was apparently this rapid attack on the position that accounts +for the timidity of the pilots and boatmen, who, Renault tells us, +hurried away without staying to sink two other ships which were half +laden, and which, if sunk, would have completely blocked the +passage. Even on the ships which were sunk the masts had been left +standing, so as to point out their position to the enemy.</p> +<p>Besides the ships sunk in the passage, there were at Chandernagore +the French East Indiaman the <i>Saint Contest</i> (Captain de la Vigne +Buisson), four large ships, and several small ones. The French +needed all the sailors for the Fort, so they sank all the vessels +they could not send up the river except three, which it was supposed +they intended to use as fire-ships.</p> +<p>Clive, in the meantime, was advancing cautiously, his men erecting +batteries, which seemed to be very easily silenced by the superior +gunnery of the Fort. His object was partly to weary out the garrison +by constant fighting, and partly to creep round to the river face, +so as to be in a position to take the batteries which commanded the +narrow river passage, as soon as Admiral Watson was ready to attack +the Fort. Later on, the naval officers asserted he could not have +taken the Fort without the assistance of the fleet. He said he +could, and it is certain that if he had had no fleet to assist him +his mode of attack would have been a very different one.</p> +<p>Early in the siege the French were warned from Chinsurah to beware +of treachery amongst the deserters in their pay, and on the 17th of +March a number of arrows were found in the Fort with labels +attached, bearing the words:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Pardon +to deserters who will rejoin their colours, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">rewards +to officers who will come over to us."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>These were seized by the officers before the men could see them, but +one of the officers themselves, Charles Cossard de Terraneau, a +sub-lieutenant of the garrison, took advantage of the offer to go +over to the English. This officer had served with credit in the +South of India, and had lost an arm in his country's service. The +reason of his desertion is said to have been a quarrel with M. +Renault. M. Raymond, the translator of a native history of the time +by Gholam Husain Khan,<a name="44"></a>[<a href="#Note_44">44</a>] +tells a story of De Terraneau which seems +improbable. It is to the effect that he betrayed the secret of the +river passage to Admiral Watson, and that a few years later he sent +home part of the reward of his treachery to his father in France. +The old man returned the money with indignant comments on his son's +conduct, and De Terraneau committed suicide in despair. As a matter +of fact, De Terraneau was a land officer,<a name="45"></a>[<a + href="#Note_45">45</a>] and therefore not +likely to be able to advise the Admiral, who, as we shall see, +solved the riddle of the passage in a perfectly natural manner, and +the Probate Records show that De Terraneau lived till 1765, and in +his will left his property to his wife Ann, so the probability is +that he lived and died quietly in the British service. His only +trouble seems to have been to get himself received by his new +brother officers. However, he was, so Clive tells us, the only +artillery officer the French had, and his desertion was a very +serious matter. Renault writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +same night, by the improved direction of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">besiegers' +bombs, I had no doubt but that he had done us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a bad +service."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>On the 18th the French destroyed a battery which the English had +established near the river, and drove them out of a house opposite +the south-east bastion. The same day the big ships of the +squadron—the <i>Kent</i> (Captain Speke), the <i>Tyger</i> (Captain +Latham), +and the <i>Salisbury</i> (Captain Martin), appeared below the town. +The +<i>Bridgewater</i> and <i>Kingfisher</i> had come up before. Admiral +Watson +was on board the <i>Kent</i>, and Admiral Pocock on the <i>Tyger</i>. +The +fleet anchored out of range of the Fort at the Prussian Gardens, a +mile and a half below the town, and half a mile below the narrow +passage in which the ships had been sunk.</p> +<p>On the 19th Admiral Watson formally announced the declaration of +war,<a name="46"></a>[<a href="#Note_46">46</a>] and summoned the Fort +to surrender. The Governor called a +council of war, in which there was much difference of opinion. Some +thought the Admiral would not have come so far without his being +certain of his ability to force the passage; indeed the presence of +so many deserters in the garrison rendered it probable that he had +secret sources of information. As a matter of fact, it was only when +Lieutenant Hey, the officer who had brought the summons, and, in +doing so, had rowed between the masts of the sunken vessels, +returned to the <i>Kent</i>, that Admiral Watson knew the passage was +clear. Renault and the Council were aware that the Fort could not +resist the big guns of the ships, and accordingly the more +thoughtful members of the council of war determined, if possible, to +try and avoid fighting by offering a ransom. This apparently gave +rise to the idea that they wished to surrender, and an English +officer says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Upon +the Admiral's sending them a summons ... to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">surrender, +they were very stout; they gave us to understand</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">there +were two parties in the Factory, the Renaultions and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +anti-Renaultions. The former, which they called the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">great-wigg'd +gentry, or councillors, were for giving up the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Fort, but +the others vowed they would die in the breach. To</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">these +high and lofty expressions the Admiral could give no</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">other +answer than that in a very few days, or hours perhaps,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">he would +give them a very good opportunity of testifying</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +zeal for the Company and the Grand Monarque."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The offer of ransom was made, and was refused by the Admiral. +Renault says, he—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"insisted +on our surrendering and the troops taking possession</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +Fort, <i>promising, however, that every one should keep his</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">own property</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new;">. There was not a man amongst us who +did not</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">prefer to +run the risk of whatever might happen to surrendering</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in this +fashion, without the Fort having yet suffered any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">material +damage, and every one was willing to risk his own</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">interests +in order to defend those of the Company. Every</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">one swore +to do his best."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The Admiral could not attack at once, owing to the state of the +river, but to secure his own position against any counter-attack, +such as was very likely with a man like Captain de la Vigne in the +Fort, he sent up boats the same night, and sank the vessels which it +was supposed the French intended to use as fire-ships; and the next +day Mr. John Delamotte, master of the <i>Kent</i>, under a heavy fire, +sounded and buoyed the passage for the ships.</p> +<p>The army, meanwhile, continued its monotonous work ashore, the +soldiers building batteries for the French to knock to pieces, but +succeeding in Clive's object, which was "to keep the enemy +constantly awake."<a name="47"></a>[<a href="#Note_47">47</a>] +Sometimes this work was dangerous, as, for +instance, on the 21st, when a ball from the Fort knocked down a +verandah close to one of the English batteries, "the rubbish of +which choked up one of our guns, very much bruised two artillery +officers, and buried several men in the ruins."<a name="48"></a>[<a + href="#Note_48">48</a>]</p> +<p>By the 22nd Clive had worked his way round to the river, and was +established to the north-east and south-east of the Fort so as to +assist the Admiral, and on the river the Admiral had at last got the +high tide he was waiting for. Surgeon Ives tells the story as +follows:<a name="49"></a>[<a href="#Note_49">49</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +Admiral the same evening ordered lights to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">placed on +the masts of the vessels that had been sunk, with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">blinds +towards the Fort, that we might see how to pass</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">between +them a little before daylight, and without being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">discovered +by the enemy.</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"At +length the glorious morning of the 23rd of March</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">arrived." +Clive's men gallantly stormed the battery covering</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +narrow pass,<a name="50"></a>[<a href="#Note_50">50</a>] "and upon the +ships getting under sail the</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Colonel's +battery, which had been finished behind a dead</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">wall," to +take off the fire of the Fort when the ships passed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">up, began +firing away, and had almost battered down the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">corner of +the south-east bastion before the ships arrived</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">within +shot of the Fort. "The <i>Tyger</i>, with Admiral Pocock's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">flag +flying, took the lead, and about 6 o'clock in the morning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">got very +well into her station against the north-east bastion.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">The <i>Kent</i>, +with Admiral Watson's flag flying, quickly followed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">her, but +before she could reach her proper station, the tide of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">ebb +unfortunately made down the river, which occasioned her</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">anchor to +drag, so that before she brought up she had fallen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">abreast +of the south-east bastion, the place where the <i>Salisbury</i></span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">should +have been, and from her mainmast aft she was exposed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to the +flank guns of the south-west bastion also. The accident</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the <i>Kent's</i> +anchor not holding fast, and her driving down</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">into the <i>Salisbury's</i> +station, threw this last ship out of action,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to the +great mortification of the captain, officers, and crew,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">for she +never had it in her power to fire a gun, unless it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">now and +then, when she could sheer on the tide. The French,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">during +the whole time of the <i>Kent</i> and <i>Tyger's</i> approach</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">towards +the Fort, kept up a terrible cannonade upon them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">without +any resistance on their part; but as soon as the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">ships +came properly to an anchor they returned it with such</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fury as +astonished their adversaries. Colonel Clive's troops</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">at the +same time got into those houses which were nearest</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the Fort, +and from thence greatly annoyed the enemy with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +musketry. Our ships lay so near to the Fort that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">musket +balls fired from their tops, by striking against the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;"><i>chunam</i><a + name="51"></a>[<a href="#Note_51">51</a>] walls of the Governor's palace, +which was in</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the very +centre of the Fort, were beaten as flat as a half-crown.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">The fire +now became general on both sides, and was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">kept up +with extraordinary spirit. The flank guns of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">south-west +bastion galled the <i>Kent</i> very much, and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Admiral's +aide-de-camps being all wounded, Mr. Watson went</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">down +himself to Lieutenant William Brereton, who commanded</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the lower +deck battery, and ordered him particularly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to direct +his fire against those guns, and they were accordingly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">soon +afterwards silenced. At 8 in the morning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">several +of the enemy's shot struck the <i>Kent</i> at the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">time; one +entered near the foremast, and set fire to two or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">three +32-pound cartridges of gunpowder, as the boys held</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">them in +their hands ready to charge the guns. By the explosion,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +wad-nets and other loose things took fire between</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">decks, +and the whole ship was so filled with smoke that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">men, in +their confusion, cried out she was on fire in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">gunner's +store-room, imagining from the shock they had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">felt from +the balls that a shell had actually fallen into her.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">This +notion struck a panic into the greater part of the crew,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and 70 or +80 jumped out of the port-holes into the boats</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that were +alongside the ship. The French presently saw</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">this +confusion on board the <i>Kent</i>, and, resolving to take the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">advantage, +kept up as hot a fire as possible upon her during</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the whole +time. Lieutenant Brereton, however, with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">assistance +of some other brave men, soon extinguished the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fire, and +then running to the ports, he begged the seamen to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">come in +again, upbraiding them for deserting their quarters;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">but +finding this had no effect upon them, he thought the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">more +certain method of succeeding would be to strike them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with a +sense of shame, and therefore loudly exclaimed, 'Are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">you +Britons? You Englishmen, and fly from danger? For</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">shame! +For shame!' This reproach had the desired effect;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to a man +they immediately returned into the ship, repaired</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to their +quarters, and renewed a spirited fire on the enemy.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"In about +three hours from the commencement of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">attack +the parapets of the north and south bastions were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">almost +beaten down; the guns were mostly dismounted, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">we could +plainly see from the main-top of the <i>Kent</i> that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">ruins +from the parapet and merlons had entirely blocked up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">those few +guns which otherwise might have been fit for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">service. +We could easily discern, too, that there had been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a great +slaughter among the enemy, who, finding that our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fire +against them rather increased, hung out the white flag,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">whereupon +a cessation of hostilities took place, and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Admiral +sent Lieutenant Brereton (the only commissioned</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">officer +on board the <i>Kent</i> that was not killed or wounded)</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and +Captain Coote of the King's regiment with a flag of truce</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to the +Fort, who soon returned, accompanied by the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Governor's +son, with articles of capitulation, which being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">settled +by the Admiral and Colonel, we soon after took possession</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +place."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>So far then from the besiegers' side; Renault's description of the +fight is as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +three largest vessels, aided by the high-water of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +equinoctial tides, which, moreover, had moved the vessels</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">sunk in +the narrow passage, passed over the sunken ships,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">which did +not delay them for a moment, to within half</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">pistol +shot of the Fort, and opened fire at 6 a.m. Then the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">troops in +the battery on the bank of the Ganges, who had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">so far +fired only one discharge, suddenly found themselves</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">overwhelmed +with the fire from the tops of the ships,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">abandoned +it, and had much difficulty in gaining the Fort....</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I +immediately sent the company of grenadiers, with a detachment</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of the +artillery company as reinforcements, to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">south-eastern +bastion and the Bastion du Pavillon, which two</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">bastions +face the Ganges; but those troops under the fire of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +ships, joined to that of the land batteries, <i>rebuilt the</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">same night</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new;">, and of more than 3000 men placed +on the roofs</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of houses +which overlooked the Fort, almost all took flight,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">leaving +two of their officers behind, one dead and the other</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">wounded. +I was obliged to send immediately all the marine</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">and the +inhabitants from the other posts.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +attack was maintained with vigour from 6 a.m. to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">10.30, +when all the batteries were covered with dead and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">wounded, +the guns dismounted, and the merlons destroyed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in spite +of their being strengthened with bales of cloth. No</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">one could +show himself on the bastions, demolished by the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">fire of +more than 100 guns; the troops were terrified during</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">this +attack by the loss of all the gunners and of nearly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">200 men; +the bastions were undermined, and threatened to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">crumble +away and make a breach, which the exhaustion of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">our +people, and the smallness of the number who remained,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">made it +impossible for us to hope to defend successfully.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Not a +soldier would put his hand to a gun; it was only the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">European +marine who stood to their duty, and half of these</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">were +already killed or disabled. A body of English troops,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">lying +flat on the ground behind the screen which we had commenced</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to erect +on the bank of the Ganges, was waiting the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">signal to +attack. Seeing the impossibility of holding out longer,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">I thought +that in the state in which the Fort was I could not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in +prudence expose it to an assault. Consequently I hoisted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the white +flag and ordered the drums to beat a parley."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>According to an account written later by a person who was not +present at the siege, Renault lost his Fort by a quarter of an hour. +This writer says the tide was rapidly falling, and, had the eastern +defences of the Fort been able to resist a little longer, the ships +would have found their lower tiers of guns useless, and might have +been easily destroyed by the French. Suppositions of this kind +always suppose a stupidity on the part of the enemy which Renault +had no right to count upon. Admiral Watson must have known the +strength of the fortress he was about to attack before he placed +his ships in a position from which it would be impossible to +withdraw them whenever he wished to do so.</p> +<p>The flag of truce being displayed, Captain Eyre Coote was sent +ashore, and returned in a quarter of an hour with the Governor's son +bearing "a letter concerning the delivery of the place." Articles +were agreed upon, and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon Captain +Coote, with a company of artillery and two companies of grenadiers, +took possession of the Fort. Before this took place there occurred +an event the consequences of which were very unfortunate for the +French. Everything was in a state of confusion, and the deserters, +who formed the majority of the garrison, expecting no mercy from the +Admiral and Clive, determined to escape. Rushing tumultuously to the +Porte Royale, their arms in their hands, they forced it to be opened +to them, and, finding the northern road to Chinsurah unguarded, made +the best of their way in that direction. They were accompanied by a +number of the military and marine, as well as by some of the +Company's servants and private persons who were determined not to +surrender. As all this took place after the hoisting of the white +flag and pending the conclusion of the capitulation, the English +considered it a breach of the laws of warfare, and when later on +the meaning of the capitulation itself was contested they absolutely +refused to listen to any of the representations of the French. In +all about 150 persons left the Fort. They had agreed to reassemble +at a place a little above Hugli. The English sent a small force +after them, who shot some and captured others, but about 80 officers +and men arrived at the rendezvous in safety. The pursuit, however, +was carried further, and Law writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Constantly +pursued, they had to make forced marches.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Some lost +their way; others, wearied out, were caught as they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">stopped +to rest themselves. However, when I least expected</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">it, I was +delighted to see the officers and many of the soldiers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">arrive in +little bands of 5 and 6, all naked, and so worn out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that they +could hardly hold themselves upright. Most of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">them had +lost their arms."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This reinforcement increased Law's garrison from 10 or 12 men to 60, +and secured the safety of his person, but the condition of the +fugitives must have been an object lesson to the Nawab and his +<i>Durbar</i> which it was not wise for the French to set before them. +A +naval officer writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"From +the letters that have lately passed between the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Nawab and +us, we have great reason to hope he will not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">screen +the French at all at Cossimbazar or Dacca. I only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">wish the +Colonel does not alarm him too much, by moving</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">with the +army to the northward, I do assure you he is so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">sufficiently +frightened that he had rather encounter the new</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Mogul<a + name="52"></a>[<a href="#Note_52">52</a>] himself than accept our +assistance, though he strenuously</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">begged +for it about three weeks ago. He writes word</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">he needs +no fuller assurance of our friendship for him, when</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a single +letter brought us so far on the road to Murshidabad</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">as +Chandernagore."<a name="53"></a>[<a href="#Note_53">53</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The escape of the French from Chandernagore is of interest, as it +shows the extraordinary condition of the country. It is probable +that the peasantry and gentry were indifferent as to whether the +English or the French were victorious, whilst the local authorities +were so paralyzed by the Nawab's hesitation that they did not know +which side to assist. Later on we shall find that small parties, and +even solitary Frenchmen, wandered through the country with little or +no interference, though the English had been recognized as the +friends and allies of the new Nawab, Mir Jafar.</p> +<p>To return, however, to Renault and the garrison of Chandernagore. +The capitulation proposed by Renault and the Admiral's answers were +to the following effect:—</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">1. The lives of the deserters to be +spared. <i>Answer</i>. The deserters +to surrender absolutely.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">2. Officers of the garrison to be +prisoners on parole, and allowed +to keep their effects. <i>Answer</i>. Agreed to.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">3. Soldiers of the garrison to be +prisoners of war. <i>Answer</i>. Agreed +to, on condition that foreigners may enter the English service.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">4. Sepoys of the garrison to be set free. +<i>Answer</i>. Agreed to.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">5. Officers and crew of the French +Company's ship to be sent to +Pondicherry. <i>Answer</i>. These persons to be prisoners of war +according to articles 2 and 3.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">6. The Jesuit fathers to be allowed to +practise their religion and +retain their property. <i>Answer</i>. No European to be allowed to +remain +at Chandernagore, but the fathers to be allowed to retain their +property.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">7. All inhabitants to retain their +property. <i>Answer</i>. This to be +left to the Admiral's sense of equity.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">8. The French Factories up-country to be +left in the hands of their +present chiefs. <i>Answer</i>. This to be settled by the Nawab and the +Admiral.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 40px;">9. The French Company's servants to go +where they please, with their +clothes and linen. <i>Answer</i>. Agreed to.</p> +<p>It is evident that the capitulation was badly drawn up. Civilians +who had taken part in the defence, as had all the Company's +servants, might be justly included in the garrison, and accordingly +Admiral Watson and Clive declared they were all prisoners of war, +and that article 9 merely permitted them to reside where they +pleased on <i>parole</i>. On the other hand, Renault and the French +Council declared that, being civilians, nothing could make them part +of the garrison, and therefore under article 9 they might do what +they pleased. Accordingly, they expressed much surprise when they +were stopped at the Fort gates by one of Clive's officers, and +forced to sign, before they were allowed to pass, a paper promising +not to act against Britain directly or indirectly during the course +of the war.</p> +<p>Another point of difficulty was in reference to article 7. The town +had been in the hands of the British soldiers and sepoys for days. +Much had been plundered, and both soldiers and sailors were wild for +loot. They considered that the Admiral was acting unjustly to them +in restoring their property to civilians who had been offered the +chance of retaining it if they would avoid unnecessary bloodshed by +a prompt surrender. Instead of this, the defence was so desperate +that one officer writes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"Our +losses have been very great, and we have never</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">yet +obtained a victory at so dear a rate. Perhaps you will</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">hear of +few instances where two ships have met with heavier</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">damage +than the <i>Kent</i> and <i>Tyger</i> in this engagement."<a name="54"></a>[<a + href="#Note_54">54</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Clive's total loss was only about 40 men killed and wounded, but +the loss on the ships was so great, that before the Fort surrendered +the besiegers had lost quite as many men as the besieged, and it was +by no means clear to the common mind what claim the French had to +leniency. Even English officers wrote:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +Messieurs themselves deserve but little mercy from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">us for +their mean behaviour in setting fire to so many bales</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">of cloth +and raw silk in the Fort but a very few minutes</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">before we +entered, and it grieves us much, to see such a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">number of +stout and good vessels sunk with their whole</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">cargoes +far above the Fort, which is a great loss to us and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">no profit +to them. Those indeed below, to hinder our passage</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">were +necessary, the others were <i>merely through mischief</i>.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">But +notwithstanding this they scarcely ask a favour from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the +Admiral but it is granted."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The result was that the soldiers on guard began to beat the coolies +who were helping the French to secure their goods, until they were +induced by gifts to leave them alone, and much plundering went on +when the soldiers could manage to escape notice. On one day three +black soldiers were executed, and on another Sergeant Nover<a name="55"></a>[<a + href="#Note_55">55</a>] and +a private soldier of the 39th Regiment were condemned to death, for +breaking open the Treasury and stealing 3000 rupees. Another theft, +which was not traced, was the holy vessels and treasure of the +Church.</p> +<p>Many individual Frenchmen were ruined. Of one of these Surgeon Ives +narrates the following pleasing incident:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"It +happened unfortunately ... that Monsieur Nicolas,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">a man of +most amiable character, and the father of a large</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">family, +had not been so provident as the rest of his countrymen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in +securing his effects within the Fort, but had left them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in the +town; consequently, upon Colonel Clive's first taking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">possession +of the place, they had all been plundered by our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">common +soldiers; and the poor gentleman and his family</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">were to +all appearance ruined. The generous and humane</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Captain +Speke,<a name="56"></a>[<a href="#Note_56">56</a>] having heard of the +hard fate of Monsieur</span><br style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Nicolas, +took care to represent it to the two admirals in all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">its +affecting circumstances, who immediately advanced the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">sum of +1500 rupees each. Their example was followed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">the five +captains of the squadron, who subscribed 5000</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">between +them. Mr. Doidge added 800 more, and the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">sum was +thrown in by another person who was a sincere well-wisher</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">to this +unfortunate gentleman; so that a present of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">9600 +rupees, or £1200 sterling was in a few minutes collected</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">towards +the relief of this valuable Frenchman and his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">distressed +family. One of the company was presently</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">despatched +with this money, who had orders to acquaint</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Monsieur +Nicolas that a few of his English friends desired</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">his +acceptance of it, as a small testimony of the very high</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">esteem +they had for his moral character, and of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">unfeigned +sympathy with him in his misfortunes. The poor</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">gentleman, +quite transported by such an instance of generosity</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">in an +enemy, cried out in a sort of ecstasy, 'Good God,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">they axe +friends indeed!' He accepted of the present with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">great +thankfulness, and desired that his most grateful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">acknowledgements +might be made to his unknown benefactors,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">for whose +happiness and the happiness of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">families, +not only his, but the prayers of his children's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">children, +he hoped, would frequently be presented to heaven.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">He could +add no more; the tears, which ran plentifully down</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">his +cheeks, bespoke the feelings of his heart: and, indeed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">implied +much more than even Cicero with all his powers of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">oratory +could possibly have expressed."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This, however, was but a solitary instance; the state of the French +was, as a rule, wretched in the extreme, and Renault wrote:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +whole colony is dispersed, and the inhabitants are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">seeking +an asylum, some—the greatest part—have gone to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Chinsurah, +others to the Danes and to Calcutta. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">dispersion +being caused by the misery to which our countrymen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">are +reduced, their poverty, which I cannot relieve,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">draws +tears from my eyes, the more bitter that I have seen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">them risk +their lives so generously for the interests of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Company, +and of our nation."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>In such circumstances there was but one consolation possible to +brave men—the knowledge that, in the eyes of friend and foe, they +had done their duty. The officers of the British army and navy all +spoke warmly of the gallant behaviour of the French, and the +historian Broome, himself a soldier and the chronicler of many a +brave deed, expresses himself as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">"The +conduct of the French on this occasion was most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">creditable +and well worthy the acknowledged gallantry of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">that +nation. Monsieur Renault, the Governor, displayed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">great +courage and determination: but the chief merit of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">defence +was due to Monsieur Devignes" (Captain de la</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">Vigne +Buisson), "commander of the French Company's ship,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;"><i>Saint +Contest</i>. He took charge of the bastions, and directed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">their +fire with great skill and judgment, and by his own</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">example +inspired energy and courage into all those around</span><br + style="font-family: courier new;"> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new;">him."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Renault himself found some consolation in the gallant behaviour of +his sons.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"In +my misfortune I have had the satisfaction to see my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">two +sons distinguish themselves in the siege with all the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">courage +and intrepidity which I could desire. The elder</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brother +was in the Company's service, and served as a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">volunteer; +the younger, an officer in the army, was, as has</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +said above, commandant of the volunteers."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Others who are mentioned by Renault and his companions as having +distinguished themselves on the French side, were the Councillors +MM. Caillot, Nicolas, and Picques, Captain de la Vigne Buisson and +his son and officers, M. Sinfray (secretary to the Council), the +officers De Kalli<a name="57"></a>[<a href="#Note_57">57</a>] and +Launay, the Company's servants Matel, Le +Conte Dompierre, Boissemont and Renault de St. Germain, the private +inhabitant Renault de la Fuye, and the two supercargoes of Indiamen +Delabar and Chambon. Caillot (or Caillaud) was wounded. The +official report of the loss of Chandernagore was drawn up on the +29th of March, 1757. The original is in the French Archives, and +Caillaud's signature shows that he was still suffering from his +wound. Sinfray we shall come across again. He joined Law at +Cossimbazar and accompanied him on his first retreat to Patna. Sent +back by Law, he joined Siraj-ud-daula, and commanded the small +French contingent at Plassey. When the battle was lost he took +refuge in Birbhum, was arrested by the Raja, and handed over to the +English.</p> +<p>The immediate gain to the English by the capture of Chandernagore +was immense. Clive wrote to the Select Committee at Madras:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +cannot at present give you an account to what value</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">has +been taken;<a name="58"></a>[<a href="#Note_58">58</a>] the French +Company had no great stock</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +merchandize remaining, having sold off most of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Imports +and even their investment for Europe to pay in part</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +large debts they had contracted. With respect to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">artillery +and ammunition ... they were not indifferently</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">furnished: +there is likewise a very fine marine arsenal well</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">stocked. +In short nothing could have happened more</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seasonable +for the expeditious re-establishment of Calcutta</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +the reduction of Charnagore" (i.e. Chandernagore). "It</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +certainly a large, rich and thriving colony, and the loss</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +it is an inexpressible blow to the French Company."<a name="59"></a>[<a + href="#Note_59">59</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The French gentlemen, after having signed under protest the document +presented to them by Clive, betook themselves to Chinsurah, where +they repudiated their signatures as having been extorted by force, +subsequent to, and contrary to, the capitulation. They proceeded to +communicate with Pondicherry, their up-country Factories, and the +native Government; they also gave assistance to French soldiers who +had escaped from Chandernagore. Clive and the Calcutta Council were +equally determined to interpret the capitulation in their own way, +and sent Renault an order, through M. Bisdom, the Dutch Director, to +repair to the British camp. Renault refused, and when Clive sent a +party of sepoys for him and the other councillors, they appealed to +M. Bisdom for the protection of the Dutch flag. M. Bisdom informed +them somewhat curtly that they had come to him without his +invitation, that he had no intention of taking any part in their +quarrels, that he would not give them the protection of his flag to +enable them to intrigue against the English, and, in short, +requested them to leave Dutch territory. As it was evident that the +British were prepared to use force, Renault and the Council gave in, +and were taken to Calcutta, where, for some time, they were kept +close prisoners. It was not till the Nawab had been overthrown at +Plassey, that they were absolutely released, and even then it was +only that they might prepare for their departure from Bengal. +Renault surmises, quite correctly, that this severity was probably +due to the fear that they would assist the Nawab.</p> +<p>The following incident during Renault's captivity shows how little +could be expected from the Nawab towards a friend who was no longer +able to be of use to him. After the capture of Chandernagore the +English Council called on the Nawab to surrender the French +up-country Factories to them. Siraj-ud-daula had not even yet +learned the folly of his double policy. On the 4th of April he wrote +to Clive:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +received your letter and observe what you desire in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">regard +to the French factories and other goods. I address</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +seeing you are a man of wisdom and knowledge, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">well +acquainted with the customs and trade of the world;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +you must know that the French by the permission and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>phirmaund</i><a + name="60"></a>[<a href="#Note_60">60</a>] of the King<a name="61"></a>[<a + href="#Note_61">61</a>] have built them several factories,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +carried on their trade in this kingdom. I cannot</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">therefore +without hurting my character and exposing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +to trouble hereafter, deliver up their factories and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">goods, +unless I have a written order from them for so doing,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +I am perswaded that from your friendship for me you</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +never be glad at anything whereby my fame would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suffer; +as I on my part am ever desirous of promoting" [yours].</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Mr. +Renault, the French. Governor being in your power, if</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +could get from him a paper under his own hand and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seal +to this purpose; 'That of his own will and pleasure, he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thereby +gave up to the English Company's servants, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">empowered +them to receive all the factories, money and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">goods +belonging to the French Company without any hindrance</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the Nawab's people;' and would send this to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me, +I should be secured by that from any trouble hereafter</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +this account. But it is absolutely necessary you come</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +some agreement about the King's duties arising from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">French +trade.... I shall then be able to answer to his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">servants +'that in order to make good the duties accruing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the French trade I had delivered up their factories</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">into +the hands of the English.'"<a name="62"></a>[<a href="#Note_62">62</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Clive replied on the 8th of April:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Now +that I have granted terms to Mr. Renault, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +he is under my protection, it is contrary to our custom,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">after +this, to use violence; and without it how would he ever</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +his own will and pleasure, write to desire you to deliver</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">up +his master's property. Weigh the justice of this in your</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">own +mind. Notwithstanding we have reduced the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +low you, contrary to your own interest and the treaty</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +have made with us, that my enemies should be yours,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +still support and encourage them. But should you</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">think +it would hurt your character to deliver up the French</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">factories +and goods, your Excellency need only signify to me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +approbation and I will march up and take them."<a name="63"></a>[<a + href="#Note_63">63</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The more we study the records of the time, the more clearly we +realize the terrible determination of Clive's character, and we +almost feel a kind of pity for the weak creatures who found +themselves opposed to him, until we come across incidents like the +above, which show the depths of meanness to which they were prepared +to descend.</p> +<p>As to Renault's further career little is known, and that little we +should be glad to forget. Placed in charge of the French Settlement +at Karical, he surrendered, on the 5th of April, 1760, to what was +undoubtedly an overwhelming British force, but after so poor a +defence that he was brought before a Court Martial and cashiered. It +speaks highly for the respect in which he had been held by both +nations that none of the various reports and accounts of the siege +mention him by name. Even Lally, who hated the French Civilians, +though he says he deserved death,<a name="64"></a>[<a href="#Note_64">64</a>] +only refers to him indirectly +as being the same officer of the Company who had surrendered +Chandernagore to Clive.</p> +<p>We shall now pass to what went on in Siraj-ud-daula's Court and +capital.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>Notes:</h2> +<p>[<a name="Note_12"></a><a href="#12">12</a>: Journal of M. d'Albert.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_13"></a><a href="#13">13</a>: Evidently the Parish +Church of St. Louis. Eyre Coote +tells us the French had four guns mounted on its roof.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_14"></a><a href="#14">14</a>: In early accounts of +India the Muhammadans are always +called <i>Moors</i>; the Hindus, <i>Gentoos</i> or <i>Gentiles</i>. +The <i>Topasses</i> +were Portuguese half-castes, generally employed, even by native +princes, as gunners.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_15"></a><a href="#15">15</a>: Captain Broome says +there were fifty European ladies +in the Fort. The French accounts say they all retired, previous to +the siege, to Chinsurah and Serampore.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_16"></a><a href="#16">16</a>: Captain, afterwards +Sir, Eyre Coote.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_17"></a><a href="#17">17</a>: The fullest account is +one by Renault, dated October +26, 1758.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_18"></a><a href="#18">18</a>: The only one, excepting +the battle of Biderra, between +the English and Dutch.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_19"></a><a href="#19">19</a>: Governor of Pondicherry +and President of the Superior +Council.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_20"></a><a href="#20">20</a>: Eyre Coote, in his +"Journal," mentions an old ditch, +which surrounded the settlement.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_21"></a><a href="#21">21</a>: One hundred toises, or +600 feet; but Eyre Coote says +330 yards, the difference probably due to the measurement excluding +or including the outworks.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_22"></a><a href="#22">22</a>: Tanks, or artificial +ponds, in Bengal are often of +great size. I have seen some a quarter of a mile long.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_23"></a><a href="#23">23</a>: Letter to M. de +Montorcin, Chandernagore, August 1 +1756. Signature lost.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_24"></a><a href="#24">24</a>: The Nawab, in July, +1756, extorted three lakhs from +the French and even more from the Dutch.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_25"></a><a href="#25">25:</a> British Museum. +Additional MS. 20,914.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_26"></a><a href="#26">26</a>: A kind of fibre used in +making bags and other coarse +materials.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_27"></a><a href="#27">27</a>: Surgeon Ives's Journal.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_28"></a><a href="#28">28</a>: Letter to De Montorcin.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_29"></a><a href="#29">29</a>: Both English and French +use this word "inhabitant" to +signify any resident who was not official, military, or in the +seafaring way.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_30"></a><a href="#30">30</a>: This he did through the +Armenian Coja Wajid, a wealthy +merchant of Hugli, who advised the Nawab on European affairs. +<i>Letter from Coja Wajid to Clive, January 17, 1757</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_31"></a><a href="#31">31</a>: A French doctor, who +has left an account of the +Revolutions in Bengal, says there were eight outposts, and that the +loss of one would have involved the loss of all the others, as they +could be immediately cut off from the Fort, from which they were too +distant to be easily reinforced. The doctor does not sign his name, +but he was probably one of the six I mentioned above. Their names +were Haillet (doctor), La Haye (surgeon-major), Du Cap (second), Du +Pré (third), Droguet (fourth), and St. Didier (assistant).]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_32"></a><a href="#32">32</a>: M. Vernet, the Dutch +Chief at Cossimbazar, wrote to +the Dutch Director at Chinsurah that he could obtain a copy of this +treaty from the Nawab's secretaries, if he wished for it.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_33"></a><a href="#33">33</a>: See page 79 (and note).]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_34"></a><a href="#34">34</a>: See note, p. 89.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_35"></a><a href="#35">35</a>: Governor.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_36"></a><a href="#36">36</a>: A document authorising +the free transit of certain +goods, and their exemption from custom dues, in favour of English +traders.—<i>Wilson</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_37"></a><a href="#37">37</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., p. +2744, No. 71.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_38"></a><a href="#38">38</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., p. +2750, No. 83.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_39"></a><a href="#39">39</a>: Still visible, I +believe, in parts. The gateway +certainly exists.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_40"></a><a href="#40">40</a>: Mr. Tooke was a +Company's servant. He had +distinguished himself in the defence of Calcutta in 1756, when he +was wounded, and, being taken on board the ships, escaped the +dreadful ordeal of the Black Hole.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_41"></a><a href="#41">41</a>: Neither of these +accounts agree with the Capitulation +Returns.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_42"></a><a href="#42">42</a>: British Museum. Addl. +MS. 20,914.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_43"></a><a href="#43">43</a>: Remarks on board His +Majesty's ship <i>Tyger</i>, March +15th.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_44"></a><a href="#44">44</a>: His maternal +grandfather was a cousin of Aliverdi +Khan.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_45"></a><a href="#45">45</a>: Malleson explains this +by saying that De Terraneau was +employed in the blocking up of the passage, but the story hardly +needs contradiction.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_46"></a><a href="#46">46</a>: This announcement seems +superfluous after fighting had +been going on for several days, but it simply shows the friction +between the naval and military services.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_47"></a><a href="#47">47</a>: Clive's journal for +March 16th. Fort St. George, Sel. +Com. Cons., 28th April, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_48"></a><a href="#48">48</a>: Eyre Coote's journal.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_49"></a><a href="#49">49</a>: The passages +interpolated are on the authority of a +MS. in the Orme Papers, entitled "News from Bengal."]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_50"></a><a href="#50">50</a>: Accounts of this detail +differ. One says it was +stormed on the 21st, but if so the French would have been more on +their guard, and would surely have strengthened the second battery +in front of the Fort.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_51"></a><a href="#51">51</a>: Lime plaster made +extremely hard.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_52"></a><a href="#52">52</a>: The Emperor at Delhi, +who was supposed to be about to +invade Bengal.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_53"></a><a href="#53">53</a>: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. +11.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_54"></a><a href="#54">54</a>: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. +10.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_55"></a><a href="#55">55</a>: Sergeant Nover was +pardoned in consideration of +previous good conduct. <i>Letter from Clive to Colonel Adlercron, +March</i> 29, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_56"></a><a href="#56">56</a>: Captain Speke was +seriously and his son mortally +wounded in the attack on Chandernagore.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_57"></a><a href="#57">57</a>: I cannot identify this +name in the Capitulation +Returns. Possibly he was killed.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_58"></a><a href="#58">58</a>: Surgeon Ives says the +booty taken was valued at +£130,000.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_59"></a><a href="#59">59</a>: Orme MSS. India X., p. +2390. Letter of 30th March, +1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_60"></a><a href="#60">60</a>: <i>Firman</i>, or +Imperial Charter.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_61"></a><a href="#61">61</a>: The Mogul, Emperor, or +King of Delhi, to whom the +Bengal Nawabs were nominally tributary.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_62"></a><a href="#62">62</a>: Orme MSS. India XI. pp. +2766-7, No. 111.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_63"></a><a href="#63">63</a>: Ibid., p. 2768, No. +112.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_64"></a><a href="#64">64</a>: Memoirs of Lally. +London, 1766.]</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a name="CHAPTER_III"></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h2>M. LAW, CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR</h2> +<br> +<p>A few miles out of Murshidabad, capital of the Nawabs of Bengal +since 1704, when Murshid Kuli Khan transferred his residence from +Dacca to the ancient town of Muxadabad and renamed it after himself, +lay a group of European Factories in the village or suburb of +Cossimbazar.[<a name="65"></a><a href="#Note_65">65</a>] Of these, one +only, the English, was fortified; the +others, i.e. the French and Dutch, were merely large houses lying in +enclosures, the walls of which might keep out cattle and wild +animals and even thieves, but were useless as fortifications. In +1756 the Chief of the English Factory, as we have already seen, was +the Worshipful Mr. William Watts; the Dutch factory was under M. +Vernet,[<a name="66"></a><a href="#Note_66" style="font-style: italic;">66</a>] +and the French under M. Jean Law. The last mentioned was +the elder son of William Law, brother of John</p> +<p><a name="MUXADABAD_OR_MURSHIDABAD"></a><img src="images/tfb004.jpg" + title="MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (After Rennell.)" + alt="MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (After Rennell.)" + style="width: 897px; height: 1700px;"></p> +<p>Law the financier, who settled in France, and placed his sons in +the French service. French writers[<a name="67"></a><a href="#Note_67">67</a>] +on genealogy have hopelessly +mixed up the two brothers, Jean and Jacques François. Both came +to +India, both distinguished themselves, both rose to the rank of +colonel, one by his services to the French East India Company, and +one by the usual promotion of an officer in the King's army. The +only proof that the elder was the Chief of Cossimbazar is to be +found in a few letters, mostly copies, in which his name is given as +Jean or John. As a usual rule he signed himself in the French manner +by his surname only, or as Law of Lauriston.</p> +<p>His experiences during the four years following the accession of +Siraj-ud-daula were painful and exciting, and he has recorded them +in a journal or memoir[<a name="68"></a><a href="#Note_68">68</a>] +which has never yet been published, but +which is of great interest to the student of Indian history. For us +it has the added charm of containing a picture of ourselves painted +by one who, though a foreigner by education, was enabled by his +birth to understand our national peculiarities. In the present +chapter I shall limit myself almost entirely to quotations from this +memoir.</p> +<p>Law was by no means an admirer of Aliverdi Khan's successor,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Siraj-ud-daula, +a young man of twenty-four or twenty-five,[<a name="69"></a><a + href="#Note_69">69</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">very +common in appearance. Before the death of Aliverdi</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Khan +the character of Siraj-ud-daula was reported to be one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the worst ever known. In fact, he had distinguished himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +only by all sorts of debauchery, but by a revolting</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cruelty. +The Hindu women are accustomed to bathe on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">banks +of the Ganges. Siraj-ud-daula, who was informed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +spies which of them were beautiful, sent his satellites in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">disguise +in little boats to carry them off. He was often</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seen, +in the season when the river overflows, causing the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ferry +boats to be upset or sunk in order to have the cruel</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pleasure +of watching the terrified confusion of a hundred</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +at a time, men, women, and children, of whom many,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +being able to swim, were sure to perish. When it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">became +necessary to get rid of some great lord or minister,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula +alone appeared in the business, Aliverdi Khan</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">retiring +to one of his houses or gardens outside the town, so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +he might not hear the cries of the persons whom he was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">causing +to be killed."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>So bad was the reputation of this young prince, that many persons, +among them Mr. Watts, imagined it impossible that the people would +ever tolerate his accession. The European nations in Bengal had no +regular representatives at the Court of the Nawab; and the Chiefs of +the Factories at Cossimbazar, though now and then admitted to the +<i>Durbar</i>, transacted their business mainly through <i>wakils</i>, +or +native agents, who, of course, had the advantage of knowing the +language and, what was of much greater importance, understood all +those indirect ways in which in Eastern countries one's own business +is forwarded and that of one's rivals thwarted. Then, as now, the +difficulty of dealing with native agents was to induce these agents +to express their own opinions frankly and clearly.[<a name="70"></a><a + href="#Note_70">70</a>] So far from +the English Chief being corrected by his <i>wakil</i>, we find the +latter, whilst applying to other nobles for patronage and +assistance, studiously refraining from making any application to +Siraj-ud-daula when English business had to be transacted at Court.</p> +<p>The English went even further:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"On +certain occasions they refused him admission into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +factory at Cossimbazar and their country houses,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">because, +in fact, this excessively blustering and impertinent</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">young +man used to break the furniture, or, if it pleased his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fancy, +take it away. But Siraj-ud-daula was not the man</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +forget what he regarded as an insult. The day after the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">capture +of the English fort at Cossimbazar, he was heard to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">say +in full <i>Durbar</i>, 'Behold the English, formerly so proud</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +they did not wish to receive me in their houses!' In</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">short, +people knew, long before the death of Aliverdi Khan,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +Siraj-ud-daula was hostile to the English."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>With the French it was different:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"On +the other hand, he was very well disposed towards</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us. +It being our interest to humour him, we had received</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +with a hundred times more politeness than he deserved.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">By +the advice of Rai Durlabh Ram and Mohan Lal, we had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">recourse +to him in important affairs. Consequently, we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">gave +him presents from time to time, and this confirmed his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">friendship +for us. The previous year (1755) had been a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">very +good one for him, owing to the business connected with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +settlement of the Danes in Bengal. In fact, it was by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +influence that I was enabled to conclude this affair, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Aliverdi +Khan allowed him to retain all the profit from it,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +I can say that I had no bad place in the heart of Siraj-ud-daula.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It +is true he was a profligate, but a profligate who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +to be feared, who could be useful to us, <i>and who might</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">some day be a good man</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">. Nawajis Muhammad +Khan[<a name="71"></a><a href="#Note_71">71</a>] had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +at least as vicious as Siraj-ud-daula, and yet he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">become +the idol of the people."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law, therefore, had cultivated the young Nawab. Mr. Watts, on the +other hand, was not only foolish enough to neglect him, but carried +his folly to extremes. He was not in a position to prevent his +accession, and ought therefore to have been careful by the +correctness of his behaviour to show no signs of being opposed to +it. So far from this, he is strongly suspected of having entered +into correspondence with the widow of Nawajis Khan, who had adopted +Siraj-ud-daula's younger brother[<a name="72"></a><a href="#Note_72">72</a>] +and was supporting his +candidature for the throne, and also with Saukat Jang, Nawab of +Purneah and cousin of Siraj-ud-daula, who was trying to obtain the +throne for himself. Still further, he advised Mr. Drake, Governor of +Calcutta, to give shelter to Kissendas, son of Raj Balav (Nawajis +Khan's <i>Diwan</i>), who had fled with the treasures in his charge +when +his father was called to account for his master's property.</p> +<p>Contrary to Mr. Watts's expectations, Aliverdi Khan's last acts so +smoothed the way for Siraj-ud-daula, and the latter acted with such +decision and promptitude on his grandfather's death, that in an +incredibly short time he had all his enemies at his feet, and was at +leisure to attend to state business, and especially the affairs of +the foreign Settlements. Aliverdi Khan had always been extremely +jealous of allowing the European nations to erect any +fortifications, but, during his last illness, all of them, expecting +a contested succession, during which, owing to complications in +Europe, they might find themselves at war with each other in India, +began to repair their old walls or to erect new ones. This was +exactly what Siraj-ud-daula wanted. His first care on his accession +had been to make himself master of his grandfather's and uncle's +treasures. To these he had added those of such of his grandfather's +servants as he could readily lay hands on. Other wealthy nobles and +officers had fled to the English, or were suspected of having +secretly sent their treasures to Calcutta. It was also supposed that +the European Settlements, and especially Calcutta, were filled with +the riches accumulated by the foreigners. Whilst, therefore, the +Nawab was determined to make all the European nations contribute +largely in honour of his accession, and in atonement for their +insolence in fortifying themselves without his permission, he had +special reasons for beginning with the English. In the mean time, +however, he had first to settle with his cousin, Saukat Jang, the +Nawab of Purneah, so he contented himself with sending orders to the +Chiefs of the Factories to pull down their new fortifications. Law +acted wisely and promptly.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +immediately drew up an <i>Arzi</i>, or Petition, and had one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brought +from the Council in Chandernagore of the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">tenour +as my own. These two papers were sent to Siraj-ud-daula,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +appeared satisfied with them. He even wrote</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +in reply that he did not forbid our repairing old works,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +merely our making new ones. Besides, the spies who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been sent to Chandernagore, being well received and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">satisfied +with the presents made them, submitted a report</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favourable +to us, so that our business was hushed up."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The English behaved very differently, and their answer, which was +bold if not insolent in tone,[<a name="73"></a><a href="#Note_73">73</a>] +reached the Nawab at the very +moment when he had received the submission of the Nawab of Purneah. +Law adds:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +was assured that the Nawab of Purneah showed him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">some +letters which he had received from the English. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">is +difficult to believe, but this is how the match took fire.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Accordingly, +no sooner had the Nawab heard the contents</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the answer from the English, than he jumped up in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">anger, +and, pulling out his sword, swore he would go and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">exterminate +all the Feringhees.[<a name="74"></a><a href="#Note_74">74</a>] At the +same time he gave</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">orders +for the march of his army, and appointed several</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Jemadars[<a + name="75"></a><a href="#Note_75">75</a>] to command the advance guard. +As in his first</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">burst +of rage he had used the general word Feringhees,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +is applied to all Europeans, some friends whom I had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the army, and who did not know how our business had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ended, +sent to warn me to be on my guard, as our Factory</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +be besieged. The alarm was great with us, and with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English, at Cossimbazar. I spent more than twenty-four</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hours +in much anxiety; carrying wood, provisions, etc., into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Factory, but I soon knew what to expect. I saw horsemen </span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arrive +and surround the English fort, and at the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">time +I received an official letter from the Nawab, telling me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +to be anxious, and that he was as well pleased with us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +he was ill pleased with the English."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Cossimbazar surrendered without firing a shot, owing to the +treacherous advice of the Nawab's generals, and Siraj-ud-daula +advanced on Calcutta. It was with the greatest difficulty that Law +escaped being forced to march in his train.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +remains of the respect which he had formerly felt</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +Europeans made him afraid of failure in his attack</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +Calcutta, which had been represented to him as a very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">strong +place, defended by three or four thousand men. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wrote +to me in the strongest terms to engage the Director of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Chandernagore +to give him what assistance he could in men</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +ammunition. 'Calcutta is yours,' he said to our agent</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +full <i>Durbar</i>; 'I give you that place and its dependencies</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +the price of the services you will render me. I know,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">besides, +that the English are your enemies; you are always</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +war with them either in Europe or on the Coromandel</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Coast, +so I can interpret your refusal only as a sign of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">little +interest you take in what concerns me. I am resolved</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +do you as much good as Salabat Jang[<a name="76"></a><a href="#Note_76">76</a>] +has done you in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Deccan, but if you refuse my friendship and the offers I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">make +you, you will soon see me fall on you and cause you</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +experience the same treatment that I am now preparing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +others in your favour.' He wished us to send down at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">once +to Calcutta all the ships and other vessels which were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +Chandernagore. After having thanked him for his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favourable +disposition towards us, I represented to him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +we were not at war with the English, that what had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">happened +on the Coromandel Coast was a particular affair</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +we had settled amicably, and that the English, in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Bengal +having given us no cause of offence, it was impossible</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +us, without orders either from Europe or Pondicherry, to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">give +him the assistance he asked for. Such reasons could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">only +excite irritation in the mind of a man of Siraj-ud-daula's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">character. +He swore he would have what he wanted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whether +we wished it or not, and that, as we lived in his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country, +his will ought to be law to us. I did my best to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">appease +him, but uselessly. At the moment of his departure</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +sent us word by one of his uncles that he still counted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +our assistance, and he sent me a letter for the Governor of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Pondicherry, +in which he begged him to give us the necessary</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">orders. +I thought to myself this was so much time gained."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The Nawab captured Calcutta without any open assistance from the +French, and, though he set free most of the prisoners who survived +the Black Hole, he sent Holwell and three others before him to +Murshidabad. Law, who had already sheltered Mrs. Watts and her +family, and such of the English of Cossimbazar as had been able to +escape to him, now showed similar kindness to Holwell and his +companions. Of this he says modestly:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +gratitude Mr. Holwell expresses for a few little</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">services +which I was able to render him makes me regret</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +inability to do as much to deserve his gratitude as I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">should +have liked to do."[<a name="77"></a><a href="#Note_77">77</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>He also, apparently with some difficulty, obtained consent to M. +Courtin's request for the release of the English prisoners at Dacca; +for—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Siraj-ud-daula, +being informed that there were two or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">three +very charming English ladies at Dacca, was strongly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">tempted +to adorn his harem with them."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law's success in these matters is a striking instance of his +personal influence, for Siraj-ud-daula was by no means any longer +well disposed towards the French and Dutch.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +fear of drawing on his back all the European</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">nations +at once had made him politic. At first he pretended</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be satisfied with the reply sent by the Governor</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Chandernagore, and assured him that he would always</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">treat +us with the greatest kindness. He said the same to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Dutch, but when Calcutta was taken the mask fell. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +nothing more to fear. Scarcely had he arrived at Hugli</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">when +he sent detachments to Chandernagore and Chinsurah</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +summon the commandants to pay contributions, or to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">resolve +to see their flags taken away and their forts</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">demolished. +In short, we were forced to yield what the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +demanded; whilst he, as he said, was content with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">having +punished a nation which had offended him, and with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">having +put the others to ransom to pay for the expenses of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +expedition. We saw the tyrant reappear in triumph at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Murshidabad, +little thinking of the punishment which Providence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +preparing for his crimes, and to make which still</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +striking, he was yet to have some further successes."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It may be here pointed out that, not only did the Nawab not insist +on the destruction of the French and Dutch fortifications, but he +did not destroy the fortifications of Calcutta. This proves that if +the English had shown the humility and readiness to contribute which +he desired, he would have left them in peace at the first, or, after +the capture of Calcutta, have permitted them to resettle there +without farther disturbance. In short, the real necessity of making +the European nations respect his authority, instead of guiding him +in a settled course, merely provided a pretext for satisfying his +greed. This is the opinion, not only of the French and English who +were at Murshidabad when the troubles began, but of the English +officials who went there later on and made careful inquiries amongst +all classes of people in order to ascertain the real reason of +Siraj-ud-daula's attack upon the English.</p> +<p>His avarice was to prove the Nawab's ruin.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Siraj-ud-daula +was one of the richest Nawabs that had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ever +reigned. Without mentioning his revenues, of which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +gave no account at the Court of Delhi, he possessed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">immense +wealth, both in gold and silver coin, and in jewels</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +precious stones, which had been left by the preceding</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">three +Nawabs. In spite of this he thought only of increasing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +wealth. If any extraordinary expense had to be met</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +ordered contributions, and levied them with extreme</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rigour. +Having never known himself what it was to want</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">money, +he supposed that, in due proportion, money was as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">common +with other people as with himself, and that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Europeans +especially were inexhaustible. His violence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">towards +them was partly due to this. In fact, from his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">behaviour, +one would have said his object was to ruin everybody.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">He +spared no one, not even his relatives, from whom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +took all the pensions and all the offices which they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +held in the time of Aliverdi Khan. Was it possible for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">such +a man to keep his throne? Those who did not know</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +intimately, when they saw him victorious over his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies +and confirmed as Nawab by a <i>firman</i>[<a name="78"></a><a + href="#Note_78">78</a>]from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Great +Mogul, were forced to suppose that there was in his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">character +some great virtue which balanced his vices and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">counteracted +their effects. However, this young giddy-pate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +no talent for government except that of making himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">feared, +and, at the same time, passed for the most cowardly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +men. At first he had shown some regard for the officers of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +army, because, until he was recognized as Nawab, he felt</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +need of them. He had even shown generosity, but this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">quality, +which was quite opposed to his real character,<br> + soon disappeared,</span><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +make place for violence and greed, which decided</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">against +him all those who had favoured his accession in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hope +that he would behave discreetly when he became Nawab."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Owing to the general disgust felt at Murshidabad for the Nawab, his +cousin, Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah, thought the opportunity +favourable for reviving his claims, and, early in October, +Siraj-ud-daula, hearing of his contemplated rebellion, invaded his +country.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Every +one longed for a change, and many flattered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">themselves +it would take place. In fact, it was the most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favourable +opportunity to procure it. The result would have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +happiness and tranquillity for Bengal. Whilst contributing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the general good—which even the Dutch might</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +interested themselves in—we could have prevented</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +misfortunes which have since happened to us. Three or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">four +hundred Europeans and a few sepoys would have done</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +business. If we could have joined this force to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies +of Siraj-ud-daula we should have placed on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">throne +another Nawab—not, indeed, one wholly to our taste,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but, +not to worry about trifles, one to the liking of the house</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Jagat Seth,[<a name="79"></a><a href="#Note_79">79</a>] and the chief +Moors and Rajas. I am sure</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">such +a Nawab would have kept his throne. The English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +have been re-established peaceably, they would certainly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +received some compensation, and would have had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be satisfied whether they liked it or not. The neutrality of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Ganges assured, at least to the same extent as in the time</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Aliverdi Khan, the English would have been prevented</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +invading Bengal, and from sending thither the reinforcements</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +had contributed so much to their success</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +the Madras Coast. All this depended on us, but how</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +we foresee the succession of events which has been as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">contrary +to us as it has been favourable to the English? As</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +was, we remained quiet, and the rash valour of the young</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +of Purneah, whilst it delivered Siraj-ud-daula from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +only enemy he had to fear in the country, made it clear</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the whole of Bengal that the change so much desired</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +be effected only by the English."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Mir Jafar and other leaders of the Nawab's army were about to +declare in favour of Saukat Jang when Ramnarain,[<a name="80"></a><a + href="#Note_80">80</a>] Naib of Patna, +arrived to support Siraj-ud-daula. Whilst the malcontents were +hesitating what to do, Saukat Jang made a rash attack on the Nawab's +army, and was shot dead in the fight.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Behold +him then, freed by this event from all his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">inquietudes; +detested, it is true, but feared even by those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +only knew him by name. In a country where predestination</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">has +so much power over the mind, the star of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula +was, people said, predominant. Nothing could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">resist +him. He was himself persuaded of this. Sure of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">good +fortune which protected him, he abandoned himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +than ever to those passions which urged him to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commission +of every imaginable form of violence.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +can be guessed what we had to suffer, we and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dutch, +at Cossimbazar. Demand followed demand, and insult</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">followed +insult, on the part of the native officers and soldiers;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +they, forming their behaviour on that of their master,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thought +they could not sufficiently show their contempt for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">everything +European. We could not go outside of our Factories</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">without +being exposed to annoyance of one kind or another."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Every one in the land turned wistful eyes towards the English, but +they lay inactive at Fulta, and it seemed as if help from Madras +would never come. The English, therefore, tried to bring about a +revolution favourable to themselves at Murshidabad, and began to +look for persons who might be induced to undertake it; but this was +not easy, as the Moor nobles had little acquaintance with the +Europeans. Of the Hindus in Bengal—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"the +best informed were the bankers and merchants, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +their commercial correspondence had been in a position</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +learn many things. The house of Jagat Seth, for instance,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +likely to help the English all the more because to its</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">knowledge +of them it joined several causes of complaint</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">against +Siraj-ud-daula. Up to the death of Aliverdi Khan</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +had always enjoyed the greatest respect. It was this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">family +which had conducted almost all his financial business,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +it may be said that it had long been the chief cause of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">all +the revolutions in Bengal. But now things were much</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">changed. +Siraj-ud-daula, the most inconsiderate of men,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">never +supposing that he would need the assistance of mere</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bankers, +or that he could ever have any reason to fear them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">never +showed them the slightest politeness. He wanted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +wealth, and some day or other it was certain he would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seize +it. These bankers, then, were the persons to serve the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English. +They could by themselves have formed a party,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and, +even without the assistance of any Europeans, have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">put +another Nawab upon the throne and re-established the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English, +but this would have required much time. Business</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">moves +very slowly amongst Indians, and this would not have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suited +the English. The bankers also were Hindus, and of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +race which does not like to risk danger. To stimulate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +to action it was necessary for the English to commence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">operations +and achieve some initial successes, and as yet</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">there +seemed no likelihood of their doing so. To negotiate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +Siraj-ud-daula for a peaceful re-establishment was quite</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +difficult, unless they were inclined to accept the very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hardest +conditions, for the Nawab had now the most extravagant</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">contempt +for all Europeans; a pair of slippers, he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">said, +is all that is needed to govern them."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Just as it seemed likely that the English would have to stoop to the +Nawab's terms, they received news of the despatch of reinforcements +from Madras. About the same time, it became known to both French and +English that France and England had declared war against each other +in the preceding May.[<a name="81"></a><a href="#Note_81">81</a>] The +English naturally said nothing about +it, and the French were too eager to see the Nawab well beaten to +put any unnecessary obstacles in their way. The negotiations with +the friends of the Europeans at Murshidabad were quietly continued +until Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive arrived. A rapid advance was +then made on Calcutta, which was captured with hardly any +resistance.</p> +<p>Siraj-ud-daula was so little disturbed by the recapture of Calcutta +that the French thought everything would terminate amicably, but, +possibly owing to the reputation of Watson and Clive, who had so +long fought against the French,[<a name="82"></a><a href="#Note_82">82</a>] +they thought it likely that, if +the English demanded compensation for their losses, the Nawab would +allow them to recoup themselves by seizing the French Settlements. +M. Renault, therefore, wrote to Law to make sure that, in any treaty +between the Nawab and the English, an article should be inserted +providing for the neutrality of the Ganges; but the French, at +present, were needlessly alarmed. The English had no intention of +creeping quietly back into the country. Watson and Clive addressed +haughty letters to the Nawab, demanding reparation for the wrongs +inflicted on the English; and the Admiral and the Council declared +war in the name of the King and the Company. This possibly amused +the Nawab, who took no notice of their letters; but it was a +different matter when a small English force sailed up the Hugli, +passed Chandernagore unopposed by the French, captured the fort of +Hugli, burnt Hugli[<a name="83"></a><a href="#Note_83">83</a>] and +Bandel towns, and ravaged both banks of +the river down to Calcutta. The French were in an awkward position. +The English had passed Chandernagore without a salute, which was an +unfriendly, if not a hostile act; whilst the Nawab thought that, as +the French had not fired on them, they must be in alliance with +them. Law had to bear the brunt of this suspicion. His common sense +told him that the English would never consent to a neutrality, and +he wrote to Renault that it was absolutely necessary to join the +Moors.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +neutrality was by no means obligatory, as no treaty</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">existed. +In fact, what confidence could we have in a forced</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">neutrality, +which had been observed so long only out of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fear +of the Nawab, who for the general good of the country</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +unwilling to allow any act of hostility to be committed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +the Europeans? Much more so when the English were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +war with the Nawab himself. If they managed to get</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +better of him, what would become of this fear, the sole</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">foundation +of the neutrality?"</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>So Law wrote to Renault, begging him, if he could not persuade the +English to sign a treaty of neutrality at once, to make up his mind +and join the Nawab. We have seen why Renault could do neither, and +Law, writing after the event says, generously enough:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +am bound to respect the reasons which determined</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">M. +Renault as well as the gentlemen of the Council, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +all much too good citizens not to have kept constantly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +their minds the welfare of our nation and the Company.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">People +always do see things differently, and the event does</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +always prove the correctness or incorrectness of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reasons +which have decided us to take one or the other course."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>As soon as the Nawab heard of the plundering of Hugli he set out for +Calcutta, but to blind the English he requested M. Renault to +mediate between them. The English refusal to treat through the +French had the effect of clearing up matters between the latter and +the Nawab; but he could not understand why the French would not +actively assist him. Certain, at any rate, that he had only the +English to deal with, he foolishly played into their hands by +marching to fight them on their own ground, whereas, if he had +remained idle at a little distance, merely forbidding supplies to be +sent them, he could have starved them out of Calcutta in a few +months. As I have said before, Clive attacked his camp on the 5th of +February, and so terrified him that he consented to a shameful +peace, in which he forgot all mention of the neutrality of the +Ganges. Law tells a curious story to the effect that what frightened +the Nawab most of all was a letter from Admiral Watson, threatening +to make him a prisoner and carry him to England. Watson's letter is +extant, and contains no such threat, but it is quite possible that +it was so interpreted to the Nawab.</p> +<p>Though the Nawab had assured the English that he would have the same +friends and enemies as they, and had omitted to mention the French +in the treaty, he now, of his own accord, gave the French all that +the English had extorted from him. This act could not be kept +secret.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"A +great fault at present, and which has always existed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the management of affairs in India, especially in Bengal,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">is +that nothing is secret. Scarcely had the Nawab formed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">any +project when it was known to the lowest of his slaves.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +English, who were suspicious, and who had for friends</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">every +one who was an enemy of Siraj-ud-daula, whom all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">detested, +were soon informed of his proposals to M. Renault</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +of the letters written on both sides."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Yet Law thinks it was only the European war and the fear that +Renault intended an alliance with the Nawab that induced the English +to proceed to extremities:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +dethronement of the Nawab had become an absolute</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">necessity. +To drive us out of Bengal was only a preliminary</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">piece +of work. A squadron of ours with considerable forces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">might +arrive. Siraj-ud-daula might join his forces to it.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">What, +then, would become of the English? They needed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +Nawab a man attached to their interests. Besides, this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">revolution +was not so difficult to carry out as one might</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">imagine. +With Chandernagore destroyed, nothing could be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +easy; but even if we were left alone the revolution</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +have been effected by the junction of the English with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +forces which would have been produced against Siraj-ud-daula</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +the crowd of enemies whom he had, and amongst</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +were to be counted the most respectable persons in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +three provinces.[<a name="84"></a><a href="#Note_84">84</a>] This +statement demands an explanation.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +have already spoken of the house of Jagat Seth, or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rather +of its chiefs, who are named Seth Mahtab Rai and Seth</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Sarup +Chand, bankers of the Mogul, the richest and most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">powerful +merchants who have ever lived. They are, I can</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">say, +the <i>movers</i> of the revolution. Without them the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +never have carried out what they have. I have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">already +said they were not pleased with Siraj-ud-daula, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">did +not show them the same respect as the old Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Aliverdi +Khan had done; but the arrival of the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">forces, +the capture of the Moorish forts, and the fright of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab before Calcutta, had made a change which was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">apparently +in their favour. The Nawab began to perceive</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +the bankers were necessary to him. The English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +have no one except them as mediators, and so they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +become, as it were, responsible for the behaviour of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">both +the Nawab and the English. Accordingly after the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Peace +there was nothing but kindness and politeness from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab towards them, and he consulted them in everything.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">At +the bottom this behaviour of his was sheer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">trickery. +The Seths were persuaded that the Nawab who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hated +the English must also dislike the persons whom the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +employed. Profiting by the hatred which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +had drawn on himself by his violence, and distributing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">money +judiciously, they had long since gained over</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">those +who were nearest to the Nawab, whose imprudence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">always +enabled them to know what he had in his heart.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">From +what came to the knowledge of the Seths it was easy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +guess what he intended, and this made them tremble, for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +was nothing less than their destruction, which could be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">averted +only by his own. The cause of the English had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">become +that of the Seths; their interests were identical. Can</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +be surprised to see them acting in concert? Further,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">when +one remembers that it was this same house of bankers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +overthrew Sarfaraz Khan[<a name="85"></a><a href="#Note_85">85</a>] to +enthrone Aliverdi Khan,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +who, during the reign of the latter, had the management</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +all important business, one must confess that it ought not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be difficult for persons of so much influence to execute a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">project +in which, the English were taking a share."[<a name="86"></a><a + href="#Note_86">86</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law could not persuade Renault to act, and without his doing so the +game was nearly hopeless. Still, he worked at forming a French party +in the Court. By means of Coja Wajid, an Armenian merchant of +Hugli, whose property had been plundered by the English, he obtained +an interview with the Nawab, and persuaded him to send the 2000 +soldiers who were with Renault at the beginning of the siege. More +would have been despatched but for the apparent certainty that the +treaty of neutrality would be signed. In fact, Renault was so +worried that, on the complaint of Watson and Clive that Law was +exciting the Nawab against the English, he wrote Law a letter which +caused the latter to ask to be recalled from Cossimbazar, and it was +only at Renault's earnest request that he consented to remain at his +post. Law continued forming his party.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"<span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It would appear +from the English memoirs that we</span></span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">corrupted +the whole <i>Durbar</i> at Murshidabad to our side by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">presents +and lies. I might with justice retort this reproach.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">As +a matter of fact, except Siraj-ud-daula himself, one may</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">say +the English had the whole <i>Durbar</i> always in their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favour. +Without insisting on this point, let us honestly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">agree, +since the English themselves confess it, that we were,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">like +them, much engaged in opposing corruption to corruption</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +order to gain the friendship of scoundrels so as to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">place +ourselves on equal terms with our enemies. This has</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">always +happened, and ought not to cause surprise in a Court</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">where +right counts for nothing and, every other motive apart,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +can never be successful except by the weight of what</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +puts in the balance of iniquity. For the rest, right</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +wrong, it is certain that the English were always in a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">position +to put in more than we could.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Fear +and greed are the two chief motives of Indian</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">minds. +Everything depends on one or the other. Often</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +are combined towards the same object, but, when they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">are +opposed, fear always conquers. A proof of this is easily</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be seen in all the events connected with, the revolution</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +Bengal. When, in 1756, Siraj-ud-daula determined to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">expel +the English, fear and greed combined to make him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">act. +As soon as he had himself proved the superiority of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English troops, fear took the upper hand in his mind,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">grew +stronger day by day, and soon put him in a condition</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +which he was unable to follow, and often even to see, his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">true +interests.</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +mention the Nawab first. His hatred for the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">certainly +indicated friendship for us. I think so myself, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">we +have seen what was his character and his state of mind</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +general. I ask, in all good faith, whether we could expect</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">any +advantage from his friendship? This person, cowed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fear, +irresolute and imprudent, could he alone be of any use</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +us? It was necessary for him to be supported by some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +who had his confidence and was capable by his own</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">firmness +of fixing the irresolution of the Prince.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Mohan +Lal, chief <i>Diwan</i> of Siraj-ud-daula, was this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">man, +the greatest scoundrel the earth has ever borne, worthy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">minister +of such a master, and yet, in truth, the only person</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +was really attached to him. He had firmness and also</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sufficient +judgment to understand that the ruin of Siraj-ud-daula</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">must +necessarily bring on his own. He was as much,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">detested +as his master. The sworn enemy of the Seths, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">capable +of holding his own against them, I think those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bankers +would not have succeeded so easily in their project</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">if +he had been free to act, but, unfortunately for us, he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +for some time, and was at this most critical moment</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dangerously +ill. He could not leave his house. I went to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">see +him twice with Siraj-ud-daula, but it was not possible to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">get +a word from him. There is strong reason to believe he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been poisoned. Owing to this, Siraj-ud-daula saw himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">deprived +of his only support.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Coja +Wajid, who had introduced me to the Nawab, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who, +it would be natural to suppose, was our patron, was a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">great +merchant of Hugli. He was consulted by the Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">only +because, as he had frequented the Europeans and especially</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English, the Nawab imagined he knew them perfectly.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">He +was one of the most timid of men, who wanted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be polite to everybody, and who, had he seen the dagger</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">raised, +would have thought he might offend Siraj-ud-daula</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +warning him that some one intended to assassinate him.[<a name="87"></a><a + href="#Note_87">87</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Possibly +he did not love the Seths, but he feared them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +was sufficient to make him useless to us.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Rai +Durlabh Ram, the other <i>Diwan</i> of the Nawab, was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +man to whom I was bound to trust most. Before the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arrival +of Clive he might have been thought the enemy of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English. It was he who pretended to have beaten them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to have taken Calcutta. He wished, he said, to maintain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +reputation; but after the affair of the 5th of February,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +which the only part he took was to share in the flight, he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +not the same man; he feared nothing so much as to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +to fight the English. This fear disposed him to gradually</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">come +to terms with the Seths, of whose greatness he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +very jealous. He also hated the Nawab, by whom he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been ill-used on many occasions. In short, I could never</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">get +him to say a single word in our favour in the <i>Durbar</i>.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +fear of compromising himself made him decide to remain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">neutral +for the present, though firmly resolved to join finally</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +side which appeared to him to be the strongest."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This, then, was the French party, whose sole bond was dislike to the +Seths, and the members of which, by timidity or ill-health, were +unable to act. It was different with their enemies.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +English had on their side in the <i>Durbar</i> the terror</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +their arms, the faults of Siraj-ud-daula, the ruling influence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +the refined policy of the Seths, who, to conceal their game</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +completely, and knowing that it pleased the Nawab,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">often +spoke all the ill they could think of about the English,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +as to excite him against them and at the same time gain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +confidence. The Nawab fell readily into the snare, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">said +everything that came into his mind, thus enabling his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies +to guard against all the evil which otherwise he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">might +have managed to do them. The English had also on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +side all the chief officers in the Nawab's army—Jafar</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">All +Khan, Khodadad Khan Latty, and a number of others</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +were attached to them by their presents or the influence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the Seths, all the ministers of the old Court whom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula +had disgraced, nearly all the secretaries,[<a name="88"></a><a + href="#Note_88">88</a>] the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">writers[<a + name="89"></a><a href="#Note_89">89</a>] of the <i>Durbar</i>, and +even the eunuchs of the harem.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">What +might they not expect to achieve by the union of all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">these +forces when guided by so skilful a man as Mr. Watts?"</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>With such enemies to combat in the Court itself, Law heard that the +English were marching on Chandernagore. By the most painful efforts +he obtained orders for reinforcements to be sent to the French. +They—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"were +ready to start, the soldiers had been paid, the Commandant[<a name="90"></a><a + href="#Note_90">90</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">waited +only for final orders. I went to see him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +promised him a large sum if he succeeded in raising the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">siege +of Chandernagore. I also visited several of the chief</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">officers, +to whom I promised rewards proportionate to their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rank. +I represented to the Nawab that Chandernagore must</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">be +certainly captured if the reinforcements did not set out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +once, and I tried to persuade him to give his orders to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Commandant in my presence. 'All is ready,' replied the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab, +'but before resorting to arms it is proper to try all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">possible +means to avoid a rupture, and all the more so as the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +have just promised to obey the orders I shall send</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them.'[<a + name="91"></a><a href="#Note_91">91</a>] I recognized the hand of the +Seths in these details.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">They +encouraged the Nawab in a false impression about this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">affair. +On the one hand, they assured him that the march</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the English, was only to frighten us into subscribing to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +treaty of neutrality, and on the other hand they increased</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +natural timidity by exaggerating the force of the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +by representing the risk he ran in assisting us with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reinforcements +which would probably not prevent the capture</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Chandernagore if the English were determined to take it,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +would serve as a reason for the English to attack the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +himself. They managed so well that they destroyed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the evening all the effect I had produced in the morning.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +resolved to visit the bankers. They immediately</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commenced +talking about our debts, and called my attention</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the want of punctuality in our payments. I said that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +was not the question just now, and that I came to them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">upon +a much more interesting matter, which, however, concerned</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +as well as us with respect to those very debts</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +which they were asking payment and security. I asked</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">why +they supported the English against us. They denied it,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and, +after much explanation, they promised to make any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suggestions +I wished to the Nawab. They added that they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +quite sure the English would not attack us, and that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +might remain tranquil. Knowing that they were well</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">acquainted +with the designs of the English, I told them I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">knew +as well as they did what these were, and that I saw</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">no +way of preventing them from attacking Chandernagore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">except +by hastening the despatch of the reinforcements which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab had promised, and that as they were disposed to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">serve +me, I begged them to make the Nawab understand the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">same. +They replied that the Nawab wished to avoid any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rupture +with the English, and they said many other things</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +only showed me that, in spite of their good will, they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +do nothing for us. Ranjit Rai, who was their man</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +business as well as the agent of the English, said to me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +a mocking tone, 'You are a Frenchman; are you afraid of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English? If they attack you, defend yourselves! No</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +is ignorant of what your nation has done on the Madras</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Coast, +and we are curious to see how you will come off in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +business here.' I told him I did not expect to find such</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +warlike person in a Bengali merchant, and that sometimes</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +repented of their curiosity. That was enough for such</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +fellow, but I saw clearly that the laugh would not be on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +side. However, every one was very polite, and I left</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +house."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law thinks the Seths honestly believed that the English march on +Chandernagore was merely intended to frighten the French, and, as a +proof of their friendliness, narrates a further incident of this +visit:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +conversation having turned on Siraj-ud-daula, on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +reasons he had given the Seths to fear him, and on his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">violent +character, I said I understood clearly enough what</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +meant, and that they certainly wanted to set up another</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab. +The Seths, instead of denying this, contented themselves</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +saying in a low voice that this was a subject</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +should not be talked about. Omichand, the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">agent[<a + name="92"></a><a href="#Note_92">92</a>] (who, by the way, cried 'Away +with them!' wherever</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +went), was present. If the fact had been false, the Seths</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +certainly have denied it, and would have reproached</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +for talking in such a way. If they had even thought</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +intended to thwart them, they would also have denied</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it, +but considering all that had happened, the vexations</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">caused +us by the Nawab and our obstinate refusals to help</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him, +they imagined that we should be just as content as they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +to see him deposed, provided only the English would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">leave +us in peace. In fact, they did not as yet regard us as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law was, however, ignorant that Clive had already promised, or did +so soon after, to give the property of the French Company to the +Seths in payment of the money the French owed them; but he now for +the first time fully realized the gravity of the situation. The +indiscretion of the Seths showed him the whole extent of the plot, +and the same evening he told the Nawab, but—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"the +poor young man began to laugh, not being able to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">imagine +I could be so foolish as to indulge in such ideas."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>And yet, whilst he refused to believe in the treason of his +officers, the Nawab indulged at times in the most violent outbreaks +of temper against them.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Siraj-ud-daula +was not master of himself.[<a name="93"></a><a href="#Note_93">93</a>] +It would</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +needed as much firmness in his character as there was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">deceitfulness +to make the latter quality of use to him. At</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">certain +times his natural disposition overmastered him,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">especially +when in his harem surrounded by his wives and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">servants, +when he was accustomed to say openly all that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +in his heart. Sometimes this happened to him in full</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>Durbar</i>."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The same evening, also, Mr. Watts came to the <i>Durbar</i>, and +the +matter of the neutrality was talked over. The Nawab wished the two +gentlemen to pledge their respective nations to keep the peace, but +Mr. Watts skilfully avoided giving any promise, and suggested the +Nawab should write to the Admiral. Law, seeing that further delay +was aimed at, exclaimed that the Admiral would pay as little respect +to this letter as to the Nawab's previous ones.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"'How?' +said the Nawab, looking angrily at me instead</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +at Mr. Watts: 'who am I then?' All the members of his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Court +cried out together that his orders would certainly be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">attended +to."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>As Law expected, Chandernagore was attacked before the Admiral's +reply was received. Law received the news on the 15th, and hurried +to the Nawab. Reinforcements were ordered and counter-ordered. At +midnight the Nawab's eunuch came to inform Law that the English had +been repulsed with loss, and on the morning of the 16th the Nawab's +troops were ordered to advance, but when the same day news came that +the French had withdrawn into the Fort, every one cried out that the +Fort must fall, and that it was mere folly to incense the English by +sending down troops. They were immediately recalled. Then news +arrived that the Fort was holding out, and Rai Durlabh Ram was +ordered to advance. Again there came a false report that the Fort +had fallen. Law knew Rai Durlabh was a coward, and his whole +reliance was on the second in command, Mir Madan:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"a +capable officer, and one who would have attacked the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemy +with pleasure."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This Mir Madan is said to have been a Hindu convert to +Muhammadanism. Native poems still tell of the gallantry with which +he commanded the Hindu soldiers of the Nawab. He was one of the +first to fall at Plassey, and though it cannot be said that his +death caused the loss of the battle, it is certain that it put an +end to all chance of the victory being contested.</p> +<p>Law was at his wits' end. It was no time to stick at trifles, and, +that he might know the worst at once, he intercepted Mr. Watts's +letters. From them he gathered that the English intended to march +straight upon Murshidabad. He set about fortifying the enclosure +round the French Factory, and, as he had only 10 or 12 men, he +induced the Nawab to send him a native officer with 100 musketeers. +He soon learned that the reported English advance was merely the +pursuit of the fugitives from Chandernagore, who were mentioned in +the last chapter. By the end of March he had 60 Europeans:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"of +whom the half, in truth, were not fit to serve; but what</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">did +that matter? The number was worth 120 to me outside</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +fort, since rumour always delights in exaggeration."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Of the sepoys also, whom the English set free, some 30 found their +way to Law, and so far was he now from being afraid of Mr. Watts, +that it was the latter who had to ask the Nawab's protection.</p> +<p>The vacillation which had marked the Nawab's conduct previous to the +fall of Chandernagore still continued. He protected Law, but would +not help him with money.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Further, +at the solicitation of my enemies, the Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sent +people to pull down the earthworks I had erected. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">even +wished the native agent of the English to be present.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">In +my life I have never suffered what I did that day. To</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +orders of the Nawab I replied that so long as I was in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Factory no foreigner should touch my fortifications, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +to keep my agreement with him I was ready to withdraw</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to make over the Factory to him, with which he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +afterwards do as he liked, and for which I should hold</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +responsible. At the same time, I made my whole troop</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arm +themselves, and, having had my munitions loaded on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">carts +for several days previous, I prepared to depart with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +small amount of money which belonged to me and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +few other individuals. The Nawab's officer, seeing my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">resolution, +and fearing to do anything which, might not be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">approved, +postponed the execution of his orders, and informed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab of what was happening. He replied that he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">absolutely +forbade my leaving the Factory, and ordered the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pioneers +to be sent away; but at the same time he informed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +that it was absolutely necessary for me to pull down the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">earthworks, +that under the present circumstances he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">himself +to do many things contrary to his own wishes, that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +refusing to obey I should draw the English upon him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +upon us, that we could not defend ourselves and must</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">therefore +submit, that I should not be troubled any more,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +that, finally, he would give me money enough to build</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +brick what I had wished to make in earth. I knew well</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +value of his promises, but I was forced to humour him.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It +did not suit me to abandon the Factory altogether, so I set</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +workmen to pull down what I had built, and the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">night +the work was finished."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The English now tried to win over the French soldiers, and had some +success, for many of them were deserters from the British forces, +and they quickly saw how precarious was the shelter which Law could +afford them; but the Nawab could not be persuaded to force Law to +surrender, and, though he agreed to leave the country, Law declared +he would not do even that unless he received passports and money. On +the 8th of April he received passports, and was promised that if he +would go to Phulbari, near Patna, he should there receive all he +wanted. He was allowed four or five days to make his preparations.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +profited by this interval to persuade the only man</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +dared speak for us to got to action. This was the Nazir</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dalal, +a man of no importance, but at the same time a man</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +whom the Nawab appeared to have some confidence. As</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +was constantly at the Factory, I had opportunities of telling</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +many things of particular interest to the Nawab, and I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">believed +that by politeness and presents I had brought him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">over +to our interests. A little later, however, I learned that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +received quite as much from the English as from us. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">told +the Nawab all that he learned from me, <i>viz.</i> the views</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the English and of the Seths, and the risk he himself was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">running, +and he brought to his notice that the English were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">steadily +increasing their garrison at Cossimbazar by bringing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">up +soldiers who pretended they were deserters and wished to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pass +over to the Trench. By this trick, indeed, many soldiers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +passed through the Moorish camp without being stopped.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">There +was also talk of an English fleet preparing to come up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +waiting only for the Nawab's permission. The Nazir</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dalal +represented to him that the trading boats might be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">loaded +with ammunition, and that they ought to be strictly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">searched, +and the casks and barrels opened, as guns and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mortars +might be found in them. The Nawab opened his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">eyes +at information of this kind, and promptly sent the Nazir</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dalal +to tell me not to leave. This order came on the 10th</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +April. I accordingly passed my garrison in review before</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab's agent, and a statement showing the monthly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pay +of each officer and soldier was sent to the Nawab, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">promised +to pay them accordingly."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>On the 12th of April Law received a sudden summons to attend the +<i>Durbar</i> the next day.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"After +some reflection, I determined to obey. I thought</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +by taking presents I could avoid the inconveniences I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">feared, +so I arranged to start early on the morning of the 13th</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +five or six persons well armed. A slight rain detained</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +till 10 o'clock. On leaving I told my people that M.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Sinfray +was their commandant, and ordered him, if I did not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">return +by 2 o'clock, to send a detachment of forty men to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">meet +me. We arrived at the Nawab's palace about midday.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">He +had retired to his harem. We were taken into the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Audience +Hall, where they brought us a very bad dinner.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +Nawab, they said, would soon come. However, 5 o'clock</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +struck and he had not yet dressed. During this wearisome</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">interval +I was visited by some of the <i>Diwans</i>, among</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">others +by the <i>Arzbegi.</i>[<a name="94"></a><a href="#Note_94">94</a>] I +asked him why the Nawab had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">called +me. He replied with an appearance of sincerity that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +the Nawab was constantly receiving complaints from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English, +about the numerous garrison we had in our Factory,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +had judged it proper to summon both Mr. Watts and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +in order to reconcile us, and that he hoped to arrange</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">matters +so that the English should have nothing to fear from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +nor we from them. He added that the Nawab was quite</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">satisfied +with my behaviour, and wished me much good. At</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">last +the <i>Durbar</i> hour arrives. I am warned. I pass into a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hall, +where I find Mr. Watts and a number of <i>Diwans</i>. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">agent +of the Seths is present Compliments having passed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">one +of the <i>Diwans</i> asks me if I have anything particular to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">say +to Mr. Watts. I answer that I have not. Thereupon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Mr. +Watts addresses me in English: 'The question is, sir,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whether +you are prepared to surrender your Factory to me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to go down to Calcutta with all your people. You will</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">be +well treated, and will be granted the same conditions as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +gentlemen of Chandernagore. This is the Nawab's wish.'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +reply I will do nothing of the kind, that I and all those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +me are free, that if I am forced to leave Cossimbazar</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +will surrender the Factory to the Nawab, and to no one else.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Mr. +Watts, turning round to the <i>Diwans</i>, says excitedly, that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +is impossible to do anything with me, and repeats to them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">word +for word all that has passed between us.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"From +that moment I saw clearly that the air of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Court +was not healthy for us. It was, however, necessary to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">put +a good face on matters. The <i>Arzbegi</i> and some others,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">taking +me aside, begged me to consider what I was doing in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">refusing +Mr. Watts's propositions, and said that as the Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +determined to have a good understanding with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English, +he would force me to accept them. They then</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">asked +what I intended to do. I said I intended to stay at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Cossimbazar +and to oppose, to the utmost of my power, the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ambitious +designs of the English. 'Well, well, what can</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +do?' they replied. 'You are about a hundred Europeans;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab has no need of you; you will certainly be forced</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +leave this place. It would be much better to accept the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">terms +offered you by Mr. Watts.' The same persons who had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">begged +me to do this then took Mr. Watts aside. I do not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">know +what they said to each other, but a quarter of an hour</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">after +they went into the hall where the Nawab was.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +was in the utmost impatience to know the result of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">all +these parleyings, so much the more as from some words</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +had escaped them I had reason to think they intended</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +arrest me.</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Fire +or six minutes after Mr. Watts had gone to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab, +the <i>Arzbegi</i>, accompanied by some officers and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">agents +of the Seths and the English, came and told me aloud,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the presence of some fifty persons of rank, that the Nawab</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ordered +me to submit myself entirely to what Mr. Watts</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">demanded. +I told him I would not, and that it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">impossible +for the Nawab to have given such an order.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +demanded to be presented to him. 'The Nawab,' they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">said, +'does not wish to see you.' I replied, 'It was he who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">summoned +me; I will not go away till I have seen him.'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The + <i>Arzbegi</i> saw I had no intention of giving way, and that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was well supported, for at this very moment word was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brought +of the arrival of our grenadiers, who had been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ordered +to come and meet me. Disappointed at not seeing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +appear, they had advanced to the very gates of the palace.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The + <i>Arzbegi</i>, not knowing what would be the result of this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">affair, +and wishing to get out of the scrape and to throw the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">burden +of it on to the Seths' agent, said to him, 'Do you</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">speak, +then; this affair concerns you more than us.' The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Seths' +agent wished to speak, but I did not give him time.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +said I would not listen to him, that I did not recognize</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +as having any authority, and that I had no business</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +all with him. Thereupon the <i>Arzbegi</i> went back to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +and told him I would not listen to reason, and that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +demanded to speak to him. 'Well, let him come,' said</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab, 'but he must come alone.' At the same time</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +asked Mr. Watts to withdraw and wait for him in a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cabinet. +The order to appear being given me, I wish to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">go—another +difficulty! The officers with me do not wish to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">let +me go alone! A great debate between them and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab's +officers! At last, giving way to my entreaties,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +on my assuring them that I have no fears, I persuade</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +to be quiet and to let me go.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +presented myself before the Nawab, who returned my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">salute +in a kindly manner. As soon as I was seated, he told</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me, +in a shamefaced way, that I must either accept Mr.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Watts's +proposals, or must certainly leave his territories.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>Your +nation is the cause</i>, he said, <i>of all the importunities I</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">now suffer from the English. I do +not wish to put the whole country</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">in trouble for your sake. You are +not strong enough to defend</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">yourselves; you must give way. You +ought to remember that when I had</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">need of your assistance you always +refused it. You ought not to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">expect assistance from me now</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +must be confessed that, after all our behaviour to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him, +I had not much to reply. I noticed, however, that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +kept his eyes cast down, and that it was, as it were,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">against +his will that he paid me this compliment. I told</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +I should be dishonoured if I accepted Mr. Watts's proposals,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +that as he was absolutely determined to expel us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +his country, I was ready to withdraw, and that as soon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +I had the necessary passports I would go towards Patna.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">At +this every one in concert, except the Nawab and Coja</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Wajid, +cried out that I could not take that road, that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +would not consent to it. I asked what road they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wished +me to take. They said I must go towards Midnapur</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +Cuttack. I answered that the English might at any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">moment +march in that direction and fall upon me. They</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">replied +I must get out of the difficulty as best I could. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab, +meanwhile, kept his face bent down, listening</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">attentively, +but saying nothing. Wishing to force him to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">speak, +I asked if it was his intention to cause me to fall into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +hands of my enemies? 'No, no,' replied the Nawab,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">'take +what road you please, and may God conduct you.' I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">stood +up and thanked him, received the betel,[<a name="95"></a><a + href="#Note_95">95</a>] and went out."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Gholam Husain Khan says that the Nawab was much affected at parting +with Law, as he now believed in the truth of his warnings against +the English and the English party,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"but +as he did not dare to keep him in his service for fear</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +offending the English, he told him that at present it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fit +that he should depart; but that if anything new should</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">happen +he would send for him again. '<i>Send for me again?</i>'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">answered +Law. '<i>Rest assured, my Lord Nawab, that this is</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the last time we shall see each +other. Remember my words: we</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">shall never meet again. It is +nearly impossible</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law hurried back to his Factory, and by the evening of the 15th of +April he was ready to depart. The same day the Nawab wrote to +Clive:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Mr. +Law I have put out of the city, and have wrote</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">expressly +to my Naib[<a name="96"></a><a href="#Note_96">96</a>] at Patna to turn +him and his attendants</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">out +of the bounds of his Subaship, and that he shall not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suffer +them to stay in any place within it."[<a name="97"></a><a + href="#Note_97">97</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>At the end of April the Nawab wrote to Abdulla Khan, the Afghan +general at Delhi, that he had supplied Law with Rs.10,000. Clive was +quickly informed of this.</p> +<p>On the morning of the 16th the French marched through Murshidabad +with colours flying and drums beating, prepared against any surprise +in the narrow streets of the city. Mr. Watts wrote to Clive:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"They +had 100 Europeans, 60 Tellingees, 30 <i>hackerys</i>"</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">(i.e. +bullock-waggons) "and 4 elephants with them."[<a name="98"></a><a + href="#Note_98">98</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Close on their track followed two spies, sent by Mr. Watts to try +and seduce the French soldiers and sepoys. Law left a M. Bugros +behind in charge of the French Factory.</p> +<p>Shortly after leaving Cossimbazar, Law was reinforced by a party of +45 men, mostly sailors of the <i>Saint Contest</i>, who had managed to +escape from the English. On the 2nd of May the French arrived at +Bhagulpur, the Nawab writing to them to move on whenever he heard +they were halting, and not to go so fast when he heard they were on +the march.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"To +satisfy him we should have been always in motion</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +yet not advancing; this did not suit us. It was of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">utmost +importance to arrive at some place where I could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">find +means for the equipment of my troop. We were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">destitute +of everything."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>These contradictory orders, and even letters of recall, reached Law +on his march, but though he sent back M. Sinfray with letters to M. +Bugros and Coja Wajid—which the latter afterwards made over to +Clive—he continued his march to Patna, where he arrived on the 3rd +of June, and was well received by Raja Ramnarain, and where he was +within four or five days' march or sail from Sooty, the mouth of the +Murshidabad or Cossimbazar river, and therefore in a position to +join the Nawab whenever it might be necessary.</p> +<p>In the mean time fate had avenged Law on one of his lesser enemies. +This was that Ranjit Rai, who had insulted him during his interview +with the Seths. The latter had pursued their old policy of inciting +the English to make extravagant demands which they at the same time +urged the Nawab to refuse. To justify one such demand, the English +produced a letter in the handwriting of Ranjit Rai, purporting to be +written at the dictation of the Seths under instructions from the +Nawab. The latter denied the instructions, and the Seths promptly +asserted that the whole letter was a forgery of their agent's.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +notorious Ranjit Rai was driven in disgrace from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the + <i>Durbar</i>, banished, and assassinated on the road. It was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">said +he had received 2 lakhs from the English to apply his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">masters' +seal unknown to them. I can hardly believe this.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">This +agent was attached to the English only because he knew</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Seths were devoted to them."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This incident warned the Seths to be more cautious, but still the +plot against the Nawab was well known in the country. Renault, who +had been at this time a prisoner in Calcutta, says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Never +was a conspiracy conducted as publicly and with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">such +indiscretion as this was, both by the Moors and the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English. +Nothing else was talked about in all the English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">settlements, +and whilst every place echoed with the noise of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it, +the Nawab, who had a number of spies, was ignorant of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">everything. +Nothing can prove more clearly the general</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hatred +which was felt towards him."[<a name="99"></a><a href="#Note_99">99</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>M. Sinfray had returned to Murshidabad, but could not obtain an +interview with the Nawab till the 8th of June, when he found him +still absolutely tranquil; and even on the 10th the Nawab wrote to +Law to have no fears on his account; but this letter did not reach +Law till the 19th.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +complained of the delay in the strongest terms to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Ramnarain, +who received the packets from the Nawab, but it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +quite useless. The Nawab was betrayed by those whom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +thought most attached to him. The Faujdar of Rajmehal</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">used +to stop all his messengers and detain them as long as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +thought fit."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This officer was a brother of Mir Jafar.[<a name="100"></a><a + href="#Note_100">100</a>] The Seths and the +English had long found the chief difficulty in their way to be the +choice of a man of sufficient distinction to replace Siraj-ud-daula +on the throne. At this moment the Nawab himself gave them as a +leader Mir Jafar Ali Khan, who had married the sister of Aliverdi +Khan, and was therefore a relative of his. Mir Jafar was <i>Bukshi</i>, +or Paymaster and Generalissimo of the Army, and his influence had +greatly contributed to Siraj-ud-daula's peaceful accession. He was a +man of good reputation, and a brave and skilful soldier. It was such +a person as this that the Nawab, after a long course of petty +insults, saw fit to abuse in the vilest terms in full <i>Durbar</i> +and +to dismiss summarily from his post. He now listened to the +proposals of the Seths, and towards the end of April terms were +settled between him and the English.[<a name="101"></a><a + href="#Note_101">101</a>] The actual conclusion of +the Treaty took place early in June, and on the 13th of that month +Mr. Watts and the other English gentlemen at Cossimbazar escaped +under the pretence of a hunting expedition and joined Clive in +safety. As soon as he heard of this, the Nawab knew that war was +inevitable, and it had come at a moment when he had disbanded half +his army unpaid, and the other half was grumbling for arrears. Not +only had he insulted Mir Jafar, but he had also managed to quarrel +with Rai Durlabh. Instead of trying to postpone the conflict until +he had crushed these two dangerous enemies, he begged them to be +reconciled to him, and put himself in their hands. Letter after +letter was sent to recall Law, but even the first, despatched on the +13th, did not reach Law till the 22nd, owing to the treachery of the +Faujdar of Rajmehal. Law's letter entreating the Nawab to await his +arrival certainly never reached him, and though Law had started at +the first rumour of danger, before getting the Nawab's letter, he +did not reach Rajmehal till the 1st of July. The Nawab had been +captured in the neighbourhood a few hours before the arrival of his +advance-guard. Gholam Husain Khan says that Law would have been in +time had the Nawab's last remittance been a bill of exchange and not +an order on the Treasury, for—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"as +slowness of motion seems to be of etiquette with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +of Hindustan, the disbursing of the money took up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +much time that when M. Law was come down as far</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Rajmehal, +he found that all was over."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law, who was nothing if not philosophical, remarked on this +disappointment:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"In +saving Siraj-ud-daula we should have scored a great</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">success, +but possibly he would have been saved for a short</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">time +only. He would have found enemies and traitors</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wherever +he might have presented himself in the countries</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">supposed +to be subject to him. No one would have acknowledged</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him. +Forced by Mir Jafar and the English to flee to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +foreign country, he would have been a burden to us rather</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +an assistance.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"In +India no one knows what it is to stand by an</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unfortunate +man. The first idea which suggests itself is to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">plunder +him of the little[<a name="102"></a><a href="#Note_102">102</a>] which +remains to him. Besides,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +character like that of Siraj-ud-daula could nowhere find a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">real +friend."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Siraj-ud-daula, defeated by Clive at Plassey on the 23rd of June, +was, says Scrafton,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"himself +one of the first that carried the news of his defeat</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the capital, which he reached that night."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>His wisest councillors urged him to surrender to Clive, but he +thought this advice treacherous, and determined to flee towards +Rajmehal. When nearly there he was recognized by a Fakir,[<a name="103"></a><a + href="#Note_103">103</a>] whose +ears he had, some time before, ordered to be cut off. The Fakir +informed the Faujdar, who seized him and sent him to Murshidabad, +where Miran, Mir Jafar's son, put him to death on the 4th of July.</p> +<p>It was necessary for Law to withdraw as quickly as possible if he +was to preserve his liberty. Clive and Mir Jafar wrote urgent +letters to Ramnarain at Patna to stop him, but Ramnarain was no +lover of Mir Jafar, and he was not yet acquainted with Clive, so he +allowed him to pass. Law says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"On +the 16th of July we arrived at Dinapur, eight miles</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">above +Patna, where I soon saw we had no time to lose.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +Raja of Patna himself would not have troubled us much.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">By +means of our boats we could have avoided him as we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pleased, +for though our fleet was in a very bad condition,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">still +it could have held its own against the naval forces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Bengal, i.e. the Indian forces, but the English were advancing,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commanded +by Major Coote. As the English call</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">themselves +the masters of the aquatic element, it became us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +less to wait for them, when we knew they had stronger</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +more numerous boats than we had. Possibly we could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +outsailed them, but we did not wish to give them the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pleasure +of seeing us flee. On the 18th instant an order</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the Raja instructed me in the name of Mir Jafar to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">halt—no +doubt to wait for the English—whilst another on his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">own +part advised me to hurry off. Some small detachments</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +horsemen appeared along the bank, apparently to hinder</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +from getting provisions or to lay violent hands on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boatmen. +On this we set sail, resolved to quit all the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dependencies +of Bengal. In spite of ourselves we had to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">halt +at Chupra, twenty-two miles higher up, because our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rowers +refused to go further: prayers and threats all seemed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">useless. +I thought the English had found some means to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">gain +them over. The boats did not belong to us, but we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">should +have had little scruple in seizing them had our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Europeans +known how to manage them. Unfortunately,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +knew nothing about it. The boats in Bengal have no</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">keel, +and consequently do not carry sail well. So we lost</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">two +days in discussion with the boatmen, but at last, by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">doubling +their pay, terms were made, and five days after, on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +25th of July, we arrived at Ghazipur, the first place of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">importance +in the provinces of Suja-ud-daula, Viceroy of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Subahs +of Oudh, Lucknow, and Allahabad."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Before Law left Rajmehal on his return to Patna, the Faujdar tried +to stop him on pretence that Mir Jafar wished to reconcile him to +the English. Law thought this unlikely, yet knowing the native +proclivity for underhand intrigue, he wrote him a letter, but the +answer which he received at Chupra was merely an order to +surrender. Law says:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +had an idea that he might write to me in a quite</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">different +style, <i>unknown to the English</i>. I knew the new</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab, +whom I met at the time I was soliciting reinforcements</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +raise the siege of Chandernagore. He had not then</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">taken +up the idea of making himself Nawab. He appeared</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +me a very intelligent man, and much inclined to do us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">service, +pitying us greatly for having to work with a man so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cowardly +and undecided as Siraj-ud-daula."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law thought his communication—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"was +well calculated to excite in his mind sentiments</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favourable +to us, but if it did, Mir Jafar let none of them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">appear. +The Revolution was too recent and the influence of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English too great for him to risk the least correspondence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +us."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>From Clive, on the other hand, he received a letter,—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"such +as became a general who, though an enemy, interested</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">himself +in our fate out of humanity, knowing by his own</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">experience +into what perils and fatigues we were going to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">throw +ourselves when we left the European Settlements."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This letter, dated Murshidabad, July 9th, was as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"As +the country people are now all become your enemies,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +orders are gone everywhere to intercept your passage,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +I myself have sent parties in quest of you, and orders</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">are +gone to Ramnarain, the Naib of Patna, to seize you if</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +pursue that road, you must be sensible if you fall into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +hands you cannot expect to find them a generous</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemy. +If, therefore, you have any regard for the men</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">under +your command, I would recommend you to treat with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us, +from whom you may expect the most favourable terms in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +power to grant."[<a name="104"></a><a href="#Note_104">104</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law does not say much about the hardships of his flight; but Eyre +Coote, who commanded the detachment which followed him, had the +utmost difficulty in persuading his men to advance, and wrote to +Clive that he had never known soldiers exposed to greater hardships. +At Patna Eyre Coote seized the French Factory, where the Chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was lying ill. The military and other Company's +servants had gone on with Law, leaving in charge a person variously +called M. Innocent and Innocent Jesus. He was not a Frenchman, but +nevertheless he was sent down to Calcutta. From Patna Eyre Coote got +as far as Chupra, only to find Law safe beyond the frontier at +Ghazipur, and nothing left for him to do but to return.</p> +<p>From now on to January, 1761, Law was out of the reach of the +English, living precariously on supplies sent from Bussy in the +south, from his wife at Chinsurah, and from a secret store which M. +de la Bretesche had established at Patna unknown to the English, and +upon loans raised from wealthy natives, such as the Raja of +Bettiah. He believed all along that the French would soon make an +effort to invade Bengal, where there was a large native party in +their favour, and where he could assist them by creating a diversion +in the north. I shall touch on his adventures very briefly.</p> +<p>His first halt was at Benares, which he reached on the 2nd of +August, and where the Raja Bulwant Singh tried to wheedle and +frighten him into surrendering his guns. He escaped out of his hands +by sheer bluff, and went on to Chunargarh, where he received letters +from Suja-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, a friend of Siraj-ud-daula's, +whom he hoped to persuade into invading Bengal. On the 3rd of +September he reached Allahabad, and here left his troop under the +command of M. le Comte de Carryon, whilst he went on to Lucknow, the +capital of Oudh.</p> +<p>It is only at this moment that Law bethinks him of describing his +troop. It consisted of 175 Europeans and 100 sepoys drilled in +European fashion. The officers were D'Hurvilliers, le Comte de +Carryon (who had brought a detachment from Dacca before Law left +Cossimbazar), Ensign Brayer (who had commanded the military at +Patna), Ensign Jobard (who had escaped from Chandernagore), and +Ensign Martin de la Case. He also entertained as officers MM. +Debellême (Captain of a French East Indiaman), Boissemont, and La +Ville Martère, Company's servants (these three had all escaped +from +Chandernagore), Dangereux and Dubois (Company's servants stationed +at Cossimbazar), Beinges (a Company's servant stationed at Patna), +and two private gentlemen, Kerdizien and Gourbin. Besides these, MM. +Anquetil du Perron,[<a name="105"></a><a href="#Note_105">105</a>] La +Rue, Desjoux, Villequain, Desbrosses, +and Calvé, served as volunteers. His chaplain was the Reverend +Father Onofre, and he had two surgeons, Dubois and Le Page. The last +two were probably the surgeons of Cossimbazar and Patna. He had also +with him M. Lenoir, second of Patna, whose acquaintance with the +language and the people was invaluable. Law seems to have been +always able to recruit his sepoys, but he had no great opinion of +them.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"In +fact it may be said that the sepoy is a singular</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">animal, +especially until he has had time to acquire a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">proper +sense of discipline. As soon as he has received his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">red +jacket and his gun he thinks he is a different man. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">looks +upon himself as a European, and having a very high</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">estimation +of this qualification, he thinks he has the right to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">despise +all the country people, whom he treats as Kaffirs</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +wretched negroes, though he is often just as black as they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">are. +In every place I have been I have remarked that the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">inhabitants +have less fear of the European soldier, who in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +disorderly behaviour sometimes shows an amount of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">generosity +which they would expect in vain from a sepoy."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law has left the following description of Lucknow:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Lucknow, +capital of the Subah[<a name="106"></a><a href="#Note_106">106</a>] so +called, is 160 miles</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">north +of Allahabad, on the other side of the Ganges, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">about +44 miles from that river. The country is beautiful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +of great fertility, but what can one expect from the best</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">land +without cultivation? It was particularly the fate of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +province and of a large portion of Oudh to have been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">exhausted +by the wars of Mansur Ali Khan.[<a name="107"></a><a href="#Note_107">107</a>] +That prince</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +his death left the Treasury empty and a quantity of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">debts. +Suja-ud-daula, his successor, thought he could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">satisfy +his creditors, all of them officers of the army, by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">giving +them orders upon several of the large estates. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">method +was too slow for these military gentlemen. In a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">short +time every officer had become the Farmer,[<a name="108"></a><a + href="#Note_108">108</a>] or rather the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Tyrant, +of the villages abandoned to him. Forcible executions</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">quickly +reimbursed him to an extent greater than his claim,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +the country suffered. The ill-used inhabitants left it,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +the land remained uncultivated. This might have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +repaired. The good order established by Suja-ud-daula</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commenced +to bring the inhabitants back when an</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">evil, +against which human prudence was powerless, achieved</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +total destruction. For two whole years clouds of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">locusts +traversed the country regularly with the Monsoon,[<a name="109"></a><a + href="#Note_109">109</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +reduced the hopes of the cultivator to nothing. When</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">two +days from Lucknow, we ourselves saw the ravages committed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +this insect. It was perfect weather; suddenly we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">saw +the sky overcast; a darkness like that of a total eclipse</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">spread +itself abroad and lasted a good hour. In less than no</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">time +we saw the trees under which we were camped stripped</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +their leaves. The next day as we journeyed we saw that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +same devastation had been produced for a distance of ten</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">miles. +The grass on the roads and every green thing in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fields +were eaten away down to the roots. This recurrent</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">plague +had driven away the inhabitants, even those who had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">survived +the exactions of the military. Towns and villages</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +abandoned; the small number of people who remained—I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">am +speaking without exaggeration—only served to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">augment +the horror of this solitude. We saw nothing but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">spectres.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +state of the people of Lucknow city, the residence</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the Nawab, was hardly better. The evil was perhaps less</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">evident +owing to the variety of objects, but from what one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +see from time to time nature did not suffer less. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">environs +of the palace were covered with poor sick people</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">lying +in the middle of the roads, so that it was impossible</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +the Nawab to go out without causing his elephant to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">tread +on the bodies of several of them, except when he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +patience to wait and have them cleared out of the way—an</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">act +which would not accord with Oriental ideas of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">grandeur. +In spite of this there were few accidents. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">animal +used to guide its footsteps so as to show it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +friendly to human beings than men themselves</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>At Lucknow Suja-ud-daula greeted him with a sympathetic interest, +which Law quaintly likens to that shown by Dido for Aeneas, but +money was not forthcoming, and Law soon found that Suja-ud-daula was +not on sufficiently good terms with the Mogul's[<a name="110"></a><a + href="#Note_110">110</a>] Vizir[<a name="111"></a><a href="#Note_111">111</a>] +at +Delhi to risk an attack on Bengal. On the 18th of October he +returned to Allahabad, with the intention of going to Delhi to see +what he could do with the Vizir, but as it might have been dangerous +to disclose his object, he pretended he was going to march south to +Bussy in the Deccan, and obtained a passport from the Maratha +general, Holkar. This took some time, and it was not till March, +1758, that he started for Delhi. He reached Farukhabad without +difficulty, and on the 21st entered the country of the Jats. On the +evening of the 23rd a barber, who came into their camp, warned the +French they would be attacked. The next day the Jats, to the number +of 20,000, attacked them on the march. The fight lasted the whole +day, and the French fired 6000 musket shots and 800 cannon. The +cannon-balls were made of clay moulded round a pebble, and were +found sufficiently effective in the level country.</p> +<p>Soon after they arrived at Delhi, only to find the Marathas masters +of the situation and in actual possession of the person of the +Shahzada, or Crown Prince.[<a name="112"></a><a href="#Note_112">112</a>] +The Prince was friendly, gave Law +money, and eagerly welcomed the idea of attacking Bengal, but he was +himself practically a prisoner. The Vizir, too, could do nothing, +and would give no money. The Marathas amused him with promises, and +tried to trap him into fighting their battles. No one seemed to know +anything about what had happened in Bengal. He spoke to several of +the chief men about the English.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +felt sure that, after the Revolution in Bengal, they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +be the only subject of conversation in the capital. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Revolution +had made much noise, but it was ascribed entirely</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the Seths and to Rai Durlabh Ram. Clive's name was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">well +known. He was, they said, a great captain whom the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Seths +had brought from very far at a great expense, to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">deliver +Bengal from the tyranny of Siraj-ud-daula, as Salabat</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Jang +had engaged M. Bussy to keep the Marathas in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">order. +Many of the principal persons even asked me what</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country +he came from. Others, mixing up all Europeans</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">together, +thought that I was a deputy from Clive. It was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">useless +for me to say we were enemies, that it was the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +who had done everything in Bengal, that it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +who governed and not Jafar Ali Khan, who was only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Nawab +in name. No one would believe me. In fact, how</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +one persuade people who had never seen a race of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">men +different from their own, that a body of two or three</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thousand +Europeans at the most was able to dictate the law</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +a country as large as Bengal?"</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law could do nothing at Delhi, and it was only by bribing the +Maratha general that he obtained an escort through the Jat country +to Agra. Most of his soldiers were glad to be off, but about 60 +Europeans deserted with their arms to Delhi, where the Vizir offered +them pay as high as 50 rupees a month. M. Jobard was nearly killed +by some of them when he tried to persuade them to return to duty, +but, a few months after, more than half rejoined Law.</p> +<p>From Agra, Law went to Chatrapur in Bundelkand, where apparently, +though he does not say so, he was in the service of the Raja +Indrapat. His stay lasted from the 10th of June, 1758, to February, +1759. In order to keep on good terms with the inhabitants, who were +almost all Hindus, Law forbade his men to kill cattle or any of the +sacred birds, or to borrow anything without his permission, and at +the same time severely punished all disorderly behaviour. The people +having never heard of Christians, thought the French must be a kind +of Muhammadans, but they could not make out from what country they +came. Seeing them drink a red wine of which they had a few bottles, +they thought they were drinking blood, and were horrified, but the +good behaviour of the men soon put them on friendly terms.</p> +<p>Early in 1759 the Shahzada at last invaded Bengal, and on the 5th +of February Law marched to join him; but the invasion was badly +managed, and was an absolute failure. On the 28th of May Law was +back at Chatrapur. The only result of the invasion was that the +lands of a number of Rajas in Bihar were plundered by Miran, son of +Mir Jafar, and the English. These Rajas were all Hindus.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"They +had an understanding with Ramnarain. All these</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Rajas, +of whom there is a great number in the dependencies</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Bengal, united to each other by the same religion, mutually</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">support +each other as much as they can. They detest the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Muhammadan +Government, and if it had not been for the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Seths, +the famous bankers, with whom they have close</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">connections, +it is probable that after the Revolution in which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula +was the victim, they would all have risen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">together +to establish a Hindu Government, from which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +would not have obtained all the advantages they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">did +from the Muhammadan."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>In 1759 the Dutch risked a quarrel with the English. They refused, +however, any assistance from Law, who, far away as he was, heard all +about it. They were defeated at Biderra on the 25th of November. The +effect of this was to reduce Bengal to such tranquillity that Clive +considered it safe to visit England. The Shahzada, however, thought +the opportunity a favourable one for another invasion, and on the +28th of February, 1760, Law again started to join him. Patna was +besieged, and, according to Broome, was very nearly captured, owing +to Law's skill and the courage of his Frenchmen. In fact, the French +were on the ramparts, when Dr. Fullerton and the English sepoys +arrived just in time to drive them back.[<a name="113"></a><a + href="#Note_113">113</a>]</p> +<p>The siege was raised, and the Prince's general, Kamgar Khan, led the +army about the country with apparently no object but that of +plunder. This suited the Marathas, but did not suit Law. On one +occasion he was ordered with his own troops and a body of Marathas +to capture the little fort of Soupy. The French stormed it at three +o'clock in the morning, but found that the Marathas, who had +carefully avoided the breach, had swarmed the walls, where there was +no one to oppose them, and were carrying off the plunder.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My +chief occupation and that of the officers, for more</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +five hours during which we stayed in Soupy, was to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">keep +our soldiers and sepoys from bayoneting the Marathas,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who, +without having incurred the least danger, had, by their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cleverness +and lightness, carried off more than twenty times</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +much as our own men, observing among themselves a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">kind +of order in their plundering, very like that of monkeys</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">when +they strip a field."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>In fact, Law had a personal altercation with the Maratha commander +about a young and beautiful Hindu woman, whom the Maratha wished to +seize, but whom Law was determined to restore unhurt to her +relations, who lived in a village close by.</p> +<p>For the capture of the fort, Law received from the Shahzada various +high-sounding titles and the right to have the royal music played +before him; but as he could not afford to entertain the native +musicians, he allowed the privilege to sleep.</p> +<p>In 1760 Mr. Vansittart assumed the Governorship of Bengal, and his +first act was to complete the project begun by his predecessor, Mr. +Holwell, namely, the dethronement of Mir Jafar. This was effected on +the 20th of October, 1760; the ex-Nawab went quietly to Calcutta, +and Mir Kasim reigned in his stead. The Shahzada had now become +Emperor by the death of his father, and had assumed the title of +Shah Alam. He was still hanging with his army round Patna, and Mir +Kasim and the English determined to bring him to book. Kamgar Khan +continued to lead the Imperial army aimlessly about the country, and +in January, 1761, found himself near the town of Bihar. He had 35 to +40 thousand cavalry, maintained chiefly by plunder, but his only +musketeers and artillery were those commanded by Law, i.e. 125 +Europeans and 200 sepoys, with 18 guns of small calibre. The +British commander, Major Carnac, had 650 Europeans and 5 to 6 +thousand sepoys, with 12 guns. Mir Kasim had some 20,000 cavalry, +and the same number of musketeers, all good troops, for "everybody +was paid in the army of Kasim Ali Khan."[<a name="114"></a><a + href="#Note_114">114</a>]</p> +<p>On the 14th of January, scouts brought word of the approach of the +English. The Emperor consulted Law, who advised a retreat, but he +was not deficient in courage, and determined to fight. The next day +was fought the battle of Suan.[<a name="115"></a><a href="#Note_115">115</a>]</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"At +the dawn of day we heard that the enemy were on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +march, and that they would quickly appear. No disposition</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +our army had yet been made by Kamgar Khan,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who, +in fact, troubled himself very little about the matter.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It +was at first decided to re-enter the camp, so I put my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">men +as much as possible under shelter behind a bank, along</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I placed my guns in what I thought the most useful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">positions. +About 6 or 7 o'clock the enemy were seen</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advancing +in good order, crossing a canal[<a name="116"></a><a href="#Note_116">116</a>] +full of mud and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">water, +the passage of which might have been easily contested</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +we been ready soon enough; but everything was neglected.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">For +some time we thought the enemy were going</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +encamp by the canal, but, seeing that they were still</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advancing, +the order was given to go and meet them. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whole +army was quickly out of the camp, divided into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">several +bodies of cavalry, at the head of which were, on their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">elephants, +the Emperor, the Generalissimo Kamgar Khan,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +other principal chiefs. Scarcely were we out of the camp</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">when +we were halted to await the enemy, everything in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">greatest +confusion; one could see no distinction between</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">right, +left, and centre, nothing that had the appearance of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">an +army intending to attack or even to defend itself.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"An +aide-de-camp brought me an order to march ahead</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +all my troop, and to place myself in a position which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +pointed out, a good cannon-shot away. Abandoned to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ourselves +we should have been exposed to all the fire of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English, +artillery and even to be outflanked by the enemy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +captured at the first attack. We advanced a few paces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +obedience to the order, but, seeing no one move to support</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us, +I suspected they wanted to get rid of us. I therefore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brought +back my men to where I had first placed them, on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +line about 200 paces in front of the army.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +enemy advanced steadily. The English at their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">head +with all their artillery were already within range of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +guns. They quickly placed their pieces in two batteries</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the right and left, and kept up a very lively cross fire.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">In +a very short time, having killed many men, elephants,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +horses—amongst others one of mine—they caused the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whole +of the Prince's army to turn tail. Kamgar Khan, at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +head, fled as fast as he could, without leaving a single</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">person +to support us. The enemy's fire, opposed to which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ours +was but feeble, continued steadily. We were forced to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">retire, +and did so in good order, having had some soldiers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +sepoys killed and one gun dismounted, which we left on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +field of battle. We regained the village, which sheltered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +for a time. The enemy started in pursuit. Unluckily,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +we issued from the village, our guns traversing a hollow</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">road, +we were stopped by ditches and channels full of mud,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +which the guns stuck fast. As I was trying to disengage</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +the English reached us, and surrounded us so as to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cut +off all retreat. Then I surrendered with 3 or 4 officers</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +about 40 soldiers who were with me, and the guns. It</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th of January,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">1761, +a moment whose malign influence it was as it were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">impossible +to resist, since it was that of the surrender of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Pondicherry,[<a + name="117"></a><a href="#Note_117">117</a>] a place 300 leagues away +from us."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Gholam Husain Khan has left a graphic description of this incident.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Monsieur +Law, with the small force and the artillery</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +he could muster, bravely fought the English themselves,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +for some time he made a shift to withstand their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">superiority. +Their auxiliaries consisted of large bodies of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">natives, +commanded by Ramnarain and Raj Balav, but the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">engagement +was decided by the English, who fell with so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">much +effect upon the enemy that their onset could not be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">withstood +by either the Emperor or Kamgar Khan. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">latter, +finding he could not resist, turned about and fled.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +Emperor, obliged to follow him, quitted the field of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">battle, +and the handful of troops that followed M. Law,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">discouraged +by this flight and tired of the wandering life</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +they had hitherto led in his service, turned about</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">likewise +and followed the Emperor. M. Law, finding himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">abandoned +and alone, resolved not to turn his back. He</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bestrode +one of his guns and remained firm in that posture,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">waiting +the moment for his death. This being reported to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Major +Carnac, he detached himself from his main body with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Captain +Knox and some other officers, and he advanced to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +man on the gun, without taking with him either a guard</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +any Telingas[<a name="118"></a><a href="#Note_118">118</a>] at all. +Being arrived near, this troop</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">alighted +from their horses, and, pulling their caps from their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">heads, +they swept the air with them, as if to make him a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>salam</i>; +and this salute being returned by M. Law in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">same +manner, some parley followed in their own language.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +Major, after paying high encomiums to M. Law for his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">perseverance, +conduct, and bravery, added these words: 'You</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +done everything that could be expected from a brave</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">man; +and your name shall be undoubtedly transmitted to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">posterity +by the pen of history; now loosen your sword from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +loins, come amongst us, and abandon all thoughts of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">contending +with the English.' The other answered that, if</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +would accept of his surrendering himself just as he was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +had no objection, but that as to surrendering himself with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +disgrace of being without his sword, it was a shame he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +never submit to, and that they might take his life if</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +were not satisfied with that condition. The English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commanders, +admiring his firmness, consented to his surrendering</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">himself +in the manner he wished; after which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Major, with his officers, shook hands with him in their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">European +manner, and every sentiment of enmity was instantly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dismissed +on both sides. At the same time that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commander +sent for his own <i>palky</i>, made him sit in it, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +was sent to the camp. M. Law, unwilling to see or to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seen, +in that condition, shut up the curtains of the <i>palky</i> for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fear +of being recognized by any of his friends at camp, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">yet +some of his acquaintances, hearing of his having arrived,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">went +to him; these were Mir Abdulla and Mustapha Ali</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Khan. +The Major, who had excused him from appearing in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">public, +informed them that they could not see him for some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">days, +as he was too much vexed to receive any company.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Ahmed +Khan Koreishi, who was an impertinent talker,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">having +come to look at him, thought to pay his court to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +English by joking on this man's defeat—a behaviour that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">has +nothing strange [in it] if we consider the times in which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">we +live and the company he was accustomed to frequent; and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +was in that notion of his, doubtless, that with much pertness</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +voice and air he asked him this question: '<i>And Bibi</i></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lass,</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em;">[<a name="119"></a><a href="#Note_119">119</a>]</span></span><i + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em;"> where is she</span></i><span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">?' The Major and +the officers present,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">shocked +at the impropriety of the question, reprimanded him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +a severe look and very severe expressions. 'This man,'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +said, 'has fought bravely, and deserves the attention</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +all brave men; the impertinences which you have been</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">offering +him may be customary amongst your friends and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +nation, but cannot be suffered in ours, who has it for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +standing rule never to offer an injury to a vanquished foe.'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Ahmed +Khan, checked by this reprimand, held his tongue,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +did not answer a word. He tarried about one hour</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">more +in his visit, and then went away much abashed; and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">although +he was a commander of importance, and one to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +much honour had always been paid, no one did speak</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +him any more, or made a show of standing up at his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">departure. +This reprimand did much honour to the English;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +it must be acknowledged, to the honour of those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">strangers, +that as their conduct in war and battle is worthy</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +admiration, so, on the other hand, nothing is more modest</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +more becoming than their behaviour to an enemy,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whether +in the heat of action or in the pride of success and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">victory. +These people seem to act entirely according to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rules +observed by our ancient commanders and our men of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">genius."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Gholam Husain Khan says the victory was decided by the English; the +following quotation from Major Carnac's Letter to the Select +Committee at Calcutta, dated the 17th of January, 1761, shows how +the courage of the British forces saved them from a great disaster.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +gives me particular pleasure to inform you that we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +not lost a man in the action, but a few of the Nawab's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">troops +who had got up near our rear suffered considerably</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the explosion of one of the French tumbrils. It seems</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +enemy had lain a train to it in hopes of it's catching</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">while +our Europeans were storming the battery, but fortunately</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">we +were advanced two or three hundred yards in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +pursuit before it had effect, and the whole shock was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sustained +by the foremost of the Nawab's troops who were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">blown +up to the number of near four hundred, whereof</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seventy +or eighty died on the spot."[<a name="120"></a><a href="#Note_120">120</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Law continues:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +next morning, as the English army started in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pursuit +of the Emperor Shah Alam, Major Carnac, from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom, +I must mention in passing, I received all possible</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">marks +of attention and politeness, sent me to Patna, where</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the English Chief, Mr. McGwire, I found an old friend,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +treated me as I should certainly have treated him in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">like +circumstances. I was in need of everything, and he let</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +want for nothing."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Thus ended Law's attempt to maintain the French party in Bengal. All +hopes of a French attack in force on Calcutta had long since +disappeared, and, under the circumstances, his capture was fortunate +for himself and his comrades. Most of the latter were gradually +picked up by the English. Law was sent to Calcutta, and left Bengal +in 1762. He was now only forty-two years of age. On his arrival in +France he found his services much appreciated by his countrymen, and +was made a Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, +and a Colonel of Infantry. Later on he was appointed Commissary for +the King, Commandant of the French Nation in the East Indies, and +Governor of Pondicherry. Law's account of his adventures was +commenced at Paris in 1763.[<a name="121"></a><a href="#Note_121">121</a>] +There exist letters written by him +to the historian Robert Orme, dated as late as 1785, which show the +strong interest he always retained in the affairs of Bengal, where +with adequate resources he might have played a much more +distinguished part.</p> +<p>We have seen a town besieged by a foreign army; we have seen the +Court of a great Prince distracted by internal dissensions and +trembling at the approach of a too-powerful enemy, and now we shall +pass to the quiet retreats of rural Bengal, which even their +remoteness could not save from some share in the troubles of the +time. In those days, even more than at present, the rivers were the +great highways of the country, but it needs personal acquaintance +with them to enable us to realize the effect they produce upon the +mind of a European. As a rule comparatively shallow, in the dry +weather they pursue a narrow winding course in the middle of a sandy +waste, but in the Rains they fill their beds from side to side, +overtop the banks, and make the country for miles around a series of +great lakes, studded with heavily wooded islands. Amidst these one +can wander for days hardly seeing a single human being, and hearing +nothing but the rushing of the current and the weird cries of +water-birds; at other times the prow of one's boat will suddenly +push itself through overhanging branches into the very midst of a +populous village. At first all is strange and beautiful, but after a +short time the feeling grows that every scene is a repetition; the +banks, the trees, the villages, seem as if we have been looking at +them for a thousand years, and the monotony presses wearily on mind +and heart. It was in a country of this kind that Courtin and his +little band of Frenchmen and natives evaded capture for nearly nine +months, and it adds to our admiration for his character to see how +his French gaiety of heart unites with his tenderness for his absent +wife, not only to conceal the deadly monotony of his life in the +river districts during the Rains, and the depressing and +disheartening effect of the noxious climate in which he and his +companions had to dwell, but also to make light of the imminent +danger in which he stood from the unscrupulous human enemies by whom +he was surrounded.</p> +<br> +<p>Notes:</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_65"></a><a href="#65">65</a>: From certain letters it +appears that, strictly +speaking, the English Factory alone was at Cossimbazar, the French +being at Saidabad, and the Dutch at Calcapur. Both Saidabad and +Calcapur were evidently close to Cossimbazar, if not parts of it.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_66"></a><a href="#66">66</a>: George Lodewijk Vernet, +Senior Merchant.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_67"></a><a href="#67">67</a>: The historian Malleson +also confuses the two +brothers.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_68"></a><a href="#68">68</a>: The best copy I have +seen is that in the Manuscript +Department of the British Museum.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_69"></a><a href="#69">69</a>: Gholam Husain Khan says +that Siraj-ud-daula was born +in the year in which Aliverdi Khan obtained from the Emperor the +<i>firman</i> for Bihar. This, according to Scrafton, was 1736, and the +connection of his birth with this auspicious event was the prime +cause of his grandfather's great reference for him.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_70"></a><a href="#70">70</a>: See <a href="#Note_87">note</a>, +p. 88.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_71"></a><a href="#71">71</a>: Uncle of +Siraj-ud-daula, who died so shortly before +the death of Aliverdi Khan, that it was supposed he was poisoned to +ensure Siraj-ud-daula's accession.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_72"></a><a href="#72">72</a>: Fazl-Kuli-Khan. <i>Scrafton</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_73"></a><a href="#73">73</a>: Law says; "The rumour +ran that M. Drake replied to the +messengers that, since the Nawab wished to fill up the Ditch, he +agreed to it provided it was done with the heads of Moors. I do not +believe he said so, but possibly some thoughtless young Englishman +let slip those words, which, being heard by the messengers, were +reported to the Nawab."]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_74"></a><a href="#74">74</a>: Europeans. Properly, +Franks or Frenchmen. This term +was generally applied by Europeans to the half-caste descendants of +the Portuguese.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_75"></a><a href="#75">75</a>: Captains or generals: a +term of somewhat indefinite +meaning.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_76"></a><a href="#76">76</a>: In alliance with +Salabat Jang, Bussy temporarily +acquired a large territory for the French.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_77"></a><a href="#77">77</a>: "After Mr. Law had +given us a supply of clothes, +linen, provisions, liquors, and cash, we left his Factory with +grateful hearts and compliments." <i>Holwell</i>. Letter to Mr. Davis, +February 28, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_78"></a><a href="#78">78</a>: Imperial Charter.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_79"></a><a href="#79">79</a>: For an explanation of +the influence of the Seths, see +pp. 84, 85, and note.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_80"></a><a href="#80">80</a>: Ramnarain is an +interesting character. He appears to +have been one of the most faithful of the adherents of the house of +Aliverdi Khan and on its extinction of the English connection. His +gallantry in battle is referred to by Colonel Ironside. <i>Asiatic +Annual Register</i>, 1800.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_81"></a><a href="#81">81</a>: The official intimation +reached Admiral Watson in +January, 1757, but apparently not the formal orders from the +Admiralty. See page 30.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_82"></a><a href="#82">82</a>: In a letter to the +Secret Committee, London, dated +October 11, 1756, Clive writes: "I hope we shall be able to +dispossess the French of Chandernagore." So it is evident that he +came with this intention to Bengal.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_83"></a><a href="#83">83</a>: Clive describes Hugli +as "the second city in the +kingdom." <i>Letter to Lord Hardwicke, Feb</i>. 23, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_84"></a><a href="#84">84</a>: Bengal, Bihar, and +Orissa.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_85"></a><a href="#85">85</a>: Hearing that Seth +Mahtab Rai was to marry a +wonderfully beautiful woman, he forced the Seths to let him see the +young lady. <i>Scrafton</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_86"></a><a href="#86">86</a>: "If one is to believe +certain English writers, the +Seths were an apparently insurmountable obstacle to the project +because of the money we owed them, as if in their perilous position +these bankers would not be inclined to sacrifice something to save +the greater part. Besides, we shall see by what follows that they +sacrificed nothing." <i>Law</i>. The extraordinary influence of these +people was due not so much to their dealings with the head of the +State as to the fact that native princes generally make payments, +not in cash, but in bonds. It therefore depends on the bankers what +any man shall get for his bonds. In this way an official, even when +paid by the State, may be ruined by the bankers, who are merely +private persons.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_87"></a><a href="#87">87</a>: "In India it is thought +disrespectful to tell a great +man distinctly the evil which is said of him. If an inferior knows +that designs are formed against the life of his superior, he must +use circumlocutions, and suggest the subject in vague terms and +speak in enigmas. It is for the great man to divine what is meant. +If he has not the wit, so much the worse for him. As a foreigner, I +was naturally more bold and said what I thought to Siraj-ud-daula. +Coja Wajid did not hesitate to blame me, so that for a long time I +did not know what to think of him. This man finally fell a victim to +his diplomacies, perhaps also to his imprudences. One gets tired of +continual diplomacy, and what is good in the beginning of a business +becomes in the end imprudence." <i>Law</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_88"></a><a href="#88">88</a>: "Witness the letter +written to the English Admiral +Watson, by which it is pretended the Nawab authorized him to +undertake the siege of Chandernagore. The English memoir" (by <i>Luke +Scrafton</i>) "confesses it was a surprise, and that the Secretary must +have been bribed to write it in a way suitable to the views of Mr. +Watts. The Nawab never read the letters which he ordered to be +written; besides, the Moors never sign their names; the envelope +being closed and well fastened, the Secretary asks the Nawab for his +seal, and seals it in his presence. Often there is a counterfeit +seal." <i>Law</i>. From this it may be seen that the Nawab could +always +assert that his Secretary had exceeded his instructions, whilst it +was open to his correspondent to assert the contrary.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_89"></a><a href="#89">89</a>: The clerks.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_90"></a><a href="#90">90</a>: "This was the boaster +Rai Durlabh Ram, who had already +received much from me, but all the treasures of the Universe could +not have freed him from the fear he felt at having to fight the +English. He had with him as his second in command a good officer, +Mir Madan, the only man I counted upon." <i>Law</i>.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_91"></a><a href="#91">91</a>: Referring to Clive's +letter of the 7th of March, +saying he wished to attack Chandernagore, but would await the +Nawab's orders at that place.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_92"></a><a href="#92">92</a>: By "agent" Law must +mean simply an agent in the plot.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_93"></a><a href="#93">93</a>: Scrafton, in his +"Reflections" (<i>pp. 40 and 50</i>), +says, Siraj-ud-daula indulged in all sorts of debauchery; but his +grandfather, in his last illness, made him swear on the Koran to +give up drinking. He kept his oath, but probably his mind was +affected by his previous excesses.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_94"></a><a href="#94">94</a>: Arzbegi, i.e. the +officer who receives petitions.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_95"></a><a href="#95">95</a>: A preparation of +betel-nut (areca-nut) is used by the +natives of Hindustan as a digestive. When offered to a guest, it is +a sign of welcome or dismissal. When sent by a messenger, it is an +assurance of friendship and safe conduct.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_96"></a><a href="#96">96</a>: The Governor of Patna +was Raja Ramnarain, a Hindu, +with the rank of Naib only. It was considered unsafe to entrust so +important a post to a Muhammadan, or an officer with the rank of +Nawab.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_97"></a><a href="#97">97</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., p. +2779, No. 120.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_98"></a><a href="#98">98</a>: Ibid., India IX., p. +2294.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_99"></a><a href="#99">99</a>: Letter from Renault to +Dupleix. Dated Chandernagore, +Sept. 4, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_100"></a><a href="#100">100</a>: Broome (p. 154) +gives his name as Mir Daood.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_101"></a><a href="#101">101</a>: The Council signed +the Treaty with Mir Jafar on the +19th of May, but Mr. Watts's first intimation of his readiness to +join the English is, I believe, in a letter dated the 26th of April. +Mir Jafar signed the Treaty early in June.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_102"></a><a href="#102">102</a>: So Suja-ud-daula, +Nawab of Oudh, plundered the Nawab +Mir Kasim, when the English drove him from Bengal in 1763.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_103"></a><a href="#103">103</a>: Broome (p. 154) says +"a fakier, named Dana Shah, +whose nose and ears he had ordered to be cut off thirteen months +before, when on his march against the Nawaub of Purneah."]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_104"></a><a href="#104">104</a>: Orme MSS., India +Office, and Clive correspondence at +Walcot, vol. iv.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_105"></a><a href="#105">105</a>: The celebrated +traveller. He quickly quarrelled with +and left them.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_106"></a><a href="#106">106</a>: Province.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_107"></a><a href="#107">107</a>: Nawab of Oudh and +father of Suja-ud-daula.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_108"></a><a href="#108">108</a>: I.e. the receiver of +the rent or revenue.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_109"></a><a href="#109">109</a>: The regular winds of +the various seasons are called +monsoons, and are named after the point of the compass from which +they blow.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_110"></a><a href="#110">110</a>: Alamgir II.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_111"></a><a href="#111">111</a>: Imad-ul-mulk, +Ghazi-ud-din Khan.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_112"></a><a href="#112">112</a>: Ali Gauhar, born +1728. On the death of his father, +November 29, 1759, he assumed the name or title of Shah Alam.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_113"></a><a href="#113">113</a>: The old English +Factory at Patna was re-opened by Mr. +Pearkes, in July, 1757. See his letters to Council, dated 12th and +14th July, 1757.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_114"></a><a href="#114">114</a>: Kasim Ali had a much +better army than any of his +predecessors. Though it was not trained in the European manner, +several of the chief officers were Armenians, who effected great +reforms in discipline. Three years later it made a really good fight +against the English.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_115"></a><a href="#115">115</a>: The battle is +generally known as that of Gaya, but +was fought at Suan. The site is marked in Rennell's map of South +Bihar. It lies about six miles west of the town of Bihar, on the +river Banowra.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_116"></a><a href="#116">116</a>: The Banowra River.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_117"></a><a href="#117">117</a>: The French capital +on the Madras coast. Surrendered +to Eyre Coote.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_118"></a><a href="#118">118</a>: Sepoys, so called +from the Telingana district in +Madras, where they were first recruited.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_119"></a><a href="#119">119</a>: Mrs. Law. <i>Bibi</i> +is the equivalent of mistress or +lady. <i>Lass</i> was the native version of Law. Mrs. Law's maiden +name +was Jeanne Carvalho.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_120"></a><a href="#120">120</a>: Bengal Select Com. +Consultations, 28th January, +1761.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_121"></a><a href="#121">121</a>: "A part of these +Memoirs was written at Paris in +1703, and part at sea in 1764, during my second voyage to India, but +several of the notes were added later." <i>Law</i>.]</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> +<a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h2>M. COURTIN, CHIEF OF DACCA</h2> +<br> +<p>Jacques Ignace, son of François Courtin, Chevalier, Seigneur +de +Nanteuil, and of Catherine Colin, is, I believe, the correct +designation of the gentleman who appears in all the records of the +French and English East India Companies as M. Courtin, Chief of the +French Factory at Dacca.</p> +<p>In June 1756, when Siraj-ud-daula marched on Calcutta, he sent word +to his representative, the Nawab Jusserat Khan at Dacca, to seize +the English Factory, and make prisoners of the Company's servants +and soldiers. The English Factory on the site of the present +Government College, was—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"little +better than a common house, surrounded with a thin</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">brick +wall, one half of it not above nine foot high." The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">garrison +consisted "of a lieutenant" (Lieutenant John Cudmore),</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"4 +serjeants, 3 corporals, and 19 European soldiers,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">besides +34 black Christians[<a name="122"></a><a href="#Note_122">122</a>] and +60 <i>Buxerries</i>."[<a name="123"></a><a href="#Note_123">123</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p style="text-align: center;"><a name="DACCA_OR_JEHANGIR_NAGAR"></a><img + src="images/tfb005.jpg" + title="DACCA, OR JEHANGIR NAGAR. (After Rennell.)" + alt="DACCA, OR JEHANGIR NAGAR. (After Rennell.)" + style="width: 590px; height: 811px;"></p> +<p>On the 27th of June Jusserat Khan sent on the Nawab's order by the +English <i>wakil</i>, or agent, to Mr. Becher, the English Chief, and +informed him of the capture of Fort William and the flight of Mr. +Drake. Thinking this was merely a trick to frighten them into +surrender, the Dacca Council requested Mr. Scrafton, third in +Council, to write to M. Courtin, chief of the French Factory, for +information. In reply M. Courtin sent them a number of letters which +he had received from Chandernagore, confirming the bad news from +Calcutta. Taking into consideration the unfortified condition of the +Factory, and that Dacca was only four days by river from Murshidabad +whilst it was fourteen from Calcutta, it seemed idle to hope to +defend it even when assistance could be expected from the latter +place, and, now that it was certain that Calcutta itself had fallen, +any attempt at defence appeared rather "an act of rashness than of +bravery." It was therefore resolved to obtain the best terms they +could through the French.</p> +<p>The next day M. Fleurin, second of the French Factory—M. +Courtin[<a name="124"></a><a href="#Note_124">124</a>] was not well +acquainted with the English language—came +to inform them that the Nawab of Dacca agreed that the ladies and +gentlemen should be allowed to retire to the French Factory on M. +Courtin giving his word that they would there await the orders of +Siraj-ud-daula as to their future fate. The soldiers were to lay +down their arms, and be prisoners to the Nawab. This amicable +arrangement was entirely due to M. Courtin's good offices, and he +was much congratulated on the tact he had shown in preventing the +Nawab from using violent measures, as he seemed inclined to do at +first. As the Nawab would not allow the English to take away any of +their property, except the clothes they were wearing, they were +entirely dependent upon the French for everything, and were treated +with the greatest kindness. The Council wrote:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +French have behaved with the greatest humanity</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +such as have taken refuge at their Factory, and the tenour</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +their conduct everywhere to us on this melancholy occasion</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">has +been such as to merit the grateful acknowledgment of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +nation."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>For some two months the English remained in the French Factory, M. +Law, at Cossimbazar, warmly soliciting their release from +Siraj-ud-daula. This he obtained with difficulty, and at last Mr. +Becher and his companions sailed in a sloop provided by M. Courtin +for Fulta, where they arrived safely on the 26th of August. When +Calcutta had been recaptured by the English, M. Courtin, like a good +business man, sent in a bill for the costs of the sloop to the +Council at Calcutta, and the Consultations of the 16th of May, 1757, +duly notify its payment.</p> +<p>The English did not regain possession of the Factory at Dacca till +the 8th of March, by which time the declaration of War between +France and England was known, and the likelihood of troubles in +Bengal was very apparent. As we have seen, the English were +successful in their attack on Chandernagore, but the whole country +was aware that the Nawab was only the more enraged with them, and +his local officers might at any moment be instructed to take +vengeance on Englishmen found defenceless up country. On the 23rd of +March, Messrs. Sumner and Waller wrote from Dacca that Jusserat Khan +had refused to restore the Factory cannon, and to pass their goods +without a new <i>parwana</i>[<a name="125"></a><a href="#Note_125">125</a>] +from Murshidabad. It was therefore +still very doubtful whether he would assist the English or the +French at Dacca, and though the English obtained the <i>parwana</i> +they +wanted early in May, on the 9th the Council at Calcutta sent them +orders to do the best they could for their own security, and +informed them they had sent an armed sloop to Luckipore to cover +their retreat. They immediately sent down all the goods they could, +but as matters became quieter again they soon resumed business, and +appear to have had no further trouble.</p> +<p>It may be imagined that M. Courtin and his friends, knowing that the +English had demanded the surrender of the French Factories, had a +very uncomfortable experience all this time.[<a name="126"></a><a + href="#Note_126">126</a>] Unfortunately no +Records of the French Factories in Bengal are now to be found, and I +had despaired of obtaining any information about the expulsion from +Dacca, when, in the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris, I came on a +MS. +entitled, "<i>Copy of a letter from M. Courtin from India, written to +his wife, in which are given in detail the different affairs which +he had with the Moors from the 22nd of June, 1757, the day of his +evacuation of Dacca, to the 9th of March, 1758</i>."[<a name="127"></a><a + href="#Note_127">127</a>]</p> +<p>M. Courtin had married a Madame Direy, widow of a French Company's +servant, and the letter shows she was fortunately in France at the +time of her husband's troubles. As was natural, but inconveniently +enough for us, Courtin does not think it necessary to trouble her +with unintelligible and unpronounceable Indian names. Where +possible, I shall fill them in from the English Records, otherwise I +shall interrupt the course of the letter as little as possible. It +runs as follows:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Calcapur,[<a + name="128"></a><a href="#Note_128">128</a>] April 20, 1758.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Word +must have reached thee in France of the loss of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Chandernagore, +which was taken from us by the English on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +23rd of March, 1757, after eleven days' siege. I was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">then +at Dacca, and expecting every day to see M.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Chevalier +return from his journey to the King of Assam.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Judge, +my dear wife, of the chagrin and embarrassment into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I was thrown by this deplorable event. The English</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +had no idea of attacking Chandernagore until they had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">recovered +Calcutta from the Moors, taken the Moorish village</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +Hugli, and forced the Moors to agree to a most shameful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">peace. +This was not, as thou wilt see, sufficient for them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +Siraj-ud-daula had offended them too deeply for them to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">stop +when once they found themselves on a good road; but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unfortunately +we were an obstacle in the way of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">vengeance, +otherwise I believe they would have observed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +neutrality which had been always so carefully maintained</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +the European nations in the country of the Ganges, in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">spite +of all the wars which took place in Europe. Many of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +French from Chandernagore—officers, Company's servants,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +others—had taken refuge at Cossimbazar with M. Law,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +formed there a party which opposed the English in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">various +ways. The English, however, forced Siraj-ud-daula,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">against +his true interest and in spite of his promise to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">protect +us, to abandon us, and to make M. Law leave his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Factory +and go to Patna. This imprudent act was the ruin</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the Prince and put the final touch to our misfortunes,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whilst +it has made the English masters of Bengal, and has</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">filled +their coffers with wealth.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +held on at Dacca till the 22nd of June. I was troubled</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +little as was possible in such circumstances, owing, I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">think, +to the gratitude which the English felt for the services</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +had rendered them in Dacca the year before. I had all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +more reason to think this was so because, after the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">misfortune +which befell Chandernagore, they had often</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">offered +to secure to me all my effects and merchandise in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Murshidabad +[?]—they were worth a million—provided I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">made +over to them the French Factory and all that belonged</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the Company, and would myself leave for Pondicherry</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the following October. They said I should not be considered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +prisoner of war, and should not require to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">exchanged.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"These +were, no doubt, very good terms, and most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advantageous +to me; but should I not have been dishonoured</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +ever if I had had a soul so servile and base as to accept</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them? +I would have been covered with ignominy in my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">own +eyes, and without doubt in those of all the world. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">therefore +thought it my duty to reject them.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Things +were on this footing when, at the beginning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +June, I learned that the English, having got rid of M.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Law, +were marching upon Murshidabad with all their forces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +achieve the destruction of a Prince who was already half</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ruined +by his own timidity and cowardice, and still further</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">weakened +by the factions formed against him by the chief</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">members +of his own family—a Prince detested by every one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +his pride and tyranny, and for a thousand dreadful crimes</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +which he had already soiled his reputation though he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +barely twenty-five years old.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +knew only too well what was preparing against him,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +I was also most eager to find some honourable means of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">escape +for myself. M. Chevalier's absence troubled me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">greatly, +and I did not like to leave him behind me. At last</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +arrived on the 16th or 17th. I had taken the precaution</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +provide myself with a <i>parwana</i>, or passport, signed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Siraj-ud-daula, +allowing me to go where I pleased. That</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Prince +had recalled M. Law to him, but too late, for I felt</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">certain +he could not rejoin him in time to save him or to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">check +the progress of his enemies. I was in a hurry therefore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +go and help to save him if that were possible, taking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">care, +however, to choose a route by which I could escape if,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +I thought probable, he should have succumbed beforehand</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the efforts of the English, and the treason of his subjects.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +was then the 22nd of June when I started with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">about +35 boats,[<a name="129"></a><a href="#Note_129">129</a>] MM. Chevalier, +Brayer [possibly a relation</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the M. Brayer who commanded at Patna], Gourlade, the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">surgeon, +and an Augustine Father, Chaplain of the Factory,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">8 +European soldiers, of whom several were old and past</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">service, +17 topass gunners, 4 or 5 of the Company's servants,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +about 25 or 30 peons.[<a name="130"></a><a href="#Note_130">130</a>] +There, my dear wife, is the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">troop +with which thou seest me start upon my adventures.[<a name="131"></a><a + href="#Note_131">131</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">To +these, however, should be added my Christian clerks, my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">domestics, +and even my cook, all of whom I dressed and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">armed +as soldiers to assist me in what I expected to be a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">losing +game, and which, in fact, had results the most disastrous</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the world for my personal interests.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"It +was not till seven or eight days after I had set out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +this fine troop that I learned there had been a battle at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Plassey +between the English and the Nawab, in which the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">latter +had been defeated and forced to flee, and that Jafar</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Ali +Khan, his maternal uncle,[<a name="132"></a><a href="#Note_132">132</a>] +had been enthroned in his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">place. +This report, though likely enough as far as I could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">judge, +did not come from a source so trustworthy that I could</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">rely +on it with entire faith. Accordingly I did not yet</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">abandon +the route which I had proposed to myself; in fact,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +followed it for some days more, and almost as far as the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mouth +of the Patna River.[<a name="133"></a><a href="#Note_133">133</a>] +There I learned, beyond possibility</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +doubt, that Siraj-ud-daula had been captured, conducted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +Murshidabad, and there massacred; that he had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">just +missed being rejoined by M. Law, who was coming to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">meet +him, and could easily have done so if he had followed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +instructions given him and had been willing to march</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">only +three hours longer; and that the English had sent a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">body +of troops towards Patna to capture or destroy M. Law</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">if +possible."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>We have seen in a previous chapter the real reasons why Law was +unable to rejoin Siraj-ud-daula in time for the battle.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +now saw that a junction with him had become impossible,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unless +I determined to run the most evident risk of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">losing +my liberty and all I had."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>It appears that Courtin had the Company's effects, as well as his +own private property and that of his companions, on board his little +fleet.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"This +made me change my route immediately. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mountains +of Tibet[<a name="134"></a><a href="#Note_134">134</a>] appeared to me +a safe and eminently</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">suitable +asylum until the arrival in the Ganges of the forces</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +we flattered ourselves were coming. I therefore directed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +route in this direction, but found myself suddenly and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unexpectedly +so close to Murshidabad that for two days</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">together +we heard the sound of the guns fired in honour of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +revolution which had taken place. It is easy to judge</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">into +what alarm this unexpected and disagreeable proximity</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">threw +me. However, we arrived safely, on the 10th of July,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +the capital of the Raja of Dinajpur, who wished to oppose</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +passage."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This was the Raja Ram Nath, whom Orme describes as "a Raja, who with +much timidity, was a good man."</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"We +made it in spite of him, threatening to attack him</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">if +he showed any further intention of opposing us. I do not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">know +what would have happened if he had had a little firmness,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +we learned afterwards that he had always in his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">service +a body of 5000 infantry and cavalry. The persons</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +he sent to us had at first suggested that I should pretend</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was English, assuring me that by that means all difficulties</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +be removed; but I thought this trick too much</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">beneath +a man of honour for me to make use of it, and, in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fact, +I objected to pass for anything but what I really was.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +found here a French soldier, who had been at the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">battle +of Plassey, where the brave Sinfray,[<a name="135"></a><a + href="#Note_135">135</a>] at the head of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">38 +Frenchmen, had fought like a hero for a long time, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +retreated only at the order of Siraj-ud-daula, who, seeing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">himself +betrayed and the battle lost, sent him word to cease</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fighting. +This worthy gentleman afterwards took refuge in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Birbhum, +the Raja of which country betrayed him, and disgracefully</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">handed +him over to the English in October last."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Courtin is somewhat unfair to the Raja (apparently a Muhammadan, as +he was called Assaduzama Muhammad),[<a name="136"></a><a + href="#Note_136">136</a>] for this Prince was an ally +of the English, and had offered Clive the assistance of his forces +before the battle of Plassey. It could be no treachery on his part +to pick up fugitives from the battle, like Sinfray, and hand them +over to his allies. I may as well quote one of the Raja's letters to +Clive, received 28th October, 1757:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Before +your letter arrived the French were going</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">through, +some woods in my country. I knew they were your</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies, +therefore I ordered my people to surround them. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">French +being afraid, some said they were English, and some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dutch. +In the meantime I received your letter that if I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +apprehend them I should send them to you, therefore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +have sent them. Surajah Dowlat has plundered my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country +so much, that there is hardly anything left in it."[<a name="137"></a><a + href="#Note_137">137</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Courtin continues:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"To +return to my journey and my adventures. I now</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">found +myself outside of Bengal and in sight of the mountains</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Tibet, a month having elapsed since my departure from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dacca. +I was only two or three days distant from these</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mountains, +and my intention, as thou hast seen above, was to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">go +there; but I was prevented by the murmurs of my people,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">especially +the boatmen, who already began to desert in small</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">parties. +Accordingly I accepted an offer made me on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">part +of the Raja of Sahibgunj, to give me a site for a fort,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to aid me with everything I might want. I descended</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +river again for a little, and near this site, which was on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +river bank, I commenced a fort, but the thickness of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">forest +forced me to abandon it, and I entered a little river</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">close +by, which conducted me to a marsh, on the borders of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I found an elevated site admirably situated and in a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">very +agreeable neighbourhood.[<a name="138"></a><a href="#Note_138">138</a>] +This belonged to the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Raja, +and with his consent I again set to work, and that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +such promptitude that in less than a month my fortress</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">commenced +to take form, and visibly progressed owing to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +extraordinary efforts I made to complete it. It was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">triangular, +with a bastion at each angle. At two of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">angles +I had found superb trees with very heavy foliage, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +the third I erected the mast of my boat and hoisted our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">flag. +All three bastions had four embrasures, a fine entrance</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">gate +opening on the marsh, and a little open turret above,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">A +small entrance gate led to the open country. The curtains</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +carefully pierced for musketry, and strengthened outside</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +a trellis work of bamboo, and finished off with banquettes</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +the ramparts. An excellent powder magazine</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +built in the same way, and, being situated in the interior</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +the fort, was quite safe from any accident.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"As +I had brought workmen of all kinds with me, the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">work +went on well, especially as the care of our health made</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">us +all industrious. I was not without cannon, and I mounted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +our ramparts two Swedish guns, which afterwards proved</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +safety and preservation.[<a name="139"></a><a href="#Note_139">139</a>] +Also being provided with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">requisites +for making gunpowder, I very soon had nearly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">3000 +lbs. weight of very good quality.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Hardly +anything remained to complete my fortress,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I had named 'Bourgogne,' except to provide it with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +glaçis. It was already furnished with a market which was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sufficiently +flourishing, when to my misfortune I received</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +false information that our forces, which were said to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">considerable, +were ready to enter the Ganges, and that there</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +certain news of the arrival of a very strong squadron at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Pondicherry.[<a + name="140"></a><a href="#Note_140">140</a>] On the 8th September there +broke out at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Purneah, +and in the province of that name, a Evolution</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">headed +by a person named Hazir Ali Khan,[<a name="141"></a><a href="#Note_141">141</a>] +who, having</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seized +the capital, at once wrote to me to join him, and assist</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +against the English and Jafar Ali Khan.[<a name="142"></a><a + href="#Note_142">142</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"These +two events made me stop everything else and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">devote +myself entirely to getting my boats out of the little</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">river +by which I had entered the marsh, and which was now</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">almost +quite dried up. I succeeded in doing so after some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">time, +by means of ditches which I cut from the marsh, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +took me more than a month and considerable labour, as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was about two leagues from the great river. To complete</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +misfortunes, my troop was attacked by sickness, which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">raged +with a violence such as I had scarcely ever seen. It</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cost +me nine soldiers, of whom three were Europeans. The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">latter +were luckily replaced some days after by the same</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">number +who joined me.[<a name="143"></a><a href="#Note_143">143</a>] Poor M. +Brayer and M. Gourlade</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been during almost the whole campaign in the most</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">pitiable +condition, especially the former, who I thought a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thousand +times must have died. As for me, the powders</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>d'Aillot</i> +preserved me from the pestilential air, and cured</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +from the effects of a fall in my <i>bajarow</i>,[<a name="144"></a><a + href="#Note_144">144</a>] caused by the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">clumsiness +of my boatmen. I narrowly escaped breaking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +ribs and back.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Before +quitting Fort Bourgogne I must tell thee, my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dear +wife, that I often played there a very grand rôle. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +called the 'Fringuey Raja,' or 'King of the Christians.'</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was often chosen as arbiter amongst the little princes in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +neighbourhood, who sent me ambassadors. My reputation</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">spread +so wide, and the respect that I gained was so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">great, +that the King of Tibet did not disdain to honour me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +an embassy of nearly eight hundred persons, whom I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">entertained +for nine whole days, and whose chiefs I dismissed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +presents suitable to their rank, their king, our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">nation, +and the idea which I wished to leave behind me in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +country of the European name. The presents which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +made me consisted of five horses, some bags of scent,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">three +or four pieces of china, pieces of gilt paper, and a sabre</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">like +those used by the Bhutiyas, or people of Tibet, who are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">men +as strong and robust as those of Bengal are feeble.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Though +pagans like the latter, they eat all kinds of things,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +live almost like the Tartars, from whom they are descended.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">They +have no beards, and are clothed in a fashion</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +is good enough, but which looks singular. They are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">very +dirty. The complexion of those whom I saw was very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dark, +but I know it is not the same in the interior of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country +and in the mountains, where all are as fair as the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Chinese, +who are said to be their neighbours. I took some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">trouble +to form an alliance and to make a party amongst</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them. +They appeared very willing, but I soon had occasion</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +convince myself that not only were they not fitting persons</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +my designs, but also that they were playing with me.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">It +is not that they do not make raids upon the lower country,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +they make these only in the cold weather, always withdrawing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +the commencement of the hot, without trying to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">make +any permanent conquests.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"There, +then, my reign is finished, or nearly so, for the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">good +news that I continued to receive (though always without</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">foundation, +as I learned afterwards), joined to the entreaties</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +Hazir All Khan and to the unhealthy air which continued</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +decimate my poor little troop, induced me at last to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">abandon +my fort, to embark again upon my boats, and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reapproach +Bengal, from which I had hitherto been travelling</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">away. +The second day after my departure was marked by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +very annoying accident, namely the loss of one of my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">largest +boats, on which was my library and a quantity of my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">effects. +These were quickly drawn out of the water, but</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +none the less ruined for the Company and for me.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">From +that moment commence my misfortunes. The sixth</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">day—I +had passed three in the salvage of the effects on my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boat—I +received a <i>pattamar</i> (messenger), who informed me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +the English and the troops of Jafar Ali Khan were at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Purneah, +from which they had chased Hazir Ali Khan and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wholly +destroyed his faction."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>From Broome we see that this was in the middle of December, 1757. It +was now that Clive first heard what Courtin was attempting. He +immediately sent orders direct, and also through the Nawab, to Kasim +Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore, and to Raja Ram Nath of Dinajpur, to +seize the French.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"It was almost impossible for me to +reascend the river</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">because of the dry banks and the +strong currents which</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">would have put my boats in danger. +However, I found</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">myself in the country of Rungpore, +which was a dependency</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">of Bengal. I determined +nevertheless to remain where I</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">was, flattering myself the English +would not come to look</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">for me, nor the Nawab or the ruler +of the province think of</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">disturbing themselves about me, as +I was doing no harm in</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the country, and as I was very +strict in observing proper</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">order and discipline. I was so +confident on this latter head</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">that I did not think of throwing up +now entrenchments, and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">occupied myself only with hunting +and walking whilst I</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">awaited the arrival of the French +forces. However, one day,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">towards the middle of January, a +secret rumour came to me</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">that Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of +Rungpore, was coming to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">attack me. I sent out scouts, who +reported that all was</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">tranquil in his town, and that, far +from wishing to come and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">look for a quarrel, he was in fear +lest I should march against</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">his town, which was three days' +journey from where I was.</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Doubtless my men deceived me or did +not take the trouble</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">to go to Rungpore, for on the 15th +of the same month, at</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">3 p.m., on the opposite side of the +river to that on which</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">we were, there appeared a body of +soldiers, cavalry and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">infantry, about 600 in number, who +approached so near my</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">fleet that I no longer doubted the +correctness of the first</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">advice which had been given me. I +ordered a discharge</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">of three guns on this troop, which +was so well directed that</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the enemy were forced to take +themselves off and to encamp</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">a little further from me. Next day +the commander sent me</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">a present of some fruit, and an +intimation that he only</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">wished to see me quit his country. +He knew I could not</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">do this without risk, and, +according to the custom of the</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">infidels, he gave me the strongest +possible assurances of my</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">safety and tranquillity. I took +care not to trust to them;</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I was then, as I said above, +without entrenchments and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">without defence, so in the evening +I set to work at surrounding</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">myself with a ditch, the mud taken +out of which would</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">serve me for embrasures. I was +short of provisions, which</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">made me very anxious, and I was +still more so when</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I learned that the enemy were +trying to cut me off from</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">provisions on all sides, and that +their intention was to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">capture me by famine or treachery. +Their number quickly</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">increased to 3000 men, of whom a +part came over to my</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">side of the river, and harassed my +people whenever they</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">went out for provisions. This +forced me to detach. MM.</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chevalier and Gourlade, with about +10 men, some peons</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">and boatmen, against one of their +little camps, where there</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">were about 150 men, foot and horse. +Our men received</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">their fire, stormed the camp, and +destroyed it after having</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">put every one to flight. There was +not a single person</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">wounded on our side. This little +advantage gave me time to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">make a good provision of rice and +other things in the villages</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">near my entrenchments. I cleared +out these villages and</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">drove out the inhabitants, but I +was still in need of a</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">quantity of things necessary to +life. To procure these, I</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">tried to frighten the enemy by +cannonading their chief camp</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">on the other side of the river. +This only resulted in making</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">them withdraw altogether beyond the +reach of my guns, not</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">with the idea of going away, but of +starving me out, and, as</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I learned later, to give time for a +reinforcement of artillery</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">which they were expecting to +arrive. They had already 4</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">or 5 guns, but their calibre was +small compared with mine,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">as I was able to see from the balls +which fell in my camp</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">when it was entrenched only on the +land side.</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"The 19th of January, early in the +morning, I sent across</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the river a number of workmen, +supported by a little detachment</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">under M. Gourlade, to cut down a +grove of bamboos</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">which masked my guns, and to burn +down some houses which</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">were also in their way. I forbade +them to engage the enemy,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">and all went well until some +topasses and peons advanced</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">too far towards the enemy's camp, +and I heard discharges</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">so loud and frequent on both sides, +that I ordered a retreat</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">to be beaten in my entrenchments, +to make my people recross</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">the river. I fired my guns +continually to facilitate this and to</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">cover the movement. In this +skirmish I had only one soldier</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">wounded, and I do not know whether +the enemy had any</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">losses. This day more than 1500 +shots were fired on both</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">sides. Some of the guns which the +enemy brought up</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">troubled us greatly, as we were not +entrenched on the water</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">side. Several balls fell at my side +or passed over my head.</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">This determined me to set all my +people at work the next</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">night with torches, to put us under +cover on this side</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">also."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"></p> +<p>[It was apparently this fight which Kasim Ali reported to Clive on +the 24th of January:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +wrote expressly to my people to go and take them"</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">(the +French) "and they went immediately and found them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ready +to fight. On both sides there were cannon and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><i>jenjalls</i>.[<a + name="145"></a><a href="#Note_145">145</a>] A <i>nulla</i>[<a + name="146"></a><a href="#Note_146">146</a>] was between them, which +the French</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">crost, +and advancing upon my people, fought with great</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">intrepidity: +but luckily, three or four of them being killed,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +retired into their fort."[<a name="147"></a><a href="#Note_147">147</a>]]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +Moors saw, from my manoeuvre, how important it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +for them to seize the ground which I had intended to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">clear, +and, contrary to my expectation, established themselves</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +it the same evening without my being able to hinder</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them, +keeping themselves always well hidden behind the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bamboos, +where they had nothing to fear from my artillery,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +still less from my musketry. Like me they worked at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">night, +and, having as many prisoners or other workmen at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">their +command as they wanted, I saw, with regret, next</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">morning +the progress which they had made opposite me. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +not dislodge them without risking everything. Weak</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +I was, I thought it wiser not to hazard anything more in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sorties, +but to hold myself always on the defensive.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Sheikh +Faiz Ulla (that was the name of the Moorish</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">general) +sent me one of his men next day with a present and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">proposals +of peace, the first condition of which was, of course,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +I should quit his country, and as, since the dry weather</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +set in, a very large and dangerous bank had formed in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +river seven or eight leagues below me, he offered me one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +two thousand workmen to assist in making a passage for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +boats. The shocking treachery used by the Moors being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">well +known to me, I refused to accept his offers except on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +furnishing me with hostages for his good faith. He first</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">proposed +himself, but with such a strong escort that it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +difficult to see that it was a trap which he was setting</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +me, so as to seize and massacre us. After many debates</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">between +our emissaries, he consented to come to my <i>bajarow</i>,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +and his servants, and that all of them should serve as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hostages +until I was quite out of the domains of his master.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +loyally agreed to this arrangement and made preparations</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +consequence, but at 7 in the morning on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">23rd +of January, the day I expected the hostages, I was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">awakened +by a cannon-shot quickly followed by a second, the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ball +of which pierced the <i>rezai</i>[<a name="148"></a><a href="#Note_148">148</a>] +at the foot of my bed from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">side +to side, and made a great noise. For a long time I had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">been +accustomed to sleep fully dressed, so I was able to go out</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">quickly +and give orders in the entrenchments. The treachery</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +perfidy of the enemy were too manifest; nevertheless, I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">forbade +a single shot to be fired with musket or cannon, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">simply +recommended my people to be on their guard on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +land side. The enemy kept up a continuous and very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">lively +fire until 4 o'clock in the evening. I considered that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">it +would be useless for me to reply, and wished to see how far</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">they +would push their insolence. That day we picked up 40</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cannon-balls, +and our whole loss was one boatman slightly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wounded +in the leg. From 4 o'clock till night the enemy's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">fire +was continued, but at long intervals. It began again</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +next morning. I suffered this as on the previous day</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +a couple of hours, at the end of which. I fired several</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">shots +and silenced it. My firing seemed to trouble the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemy +more than I expected it would. One of my boats was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sunk +by a cannon-ball, several were pierced through, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my + <i>rezai</i>, which used to serve me as a coat, was much</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">damaged.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +succeeding days passed much in the same manner</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">until +the 3rd of February, when, on the same bank and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +north above my fleet, I saw a new entrenchment, which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been thrown up during the preceding night. Its batteries</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enfiladed +mine along their whole length. It was necessary</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">either +to risk everything by making a sortie in order to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">destroy +it, or to arrange terms. I determined on the latter,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +appeared to me all the more necessary, as I was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">beginning +to be in want of everything, and as I had just</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">received +letters which deprived me of all hope of the arrival</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +our forces in Bengal until April or May. I therefore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">informed +Sheikh Faiz Ulla that I was ready to enter upon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">negotiations, +and the same day he sent me some of his people,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +whom I agreed to leave my entrenchments and go</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">down +the river. I consented to do this without hostages,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but, +that it might be done in security, I promised them a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sum +of money for themselves as well as for their general.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">This +arrangement being agreed to by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">sent +me word that, in order that he might not appear to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">betray +his master, it would be necessary for me next morning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +open the fiercest fire possible on his camp; that he would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reply; +that on both sides it should be with the intention of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">doing +as little hurt as possible; that I should pretend it was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +force him to give me a passport, which he would send me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the evening; and that I should then send him the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">money +I had promised. All these precautions were only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +assist his rascality, and they appeared to me all the more</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">surprising, +as he had already repeatedly informed me that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">he +had his master's permission to give me a passport, and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">let +me go where I pleased. But of what are these Moors not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">capable? +Without being blind to the continuance of his perfidy,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +flattered myself that it might happen that he would not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">trouble +me on my march when he had received my money.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"However +this might be, my cannon fired from 10 in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +morning till 3 in the evening. Our people, perceiving</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +the enemy were firing in earnest, did not spare them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">any +more than they spared us, and that which was at first,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +our side, only a pretence, finally became serious. At 4</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">o'clock +I received an envoy, who brought me the passport,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to whom I paid the money. He assured me that I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">might +embark my artillery the next morning, and set out the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">day +after without the slightest apprehension of being interfered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with, +I took my precautions, and, in fear of treachery, kept</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">on +shore my two Swedish guns. At last, at seven in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">morning, +my boats started, having on board only the sick</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +helpless, and I set out by land with my two guns and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +rest of my troop, at the head of which I put myself."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This triumph of time and treachery was reported by Sheikh Faiz +Ulla's master, Kasim Ali, to Clive, on the 14th of February:[<a + name="149"></a><a href="#Note_149">149</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +before wrote you that I had sent forces to fight the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">French, +that they had a fort and strong intrenchments, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +we had a battle with them.... ever since I wrote</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +last we have been fighting, my people have behaved well,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +I make no doubt but you have heard it from other people.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">God +knows what pains and trouble I have taken in this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">affair. +The French being shut up in their fort and undergoing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">much +fatigue by always fighting, and likewise being</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +want of provisions were obliged to run away in their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats +by night, and went towards the Dinajpur country.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">My +people being always ready to fight followed them....</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">They +can go no other way but through the Dinajpur country.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +have therefore wrote expressly to the Rajah to stop the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">passage."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>About this time, though Courtin does not mention it till later, he +began to see what the inevitable end must be. He could not cut his +way through to join Law, and with the whole country in arms against +him he was too weak to hold out for any length of time. Accordingly +he sent messengers secretly to Mr. Luke Scrafton, at Murshidabad. It +was Scrafton, as I have said above, who wrote to Courtin for +assistance when the Nawab of Dacca wanted to take their Factory and +imprison the English. Courtin now wrote to him to save him from +falling into the hands of the natives, and, on the 18th of February, +Scrafton wrote to the Select Committee at Calcutta for the necessary +permission.[<a name="150"></a><a href="#Note_150">150</a>]</p> +<p>We now rejoin Courtin:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"What +was my surprise, at the end of an hour and a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">half, +to see that we were followed by a body of four or five</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hundred +men, with two guns drawn by oxen. I pretended</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +to notice, and continued my march, but at 3 o'clock</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the afternoon, seeing this troop approach, within range of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +pieces, I pointed them at the Moors, and put my force</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +a position of defence. Their rascality followed its usual</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">course, +and they sent me word that I had nothing to fear,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +they would not march so close to me any more, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +they followed me only to preserve the peace and to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">hinder +my people, especially the stragglers, from committing</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">any +disorder. I received this excuse for what it was worth,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +pretended to be content with, it, seeing clearly that they</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +looking for an opportunity to surprise and destroy us.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Several +accidents happening to the boats of the rearguard</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">prevented +my troop and myself from rejoining the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">main +body of the fleet till far on in the night. I found it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">anchored +in the most disadvantageous position possible, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +the morning I saw at a distance of one-eighth of a league</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +same body of troops, that had followed me the day before,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">establishing +and settling itself. A moment later I learned</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +Sheikh Faiz Ulla was on the opposite bank with his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">army +and his artillery, that he intended to wait for me in a</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">narrow +place called Choquova,[<a name="151"></a><a href="#Note_151">151</a>] +at the foot of which my boats</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">must +pass, and that he was diligently making entrenchments</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">there. +My embarrassment was then extreme. I found</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +surrounded on all sides; I was without any provisions,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">destitute +of the most necessary articles of life. In</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +perplexity I saw only the most cruel alternatives, either</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +surrender or to fight to the death so as to perish with our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arms +in our hands. The latter appeared to be less dreadful</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +the former.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"After +repeated consultations, we determined it would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">be +best to risk the passage of the fleet by Choquova. We</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thought +that possibly we should find provisions there, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +certainly the position could not be worse (for defence)</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +that in which we then found ourselves. The passage</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +carried out in three hours' time without confusion or</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">disorder, +by means of my Swedish guns on the boat which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">led +the van. What was our delight to find, not only a better</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">position +than that which we had quitted, but one that was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">almost +completely entrenched by nature, and had villages</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">full +of rice to the right and left of it.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Next +day I collected provisions in abundance, cleared</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +country round for a quarter of a league, and did my best</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +ameliorate my condition. The enemy were disconcerted by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +boldness. They pretended as usual, in order to deceive</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +the more easily, that they were not surprised at my march.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">They +feared rightly that if I commenced new entrenchments</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">all +their trouble would begin again. Besides, I had completely</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">protected +myself from the possibility of surprise. <i>Pourparlers</i></span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +an accommodation were renewed and lasted three</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">days, +at the end of which it was agreed that I should</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">continue +my march, that two hostages should be given me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +my safety, and that the army with its guns should retire</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +Choquova, and should be sent a long way ahead across</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">country, +and as, at half a league from this place, the river</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +no longer navigable because of the bank which had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">formed +in it, I should be supplied with people to facilitate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +passage. Thou wilt notice, my dear wife, that in all the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">negotiations +I had for various reasons and on several occasions</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">proposed +to suspend all hostilities until an answer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">could +be received from Jafar All Khan and the English, to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +I said I would write to come to some accommodation</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +them, offering to send my letter open. This was repeatedly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">refused, +but the refusal did not prevent my asking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +the honours of war. My letters were despatched secretly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">by +my own messengers.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"At +last, on the 23rd, I quitted, though with regret</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">(always +expecting treachery), my new position, and approached</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +shallow or bank mentioned. It was night when I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arrived. +In spite of this I could understand, from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">dreadful +noise made by the waters, that I should have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">difficulty +in traversing this dangerous passage even with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">assistance +promised me. I was only too well convinced of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +truth of this when day broke, and I saw that I had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">again +been betrayed. There was nothing to be seen of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">work +which the Moors had engaged to do to lessen the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">difficulty +of the passage. However, I did not hesitate to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">put +out with my lighter boats, firmly resolved, if they arrived</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">safely, +to sacrifice the larger, with all that was upon them,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +my safety, and thus to effect my retreat during the night.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">With +the exception of two, which were lost, they all arrived</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">safely. +During this piece of work, which took up the whole</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">day, +I dissimulated my intentions in the presence of my hostages,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">merely +letting them see I was somewhat surprised to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">find +that, contrary to the promise given, there were no workmen,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +that the army, which ought to have been withdrawn,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +still close to us. Their excuses were vague and unsatisfactory.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">One +of them, who, no doubt, knew the enemy's plans,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">asked +permission to go to their camp, promising to come</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">back +the next day. Though his demand accorded with my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">designs, +I agreed to it only after much persuasion, warning</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">him +not to break his <i>parole</i> to return the next morning very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">early. +This he swore to do. As a rule these people think</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">nothing +of an oath. I did not intend to wait for him, which</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +comrade clearly perceived, for, seeing that he himself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +been sacrificed by his master's perfidy, he approved of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +resolution I had taken to set out by night, and swore</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +he had acted in good faith, and was ignorant of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">treachery +that had been concocted. 'You can,' he said to me,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">'have +my throat cut. You would be justified in doing so;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">but +I will not quit you, even if you give me permission.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">If +I went to my own people, they would say that I had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">disclosed +to you the trick which you have yourself discovered,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +would certainly show me less mercy than I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +experienced from you.' After this I contented myself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +having him closely watched.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Orders +being given to the remaining boats to start by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">night, +I mounted on horseback to carry certain necessaries</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +my detachment on land, which was already a little in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advance +and had crossed a small river with the guns. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +only three blacks with me, and none of us knew the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">way. +The night was dark, and we wandered from it. I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">narrowly +escaped being drowned with my horse, and at last</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">we +lost ourselves entirely. If we had been met by any</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">horsemen, +nothing would have been easier than for them to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">capture +me, our arms and cartridges being all soaked with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">water. +Luckily I heard our drums beating, and this told us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +what direction we could safely go.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My +intention was to march by land with my troops and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">guns. +They objected to this, as I was wet to the skin and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">had +a cold on the chest, which hardly allowed me to speak;</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">so +I went back to the boats, though with much regret, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">resolved +to manage so as not to lose sight of my detachment.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +was in constant anxiety about the latter till 8 o'clock the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">next +day, when we all came together, except one soldier</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">topass, +who, by his own fault, had remained on a big boat</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +we had abandoned, and a <i>manjhi</i>,[<a name="152"></a><a + href="#Note_152">152</a>] who was drowned</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +one of the two little ones which had sunk.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Finding +myself in the territory of the Raja of Dinajpur,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +imagined I had nothing to do with any one except him, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his army would not think of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">following +me through a country which, though tributary to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Nawab of Bengal, still in no way belonged to Faiz Ulla's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">master. +The hostage who remained with me, and to whom</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +spoke about the matter,[<a name="153"></a><a href="#Note_153">153</a>] +did not altogether dissuade me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +this idea, but counselled me to continue my march</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +to get farther away, which I did till 6 o'clock in the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">evening. +What was my surprise when, at 9 o'clock, my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">scouts +reported that the enemy were pursuing me, and were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +more than a league away at the most. I could not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">advance +during the night for fear of running on the banks</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">or +shallows with which the river was filled, and which might</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cause +the loss of my boats and of my people. Accordingly,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +did not set out till the morning, and always remained</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +in the rear (of the fleet). I had stopped to wait for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +land detachment and the guns, and was at some distance</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +the rest of my little fleet, when, about half-past nine,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +heard several musket shots fired. In an instant I was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">surrounded +by the enemy. M. Chevalier, who conducted the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">land +detachment, fortunately perceived my situation, and,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">seeing +my danger, brought up the two guns and fired about</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">20 +shots, which disengaged me, and gave me time to regain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +boats by swift rowing. I had with me only Pedro and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Moorish hostage mentioned before. Then I landed with</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">MM. +Brayer, Gourlade, and in general every one who was</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">strong +enough to defend himself. At the same time I ordered</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +boats to go on. In this skirmish our loss was only one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">man +slightly wounded in the ear by a musket-ball.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My +little fleet <i>en route</i>, we marched by land on the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">bank +opposite to that on which was, the main body of the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemy, +who had only cavalry, which we did not trouble</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ourselves +about It was not the same, however, with the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats. +At the end of an hour the boatmen abandoned them</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +a sudden panic, and hurried tumultuously to join me.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">When +my people were collected, I would have tried to go</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +recapture my boats, which the enemy had not delayed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +seize; but not only would this have been a rash undertaking</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +so small a force against 3000 men, but also</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">there +was a little river which formed an island between my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats +and me, and so prevented the passage of my guns</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">This +determined me to abandon the boats, and to retreat to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dinajpur, +where I hoped to find an asylum with the Raja</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whilst +I waited for a reply to my letters to Jafar All Khan</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +the English. We marched till 1 o'clock in the afternoon</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">without +being harassed or disquieted—no doubt because</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">during +this time Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">occupied +in plundering the boats. We were now not very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">far +from Dinajpur, when we met a body of the Raja's cavalry,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +commander of which begged me to take another road so</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +not to pass through his town. Accordingly he gave me</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">a +guide, with whom we marched till half-past five, when we</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">arrived +at a great <i>gunge</i> (market place) at the extremity of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Dinajpur. +There they lodged us in a great thatched building.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +want of provisions had caused us to suffer very much in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">this +retreat."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>This was the battle of Cantanagar. Kasim Ali described it as follows +to Clive:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My +people and the French had a battle, and the latter</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">finding +themselves much, beat, they run away, and left their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats. +They went to Oppoor" "and begged protection of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Kajah's people.... Bahadur Sing came and told my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +to go a little further off, and they would deliver</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +up, but they put us off from day to day."[<a name="154"></a><a + href="#Note_154">154</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>About the time he was writing this, Clive was writing to say that he +had received Courtin's offer of surrender, and that Kasim Ali was to +cease hostilities and allow the French to come to him with their +boats and necessaries. Kasim Ali had received orders to the same +effect from Mr. Scrafton, who informed him he was sending an officer +to accept their surrender. This did not however prevent Kasim Ali +from trying to get hold of them, which accounts for the following +letter from Raja Ram Nath to Clive:[<a name="155"></a><a + href="#Note_155">155</a>]—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +French are now coming from another country by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">boats +to go towards Muxadavad, and Kasim Ali Khan's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +have followed them, out of his own country into</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mine. +They have left their boats among Kasim Ali Khan's</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +and are now travelling to Jangepors" (? Tangepur).</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"When +I heard this I sent people with all expedition to look</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">after +them, and I now hear that they have surrounded them.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">The +French want the Nawab's and your orders and <i>call for justice</i>[<a + name="156"></a><a href="#Note_156">156</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">from +you. They have hoisted the Nawab's[<a name="157"></a><a href="#Note_157">157</a>] +and</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +colours, have put on your cloaths (?) and want to go</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +Muxadavad. Kasim Ali Khan's people want to carry</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">them +to Rungpore but they refuse to go, and say that if one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">of +us is taken they will destroy themselves.[<a name="158"></a><a + href="#Note_158">158</a>] I am a poor</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Zemindar +who pays revenues[<a name="159"></a><a href="#Note_159">159</a>] and +ready to obey your</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">orders. +If the Rungpore people should take them by force,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">and +they should kill themselves, it would be a troublesome</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">affair."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>To return to Courtin's letter.</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"The +Raja of Dinajpur did not fail to be embarrassed by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +favour which he had shown to us. Fear was the only</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">motive +which influenced him. He sent word to me to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">depart +by night under an escort of 200 of his people, who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">would +conduct me to Murshidabad. I was very nearly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">accepting +his suggestion, but the hunger and thirst, from</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +we suffered greatly, prevented me. So I postponed</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">giving +him a final answer till the next morning, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">then, +after full reflection, decided not to move from the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">place +to which. I had been conducted until I received an</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">answer +to the letters sent to Murshidabad. I thought this</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">all +the wiser, as I was informed that nothing would induce</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +enemies to approach or attack me in my asylum.[<a name="160"></a><a + href="#Note_160">160</a>] The</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">place +was so retired and so well provided with storehouses,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +I found there a greater appearance of security than in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +open country or the escort offered by the Raja, as his</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">men +were subordinate to the same Prince as the people who</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">composed +the army of Sheikh Faiz Ulla, and were likely</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enough +to abandon me or to join my enemies in overwhelming</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me. +My conjectures were well founded, as, several days</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">after, +this same Raja, prompted by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, sent</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +word that he could not answer for what might happen to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me +if I were attacked; that his troops, being subject to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Murshidabad +like those of Kasim All Khan, could not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">support +me, nor fire on the latter. Finally he sent a certain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">priest +of his faith, a grave man, who came to suggest to us</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +our best course was to leave Dinajpur and gain the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">open +country, otherwise we were lost. He said that he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">knew +for certain that if I were so obstinate as to persist in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wishing +to remain there, orders had been given to attack us,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">cut +our throats, and send our heads to Murshidabad. This</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">person +wished to terrify us so as to rid the Raja of us, as he</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">was +dying with fright lest war should be made in the very</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">heart +of his town. I replied that I was resolved to defend</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +against any one who attacked me, to set fire to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">everything +I found within my reach, to kill as many people</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">as +I could, and to die on my guns when I had used up all</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +ammunition; that this was also the intention of my companions,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">who +preferred to die thus, like brave men, rather than</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +be exposed to the ignominies and indignities that we should</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">undergo +if we allowed ourselves to be made prisoners by the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">people +of Kasim All Khan. The timid Raja, threatened by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">both +parties, found himself in the utmost embarrassment, for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Sheikh +Faiz Ulla, at the gates of his town, put, as it were,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">his +country under contribution, and demanded from him,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">with +all imaginable insolence, that he should deliver us up</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +him, a thing which the Raja found difficult to do.</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + <br> + "Some days passed in this way, during which we had</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + frequent alarms, but the letters I received from Murshidabad</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + filled every one with perplexity. The English sent me</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + people on their own account. One of my private friends,[<a + name="161"></a><a href="#Note_161">161</a>]</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <br> + whom I had been so fortunate as to oblige on a similar</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + occasion, wrote me not to trouble myself about my boats or</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + my effects, but to come at once to him, and he would see</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + that they restored or paid for my property, and that they</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + gave me all that I might need. The orders received by</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <br> + Sheikh Faiz Ulla and the Raja at the same time, ordered the</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + one to leave me in peace and the other to furnish me with</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + everything I wanted. This put my mind in a condition of</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + serenity to which it had long been a stranger, and threw my</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + enemies into much confusion. They proposed that I should</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + resume possession of my boats. I knew, with absolute</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <br> + certainty, that they had been half looted, still I accepted</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + them on condition they were brought to Dinajpur. They</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + did not wish, to do this; but next morning after reflection</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + they consented, when, in my turn, I declined, and asked only</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + for provisions and other things necessary for my journey.</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + This they had the harshness to refuse, doubtless because they</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <br> + thought that I, being destitute of everything, would have to</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + go down by whatever route they pleased. I would not</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + trust them in anything, fearing treachery.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + "At last, without linen, without clothes, except what we</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + had on our bodies, on the 1st of March, the seventeenth day</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + after our retreat[<a name="162"></a><a href="#Note_162">162</a>] +we set out with our arms and our two</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + Swedish guns to go to Murshidabad to the English, from</span><span + style="margin-left: 1em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + whom I had demanded the honours of war."</span><br> + <blockquote> + </blockquote> +</blockquote> +<span>We learn from the correspondence between </span><span>Mr. +Scrafton and Clive, that Drake, the cowardly</span><br> +<span>Governor of Calcutta, very naturally could not </span><span>understand +what was meant by this claim to the</span><br> +<span>honours of war.[<a name="163"></a><a href="#Note_163">163</a>]</span><br> +<blockquote> +</blockquote> +<div style="text-align: left; margin-left: 40px;"> <span + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"My guns were +conducted by land by a small detachment,<br> + the command +of which I gave to M. Chevalier, and we<br> + embarked on some small +boats belonging to the Raja,<br> + in which we had hardly room to move. +</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> +<span style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + "I was not yet at the end of my troubles, for on the<br> + 3rd of March, +after dinner, as I was getting back into<br> + my boat, one of the +boatmen, wishing to put down a gun,<br> + managed to let it off, and sent +a bullet through my left<br> + shoulder. It passed through the clavicle +between the sinew<br> + and the bone. Luckily the blow was broken by a +button which<br> + the bullet first struck; still it passed almost +completely<br> + through the shoulder and lodged under the skin, which had<br> + to be opened behind the shoulder to extract it and also the<br> + wad. +However unfortunate this wound was, I ought to be very<br> + thankful to +God that it was so safely directed, and for the<br> + further good fortune +of finding with one of my people sufficient<br> + ointment for the +surgeon, who was quite destitute of all necessaries,<br> + to dress my +shoulder until the ninth day after, when we arrived at<br> + Murshidabad.[<a name="164"></a><a href="#Note_164">164</a>] This +wound caused me much suffering for the first<br> + few days, but, thanks to the Lord, in thirty-two or thirty-three<br> + days it was quite healed and without any bad effects. +</span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> +<span style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"><br> + "We rested ourselves from our fatigue till the 20th at my friend's<br> + house, when, with his concurrence and in response to their offers,<br> + I +went to the Dutch gentlemen at Cossimbazar, where M. Vernet, their<br> + chief and an old friend of mine, received us with the greatest +kindness.<br> + It is from their Settlement that I write to thee, my dear +wife. Until<br> + the ships sail for England I shall continue to write +daily, and tell<br> + thee everything that is of interest.[<a name="165"></a><a + href="#Note_165">165</a>] +<br> +<br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> +</span><span style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> "August +10, 1758.<br> + </span><br style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> +<span style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> "My +dear wife, I resume my narrative to tell thee that my boats have<br> + been restored by the English, as well as all the goods that had +not<br> + been plundered by Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people, except the +munitions<br> + of war. Still, so much of the merchandise, goods and +silver, has<br> + disappeared that I am ruined for ever, unless the +English, who have<br> + promised to cause everything to be restored, are +able to make the Moors <br> + give them up. The English have at length +decided on our fate in a way<br> + altogether honourable to us. We are not +prisoners of war, and so we are<br> + not subject to exchange; but we are +bound by certain conditions, which<br> + they think necessary to their +security, and which only do me honour.<br> + What has flattered me even +more is that the two Swedish guns which I<br> + had with me on my campaign +have actually been given to me as a present<br> + by the commander of the +English troops, who is also Governor of Calcutta,<br> + with the most +complimentary expressions."</span> </div> +<p></p> +<p>Courtin had written to Clive, asking permission to go down to +Pondicherry. Clive replied on the 15th of July, 1758, granting +permission. His letter concludes:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +am at this moment sending an order to the Captain</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Commandant +of our troops to restore to you your two guns.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +am charmed at this opportunity of showing you my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">appreciation +of the way in which you have always behaved</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +the English, and my own regard for your merit."[<a name="166"></a><a + href="#Note_166">166</a>]</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>Courtin continues:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Saved +from so many perils and sufficiently fortunate</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +have won such sensible marks of distinction from our</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">enemies, +ought not this, my dear wife, to make me hope that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +gentlemen of the French Company will do their utmost</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +procure me some military honour, in order to prove to the</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">English +that my nation is as ready as theirs to recognize my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">services?[<a + name="167"></a><a href="#Note_167">167</a>]</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Now, +my dear wife, I must end this letter so that it</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">may +be ready for despatch. For fear of its being lost I will</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">send +in the packet another letter for thee.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Do +not disquiet thyself regarding my health. Thanks</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +God I am now actually pretty well. I dare not talk to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">thee +of the possibility of our meeting. Circumstances are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +favourable for thee to make another voyage to the Indies.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">That +must depend upon events, thy health, peace, and</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">wishes, +which, in spite of my tender longing for thee, will</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">always +be my guide.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"If +the event of war has not been doubly disastrous to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">me, +thou shouldst have received some small remittances,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">which +I have sent, and of which I have advised thee in</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">duplicate +and triplicate. If the decrees of the Lord, after</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">my +having endured so many misfortunes and sufferings, have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">also +ordained my death before I am in a position to provide</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">what +concerns thee, have I not a right to hope that all my</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">friends +will use their influence to induce the Company not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">to +abandon one who will be the widow of two men who have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">served +it well, and with all imaginable disinterestedness?</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"For +the rest I repeat that, thanks to God, I am fairly well.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +kiss thee, etc., etc."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>One would be glad to be assured that Courtin re-established his +fortune. If he is, as I suppose, the Jacques Ignace Courtin, who was +afterwards <i>Conseiller au Conseil des Indes</i>, we may be satisfied +he +did so; but French East India Company Records are a hopeless chaos +at the present moment, and all that one can extract from the English +Records is evidence of still further suffering.</p> +<p>From Murshidabad or Cossimbazar, Courtin went down to Chandernagore, +whence the majority of the French inhabitants had already been sent +to the Madras Coast. The Fort had been blown up, and the private +houses were under sentence of destruction, for the English had +determined to destroy the town, partly in revenge for the behaviour +of Lally, who, acting under instructions from the French East India +Company, had shown great severity to the English in Southern India, +partly because they did not think themselves strong enough to +garrison Chandernagore as well as Calcutta, and feared the Moors +would occupy it if they did not place troops there, and partly +because they dreaded its restoration to France—which actually +happened—when peace was made. At any rate Courtin found the +remnants of his countrymen in despair, and in 1759 he wrote a +letter[<a name="168"></a><a href="#Note_168">168</a>] to Clive and the +Council of Calcutta, from which I +quote one or two paragraphs:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"With +the most bitter grief I have received advice of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +sentence you have passed on the French Settlement</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">at +Chandernagore, by which all the buildings, as well of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +Company as of private persons, are to be utterly</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">demolished.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"Humane +and compassionate as you are, Sirs, you would</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">be +sensibly affected—were your eyes witnesses to it as mine</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">have +been—by the distress to which this order has reduced</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +hearts of those unhappy inhabitants who remain in that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">unfortunate +place, particularly if you knew that there is</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">nothing +left to the majority of them beyond these houses, on</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whose +destruction you have resolved. If I may believe</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">what +I hear, the motive which incites you is that of reprisal</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +what has happened at Cuddalore and Madras: it does</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">not +become me to criticize either the conduct of M. Lally,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">our +general, who, by all accounts, is a man very much to be</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">respected +by me, or your reasons, which you suppose sufficient.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">Granting +the latter to be so, permit me, Sirs, to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">address +myself to your generosity and humanity, and those</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">admirable +qualities, so universally esteemed by mankind,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">will +encourage me to take the liberty to make certain representations.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"All +upbraidings are odious, and nothing is more just</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">than +the French proverb which says, to remind a person of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">favours +done him cancels the obligation. God forbid, Sirs,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">I +should be guilty of this to you or your nation by reminding</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +for a moment, that these houses, now condemned by</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you, +served you as an asylum in 1756, and that the owners,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whom +you are now reducing to the greatest distress and are</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">plunging +into despair, assisted you to the utmost of their</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">power, +and alleviated your misfortunes as much as they were</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">able. +But what am I saying? Your nation is too polished to</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">need +reminding of what is just. Therefore excuse my saying</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">that +this reason alone is sufficient to cancel the law of</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">retaliation +which you have resolved to execute, and to make</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">you +revoke an order which, I am sure, you could not have</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">given +without much uneasiness of mind. I cast myself at</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">your +feet, imploring, with the most ardent prayers, that</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">compassion, +which I flatter myself I perceive in your hearts,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">for +these poor creatures, whom you cannot without remorse</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">render +miserable. If you really, Sirs, think I too have had</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +happiness to be of some use to you and your nation,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">whilst +Chief at Dacca, and that I have rendered you some</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">services, +I only beg that you would recollect them for one</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">moment, +and let them induce you to grant the favour I</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">request +for my poor countrymen. I shall then regard it as</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">the +most happy incident in my life, and shall think myself</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">ten +thousand times more indebted to you.</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"If, +Sirs, you have absolutely imperative reasons for</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">reprisal, +change, if you please, the object of them. I offer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">myself +a willing victim, if there must be one, and, if blood</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">were +necessary, I should think myself too happy to offer</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">mine +a sacrifice. But as these barbarous methods are not</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">made +use of in nations so civilized as ours, I have one last</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">offer +to make, which is to ransom and buy all the private</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">houses +at Chandernagore, for which I will enter into whatever</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">engagements +you please, and will give you the best</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">security +in my power."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>The last words seem to imply that Courtin had recovered his +property, at least to a great extent; but his pathetic appeal was +useless in face of national necessities, and so far was +Chandernagore desolated that, in November of the same year, we read +that the English army, under Colonel Forde, was ambushed by the +Dutch garrison of Chinsurah "amongst the buildings and ruins of +Chandernagore."</p> +<p>From Chandernagore Courtin went to Pondicherry, where he became a +member of the Superior Council. He was one of the chiefs of the +faction opposed to Lally, who contemptuously mentions a printed +"Memorial" of his adventures which Courtin prepared, probably for +presentation to the Directors of the French East India Company.[<a + name="169"></a><a href="#Note_169">169</a>] +When, in January, 1761, Lally determined to capitulate, Courtin was +sent to the English commander on the part of the Council. Still +later we find his name attached to a petition, dated August 3, 1762, +presented to the King against Lally.[<a name="170"></a><a + href="#Note_170">170</a>] This shows that Courtin +had arrived in France, so that his elevation to the Council of the +Company is by no means improbable.</p> +<p>To any one who has lived long in India it seems unnatural that in +old days the small colonies of Europeans settled there should have +been incited to mutual conflict and mutual ruin, owing to quarrels +which originated in far-off Europe, and <i>which were decided without +any reference to the wishes or interests of Europeans living in the +colonies</i>. The British Settlements alone have successfully survived +the struggle. The least we can do is to acknowledge the merits, +whilst we commiserate the sufferings, of those other gallant men who +strove their best to win the great prize for their own countrymen. +Of the French especially it would appear that their writers have +noticed only those like Dupleix, Bussy, and Lally, who commanded +armies in glorious campaigns that somehow always ended to the +advantage of the British, and have utterly forgotten the civilians +who really kept the game going, and who would have been twice as +formidable to their enemies if the military had been subordinate to +them. The curse of the French East India Company was Militarism, +whilst fortunately for the English our greatest military hero in +India, Lord Clive, was so clear-minded that he could write:—</p> +<p></p> +<blockquote><span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">"I +have the liberty of an Englishman so strongly implanted</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +my nature, that I would have the Civil all in all,</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">in +all times and in all places, cases of immediate danger</span><br + style="font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;"> + <span + style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-family: courier new,courier,monospace;">excepted."</span><br> +</blockquote> +<p></p> +<p>How much might have been achieved by men like Renault, Law, and +Courtin, if they had had an adequate military force at their +disposal! They saw, as clearly as did the English, that Bengal was +the heart of India, and they saw the English denude Madras of troops +to defend Bengal, whilst they themselves were left by the French +commanders in a state of hopeless impotence. On the other hand, +owing to the English Company's insistence that military domination +should be the exception and not the rule, British civilians and +British soldiers have, almost always, worked together harmoniously. +It was this union of force which gave us Bengal in the time of which +I have been writing, and to the same source of power we owe the +gradual building up of the great Empire which now dominates the +whole of India.</p> +<br> +<p>Notes:</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_122"></a><a href="#122">122</a>: Probably Portuguese +half-castes.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_123"></a><a href="#123">123</a>: Matchlock men. +Consultations of the Dacca Council, +27th June, 1756. Madras Select Committee Proceedings, 9th November, +1756.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_124"></a><a href="#124">124</a>: When Courtin was +sent by Count Lally with the +proposals for the surrender of Pondicherry he had to take an +interpreter with him. <i>Memoirs of Lally</i>, p. 105.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_125"></a><a href="#125">125</a>: I.e. official order.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_126"></a><a href="#126">126</a>: I cannot ascertain +where M. Fleurin was at this +moment. If at Dacca, then Courtin must have left him behind.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_127"></a><a href="#127">127</a>: MSS. +Français, Nouvelles Acquisitions, No. 9361. This +is unfortunately only a copy, and the dates are somewhat confused. +Where possible I have corrected them.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_128"></a><a href="#128">128</a>: Calcapur, the site +of the Dutch Factory. See note, p. +64.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_129"></a><a href="#129">129</a>: From a map by +Rennell of the neighbourhood of Dacca +it appears that the French Factory was on the River Bourigunga. +There are still several plots of ground in Dacca town belonging to +the French. One of them, popularly known as Frashdanga, is situated +at the mouth of the old bed of the river which forms an island of +the southern portion of the town; but I do not think this is the +site of the French Factory, as the latter appears to have been +situated to the west of the present Nawab's palace.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_130"></a><a href="#130">130</a>: Now used in the +sense of messengers or office +attendants.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_131"></a><a href="#131">131</a>: Orme says (bk. viii. +p. 285) that Courtin started +with 30 Europeans and 100 sepoys. From Law's "Memoir" we see that M. +de Carryon took 20 men to Cossimbazar before Law himself left. This +accounts for the smallness of Courtin's force.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_132"></a><a href="#132">132</a>: Jafar Ali Khan +married the sister of Aliverdi Khan, +Siraj-ud-daula's grandfather.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_133"></a><a href="#133">133</a>: I think he must mean +the mouth of the Murshidabad +River.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_134"></a><a href="#134">134</a>: Courtin means the +lower ranges of the Himalayas, +inhabited by the Nepaulese, Bhutiyas, etc. His wanderings therefore +were in the districts of Rungpore and Dinajpur.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_135"></a><a href="#135">135</a>: Sinfray, Secretary +to the Council at Chandernagore, +was one of the fugitives who, as mentioned above, joined Law at +Cossimbazar.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_136"></a><a href="#136">136</a>: Assaduzama Muhammad +was nephew to Kamgar Khan, the +general of Shah Alam. <i>Holwell. Memorial to the Select Committee</i>, +1760.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_137"></a><a href="#137">137</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., +p. 2859, No. 246.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_138"></a><a href="#138">138</a>: Orme says the Fort +was on the River Teesta, but +Rennell marks it more correctly a little away from the river and +about fifteen miles south of Jalpaiguri.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_139"></a><a href="#139">139</a>: These guns Courtin +calls "pièces à la minute." The +proper name should be "canon à la suédoise" or "canon +à la minute." +They were invented by the Swedes, who used 3-pounders with improved +methods for loading and firing, so as to be able to fire as many as +ten shots in a minute. The French adopted a 4-pounder gun of this +kind in 1743. The above information was given me by Lieut.-Colonel +Ottley Perry, on the authority of Colonel Colin, an artillery +officer on the French Headquarters Staff.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_140"></a><a href="#140">140</a>: This squadron, under +the command of Mons. Bouvet, +actually did arrive.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_141"></a><a href="#141">141</a>: This rebellion was +really conducted by Ukil Singh, +the Hindoo <i>Diwan</i> of Hazir Ali.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_142"></a><a href="#142">142</a>: Mir Jafar, Jafar +Ali, Mir Jafar Ali Khan, are all +variations of the name of the Nawab whom the English placed on the +throne after the death of Siraj-ud-daula.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_143"></a><a href="#143">143</a>: Law says that the +French soldiers who wandered the +country in this way were accustomed to disguise themselves as +natives and even as Brahmins, when they wished to avoid notice.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_144"></a><a href="#144">144</a>: A kind of native +house-boat.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_145"></a><a href="#145">145</a>: A heavy gun fired +from a rest or stand.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_146"></a><a href="#146">146</a>: A ditch or ravine.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_147"></a><a href="#147">147</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., +p. 2901, No. 374.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_148"></a><a href="#148">148</a>: A thick quilt used +as a covering when in bed, or +sometimes like a blanket to wrap oneself in.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_149"></a><a href="#149">149</a>: Orme MSS. India XL, +p. 2915, No. 417.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_150"></a><a href="#150">150</a>: Bengal Select Com. +Consultations, 22nd February, +1758.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_151"></a><a href="#151">151</a>: I have not been able +to identify this place.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_152"></a><a href="#152">152</a>: A boatman.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_153"></a><a href="#153">153</a>: See <a + href="#Note_87">note</a>, p. 88.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_154"></a><a href="#154">154</a>: Orme MSS. India XI., +p. 2923, No. 432.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_155"></a><a href="#155">155</a>: Orme MSS. India XL, +p. 2926, No. 438.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_156"></a><a href="#156">156</a>: This expression is +characteristically Indian, and is +used when any one, finding himself oppressed, appeals to some great +personage for protection.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_157"></a><a href="#157">157</a>: The Nawab's flag was +the usual Turkish crescent.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_158"></a><a href="#158">158</a>: Another Indian +expression. The last resource against +oppression or injustice in India is to commit suicide by starvation +or some violent means, and to lay the blame on the oppressor. This +is supposed to bring the curse of murder upon him.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_159"></a><a href="#159">159</a>: This means simply +that the Raja was not an +independent ruler. The sovereign owning all land, <i>land revenue</i> +and +<i>rent</i> meant the same thing.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_160"></a><a href="#160">160</a>: This seems to want +explanation. Probably Courtin had +got into some sort of house used for religious ceremonies, such as +are often found in or close to the market-places of great +landowners.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_161"></a><a href="#161">161</a>: He probably refers +to Mr. Luke Scrafton.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_162"></a><a href="#162">162</a>: I.e. from his +entrenchments.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_163"></a><a href="#163">163</a>: "Courtin and his +party arrived here the 10th. They +are 6 soldiers, Dutch, German and Swede, such as took service with +the French when our Factory at Dacca fell into the hands of Surajeh +Dowleit, 4 gentlemen, some Chitagon (<i>sic</i>) fellows and about 20 +peons. Courtin, on his way hither, has, by mischance, received a +ball through his shoulder. They demanded <i>honneurs de la guerre</i>, +which Drake has not understood" (<i>Scrafton to Clive, March</i> 12, +1758).]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_164"></a><a href="#164">164</a>: According to Orme, +Courtin's force was reduct from 30 +to 11 Europeans, and from 100 to 30 sepoys.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_165"></a><a href="#165">165</a>: The manuscript I +translate from contains only the +postscript of the 10th of August.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_166"></a><a href="#166">166</a>: A translation. Clive +generally wrote to French +officers in their own language.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_167"></a><a href="#167">167</a>: Such honours were +not uncommonly granted. Law was +made a Colonel, so was another French partisan named Madec. On the +other hand, when a French gentleman had the choice, he often put his +elder son in the Company's service and the younger in the army. +Law's younger brother was in the army. Renault's elder son was in +the Company and the younger in the army.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_168"></a><a href="#168">168</a>: Appended to "Bengal +Public Proceedings," May 31, +1759.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_169"></a><a href="#169">169</a>: I do not know +whether this "Memorial" still exists, +but see "Memoirs of Count Lally," p. 53.]</p> +<p>[<a name="Note_170"></a><a href="#170">170</a>: "Memoirs of Count +Lally," p. 367.]</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<a name="INDEX"></a><span style="margin-left: 0.5em; font-weight: bold;">INDEX</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Abdulla Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Admiralty, the English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Aeneas</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Afghan General, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Abdulla Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Agra</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ahmed Khan Koreishi</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Alamgir II., Emperor, assassinated +November 29, 1759</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ali Gauhar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Shah Alam</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Aliverdi Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his opinion of Europeans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sister of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Allahabad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Amina Begum, mother of Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Anquetil du Perron, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Anti-Renaultions</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">"Arabian Nights"</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Archives, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Areca-nut</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Armenian officers</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Armenians</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Arz-begi</i> (Gholam Ali Khan)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Arzi</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Asiatic Annual Register</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Assaduzama Muhammad, Raja of Birbhum</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Assam, King of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Audience Hall, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Augustine Father</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Aurengzebe</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bahadur Singh</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bahar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Bihar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Bajarow</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Balasore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bandel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bankers, influence of Indian</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Banowra River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Barber, a native</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Battle of the 5th of February</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Becher, Mr. Richard</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Beinges, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Benares</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bengal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nawabs of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">records</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">revolution in</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rivers of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bengali merchant</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Berhampur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Betel</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bettiah, Raja of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bhagulpur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bhutiyas</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bibi Lass</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mrs. Law</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bibliothèque Nationale</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Biderra, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bihar, Hindu Rajas of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">map of south</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">province of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">town of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Birbhum</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Raja of <i>See</i> Assaduzama Muhammad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bisdom, Adrian, Director of the Dutch +in Bengal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Black Hole, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bloomer, Lieut.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Boissemont, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bombay</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bourigunga River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bouvet, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Brahmins</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Brayer, Ensign</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M., one of Courtin's companions</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Brereton, Lieut. William</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Bridgewater</i>, H.M.S. (Captain +Smith)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">British. <i>See</i> English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">civilians</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Museum, MS. Department</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Broome, Captain A., Author of the +"Rise and Progress of the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bengal Army" (Calcutta, 1850)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Budge Budge, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bugros, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Bukshi</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bulwant Singh, Raja of Benares</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bundelkand or Bundelcund</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Bussy, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Buxerries</i></span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Caillot, or Caillaud</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Calcapur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Calcutta</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">English Council at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Calvé, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cannon balls of clay</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cantanagar, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Capitulation of Chandernagore, +dispute as to terms of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Capucins, church of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Carnac, Major John</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Carryon, M. le Comte de</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Carvalho, Jeanne. <i>See</i> Mrs. Law</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cause of Siraj-ud-daula's attack on +the English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chambon, M</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chandernagore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">booty taken at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cemetery at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">council at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">deserters from</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">garrison of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">possibility of its capture by English +land forces alone</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">terms of capitulation of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chatrapur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Chauth</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chevalier, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chinese</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chinsurah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chittagong</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Choquova</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Christian clerks</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Christians</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chunargarh</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Chunam</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Chupra or Chapra.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cicero</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Civil Power, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Clive, Lieut.-Colonel Robert (Lord +Clive)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Coja Wajid</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Colbert, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Colin, Catherine</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Colonel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Coote, Captain (Sir) Eyre</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Coromandel, Coast of, <i>See</i> +Madras Coast</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cossimbazar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cossimbazar River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Courtin, François,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Jacques Ignace</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Courtin, Mrs.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Madame Direy</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Courtin's Memorial</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cuddalore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cudmore, Lieut. John</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cuttack</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dacca;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Council at;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Government College at;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nawab of;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Palace of present Nawab</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>D'Aillot</i>, powders</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">D'Albert, M. le Chevalier</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dana Shah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Danes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dangereux, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Davis, Mr.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Debellême, M. le Capitaine</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Carryon, M. le Comte</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Deccan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Kalli, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Delabar, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De la Bretesche, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Delamotte, Mr. John</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De la Vigne Buisson;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M. le Capitaine;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">jun.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Leyrit, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Delhi</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Montorcin, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Desbrosses, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Deserters, English;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Desjoux, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Terraneau, Ann.;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lieut. Charles Cossard;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">senior</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">De Tury;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M., Commandant of Chandernagore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">D'Hurvilliers, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dido</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dinajpur;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Raja of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dinapur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Direy, Madame, <i>See</i> Mrs. +Courtin</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Diwan</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Doctor, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Doidge, Mr.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Drake, Roger, jun.;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">President of the Council at Calcutta</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Droguet, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dubois;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M., French Company's servant;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">M., Sturgeon Major</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Du Cap, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dupleix, Marquis</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Du Pré, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Durbar, The</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Dustuck</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Dutch;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Director. <i>See</i> M. Bisdom;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Octagon, the</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">East India Company, English;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Forces</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">East India Company, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Elephants, gentleness of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Engineers, want of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">England</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">English;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> British;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">agent of;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ladies at Dacca;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Records;</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">trade privileges of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Eunuchs</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Europe</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Europeans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Europeans, generosity and courage of,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fakir, <i>See</i> Dana Shah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Farmers of estates,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Farukhabad,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Faujdar</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fazl-kuli-khan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Feringhees,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Firman</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fleurin, M.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Forde, Colonel,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fort Bourgogne,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">d'Orleans,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">William,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fournier, M.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">France,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">King of,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Frashdanga,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">French,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">civilians,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ladies,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">mistaken for Muhammadans,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">proverb,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">soldiers,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">up-country factories,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fringuey Raja,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fullerton, Dr. William,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fulta,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ganges river, <i>See</i> Hugli River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gaya,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gentiles, or Gentoos,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Germans,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ghazipur,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gholam Husain Khan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gourbin, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gourlade, M.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Grand Monarque, the,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Great Britain,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">King of,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Gunge</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Gunny</i>,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Hackerys</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Haillet, M.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hardwicke, Lord,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hazir Ali Khan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hey, Lieut.,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Himalayas,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hindu advisers of the Nawab,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hindu Rajas,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">women, ill-treatment of—by +Siraj-ud-daula,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hindus, the,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hindustan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Holkar,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Holwell, John Zephaniah, Governor,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Honours of war,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Hugli, Faujdar of, <i>See</i> Nand +Kumar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">fort,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">River,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">town,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Imad-al-Muluk, Ghazi-ud-din Khan,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">India,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Southern,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Indian expressions, characteristic,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">minds, motives of,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ways of business,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Indies, The,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Indrapat, Raja of Bundelkand,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Inhabitants</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Innocent, or Innocent Jesus,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ironside, Colonel Gilbert,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ives, Surgeon Edward, author of "A</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Voyage from England to India in</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">1754, with, a narrative of the +operations</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of the squadron and army in</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">India, under Watson and Clive,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">1755-1757; Also a Journey from Persia +to England," (London, 1799)</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jafar Ali Khan.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mir Jafar Ali Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jagat Seth, family of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Seths</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jalpaiguri</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jats, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Jemadars</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jesuit Church, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fathers, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jobard, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jugdea</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Luckipore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jusserat Khan, Nawab of Dacca</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kaffirs</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kamgar Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Karical</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kasim Ali Khan, Nawab of Bengal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mir Kasim</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Kent</i>, H.M.S.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kerdizien, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Khodadad Khan Latty</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kilpatrick, Major James</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">King</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mogul</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Kingfisher</i>, H.M.S.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kissendas, son of Raj Balav</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Knox, Captain Ranfurlie</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kooti Ghat</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Koran, the</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">La Haye, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lal Dighi</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lally, Count</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Memoirs of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Laporterie, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">La Rue, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Latham, Captain</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Launay, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">La Ville Martère, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Law, Jacques François</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Jean, of Lauriston</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Madame Jeanne</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">John, of Lauriston, the Financier</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">William</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Law's Memoir</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Le Conte Dompierre</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lee, Corporal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Le Noir, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Le Page, M., Second Surgeon</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Locusts</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Luckipore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Jugdea</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lucknow</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Lynn, Captain</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">McGwire, Mr. William</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Madec, Colonel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Madras</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Coast</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Coromandel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Malleson, Colonel G.B., Author of +"History of the French in India</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">from the Founding of Pondicherry in +1674 to the Capture of that</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Place in 1761" (London, 1868)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Manik Chand, Raja</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Manjhi</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Maratha Commander</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Law's altercation with</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">General, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Marathas</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Martin, Captain</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Martin de la Case, Ensign</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Matel, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Midnapur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Militarism</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Minchin, Captain George, +Captain-Commandant of Calcutta</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Abdulla</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Miran, son of Mir Jafar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Daood, brother of Mir Jafar, and +Faujdar of Rajmehal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Jafar Ali Khan, made Nawab by the +English after Plassey</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Kasim, or Kasim Ali Khan, +son-in-law and successor of Mir Jafar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">army of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mir Madan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mogul</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> King</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mohan Lal, favourite of the Nawab</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Monsoon</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Moor hostages</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">nobles</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Moorish colours</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">forts</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">soldiers</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">treachery</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Moors</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Muhammadhans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Murshidabad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Muxadabad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">or Cossimbazar River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Murshid Kuli Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mustapha Ali Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Mutinies</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Muxadabad</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Murshidabad</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Naib</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nand Kumar, Faujdar of Hugli</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Native indifference to the quarrels +of the Europeans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Nautch</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Naval officer, an English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nawab, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hindu advisers and servants of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nawajis Muhammad Khan, uncle of +Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nawajis Muhammad Khan's widow</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nazir Dalal, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Negroes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nepaulese</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Neutrality in the Ganges</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">News from Bengal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nicolas, M.F.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nover, Sergeant</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nullah</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Omichand</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Onofre, Reverend Father</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Oppoor</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Orissa</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Orme Papers or MSS.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Orme, Robert, historian</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Oudh</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nawab of. <i>See</i> Suja-ud-daula</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pagodas or Hindu Temples</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Paris</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Parwana</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pathans</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Patna</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Naib of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Pattamar</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pavilion, Bastion du</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pearkes, Mr. Paul Richard</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pedro</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Peons</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Perry, Lieut.-Colonel Ottley</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Phulbari</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Picques, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pilots, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Plassey, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pocock, Admiral (Sir) George</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Pondicherry</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Superior Council of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Porte Royale, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Portuguese half-castes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Predestination</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Priest, Hindu</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Probate Records (Mayor's Court, +Calcutta)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Prussian Gardens</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Purneah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nawab of. <i>See</i> Saukat Jang</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Raj Durlabh Ram, Raja</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rains, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Raj Balav, Raja</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rajas, Hindu</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rajmehal</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Faujdar of.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Mir Daood</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ramnarain, Raja, Naib or Deputy +Governor of Patua</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ram Nath, Raja of Dinajpur</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ranjit Rai, agent of the Seths</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Raymond, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renault, Pierre, Director of +Chandernagore (Malleson calls him</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Renault de St. Germain, but he never +signs himself as such)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renault, de St. Germain, eldest son +of Pierre Renault</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renault, Lieut., second son of Pierre +Renault</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renault, de la Fuye, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Renaultions, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rennell, Major James, geographer</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Rezai</i>,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Royal Music, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Rungpore</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Raja of. <i>See</i> Kasizn All Khan</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sahibgunj, Raja of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Saidabad.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Saint Contest</i>, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">St. Didier, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">St. Louis, Order of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Parish Church of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Salabat Jang</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Salisbury</i>, H.M.S.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sarfaraz Khan, Nawab of Bengal, +defeated and killed in battle</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">by Aliverdi Khan in 1742</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah and +cousin of Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Scrafton, Mr. Luke, Author of +"Reflections on the Government</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">of Indostan" (London, 1770)</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Scrafton's "Reflections"</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Select Committee at Calcutta</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">at Madras</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sepoys, 10. <i>See</i> Telingas</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Law's opinion of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Serampore, Danish Settlement</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Seth Mahtab Rai, grandson of Jagat +Seth</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Seth Sarup Chand, grandson of Jagat +Seth</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Seths, agent of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Ranjit Rai</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Seths: the family of Jagat Seth</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shah, Alam</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Ali Gauhar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shahzada or Crown Prince</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Shah Alam</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sheikh Faiz Ulla</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sinfray, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>See</i> Nawab</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cause of his attack on the English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his aunt, widow of Nawajia Khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his mother</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;"><i>See</i> Amina Begum</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his younger brother</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;"><i>See</i> Fazl-kuli-khan</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Slippers, a pair of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sooty</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Soupy, fort of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Speke, Captain</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Spies employed by the English,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">by the Nawab</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Suan, battle of</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Subah</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Suja-ud-daula, Nawabof Oudh</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Summer, Mr. William Brightwell</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Surgeons, French</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Swedes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Swedish guns</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Swiss</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tangepur, or Tanjipur,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tanks used for military purposes</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tartars</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Teesta River</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Telingas or Tellingees</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tibet</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">king of,</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Toby, Captain—of the <i>Kingfisher</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Tooke, Mr. William</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Topasses</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Treaty between the English and Mir +Jafar</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">between the English and Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">between the French and Siraj-ud-daula</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Turkish Crescent, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Tyger</i>, H.M.S.</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Ukil Singh</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Vansittart, Governor Henry</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Vernet, M. George, Lodewjk</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Villequain, M.</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Vizir, The</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Volunteers, English</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">French</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><i>Wakils</i></span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Walcot, Clive Correspondence at</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Waller, Mr. Samuel</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">War, Declaration of, between England +and France</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Water Gate, the</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Watson, Admiral Charles</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Watts, Mrs. Amelia</span><br> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">the Worshipful Mr. William</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Zemindar, collector of revenue</span><br> +<br> +<br> +<p></p> +THE END +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"><br> +<br> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Frenchmen in Bengal, by S.C. 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Hill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Three Frenchmen in Bengal + The Commercial Ruin of the French Settlements in 1757 + +Author: S.C. Hill + +Release Date: February 4, 2004 [EBook #10946] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL *** + + + + +Produced by Wilelmina Malliere and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + + + + +[Illustration: THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN +BENGAL, 1756 (_After Rennell_.)] + + + + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + +OR + +_THE COMMERCIAL RUIN OF THE FRENCH SETTLEMENTS IN 1757_ + +BY + +S.C. HILL, B.A., B.Sc. + +OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE RECORDS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AUTHOR +OF "MAJOR-GENERAL CLAUD MARTIN" + +_WITH MAPS AND PLANS_ + + +1903 + + + + +TO + +MY DEAR WIFE + + + + +PREFACE + + +This account of the commercial ruin of the French Settlements, taken +almost entirely from hitherto unpublished documents, originated as +follows. Whilst engaged in historical research connected with the +Government Records in Calcutta, I found many references to the +French in Bengal which interested me strongly in the personal side +of their quarrel with the English, but the information obtainable +from the Indian Records alone was still meagre and incomplete. A few +months ago, however, I came across Law's Memoir in the British +Museum; and, a little later, when visiting Paris to examine the +French Archives, I found not only a copy of Law's Memoir, but also +Renault's and Courtin's letters, of which there are, I believe, no +copies in England. In these papers I thought that I had sufficient +material to give something like an idea of Bengal as it appeared to +the French when Clive arrived there. There is much bitterness in +these old French accounts, and much misconception of the English, +but they were written when misconception of national enemies was the +rule and not the exception, and when the rights of non-belligerents +were little respected in time of war. Some of the accusations I have +checked by giving the English version, but I think that, whilst it +is only justice to our Anglo-Indian heroes to let the world know +what manner of men their opponents were, it is equally only justice +to their opponents to allow them to give their own version of the +story. This is my apology, if any one should think I allow them to +say too much. + +The translations are my own, and were made in a state of some +perplexity as to how far I was bound to follow my originals--the +writings of men who, of course, were not literary, and often had not +only no pretension to style but also no knowledge of grammar. I have +tried, however, to preserve both form and spirit; but if any reader +is dissatisfied, and would like to see the original papers for +himself, the courtesy of the Record officials in both Paris and +London will give him access to an immense quantity of documents as +interesting as they are important. + +In the various accounts that I have used there are naturally +slightly different versions of particular incidents, and often +it is not easy to decide which is the correct one. Under the +circumstances I may perhaps be excused for not always calling +attention to discrepancies which the reader will detect for himself. +He will also notice that the ground covered in one narrative is +partly traversed in one or both of the others. This has been due to +the necessity of treating the story from the point of view of each +of the three chief actors. + +I may here mention that the correspondence between Clive and the +princes of Bengal, from which I have given some illustrative +passages, was first seen by me in a collection of papers printed in +1893 in the Government of India Central Printing Office, Calcutta, +under the direction of Mr. G.W. Forrest, C.I.E. These papers have +not yet been published, but there exists a complete though slightly +different copy of this correspondence in the India Office Library +(Orme MSS. India XI.), and it is from the latter copy that I have, +by permission, made the extracts here given. The remaining English +quotations, when not from printed books, have been taken chiefly +from other volumes of the Orme MSS., a smaller number from the +Bengal and Madras Records in the India Office, and a few from MSS. +in the British Museum or among the Clive papers at Walcot, to which +last I was allowed access by the kindness of the Earl of Powis. + +Finally, I wish to express my thanks to M. Omont of the Bibliotheque +Nationale, Paris, to Mr. W. Foster of the Record Department of the +India Office, and to Mr. J.A. Herbert of the British Museum, for +their kind and valuable assistance. + +S.C. HILL. + +_September_ 6, 1903. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I. THE QUARREL WITH THE ENGLISH + + II. M. RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE + + III. M. LAW, CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR + + IV. M. COURTIN, CHIEF OF DACCA + + INDEX + + +MAPS AND PLANS + +THE GANGES VALLEY AND THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS IN BENGAL, 1756. +(_After Rennell_) _Frontispiece_ + +MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (_After Rennell_) _To +face page_ + +FORT D'ORLEANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (_Mouchet_) + +MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (_After Rennell_) + +DACCA, OR JEHANGIR-NAGAR. (_After Rennell_) + + + + +[Illustration: MAP OF THE RIVER HUGLI FROM BANDEL TO FULTA. (_After +Rennell_.)] + + + + +THREE FRENCHMEN IN BENGAL + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE QUARREL WITH THE ENGLISH + + +Writing in 1725, the French naval commander, the Chevalier d'Albert, +tells us that the three most handsome towns on the Ganges were +Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the chief Factories of the +English, French, and Dutch. These towns were all situated within +thirty miles of each other. Calcutta, the latest founded, was the +greatest and the richest, owing partly to its situation, which +permitted the largest ships of the time to anchor at its quays, and +partly to the privilege enjoyed by the English merchants of trading +freely as individuals through the length and breadth of the land. +Native merchants and native artisans crowded to Calcutta, and the +French and Dutch, less advantageously situated and hampered by +restrictions of trade, had no chance of competing with the English +on equal terms. The same was of course true of their minor +establishments in the interior. All three nations had important +Factories at Cossimbazar (in the neighbourhood of Murshidabad, the +Capital of Bengal) and at Dacca, and minor Factories at Jugdea or +Luckipore, and at Balasore. The French and Dutch had also Factories +at Patna. Besides Calcutta, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, the only +Factory which was fortified was the English Factory at Cossimbazar. + +During the long reign of the usurper, Aliverdi Khan,[1] that strong +and politic ruler enforced peace among his European guests, and +forbade any fortification of the Factories, except such as was +necessary to protect them against possible incursions of the +Marathas, who at that time made periodical attacks on Muhammadans +and Hindus alike to enforce the payment of the _chauth_,[2] or +blackmail, which they levied upon all the countries within their +reach. In Southern India the English and French had been constantly +at war whenever there was war in Europe, but in Bengal the strength +of the Government, the terror of the Marathas, and the general +weakness of the Europeans had contrived to enforce a neutrality. +Still there was nothing to guarantee its continuance if the fear of +the native Government and of the Marathas were once removed, and if +any one of the three nations happened to find itself much stronger +than the others. The fear of the Marathas had nearly disappeared, +but that of the Government still remained. However, it was not till +more than sixty years after the foundation of Calcutta that there +appeared any possibility of a breach of peace amongst the Europeans +in Bengal. During this time the three Factories, Calcutta always +leading, increased rapidly in wealth and importance. To the +Government they were already a cause of anxiety and an object of +greed. Even during the life of Aliverdi Khan there were many of his +counsellors who advised the reduction of the status of Europeans to +that of the Armenians, i.e. mere traders at the mercy of local +officials; but Aliverdi Khan, whether owing to the enfeeblement of +his energies by age or to an intelligent recognition of the value of +European commerce, would not allow any steps to be taken against the +Europeans. Many stories are told of the debates in his _Durbar_[3] +on this subject: according to one, he is reported to have compared +the Europeans to bees who produce honey when left in peace, but +furiously attack those who foolishly disturb them; according to +another he compared them to a fire[4] which had come out of the sea +and was playing harmlessly on the shore, but which would devastate +the whole land if any one were so imprudent as to anger it. His +wisdom died with him, and in April, 1756, his grandson, +Siraj-ud-daula, a young man of nineteen,[5] already notorious for +his debauchery and cruelty, came to the throne. The French--who, of +all Europeans, knew him best, for he seems to have preferred them to +all others--say his chief characteristics were cruelty, rapacity, +and cowardice. In his public speeches he seemed to be ambitious of +military fame. Calcutta was described to him as a strong fortress, +full of wealth, which belonged largely to his native subjects, and +inhabited by a race of foreigners who had grown insolent on their +privileges. As a proof of this, it was pointed out that they had not +presented him with the offerings which, according to Oriental +custom, are the due of a sovereign on his accession. The only +person who dared oppose the wishes of the young Nawab was his +mother,[6] but her advice was of no avail, and her taunt that he, a +soldier, was going to war upon mere traders, was equally +inefficacious. The records of the time give no definite information +as to the tortuous diplomacy which fanned the quarrel between him +and the English, but it is sufficiently clear that the English +refused to surrender the son of one of his uncle's _diwans_,[7] who, +with his master's and his father's wealth, had betaken himself to +Calcutta. Siraj-ud-daula, by the treacherous promises of his +commanders, made himself master of the English Factory at +Cossimbazar without firing a shot, and on the 20th of June, 1756, +found himself in possession of Fort William, the fortified Factory +of Calcutta.[8] The Governor, the commandant[9] of the troops, and +some two hundred persons of lesser note, had deserted the Fort +almost as soon as it was actually invested, and Holwell, one of the +councillors, an ex-surgeon, and the gallant few who stood by him and +continued the defence, were captured, and, to the number of 146, +cast into a little dungeon,[10] intended for military offenders, +from which, the next morning, only twenty-three came out alive. The +English took refuge at Fulta, thirty miles down the river, where the +Nawab, in his pride and ignorance, left them unmolested. There they +were gradually reinforced from Madras, first by Major Kilpatrick, +and later on by Colonel Clive and Admiral Watson. About the same +time both French and English learned that war had been declared in +Europe between England and France in the previous May, but, for +different reasons, neither nation thought the time suitable for +making the fact formally known. + +Towards the end of December the English, animated by the desire of +revenge and of repairing their ruined fortunes, advanced on +Calcutta, and on the 2nd of January, 1757, the British flag again +floated over Fort William. The Governor, Manik Chand, was, like many +of the Nawab's servants, a Hindu. Some say he was scared away by a +bullet through his turban; others, that he was roused from the +enjoyment of a _nautch_--a native dance--by the news of the arrival +of the English.[11] Hastening to Murshidabad, he reported his +defeat, and asserted that the British they had now to deal with were +very different from those they had driven from or captured in +Calcutta. + +The English were not satisfied with recovering Calcutta. They wished +to impress the Nawab, and so they sent a small force to Hugli, which +lies above Chandernagore and Chinsurah, stormed the Muhammadan fort, +burnt the town, and destroyed the magazines, which would have +supplied the Nawab's army in an attack on Calcutta. The inhabitants +of the country had never known anything so terrible as the big guns +of the ships, and the Nawab actually believed the men-of-war could +ascend the river and bombard him in his palace at Murshidabad. +Calling on the French and Dutch for aid, which they refused, he +determined to try his fortune a second time at Calcutta. At first, +everything seemed the same as on the former occasion: the native +merchants and artisans disappeared from the town; but it was not as +he thought, out of fear, but because the English wished to have them +out of the way, and so expelled them. Except for the military camp +to the north of the city, where Clive was stationed with his little +army, the town lay open to his attack. Envoys from Calcutta soon +appeared asking for terms, and the Nawab pretended to be willing to +negotiate in order to gain time while he outflanked Clive and seized +the town. Seeing through this pretence Watson and Clive thought it +was time to give him a lesson, and, on the morning of the 5th of +February, in the midst of a dense fog, Clive beat up his quarters. +Though Clive had to retire when the whole army was roused, the +slaughter amongst the enemy had been immense; and though he +mockingly informed the Nawab that he had been careful to "injure +none but those who got in his way," the Nawab himself narrowly +escaped capture. The action, however, was in no sense decisive. Most +of the Nawab's military leaders were eager to avenge their disgrace, +but some of the chief nobles, notably his Hindu advisers, +exaggerated the loss already incurred and the future danger, and +advised him to make peace. In fact, the cruelty and folly of the +Nawab had turned his Court into a nest of traitors. With one or two +exceptions there was not a man of note upon whom he could rely, and +he had not the wit to distinguish the faithful from the unfaithful. +Accordingly he granted the English everything they asked for--the +full restoration of all their privileges, and restitution of all +they had lost in the sack of Calcutta. As the English valued their +losses at several hundreds of thousands, and the Nawab had found +only some L5000 in the treasury of Fort William, it is clear that +the wealth of Calcutta was either sunk in the Ganges or had fallen +as booty into the hands of the Moorish soldiers. + +Siraj-ud-daula, though he did not yet know it, was a ruined man when +he returned to his capital. His only chance of safety lay in one of +two courses--either a loyal acceptance of the conditions imposed by +the English or a loyal alliance with the French against the English. +From the Dutch he could hope for nothing. They were as friendly to +the English as commercial rivals could be. They had always declared +they were mere traders and would not fight, and they kept their +word. After the capture of Calcutta the Nawab had exacted heavy +contributions from both the French and Dutch; but France and England +were now at war, and he thought it might be possible that in these +circumstances the restoration of their money to the French and the +promise of future privileges might win them to his side. He could +not, however, decide finally on either course, and the French were +not eager to meet him. They detested his character, and they +preferred, if the English would agree, to preserve the old +neutrality and to trade in peace. Further, they had received no +supplies of men or money for a long time; the fortifications of +Chandernagore, i.e. of Fort d'Orleans, were practically in ruins, +and the lesser Factories in the interior were helpless. Their +military force, for attack, was next to nothing: all they could +offer was wise counsel and brave leaders. They were loth to offer +these to a man like the Nawab against Europeans, and he and his +Court were as loth to accept them. Unluckily for the French, +deserters from Chandernagore had served the Nawab's artillery when +he took Calcutta, and it was even asserted that the French had +supplied the Nawab with gunpowder; and so when the English heard of +these new negotiations, they considered the proposals for a +neutrality to be a mere blind; they forgot the kindness shown by the +French to English refugees at Dacca, Cossimbazar, and Chandernagore, +and determined that, as a permanent peace with the Nawab was out of +the question, they would, whilst he hesitated as to his course of +action, anticipate him by destroying the one element of force which, +if added to his power, might have made him irresistible. They +continued the negotiations for a neutrality on the Ganges only until +they were reinforced by a body of 500 Europeans from Bombay, when +they sent back the French envoys and exacted permission from the +Nawab to attack Chandernagore. Clive marched on that town with a +land force of 4000 Europeans and Sepoys, and Admiral Watson +proceeded up the river with a small but powerful squadron. + +Thus began the ruin of the French in Bengal. The chief French +Factories were, as I have said, at Chandernagore, Cossimbazar, and +Dacca. The Chiefs of these Factories were M. Renault, the Director +of all the French in Bengal; M. Law, a nephew of the celebrated Law +of Lauriston, the financier; and M. Courtin. It is the doings and +sufferings of these three gallant men which are recorded in the +following chapters. They had no hope of being able to resist the +English by themselves, but they hoped, and actually believed, that +France would send them assistance if they could only hold out till +it arrived. Renault, whose case was the most desperate, perhaps +thought that the Nawab would, in his own interest, support him if +the English attacked Chandernagore; but knowing the Nawab as well as +he did, and reflecting that he had himself refused the Nawab +assistance when he asked for it, his hope must have been a feeble +one. Still he could not, with honour, give up a fortified position +without attempting a defence, and he determined to do his best. When +he failed, all that Law and Courtin could expect to do was to +maintain their personal liberty and create a diversion in the north +of Bengal when French forces attacked it in the south. It was not +their fault that the attack was never made. + +I shall make no mention of the fate of the Factories at Balasore and +Jugdea. At these the number of Frenchmen was so very small that +resistance and escape were equally hopeless. Patna lay on the line +of Law's retreat, and, as we shall see, he was joined by the +second and other subordinate officers of that Factory. The chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was too ill to be moved, but he managed, by the +assistance of his native friends, to secure a large portion of the +property of the French East India Company, and so to finance Law +during his wanderings. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Aliverdi Khan entered Muxadavad or Murshidabad as a +conqueror on the 30th of March, 1742. He died on the 10th of April, +1756. (_Scrafton_.)] + +[Footnote 2: Literally the fourth part of the Revenues. The Marathas +extorted the right to levy this from the Emperor Aurengzebe, and +under pretext of collecting it they ravaged a large portion of +India.] + +[Footnote 3: Court, or Court officials and nobles.] + +[Footnote 4: Such fires are mentioned in many Indian legends. In the +"Arabian Nights" we read of a demon changing himself into a flaming +fire.] + +[Footnote 5: His age is stated by some as nineteen, by others as +about twenty-five. See note, p. 66.] + +[Footnote 6: Amina Begum.] + +[Footnote 7: _Diwan_, i.e. Minister or Manager.] + +[Footnote 8: The English at Dacca surrendered to the Nawab of that +place, and were afterwards released. Those at Jugdea and Balasore +escaped direct to Fulta.] + +[Footnote 9: Captain George Minchin.] + +[Footnote 10: Known in history as the Black Hole of Calcutta.] + +[Footnote 11: Both stories may be true. Manik Chand was nearly +killed at the battle of Budge Budge by a bullet passing through his +turban, and the incident of the _nautch_ may have happened at +Calcutta, where he certainly showed less courage.] + +[Illustration: FORT D'ORLEANS, CHANDERNAGORE, 1749. (_Mouchet._)] + + + + +CHAPTER II + +M. RENAULT, CHIEF OF CHANDERNAGORE + + +The French East India Company was founded in 1664, during the +ministry of M. Colbert. Chandernagore, on the Ganges, or rather that +mouth of it now known as the River Hugli, was founded in 1676; and +in 1688 the town and territory were ceded to France by the Emperor +Aurengzebe. I know of no plan of Chandernagore in the 17th century, +and those of the 18th are extremely rare. Two or three are to be +found in Paris, but the destruction of the Fort and many of the +buildings by the English after its capture in 1757, and the decay of +the town after its restoration to the French, owing to diminished +trade, make it extremely difficult to recognize old landmarks. The +Settlement, however, consisted of a strip of land, about two leagues +in length and one in depth, on the right or western bank of the +Hugli. Fort d'Orleans lay in the middle of the river front. It was +commenced in 1691, and finished in 1693.[12] Facing the north was +the Porte Royale, and to the east, or river-side, was the Water +Gate. The north-eastern bastion was known as that of the Standard, +or Pavillon. The north-western bastion was overlooked by the Jesuit +Church, and the south-eastern by the Dutch Octagon. This last +building was situated on one of a number of pieces of land which, +though within the French bounds, belonged to the Dutch before the +grant of the imperial charter, and which the Dutch had always +refused to sell. The Factory buildings were in the Fort itself. To +the west lay the Company's Tank, the hospitals, and the cemetery. +European houses, interspersed with native dwellings, lay all around. +M. d'Albert says that these houses were large and convenient, but +chiefly of one story only, built along avenues of fine trees, or +along the handsome quay. D'Albert also mentions a chapel in the +Fort,[13] the churches of the Jesuits and the Capucins, and some +miserable _pagodas_ belonging to the Hindus, who, owing to the +necessity of employing them as clerks and servants, were allowed the +exercise of their religion. In his time the Europeans numbered about +500. There were besides some 400 Armenians, Moors[14] and Topasses, +1400 to 1500 Christians, including slaves, and 18,000 to 20,000 +Gentiles, divided, he says, into 52 different castes or occupations. +It is to be supposed that the European houses had improved in the +thirty years since d'Albert's visit; at any rate many of those which +were close to the Fort now commanded its interior from their roofs +or upper stories, exactly as the houses of the leading officials in +Calcutta commanded the interior of Fort William. No other fact could +be so significant of the security which the Europeans in Bengal +believed they enjoyed from any attack by the forces of the native +Government. The site of the Fort is now covered with native huts. +The Cemetery still remains and the Company's Tank (now known as Lal +Dighi), whilst Kooti Ghat is the old landing-place of Fort +d'Orleans. + +As regards the European population at the time of the siege we have +no definite information. The Returns drawn up by the French +officials at the time of the capitulation do not include the women +and children or the native and mixed population. The ladies,[15] and +it is to be presumed the other women also, for there is no mention +of women during the siege, retired to the Dutch and Danish +settlements at Chinsurah and Serampore a few days before, and the +native population disappeared as soon as the British army +approached. The Returns therefore show only 538 Europeans and 66 +Topasses. The Governor or Director, as already mentioned, was Pierre +Renault: his Council consisted of MM. Fournier, Caillot, Laporterie, +Nicolas, and Picques. There were 36 Frenchmen of lesser rank in the +Company's service, as well as 6 surgeons. The troops were commanded +by M. de Tury and 10 officers. There were also 10 officers of the +French East India Company's vessels, and 107 persons of sufficient +importance for their _parole_ to be demanded when the Fort fell. +Apparently these Returns do not include those who were killed in the +defence, nor have we any definite information as to the number of +French sepoys, but Eyre Coote[16] says there were 500. + +The story of the siege is to be gathered from many accounts. M. +Renault and his Council submitted an official report; Renault wrote +many letters to Dupleix and other patrons or friends; several of the +Council and other private persons did the same.[17] M. Jean Law, +whose personal experiences we shall deal with in the next chapter, +was Chief of Cossimbazar, and watched the siege, as it were, from +the outside. His straightforward narrative helps us now and then to +correct a mis-statement made by the besieged in the bitterness of +defeat. On the English side, besides the Bengal records, there are +Clive's and Eyre Coote's military journals, the Logs of the British +ships of war, and the journal of Surgeon Edward Ives of His +Majesty's ship _Kent_. Thus this passage of arms, almost the only +one in Bengal[18] in which the protagonists were Europeans, is no +obscure event, but one in which almost every incident was seen and +described from opposite points of view. This multiplicity of +authorities makes it difficult to form a connected narrative, and, +in respect to many incidents, I shall have to follow that account +which seems to enter into the fullest or most interesting detail. + +It will now be necessary to go back a little. After the capture of +Calcutta in June, 1756, the behaviour of the Nawab to all Europeans +was so overbearing that Renault found it necessary to ask the +Superior Council of Pondicherry for reinforcements, but all that he +received was 67 Europeans and 167 Sepoys. No money was sent him, and +every day he expected to hear that war had broken out between +France and England. + + "Full of these inquietudes, gentlemen, I was in the + most cruel embarrassment, knowing not even what to + desire. A strong detestation of the tyranny of the Nawab, + and of the excesses which he was committing against + Europeans, made me long for the arrival of the English in + the Ganges to take vengeance for them. At the same time + I feared the consequences of war being declared. In every + letter M. de Leyrit[19] impressed upon me the necessity of + fortifying Chandernagore as best I could, and of putting the + town in a state of security against a surprise, but you have + only to look at Chandernagore to see how difficult it was for + us, absolutely destitute as we were of men and money, to do + this with a town open on all sides, and with nothing even to + mark it off from the surrounding country."[20] + +He goes on to describe Fort d'Orleans-- + + "almost in the middle of the settlement, surrounded by + houses, which command it, a square of about 600 feet,[21] + built of brick, flanked with four bastions, with six guns + each, without ramparts or glacis. The southern curtain, + about 4 feet thick, not raised to its full height, was + provided only with a battery of 3 guns; there was a similar + battery to the west, but the rest of the west curtain was + only a wall of mud and brick, about a foot and a half thick, + and 8 or 10 feet high; there were warehouses ranged + against the east curtain which faced the Ganges, and which + was still in process of construction; the whole of this side + had no ditch, and that round the other sides was dry, only 4 + feet in depth, and a mere ravine. The walls of the Fort up + to the ramparts were 15 feet high, and the houses, on the + edge of the counterscarp, which commanded it, were as much + as 30 feet." + +Perhaps the Fort was best defended on the west, where the Company's +Tank[22] was situated. Its bank was only about twelve feet from the +Fort Ditch. This use of tanks for defensive purposes was an +excellent one, as they also provided the garrison with a good supply +of drinking water. A little later Clive protected his great barracks +at Berhampur with a line of large tanks along the landward side. +However, this tank protected one side only, and the task of holding +such a fort with an inadequate garrison was not a hopeful one even +for a Frenchman. It was only his weakness which had made Renault +submit to pay the contribution demanded by the Nawab on his +triumphant return from Calcutta in July of the previous year, and he +and his comrades felt very bitterly the neglect of the Company in +not sending money and reinforcements. One of his younger +subordinates wrote to a friend in Pondicherry:[23]-- + + "But the 3-1/2 lahks that the Company has to pay to the + Nawab, is that a trifle? Yes, my dear fellow, for I should + like it to have to pay still more, to teach it how to leave + this Factory, which is, beyond contradiction, the finest of its + settlements, denuded of soldiers and munitions of war, so + that it is not possible for us to show our teeth." + +The wish was prophetic. + +Like the English the French were forbidden by the Nawab to fortify +themselves. Renault dared not pay attention to this order. He had +seen what had happened to the English by the neglect of proper +precautions, and when things were at their worst, the Nawab had to +seek his alliance against the English, grant him leave to fortify +Chandernagore, and, later on, even to provide him with money under +the pretence that he was simply restoring the sum forcibly extorted +from him the previous year.[24] Trade was at a standstill, and +Renault was determined that if the enemies of his nation were +destined to take the Company's property, they should have the utmost +difficulty possible in doing so. He expended the money on provisions +and ammunition. At the same time, that he might not lose any chance +of settling affairs peaceably with the English, he refused to +associate himself with the Nawab, and entered upon negotiations for +a neutrality in the Ganges. To protect himself if these failed, he +began raising fortifications and pulling down the houses which +commanded the Fort or masked its fire. + +He could not pull down the houses on the south of the Fort, from +which Clive subsequently made his attack, partly for want of time, +partly because the native workmen ran away, and partly because of +the bad feeling prevalent in the motley force which formed his +garrison.[25] The most fatal defect of all was the want of a +military engineer. The person who held that position had been sent +from France. He was a master mason, and had no knowledge of +engineering. It had been the same story in Calcutta. Drake's two +engineers had been a subaltern in the military and a young +covenanted servant. Renault had to supervise the fortifications +himself. + + "I commenced to pull down the church and the house + of the Jesuit fathers, situated on the edge of the Ditch, also + all the houses of private persons which masked the entire + north curtain. The wood taken from the ruins of these + served to construct a barrier extending from bastion to + bastion and supporting this same north curtain, which + seemed ready to fall to pieces from old age." + +This barrier was placed four feet outside the wall, the intervening +space being filled in with earth. + + "Also in front of Porte Royale" (i.e. outside the gate in + the avenue), "the weakest side of the Fort, I placed a battery + of 3 guns, and worked hard at clearing out and enlarging + the Ditch, but there was no time to make it of any use as a + defence. A warehouse on which I put bales of _gunny_[26] to + prevent cannon balls from breaking in the vaults of the roof, + served it as a casemate." + +The east or river curtain was left alone. The French were, in fact, +so confident that the ships of war would not be able to force their +way up the river, and that Clive would not therefore think of +attacking on that side, that the only precaution they took at first +was the erection of two batteries outside the Fort. It is a +well-known maxim in war that one should attack at that point at +which the enemy deems himself most secure, and it will be seen that +all Clive's efforts were aimed at preparing for Admiral Watson to +attack on the east. + +As regards artillery Renault was better off. + + "The alarm which the Prince" (Siraj-ud-daula) "gave us + in June last having given me reason to examine into the + state of the artillery, I found that not one of the carriages + of the guns on the ramparts was in a serviceable condition, + not a field-piece mounted, not a platform ready for the + mortars. I gave all my attention to these matters, and + fortunately had time to put them right." + +To serve his guns Renault had the sailors of the Company's ship, +_Saint Contest_, whose commander, M. de la Vigne Buisson, was the +soul of the defence. + +About this time he received a somewhat doubtful increase to his +garrison, a crowd of deserters from the English East India Company's +forces. The latter at this time were composed of men of all +nationalities, English, Germans, Swiss, Dutch, and even French. Many +of them, and naturally the foreigners especially, were ready to +desert upon little provocation. The hardships of service in a +country where the climate and roads were execrable, where food and +pay were equally uncertain, and where promises were made not to be +kept, were provocations which the best soldiers might have found it +difficult to resist. We read of whole regiments in the English and +French services refusing to obey orders, and of mutinies of officers +as well as of men. The one reward of service was the chance of +plunder, and naturally, then, as soon as the fighting with the Nawab +had stopped for a time, the desertions from the British forces were +numerous. Colonel Clive had more than once written to Renault to +remonstrate with him for taking British soldiers into his service. +Probably Renault could have retorted the accusation with justice--at +any rate, he went on enlisting deserters; and from those who had now +come over he formed a company of grenadiers of 50 men, one of +artillery of 30, and one of sailors of 60, wisely giving them a +little higher pay than usual, "to excite their emulation." One of +these was a man named Lee,-- + + "a corporal and a deserter from the _Tyger_, who pledged + himself to the enemy that he would throw two shells out of + three into the _Tyger_, but whilst he was bringing the mortars + to bear for that purpose, he was disabled by a musket bullet + from the _Kent's_ tops. He was afterwards sent home a + prisoner to England."[27] + +As might be expected the younger Frenchmen were wild with delight at +the chance of seeing a good fight. Some of them had been much +disappointed that the Nawab had not attacked Chandernagore in June, +1756. One of them wrote[28]-- + + "I was charmed with the adventure and the chance + of carrying a musket, having always had" (what Frenchman + hasn't?) "a secret leaning towards a military life. I + intended to kill a dozen Moors myself in the first sortie we + made, for I was determined not to stand like a stock on a + bastion, where one only runs the risk of getting wounds + without having any of the pleasure of inflicting them." + +If not the highest form of military spirit, this was at any rate one +of which a good commander might make much use. Renault took +advantage of this feeling, and from the young men of the colony, +such as Company's servants, ships' officers, supercargoes, and +European inhabitants,[29] he made a company of volunteers, to whom, +at their own request, he gave his son, an officer of the garrison, +as commander. + +One of the volunteer officers writes:-- + + "I had the honour to be appointed lieutenant, and was + much pleased when I saw the spirit of emulation which + reigned in every heart. I cannot sufficiently praise the + spirit of exactitude with which every one was animated, and + the progress which all made in so short a time in the + management of their arms. I lay stress on the fact that it + was an occupation entirely novel to them, and one of which + the commencement always appears very hard, but they overcame + all difficulties, and found amusement in what to others + would appear merely laborious." + +All this time Renault was watching the war between the English and +the Moors. In January the English sailed up the Hugli, passed +Chandernagore contemptuously without a salute, burned the Moorish +towns of Hugli and Bandel, ravaged the banks of the river, and +retired to Calcutta. Up to this the Nawab had not condescended to +notice the English; now, in a moment of timidity, he asked the +intervention of the French as mediators.[30] Renault eagerly +complied, for had his mediation been accepted, he would have +inserted in the treaty a clause enforcing peace amongst the +Europeans in Bengal; but the English refused to treat through the +French. This could have only one meaning. Renault felt that his +course was now clear, and was on the point of offering the alliance +which the Nawab had so long sought for, when he received orders from +M. de Leyrit forbidding him to attack the English by land. As M. Law +writes, if Renault had been free to join the Nawab with 500 +Europeans, either Clive would not have ventured a night attack on +the Nawab's camp, or, had he done so, the event would probably have +been very different. Under the circumstances, all that Renault could +do was to continue his fortifications. It was now that he first +realized that Admiral Watson would take part in the attack. + + "As the ships of war were what we had most to fear + from, we constructed on the river bank a battery of 6 guns, + four of which covered the approach to the Fort. From the foot + of the battery a bank twenty-two feet high stretching to + the Fort, was begun, so as to protect the curtain on this side + from the fire of the ships, _but it was not finished_. We had + also to attend to the inhabited portion of the town; it was + impossible to do more, but we determined to protect it from + a surprise, and so ditches were dug across the streets and + outposts established."[31] + +It was this waste of valuable time upon the defence of the town that +a capable engineer would have saved Renault from the mistake of +committing. Had he limited his efforts to strengthening the walls of +the Fort and cleared away the surrounding houses, he would have been +not only stronger against the attack of the land force, but also in +a much better position to resist the ships. + +The issue of the Nawab's attack on Calcutta has already been told. +He was so depressed by his failure that he now treated Renault with +the greatest respect, and it was now that he gave him the sum of +money--a lakh of rupees, then worth L12,500--which he spent on +provisions and munitions of war. Renault says:-- + + "The Nawab's envoy further gave me to understand that + he was, in his heart, enraged with the English, and continued + to regard them as his enemies. In spite of this we saw + clearly from the treaty just made" (with the English) + "that we should be its victims, and knowing Siraj-ud-daula's + character, his promise to assist me strongly if the + English attacked us did not quiet my mind. I prepared for + whatever might happen by pressing on our preparations and + collecting all kinds of provisions in the Fort." + +The Nawab and the English concluded a treaty of peace and alliance +on the 9th of February, 1757. Renault mentions no actual treaty +between the Nawab and the French, but the French doctor referred to +in a note above asserts that the Nawab demanded that the Council +should bind itself in writing, + + "to oppose the passage of the English past Chandernagore.... + It was merely engaging to defend ourselves against + the maritime force of the English ... because Chandernagore + was the only place on this coast against which they + could undertake any enterprise by water. _This engagement + was signed_ and sent to the Nawab three days after he had + made peace with the English. The Council received in + reply two privileges, the one to coin money with the King's + stamp at Chandernagore, the other liberty of trade for + individual Frenchmen on the same footing as the Company, + and 100,000 rupees on account of the 300,000 which he had + extorted the previous year." + +It does not matter whether this engagement was signed or not.[32] As +a Frenchman thus mentions it, the rumour of its signature must have +been very strong. It is probable that the English heard of it, and +believed it to be conclusive proof of the secret understanding +between the Nawab and the French. The privilege of individual trade +was particularly likely to excite their commercial jealousy, for it +was to this very privilege in their own case that the wealth and +strength of Calcutta were due. Such a rumour, therefore, was not +likely to facilitate negotiations. Nevertheless, Renault sent MM. +Fournier and Nicolas, the latter of whom had many friends amongst +the English, to Calcutta, to re-open the negotiations for a +neutrality. These negotiations seemed to be endless. The most +striking feature was Admiral Watson's apparent vacillation. When the +Council proposed war he wanted peace, when they urged neutrality he +wanted war. Clive went so far as to present a memorial to the +Council, saying it was unfair to continue the negotiations if the +Admiral was determined not to agree to a treaty. It seems as if the +Council wanted war, but wished to throw the responsibility upon the +Admiral. On the other hand the Admiral was only too eager to fight, +but hesitated to involve the Company in a war with the French and +the Nawab combined, at a moment when the British land forces were so +weakened by disease that success might be considered doubtful. He +had also to remember the fact that the Council at Chandernagore was +subordinate to the Council at Pondicherry, and the latter might, +whenever convenient to the French, repudiate the treaty. However, in +spite of all difficulties, the terms were agreed to, the draft was +prepared, and only the signatures were wanting, when a large +reinforcement of Europeans arrived from Bombay, and the Admiral +received formal notification of the declaration of war, and orders +from the Admiralty to attack the French.[33] This put an immediate +end to negotiations, and the envoys were instructed to return to +Chandernagore. At the same time the English determined to try and +prevent the Nawab from joining the French. + +Whilst the Admiral was making up his mind fortune had favoured the +English. The Nawab, in fear of an invasion of Bengal by the Pathans, +had called upon the British for assistance, and on the 3rd of March +Clive's army left Calcutta _en route_ for Murshidabad. The Admiral +now pointed out to the Nawab that the British could not safely leave +Chandernagore behind them in the hands of an enemy, and Clive wrote +to the same effect, saying he would wait near Chandernagore for a +reply. On the 10th of March the Nawab wrote a letter to the Admiral, +which concluded with the following significant words:-- + + "You have understanding and generosity: if your enemy + with an upright heart claims your protection, you will give + him life, but then you must be _well_ satisfied of the innocence + of his intentions: if not, whatever you think right, that do." + +Law says this letter was a forgery,[34] but as the Nawab did not +write any letters himself, the only test of authenticity was his +seal, which was duly attached. The English believed it to be +genuine, and the words quoted could have but one meaning. Admiral +Watson read them as a permission to attack the French without fear +of the Nawab's interference. He prepared to support Clive as soon as +the water in the Hugli would allow his ships to pass up, and, it +must be supposed, informed Clive of the letter he had received. At +any rate, he so informed the Council. + +Clive reached Chandernagore on the 12th, and probably heard on that +day or the next from Calcutta. On the 13th he sent the following +summons--which Renault does not mention, and did not reply to--to +Chandernagore:-- + + "SIR, + + "The King of Great Britain having declared war + against France, I summons you in his name to surrender the + Fort of Chandernagore. In case of refusal you are to answer + the consequences, and expect to be treated according to the + usage of war in such cases. + + "I have the honour to be, sir, + + "Your most obedient and humble servant, + + "ROBERT CLIVE." + +It is important, in the light of what happened +later, to notice that Clive addresses Renault as a +combatant and the head of the garrison. + +In England we have recently seen men eager to vilify their own +nation. France has produced similar monsters. One of them wrote from +Pondicherry:-- + + "The English having changed their minds on the arrival + of the reinforcement from Bombay, our gentlemen at Chandernagore + prepared to ransom themselves, and they would have + done so at whatever price the ransom had been fixed + provided anything had remained to them. That mode of + agreement could not possibly suit the taste of the English. + It was rejected, and the Council of Chandernagore had + no other resource except to surrender on the best conditions + they could obtain from the generosity of their enemy. This + course was so firmly resolved upon that they gave no + thought to defending themselves. The military insisted only + on firing a single discharge, which they desired the Council + would grant them. It was only the marine and the citizens + who, though they had no vote in the Council, cried out + tumultuously that the Fort must be defended. A plot was + formed to prevent the Director's son, who was ready to carry + the keys of the town to the English camp, from going out. + Suddenly some one fired a musket. The English thought + it was the reply to their summons. They commenced on + their side to fire their artillery, and that was how a defence + which lasted ten whole days was begun." + +How much truth is contained in the above paragraph may be judged by +what has been already stated. It will be sufficient to add that +Clive, receiving no answer to his summons, made a sudden attack on a +small earthwork to the south-west of the fort at 3 A.M. on the 14th +of March. For two whole days then, the English had been in sight of +Chandernagore without attacking. The French ladies had been sent to +Chinsurah and Serampore, so that the defenders had nothing to fear +on their account. Besides the French soldiers and civilians, there +were also about 2000 Moorish troops present, whom Law says he +persuaded the Nawab to send down as soon as the English left +Calcutta. Other accounts say that Renault hired them to assist him. +The Nawab had a strong force at Murshidabad ready to march under one +of his commanders, Rai Durlabh Ram; but the latter had experienced +what even a small English force could do in the night attack on the +Nawab's camp, and was by no means inclined to match himself a second +time against Clive; accordingly, he never got further than five +leagues from Murshidabad. Urgent messages were sent from +Chandernagore as soon as the attack began. M. Law begged of the +Nawab to send reinforcements. Mr. Watts, the English Chief, and all +his party in the _Durbar_, did their utmost to prevent any orders +being issued. The Nawab gave orders which he almost immediately +countermanded. Renault ascribes this to a letter which he says +Clive wrote on the 14th of March, the very day of the attack, +promising the Nawab to leave the French alone, but it is not at all +likely that he did so. It is true Clive had written to this effect +on the 22nd of February; but since then much had happened, and he +was now acting, as he thought and said, with the Nawab's permission. +On the 16th of March he wrote to Nand Kumar, Faujdar[35] of Hugli, +as follows:-- + + "The many deceitful wicked measures that the French + have taken to endeavour to deprive me of the Nawab's + favour (tho' I thank God they have proved in vain, since + his Excellency's friendship towards me is daily increasing) + has long made me look on them as enemies to the English, + but I could no longer stifle my resentment when I found + that ... they dared to oppose the freedom of the English + trade on the Ganges by seizing a boat with an English + _dustuck_,[36] and under English colours that was passing by their + town. I am therefore come to a resolution to attack them. + I am told that some of the Government's forces have been + perswaded under promise of great rewards from the French + to join them against us; I should be sorry, at a time when + I am so happy in his Excellency's favour and friendship, that + I should do any injury to his servants; I am therefore to + desire you will send these forces an order to withdraw, and + that no other may come to their assistance."[37] + +What Clive feared was that, though the +Nawab might not interfere openly, some of his +servants might receive secret orders to do so, and +on the 22nd of March he wrote even more curtly +to Rai Durlabh himself:-- + + "I hear you are arrived within 20 miles of Hughly. + Whether you come as a friend or an enemy, I know not. If + as the latter, say so at once, and I will send some people out + to fight you immediately.... Now you know my mind."[38] + +When diplomatic correspondence was conducted in letters of this +kind, it is easy to understand that the Nawab was frightened out of +his wits, and absolutely unable to decide what course he should +take. There was little likelihood of the siege being influenced by +anything he might do. + +The outpost mentioned as the object of the first attack was a small +earthwork, erected at the meeting of three roads. It was covered by +the Moorish troops, who held the roofs of the houses around. As the +intention of the outposts was merely to prevent the town from being +surprised, and to enable the inhabitants to take shelter in the +Fort, the outpost ought to have been withdrawn as quickly as +possible, but, probably because they thought it a point of honour +to make a stout defence wherever they were first attacked, +the defenders stood to it gallantly. Renault sent repeated +reinforcements, first the company of grenadiers, then at 9 o'clock +the company of artillery, and at 10 o'clock, when the surrounding +houses were in flames, and many of the Moors had fled, a company of +volunteers. With these, and a further reinforcement of sixty +sailors, the little fort held out till 7 o'clock in the evening, +when the English, after three fruitless assaults, ceased fire and +withdrew. Street fighting is always confusing, and hence the +following vague description of the day's events from Captain Eyre +Coote's journal:-- + + "Colonel Clive ordered the picquets, with the company's + grenadiers, to march into the French bounds, which is encompassed + with an old ditch,[39] the entrance into it a gateway + with embrasures on the top but no cannons, which the + French evacuated on our people's advancing. As soon as + Captain Lynn, who commanded the party, had taken possession, + he acquainted the Colonel, who ordered Major Kilpatrick + and me, with my company of grenadiers, to join Captain + Lynn, and send him word after we had reconnoitred the + place. On our arrival there we found a party of French was + in possession of a road leading to a redoubt that they had + thrown up close under their fort, where they had a battery + of cannon, and upon our advancing down the road, they fired + some shots at us. We detached some parties through a wood, + and drove them from the road into their batteries with the + loss of some men; we then sent for the Colonel, who, as soon + as he joined us, sent to the camp for more troops. We + continued firing at each other in an irregular manner till + about noon, at which time the Colonel ordered me to continue + with my grenadier company and about 200 sepoys at the + advance post, and that he would go with the rest of our + troops to the entrance, which was about a mile back. About + 2 o'clock word was brought me that the French were making + a sortie. Soon after, I perceived the sepoys retiring from + their post, upon which I sent to the Colonel to let him know + the French were coming out. I was then obliged to divide + my company, which consisted of about 50 men, into 2 or 3 + parties (very much against my inclination) to take possession + of the ground the sepoys had quitted. We fired pretty + warmly for a quarter of an hour from the different parties + at each other, when the French retreated again into their + battery. On this occasion I had a gentleman (Mr. Tooke[40]), + who was a volunteer, killed, and 2 of my men wounded. + The enemy lost 5 or 6 Europeans and some blacks. I got + close under the battery, and was tolerably well sheltered by + an old house, where I continued firing till about 7 o'clock, + at which time I was relieved, and marched back to camp." + +The defenders were much exhausted, as well by the fighting as by the +smoke and heat from the burning houses and the heat of the weather, +for it was almost the hottest season of the year. It seemed probable +that the English would make another attack during the night, and as +the defenders already amounted to a very large portion of the +garrison, it was almost impossible to reinforce them without +leaving the Fort itself in great danger, if Clive managed to +approach it from any other quarter. Renault called a council of war, +and, after taking the opinion of his officers in writing to the +effect that the outposts must be abandoned, he withdrew the +defenders at 9 o'clock, under cover of the darkness: The French had +suffered a loss of only 10 men killed and wounded. Clive mentions +that, at the same time, all the other outposts and batteries, except +those on the river side, were withdrawn. + +Mustering his forces in the Fort, Renault found them to be composed +of 237 soldiers (of whom 117 were deserters from the British), 120 +sailors, 70 half-castes and private Europeans, 100 persons employed +by the Company, 167 Sepoys and 100 _Topasses_. Another French +account puts the total of the French garrison at 489, but this +probably excludes many of the private people.[41] + +On the 15th the English established themselves in the town, and +drove out the Moors who had been stationed on the roofs of the +houses. This gave them to some extent the command of the interior of +the Fort, but no immediate attack was made on the latter. A French +account[42] says this was because-- + + "all their soldiers were drunk with the wine they had found + in the houses. Unfortunately we did not know of this. It + would have been the moment to make a sortie, of which the + results must have been favourable to us, the enemy being + incapable of defence." + +During the night of the 15th the Fort was bombarded, and on the +morning of the 16th the British completed the occupation of the +houses deserted by the Moors. The latter not being received into the +Fort, either fled or were sent away. They betook themselves to Nand +Kumar, the Faujdar of Hugli, announcing the capture of the town. +Nand Kumar, who is said to have had an understanding with the +British, sent on the message to Rai Durlabh and the Nawab, with the +malicious addition that the Fort, if it had not already fallen, +would fall before Rai Durlabh could reach it. This put an end to all +chance of the Nawab interfering. + +The French spent the day in blocking a narrow passage formed by a +sandbank in the river, a short distance below the town. They sank-- + + "four large ships and a hulk,... and had a chain and boom + across in order to prevent our going up with the squadron. + Captain Toby sent his 2nd lieutenant, Mr. Bloomer, that night, + who cut the chain and brought off a sloop that buoyed it up."[43] + +It was apparently this rapid attack on the position that accounts +for the timidity of the pilots and boatmen, who, Renault tells us, +hurried away without staying to sink two other ships which were half +laden, and which, if sunk, would have completely blocked the +passage. Even on the ships which were sunk the masts had been left +standing, so as to point out their position to the enemy. + +Besides the ships sunk in the passage, there were at Chandernagore +the French East Indiaman the _Saint Contest_ (Captain de la Vigne +Buisson), four large ships, and several small ones. The French +needed all the sailors for the Fort, so they sank all the vessels +they could not send up the river except three, which it was supposed +they intended to use as fire-ships. + +Clive, in the meantime, was advancing cautiously, his men erecting +batteries, which seemed to be very easily silenced by the superior +gunnery of the Fort. His object was partly to weary out the garrison +by constant fighting, and partly to creep round to the river face, +so as to be in a position to take the batteries which commanded the +narrow river passage, as soon as Admiral Watson was ready to attack +the Fort. Later on, the naval officers asserted he could not have +taken the Fort without the assistance of the fleet. He said he +could, and it is certain that if he had had no fleet to assist him +his mode of attack would have been a very different one. + +Early in the siege the French were warned from Chinsurah to beware +of treachery amongst the deserters in their pay, and on the 17th of +March a number of arrows were found in the Fort with labels +attached, bearing the words:-- + + "Pardon to deserters who will rejoin their colours, and + rewards to officers who will come over to us." + +These were seized by the officers before the men could see them, but +one of the officers themselves, Charles Cossard de Terraneau, a +sub-lieutenant of the garrison, took advantage of the offer to go +over to the English. This officer had served with credit in the +South of India, and had lost an arm in his country's service. The +reason of his desertion is said to have been a quarrel with M. +Renault. M. Raymond, the translator of a native history of the time +by Gholam Husain Khan,[44] tells a story of De Terraneau which seems +improbable. It is to the effect that he betrayed the secret of the +river passage to Admiral Watson, and that a few years later he sent +home part of the reward of his treachery to his father in France. +The old man returned the money with indignant comments on his son's +conduct, and De Terraneau committed suicide in despair. As a matter +of fact, De Terraneau was a land officer,[45] and therefore not +likely to be able to advise the Admiral, who, as we shall see, +solved the riddle of the passage in a perfectly natural manner, and +the Probate Records show that De Terraneau lived till 1765, and in +his will left his property to his wife Ann, so the probability is +that he lived and died quietly in the British service. His only +trouble seems to have been to get himself received by his new +brother officers. However, he was, so Clive tells us, the only +artillery officer the French had, and his desertion was a very +serious matter. Renault writes:-- + + "The same night, by the improved direction of the + besiegers' bombs, I had no doubt but that he had done us + a bad service." + +On the 18th the French destroyed a battery which the English had +established near the river, and drove them out of a house opposite +the south-east bastion. The same day the big ships of the +squadron--the _Kent_ (Captain Speke), the _Tyger_ (Captain Latham), +and the _Salisbury_ (Captain Martin), appeared below the town. The +_Bridgewater_ and _Kingfisher_ had come up before. Admiral Watson +was on board the _Kent_, and Admiral Pocock on the _Tyger_. The +fleet anchored out of range of the Fort at the Prussian Gardens, a +mile and a half below the town, and half a mile below the narrow +passage in which the ships had been sunk. + +On the 19th Admiral Watson formally announced the declaration of +war,[46] and summoned the Fort to surrender. The Governor called a +council of war, in which there was much difference of opinion. Some +thought the Admiral would not have come so far without his being +certain of his ability to force the passage; indeed the presence of +so many deserters in the garrison rendered it probable that he had +secret sources of information. As a matter of fact, it was only when +Lieutenant Hey, the officer who had brought the summons, and, in +doing so, had rowed between the masts of the sunken vessels, +returned to the _Kent_, that Admiral Watson knew the passage was +clear. Renault and the Council were aware that the Fort could not +resist the big guns of the ships, and accordingly the more +thoughtful members of the council of war determined, if possible, to +try and avoid fighting by offering a ransom. This apparently gave +rise to the idea that they wished to surrender, and an English +officer says:-- + + "Upon the Admiral's sending them a summons ... to + surrender, they were very stout; they gave us to understand + there were two parties in the Factory, the Renaultions and + the anti-Renaultions. The former, which they called the + great-wigg'd gentry, or councillors, were for giving up the + Fort, but the others vowed they would die in the breach. To + these high and lofty expressions the Admiral could give no + other answer than that in a very few days, or hours perhaps, + he would give them a very good opportunity of testifying + their zeal for the Company and the Grand Monarque." + +The offer of ransom was made, and was refused by the Admiral. +Renault says, he-- + + "insisted on our surrendering and the troops taking possession + of the Fort, _promising, however, that every one should keep his + own property_. There was not a man amongst us who did not + prefer to run the risk of whatever might happen to surrendering + in this fashion, without the Fort having yet suffered any + material damage, and every one was willing to risk his own + interests in order to defend those of the Company. Every + one swore to do his best." + +The Admiral could not attack at once, owing to the state of the +river, but to secure his own position against any counter-attack, +such as was very likely with a man like Captain de la Vigne in the +Fort, he sent up boats the same night, and sank the vessels which it +was supposed the French intended to use as fire-ships; and the next +day Mr. John Delamotte, master of the _Kent_, under a heavy fire, +sounded and buoyed the passage for the ships. + +The army, meanwhile, continued its monotonous work ashore, the +soldiers building batteries for the French to knock to pieces, but +succeeding in Clive's object, which was "to keep the enemy +constantly awake."[47] Sometimes this work was dangerous, as, for +instance, on the 21st, when a ball from the Fort knocked down a +verandah close to one of the English batteries, "the rubbish of +which choked up one of our guns, very much bruised two artillery +officers, and buried several men in the ruins."[48] + +By the 22nd Clive had worked his way round to the river, and was +established to the north-east and south-east of the Fort so as to +assist the Admiral, and on the river the Admiral had at last got the +high tide he was waiting for. Surgeon Ives tells the story as +follows:[49]-- + + "The Admiral the same evening ordered lights to be + placed on the masts of the vessels that had been sunk, with + blinds towards the Fort, that we might see how to pass + between them a little before daylight, and without being + discovered by the enemy. + + "At length the glorious morning of the 23rd of March + arrived." Clive's men gallantly stormed the battery covering + the narrow pass,[50] "and upon the ships getting under sail the + Colonel's battery, which had been finished behind a dead + wall," to take off the fire of the Fort when the ships passed + up, began firing away, and had almost battered down the + corner of the south-east bastion before the ships arrived + within shot of the Fort. "The _Tyger_, with Admiral Pocock's + flag flying, took the lead, and about 6 o'clock in the morning + got very well into her station against the north-east bastion. + The _Kent_, with Admiral Watson's flag flying, quickly followed + her, but before she could reach her proper station, the tide of + ebb unfortunately made down the river, which occasioned her + anchor to drag, so that before she brought up she had fallen + abreast of the south-east bastion, the place where the _Salisbury_ + should have been, and from her mainmast aft she was exposed + to the flank guns of the south-west bastion also. The accident + of the _Kent's_ anchor not holding fast, and her driving down + into the _Salisbury's_ station, threw this last ship out of action, + to the great mortification of the captain, officers, and crew, + for she never had it in her power to fire a gun, unless it was + now and then, when she could sheer on the tide. The French, + during the whole time of the _Kent_ and _Tyger's_ approach + towards the Fort, kept up a terrible cannonade upon them, + without any resistance on their part; but as soon as the + ships came properly to an anchor they returned it with such + fury as astonished their adversaries. Colonel Clive's troops + at the same time got into those houses which were nearest + the Fort, and from thence greatly annoyed the enemy with + their musketry. Our ships lay so near to the Fort that the + musket balls fired from their tops, by striking against the + _chunam_[51] walls of the Governor's palace, which was in + the very centre of the Fort, were beaten as flat as a half-crown. + The fire now became general on both sides, and was + kept up with extraordinary spirit. The flank guns of the + south-west bastion galled the _Kent_ very much, and the + Admiral's aide-de-camps being all wounded, Mr. Watson went + down himself to Lieutenant William Brereton, who commanded + the lower deck battery, and ordered him particularly + to direct his fire against those guns, and they were accordingly + soon afterwards silenced. At 8 in the morning + several of the enemy's shot struck the _Kent_ at the same + time; one entered near the foremast, and set fire to two or + three 32-pound cartridges of gunpowder, as the boys held + them in their hands ready to charge the guns. By the explosion, + the wad-nets and other loose things took fire between + decks, and the whole ship was so filled with smoke that the + men, in their confusion, cried out she was on fire in the + gunner's store-room, imagining from the shock they had + felt from the balls that a shell had actually fallen into her. + This notion struck a panic into the greater part of the crew, + and 70 or 80 jumped out of the port-holes into the boats + that were alongside the ship. The French presently saw + this confusion on board the _Kent_, and, resolving to take the + advantage, kept up as hot a fire as possible upon her during + the whole time. Lieutenant Brereton, however, with the + assistance of some other brave men, soon extinguished the + fire, and then running to the ports, he begged the seamen to + come in again, upbraiding them for deserting their quarters; + but finding this had no effect upon them, he thought the + more certain method of succeeding would be to strike them + with a sense of shame, and therefore loudly exclaimed, 'Are + you Britons? You Englishmen, and fly from danger? For + shame! For shame!' This reproach had the desired effect; + to a man they immediately returned into the ship, repaired + to their quarters, and renewed a spirited fire on the enemy. + + "In about three hours from the commencement of the + attack the parapets of the north and south bastions were + almost beaten down; the guns were mostly dismounted, and + we could plainly see from the main-top of the _Kent_ that the + ruins from the parapet and merlons had entirely blocked up + those few guns which otherwise might have been fit for + service. We could easily discern, too, that there had been + a great slaughter among the enemy, who, finding that our + fire against them rather increased, hung out the white flag, + whereupon a cessation of hostilities took place, and the + Admiral sent Lieutenant Brereton (the only commissioned + officer on board the _Kent_ that was not killed or wounded) + and Captain Coote of the King's regiment with a flag of truce + to the Fort, who soon returned, accompanied by the French + Governor's son, with articles of capitulation, which being + settled by the Admiral and Colonel, we soon after took possession + of the place." + +So far then from the besiegers' side; Renault's description of the +fight is as follows:-- + + "The three largest vessels, aided by the high-water of + the equinoctial tides, which, moreover, had moved the vessels + sunk in the narrow passage, passed over the sunken ships, + which did not delay them for a moment, to within half + pistol shot of the Fort, and opened fire at 6 a.m. Then the + troops in the battery on the bank of the Ganges, who had + so far fired only one discharge, suddenly found themselves + overwhelmed with the fire from the tops of the ships, + abandoned it, and had much difficulty in gaining the Fort.... + I immediately sent the company of grenadiers, with a detachment + of the artillery company as reinforcements, to the + south-eastern bastion and the Bastion du Pavillon, which two + bastions face the Ganges; but those troops under the fire of + the ships, joined to that of the land batteries, _rebuilt the + same night_, and of more than 3000 men placed on the roofs + of houses which overlooked the Fort, almost all took flight, + leaving two of their officers behind, one dead and the other + wounded. I was obliged to send immediately all the marine + and the inhabitants from the other posts. + + "The attack was maintained with vigour from 6 a.m. to + 10.30, when all the batteries were covered with dead and + wounded, the guns dismounted, and the merlons destroyed, + in spite of their being strengthened with bales of cloth. No + one could show himself on the bastions, demolished by the + fire of more than 100 guns; the troops were terrified during + this attack by the loss of all the gunners and of nearly + 200 men; the bastions were undermined, and threatened to + crumble away and make a breach, which the exhaustion of + our people, and the smallness of the number who remained, + made it impossible for us to hope to defend successfully. + Not a soldier would put his hand to a gun; it was only the + European marine who stood to their duty, and half of these + were already killed or disabled. A body of English troops, + lying flat on the ground behind the screen which we had commenced + to erect on the bank of the Ganges, was waiting the + signal to attack. Seeing the impossibility of holding out longer, + I thought that in the state in which the Fort was I could not + in prudence expose it to an assault. Consequently I hoisted + the white flag and ordered the drums to beat a parley." + +According to an account written later by a person who was not +present at the siege, Renault lost his Fort by a quarter of an hour. +This writer says the tide was rapidly falling, and, had the eastern +defences of the Fort been able to resist a little longer, the ships +would have found their lower tiers of guns useless, and might have +been easily destroyed by the French. Suppositions of this kind +always suppose a stupidity on the part of the enemy which Renault +had no right to count upon. Admiral Watson must have known the +strength of the fortress he was about to attack before he placed +his ships in a position from which it would be impossible to +withdraw them whenever he wished to do so. + +The flag of truce being displayed, Captain Eyre Coote was sent +ashore, and returned in a quarter of an hour with the Governor's son +bearing "a letter concerning the delivery of the place." Articles +were agreed upon, and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon Captain +Coote, with a company of artillery and two companies of grenadiers, +took possession of the Fort. Before this took place there occurred +an event the consequences of which were very unfortunate for the +French. Everything was in a state of confusion, and the deserters, +who formed the majority of the garrison, expecting no mercy from the +Admiral and Clive, determined to escape. Rushing tumultuously to the +Porte Royale, their arms in their hands, they forced it to be opened +to them, and, finding the northern road to Chinsurah unguarded, made +the best of their way in that direction. They were accompanied by a +number of the military and marine, as well as by some of the +Company's servants and private persons who were determined not to +surrender. As all this took place after the hoisting of the white +flag and pending the conclusion of the capitulation, the English +considered it a breach of the laws of warfare, and when later on +the meaning of the capitulation itself was contested they absolutely +refused to listen to any of the representations of the French. In +all about 150 persons left the Fort. They had agreed to reassemble +at a place a little above Hugli. The English sent a small force +after them, who shot some and captured others, but about 80 officers +and men arrived at the rendezvous in safety. The pursuit, however, +was carried further, and Law writes:-- + + "Constantly pursued, they had to make forced marches. + Some lost their way; others, wearied out, were caught as they + stopped to rest themselves. However, when I least expected + it, I was delighted to see the officers and many of the soldiers + arrive in little bands of 5 and 6, all naked, and so worn out + that they could hardly hold themselves upright. Most of + them had lost their arms." + +This reinforcement increased Law's garrison from 10 or 12 men to 60, +and secured the safety of his person, but the condition of the +fugitives must have been an object lesson to the Nawab and his +_Durbar_ which it was not wise for the French to set before them. A +naval officer writes:-- + + "From the letters that have lately passed between the + Nawab and us, we have great reason to hope he will not + screen the French at all at Cossimbazar or Dacca. I only + wish the Colonel does not alarm him too much, by moving + with the army to the northward, I do assure you he is so + sufficiently frightened that he had rather encounter the new + Mogul[52] himself than accept our assistance, though he strenuously + begged for it about three weeks ago. He writes word + he needs no fuller assurance of our friendship for him, when + a single letter brought us so far on the road to Murshidabad + as Chandernagore."[53] + +The escape of the French from Chandernagore is of interest, as it +shows the extraordinary condition of the country. It is probable +that the peasantry and gentry were indifferent as to whether the +English or the French were victorious, whilst the local authorities +were so paralyzed by the Nawab's hesitation that they did not know +which side to assist. Later on we shall find that small parties, and +even solitary Frenchmen, wandered through the country with little or +no interference, though the English had been recognized as the +friends and allies of the new Nawab, Mir Jafar. + +To return, however, to Renault and the garrison of Chandernagore. +The capitulation proposed by Renault and the Admiral's answers were +to the following effect:-- + +1. The lives of the deserters to be spared. _Answer_. The deserters +to surrender absolutely. + +2. Officers of the garrison to be prisoners on parole, and allowed +to keep their effects. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +3. Soldiers of the garrison to be prisoners of war. _Answer_. Agreed +to, on condition that foreigners may enter the English service. + +4. Sepoys of the garrison to be set free. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +5. Officers and crew of the French Company's ship to be sent to +Pondicherry. _Answer_. These persons to be prisoners of war +according to articles 2 and 3. + +6. The Jesuit fathers to be allowed to practise their religion and +retain their property. _Answer_. No European to be allowed to remain +at Chandernagore, but the fathers to be allowed to retain their +property. + +7. All inhabitants to retain their property. _Answer_. This to be +left to the Admiral's sense of equity. + +8. The French Factories up-country to be left in the hands of their +present chiefs. _Answer_. This to be settled by the Nawab and the +Admiral. + +9. The French Company's servants to go where they please, with their +clothes and linen. _Answer_. Agreed to. + +It is evident that the capitulation was badly drawn up. Civilians +who had taken part in the defence, as had all the Company's +servants, might be justly included in the garrison, and accordingly +Admiral Watson and Clive declared they were all prisoners of war, +and that article 9 merely permitted them to reside where they +pleased on _parole_. On the other hand, Renault and the French +Council declared that, being civilians, nothing could make them part +of the garrison, and therefore under article 9 they might do what +they pleased. Accordingly, they expressed much surprise when they +were stopped at the Fort gates by one of Clive's officers, and +forced to sign, before they were allowed to pass, a paper promising +not to act against Britain directly or indirectly during the course +of the war. + +Another point of difficulty was in reference to article 7. The town +had been in the hands of the British soldiers and sepoys for days. +Much had been plundered, and both soldiers and sailors were wild for +loot. They considered that the Admiral was acting unjustly to them +in restoring their property to civilians who had been offered the +chance of retaining it if they would avoid unnecessary bloodshed by +a prompt surrender. Instead of this, the defence was so desperate +that one officer writes:-- + + "Our losses have been very great, and we have never + yet obtained a victory at so dear a rate. Perhaps you will + hear of few instances where two ships have met with heavier + damage than the _Kent_ and _Tyger_ in this engagement."[54] + +Clive's total loss was only about 40 men killed and wounded, but +the loss on the ships was so great, that before the Fort surrendered +the besiegers had lost quite as many men as the besieged, and it was +by no means clear to the common mind what claim the French had to +leniency. Even English officers wrote:-- + + "The Messieurs themselves deserve but little mercy from + us for their mean behaviour in setting fire to so many bales + of cloth and raw silk in the Fort but a very few minutes + before we entered, and it grieves us much, to see such a + number of stout and good vessels sunk with their whole + cargoes far above the Fort, which is a great loss to us and + no profit to them. Those indeed below, to hinder our passage + were necessary, the others were _merely through mischief_. + But notwithstanding this they scarcely ask a favour from + the Admiral but it is granted." + +The result was that the soldiers on guard began to beat the coolies +who were helping the French to secure their goods, until they were +induced by gifts to leave them alone, and much plundering went on +when the soldiers could manage to escape notice. On one day three +black soldiers were executed, and on another Sergeant Nover[55] and +a private soldier of the 39th Regiment were condemned to death, for +breaking open the Treasury and stealing 3000 rupees. Another theft, +which was not traced, was the holy vessels and treasure of the +Church. + +Many individual Frenchmen were ruined. Of one of these Surgeon Ives +narrates the following pleasing incident:-- + + "It happened unfortunately ... that Monsieur Nicolas, + a man of most amiable character, and the father of a large + family, had not been so provident as the rest of his countrymen + in securing his effects within the Fort, but had left them + in the town; consequently, upon Colonel Clive's first taking + possession of the place, they had all been plundered by our + common soldiers; and the poor gentleman and his family + were to all appearance ruined. The generous and humane + Captain Speke,[56] having heard of the hard fate of Monsieur + Nicolas, took care to represent it to the two admirals in all + its affecting circumstances, who immediately advanced the + sum of 1500 rupees each. Their example was followed by + the five captains of the squadron, who subscribed 5000 + between them. Mr. Doidge added 800 more, and the same + sum was thrown in by another person who was a sincere well-wisher + to this unfortunate gentleman; so that a present of + 9600 rupees, or L1200 sterling was in a few minutes collected + towards the relief of this valuable Frenchman and his + distressed family. One of the company was presently + despatched with this money, who had orders to acquaint + Monsieur Nicolas that a few of his English friends desired + his acceptance of it, as a small testimony of the very high + esteem they had for his moral character, and of their + unfeigned sympathy with him in his misfortunes. The poor + gentleman, quite transported by such an instance of generosity + in an enemy, cried out in a sort of ecstasy, 'Good God, + they axe friends indeed!' He accepted of the present with + great thankfulness, and desired that his most grateful + acknowledgements might be made to his unknown benefactors, + for whose happiness and the happiness of their + families, not only his, but the prayers of his children's + children, he hoped, would frequently be presented to heaven. + He could add no more; the tears, which ran plentifully down + his cheeks, bespoke the feelings of his heart: and, indeed, + implied much more than even Cicero with all his powers of + oratory could possibly have expressed." + +This, however, was but a solitary instance; the state of the French +was, as a rule, wretched in the extreme, and Renault wrote:-- + + "The whole colony is dispersed, and the inhabitants are + seeking an asylum, some--the greatest part--have gone to + Chinsurah, others to the Danes and to Calcutta. This + dispersion being caused by the misery to which our countrymen + are reduced, their poverty, which I cannot relieve, + draws tears from my eyes, the more bitter that I have seen + them risk their lives so generously for the interests of the + Company, and of our nation." + +In such circumstances there was but one consolation possible to +brave men--the knowledge that, in the eyes of friend and foe, they +had done their duty. The officers of the British army and navy all +spoke warmly of the gallant behaviour of the French, and the +historian Broome, himself a soldier and the chronicler of many a +brave deed, expresses himself as follows:-- + + "The conduct of the French on this occasion was most + creditable and well worthy the acknowledged gallantry of + that nation. Monsieur Renault, the Governor, displayed + great courage and determination: but the chief merit of the + defence was due to Monsieur Devignes" (Captain de la + Vigne Buisson), "commander of the French Company's ship, + _Saint Contest_. He took charge of the bastions, and directed + their fire with great skill and judgment, and by his own + example inspired energy and courage into all those around + him." + +Renault himself found some consolation in the gallant behaviour of +his sons. + + "In my misfortune I have had the satisfaction to see my + two sons distinguish themselves in the siege with all the + courage and intrepidity which I could desire. The elder + brother was in the Company's service, and served as a + volunteer; the younger, an officer in the army, was, as has + been said above, commandant of the volunteers." + +Others who are mentioned by Renault and his companions as having +distinguished themselves on the French side, were the Councillors +MM. Caillot, Nicolas, and Picques, Captain de la Vigne Buisson and +his son and officers, M. Sinfray (secretary to the Council), the +officers De Kalli[57] and Launay, the Company's servants Matel, Le +Conte Dompierre, Boissemont and Renault de St. Germain, the private +inhabitant Renault de la Fuye, and the two supercargoes of Indiamen +Delabar and Chambon. Caillot (or Caillaud) was wounded. The +official report of the loss of Chandernagore was drawn up on the +29th of March, 1757. The original is in the French Archives, and +Caillaud's signature shows that he was still suffering from his +wound. Sinfray we shall come across again. He joined Law at +Cossimbazar and accompanied him on his first retreat to Patna. Sent +back by Law, he joined Siraj-ud-daula, and commanded the small +French contingent at Plassey. When the battle was lost he took +refuge in Birbhum, was arrested by the Raja, and handed over to the +English. + +The immediate gain to the English by the capture of Chandernagore +was immense. Clive wrote to the Select Committee at Madras:-- + + "I cannot at present give you an account to what value + has been taken;[58] the French Company had no great stock + of merchandize remaining, having sold off most of their + Imports and even their investment for Europe to pay in part + the large debts they had contracted. With respect to the + artillery and ammunition ... they were not indifferently + furnished: there is likewise a very fine marine arsenal well + stocked. In short nothing could have happened more + seasonable for the expeditious re-establishment of Calcutta + than the reduction of Charnagore" (i.e. Chandernagore). "It + was certainly a large, rich and thriving colony, and the loss + of it is an inexpressible blow to the French Company."[59] + +The French gentlemen, after having signed under protest the document +presented to them by Clive, betook themselves to Chinsurah, where +they repudiated their signatures as having been extorted by force, +subsequent to, and contrary to, the capitulation. They proceeded to +communicate with Pondicherry, their up-country Factories, and the +native Government; they also gave assistance to French soldiers who +had escaped from Chandernagore. Clive and the Calcutta Council were +equally determined to interpret the capitulation in their own way, +and sent Renault an order, through M. Bisdom, the Dutch Director, to +repair to the British camp. Renault refused, and when Clive sent a +party of sepoys for him and the other councillors, they appealed to +M. Bisdom for the protection of the Dutch flag. M. Bisdom informed +them somewhat curtly that they had come to him without his +invitation, that he had no intention of taking any part in their +quarrels, that he would not give them the protection of his flag to +enable them to intrigue against the English, and, in short, +requested them to leave Dutch territory. As it was evident that the +British were prepared to use force, Renault and the Council gave in, +and were taken to Calcutta, where, for some time, they were kept +close prisoners. It was not till the Nawab had been overthrown at +Plassey, that they were absolutely released, and even then it was +only that they might prepare for their departure from Bengal. +Renault surmises, quite correctly, that this severity was probably +due to the fear that they would assist the Nawab. + +The following incident during Renault's captivity shows how little +could be expected from the Nawab towards a friend who was no longer +able to be of use to him. After the capture of Chandernagore the +English Council called on the Nawab to surrender the French +up-country Factories to them. Siraj-ud-daula had not even yet +learned the folly of his double policy. On the 4th of April he wrote +to Clive:-- + + "I received your letter and observe what you desire in + regard to the French factories and other goods. I address + you seeing you are a man of wisdom and knowledge, and + well acquainted with the customs and trade of the world; + and you must know that the French by the permission and + _phirmaund_[60] of the King[61] have built them several factories, + and carried on their trade in this kingdom. I cannot + therefore without hurting my character and exposing + myself to trouble hereafter, deliver up their factories and + goods, unless I have a written order from them for so doing, + and I am perswaded that from your friendship for me you + would never be glad at anything whereby my fame would + suffer; as I on my part am ever desirous of promoting" [yours]. + + "Mr. Renault, the French. Governor being in your power, if + you could get from him a paper under his own hand and + seal to this purpose; 'That of his own will and pleasure, he + thereby gave up to the English Company's servants, and + empowered them to receive all the factories, money and + goods belonging to the French Company without any hindrance + from the Nawab's people;' and would send this to + me, I should be secured by that from any trouble hereafter + on this account. But it is absolutely necessary you come + to some agreement about the King's duties arising from the + French trade.... I shall then be able to answer to his + servants 'that in order to make good the duties accruing + from the French trade I had delivered up their factories + into the hands of the English.'"[62] + +Clive replied on the 8th of April:-- + + "Now that I have granted terms to Mr. Renault, and + that he is under my protection, it is contrary to our custom, + after this, to use violence; and without it how would he ever + of his own will and pleasure, write to desire you to deliver + up his master's property. Weigh the justice of this in your + own mind. Notwithstanding we have reduced the French + so low you, contrary to your own interest and the treaty + you have made with us, that my enemies should be yours, + you still support and encourage them. But should you + think it would hurt your character to deliver up the French + factories and goods, your Excellency need only signify to me + your approbation and I will march up and take them."[63] + +The more we study the records of the time, the more clearly we +realize the terrible determination of Clive's character, and we +almost feel a kind of pity for the weak creatures who found +themselves opposed to him, until we come across incidents like the +above, which show the depths of meanness to which they were prepared +to descend. + +As to Renault's further career little is known, and that little we +should be glad to forget. Placed in charge of the French Settlement +at Karical, he surrendered, on the 5th of April, 1760, to what was +undoubtedly an overwhelming British force, but after so poor a +defence that he was brought before a Court Martial and cashiered. It +speaks highly for the respect in which he had been held by both +nations that none of the various reports and accounts of the siege +mention him by name. Even Lally, who hated the French Civilians, +though he says he deserved death,[64] only refers to him indirectly +as being the same officer of the Company who had surrendered +Chandernagore to Clive. + +We shall now pass to what went on in Siraj-ud-daula's Court and +capital. + + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 12: Journal of M. d'Albert.] + +[Footnote 13: Evidently the Parish Church of St. Louis. Eyre Coote +tells us the French had four guns mounted on its roof.] + +[Footnote 14: In early accounts of India the Muhammadans are always +called _Moors_; the Hindus, _Gentoos_ or _Gentiles_. The _Topasses_ +were Portuguese half-castes, generally employed, even by native +princes, as gunners.] + +[Footnote 15: Captain Broome says there were fifty European ladies +in the Fort. The French accounts say they all retired, previous to +the siege, to Chinsurah and Serampore.] + +[Footnote 16: Captain, afterwards Sir, Eyre Coote.] + +[Footnote 17: The fullest account is one by Renault, dated October +26, 1758.] + +[Footnote 18: The only one, excepting the battle of Biderra, between +the English and Dutch.] + +[Footnote 19: Governor of Pondicherry and President of the Superior +Council.] + +[Footnote 20: Eyre Coote, in his "Journal," mentions an old ditch, +which surrounded the settlement.] + +[Footnote 21: One hundred toises, or 600 feet; but Eyre Coote says +330 yards, the difference probably due to the measurement excluding +or including the outworks.] + +[Footnote 22: Tanks, or artificial ponds, in Bengal are often of +great size. I have seen some a quarter of a mile long.] + +[Footnote 23: Letter to M. de Montorcin, Chandernagore, August 1 +1756. Signature lost.] + +[Footnote 24: The Nawab, in July, 1756, extorted three lakhs from +the French and even more from the Dutch.] + +[Footnote 25: British Museum. Additional MS. 20,914.] + +[Footnote 26: A kind of fibre used in making bags and other coarse +materials.] + +[Footnote 27: Surgeon Ives's Journal.] + +[Footnote 28: Letter to De Montorcin.] + +[Footnote 29: Both English and French use this word "inhabitant" to +signify any resident who was not official, military, or in the +seafaring way.] + +[Footnote 30: This he did through the Armenian Coja Wajid, a wealthy +merchant of Hugli, who advised the Nawab on European affairs. +_Letter from Coja Wajid to Clive, January 17, 1757_.] + +[Footnote 31: A French doctor, who has left an account of the +Revolutions in Bengal, says there were eight outposts, and that the +loss of one would have involved the loss of all the others, as they +could be immediately cut off from the Fort, from which they were too +distant to be easily reinforced. The doctor does not sign his name, +but he was probably one of the six I mentioned above. Their names +were Haillet (doctor), La Haye (surgeon-major), Du Cap (second), Du +Pre (third), Droguet (fourth), and St. Didier (assistant).] + +[Footnote 32: M. Vernet, the Dutch Chief at Cossimbazar, wrote to +the Dutch Director at Chinsurah that he could obtain a copy of this +treaty from the Nawab's secretaries, if he wished for it.] + +[Footnote 33: See page 79 (and note).] + +[Footnote 34: See note, p. 89.] + +[Footnote 35: Governor.] + +[Footnote 36: A document authorising the free transit of certain +goods, and their exemption from custom dues, in favour of English +traders.--_Wilson_.] + +[Footnote 37: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2744, No. 71.] + +[Footnote 38: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2750, No. 83.] + +[Footnote 39: Still visible, I believe, in parts. The gateway +certainly exists.] + +[Footnote 40: Mr. Tooke was a Company's servant. He had +distinguished himself in the defence of Calcutta in 1756, when he +was wounded, and, being taken on board the ships, escaped the +dreadful ordeal of the Black Hole.] + +[Footnote 41: Neither of these accounts agree with the Capitulation +Returns.] + +[Footnote 42: British Museum. Addl. MS. 20,914.] + +[Footnote 43: Remarks on board His Majesty's ship _Tyger_, March +15th.] + +[Footnote 44: His maternal grandfather was a cousin of Aliverdi +Khan.] + +[Footnote 45: Malleson explains this by saying that De Terraneau was +employed in the blocking up of the passage, but the story hardly +needs contradiction.] + +[Footnote 46: This announcement seems superfluous after fighting had +been going on for several days, but it simply shows the friction +between the naval and military services.] + +[Footnote 47: Clive's journal for March 16th. Fort St. George, Sel. +Com. Cons., 28th April, 1757.] + +[Footnote 48: Eyre Coote's journal.] + +[Footnote 49: The passages interpolated are on the authority of a +MS. in the Orme Papers, entitled "News from Bengal."] + +[Footnote 50: Accounts of this detail differ. One says it was +stormed on the 21st, but if so the French would have been more on +their guard, and would surely have strengthened the second battery +in front of the Fort.] + +[Footnote 51: Lime plaster made extremely hard.] + +[Footnote 52: The Emperor at Delhi, who was supposed to be about to +invade Bengal.] + +[Footnote 53: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. 11.] + +[Footnote 54: Orme MSS. O.V. 32, p. 10.] + +[Footnote 55: Sergeant Nover was pardoned in consideration of +previous good conduct. _Letter from Clive to Colonel Adlercron, +March_ 29, 1757.] + +[Footnote 56: Captain Speke was seriously and his son mortally +wounded in the attack on Chandernagore.] + +[Footnote 57: I cannot identify this name in the Capitulation +Returns. Possibly he was killed.] + +[Footnote 58: Surgeon Ives says the booty taken was valued at +L130,000.] + +[Footnote 59: Orme MSS. India X., p. 2390. Letter of 30th March, +1757.] + +[Footnote 60: _Firman_, or Imperial Charter.] + +[Footnote 61: The Mogul, Emperor, or King of Delhi, to whom the +Bengal Nawabs were nominally tributary.] + +[Footnote 62: Orme MSS. India XI. pp. 2766-7, No. 111.] + +[Footnote 63: Ibid., p. 2768, No. 112.] + +[Footnote 64: Memoirs of Lally. London, 1766.] + + +[Illustration: MUXADABAD, OR MURSHIDABAD. (_After Rennell_.)] + + + + +CHAPTER III + +M. LAW, CHIEF OF COSSIMBAZAR + + +A few miles out of Murshidabad, capital of the Nawabs of Bengal +since 1704, when Murshid Kuli Khan transferred his residence from +Dacca to the ancient town of Muxadabad and renamed it after himself, +lay a group of European Factories in the village or suburb of +Cossimbazar.[65] Of these, one only, the English, was fortified; the +others, i.e. the French and Dutch, were merely large houses lying in +enclosures, the walls of which might keep out cattle and wild +animals and even thieves, but were useless as fortifications. In +1756 the Chief of the English Factory, as we have already seen, was +the Worshipful Mr. William Watts; the Dutch factory was under M. +Vernet,[66] and the French under M. Jean Law. The last mentioned was +the elder son of William Law, brother of John Law the financier, +who settled in France, and placed his sons in the French service. +French writers[67] on genealogy have hopelessly mixed up +the two brothers, Jean and Jacques Francois. Both came to +India, both distinguished themselves, both rose to the rank of +colonel, one by his services to the French East India Company, and +one by the usual promotion of an officer in the King's army. The +only proof that the elder was the Chief of Cossimbazar is to be +found in a few letters, mostly copies, in which his name is given as +Jean or John. As a usual rule he signed himself in the French manner +by his surname only, or as Law of Lauriston. + +His experiences during the four years following the accession of +Siraj-ud-daula were painful and exciting, and he has recorded them +in a journal or memoir[68] which has never yet been published, but +which is of great interest to the student of Indian history. For us +it has the added charm of containing a picture of ourselves painted +by one who, though a foreigner by education, was enabled by his +birth to understand our national peculiarities. In the present +chapter I shall limit myself almost entirely to quotations from this +memoir. + +Law was by no means an admirer of Aliverdi Khan's successor,-- + + "Siraj-ud-daula, a young man of twenty-four or twenty-five,[69] + very common in appearance. Before the death of Aliverdi + Khan the character of Siraj-ud-daula was reported to be one + of the worst ever known. In fact, he had distinguished himself + not only by all sorts of debauchery, but by a revolting + cruelty. The Hindu women are accustomed to bathe on the + banks of the Ganges. Siraj-ud-daula, who was informed by + his spies which of them were beautiful, sent his satellites in + disguise in little boats to carry them off. He was often + seen, in the season when the river overflows, causing the + ferry boats to be upset or sunk in order to have the cruel + pleasure of watching the terrified confusion of a hundred + people at a time, men, women, and children, of whom many, + not being able to swim, were sure to perish. When it + became necessary to get rid of some great lord or minister, + Siraj-ud-daula alone appeared in the business, Aliverdi Khan + retiring to one of his houses or gardens outside the town, so + that he might not hear the cries of the persons whom he was + causing to be killed." + +So bad was the reputation of this young prince, that many persons, +among them Mr. Watts, imagined it impossible that the people would +ever tolerate his accession. The European nations in Bengal had no +regular representatives at the Court of the Nawab; and the Chiefs of +the Factories at Cossimbazar, though now and then admitted to the +_Durbar_, transacted their business mainly through _wakils_, or +native agents, who, of course, had the advantage of knowing the +language and, what was of much greater importance, understood all +those indirect ways in which in Eastern countries one's own business +is forwarded and that of one's rivals thwarted. Then, as now, the +difficulty of dealing with native agents was to induce these agents +to express their own opinions frankly and clearly.[70] So far from +the English Chief being corrected by his _wakil_, we find the +latter, whilst applying to other nobles for patronage and +assistance, studiously refraining from making any application to +Siraj-ud-daula when English business had to be transacted at Court. + +The English went even further:-- + + "On certain occasions they refused him admission into + their factory at Cossimbazar and their country houses, + because, in fact, this excessively blustering and impertinent + young man used to break the furniture, or, if it pleased his + fancy, take it away. But Siraj-ud-daula was not the man + to forget what he regarded as an insult. The day after the + capture of the English fort at Cossimbazar, he was heard to + say in full _Durbar_, 'Behold the English, formerly so proud + that they did not wish to receive me in their houses!' In + short, people knew, long before the death of Aliverdi Khan, + that Siraj-ud-daula was hostile to the English." + +With the French it was different:-- + + "On the other hand, he was very well disposed towards + us. It being our interest to humour him, we had received + him with a hundred times more politeness than he deserved. + By the advice of Rai Durlabh Ram and Mohan Lal, we had + recourse to him in important affairs. Consequently, we + gave him presents from time to time, and this confirmed his + friendship for us. The previous year (1755) had been a + very good one for him, owing to the business connected with + the settlement of the Danes in Bengal. In fact, it was by + his influence that I was enabled to conclude this affair, and + Aliverdi Khan allowed him to retain all the profit from it, + so I can say that I had no bad place in the heart of Siraj-ud-daula. + It is true he was a profligate, but a profligate who + was to be feared, who could be useful to us, _and who might + some day be a good man_. Nawajis Muhammad Khan[71] had + been at least as vicious as Siraj-ud-daula, and yet he had + become the idol of the people." + +Law, therefore, had cultivated the young Nawab. Mr. Watts, on the +other hand, was not only foolish enough to neglect him, but carried +his folly to extremes. He was not in a position to prevent his +accession, and ought therefore to have been careful by the +correctness of his behaviour to show no signs of being opposed to +it. So far from this, he is strongly suspected of having entered +into correspondence with the widow of Nawajis Khan, who had adopted +Siraj-ud-daula's younger brother[72] and was supporting his +candidature for the throne, and also with Saukat Jang, Nawab of +Purneah and cousin of Siraj-ud-daula, who was trying to obtain the +throne for himself. Still further, he advised Mr. Drake, Governor of +Calcutta, to give shelter to Kissendas, son of Raj Balav (Nawajis +Khan's _Diwan_), who had fled with the treasures in his charge when +his father was called to account for his master's property. + +Contrary to Mr. Watts's expectations, Aliverdi Khan's last acts so +smoothed the way for Siraj-ud-daula, and the latter acted with such +decision and promptitude on his grandfather's death, that in an +incredibly short time he had all his enemies at his feet, and was at +leisure to attend to state business, and especially the affairs +of the foreign Settlements. Aliverdi Khan had always been +extremely jealous of allowing the European nations to erect any +fortifications, but, during his last illness, all of them, expecting +a contested succession, during which, owing to complications in +Europe, they might find themselves at war with each other in India, +began to repair their old walls or to erect new ones. This was +exactly what Siraj-ud-daula wanted. His first care on his accession +had been to make himself master of his grandfather's and uncle's +treasures. To these he had added those of such of his grandfather's +servants as he could readily lay hands on. Other wealthy nobles and +officers had fled to the English, or were suspected of having +secretly sent their treasures to Calcutta. It was also supposed that +the European Settlements, and especially Calcutta, were filled with +the riches accumulated by the foreigners. Whilst, therefore, the +Nawab was determined to make all the European nations contribute +largely in honour of his accession, and in atonement for their +insolence in fortifying themselves without his permission, he had +special reasons for beginning with the English. In the mean time, +however, he had first to settle with his cousin, Saukat Jang, the +Nawab of Purneah, so he contented himself with sending orders to the +Chiefs of the Factories to pull down their new fortifications. Law +acted wisely and promptly. + + "I immediately drew up an _Arzi_, or Petition, and had one + brought from the Council in Chandernagore of the same + tenour as my own. These two papers were sent to Siraj-ud-daula, + who appeared satisfied with them. He even wrote + me in reply that he did not forbid our repairing old works, + but merely our making new ones. Besides, the spies who + had been sent to Chandernagore, being well received and + satisfied with the presents made them, submitted a report + favourable to us, so that our business was hushed up." + +The English behaved very differently, and their answer, which was +bold if not insolent in tone,[73] reached the Nawab at the very +moment when he had received the submission of the Nawab of Purneah. +Law adds:-- + + "I was assured that the Nawab of Purneah showed him + some letters which he had received from the English. This + is difficult to believe, but this is how the match took fire. + + "Accordingly, no sooner had the Nawab heard the contents + of the answer from the English, than he jumped up in + anger, and, pulling out his sword, swore he would go and + exterminate all the Feringhees.[74] At the same time he gave + orders for the march of his army, and appointed several + Jemadars[75] to command the advance guard. As in his first + burst of rage he had used the general word Feringhees, + which is applied to all Europeans, some friends whom I had + in the army, and who did not know how our business had + ended, sent to warn me to be on my guard, as our Factory + would be besieged. The alarm was great with us, and with + the English, at Cossimbazar. I spent more than twenty-four + hours in much anxiety; carrying wood, provisions, etc., into + the Factory, but I soon knew what to expect. I saw horsemen + arrive and surround the English fort, and at the same + time I received an official letter from the Nawab, telling me + not to be anxious, and that he was as well pleased with us + as he was ill pleased with the English." + +Cossimbazar surrendered without firing a shot, owing to the +treacherous advice of the Nawab's generals, and Siraj-ud-daula +advanced on Calcutta. It was with the greatest difficulty that Law +escaped being forced to march in his train. + + "The remains of the respect which he had formerly felt + for Europeans made him afraid of failure in his attack + on Calcutta, which had been represented to him as a very + strong place, defended by three or four thousand men. He + wrote to me in the strongest terms to engage the Director of + Chandernagore to give him what assistance he could in men + and ammunition. 'Calcutta is yours,' he said to our agent + in full _Durbar_; 'I give you that place and its dependencies + as the price of the services you will render me. I know, + besides, that the English are your enemies; you are always + at war with them either in Europe or on the Coromandel + Coast, so I can interpret your refusal only as a sign of the + little interest you take in what concerns me. I am resolved + to do you as much good as Salabat Jang[76] has done you in + the Deccan, but if you refuse my friendship and the offers I + make you, you will soon see me fall on you and cause you + to experience the same treatment that I am now preparing + for others in your favour.' He wished us to send down at + once to Calcutta all the ships and other vessels which were + at Chandernagore. After having thanked him for his + favourable disposition towards us, I represented to him + that we were not at war with the English, that what had + happened on the Coromandel Coast was a particular affair + which we had settled amicably, and that the English, in + Bengal having given us no cause of offence, it was impossible + for us, without orders either from Europe or Pondicherry, to + give him the assistance he asked for. Such reasons could + only excite irritation in the mind of a man of Siraj-ud-daula's + character. He swore he would have what he wanted + whether we wished it or not, and that, as we lived in his + country, his will ought to be law to us. I did my best to + appease him, but uselessly. At the moment of his departure + his sent us word by one of his uncles that he still counted + on our assistance, and he sent me a letter for the Governor of + Pondicherry, in which he begged him to give us the necessary + orders. I thought to myself this was so much time gained." + +The Nawab captured Calcutta without any open assistance from the +French, and, though he set free most of the prisoners who survived +the Black Hole, he sent Holwell and three others before him to +Murshidabad. Law, who had already sheltered Mrs. Watts and her +family, and such of the English of Cossimbazar as had been able to +escape to him, now showed similar kindness to Holwell and his +companions. Of this he says modestly:-- + + "The gratitude Mr. Holwell expresses for a few little + services which I was able to render him makes me regret + my inability to do as much to deserve his gratitude as I + should have liked to do."[77] + +He also, apparently with some difficulty, obtained consent to M. +Courtin's request for the release of the English prisoners at Dacca; +for-- + + "Siraj-ud-daula, being informed that there were two or + three very charming English ladies at Dacca, was strongly + tempted to adorn his harem with them." + +Law's success in these matters is a striking instance of his +personal influence, for Siraj-ud-daula was by no means any longer +well disposed towards the French and Dutch. + + "The fear of drawing on his back all the European + nations at once had made him politic. At first he pretended + to be satisfied with the reply sent by the Governor + of Chandernagore, and assured him that he would always + treat us with the greatest kindness. He said the same to + the Dutch, but when Calcutta was taken the mask fell. He + had nothing more to fear. Scarcely had he arrived at Hugli + when he sent detachments to Chandernagore and Chinsurah + to summon the commandants to pay contributions, or to + resolve to see their flags taken away and their forts + demolished. In short, we were forced to yield what the + Nawab demanded; whilst he, as he said, was content with + having punished a nation which had offended him, and with + having put the others to ransom to pay for the expenses of + the expedition. We saw the tyrant reappear in triumph at + Murshidabad, little thinking of the punishment which Providence + was preparing for his crimes, and to make which still + more striking, he was yet to have some further successes." + +It may be here pointed out that, not only did the Nawab not insist +on the destruction of the French and Dutch fortifications, but he +did not destroy the fortifications of Calcutta. This proves that if +the English had shown the humility and readiness to contribute which +he desired, he would have left them in peace at the first, or, after +the capture of Calcutta, have permitted them to resettle there +without farther disturbance. In short, the real necessity of making +the European nations respect his authority, instead of guiding him +in a settled course, merely provided a pretext for satisfying his +greed. This is the opinion, not only of the French and English who +were at Murshidabad when the troubles began, but of the English +officials who went there later on and made careful inquiries amongst +all classes of people in order to ascertain the real reason of +Siraj-ud-daula's attack upon the English. + +His avarice was to prove the Nawab's ruin. + + "Siraj-ud-daula was one of the richest Nawabs that had + ever reigned. Without mentioning his revenues, of which + he gave no account at the Court of Delhi, he possessed + immense wealth, both in gold and silver coin, and in jewels + and precious stones, which had been left by the preceding + three Nawabs. In spite of this he thought only of increasing + his wealth. If any extraordinary expense had to be met + he ordered contributions, and levied them with extreme + rigour. Having never known himself what it was to want + money, he supposed that, in due proportion, money was as + common with other people as with himself, and that the + Europeans especially were inexhaustible. His violence + towards them was partly due to this. In fact, from his + behaviour, one would have said his object was to ruin everybody. + He spared no one, not even his relatives, from whom + he took all the pensions and all the offices which they + had held in the time of Aliverdi Khan. Was it possible for + such a man to keep his throne? Those who did not know + him intimately, when they saw him victorious over his + enemies and confirmed as Nawab by a _firman_[78]from the + Great Mogul, were forced to suppose that there was in his + character some great virtue which balanced his vices and + counteracted their effects. However, this young giddy-pate + had no talent for government except that of making himself + feared, and, at the same time, passed for the most cowardly + of men. At first he had shown some regard for the officers of + the army, because, until he was recognized as Nawab, he felt + his need of them. He had even shown generosity, but this + quality, which was quite opposed to his real character, soon disappeared, + to make place for violence and greed, which decided + against him all those who had favoured his accession in the + hope that he would behave discreetly when he became Nawab." + +Owing to the general disgust felt at Murshidabad for the Nawab, his +cousin, Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah, thought the opportunity +favourable for reviving his claims, and, early in October, +Siraj-ud-daula, hearing of his contemplated rebellion, invaded his +country. + + "Every one longed for a change, and many flattered + themselves it would take place. In fact, it was the most + favourable opportunity to procure it. The result would have + been happiness and tranquillity for Bengal. Whilst contributing + to the general good--which even the Dutch might + have interested themselves in--we could have prevented + the misfortunes which have since happened to us. Three or + four hundred Europeans and a few sepoys would have done + the business. If we could have joined this force to the + enemies of Siraj-ud-daula we should have placed on the + throne another Nawab--not, indeed, one wholly to our taste, + but, not to worry about trifles, one to the liking of the house + of Jagat Seth,[79] and the chief Moors and Rajas. I am sure + such a Nawab would have kept his throne. The English + would have been re-established peaceably, they would certainly + have received some compensation, and would have had + to be satisfied whether they liked it or not. The neutrality of + the Ganges assured, at least to the same extent as in the time + of Aliverdi Khan, the English would have been prevented + from invading Bengal, and from sending thither the reinforcements + which had contributed so much to their success + on the Madras Coast. All this depended on us, but how + could we foresee the succession of events which has been as + contrary to us as it has been favourable to the English? As + it was, we remained quiet, and the rash valour of the young + Nawab of Purneah, whilst it delivered Siraj-ud-daula from + the only enemy he had to fear in the country, made it clear + to the whole of Bengal that the change so much desired + could be effected only by the English." + +Mir Jafar and other leaders of the Nawab's army were about to +declare in favour of Saukat Jang when Ramnarain,[80] Naib of Patna, +arrived to support Siraj-ud-daula. Whilst the malcontents were +hesitating what to do, Saukat Jang made a rash attack on the Nawab's +army, and was shot dead in the fight. + + "Behold him then, freed by this event from all his + inquietudes; detested, it is true, but feared even by those + who only knew him by name. In a country where predestination + has so much power over the mind, the star of + Siraj-ud-daula was, people said, predominant. Nothing could + resist him. He was himself persuaded of this. Sure of the + good fortune which protected him, he abandoned himself + more than ever to those passions which urged him to the + commission of every imaginable form of violence. + + "It can be guessed what we had to suffer, we and the + Dutch, at Cossimbazar. Demand followed demand, and insult + followed insult, on the part of the native officers and soldiers; + for they, forming their behaviour on that of their master, + thought they could not sufficiently show their contempt for + everything European. We could not go outside of our Factories + without being exposed to annoyance of one kind or another." + +Every one in the land turned wistful eyes towards the English, but +they lay inactive at Fulta, and it seemed as if help from Madras +would never come. The English, therefore, tried to bring about a +revolution favourable to themselves at Murshidabad, and began to +look for persons who might be induced to undertake it; but this was +not easy, as the Moor nobles had little acquaintance with the +Europeans. Of the Hindus in Bengal-- + + "the best informed were the bankers and merchants, who + by their commercial correspondence had been in a position + to learn many things. The house of Jagat Seth, for instance, + was likely to help the English all the more because to its + knowledge of them it joined several causes of complaint + against Siraj-ud-daula. Up to the death of Aliverdi Khan + it had always enjoyed the greatest respect. It was this + family which had conducted almost all his financial business, + and it may be said that it had long been the chief cause of + all the revolutions in Bengal. But now things were much + changed. Siraj-ud-daula, the most inconsiderate of men, + never supposing that he would need the assistance of mere + bankers, or that he could ever have any reason to fear them, + never showed them the slightest politeness. He wanted + their wealth, and some day or other it was certain he would + seize it. These bankers, then, were the persons to serve the + English. They could by themselves have formed a party, + and, even without the assistance of any Europeans, have + put another Nawab upon the throne and re-established the + English, but this would have required much time. Business + moves very slowly amongst Indians, and this would not have + suited the English. The bankers also were Hindus, and of + a race which does not like to risk danger. To stimulate + them to action it was necessary for the English to commence + operations and achieve some initial successes, and as yet + there seemed no likelihood of their doing so. To negotiate + with Siraj-ud-daula for a peaceful re-establishment was quite + as difficult, unless they were inclined to accept the very + hardest conditions, for the Nawab had now the most extravagant + contempt for all Europeans; a pair of slippers, he + said, is all that is needed to govern them." + +Just as it seemed likely that the English would have to stoop to the +Nawab's terms, they received news of the despatch of reinforcements +from Madras. About the same time, it became known to both French and +English that France and England had declared war against each other +in the preceding May.[81] The English naturally said nothing about +it, and the French were too eager to see the Nawab well beaten to +put any unnecessary obstacles in their way. The negotiations with +the friends of the Europeans at Murshidabad were quietly continued +until Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive arrived. A rapid advance was +then made on Calcutta, which was captured with hardly any +resistance. + +Siraj-ud-daula was so little disturbed by the recapture of Calcutta +that the French thought everything would terminate amicably, but, +possibly owing to the reputation of Watson and Clive, who had so +long fought against the French,[82] they thought it likely that, if +the English demanded compensation for their losses, the Nawab would +allow them to recoup themselves by seizing the French Settlements. +M. Renault, therefore, wrote to Law to make sure that, in any treaty +between the Nawab and the English, an article should be inserted +providing for the neutrality of the Ganges; but the French, at +present, were needlessly alarmed. The English had no intention of +creeping quietly back into the country. Watson and Clive addressed +haughty letters to the Nawab, demanding reparation for the wrongs +inflicted on the English; and the Admiral and the Council declared +war in the name of the King and the Company. This possibly amused +the Nawab, who took no notice of their letters; but it was a +different matter when a small English force sailed up the Hugli, +passed Chandernagore unopposed by the French, captured the fort of +Hugli, burnt Hugli[83] and Bandel towns, and ravaged both banks of +the river down to Calcutta. The French were in an awkward position. +The English had passed Chandernagore without a salute, which was an +unfriendly, if not a hostile act; whilst the Nawab thought that, as +the French had not fired on them, they must be in alliance with +them. Law had to bear the brunt of this suspicion. His common sense +told him that the English would never consent to a neutrality, and +he wrote to Renault that it was absolutely necessary to join the +Moors. + + "The neutrality was by no means obligatory, as no treaty + existed. In fact, what confidence could we have in a forced + neutrality, which had been observed so long only out of + fear of the Nawab, who for the general good of the country + was unwilling to allow any act of hostility to be committed + by the Europeans? Much more so when the English were + at war with the Nawab himself. If they managed to get + the better of him, what would become of this fear, the sole + foundation of the neutrality?" + +So Law wrote to Renault, begging him, if he could not persuade the +English to sign a treaty of neutrality at once, to make up his mind +and join the Nawab. We have seen why Renault could do neither, and +Law, writing after the event says, generously enough:-- + + "I am bound to respect the reasons which determined + M. Renault as well as the gentlemen of the Council, who + were all much too good citizens not to have kept constantly + in their minds the welfare of our nation and the Company. + People always do see things differently, and the event does + not always prove the correctness or incorrectness of the + reasons which have decided us to take one or the other course." + +As soon as the Nawab heard of the plundering of Hugli he set out for +Calcutta, but to blind the English he requested M. Renault to +mediate between them. The English refusal to treat through the +French had the effect of clearing up matters between the latter and +the Nawab; but he could not understand why the French would not +actively assist him. Certain, at any rate, that he had only the +English to deal with, he foolishly played into their hands by +marching to fight them on their own ground, whereas, if he had +remained idle at a little distance, merely forbidding supplies to be +sent them, he could have starved them out of Calcutta in a few +months. As I have said before, Clive attacked his camp on the 5th of +February, and so terrified him that he consented to a shameful +peace, in which he forgot all mention of the neutrality of the +Ganges. Law tells a curious story to the effect that what frightened +the Nawab most of all was a letter from Admiral Watson, threatening +to make him a prisoner and carry him to England. Watson's letter is +extant, and contains no such threat, but it is quite possible that +it was so interpreted to the Nawab. + +Though the Nawab had assured the English that he would have the same +friends and enemies as they, and had omitted to mention the French +in the treaty, he now, of his own accord, gave the French all that +the English had extorted from him. This act could not be kept +secret. + + "A great fault at present, and which has always existed, + in the management of affairs in India, especially in Bengal, + is that nothing is secret. Scarcely had the Nawab formed + any project when it was known to the lowest of his slaves. + The English, who were suspicious, and who had for friends + every one who was an enemy of Siraj-ud-daula, whom all + detested, were soon informed of his proposals to M. Renault + and of the letters written on both sides." + +Yet Law thinks it was only the European war and the fear that +Renault intended an alliance with the Nawab that induced the English +to proceed to extremities:-- + + "The dethronement of the Nawab had become an absolute + necessity. To drive us out of Bengal was only a preliminary + piece of work. A squadron of ours with considerable forces + might arrive. Siraj-ud-daula might join his forces to it. + What, then, would become of the English? They needed + for Nawab a man attached to their interests. Besides, this + revolution was not so difficult to carry out as one might + imagine. With Chandernagore destroyed, nothing could be + more easy; but even if we were left alone the revolution + could have been effected by the junction of the English with + the forces which would have been produced against Siraj-ud-daula + by the crowd of enemies whom he had, and amongst + whom were to be counted the most respectable persons in + the three provinces.[84] This statement demands an explanation. + I have already spoken of the house of Jagat Seth, or + rather of its chiefs, who are named Seth Mahtab Rai and Seth + Sarup Chand, bankers of the Mogul, the richest and most + powerful merchants who have ever lived. They are, I can + say, the _movers_ of the revolution. Without them the English + would never have carried out what they have. I have + already said they were not pleased with Siraj-ud-daula, who + did not show them the same respect as the old Nawab + Aliverdi Khan had done; but the arrival of the English + forces, the capture of the Moorish forts, and the fright of + the Nawab before Calcutta, had made a change which was + apparently in their favour. The Nawab began to perceive + that the bankers were necessary to him. The English + would have no one except them as mediators, and so they + had become, as it were, responsible for the behaviour of + both the Nawab and the English. Accordingly after the + Peace there was nothing but kindness and politeness from + the Nawab towards them, and he consulted them in everything. + At the bottom this behaviour of his was sheer + trickery. The Seths were persuaded that the Nawab who + hated the English must also dislike the persons whom the + English employed. Profiting by the hatred which the + Nawab had drawn on himself by his violence, and distributing + money judiciously, they had long since gained over + those who were nearest to the Nawab, whose imprudence + always enabled them to know what he had in his heart. + From what came to the knowledge of the Seths it was easy + to guess what he intended, and this made them tremble, for + it was nothing less than their destruction, which could be + averted only by his own. The cause of the English had + become that of the Seths; their interests were identical. Can + one be surprised to see them acting in concert? Further, + when one remembers that it was this same house of bankers + that overthrew Sarfaraz Khan[85] to enthrone Aliverdi Khan, + and who, during the reign of the latter, had the management + of all important business, one must confess that it ought not + to be difficult for persons of so much influence to execute a + project in which, the English were taking a share."[86] + +Law could not persuade Renault to act, and without his doing so the +game was nearly hopeless. Still, he worked at forming a French party +in the Court. By means of Coja Wajid, an Armenian merchant of +Hugli, whose property had been plundered by the English, he obtained +an interview with the Nawab, and persuaded him to send the 2000 +soldiers who were with Renault at the beginning of the siege. More +would have been despatched but for the apparent certainty that the +treaty of neutrality would be signed. In fact, Renault was so +worried that, on the complaint of Watson and Clive that Law was +exciting the Nawab against the English, he wrote Law a letter which +caused the latter to ask to be recalled from Cossimbazar, and it was +only at Renault's earnest request that he consented to remain at his +post. Law continued forming his party. + + "It would appear from the English memoirs that we + corrupted the whole _Durbar_ at Murshidabad to our side by + presents and lies. I might with justice retort this reproach. + As a matter of fact, except Siraj-ud-daula himself, one may + say the English had the whole _Durbar_ always in their + favour. Without insisting on this point, let us honestly + agree, since the English themselves confess it, that we were, + like them, much engaged in opposing corruption to corruption + in order to gain the friendship of scoundrels so as to + place ourselves on equal terms with our enemies. This has + always happened, and ought not to cause surprise in a Court + where right counts for nothing and, every other motive apart, + one can never be successful except by the weight of what + one puts in the balance of iniquity. For the rest, right + or wrong, it is certain that the English were always in a + position to put in more than we could. + + "Fear and greed are the two chief motives of Indian + minds. Everything depends on one or the other. Often + they are combined towards the same object, but, when they + are opposed, fear always conquers. A proof of this is easily + to be seen in all the events connected with, the revolution + in Bengal. When, in 1756, Siraj-ud-daula determined to + expel the English, fear and greed combined to make him + act. As soon as he had himself proved the superiority of + the English troops, fear took the upper hand in his mind, + grew stronger day by day, and soon put him in a condition + in which he was unable to follow, and often even to see, his + true interests. + + "I mention the Nawab first. His hatred for the English + certainly indicated friendship for us. I think so myself, but + we have seen what was his character and his state of mind + in general. I ask, in all good faith, whether we could expect + any advantage from his friendship? This person, cowed by + fear, irresolute and imprudent, could he alone be of any use + to us? It was necessary for him to be supported by some + one who had his confidence and was capable by his own + firmness of fixing the irresolution of the Prince. + + "Mohan Lal, chief _Diwan_ of Siraj-ud-daula, was this + man, the greatest scoundrel the earth has ever borne, worthy + minister of such a master, and yet, in truth, the only person + who was really attached to him. He had firmness and also + sufficient judgment to understand that the ruin of Siraj-ud-daula + must necessarily bring on his own. He was as much, + detested as his master. The sworn enemy of the Seths, and + capable of holding his own against them, I think those + bankers would not have succeeded so easily in their project + if he had been free to act, but, unfortunately for us, he had + been for some time, and was at this most critical moment + dangerously ill. He could not leave his house. I went to + see him twice with Siraj-ud-daula, but it was not possible to + get a word from him. There is strong reason to believe he + had been poisoned. Owing to this, Siraj-ud-daula saw himself + deprived of his only support. + + "Coja Wajid, who had introduced me to the Nawab, and + who, it would be natural to suppose, was our patron, was a + great merchant of Hugli. He was consulted by the Nawab + only because, as he had frequented the Europeans and especially + the English, the Nawab imagined he knew them perfectly. + He was one of the most timid of men, who wanted + to be polite to everybody, and who, had he seen the dagger + raised, would have thought he might offend Siraj-ud-daula + by warning him that some one intended to assassinate him.[87] + Possibly he did not love the Seths, but he feared them, + which was sufficient to make him useless to us. + + "Rai Durlabh Ram, the other _Diwan_ of the Nawab, was + the man to whom I was bound to trust most. Before the + arrival of Clive he might have been thought the enemy of + the English. It was he who pretended to have beaten them + and to have taken Calcutta. He wished, he said, to maintain + his reputation; but after the affair of the 5th of February, + in which the only part he took was to share in the flight, he + was not the same man; he feared nothing so much as to + have to fight the English. This fear disposed him to gradually + come to terms with the Seths, of whose greatness he + was very jealous. He also hated the Nawab, by whom he + had been ill-used on many occasions. In short, I could never + get him to say a single word in our favour in the _Durbar_. + The fear of compromising himself made him decide to remain + neutral for the present, though firmly resolved to join finally + the side which appeared to him to be the strongest." + +This, then, was the French party, whose sole bond was dislike to the +Seths, and the members of which, by timidity or ill-health, were +unable to act. It was different with their enemies. + + "The English had on their side in the _Durbar_ the terror + of their arms, the faults of Siraj-ud-daula, the ruling influence + and the refined policy of the Seths, who, to conceal their game + more completely, and knowing that it pleased the Nawab, + often spoke all the ill they could think of about the English, + so as to excite him against them and at the same time gain + his confidence. The Nawab fell readily into the snare, and + said everything that came into his mind, thus enabling his + enemies to guard against all the evil which otherwise he + might have managed to do them. The English had also on + their side all the chief officers in the Nawab's army--Jafar + All Khan, Khodadad Khan Latty, and a number of others + who were attached to them by their presents or the influence + of the Seths, all the ministers of the old Court whom + Siraj-ud-daula had disgraced, nearly all the secretaries,[88] the + writers[89] of the _Durbar_, and even the eunuchs of the harem. + What might they not expect to achieve by the union of all + these forces when guided by so skilful a man as Mr. Watts?" + +With such enemies to combat in the Court itself, Law heard that the +English were marching on Chandernagore. By the most painful efforts +he obtained orders for reinforcements to be sent to the French. +They-- + + "were ready to start, the soldiers had been paid, the Commandant[90] + waited only for final orders. I went to see him + and promised him a large sum if he succeeded in raising the + siege of Chandernagore. I also visited several of the chief + officers, to whom I promised rewards proportionate to their + rank. I represented to the Nawab that Chandernagore must + be certainly captured if the reinforcements did not set out + at once, and I tried to persuade him to give his orders to + the Commandant in my presence. 'All is ready,' replied the + Nawab, 'but before resorting to arms it is proper to try all + possible means to avoid a rupture, and all the more so as the + English have just promised to obey the orders I shall send + them.'[91] I recognized the hand of the Seths in these details. + + They encouraged the Nawab in a false impression about this + affair. On the one hand, they assured him that the march + of the English, was only to frighten us into subscribing to + a treaty of neutrality, and on the other hand they increased + his natural timidity by exaggerating the force of the English + and by representing the risk he ran in assisting us with + reinforcements which would probably not prevent the capture + of Chandernagore if the English were determined to take it, + but would serve as a reason for the English to attack the + Nawab himself. They managed so well that they destroyed + in the evening all the effect I had produced in the morning. + + "I resolved to visit the bankers. They immediately + commenced talking about our debts, and called my attention + to the want of punctuality in our payments. I said that + this was not the question just now, and that I came to them + upon a much more interesting matter, which, however, concerned + them as well as us with respect to those very debts + for which they were asking payment and security. I asked + why they supported the English against us. They denied it, + and, after much explanation, they promised to make any + suggestions I wished to the Nawab. They added that they + were quite sure the English would not attack us, and that + I might remain tranquil. Knowing that they were well + acquainted with the designs of the English, I told them I + knew as well as they did what these were, and that I saw + no way of preventing them from attacking Chandernagore + except by hastening the despatch of the reinforcements which + the Nawab had promised, and that as they were disposed to + serve me, I begged them to make the Nawab understand the + same. They replied that the Nawab wished to avoid any + rupture with the English, and they said many other things + which only showed me that, in spite of their good will, they + would do nothing for us. Ranjit Rai, who was their man + of business as well as the agent of the English, said to me + in a mocking tone, 'You are a Frenchman; are you afraid of + the English? If they attack you, defend yourselves! No + one is ignorant of what your nation has done on the Madras + Coast, and we are curious to see how you will come off in + this business here.' I told him I did not expect to find such + a warlike person in a Bengali merchant, and that sometimes + people repented of their curiosity. That was enough for such + a fellow, but I saw clearly that the laugh would not be on + my side. However, every one was very polite, and I left + the house." + +Law thinks the Seths honestly believed that the English march on +Chandernagore was merely intended to frighten the French, and, as a +proof of their friendliness, narrates a further incident of this +visit:-- + + "The conversation having turned on Siraj-ud-daula, on + the reasons he had given the Seths to fear him, and on his + violent character, I said I understood clearly enough what + they meant, and that they certainly wanted to set up another + Nawab. The Seths, instead of denying this, contented themselves + with saying in a low voice that this was a subject + which should not be talked about. Omichand, the English + agent[92] (who, by the way, cried 'Away with them!' wherever + he went), was present. If the fact had been false, the Seths + would certainly have denied it, and would have reproached + me for talking in such a way. If they had even thought + I intended to thwart them, they would also have denied + it, but considering all that had happened, the vexations + caused us by the Nawab and our obstinate refusals to help + him, they imagined that we should be just as content as they + were to see him deposed, provided only the English would + leave us in peace. In fact, they did not as yet regard us as + enemies." + +Law was, however, ignorant that Clive had already promised, or did +so soon after, to give the property of the French Company to the +Seths in payment of the money the French owed them; but he now for +the first time fully realized the gravity of the situation. The +indiscretion of the Seths showed him the whole extent of the plot, +and the same evening he told the Nawab, but-- + + "the poor young man began to laugh, not being able to + imagine I could be so foolish as to indulge in such ideas." + +And yet, whilst he refused to believe in the treason of his +officers, the Nawab indulged at times in the most violent outbreaks +of temper against them. + + "Siraj-ud-daula was not master of himself.[93] It would + have needed as much firmness in his character as there was + deceitfulness to make the latter quality of use to him. At + certain times his natural disposition overmastered him, + especially when in his harem surrounded by his wives and + servants, when he was accustomed to say openly all that + was in his heart. Sometimes this happened to him in full + _Durbar_." + +The same evening, also, Mr. Watts came to the _Durbar_, and the +matter of the neutrality was talked over. The Nawab wished the two +gentlemen to pledge their respective nations to keep the peace, but +Mr. Watts skilfully avoided giving any promise, and suggested the +Nawab should write to the Admiral. Law, seeing that further delay +was aimed at, exclaimed that the Admiral would pay as little respect +to this letter as to the Nawab's previous ones. + + "'How?' said the Nawab, looking angrily at me instead + of at Mr. Watts: 'who am I then?' All the members of his + Court cried out together that his orders would certainly be + attended to." + +As Law expected, Chandernagore was attacked before the Admiral's +reply was received. Law received the news on the 15th, and hurried +to the Nawab. Reinforcements were ordered and counter-ordered. At +midnight the Nawab's eunuch came to inform Law that the English had +been repulsed with loss, and on the morning of the 16th the Nawab's +troops were ordered to advance, but when the same day news came that +the French had withdrawn into the Fort, every one cried out that the +Fort must fall, and that it was mere folly to incense the English by +sending down troops. They were immediately recalled. Then news +arrived that the Fort was holding out, and Rai Durlabh Ram was +ordered to advance. Again there came a false report that the Fort +had fallen. Law knew Rai Durlabh was a coward, and his whole +reliance was on the second in command, Mir Madan:-- + + "a capable officer, and one who would have attacked the + enemy with pleasure." + +This Mir Madan is said to have been a Hindu convert to +Muhammadanism. Native poems still tell of the gallantry with which +he commanded the Hindu soldiers of the Nawab. He was one of the +first to fall at Plassey, and though it cannot be said that his +death caused the loss of the battle, it is certain that it put an +end to all chance of the victory being contested. + +Law was at his wits' end. It was no time to stick at trifles, and, +that he might know the worst at once, he intercepted Mr. Watts's +letters. From them he gathered that the English intended to march +straight upon Murshidabad. He set about fortifying the enclosure +round the French Factory, and, as he had only 10 or 12 men, he +induced the Nawab to send him a native officer with 100 musketeers. +He soon learned that the reported English advance was merely the +pursuit of the fugitives from Chandernagore, who were mentioned in +the last chapter. By the end of March he had 60 Europeans:-- + + "of whom the half, in truth, were not fit to serve; but what + did that matter? The number was worth 120 to me outside + the fort, since rumour always delights in exaggeration." + +Of the sepoys also, whom the English set free, some 30 found their +way to Law, and so far was he now from being afraid of Mr. Watts, +that it was the latter who had to ask the Nawab's protection. + +The vacillation which had marked the Nawab's conduct previous to the +fall of Chandernagore still continued. He protected Law, but would +not help him with money. + + "Further, at the solicitation of my enemies, the Nawab + sent people to pull down the earthworks I had erected. He + even wished the native agent of the English to be present. + In my life I have never suffered what I did that day. To + the orders of the Nawab I replied that so long as I was in + the Factory no foreigner should touch my fortifications, but + that to keep my agreement with him I was ready to withdraw + and to make over the Factory to him, with which he + could afterwards do as he liked, and for which I should hold + him responsible. At the same time, I made my whole troop + arm themselves, and, having had my munitions loaded on + carts for several days previous, I prepared to depart with + the small amount of money which belonged to me and to + a few other individuals. The Nawab's officer, seeing my + resolution, and fearing to do anything which, might not be + approved, postponed the execution of his orders, and informed + the Nawab of what was happening. He replied that he + absolutely forbade my leaving the Factory, and ordered the + pioneers to be sent away; but at the same time he informed + me that it was absolutely necessary for me to pull down the + earthworks, that under the present circumstances he had + himself to do many things contrary to his own wishes, that + by refusing to obey I should draw the English upon him + and upon us, that we could not defend ourselves and must + therefore submit, that I should not be troubled any more, + and that, finally, he would give me money enough to build + in brick what I had wished to make in earth. I knew well + the value of his promises, but I was forced to humour him. + It did not suit me to abandon the Factory altogether, so I set + my workmen to pull down what I had built, and the same + night the work was finished." + +The English now tried to win over the French soldiers, and had some +success, for many of them were deserters from the British forces, +and they quickly saw how precarious was the shelter which Law could +afford them; but the Nawab could not be persuaded to force Law to +surrender, and, though he agreed to leave the country, Law declared +he would not do even that unless he received passports and money. On +the 8th of April he received passports, and was promised that if he +would go to Phulbari, near Patna, he should there receive all he +wanted. He was allowed four or five days to make his preparations. + + "I profited by this interval to persuade the only man + who dared speak for us to got to action. This was the Nazir + Dalal, a man of no importance, but at the same time a man + in whom the Nawab appeared to have some confidence. As + he was constantly at the Factory, I had opportunities of telling + him many things of particular interest to the Nawab, and I + believed that by politeness and presents I had brought him + over to our interests. A little later, however, I learned that + he received quite as much from the English as from us. He + told the Nawab all that he learned from me, _viz._ the views + of the English and of the Seths, and the risk he himself was + running, and he brought to his notice that the English were + steadily increasing their garrison at Cossimbazar by bringing + up soldiers who pretended they were deserters and wished to + pass over to the Trench. By this trick, indeed, many soldiers + had passed through the Moorish camp without being stopped. + There was also talk of an English fleet preparing to come up + and waiting only for the Nawab's permission. The Nazir + Dalal represented to him that the trading boats might be + loaded with ammunition, and that they ought to be strictly + searched, and the casks and barrels opened, as guns and + mortars might be found in them. The Nawab opened his + eyes at information of this kind, and promptly sent the Nazir + Dalal to tell me not to leave. This order came on the 10th + of April. I accordingly passed my garrison in review before + the Nawab's agent, and a statement showing the monthly + pay of each officer and soldier was sent to the Nawab, who + promised to pay them accordingly." + +On the 12th of April Law received a sudden summons to attend the +_Durbar_ the next day. + + "After some reflection, I determined to obey. I thought + that by taking presents I could avoid the inconveniences I + feared, so I arranged to start early on the morning of the 13th + with five or six persons well armed. A slight rain detained + us till 10 o'clock. On leaving I told my people that M. + Sinfray was their commandant, and ordered him, if I did not + return by 2 o'clock, to send a detachment of forty men to + meet me. We arrived at the Nawab's palace about midday. + He had retired to his harem. We were taken into the + Audience Hall, where they brought us a very bad dinner. + The Nawab, they said, would soon come. However, 5 o'clock + had struck and he had not yet dressed. During this wearisome + interval I was visited by some of the _Diwans_, among + others by the _Arzbegi._[94] I asked him why the Nawab had + called me. He replied with an appearance of sincerity that + as the Nawab was constantly receiving complaints from the + English, about the numerous garrison we had in our Factory, + he had judged it proper to summon both Mr. Watts and + myself in order to reconcile us, and that he hoped to arrange + matters so that the English should have nothing to fear from + us nor we from them. He added that the Nawab was quite + satisfied with my behaviour, and wished me much good. At + last the _Durbar_ hour arrives. I am warned. I pass into a + hall, where I find Mr. Watts and a number of _Diwans_. The + agent of the Seths is present Compliments having passed, + one of the _Diwans_ asks me if I have anything particular to + say to Mr. Watts. I answer that I have not. Thereupon + Mr. Watts addresses me in English: 'The question is, sir, + whether you are prepared to surrender your Factory to me + and to go down to Calcutta with all your people. You will + be well treated, and will be granted the same conditions as + the gentlemen of Chandernagore. This is the Nawab's wish.' + I reply I will do nothing of the kind, that I and all those + with me are free, that if I am forced to leave Cossimbazar + I will surrender the Factory to the Nawab, and to no one else. + Mr. Watts, turning round to the _Diwans_, says excitedly, that + it is impossible to do anything with me, and repeats to them + word for word all that has passed between us. + + "From that moment I saw clearly that the air of the + Court was not healthy for us. It was, however, necessary to + put a good face on matters. The _Arzbegi_ and some others, + taking me aside, begged me to consider what I was doing in + refusing Mr. Watts's propositions, and said that as the Nawab + was determined to have a good understanding with the + English, he would force me to accept them. They then + asked what I intended to do. I said I intended to stay at + Cossimbazar and to oppose, to the utmost of my power, the + ambitious designs of the English. 'Well, well, what can + you do?' they replied. 'You are about a hundred Europeans; + the Nawab has no need of you; you will certainly be forced + to leave this place. It would be much better to accept the + terms offered you by Mr. Watts.' The same persons who had + begged me to do this then took Mr. Watts aside. I do not + know what they said to each other, but a quarter of an hour + after they went into the hall where the Nawab was. + + "I was in the utmost impatience to know the result of + all these parleyings, so much the more as from some words + that had escaped them I had reason to think they intended + to arrest me. + + "Fire or six minutes after Mr. Watts had gone to the + Nawab, the _Arzbegi_, accompanied by some officers and the + agents of the Seths and the English, came and told me aloud, + in the presence of some fifty persons of rank, that the Nawab + ordered me to submit myself entirely to what Mr. Watts + demanded. I told him I would not, and that it was + impossible for the Nawab to have given such an order. + I demanded to be presented to him. 'The Nawab,' they + said, 'does not wish to see you.' I replied, 'It was he who + summoned me; I will not go away till I have seen him.' + The _Arzbegi_ saw I had no intention of giving way, and that + I was well supported, for at this very moment word was + brought of the arrival of our grenadiers, who had been + ordered to come and meet me. Disappointed at not seeing + me appear, they had advanced to the very gates of the palace. + The _Arzbegi_, not knowing what would be the result of this + affair, and wishing to get out of the scrape and to throw the + burden of it on to the Seths' agent, said to him, 'Do you + speak, then; this affair concerns you more than us.' The + Seths' agent wished to speak, but I did not give him time. + I said I would not listen to him, that I did not recognize + him as having any authority, and that I had no business + at all with him. Thereupon the _Arzbegi_ went back to the + Nawab and told him I would not listen to reason, and that + I demanded to speak to him. 'Well, let him come,' said + the Nawab, 'but he must come alone.' At the same time + he asked Mr. Watts to withdraw and wait for him in a + cabinet. The order to appear being given me, I wish to + go--another difficulty! The officers with me do not wish to + let me go alone! A great debate between them and the + Nawab's officers! At last, giving way to my entreaties, + and on my assuring them that I have no fears, I persuade + them to be quiet and to let me go. + + "I presented myself before the Nawab, who returned my + salute in a kindly manner. As soon as I was seated, he told + me, in a shamefaced way, that I must either accept Mr. + Watts's proposals, or must certainly leave his territories. + _Your nation is the cause_, he said, _of all the importunities I + now suffer from the English. I do not wish to put the whole country + in trouble for your sake. You are not strong enough to defend + yourselves; you must give way. You ought to remember that when I had + need of your assistance you always refused it. You ought not to + expect assistance from me now_. + + "It must be confessed that, after all our behaviour to + him, I had not much to reply. I noticed, however, that the + Nawab kept his eyes cast down, and that it was, as it were, + against his will that he paid me this compliment. I told + him I should be dishonoured if I accepted Mr. Watts's proposals, + but that as he was absolutely determined to expel us + from his country, I was ready to withdraw, and that as soon + as I had the necessary passports I would go towards Patna. + At this every one in concert, except the Nawab and Coja + Wajid, cried out that I could not take that road, that the + Nawab would not consent to it. I asked what road they + wished me to take. They said I must go towards Midnapur + or Cuttack. I answered that the English might at any + moment march in that direction and fall upon me. They + replied I must get out of the difficulty as best I could. The + Nawab, meanwhile, kept his face bent down, listening + attentively, but saying nothing. Wishing to force him to + speak, I asked if it was his intention to cause me to fall into + the hands of my enemies? 'No, no,' replied the Nawab, + 'take what road you please, and may God conduct you.' I + stood up and thanked him, received the betel,[95] and went out." + +Gholam Husain Khan says that the Nawab was much affected at parting +with Law, as he now believed in the truth of his warnings against +the English and the English party,-- + + "but as he did not dare to keep him in his service for fear + of offending the English, he told him that at present it was + fit that he should depart; but that if anything new should + happen he would send for him again. '_Send for me again?_' + answered Law. '_Rest assured, my Lord Nawab, that this is + the last time we shall see each other. Remember my words: we + shall never meet again. It is nearly impossible_." + +Law hurried back to his Factory, and by the evening of the 15th of +April he was ready to depart. The same day the Nawab wrote to +Clive:-- + + "Mr. Law I have put out of the city, and have wrote + expressly to my Naib[96] at Patna to turn him and his attendants + out of the bounds of his Subaship, and that he shall not + suffer them to stay in any place within it."[97] + +At the end of April the Nawab wrote to Abdulla Khan, the Afghan +general at Delhi, that he had supplied Law with Rs.10,000. Clive was +quickly informed of this. + +On the morning of the 16th the French marched through Murshidabad +with colours flying and drums beating, prepared against any surprise +in the narrow streets of the city. Mr. Watts wrote to Clive:-- + + "They had 100 Europeans, 60 Tellingees, 30 _hackerys_" + (i.e. bullock-waggons) "and 4 elephants with them."[98] + +Close on their track followed two spies, sent by Mr. Watts to try +and seduce the French soldiers and sepoys. Law left a M. Bugros +behind in charge of the French Factory. + +Shortly after leaving Cossimbazar, Law was reinforced by a party of +45 men, mostly sailors of the _Saint Contest_, who had managed to +escape from the English. On the 2nd of May the French arrived at +Bhagulpur, the Nawab writing to them to move on whenever he heard +they were halting, and not to go so fast when he heard they were on +the march. + + "To satisfy him we should have been always in motion + and yet not advancing; this did not suit us. It was of the + utmost importance to arrive at some place where I could + find means for the equipment of my troop. We were + destitute of everything." + +These contradictory orders, and even letters of recall, reached Law +on his march, but though he sent back M. Sinfray with letters to M. +Bugros and Coja Wajid--which the latter afterwards made over to +Clive--he continued his march to Patna, where he arrived on the 3rd +of June, and was well received by Raja Ramnarain, and where he was +within four or five days' march or sail from Sooty, the mouth of the +Murshidabad or Cossimbazar river, and therefore in a position to +join the Nawab whenever it might be necessary. + +In the mean time fate had avenged Law on one of his lesser enemies. +This was that Ranjit Rai, who had insulted him during his interview +with the Seths. The latter had pursued their old policy of inciting +the English to make extravagant demands which they at the same time +urged the Nawab to refuse. To justify one such demand, the English +produced a letter in the handwriting of Ranjit Rai, purporting to be +written at the dictation of the Seths under instructions from the +Nawab. The latter denied the instructions, and the Seths promptly +asserted that the whole letter was a forgery of their agent's. + + "The notorious Ranjit Rai was driven in disgrace from + the _Durbar_, banished, and assassinated on the road. It was + said he had received 2 lakhs from the English to apply his + masters' seal unknown to them. I can hardly believe this. + This agent was attached to the English only because he knew + the Seths were devoted to them." + +This incident warned the Seths to be more cautious, but still the +plot against the Nawab was well known in the country. Renault, who +had been at this time a prisoner in Calcutta, says:-- + + "Never was a conspiracy conducted as publicly and with + such indiscretion as this was, both by the Moors and the + English. Nothing else was talked about in all the English + settlements, and whilst every place echoed with the noise of + it, the Nawab, who had a number of spies, was ignorant of + everything. Nothing can prove more clearly the general + hatred which was felt towards him."[99] + +M. Sinfray had returned to Murshidabad, but could not obtain an +interview with the Nawab till the 8th of June, when he found him +still absolutely tranquil; and even on the 10th the Nawab wrote to +Law to have no fears on his account; but this letter did not reach +Law till the 19th. + + "I complained of the delay in the strongest terms to + Ramnarain, who received the packets from the Nawab, but it + was quite useless. The Nawab was betrayed by those whom + he thought most attached to him. The Faujdar of Rajmehal + used to stop all his messengers and detain them as long as + he thought fit." + +This officer was a brother of Mir Jafar.[100] The Seths and the +English had long found the chief difficulty in their way to be the +choice of a man of sufficient distinction to replace Siraj-ud-daula +on the throne. At this moment the Nawab himself gave them as a +leader Mir Jafar Ali Khan, who had married the sister of Aliverdi +Khan, and was therefore a relative of his. Mir Jafar was _Bukshi_, +or Paymaster and Generalissimo of the Army, and his influence had +greatly contributed to Siraj-ud-daula's peaceful accession. He was a +man of good reputation, and a brave and skilful soldier. It was such +a person as this that the Nawab, after a long course of petty +insults, saw fit to abuse in the vilest terms in full _Durbar_ and +to dismiss summarily from his post. He now listened to the +proposals of the Seths, and towards the end of April terms were +settled between him and the English.[101] The actual conclusion of +the Treaty took place early in June, and on the 13th of that month +Mr. Watts and the other English gentlemen at Cossimbazar escaped +under the pretence of a hunting expedition and joined Clive in +safety. As soon as he heard of this, the Nawab knew that war was +inevitable, and it had come at a moment when he had disbanded half +his army unpaid, and the other half was grumbling for arrears. Not +only had he insulted Mir Jafar, but he had also managed to quarrel +with Rai Durlabh. Instead of trying to postpone the conflict until +he had crushed these two dangerous enemies, he begged them to be +reconciled to him, and put himself in their hands. Letter after +letter was sent to recall Law, but even the first, despatched on the +13th, did not reach Law till the 22nd, owing to the treachery of the +Faujdar of Rajmehal. Law's letter entreating the Nawab to await his +arrival certainly never reached him, and though Law had started at +the first rumour of danger, before getting the Nawab's letter, he +did not reach Rajmehal till the 1st of July. The Nawab had been +captured in the neighbourhood a few hours before the arrival of his +advance-guard. Gholam Husain Khan says that Law would have been in +time had the Nawab's last remittance been a bill of exchange and not +an order on the Treasury, for-- + + "as slowness of motion seems to be of etiquette with the + people of Hindustan, the disbursing of the money took up + so much time that when M. Law was come down as far + Rajmehal, he found that all was over." + +Law, who was nothing if not philosophical, remarked on this +disappointment:-- + + "In saving Siraj-ud-daula we should have scored a great + success, but possibly he would have been saved for a short + time only. He would have found enemies and traitors + wherever he might have presented himself in the countries + supposed to be subject to him. No one would have acknowledged + him. Forced by Mir Jafar and the English to flee to + a foreign country, he would have been a burden to us rather + than an assistance. + + "In India no one knows what it is to stand by an + unfortunate man. The first idea which suggests itself is to + plunder him of the little[102] which remains to him. Besides, + a character like that of Siraj-ud-daula could nowhere find a + real friend." + +Siraj-ud-daula, defeated by Clive at Plassey on the 23rd of June, +was, says Scrafton,-- + + "himself one of the first that carried the news of his defeat + to the capital, which he reached that night." + +His wisest councillors urged him to surrender to Clive, but he +thought this advice treacherous, and determined to flee towards +Rajmehal. When nearly there he was recognized by a Fakir,[103] whose +ears he had, some time before, ordered to be cut off. The Fakir +informed the Faujdar, who seized him and sent him to Murshidabad, +where Miran, Mir Jafar's son, put him to death on the 4th of July. + +It was necessary for Law to withdraw as quickly as possible if he +was to preserve his liberty. Clive and Mir Jafar wrote urgent +letters to Ramnarain at Patna to stop him, but Ramnarain was no +lover of Mir Jafar, and he was not yet acquainted with Clive, so he +allowed him to pass. Law says:-- + + "On the 16th of July we arrived at Dinapur, eight miles + above Patna, where I soon saw we had no time to lose. + The Raja of Patna himself would not have troubled us much. + By means of our boats we could have avoided him as we + pleased, for though our fleet was in a very bad condition, + still it could have held its own against the naval forces + of Bengal, i.e. the Indian forces, but the English were advancing, + commanded by Major Coote. As the English call + themselves the masters of the aquatic element, it became us + the less to wait for them, when we knew they had stronger + and more numerous boats than we had. Possibly we could + have outsailed them, but we did not wish to give them the + pleasure of seeing us flee. On the 18th instant an order + from the Raja instructed me in the name of Mir Jafar to + halt--no doubt to wait for the English--whilst another on his + own part advised me to hurry off. Some small detachments + of horsemen appeared along the bank, apparently to hinder + us from getting provisions or to lay violent hands on the + boatmen. On this we set sail, resolved to quit all the + dependencies of Bengal. In spite of ourselves we had to + halt at Chupra, twenty-two miles higher up, because our + rowers refused to go further: prayers and threats all seemed + useless. I thought the English had found some means to + gain them over. The boats did not belong to us, but we + should have had little scruple in seizing them had our + Europeans known how to manage them. Unfortunately, + they knew nothing about it. The boats in Bengal have no + keel, and consequently do not carry sail well. So we lost + two days in discussion with the boatmen, but at last, by + doubling their pay, terms were made, and five days after, on + the 25th of July, we arrived at Ghazipur, the first place of + importance in the provinces of Suja-ud-daula, Viceroy of the + Subahs of Oudh, Lucknow, and Allahabad." + +Before Law left Rajmehal on his return to Patna, the Faujdar tried +to stop him on pretence that Mir Jafar wished to reconcile him to +the English. Law thought this unlikely, yet knowing the native +proclivity for underhand intrigue, he wrote him a letter, but the +answer which he received at Chupra was merely an order to +surrender. Law says:-- + + "I had an idea that he might write to me in a quite + different style, _unknown to the English_. I knew the new + Nawab, whom I met at the time I was soliciting reinforcements + to raise the siege of Chandernagore. He had not then + taken up the idea of making himself Nawab. He appeared + to me a very intelligent man, and much inclined to do us + service, pitying us greatly for having to work with a man so + cowardly and undecided as Siraj-ud-daula." + +Law thought his communication-- + + "was well calculated to excite in his mind sentiments + favourable to us, but if it did, Mir Jafar let none of them + appear. The Revolution was too recent and the influence of + the English too great for him to risk the least correspondence + with us." + +From Clive, on the other hand, he received a letter,-- + + "such as became a general who, though an enemy, interested + himself in our fate out of humanity, knowing by his own + experience into what perils and fatigues we were going to + throw ourselves when we left the European Settlements." + +This letter, dated Murshidabad, July 9th, was as follows:-- + + "As the country people are now all become your enemies, + and orders are gone everywhere to intercept your passage, + and I myself have sent parties in quest of you, and orders + are gone to Ramnarain, the Naib of Patna, to seize you if + you pursue that road, you must be sensible if you fall into + their hands you cannot expect to find them a generous + enemy. If, therefore, you have any regard for the men + under your command, I would recommend you to treat with + us, from whom you may expect the most favourable terms in + my power to grant."[104] + +Law does not say much about the hardships of his flight; but Eyre +Coote, who commanded the detachment which followed him, had the +utmost difficulty in persuading his men to advance, and wrote to +Clive that he had never known soldiers exposed to greater hardships. +At Patna Eyre Coote seized the French Factory, where the Chief, M. +de la Bretesche, was lying ill. The military and other Company's +servants had gone on with Law, leaving in charge a person variously +called M. Innocent and Innocent Jesus. He was not a Frenchman, but +nevertheless he was sent down to Calcutta. From Patna Eyre Coote got +as far as Chupra, only to find Law safe beyond the frontier at +Ghazipur, and nothing left for him to do but to return. + +From now on to January, 1761, Law was out of the reach of the +English, living precariously on supplies sent from Bussy in the +south, from his wife at Chinsurah, and from a secret store which M. +de la Bretesche had established at Patna unknown to the English, and +upon loans raised from wealthy natives, such as the Raja of +Bettiah. He believed all along that the French would soon make an +effort to invade Bengal, where there was a large native party in +their favour, and where he could assist them by creating a diversion +in the north. I shall touch on his adventures very briefly. + +His first halt was at Benares, which he reached on the 2nd of +August, and where the Raja Bulwant Singh tried to wheedle and +frighten him into surrendering his guns. He escaped out of his hands +by sheer bluff, and went on to Chunargarh, where he received letters +from Suja-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, a friend of Siraj-ud-daula's, +whom he hoped to persuade into invading Bengal. On the 3rd of +September he reached Allahabad, and here left his troop under the +command of M. le Comte de Carryon, whilst he went on to Lucknow, the +capital of Oudh. + +It is only at this moment that Law bethinks him of describing his +troop. It consisted of 175 Europeans and 100 sepoys drilled in +European fashion. The officers were D'Hurvilliers, le Comte de +Carryon (who had brought a detachment from Dacca before Law left +Cossimbazar), Ensign Brayer (who had commanded the military at +Patna), Ensign Jobard (who had escaped from Chandernagore), and +Ensign Martin de la Case. He also entertained as officers MM. +Debelleme (Captain of a French East Indiaman), Boissemont, and La +Ville Martere, Company's servants (these three had all escaped from +Chandernagore), Dangereux and Dubois (Company's servants stationed +at Cossimbazar), Beinges (a Company's servant stationed at Patna), +and two private gentlemen, Kerdizien and Gourbin. Besides these, MM. +Anquetil du Perron,[105] La Rue, Desjoux, Villequain, Desbrosses, +and Calve, served as volunteers. His chaplain was the Reverend +Father Onofre, and he had two surgeons, Dubois and Le Page. The last +two were probably the surgeons of Cossimbazar and Patna. He had also +with him M. Lenoir, second of Patna, whose acquaintance with the +language and the people was invaluable. Law seems to have been +always able to recruit his sepoys, but he had no great opinion of +them. + + "In fact it may be said that the sepoy is a singular + animal, especially until he has had time to acquire a + proper sense of discipline. As soon as he has received his + red jacket and his gun he thinks he is a different man. He + looks upon himself as a European, and having a very high + estimation of this qualification, he thinks he has the right to + despise all the country people, whom he treats as Kaffirs + and wretched negroes, though he is often just as black as they + are. In every place I have been I have remarked that the + inhabitants have less fear of the European soldier, who in + his disorderly behaviour sometimes shows an amount of + generosity which they would expect in vain from a sepoy." + +Law has left the following description of Lucknow:-- + + "Lucknow, capital of the Subah[106] so called, is 160 miles + north of Allahabad, on the other side of the Ganges, and + about 44 miles from that river. The country is beautiful + and of great fertility, but what can one expect from the best + land without cultivation? It was particularly the fate of + this province and of a large portion of Oudh to have been + exhausted by the wars of Mansur Ali Khan.[107] That prince + at his death left the Treasury empty and a quantity of + debts. Suja-ud-daula, his successor, thought he could + satisfy his creditors, all of them officers of the army, by + giving them orders upon several of the large estates. This + method was too slow for these military gentlemen. In a + short time every officer had become the Farmer,[108] or rather the + Tyrant, of the villages abandoned to him. Forcible executions + quickly reimbursed him to an extent greater than his claim, + but the country suffered. The ill-used inhabitants left it, + and the land remained uncultivated. This might have + been repaired. The good order established by Suja-ud-daula + commenced to bring the inhabitants back when an + evil, against which human prudence was powerless, achieved + their total destruction. For two whole years clouds of + locusts traversed the country regularly with the Monsoon,[109] + and reduced the hopes of the cultivator to nothing. When + two days from Lucknow, we ourselves saw the ravages committed + by this insect. It was perfect weather; suddenly we + saw the sky overcast; a darkness like that of a total eclipse + spread itself abroad and lasted a good hour. In less than no + time we saw the trees under which we were camped stripped + of their leaves. The next day as we journeyed we saw that + the same devastation had been produced for a distance of ten + miles. The grass on the roads and every green thing in the + fields were eaten away down to the roots. This recurrent + plague had driven away the inhabitants, even those who had + survived the exactions of the military. Towns and villages + were abandoned; the small number of people who remained--I + am speaking without exaggeration--only served to + augment the horror of this solitude. We saw nothing but + spectres. + + "The state of the people of Lucknow city, the residence + of the Nawab, was hardly better. The evil was perhaps less + evident owing to the variety of objects, but from what one + could see from time to time nature did not suffer less. The + environs of the palace were covered with poor sick people + lying in the middle of the roads, so that it was impossible + for the Nawab to go out without causing his elephant to + tread on the bodies of several of them, except when he had + the patience to wait and have them cleared out of the way--an + act which would not accord with Oriental ideas of + grandeur. In spite of this there were few accidents. The + animal used to guide its footsteps so as to show it was + more friendly to human beings than men themselves + were." + +At Lucknow Suja-ud-daula greeted him with a sympathetic interest, +which Law quaintly likens to that shown by Dido for Aeneas, but +money was not forthcoming, and Law soon found that Suja-ud-daula was +not on sufficiently good terms with the Mogul's[110] Vizir[111] at +Delhi to risk an attack on Bengal. On the 18th of October he +returned to Allahabad, with the intention of going to Delhi to see +what he could do with the Vizir, but as it might have been dangerous +to disclose his object, he pretended he was going to march south to +Bussy in the Deccan, and obtained a passport from the Maratha +general, Holkar. This took some time, and it was not till March, +1758, that he started for Delhi. He reached Farukhabad without +difficulty, and on the 21st entered the country of the Jats. On the +evening of the 23rd a barber, who came into their camp, warned the +French they would be attacked. The next day the Jats, to the number +of 20,000, attacked them on the march. The fight lasted the whole +day, and the French fired 6000 musket shots and 800 cannon. The +cannon-balls were made of clay moulded round a pebble, and were +found sufficiently effective in the level country. + +Soon after they arrived at Delhi, only to find the Marathas masters +of the situation and in actual possession of the person of the +Shahzada, or Crown Prince.[112] The Prince was friendly, gave Law +money, and eagerly welcomed the idea of attacking Bengal, but he was +himself practically a prisoner. The Vizir, too, could do nothing, +and would give no money. The Marathas amused him with promises, and +tried to trap him into fighting their battles. No one seemed to know +anything about what had happened in Bengal. He spoke to several of +the chief men about the English. + + "I felt sure that, after the Revolution in Bengal, they + would be the only subject of conversation in the capital. The + Revolution had made much noise, but it was ascribed entirely + to the Seths and to Rai Durlabh Ram. Clive's name was + well known. He was, they said, a great captain whom the + Seths had brought from very far at a great expense, to + deliver Bengal from the tyranny of Siraj-ud-daula, as Salabat + Jang had engaged M. Bussy to keep the Marathas in + order. Many of the principal persons even asked me what + country he came from. Others, mixing up all Europeans + together, thought that I was a deputy from Clive. It was + useless for me to say we were enemies, that it was the + English who had done everything in Bengal, that it was + they who governed and not Jafar Ali Khan, who was only + Nawab in name. No one would believe me. In fact, how + could one persuade people who had never seen a race of + men different from their own, that a body of two or three + thousand Europeans at the most was able to dictate the law + in a country as large as Bengal?" + +Law could do nothing at Delhi, and it was only by bribing the +Maratha general that he obtained an escort through the Jat country +to Agra. Most of his soldiers were glad to be off, but about 60 +Europeans deserted with their arms to Delhi, where the Vizir offered +them pay as high as 50 rupees a month. M. Jobard was nearly killed +by some of them when he tried to persuade them to return to duty, +but, a few months after, more than half rejoined Law. + +From Agra, Law went to Chatrapur in Bundelkand, where apparently, +though he does not say so, he was in the service of the Raja +Indrapat. His stay lasted from the 10th of June, 1758, to February, +1759. In order to keep on good terms with the inhabitants, who were +almost all Hindus, Law forbade his men to kill cattle or any of the +sacred birds, or to borrow anything without his permission, and at +the same time severely punished all disorderly behaviour. The people +having never heard of Christians, thought the French must be a kind +of Muhammadans, but they could not make out from what country they +came. Seeing them drink a red wine of which they had a few bottles, +they thought they were drinking blood, and were horrified, but the +good behaviour of the men soon put them on friendly terms. + +Early in 1759 the Shahzada at last invaded Bengal, and on the 5th +of February Law marched to join him; but the invasion was badly +managed, and was an absolute failure. On the 28th of May Law was +back at Chatrapur. The only result of the invasion was that the +lands of a number of Rajas in Bihar were plundered by Miran, son of +Mir Jafar, and the English. These Rajas were all Hindus. + + "They had an understanding with Ramnarain. All these + Rajas, of whom there is a great number in the dependencies + of Bengal, united to each other by the same religion, mutually + support each other as much as they can. They detest the + Muhammadan Government, and if it had not been for the + Seths, the famous bankers, with whom they have close + connections, it is probable that after the Revolution in which + Siraj-ud-daula was the victim, they would all have risen + together to establish a Hindu Government, from which the + English would not have obtained all the advantages they + did from the Muhammadan." + +In 1759 the Dutch risked a quarrel with the English. They refused, +however, any assistance from Law, who, far away as he was, heard all +about it. They were defeated at Biderra on the 25th of November. The +effect of this was to reduce Bengal to such tranquillity that Clive +considered it safe to visit England. The Shahzada, however, thought +the opportunity a favourable one for another invasion, and on the +28th of February, 1760, Law again started to join him. Patna was +besieged, and, according to Broome, was very nearly captured, owing +to Law's skill and the courage of his Frenchmen. In fact, the French +were on the ramparts, when Dr. Fullerton and the English sepoys +arrived just in time to drive them back.[113] + +The siege was raised, and the Prince's general, Kamgar Khan, led the +army about the country with apparently no object but that of +plunder. This suited the Marathas, but did not suit Law. On one +occasion he was ordered with his own troops and a body of Marathas +to capture the little fort of Soupy. The French stormed it at three +o'clock in the morning, but found that the Marathas, who had +carefully avoided the breach, had swarmed the walls, where there was +no one to oppose them, and were carrying off the plunder. + + "My chief occupation and that of the officers, for more + than five hours during which we stayed in Soupy, was to + keep our soldiers and sepoys from bayoneting the Marathas, + who, without having incurred the least danger, had, by their + cleverness and lightness, carried off more than twenty times + as much as our own men, observing among themselves a + kind of order in their plundering, very like that of monkeys + when they strip a field." + +In fact, Law had a personal altercation with the Maratha commander +about a young and beautiful Hindu woman, whom the Maratha wished to +seize, but whom Law was determined to restore unhurt to her +relations, who lived in a village close by. + +For the capture of the fort, Law received from the Shahzada various +high-sounding titles and the right to have the royal music played +before him; but as he could not afford to entertain the native +musicians, he allowed the privilege to sleep. + +In 1760 Mr. Vansittart assumed the Governorship of Bengal, and his +first act was to complete the project begun by his predecessor, Mr. +Holwell, namely, the dethronement of Mir Jafar. This was effected on +the 20th of October, 1760; the ex-Nawab went quietly to Calcutta, +and Mir Kasim reigned in his stead. The Shahzada had now become +Emperor by the death of his father, and had assumed the title of +Shah Alam. He was still hanging with his army round Patna, and Mir +Kasim and the English determined to bring him to book. Kamgar Khan +continued to lead the Imperial army aimlessly about the country, and +in January, 1761, found himself near the town of Bihar. He had 35 to +40 thousand cavalry, maintained chiefly by plunder, but his only +musketeers and artillery were those commanded by Law, i.e. 125 +Europeans and 200 sepoys, with 18 guns of small calibre. The +British commander, Major Carnac, had 650 Europeans and 5 to 6 +thousand sepoys, with 12 guns. Mir Kasim had some 20,000 cavalry, +and the same number of musketeers, all good troops, for "everybody +was paid in the army of Kasim Ali Khan."[114] + +On the 14th of January, scouts brought word of the approach of the +English. The Emperor consulted Law, who advised a retreat, but he +was not deficient in courage, and determined to fight. The next day +was fought the battle of Suan.[115] + + "At the dawn of day we heard that the enemy were on + the march, and that they would quickly appear. No disposition + of our army had yet been made by Kamgar Khan, + who, in fact, troubled himself very little about the matter. + It was at first decided to re-enter the camp, so I put my + men as much as possible under shelter behind a bank, along + which I placed my guns in what I thought the most useful + positions. About 6 or 7 o'clock the enemy were seen + advancing in good order, crossing a canal[116] full of mud and + water, the passage of which might have been easily contested + had we been ready soon enough; but everything was neglected. + For some time we thought the enemy were going + to encamp by the canal, but, seeing that they were still + advancing, the order was given to go and meet them. The + whole army was quickly out of the camp, divided into + several bodies of cavalry, at the head of which were, on their + elephants, the Emperor, the Generalissimo Kamgar Khan, + and other principal chiefs. Scarcely were we out of the camp + when we were halted to await the enemy, everything in the + greatest confusion; one could see no distinction between + right, left, and centre, nothing that had the appearance of + an army intending to attack or even to defend itself. + + "An aide-de-camp brought me an order to march ahead + with all my troop, and to place myself in a position which + he pointed out, a good cannon-shot away. Abandoned to + ourselves we should have been exposed to all the fire of the + English, artillery and even to be outflanked by the enemy + and captured at the first attack. We advanced a few paces + in obedience to the order, but, seeing no one move to support + us, I suspected they wanted to get rid of us. I therefore + brought back my men to where I had first placed them, on + a line about 200 paces in front of the army. + + "The enemy advanced steadily. The English at their + head with all their artillery were already within range of + our guns. They quickly placed their pieces in two batteries + to the right and left, and kept up a very lively cross fire. + In a very short time, having killed many men, elephants, + and horses--amongst others one of mine--they caused the + whole of the Prince's army to turn tail. Kamgar Khan, at + their head, fled as fast as he could, without leaving a single + person to support us. The enemy's fire, opposed to which + ours was but feeble, continued steadily. We were forced to + retire, and did so in good order, having had some soldiers + and sepoys killed and one gun dismounted, which we left on + the field of battle. We regained the village, which sheltered + us for a time. The enemy started in pursuit. Unluckily, + as we issued from the village, our guns traversing a hollow + road, we were stopped by ditches and channels full of mud, + in which the guns stuck fast. As I was trying to disengage + them the English reached us, and surrounded us so as to + cut off all retreat. Then I surrendered with 3 or 4 officers + and about 40 soldiers who were with me, and the guns. It + was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th of January, + 1761, a moment whose malign influence it was as it were + impossible to resist, since it was that of the surrender of + Pondicherry,[117] a place 300 leagues away from us." + +Gholam Husain Khan has left a graphic description of this incident. + + "Monsieur Law, with the small force and the artillery + which he could muster, bravely fought the English themselves, + and for some time he made a shift to withstand their + superiority. Their auxiliaries consisted of large bodies of + natives, commanded by Ramnarain and Raj Balav, but the + engagement was decided by the English, who fell with so + much effect upon the enemy that their onset could not be + withstood by either the Emperor or Kamgar Khan. The + latter, finding he could not resist, turned about and fled. + The Emperor, obliged to follow him, quitted the field of + battle, and the handful of troops that followed M. Law, + discouraged by this flight and tired of the wandering life + which they had hitherto led in his service, turned about + likewise and followed the Emperor. M. Law, finding himself + abandoned and alone, resolved not to turn his back. He + bestrode one of his guns and remained firm in that posture, + waiting the moment for his death. This being reported to + Major Carnac, he detached himself from his main body with + Captain Knox and some other officers, and he advanced to + the man on the gun, without taking with him either a guard + or any Telingas[118] at all. Being arrived near, this troop + alighted from their horses, and, pulling their caps from their + heads, they swept the air with them, as if to make him a + _salam_; and this salute being returned by M. Law in the + same manner, some parley followed in their own language. + The Major, after paying high encomiums to M. Law for his + perseverance, conduct, and bravery, added these words: 'You + have done everything that could be expected from a brave + man; and your name shall be undoubtedly transmitted to + posterity by the pen of history; now loosen your sword from + your loins, come amongst us, and abandon all thoughts of + contending with the English.' The other answered that, if + they would accept of his surrendering himself just as he was + he had no objection, but that as to surrendering himself with + the disgrace of being without his sword, it was a shame he + would never submit to, and that they might take his life if + they were not satisfied with that condition. The English + commanders, admiring his firmness, consented to his surrendering + himself in the manner he wished; after which + the Major, with his officers, shook hands with him in their + European manner, and every sentiment of enmity was instantly + dismissed on both sides. At the same time that + commander sent for his own _palky_, made him sit in it, and + he was sent to the camp. M. Law, unwilling to see or to be + seen, in that condition, shut up the curtains of the _palky_ for + fear of being recognized by any of his friends at camp, but + yet some of his acquaintances, hearing of his having arrived, + went to him; these were Mir Abdulla and Mustapha Ali + Khan. The Major, who had excused him from appearing in + public, informed them that they could not see him for some + days, as he was too much vexed to receive any company. + Ahmed Khan Koreishi, who was an impertinent talker, + having come to look at him, thought to pay his court to + the English by joking on this man's defeat--a behaviour that + has nothing strange [in it] if we consider the times in which + we live and the company he was accustomed to frequent; and + it was in that notion of his, doubtless, that with much pertness + of voice and air he asked him this question: '_And Bibi + Lass,[119] where is she_?' The Major and the officers present, + shocked at the impropriety of the question, reprimanded him + with a severe look and very severe expressions. 'This man,' + they said, 'has fought bravely, and deserves the attention + of all brave men; the impertinences which you have been + offering him may be customary amongst your friends and + your nation, but cannot be suffered in ours, who has it for + a standing rule never to offer an injury to a vanquished foe.' + Ahmed Khan, checked by this reprimand, held his tongue, + and did not answer a word. He tarried about one hour + more in his visit, and then went away much abashed; and + although he was a commander of importance, and one to + whom much honour had always been paid, no one did speak + to him any more, or made a show of standing up at his + departure. This reprimand did much honour to the English; + and it must be acknowledged, to the honour of those + strangers, that as their conduct in war and battle is worthy + of admiration, so, on the other hand, nothing is more modest + and more becoming than their behaviour to an enemy, + whether in the heat of action or in the pride of success and + victory. These people seem to act entirely according to the + rules observed by our ancient commanders and our men of + genius." + +Gholam Husain Khan says the victory was decided by the English; the +following quotation from Major Carnac's Letter to the Select +Committee at Calcutta, dated the 17th of January, 1761, shows how +the courage of the British forces saved them from a great disaster. + + "It gives me particular pleasure to inform you that we + have not lost a man in the action, but a few of the Nawab's + troops who had got up near our rear suffered considerably + from the explosion of one of the French tumbrils. It seems + the enemy had lain a train to it in hopes of it's catching + while our Europeans were storming the battery, but fortunately + we were advanced two or three hundred yards in + the pursuit before it had effect, and the whole shock was + sustained by the foremost of the Nawab's troops who were + blown up to the number of near four hundred, whereof + seventy or eighty died on the spot."[120] + +Law continues:-- + + "The next morning, as the English army started in + pursuit of the Emperor Shah Alam, Major Carnac, from + whom, I must mention in passing, I received all possible + marks of attention and politeness, sent me to Patna, where + in the English Chief, Mr. McGwire, I found an old friend, + who treated me as I should certainly have treated him in + like circumstances. I was in need of everything, and he let + me want for nothing." + +Thus ended Law's attempt to maintain the French party in Bengal. All +hopes of a French attack in force on Calcutta had long since +disappeared, and, under the circumstances, his capture was fortunate +for himself and his comrades. Most of the latter were gradually +picked up by the English. Law was sent to Calcutta, and left Bengal +in 1762. He was now only forty-two years of age. On his arrival in +France he found his services much appreciated by his countrymen, and +was made a Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, +and a Colonel of Infantry. Later on he was appointed Commissary for +the King, Commandant of the French Nation in the East Indies, and +Governor of Pondicherry. Law's account of his adventures was +commenced at Paris in 1763.[121] There exist letters written by him +to the historian Robert Orme, dated as late as 1785, which show the +strong interest he always retained in the affairs of Bengal, where +with adequate resources he might have played a much more +distinguished part. + +We have seen a town besieged by a foreign army; we have seen the +Court of a great Prince distracted by internal dissensions and +trembling at the approach of a too-powerful enemy, and now we shall +pass to the quiet retreats of rural Bengal, which even their +remoteness could not save from some share in the troubles of the +time. In those days, even more than at present, the rivers were the +great highways of the country, but it needs personal acquaintance +with them to enable us to realize the effect they produce upon the +mind of a European. As a rule comparatively shallow, in the dry +weather they pursue a narrow winding course in the middle of a sandy +waste, but in the Rains they fill their beds from side to side, +overtop the banks, and make the country for miles around a series of +great lakes, studded with heavily wooded islands. Amidst these one +can wander for days hardly seeing a single human being, and hearing +nothing but the rushing of the current and the weird cries of +water-birds; at other times the prow of one's boat will suddenly +push itself through overhanging branches into the very midst of a +populous village. At first all is strange and beautiful, but after a +short time the feeling grows that every scene is a repetition; the +banks, the trees, the villages, seem as if we have been looking at +them for a thousand years, and the monotony presses wearily on mind +and heart. It was in a country of this kind that Courtin and his +little band of Frenchmen and natives evaded capture for nearly nine +months, and it adds to our admiration for his character to see how +his French gaiety of heart unites with his tenderness for his absent +wife, not only to conceal the deadly monotony of his life in the +river districts during the Rains, and the depressing and +disheartening effect of the noxious climate in which he and his +companions had to dwell, but also to make light of the imminent +danger in which he stood from the unscrupulous human enemies by whom +he was surrounded. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 65: From certain letters it appears that, strictly +speaking, the English Factory alone was at Cossimbazar, the French +being at Saidabad, and the Dutch at Calcapur. Both Saidabad and +Calcapur were evidently close to Cossimbazar, if not parts of it.] + +[Footnote 66: George Lodewijk Vernet, Senior Merchant.] + +[Footnote 67: The historian Malleson also confuses the two +brothers.] + +[Footnote 68: The best copy I have seen is that in the Manuscript +Department of the British Museum.] + +[Footnote 69: Gholam Husain Khan says that Siraj-ud-daula was born +in the year in which Aliverdi Khan obtained from the Emperor the +_firman_ for Bihar. This, according to Scrafton, was 1736, and the +connection of his birth with this auspicious event was the prime +cause of his grandfather's great reference for him.] + +[Footnote 70: See note, p. 88.] + +[Footnote 71: Uncle of Siraj-ud-daula, who died so shortly before +the death of Aliverdi Khan, that it was supposed he was poisoned to +ensure Siraj-ud-daula's accession.] + +[Footnote 72: Fazl-Kuli-Khan. _Scrafton_.] + +[Footnote 73: Law says; "The rumour ran that M. Drake replied to the +messengers that, since the Nawab wished to fill up the Ditch, he +agreed to it provided it was done with the heads of Moors. I do not +believe he said so, but possibly some thoughtless young Englishman +let slip those words, which, being heard by the messengers, were +reported to the Nawab."] + +[Footnote 74: Europeans. Properly, Franks or Frenchmen. This term +was generally applied by Europeans to the half-caste descendants of +the Portuguese.] + +[Footnote 75: Captains or generals: a term of somewhat indefinite +meaning.] + +[Footnote 76: In alliance with Salabat Jang, Bussy temporarily +acquired a large territory for the French.] + +[Footnote 77: "After Mr. Law had given us a supply of clothes, +linen, provisions, liquors, and cash, we left his Factory with +grateful hearts and compliments." _Holwell_. Letter to Mr. Davis, +February 28, 1757.] + +[Footnote 78: Imperial Charter.] + +[Footnote 79: For an explanation of the influence of the Seths, see +pp. 84, 85, and note.] + +[Footnote 80: Ramnarain is an interesting character. He appears to +have been one of the most faithful of the adherents of the house of +Aliverdi Khan and on its extinction of the English connection. His +gallantry in battle is referred to by Colonel Ironside. _Asiatic +Annual Register_, 1800.] + +[Footnote 81: The official intimation reached Admiral Watson in +January, 1757, but apparently not the formal orders from the +Admiralty. See page 30.] + +[Footnote 82: In a letter to the Secret Committee, London, dated +October 11, 1756, Clive writes: "I hope we shall be able to +dispossess the French of Chandernagore." So it is evident that he +came with this intention to Bengal.] + +[Footnote 83: Clive describes Hugli as "the second city in the +kingdom." _Letter to Lord Hardwicke, Feb_. 23, 1757.] + +[Footnote 84: Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.] + +[Footnote 85: Hearing that Seth Mahtab Rai was to marry a +wonderfully beautiful woman, he forced the Seths to let him see the +young lady. _Scrafton_.] + +[Footnote 86: "If one is to believe certain English writers, the +Seths were an apparently insurmountable obstacle to the project +because of the money we owed them, as if in their perilous position +these bankers would not be inclined to sacrifice something to save +the greater part. Besides, we shall see by what follows that they +sacrificed nothing." _Law_. The extraordinary influence of these +people was due not so much to their dealings with the head of the +State as to the fact that native princes generally make payments, +not in cash, but in bonds. It therefore depends on the bankers what +any man shall get for his bonds. In this way an official, even when +paid by the State, may be ruined by the bankers, who are merely +private persons.] + +[Footnote 87: "In India it is thought disrespectful to tell a great +man distinctly the evil which is said of him. If an inferior knows +that designs are formed against the life of his superior, he must +use circumlocutions, and suggest the subject in vague terms and +speak in enigmas. It is for the great man to divine what is meant. +If he has not the wit, so much the worse for him. As a foreigner, I +was naturally more bold and said what I thought to Siraj-ud-daula. +Coja Wajid did not hesitate to blame me, so that for a long time I +did not know what to think of him. This man finally fell a victim to +his diplomacies, perhaps also to his imprudences. One gets tired of +continual diplomacy, and what is good in the beginning of a business +becomes in the end imprudence." _Law_.] + +[Footnote 88: "Witness the letter written to the English Admiral +Watson, by which it is pretended the Nawab authorized him to +undertake the siege of Chandernagore. The English memoir" (by _Luke +Scrafton_) "confesses it was a surprise, and that the Secretary must +have been bribed to write it in a way suitable to the views of Mr. +Watts. The Nawab never read the letters which he ordered to be +written; besides, the Moors never sign their names; the envelope +being closed and well fastened, the Secretary asks the Nawab for his +seal, and seals it in his presence. Often there is a counterfeit +seal." _Law_. From this it may be seen that the Nawab could always +assert that his Secretary had exceeded his instructions, whilst it +was open to his correspondent to assert the contrary.] + +[Footnote 89: The clerks.] + +[Footnote 90: "This was the boaster Rai Durlabh Ram, who had already +received much from me, but all the treasures of the Universe could +not have freed him from the fear he felt at having to fight the +English. He had with him as his second in command a good officer, +Mir Madan, the only man I counted upon." _Law_.] + +[Footnote 91: Referring to Clive's letter of the 7th of March, +saying he wished to attack Chandernagore, but would await the +Nawab's orders at that place.] + +[Footnote 92: By "agent" Law must mean simply an agent in the plot.] + +[Footnote 93: Scrafton, in his "Reflections" (_pp. 40 and 50_), +says, Siraj-ud-daula indulged in all sorts of debauchery; but his +grandfather, in his last illness, made him swear on the Koran to +give up drinking. He kept his oath, but probably his mind was +affected by his previous excesses.] + +[Footnote 94: Arzbegi, i.e. the officer who receives petitions.] + +[Footnote 95: A preparation of betel-nut (areca-nut) is used by the +natives of Hindustan as a digestive. When offered to a guest, it is +a sign of welcome or dismissal. When sent by a messenger, it is an +assurance of friendship and safe conduct.] + +[Footnote 96: The Governor of Patna was Raja Ramnarain, a Hindu, +with the rank of Naib only. It was considered unsafe to entrust so +important a post to a Muhammadan, or an officer with the rank of +Nawab.] + +[Footnote 97: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2779, No. 120.] + +[Footnote 98: Ibid., India IX., p. 2294.] + +[Footnote 99: Letter from Renault to Dupleix. Dated Chandernagore, +Sept. 4, 1757.] + +[Footnote 100: Broome (p. 154) gives his name as Mir Daood.] + +[Footnote 101: The Council signed the Treaty with Mir Jafar on the +19th of May, but Mr. Watts's first intimation of his readiness to +join the English is, I believe, in a letter dated the 26th of April. +Mir Jafar signed the Treaty early in June.] + +[Footnote 102: So Suja-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, plundered the Nawab +Mir Kasim, when the English drove him from Bengal in 1763.] + +[Footnote 103: Broome (p. 154) says "a fakier, named Dana Shah, +whose nose and ears he had ordered to be cut off thirteen months +before, when on his march against the Nawaub of Purneah."] + +[Footnote 104: Orme MSS., India Office, and Clive correspondence at +Walcot, vol. iv.] + +[Footnote 105: The celebrated traveller. He quickly quarrelled with +and left them.] + +[Footnote 106: Province.] + +[Footnote 107: Nawab of Oudh and father of Suja-ud-daula.] + +[Footnote 108: I.e. the receiver of the rent or revenue.] + +[Footnote 109: The regular winds of the various seasons are called +monsoons, and are named after the point of the compass from which +they blow.] + +[Footnote 110: Alamgir II.] + +[Footnote 111: Imad-ul-mulk, Ghazi-ud-din Khan.] + +[Footnote 112: Ali Gauhar, born 1728. On the death of his father, +November 29, 1759, he assumed the name or title of Shah Alam.] + +[Footnote 113: The old English Factory at Patna was re-opened by Mr. +Pearkes, in July, 1757. See his letters to Council, dated 12th and +14th July, 1757.] + +[Footnote 114: Kasim Ali had a much better army than any of his +predecessors. Though it was not trained in the European manner, +several of the chief officers were Armenians, who effected great +reforms in discipline. Three years later it made a really good fight +against the English.] + +[Footnote 115: The battle is generally known as that of Gaya, but +was fought at Suan. The site is marked in Rennell's map of South +Bihar. It lies about six miles west of the town of Bihar, on the +river Banowra.] + +[Footnote 116: The Banowra River.] + +[Footnote 117: The French capital on the Madras coast. Surrendered +to Eyre Coote.] + +[Footnote 118: Sepoys, so called from the Telingana district in +Madras, where they were first recruited.] + +[Footnote 119: Mrs. Law. _Bibi_ is the equivalent of mistress or +lady. _Lass_ was the native version of Law. Mrs. Law's maiden name +was Jeanne Carvalho.] + +[Footnote 120: Bengal Select Com. Consultations, 28th January, +1761.] + +[Footnote 121: "A part of these Memoirs was written at Paris in +1703, and part at sea in 1764, during my second voyage to India, but +several of the notes were added later." _Law_.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +M. COURTIN, CHIEF OF DACCA + + +Jacques Ignace, son of Francois Courtin, Chevalier, Seigneur de +Nanteuil, and of Catherine Colin, is, I believe, the correct +designation of the gentleman who appears in all the records of the +French and English East India Companies as M. Courtin, Chief of the +French Factory at Dacca. + +In June 1756, when Siraj-ud-daula marched on Calcutta, he sent word +to his representative, the Nawab Jusserat Khan at Dacca, to seize +the English Factory, and make prisoners of the Company's servants +and soldiers. The English Factory on the site of the present +Government College, was-- + + "little better than a common house, surrounded with a thin + brick wall, one half of it not above nine foot high." The + garrison consisted "of a lieutenant" (Lieutenant John Cudmore), + "4 serjeants, 3 corporals, and 19 European soldiers, + besides 34 black Christians[122] and 60 _Buxerries_."[123] + +[Illustration: DACCA, OR JEHANGIR NAGAR. (_After Rennell_.)] + +On the 27th of June Jusserat Khan sent on the Nawab's order by the +English _wakil_, or agent, to Mr. Becher, the English Chief, and +informed him of the capture of Fort William and the flight of Mr. +Drake. Thinking this was merely a trick to frighten them into +surrender, the Dacca Council requested Mr. Scrafton, third in +Council, to write to M. Courtin, chief of the French Factory, for +information. In reply M. Courtin sent them a number of letters which +he had received from Chandernagore, confirming the bad news from +Calcutta. Taking into consideration the unfortified condition of the +Factory, and that Dacca was only four days by river from Murshidabad +whilst it was fourteen from Calcutta, it seemed idle to hope to +defend it even when assistance could be expected from the latter +place, and, now that it was certain that Calcutta itself had fallen, +any attempt at defence appeared rather "an act of rashness than of +bravery." It was therefore resolved to obtain the best terms they +could through the French. + +The next day M. Fleurin, second of the French Factory--M. +Courtin[124] was not well acquainted with the English language--came +to inform them that the Nawab of Dacca agreed that the ladies and +gentlemen should be allowed to retire to the French Factory on M. +Courtin giving his word that they would there await the orders of +Siraj-ud-daula as to their future fate. The soldiers were to lay +down their arms, and be prisoners to the Nawab. This amicable +arrangement was entirely due to M. Courtin's good offices, and he +was much congratulated on the tact he had shown in preventing the +Nawab from using violent measures, as he seemed inclined to do at +first. As the Nawab would not allow the English to take away any of +their property, except the clothes they were wearing, they were +entirely dependent upon the French for everything, and were treated +with the greatest kindness. The Council wrote:-- + + "The French have behaved with the greatest humanity + to such as have taken refuge at their Factory, and the tenour + of their conduct everywhere to us on this melancholy occasion + has been such as to merit the grateful acknowledgment of + our nation." + +For some two months the English remained in the French Factory, M. +Law, at Cossimbazar, warmly soliciting their release from +Siraj-ud-daula. This he obtained with difficulty, and at last Mr. +Becher and his companions sailed in a sloop provided by M. Courtin +for Fulta, where they arrived safely on the 26th of August. When +Calcutta had been recaptured by the English, M. Courtin, like a good +business man, sent in a bill for the costs of the sloop to the +Council at Calcutta, and the Consultations of the 16th of May, 1757, +duly notify its payment. + +The English did not regain possession of the Factory at Dacca till +the 8th of March, by which time the declaration of War between +France and England was known, and the likelihood of troubles in +Bengal was very apparent. As we have seen, the English were +successful in their attack on Chandernagore, but the whole country +was aware that the Nawab was only the more enraged with them, and +his local officers might at any moment be instructed to take +vengeance on Englishmen found defenceless up country. On the 23rd of +March, Messrs. Sumner and Waller wrote from Dacca that Jusserat Khan +had refused to restore the Factory cannon, and to pass their goods +without a new _parwana_[125] from Murshidabad. It was therefore +still very doubtful whether he would assist the English or the +French at Dacca, and though the English obtained the _parwana_ they +wanted early in May, on the 9th the Council at Calcutta sent them +orders to do the best they could for their own security, and +informed them they had sent an armed sloop to Luckipore to cover +their retreat. They immediately sent down all the goods they could, +but as matters became quieter again they soon resumed business, and +appear to have had no further trouble. + +It may be imagined that M. Courtin and his friends, knowing that the +English had demanded the surrender of the French Factories, had a +very uncomfortable experience all this time.[126] Unfortunately no +Records of the French Factories in Bengal are now to be found, and I +had despaired of obtaining any information about the expulsion from +Dacca, when, in the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris, I came on a MS. +entitled, "_Copy of a letter from M. Courtin from India, written to +his wife, in which are given in detail the different affairs which +he had with the Moors from the 22nd of June, 1757, the day of his +evacuation of Dacca, to the 9th of March, 1758_."[127] + +M. Courtin had married a Madame Direy, widow of a French Company's +servant, and the letter shows she was fortunately in France at the +time of her husband's troubles. As was natural, but inconveniently +enough for us, Courtin does not think it necessary to trouble her +with unintelligible and unpronounceable Indian names. Where +possible, I shall fill them in from the English Records, otherwise I +shall interrupt the course of the letter as little as possible. It +runs as follows:-- + + "Calcapur,[128] April 20, 1758. + + "Word must have reached thee in France of the loss of + Chandernagore, which was taken from us by the English on + the 23rd of March, 1757, after eleven days' siege. I was + then at Dacca, and expecting every day to see M. + Chevalier return from his journey to the King of Assam. + Judge, my dear wife, of the chagrin and embarrassment into + which I was thrown by this deplorable event. The English + had had no idea of attacking Chandernagore until they had + recovered Calcutta from the Moors, taken the Moorish village + at Hugli, and forced the Moors to agree to a most shameful + peace. This was not, as thou wilt see, sufficient for them, + for Siraj-ud-daula had offended them too deeply for them to + stop when once they found themselves on a good road; but + unfortunately we were an obstacle in the way of their + vengeance, otherwise I believe they would have observed + the neutrality which had been always so carefully maintained + by the European nations in the country of the Ganges, in + spite of all the wars which took place in Europe. Many of + the French from Chandernagore--officers, Company's servants, + and others--had taken refuge at Cossimbazar with M. Law, + who formed there a party which opposed the English in + various ways. The English, however, forced Siraj-ud-daula, + against his true interest and in spite of his promise to + protect us, to abandon us, and to make M. Law leave his + Factory and go to Patna. This imprudent act was the ruin + of the Prince and put the final touch to our misfortunes, + whilst it has made the English masters of Bengal, and has + filled their coffers with wealth. + + "I held on at Dacca till the 22nd of June. I was troubled + as little as was possible in such circumstances, owing, I + think, to the gratitude which the English felt for the services + I had rendered them in Dacca the year before. I had all + the more reason to think this was so because, after the + misfortune which befell Chandernagore, they had often + offered to secure to me all my effects and merchandise in + Murshidabad [?]--they were worth a million--provided I + made over to them the French Factory and all that belonged + to the Company, and would myself leave for Pondicherry + in the following October. They said I should not be considered + a prisoner of war, and should not require to be + exchanged. + + "These were, no doubt, very good terms, and most + advantageous to me; but should I not have been dishonoured + for ever if I had had a soul so servile and base as to accept + them? I would have been covered with ignominy in my + own eyes, and without doubt in those of all the world. I + therefore thought it my duty to reject them. + + "Things were on this footing when, at the beginning + of June, I learned that the English, having got rid of M. + Law, were marching upon Murshidabad with all their forces + to achieve the destruction of a Prince who was already half + ruined by his own timidity and cowardice, and still further + weakened by the factions formed against him by the chief + members of his own family--a Prince detested by every one + for his pride and tyranny, and for a thousand dreadful crimes + with which he had already soiled his reputation though he + was barely twenty-five years old. + + "I knew only too well what was preparing against him, + and I was also most eager to find some honourable means of + escape for myself. M. Chevalier's absence troubled me + greatly, and I did not like to leave him behind me. At last + he arrived on the 16th or 17th. I had taken the precaution + to provide myself with a _parwana_, or passport, signed by + Siraj-ud-daula, allowing me to go where I pleased. That + Prince had recalled M. Law to him, but too late, for I felt + certain he could not rejoin him in time to save him or to + check the progress of his enemies. I was in a hurry therefore + to go and help to save him if that were possible, taking + care, however, to choose a route by which I could escape if, + as I thought probable, he should have succumbed beforehand + to the efforts of the English, and the treason of his subjects. + + "It was then the 22nd of June when I started with + about 35 boats,[129] MM. Chevalier, Brayer [possibly a relation + of the M. Brayer who commanded at Patna], Gourlade, the + surgeon, and an Augustine Father, Chaplain of the Factory, + 8 European soldiers, of whom several were old and past + service, 17 topass gunners, 4 or 5 of the Company's servants, + and about 25 or 30 peons.[130] There, my dear wife, is the + troop with which thou seest me start upon my adventures.[131] + To these, however, should be added my Christian clerks, my + domestics, and even my cook, all of whom I dressed and + armed as soldiers to assist me in what I expected to be a + losing game, and which, in fact, had results the most disastrous + in the world for my personal interests. + + "It was not till seven or eight days after I had set out + with this fine troop that I learned there had been a battle at + Plassey between the English and the Nawab, in which the + latter had been defeated and forced to flee, and that Jafar + Ali Khan, his maternal uncle,[132] had been enthroned in his + place. This report, though likely enough as far as I could + judge, did not come from a source so trustworthy that I could + rely on it with entire faith. Accordingly I did not yet + abandon the route which I had proposed to myself; in fact, + I followed it for some days more, and almost as far as the + mouth of the Patna River.[133] There I learned, beyond possibility + of doubt, that Siraj-ud-daula had been captured, conducted + to Murshidabad, and there massacred; that he had + just missed being rejoined by M. Law, who was coming to + meet him, and could easily have done so if he had followed + the instructions given him and had been willing to march + only three hours longer; and that the English had sent a + body of troops towards Patna to capture or destroy M. Law + if possible." + +We have seen in a previous chapter the real reasons why Law was +unable to rejoin Siraj-ud-daula in time for the battle. + + "I now saw that a junction with him had become impossible, + unless I determined to run the most evident risk of + losing my liberty and all I had." + +It appears that Courtin had the Company's effects, as well as his +own private property and that of his companions, on board his little +fleet. + + "This made me change my route immediately. The + mountains of Tibet[134] appeared to me a safe and eminently + suitable asylum until the arrival in the Ganges of the forces + which we flattered ourselves were coming. I therefore directed + my route in this direction, but found myself suddenly and + unexpectedly so close to Murshidabad that for two days + together we heard the sound of the guns fired in honour of + the revolution which had taken place. It is easy to judge + into what alarm this unexpected and disagreeable proximity + threw me. However, we arrived safely, on the 10th of July, + at the capital of the Raja of Dinajpur, who wished to oppose + our passage." + +This was the Raja Ram Nath, whom Orme describes as "a Raja, who with +much timidity, was a good man." + + "We made it in spite of him, threatening to attack him + if he showed any further intention of opposing us. I do not + know what would have happened if he had had a little firmness, + for we learned afterwards that he had always in his + service a body of 5000 infantry and cavalry. The persons + whom he sent to us had at first suggested that I should pretend + I was English, assuring me that by that means all difficulties + would be removed; but I thought this trick too much + beneath a man of honour for me to make use of it, and, in + fact, I objected to pass for anything but what I really was. + + "I found here a French soldier, who had been at the + battle of Plassey, where the brave Sinfray,[135] at the head of + 38 Frenchmen, had fought like a hero for a long time, and + had retreated only at the order of Siraj-ud-daula, who, seeing + himself betrayed and the battle lost, sent him word to cease + fighting. This worthy gentleman afterwards took refuge in + Birbhum, the Raja of which country betrayed him, and disgracefully + handed him over to the English in October last." + +Courtin is somewhat unfair to the Raja (apparently a Muhammadan, as +he was called Assaduzama Muhammad),[136] for this Prince was an ally +of the English, and had offered Clive the assistance of his forces +before the battle of Plassey. It could be no treachery on his part +to pick up fugitives from the battle, like Sinfray, and hand them +over to his allies. I may as well quote one of the Raja's letters to +Clive, received 28th October, 1757:-- + + "Before your letter arrived the French were going + through, some woods in my country. I knew they were your + enemies, therefore I ordered my people to surround them. The + French being afraid, some said they were English, and some + Dutch. In the meantime I received your letter that if I + could apprehend them I should send them to you, therefore + I have sent them. Surajah Dowlat has plundered my + country so much, that there is hardly anything left in it."[137] + +Courtin continues:-- + + "To return to my journey and my adventures. I now + found myself outside of Bengal and in sight of the mountains + of Tibet, a month having elapsed since my departure from + Dacca. I was only two or three days distant from these + mountains, and my intention, as thou hast seen above, was to + go there; but I was prevented by the murmurs of my people, + especially the boatmen, who already began to desert in small + parties. Accordingly I accepted an offer made me on the + part of the Raja of Sahibgunj, to give me a site for a fort, + and to aid me with everything I might want. I descended + the river again for a little, and near this site, which was on + the river bank, I commenced a fort, but the thickness of the + forest forced me to abandon it, and I entered a little river + close by, which conducted me to a marsh, on the borders of + which I found an elevated site admirably situated and in a + very agreeable neighbourhood.[138] This belonged to the same + Raja, and with his consent I again set to work, and that + with such promptitude that in less than a month my fortress + commenced to take form, and visibly progressed owing to + the extraordinary efforts I made to complete it. It was + triangular, with a bastion at each angle. At two of the + angles I had found superb trees with very heavy foliage, and + on the third I erected the mast of my boat and hoisted our + flag. All three bastions had four embrasures, a fine entrance + gate opening on the marsh, and a little open turret above, + A small entrance gate led to the open country. The curtains + were carefully pierced for musketry, and strengthened outside + with a trellis work of bamboo, and finished off with banquettes + on the ramparts. An excellent powder magazine + was built in the same way, and, being situated in the interior + of the fort, was quite safe from any accident. + + "As I had brought workmen of all kinds with me, the + work went on well, especially as the care of our health made + us all industrious. I was not without cannon, and I mounted + on our ramparts two Swedish guns, which afterwards proved + our safety and preservation.[139] Also being provided with the + requisites for making gunpowder, I very soon had nearly + 3000 lbs. weight of very good quality. + + "Hardly anything remained to complete my fortress, + which I had named 'Bourgogne,' except to provide it with + a glacis. It was already furnished with a market which was + sufficiently flourishing, when to my misfortune I received + the false information that our forces, which were said to be + considerable, were ready to enter the Ganges, and that there + was certain news of the arrival of a very strong squadron at + Pondicherry.[140] On the 8th September there broke out at + Purneah, and in the province of that name, a Evolution + headed by a person named Hazir Ali Khan,[141] who, having + seized the capital, at once wrote to me to join him, and assist + him against the English and Jafar Ali Khan.[142] + + "These two events made me stop everything else and + devote myself entirely to getting my boats out of the little + river by which I had entered the marsh, and which was now + almost quite dried up. I succeeded in doing so after some + time, by means of ditches which I cut from the marsh, but + this took me more than a month and considerable labour, as + I was about two leagues from the great river. To complete + my misfortunes, my troop was attacked by sickness, which + raged with a violence such as I had scarcely ever seen. It + cost me nine soldiers, of whom three were Europeans. The + latter were luckily replaced some days after by the same + number who joined me.[143] Poor M. Brayer and M. Gourlade + had been during almost the whole campaign in the most + pitiable condition, especially the former, who I thought a + thousand times must have died. As for me, the powders + _d'Aillot_ preserved me from the pestilential air, and cured + me from the effects of a fall in my _bajarow_,[144] caused by the + clumsiness of my boatmen. I narrowly escaped breaking + my ribs and back. + + "Before quitting Fort Bourgogne I must tell thee, my + dear wife, that I often played there a very grand role. I + was called the 'Fringuey Raja,' or 'King of the Christians.' + I was often chosen as arbiter amongst the little princes in + my neighbourhood, who sent me ambassadors. My reputation + spread so wide, and the respect that I gained was so + great, that the King of Tibet did not disdain to honour me + with an embassy of nearly eight hundred persons, whom I + entertained for nine whole days, and whose chiefs I dismissed + with presents suitable to their rank, their king, our + nation, and the idea which I wished to leave behind me in + this country of the European name. The presents which + were made me consisted of five horses, some bags of scent, + three or four pieces of china, pieces of gilt paper, and a sabre + like those used by the Bhutiyas, or people of Tibet, who are + men as strong and robust as those of Bengal are feeble. + Though pagans like the latter, they eat all kinds of things, + and live almost like the Tartars, from whom they are descended. + They have no beards, and are clothed in a fashion + which is good enough, but which looks singular. They are + very dirty. The complexion of those whom I saw was very + dark, but I know it is not the same in the interior of the + country and in the mountains, where all are as fair as the + Chinese, who are said to be their neighbours. I took some + trouble to form an alliance and to make a party amongst + them. They appeared very willing, but I soon had occasion + to convince myself that not only were they not fitting persons + for my designs, but also that they were playing with me. + It is not that they do not make raids upon the lower country, + but they make these only in the cold weather, always withdrawing + at the commencement of the hot, without trying to + make any permanent conquests. + + "There, then, my reign is finished, or nearly so, for the + good news that I continued to receive (though always without + foundation, as I learned afterwards), joined to the entreaties + of Hazir All Khan and to the unhealthy air which continued + to decimate my poor little troop, induced me at last to + abandon my fort, to embark again upon my boats, and to + reapproach Bengal, from which I had hitherto been travelling + away. The second day after my departure was marked by + a very annoying accident, namely the loss of one of my + largest boats, on which was my library and a quantity of my + effects. These were quickly drawn out of the water, but + were none the less ruined for the Company and for me. + From that moment commence my misfortunes. The sixth + day--I had passed three in the salvage of the effects on my + boat--I received a _pattamar_ (messenger), who informed me + that the English and the troops of Jafar Ali Khan were at + Purneah, from which they had chased Hazir Ali Khan and + wholly destroyed his faction." + +From Broome we see that this was in the middle of December, 1757. It +was now that Clive first heard what Courtin was attempting. He +immediately sent orders direct, and also through the Nawab, to Kasim +Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore, and to Raja Ram Nath of Dinajpur, to +seize the French. + + "It was almost impossible for me to reascend the river + because of the dry banks and the strong currents which + would have put my boats in danger. However, I found + myself in the country of Rungpore, which was a dependency + of Bengal. I determined nevertheless to remain where I + was, flattering myself the English would not come to look + for me, nor the Nawab or the ruler of the province think of + disturbing themselves about me, as I was doing no harm in + the country, and as I was very strict in observing proper + order and discipline. I was so confident on this latter head + that I did not think of throwing up now entrenchments, and + occupied myself only with hunting and walking whilst I + awaited the arrival of the French forces. However, one day, + towards the middle of January, a secret rumour came to me + that Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore, was coming to + attack me. I sent out scouts, who reported that all was + tranquil in his town, and that, far from wishing to come and + look for a quarrel, he was in fear lest I should march against + his town, which was three days' journey from where I was. + Doubtless my men deceived me or did not take the trouble + to go to Rungpore, for on the 15th of the same month, at + 3 p.m., on the opposite side of the river to that on which + we were, there appeared a body of soldiers, cavalry and + infantry, about 600 in number, who approached so near my + fleet that I no longer doubted the correctness of the first + advice which had been given me. I ordered a discharge + of three guns on this troop, which was so well directed that + the enemy were forced to take themselves off and to encamp + a little further from me. Next day the commander sent me + a present of some fruit, and an intimation that he only + wished to see me quit his country. He knew I could not + do this without risk, and, according to the custom of the + infidels, he gave me the strongest possible assurances of my + safety and tranquillity. I took care not to trust to them; + I was then, as I said above, without entrenchments and + without defence, so in the evening I set to work at surrounding + myself with a ditch, the mud taken out of which would + serve me for embrasures. I was short of provisions, which + made me very anxious, and I was still more so when + I learned that the enemy were trying to cut me off from + provisions on all sides, and that their intention was to + capture me by famine or treachery. Their number quickly + increased to 3000 men, of whom a part came over to my + side of the river, and harassed my people whenever they + went out for provisions. This forced me to detach. MM. + Chevalier and Gourlade, with about 10 men, some peons + and boatmen, against one of their little camps, where there + were about 150 men, foot and horse. Our men received + their fire, stormed the camp, and destroyed it after having + put every one to flight. There was not a single person + wounded on our side. This little advantage gave me time to + make a good provision of rice and other things in the villages + near my entrenchments. I cleared out these villages and + drove out the inhabitants, but I was still in need of a + quantity of things necessary to life. To procure these, I + tried to frighten the enemy by cannonading their chief camp + on the other side of the river. This only resulted in making + them withdraw altogether beyond the reach of my guns, not + with the idea of going away, but of starving me out, and, as + I learned later, to give time for a reinforcement of artillery + which they were expecting to arrive. They had already 4 + or 5 guns, but their calibre was small compared with mine, + as I was able to see from the balls which fell in my camp + when it was entrenched only on the land side. + + "The 19th of January, early in the morning, I sent across + the river a number of workmen, supported by a little detachment + under M. Gourlade, to cut down a grove of bamboos + which masked my guns, and to burn down some houses which + were also in their way. I forbade them to engage the enemy, + and all went well until some topasses and peons advanced + too far towards the enemy's camp, and I heard discharges + so loud and frequent on both sides, that I ordered a retreat + to be beaten in my entrenchments, to make my people recross + the river. I fired my guns continually to facilitate this and to + cover the movement. In this skirmish I had only one soldier + wounded, and I do not know whether the enemy had any + losses. This day more than 1500 shots were fired on both + sides. Some of the guns which the enemy brought up + troubled us greatly, as we were not entrenched on the water + side. Several balls fell at my side or passed over my head. + This determined me to set all my people at work the next + night with torches, to put us under cover on this side + also." + +[It was apparently this fight which Kasim Ali reported to Clive on +the 24th of January:-- + + "I wrote expressly to my people to go and take them" + (the French) "and they went immediately and found them + ready to fight. On both sides there were cannon and + _jenjalls_.[145] A _nulla_[146] was between them, which the French + crost, and advancing upon my people, fought with great + intrepidity: but luckily, three or four of them being killed, + they retired into their fort."[147]] + + "The Moors saw, from my manoeuvre, how important it + was for them to seize the ground which I had intended to + clear, and, contrary to my expectation, established themselves + on it the same evening without my being able to hinder + them, keeping themselves always well hidden behind the + bamboos, where they had nothing to fear from my artillery, + and still less from my musketry. Like me they worked at + night, and, having as many prisoners or other workmen at + their command as they wanted, I saw, with regret, next + morning the progress which they had made opposite me. I + could not dislodge them without risking everything. Weak + as I was, I thought it wiser not to hazard anything more in + sorties, but to hold myself always on the defensive. + + "Sheikh Faiz Ulla (that was the name of the Moorish + general) sent me one of his men next day with a present and + proposals of peace, the first condition of which was, of course, + that I should quit his country, and as, since the dry weather + had set in, a very large and dangerous bank had formed in + the river seven or eight leagues below me, he offered me one + or two thousand workmen to assist in making a passage for + my boats. The shocking treachery used by the Moors being + well known to me, I refused to accept his offers except on + his furnishing me with hostages for his good faith. He first + proposed himself, but with such a strong escort that it was + not difficult to see that it was a trap which he was setting + for me, so as to seize and massacre us. After many debates + between our emissaries, he consented to come to my _bajarow_, + he and his servants, and that all of them should serve as + hostages until I was quite out of the domains of his master. + + "I loyally agreed to this arrangement and made preparations + in consequence, but at 7 in the morning on the + 23rd of January, the day I expected the hostages, I was + awakened by a cannon-shot quickly followed by a second, the + ball of which pierced the _rezai_[148] at the foot of my bed from + side to side, and made a great noise. For a long time I had + been accustomed to sleep fully dressed, so I was able to go out + quickly and give orders in the entrenchments. The treachery + and perfidy of the enemy were too manifest; nevertheless, I + forbade a single shot to be fired with musket or cannon, and + simply recommended my people to be on their guard on + the land side. The enemy kept up a continuous and very + lively fire until 4 o'clock in the evening. I considered that + it would be useless for me to reply, and wished to see how far + they would push their insolence. That day we picked up 40 + cannon-balls, and our whole loss was one boatman slightly + wounded in the leg. From 4 o'clock till night the enemy's + fire was continued, but at long intervals. It began again + the next morning. I suffered this as on the previous day + for a couple of hours, at the end of which. I fired several + shots and silenced it. My firing seemed to trouble the + enemy more than I expected it would. One of my boats was + sunk by a cannon-ball, several were pierced through, and + my _rezai_, which used to serve me as a coat, was much + damaged. + + "The succeeding days passed much in the same manner + until the 3rd of February, when, on the same bank and to + the north above my fleet, I saw a new entrenchment, which + had been thrown up during the preceding night. Its batteries + enfiladed mine along their whole length. It was necessary + either to risk everything by making a sortie in order to + destroy it, or to arrange terms. I determined on the latter, + which appeared to me all the more necessary, as I was + beginning to be in want of everything, and as I had just + received letters which deprived me of all hope of the arrival + of our forces in Bengal until April or May. I therefore + informed Sheikh Faiz Ulla that I was ready to enter upon + negotiations, and the same day he sent me some of his people, + with whom I agreed to leave my entrenchments and go + down the river. I consented to do this without hostages, + but, that it might be done in security, I promised them a + sum of money for themselves as well as for their general. + This arrangement being agreed to by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, he + sent me word that, in order that he might not appear to + betray his master, it would be necessary for me next morning + to open the fiercest fire possible on his camp; that he would + reply; that on both sides it should be with the intention of + doing as little hurt as possible; that I should pretend it was + to force him to give me a passport, which he would send me + in the evening; and that I should then send him the + money I had promised. All these precautions were only + to assist his rascality, and they appeared to me all the more + surprising, as he had already repeatedly informed me that + he had his master's permission to give me a passport, and to + let me go where I pleased. But of what are these Moors not + capable? Without being blind to the continuance of his perfidy, + I flattered myself that it might happen that he would not + trouble me on my march when he had received my money. + + "However this might be, my cannon fired from 10 in + the morning till 3 in the evening. Our people, perceiving + that the enemy were firing in earnest, did not spare them + any more than they spared us, and that which was at first, + on our side, only a pretence, finally became serious. At 4 + o'clock I received an envoy, who brought me the passport, + and to whom I paid the money. He assured me that I + might embark my artillery the next morning, and set out the + day after without the slightest apprehension of being interfered + with, I took my precautions, and, in fear of treachery, kept + on shore my two Swedish guns. At last, at seven in the + morning, my boats started, having on board only the sick + and helpless, and I set out by land with my two guns and + the rest of my troop, at the head of which I put myself." + +This triumph of time and treachery was reported by Sheikh Faiz +Ulla's master, Kasim Ali, to Clive, on the 14th of February:[149]-- + + "I before wrote you that I had sent forces to fight the + French, that they had a fort and strong intrenchments, and + that we had a battle with them.... ever since I wrote + you last we have been fighting, my people have behaved well, + and I make no doubt but you have heard it from other people. + God knows what pains and trouble I have taken in this + affair. The French being shut up in their fort and undergoing + much fatigue by always fighting, and likewise being + in want of provisions were obliged to run away in their + boats by night, and went towards the Dinajpur country. + + My people being always ready to fight followed them.... + They can go no other way but through the Dinajpur country. + I have therefore wrote expressly to the Rajah to stop the + passage." + +About this time, though Courtin does not mention it till later, he +began to see what the inevitable end must be. He could not cut his +way through to join Law, and with the whole country in arms against +him he was too weak to hold out for any length of time. Accordingly +he sent messengers secretly to Mr. Luke Scrafton, at Murshidabad. It +was Scrafton, as I have said above, who wrote to Courtin for +assistance when the Nawab of Dacca wanted to take their Factory and +imprison the English. Courtin now wrote to him to save him from +falling into the hands of the natives, and, on the 18th of February, +Scrafton wrote to the Select Committee at Calcutta for the necessary +permission.[150] + +We now rejoin Courtin:-- + + "What was my surprise, at the end of an hour and a + half, to see that we were followed by a body of four or five + hundred men, with two guns drawn by oxen. I pretended + not to notice, and continued my march, but at 3 o'clock + in the afternoon, seeing this troop approach, within range of + my pieces, I pointed them at the Moors, and put my force + in a position of defence. Their rascality followed its usual + course, and they sent me word that I had nothing to fear, + that they would not march so close to me any more, and + that they followed me only to preserve the peace and to + hinder my people, especially the stragglers, from committing + any disorder. I received this excuse for what it was worth, + and pretended to be content with, it, seeing clearly that they + were looking for an opportunity to surprise and destroy us. + + "Several accidents happening to the boats of the rearguard + prevented my troop and myself from rejoining the + main body of the fleet till far on in the night. I found it + anchored in the most disadvantageous position possible, and + in the morning I saw at a distance of one-eighth of a league + the same body of troops, that had followed me the day before, + establishing and settling itself. A moment later I learned + that Sheikh Faiz Ulla was on the opposite bank with his + army and his artillery, that he intended to wait for me in a + narrow place called Choquova,[151] at the foot of which my boats + must pass, and that he was diligently making entrenchments + there. My embarrassment was then extreme. I found + myself surrounded on all sides; I was without any provisions, + destitute of the most necessary articles of life. In + this perplexity I saw only the most cruel alternatives, either + to surrender or to fight to the death so as to perish with our + arms in our hands. The latter appeared to be less dreadful + than the former. + + "After repeated consultations, we determined it would + be best to risk the passage of the fleet by Choquova. We + thought that possibly we should find provisions there, and + that certainly the position could not be worse (for defence) + than that in which we then found ourselves. The passage + was carried out in three hours' time without confusion or + disorder, by means of my Swedish guns on the boat which + led the van. What was our delight to find, not only a better + position than that which we had quitted, but one that was + almost completely entrenched by nature, and had villages + full of rice to the right and left of it. + + "Next day I collected provisions in abundance, cleared + the country round for a quarter of a league, and did my best + to ameliorate my condition. The enemy were disconcerted by + my boldness. They pretended as usual, in order to deceive + me the more easily, that they were not surprised at my march. + They feared rightly that if I commenced new entrenchments + all their trouble would begin again. Besides, I had completely + protected myself from the possibility of surprise. _Pourparlers_ + for an accommodation were renewed and lasted three + days, at the end of which it was agreed that I should + continue my march, that two hostages should be given me + for my safety, and that the army with its guns should retire + from Choquova, and should be sent a long way ahead across + country, and as, at half a league from this place, the river + was no longer navigable because of the bank which had + formed in it, I should be supplied with people to facilitate + my passage. Thou wilt notice, my dear wife, that in all the + negotiations I had for various reasons and on several occasions + proposed to suspend all hostilities until an answer + could be received from Jafar All Khan and the English, to + whom I said I would write to come to some accommodation + with them, offering to send my letter open. This was repeatedly + refused, but the refusal did not prevent my asking + for the honours of war. My letters were despatched secretly + by my own messengers. + + "At last, on the 23rd, I quitted, though with regret + (always expecting treachery), my new position, and approached + the shallow or bank mentioned. It was night when I + arrived. In spite of this I could understand, from the + dreadful noise made by the waters, that I should have + difficulty in traversing this dangerous passage even with the + assistance promised me. I was only too well convinced of + the truth of this when day broke, and I saw that I had + again been betrayed. There was nothing to be seen of the + work which the Moors had engaged to do to lessen the + difficulty of the passage. However, I did not hesitate to + put out with my lighter boats, firmly resolved, if they arrived + safely, to sacrifice the larger, with all that was upon them, + to my safety, and thus to effect my retreat during the night. + With the exception of two, which were lost, they all arrived + safely. During this piece of work, which took up the whole + day, I dissimulated my intentions in the presence of my hostages, + merely letting them see I was somewhat surprised to + find that, contrary to the promise given, there were no workmen, + but that the army, which ought to have been withdrawn, + was still close to us. Their excuses were vague and unsatisfactory. + One of them, who, no doubt, knew the enemy's plans, + asked permission to go to their camp, promising to come + back the next day. Though his demand accorded with my + designs, I agreed to it only after much persuasion, warning + him not to break his _parole_ to return the next morning very + early. This he swore to do. As a rule these people think + nothing of an oath. I did not intend to wait for him, which + his comrade clearly perceived, for, seeing that he himself + had been sacrificed by his master's perfidy, he approved of + the resolution I had taken to set out by night, and swore + that he had acted in good faith, and was ignorant of the + treachery that had been concocted. 'You can,' he said to me, + 'have my throat cut. You would be justified in doing so; + but I will not quit you, even if you give me permission. + If I went to my own people, they would say that I had + disclosed to you the trick which you have yourself discovered, + and would certainly show me less mercy than I + have experienced from you.' After this I contented myself + with having him closely watched. + + "Orders being given to the remaining boats to start by + night, I mounted on horseback to carry certain necessaries + to my detachment on land, which was already a little in + advance and had crossed a small river with the guns. I + had only three blacks with me, and none of us knew the + way. The night was dark, and we wandered from it. I + narrowly escaped being drowned with my horse, and at last + we lost ourselves entirely. If we had been met by any + horsemen, nothing would have been easier than for them to + capture me, our arms and cartridges being all soaked with + water. Luckily I heard our drums beating, and this told us + in what direction we could safely go. + + "My intention was to march by land with my troops and + guns. They objected to this, as I was wet to the skin and + had a cold on the chest, which hardly allowed me to speak; + so I went back to the boats, though with much regret, and + resolved to manage so as not to lose sight of my detachment. + I was in constant anxiety about the latter till 8 o'clock the + next day, when we all came together, except one soldier + topass, who, by his own fault, had remained on a big boat + which we had abandoned, and a _manjhi_,[152] who was drowned + in one of the two little ones which had sunk. + + "Finding myself in the territory of the Raja of Dinajpur, + I imagined I had nothing to do with any one except him, and + that Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his army would not think of + following me through a country which, though tributary to + the Nawab of Bengal, still in no way belonged to Faiz Ulla's + master. The hostage who remained with me, and to whom + I spoke about the matter,[153] did not altogether dissuade me + from this idea, but counselled me to continue my march + and to get farther away, which I did till 6 o'clock in the + evening. What was my surprise when, at 9 o'clock, my + scouts reported that the enemy were pursuing me, and were + not more than a league away at the most. I could not + advance during the night for fear of running on the banks + or shallows with which the river was filled, and which might + cause the loss of my boats and of my people. Accordingly, + I did not set out till the morning, and always remained + myself in the rear (of the fleet). I had stopped to wait for + my land detachment and the guns, and was at some distance + from the rest of my little fleet, when, about half-past nine, + I heard several musket shots fired. In an instant I was + surrounded by the enemy. M. Chevalier, who conducted the + land detachment, fortunately perceived my situation, and, + seeing my danger, brought up the two guns and fired about + 20 shots, which disengaged me, and gave me time to regain + my boats by swift rowing. I had with me only Pedro and + the Moorish hostage mentioned before. Then I landed with + MM. Brayer, Gourlade, and in general every one who was + strong enough to defend himself. At the same time I ordered + the boats to go on. In this skirmish our loss was only one + man slightly wounded in the ear by a musket-ball. + + "My little fleet _en route_, we marched by land on the + bank opposite to that on which was, the main body of the + enemy, who had only cavalry, which we did not trouble + ourselves about It was not the same, however, with the + boats. At the end of an hour the boatmen abandoned them + in a sudden panic, and hurried tumultuously to join me. + When my people were collected, I would have tried to go + and recapture my boats, which the enemy had not delayed + to seize; but not only would this have been a rash undertaking + with so small a force against 3000 men, but also + there was a little river which formed an island between my + boats and me, and so prevented the passage of my guns + This determined me to abandon the boats, and to retreat to + Dinajpur, where I hoped to find an asylum with the Raja + whilst I waited for a reply to my letters to Jafar All Khan + and the English. We marched till 1 o'clock in the afternoon + without being harassed or disquieted--no doubt because + during this time Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people were + occupied in plundering the boats. We were now not very + far from Dinajpur, when we met a body of the Raja's cavalry, + the commander of which begged me to take another road so + as not to pass through his town. Accordingly he gave me + a guide, with whom we marched till half-past five, when we + arrived at a great _gunge_ (market place) at the extremity of + Dinajpur. There they lodged us in a great thatched building. + The want of provisions had caused us to suffer very much in + this retreat." + +This was the battle of Cantanagar. Kasim Ali described it as follows +to Clive:-- + + "My people and the French had a battle, and the latter + finding themselves much, beat, they run away, and left their + boats. They went to Oppoor" "and begged protection of + the Kajah's people.... Bahadur Sing came and told my + people to go a little further off, and they would deliver + them up, but they put us off from day to day."[154] + +About the time he was writing this, Clive was writing to say that he +had received Courtin's offer of surrender, and that Kasim Ali was to +cease hostilities and allow the French to come to him with their +boats and necessaries. Kasim Ali had received orders to the same +effect from Mr. Scrafton, who informed him he was sending an officer +to accept their surrender. This did not however prevent Kasim Ali +from trying to get hold of them, which accounts for the following +letter from Raja Ram Nath to Clive:[155]-- + + "The French are now coming from another country by + boats to go towards Muxadavad, and Kasim Ali Khan's + people have followed them, out of his own country into + mine. They have left their boats among Kasim Ali Khan's + people and are now travelling to Jangepors" (? Tangepur). + + "When I heard this I sent people with all expedition to look + after them, and I now hear that they have surrounded them. + The French want the Nawab's and your orders and _call for justice_[156] + from you. They have hoisted the Nawab's[157] and + your colours, have put on your cloaths (?) and want to go + to Muxadavad. Kasim Ali Khan's people want to carry + them to Rungpore but they refuse to go, and say that if one + of us is taken they will destroy themselves.[158] I am a poor + Zemindar who pays revenues[159] and ready to obey your + orders. If the Rungpore people should take them by force, + and they should kill themselves, it would be a troublesome + affair." + +To return to Courtin's letter. + + "The Raja of Dinajpur did not fail to be embarrassed by + the favour which he had shown to us. Fear was the only + motive which influenced him. He sent word to me to + depart by night under an escort of 200 of his people, who + would conduct me to Murshidabad. I was very nearly + accepting his suggestion, but the hunger and thirst, from + which we suffered greatly, prevented me. So I postponed + giving him a final answer till the next morning, and + then, after full reflection, decided not to move from the + place to which. I had been conducted until I received an + answer to the letters sent to Murshidabad. I thought this + all the wiser, as I was informed that nothing would induce + my enemies to approach or attack me in my asylum.[160] The + place was so retired and so well provided with storehouses, + that I found there a greater appearance of security than in + the open country or the escort offered by the Raja, as his + men were subordinate to the same Prince as the people who + composed the army of Sheikh Faiz Ulla, and were likely + enough to abandon me or to join my enemies in overwhelming + me. My conjectures were well founded, as, several days + after, this same Raja, prompted by Sheikh Faiz Ulla, sent + me word that he could not answer for what might happen to + me if I were attacked; that his troops, being subject to + Murshidabad like those of Kasim All Khan, could not + support me, nor fire on the latter. Finally he sent a certain + priest of his faith, a grave man, who came to suggest to us + that our best course was to leave Dinajpur and gain the + open country, otherwise we were lost. He said that he + knew for certain that if I were so obstinate as to persist in + wishing to remain there, orders had been given to attack us, + cut our throats, and send our heads to Murshidabad. This + person wished to terrify us so as to rid the Raja of us, as he + was dying with fright lest war should be made in the very + heart of his town. I replied that I was resolved to defend + myself against any one who attacked me, to set fire to + everything I found within my reach, to kill as many people + as I could, and to die on my guns when I had used up all + my ammunition; that this was also the intention of my companions, + who preferred to die thus, like brave men, rather than + to be exposed to the ignominies and indignities that we should + undergo if we allowed ourselves to be made prisoners by the + people of Kasim All Khan. The timid Raja, threatened by + both parties, found himself in the utmost embarrassment, for + Sheikh Faiz Ulla, at the gates of his town, put, as it were, + his country under contribution, and demanded from him, + with all imaginable insolence, that he should deliver us up + to him, a thing which the Raja found difficult to do. + + "Some days passed in this way, during which we had + frequent alarms, but the letters I received from Murshidabad + filled every one with perplexity. The English sent me + people on their own account. One of my private friends,[161] + whom I had been so fortunate as to oblige on a similar + occasion, wrote me not to trouble myself about my boats or + my effects, but to come at once to him, and he would see + that they restored or paid for my property, and that they + gave me all that I might need. The orders received by + Sheikh Faiz Ulla and the Raja at the same time, ordered the + one to leave me in peace and the other to furnish me with + everything I wanted. This put my mind in a condition of + serenity to which it had long been a stranger, and threw my + enemies into much confusion. They proposed that I should + resume possession of my boats. I knew, with absolute + certainty, that they had been half looted, still I accepted + them on condition they were brought to Dinajpur. They + did not wish, to do this; but next morning after reflection + they consented, when, in my turn, I declined, and asked only + for provisions and other things necessary for my journey. + This they had the harshness to refuse, doubtless because they + thought that I, being destitute of everything, would have to + go down by whatever route they pleased. I would not + trust them in anything, fearing treachery. + + "At last, without linen, without clothes, except what we + had on our bodies, on the 1st of March, the seventeenth day + after our retreat[162] we set out with our arms and our two + Swedish guns to go to Murshidabad to the English, from + whom I had demanded the honours of war." + + We learn from the correspondence between + Mr. Scrafton and Clive, that Drake, the cowardly + Governor of Calcutta, very naturally could not + understand what was meant by this claim to the + honours of war.[163] + +"My guns were conducted by land by a small detachment, the command +of which I gave to M. Chevalier, and we embarked on some small +boats belonging to the Raja, in which we had hardly room to move. + +"I was not yet at the end of my troubles, for on the 3rd of March, +after dinner, as I was getting back into my boat, one of the +boatmen, wishing to put down a gun, managed to let it off, and sent +a bullet through my left shoulder. It passed through the clavicle +between the sinew and the bone. Luckily the blow was broken by a +button which the bullet first struck; still it passed almost +completely through the shoulder and lodged under the skin, which had +to be opened behind the shoulder to extract it and also the wad. +However unfortunate this wound was, I ought to be very thankful to +God that it was so safely directed, and for the further good fortune +of finding with one of my people sufficient ointment for the +surgeon, who was quite destitute of all necessaries, to dress +my shoulder until the ninth day after, when we arrived at +Murshidabad.[164] This wound caused me much suffering for the first +few days, but, thanks to the Lord, in thirty-two or thirty-three +days it was quite healed and without any bad effects. + +"We rested ourselves from our fatigue till the 20th at my friend's +house, when, with his concurrence and in response to their offers, I +went to the Dutch gentlemen at Cossimbazar, where M. Vernet, their +chief and an old friend of mine, received us with the greatest +kindness. It is from their Settlement that I write to thee, my dear +wife. Until the ships sail for England I shall continue to write +daily, and tell thee everything that is of interest.[165] + +"August 10, 1758. + +"My dear wife, I resume my narrative to tell thee that my boats have +been restored by the English, as well as all the goods that had not +been plundered by Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people, except the +munitions of war. Still, so much of the merchandise, goods and +silver, has disappeared that I am ruined for ever, unless the +English, who have promised to cause everything to be restored, are +able to make the Moors give them up. The English have at length +decided on our fate in a way altogether honourable to us. We are not +prisoners of war, and so we are not subject to exchange; but we are +bound by certain conditions, which they think necessary to their +security, and which only do me honour. What has flattered me even +more is that the two Swedish guns which I had with me on my campaign +have actually been given to me as a present by the commander of the +English troops, who is also Governor of Calcutta, with the most +complimentary expressions." + +Courtin had written to Clive, asking permission to go down to +Pondicherry. Clive replied on the 15th of July, 1758, granting +permission. His letter concludes:-- + + "I am at this moment sending an order to the Captain + Commandant of our troops to restore to you your two guns. + I am charmed at this opportunity of showing you my + appreciation of the way in which you have always behaved + to the English, and my own regard for your merit."[166] + +Courtin continues:-- + + "Saved from so many perils and sufficiently fortunate + to have won such sensible marks of distinction from our + enemies, ought not this, my dear wife, to make me hope that + the gentlemen of the French Company will do their utmost + to procure me some military honour, in order to prove to the + English that my nation is as ready as theirs to recognize my + services?[167] + + "Now, my dear wife, I must end this letter so that it + may be ready for despatch. For fear of its being lost I will + send in the packet another letter for thee. + + "Do not disquiet thyself regarding my health. Thanks + to God I am now actually pretty well. I dare not talk to + thee of the possibility of our meeting. Circumstances are + not favourable for thee to make another voyage to the Indies. + That must depend upon events, thy health, peace, and + wishes, which, in spite of my tender longing for thee, will + always be my guide. + + "If the event of war has not been doubly disastrous to + me, thou shouldst have received some small remittances, + which I have sent, and of which I have advised thee in + duplicate and triplicate. If the decrees of the Lord, after + my having endured so many misfortunes and sufferings, have + also ordained my death before I am in a position to provide + what concerns thee, have I not a right to hope that all my + friends will use their influence to induce the Company not + to abandon one who will be the widow of two men who have + served it well, and with all imaginable disinterestedness? + + "For the rest I repeat that, thanks to God, I am fairly well. + + "I kiss thee, etc., etc." + +One would be glad to be assured that Courtin re-established his +fortune. If he is, as I suppose, the Jacques Ignace Courtin, who was +afterwards _Conseiller au Conseil des Indes_, we may be satisfied he +did so; but French East India Company Records are a hopeless chaos +at the present moment, and all that one can extract from the English +Records is evidence of still further suffering. + +From Murshidabad or Cossimbazar, Courtin went down to Chandernagore, +whence the majority of the French inhabitants had already been sent +to the Madras Coast. The Fort had been blown up, and the private +houses were under sentence of destruction, for the English had +determined to destroy the town, partly in revenge for the behaviour +of Lally, who, acting under instructions from the French East India +Company, had shown great severity to the English in Southern India, +partly because they did not think themselves strong enough to +garrison Chandernagore as well as Calcutta, and feared the Moors +would occupy it if they did not place troops there, and partly +because they dreaded its restoration to France--which actually +happened--when peace was made. At any rate Courtin found the +remnants of his countrymen in despair, and in 1759 he wrote a +letter[168] to Clive and the Council of Calcutta, from which I +quote one or two paragraphs:-- + + "With the most bitter grief I have received advice of + the sentence you have passed on the French Settlement + at Chandernagore, by which all the buildings, as well of + the Company as of private persons, are to be utterly + demolished. + + "Humane and compassionate as you are, Sirs, you would + be sensibly affected--were your eyes witnesses to it as mine + have been--by the distress to which this order has reduced + the hearts of those unhappy inhabitants who remain in that + unfortunate place, particularly if you knew that there is + nothing left to the majority of them beyond these houses, on + whose destruction you have resolved. If I may believe + what I hear, the motive which incites you is that of reprisal + for what has happened at Cuddalore and Madras: it does + not become me to criticize either the conduct of M. Lally, + our general, who, by all accounts, is a man very much to be + respected by me, or your reasons, which you suppose sufficient. + Granting the latter to be so, permit me, Sirs, to + address myself to your generosity and humanity, and those + admirable qualities, so universally esteemed by mankind, + will encourage me to take the liberty to make certain representations. + + "All upbraidings are odious, and nothing is more just + than the French proverb which says, to remind a person of + favours done him cancels the obligation. God forbid, Sirs, + I should be guilty of this to you or your nation by reminding + you for a moment, that these houses, now condemned by + you, served you as an asylum in 1756, and that the owners, + whom you are now reducing to the greatest distress and are + plunging into despair, assisted you to the utmost of their + power, and alleviated your misfortunes as much as they were + able. But what am I saying? Your nation is too polished to + need reminding of what is just. Therefore excuse my saying + that this reason alone is sufficient to cancel the law of + retaliation which you have resolved to execute, and to make + you revoke an order which, I am sure, you could not have + given without much uneasiness of mind. I cast myself at + your feet, imploring, with the most ardent prayers, that + compassion, which I flatter myself I perceive in your hearts, + for these poor creatures, whom you cannot without remorse + render miserable. If you really, Sirs, think I too have had + the happiness to be of some use to you and your nation, + whilst Chief at Dacca, and that I have rendered you some + services, I only beg that you would recollect them for one + moment, and let them induce you to grant the favour I + request for my poor countrymen. I shall then regard it as + the most happy incident in my life, and shall think myself + ten thousand times more indebted to you. + + "If, Sirs, you have absolutely imperative reasons for + reprisal, change, if you please, the object of them. I offer + myself a willing victim, if there must be one, and, if blood + were necessary, I should think myself too happy to offer + mine a sacrifice. But as these barbarous methods are not + made use of in nations so civilized as ours, I have one last + offer to make, which is to ransom and buy all the private + houses at Chandernagore, for which I will enter into whatever + engagements you please, and will give you the best + security in my power." + +The last words seem to imply that Courtin had recovered his +property, at least to a great extent; but his pathetic appeal was +useless in face of national necessities, and so far was +Chandernagore desolated that, in November of the same year, we read +that the English army, under Colonel Forde, was ambushed by the +Dutch garrison of Chinsurah "amongst the buildings and ruins of +Chandernagore." + +From Chandernagore Courtin went to Pondicherry, where he became a +member of the Superior Council. He was one of the chiefs of the +faction opposed to Lally, who contemptuously mentions a printed +"Memorial" of his adventures which Courtin prepared, probably for +presentation to the Directors of the French East India Company.[169] +When, in January, 1761, Lally determined to capitulate, Courtin was +sent to the English commander on the part of the Council. Still +later we find his name attached to a petition, dated August 3, 1762, +presented to the King against Lally.[170] This shows that Courtin +had arrived in France, so that his elevation to the Council of the +Company is by no means improbable. + +To any one who has lived long in India it seems unnatural that in +old days the small colonies of Europeans settled there should have +been incited to mutual conflict and mutual ruin, owing to quarrels +which originated in far-off Europe, and _which were decided without +any reference to the wishes or interests of Europeans living in the +colonies_. The British Settlements alone have successfully survived +the struggle. The least we can do is to acknowledge the merits, +whilst we commiserate the sufferings, of those other gallant men who +strove their best to win the great prize for their own countrymen. +Of the French especially it would appear that their writers have +noticed only those like Dupleix, Bussy, and Lally, who commanded +armies in glorious campaigns that somehow always ended to the +advantage of the British, and have utterly forgotten the civilians +who really kept the game going, and who would have been twice as +formidable to their enemies if the military had been subordinate to +them. The curse of the French East India Company was Militarism, +whilst fortunately for the English our greatest military hero in +India, Lord Clive, was so clear-minded that he could write:-- + + "I have the liberty of an Englishman so strongly implanted + in my nature, that I would have the Civil all in all, + in all times and in all places, cases of immediate danger + excepted." + +How much might have been achieved by men like Renault, Law, and +Courtin, if they had had an adequate military force at their +disposal! They saw, as clearly as did the English, that Bengal was +the heart of India, and they saw the English denude Madras of troops +to defend Bengal, whilst they themselves were left by the French +commanders in a state of hopeless impotence. On the other hand, +owing to the English Company's insistence that military domination +should be the exception and not the rule, British civilians and +British soldiers have, almost always, worked together harmoniously. +It was this union of force which gave us Bengal in the time of which +I have been writing, and to the same source of power we owe the +gradual building up of the great Empire which now dominates the +whole of India. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 122: Probably Portuguese half-castes.] + +[Footnote 123: Matchlock men. Consultations of the Dacca Council, +27th June, 1756. Madras Select Committee Proceedings, 9th November, +1756.] + +[Footnote 124: When Courtin was sent by Count Lally with the +proposals for the surrender of Pondicherry he had to take an +interpreter with him. _Memoirs of Lally_, p. 105.] + +[Footnote 125: I.e. official order.] + +[Footnote 126: I cannot ascertain where M. Fleurin was at this +moment. If at Dacca, then Courtin must have left him behind.] + +[Footnote 127: MSS. Francais, Nouvelles Acquisitions, No. 9361. This +is unfortunately only a copy, and the dates are somewhat confused. +Where possible I have corrected them.] + +[Footnote 128: Calcapur, the site of the Dutch Factory. See note, p. +64.] + +[Footnote 129: From a map by Rennell of the neighbourhood of Dacca +it appears that the French Factory was on the River Bourigunga. +There are still several plots of ground in Dacca town belonging to +the French. One of them, popularly known as Frashdanga, is situated +at the mouth of the old bed of the river which forms an island of +the southern portion of the town; but I do not think this is the +site of the French Factory, as the latter appears to have been +situated to the west of the present Nawab's palace.] + +[Footnote 130: Now used in the sense of messengers or office +attendants.] + +[Footnote 131: Orme says (bk. viii. p. 285) that Courtin started +with 30 Europeans and 100 sepoys. From Law's "Memoir" we see that M. +de Carryon took 20 men to Cossimbazar before Law himself left. This +accounts for the smallness of Courtin's force.] + +[Footnote 132: Jafar Ali Khan married the sister of Aliverdi Khan, +Siraj-ud-daula's grandfather.] + +[Footnote 133: I think he must mean the mouth of the Murshidabad +River.] + +[Footnote 134: Courtin means the lower ranges of the Himalayas, +inhabited by the Nepaulese, Bhutiyas, etc. His wanderings therefore +were in the districts of Rungpore and Dinajpur.] + +[Footnote 135: Sinfray, Secretary to the Council at Chandernagore, +was one of the fugitives who, as mentioned above, joined Law at +Cossimbazar.] + +[Footnote 136: Assaduzama Muhammad was nephew to Kamgar Khan, the +general of Shah Alam. _Holwell. Memorial to the Select Committee_, +1760.] + +[Footnote 137: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2859, No. 246.] + +[Footnote 138: Orme says the Fort was on the River Teesta, but +Rennell marks it more correctly a little away from the river and +about fifteen miles south of Jalpaiguri.] + +[Footnote 139: These guns Courtin calls "pieces a la minute." The +proper name should be "canon a la suedoise" or "canon a la minute." +They were invented by the Swedes, who used 3-pounders with improved +methods for loading and firing, so as to be able to fire as many as +ten shots in a minute. The French adopted a 4-pounder gun of this +kind in 1743. The above information was given me by Lieut.-Colonel +Ottley Perry, on the authority of Colonel Colin, an artillery +officer on the French Headquarters Staff.] + +[Footnote 140: This squadron, under the command of Mons. Bouvet, +actually did arrive.] + +[Footnote 141: This rebellion was really conducted by Ukil Singh, +the Hindoo _Diwan_ of Hazir Ali.] + +[Footnote 142: Mir Jafar, Jafar Ali, Mir Jafar Ali Khan, are all +variations of the name of the Nawab whom the English placed on the +throne after the death of Siraj-ud-daula.] + +[Footnote 143: Law says that the French soldiers who wandered the +country in this way were accustomed to disguise themselves as +natives and even as Brahmins, when they wished to avoid notice.] + +[Footnote 144: A kind of native house-boat.] + +[Footnote 145: A heavy gun fired from a rest or stand.] + +[Footnote 146: A ditch or ravine.] + +[Footnote 147: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2901, No. 374.] + +[Footnote 148: A thick quilt used as a covering when in bed, or +sometimes like a blanket to wrap oneself in.] + +[Footnote 149: Orme MSS. India XL, p. 2915, No. 417.] + +[Footnote 150: Bengal Select Com. Consultations, 22nd February, +1758.] + +[Footnote 151: I have not been able to identify this place.] + +[Footnote 152: A boatman.] + +[Footnote 153: See note, p. 88.] + +[Footnote 154: Orme MSS. India XI., p. 2923, No. 432.] + +[Footnote 155: Orme MSS. India XL, p. 2926, No. 438.] + +[Footnote 156: This expression is characteristically Indian, and is +used when any one, finding himself oppressed, appeals to some great +personage for protection.] + +[Footnote 157: The Nawab's flag was the usual Turkish crescent.] + +[Footnote 158: Another Indian expression. The last resource against +oppression or injustice in India is to commit suicide by starvation +or some violent means, and to lay the blame on the oppressor. This +is supposed to bring the curse of murder upon him.] + +[Footnote 159: This means simply that the Raja was not an +independent ruler. The sovereign owning all land, _land revenue_ and +_rent_ meant the same thing.] + +[Footnote 160: This seems to want explanation. Probably Courtin had +got into some sort of house used for religious ceremonies, such as +are often found in or close to the market-places of great +landowners.] + +[Footnote 161: He probably refers to Mr. Luke Scrafton.] + +[Footnote 162: I.e. from his entrenchments.] + +[Footnote 163: "Courtin and his party arrived here the 10th. They +are 6 soldiers, Dutch, German and Swede, such as took service with +the French when our Factory at Dacca fell into the hands of Surajeh +Dowleit, 4 gentlemen, some Chitagon (_sic_) fellows and about 20 +peons. Courtin, on his way hither, has, by mischance, received a +ball through his shoulder. They demanded _honneurs de la guerre_, +which Drake has not understood" (_Scrafton to Clive, March_ 12, +1758).] + +[Footnote 164: According to Orme, Courtin's force was reduct from 30 +to 11 Europeans, and from 100 to 30 sepoys.] + +[Footnote 165: The manuscript I translate from contains only the +postscript of the 10th of August.] + +[Footnote 166: A translation. Clive generally wrote to French +officers in their own language.] + +[Footnote 167: Such honours were not uncommonly granted. Law was +made a Colonel, so was another French partisan named Madec. On the +other hand, when a French gentleman had the choice, he often put his +elder son in the Company's service and the younger in the army. +Law's younger brother was in the army. Renault's elder son was in +the Company and the younger in the army.] + +[Footnote 168: Appended to "Bengal Public Proceedings," May 31, +1759.] + +[Footnote 169: I do not know whether this "Memorial" still exists, +but see "Memoirs of Count Lally," p. 53.] + +[Footnote 170: "Memoirs of Count Lally," p. 367.] + + + + + INDEX + + Abdulla Khan + Admiralty, the English + Aeneas + Afghan General, the + _See_ Abdulla Khan + Agra + Ahmed Khan Koreishi + Alamgir II., Emperor, assassinated November 29, 1759 + Ali Gauhar + _See_ Shah Alam + Aliverdi Khan + his opinion of Europeans + sister of + Allahabad + Amina Begum, mother of Siraj-ud-daula + Anquetil du Perron, M. + Anti-Renaultions + "Arabian Nights" + Archives, French + _Areca-nut_ + Armenian officers + Armenians + _Arz-begi_ (Gholam Ali Khan) + _Arzi_ + _Asiatic Annual Register_ + Assaduzama Muhammad, Raja of Birbhum + Assam, King of + Audience Hall, the + Augustine Father + Aurengzebe + + Bahadur Singh + Bahar + _See_ Bihar + _Bajarow_ + Balasore + Bandel + Bankers, influence of Indian + Banowra River + Barber, a native + Battle of the 5th of February + Becher, Mr. Richard + Beinges, M. + Benares + Bengal + Nawabs of + records + revolution in + rivers of + Bengali merchant + Berhampur + _Betel_ + Bettiah, Raja of + Bhagulpur + Bhutiyas + Bibi Lass + _See_ Mrs. Law + Bibliotheque Nationale + Biderra, battle of + Bihar, Hindu Rajas of + map of south + province of + town of + Birbhum + Raja of _See_ Assaduzama Muhammad + Bisdom, Adrian, Director of the Dutch in Bengal + Black Hole, the + Bloomer, Lieut. + Boissemont, M. + Bombay + Bourigunga River + Bouvet, M. + Brahmins + Brayer, Ensign + M., one of Courtin's companions + Brereton, Lieut. William + _Bridgewater_, H.M.S. (Captain Smith) + British. _See_ English + civilians + Museum, MS. Department + Broome, Captain A., Author of the "Rise and Progress of the + Bengal Army" (Calcutta, 1850) + Budge Budge, battle of + Bugros, M. + _Bukshi_ + Bulwant Singh, Raja of Benares + Bundelkand or Bundelcund + Bussy, M. + _Buxerries_ + + Caillot, or Caillaud + Calcapur + Calcutta + English Council at + Calve, M. + Cannon balls of clay + Cantanagar, battle of + Capitulation of Chandernagore, dispute as to terms of + Capucins, church of + Carnac, Major John + Carryon, M. le Comte de + Carvalho, Jeanne. _See_ Mrs. Law + Cause of Siraj-ud-daula's attack on the English + Chambon, M + Chandernagore + booty taken at + cemetery at + council at + deserters from + garrison of + possibility of its capture by English land forces alone + terms of capitulation of + Chatrapur + _Chauth_ + Chevalier, M. + Chinese + Chinsurah + Chittagong + Choquova + Christian clerks + Christians + Chunargarh + _Chunam_ + Chupra or Chapra. + Cicero + Civil Power, the + Clive, Lieut.-Colonel Robert (Lord Clive) + Coja Wajid + Colbert, M. + Colin, Catherine + Colonel + Coote, Captain (Sir) Eyre + Coromandel, Coast of, _See_ Madras Coast + Cossimbazar + Cossimbazar River + Courtin, Francois, + Jacques Ignace + Courtin, Mrs. + _See_ Madame Direy + Courtin's Memorial + Cuddalore + Cudmore, Lieut. John + Cuttack + + Dacca; + Council at; + Government College at; + Nawab of; + Palace of present Nawab + _D'Aillot_, powders + D'Albert, M. le Chevalier + Dana Shah + Danes + Dangereux, M. + Davis, Mr. + Debelleme, M. le Capitaine + De Carryon, M. le Comte + Deccan + De Kalli, M. + Delabar, M. + De la Bretesche, M. + Delamotte, Mr. John + De la Vigne Buisson; + M. le Capitaine; + jun. + De Leyrit, M. + Delhi + De Montorcin, M. + Desbrosses, M. + Deserters, English; + French + Desjoux, M. + De Terraneau, Ann.; + Lieut. Charles Cossard; + senior + De Tury; + M., Commandant of Chandernagore + D'Hurvilliers, M. + Dido + Dinajpur; + Raja of + Dinapur + Direy, Madame, _See_ Mrs. Courtin + _Diwan_ + Doctor, French + Doidge, Mr. + Drake, Roger, jun.; + President of the Council at Calcutta + Droguet, M. + Dubois; + M., French Company's servant; + M., Sturgeon Major + Du Cap, M. + Dupleix, Marquis + Du Pre, M. + Durbar, The + _Dustuck_ + Dutch; + Director. _See_ M. Bisdom; + Octagon, the + + East India Company, English; + Forces + East India Company, French + Elephants, gentleness of + Engineers, want of + England + English; + _See_ British; + agent of; + ladies at Dacca; + Records; + trade privileges of + Eunuchs + Europe + Europeans + Europeans, generosity and courage of, + + Fakir, _See_ Dana Shah + Farmers of estates, + Farukhabad, + _Faujdar_, + Fazl-kuli-khan, + Feringhees, + _Firman_, + Fleurin, M., + Forde, Colonel, + Fort Bourgogne, + d'Orleans, + William, + Fournier, M., + France, + King of, + Frashdanga, + French, + civilians, + ladies, + mistaken for Muhammadans, + proverb, + soldiers, + up-country factories, + Fringuey Raja, + Fullerton, Dr. William, + Fulta, + + Ganges river, _See_ Hugli River + Gaya, + Gentiles, or Gentoos, + Germans, + Ghazipur, + Gholam Husain Khan, + Gourbin, M. + Gourlade, M., + Grand Monarque, the, + Great Britain, + King of, + _Gunge_, + _Gunny_, + + _Hackerys_, + Haillet, M., + Hardwicke, Lord, + Hazir Ali Khan, + Hey, Lieut., + Himalayas, + Hindu advisers of the Nawab, + Hindu Rajas, + women, ill-treatment of--by Siraj-ud-daula, + Hindus, the, + Hindustan, + Holkar, + Holwell, John Zephaniah, Governor, + Honours of war, + Hugli, Faujdar of, _See_ Nand Kumar + fort, + River, + town, + + Imad-al-Muluk, Ghazi-ud-din Khan, + India, + Southern, + Indian expressions, characteristic, + minds, motives of, + ways of business, + Indies, The, + Indrapat, Raja of Bundelkand, + _Inhabitants_, + Innocent, or Innocent Jesus, + Ironside, Colonel Gilbert, + Ives, Surgeon Edward, author of "A + Voyage from England to India in + 1754, with, a narrative of the operations + of the squadron and army in + India, under Watson and Clive, + 1755-1757; Also a Journey from Persia to England," (London, 1799) + + Jafar Ali Khan. + _See_ Mir Jafar Ali Khan + Jagat Seth, family of + _See_ Seths + Jalpaiguri + Jats, the + _Jemadars_ + Jesuit Church, the + Fathers, the + Jobard, M. + Jugdea + _See_ Luckipore + Jusserat Khan, Nawab of Dacca + + Kaffirs + Kamgar Khan + Karical + Kasim Ali Khan, Nawab of Bengal + _See_ Mir Kasim + Kasim Ali Khan, Faujdar of Rungpore + _Kent_, H.M.S. + Kerdizien, M. + Khodadad Khan Latty + Kilpatrick, Major James + King + _See_ Mogul + _Kingfisher_, H.M.S. + Kissendas, son of Raj Balav + Knox, Captain Ranfurlie + Kooti Ghat + Koran, the + + La Haye, M. + Lal Dighi + Lally, Count + Memoirs of + Laporterie, M. + La Rue, M. + Latham, Captain + Launay, M. + La Ville Martere, M. + Law, Jacques Francois + Jean, of Lauriston + Madame Jeanne + John, of Lauriston, the Financier + William + Law's Memoir + Le Conte Dompierre + Lee, Corporal + Le Noir, M. + Le Page, M., Second Surgeon + Locusts + Luckipore + _See_ Jugdea + Lucknow + Lynn, Captain + + McGwire, Mr. William + Madec, Colonel + Madras + Coast + _See_ Coromandel + Malleson, Colonel G.B., Author of "History of the French in India + from the Founding of Pondicherry in 1674 to the Capture of that + Place in 1761" (London, 1868) + Manik Chand, Raja + _Manjhi_ + Maratha Commander + Law's altercation with + General, the + Marathas + Martin, Captain + Martin de la Case, Ensign + Matel, M. + Midnapur + Militarism + Minchin, Captain George, Captain-Commandant of Calcutta + Mir Abdulla + Miran, son of Mir Jafar + Mir Daood, brother of Mir Jafar, and Faujdar of Rajmehal + Mir Jafar Ali Khan, made Nawab by the English after Plassey + Mir Kasim, or Kasim Ali Khan, son-in-law and successor of Mir Jafar + army of + Mir Madan + Mogul + _See_ King + Mohan Lal, favourite of the Nawab + Monsoon + Moor hostages + nobles + Moorish colours + forts + soldiers + treachery + Moors + Muhammadhans + Murshidabad + _See_ Muxadabad + or Cossimbazar River + Murshid Kuli Khan + Mustapha Ali Khan + Mutinies + Muxadabad + _See_ Murshidabad + + _Naib_ + Nand Kumar, Faujdar of Hugli + Native indifference to the quarrels of the Europeans + _Nautch_ + Naval officer, an English + Nawab, the + _See_ Siraj-ud-daula + Hindu advisers and servants of + Nawajis Muhammad Khan, uncle of Siraj-ud-daula + Nawajis Muhammad Khan's widow + Nazir Dalal, the + Negroes + Nepaulese + Neutrality in the Ganges + News from Bengal + Nicolas, M.F. + Nover, Sergeant + Nullah + + Omichand + Onofre, Reverend Father + Oppoor + Orissa + Orme Papers or MSS. + Orme, Robert, historian + Oudh + Nawab of. _See_ Suja-ud-daula + + Pagodas or Hindu Temples + Paris + _Parwana_ + Pathans + Patna + Naib of + River + _Pattamar_ + Pavilion, Bastion du + Pearkes, Mr. Paul Richard + Pedro + _Peons_ + Perry, Lieut.-Colonel Ottley + Phulbari + Picques, M. + Pilots, French + Plassey, battle of + Pocock, Admiral (Sir) George + Pondicherry + Superior Council of + Porte Royale, the + Portuguese half-castes + Predestination + Priest, Hindu + Probate Records (Mayor's Court, Calcutta) + Prussian Gardens + Purneah + Nawab of. _See_ Saukat Jang + + Raj Durlabh Ram, Raja + Rains, the + Raj Balav, Raja + Rajas, Hindu + Rajmehal + Faujdar of. + _See_ Mir Daood + Ramnarain, Raja, Naib or Deputy Governor of Patua + Ram Nath, Raja of Dinajpur + Ranjit Rai, agent of the Seths + Raymond, M. + Renault, Pierre, Director of Chandernagore (Malleson calls him + Renault de St. Germain, but he never signs himself as such) + Renault, de St. Germain, eldest son of Pierre Renault + Renault, Lieut., second son of Pierre Renault + Renault, de la Fuye, M. + Renaultions, the + Rennell, Major James, geographer + _Rezai_, + Royal Music, the + Rungpore + Raja of. _See_ Kasizn All Khan + + Sahibgunj, Raja of + Saidabad. + _Saint Contest_, the + St. Didier, M. + St. Louis, Order of + Parish Church of + Salabat Jang + _Salisbury_, H.M.S. + Sarfaraz Khan, Nawab of Bengal, defeated and killed in battle + by Aliverdi Khan in 1742 + Saukat Jang, Nawab of Purneah and cousin of Siraj-ud-daula + Scrafton, Mr. Luke, Author of "Reflections on the Government + of Indostan" (London, 1770) + Scrafton's "Reflections" + Select Committee at Calcutta + at Madras + Sepoys, 10. _See_ Telingas + French + Law's opinion of + Serampore, Danish Settlement + Seth Mahtab Rai, grandson of Jagat Seth + Seth Sarup Chand, grandson of Jagat Seth + Seths, agent of + _See_ Ranjit Rai + Seths: the family of Jagat Seth + Shah, Alam + _See_ Ali Gauhar + Shahzada or Crown Prince + _See_ Shah Alam + Sheikh Faiz Ulla + Sinfray, M. + Siraj-ud-daula + _See_ Nawab + cause of his attack on the English + his aunt, widow of Nawajia Khan + his mother + _See_ Amina Begum + his younger brother + _See_ Fazl-kuli-khan + Slippers, a pair of + Sooty + Soupy, fort of + Speke, Captain + Spies employed by the English, + by the Nawab + Suan, battle of + Subah + Suja-ud-daula, Nawabof Oudh + Summer, Mr. William Brightwell + Surgeons, French + Swedes + Swedish guns + Swiss + + Tangepur, or Tanjipur, + Tanks used for military purposes + Tartars + Teesta River + Telingas or Tellingees + Tibet + king of, + Toby, Captain--of the _Kingfisher_ + Tooke, Mr. William + Topasses + Treaty between the English and Mir Jafar + between the English and Siraj-ud-daula + between the French and Siraj-ud-daula + Turkish Crescent, the + _Tyger_, H.M.S. + + Ukil Singh + + Vansittart, Governor Henry + Vernet, M. George, Lodewjk + Villequain, M. + Vizir, The + Volunteers, English + French + + _Wakils_ + Walcot, Clive Correspondence at + Waller, Mr. Samuel + War, Declaration of, between England and France + Water Gate, the + Watson, Admiral Charles + Watts, Mrs. Amelia + the Worshipful Mr. William + + Zemindar, collector of revenue + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Frenchmen in Bengal, by S.C. 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