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diff --git a/old/54633-0.txt b/old/54633-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6ccb8f7..0000000 --- a/old/54633-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9856 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 2 (of -3), by John Malcolm - -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/license - - -Title: The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 2 (of 3) - Collected From the Family Papers - -Author: John Malcolm - -Release Date: April 30, 2017 [EBook #54633] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF ROBERT, LORD CLIVE, VOL. 2 (OF 3) *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - THE - - LIFE - - OF - - ROBERT, LORD CLIVE: - - - COLLECTED FROM THE FAMILY PAPERS - - COMMUNICATED BY - - THE EARL OF POWIS. - - - BY - - MAJOR-GENERAL - - SIR JOHN MALCOLM, G.C.B. F.R.S. &c. - - - IN THREE VOLUMES. - - WITH A PORTRAIT AND MAP. - - VOL. II. - - - LONDON: - - JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. - - MDCCCXXXVI. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - LONDON: - - Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE, - New-Street-Square. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - LIFE - OF - ROBERT, LORD CLIVE: - - - - - =CONTENTS= - OF - THE SECOND VOLUME. - - ---------- - - CHAPTER IX. - -Success of the Expedition sent to the Northern Circars under Colonel -Forde, 1758.—Transactions at Madras.—Siege of that Place by Lally - - page 1 - - CHAP. X. - -Dutch Armament against Bengal, 1759, destroyed by Clive.—Proceedings in -England regarding the Government of Bengal.—Clive's Letter to -Pitt.—Clive returns to England, 1760 - - 69 - - CHAP. XI. - -Clive in England.—His private Life and Character - - 114 - - CHAP. XII. - -Clive in England.—His Politics.—His Quarrel with Mr. Sulivan.—His -Right to the Jaghire disputed.—Parties at the India House.—Disasters -in India.—Clive called upon to resume the Government of -Bengal—Consents—Sets out for India, 1764 - - 188 - - CHAP. XIII. - -State of India during Lord Clive's absence, 1760-5.—Mr. Vansittart's -Government.—Deposition of Meer Jaffier.—Elevation of Meer -Cossim.—Massacre of Patna.—Restoration of Meer Jaffier.—Disorders in -Bengal - - 261 - - CHAP. XIV. - -Clive assumes the Government of Bengal, 1765.—State of the Country and -of the various Services.—Military Arrangements.—Negotiations with the -Nabob of Bengal.—Treaty with the Nabob-Visier.—Settlement with the -King.—The Duannee acquired for the Company.—Discontents in the Civil -Service, and Reforms effected - - 317 - - - Footnotes are located at the end of each chapter. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - MEMOIRS - - OF - - LORD CLIVE. - - - ---------- - - CHAPTER IX. - - -In the commencement of the last chapter mention was made of the sailing -of the expedition which Clive detached to the Northern Circars under -Colonel Forde, in September, 1758. Before narrating the operations of -that force, it will be necessary to take a short retrospect of the -affairs of the Deckan. - -We have already seen[1] the success of Bussy in defeating the -combination formed against him at the Court of Salabut Jung. When he was -surrounded in the post he had taken at Hyderabad, Ibrahim Khan, to whom -he had intrusted the management of the Northern Circars, threw off his -allegiance. Bussy, sensible of the great value of the newly acquired -possessions, obtained the Subah's permission to march with the greater -part of his force to punish Ibrahim Khan, and settle the countries ceded -to him. He proceeded by the route of Bezoara to Rajahmundry. Ibrahim -Khan fled at his approach; but Vizeram Raz, the Hindu zemindar, or -ruler, of the country of Chicacole, joined him from his capital of -Vizianagur with a considerable body of men. Bussy thought it politic to -give Vizeram Raz every support; and the French troops were employed in -compelling the submission of his refractory chiefs, each of whom had his -petty fastness, and, relying on its natural or artificial strength, and -the devoted attachment and valour of his followers, yielded but an -imperfect obedience to his acknowledged lord, and seldom paid his -tribute until compelled by superior force. - -The French arms were first directed by Vizeram Raz to the attack of -Rangarow, Rajah of Boobilee, against whom he cherished a deadly hatred. -The fort of this chief could not resist European artillery; but its -defenders scorned to yield. They fought to the last; and the Rajah, with -all those capable of bearing arms, except four who reserved their lives -for a deed of vengeance, fell during the siege or on the breach. A more -appalling spectacle than that of the carnage of these brave men awaited -the successful assailants. In the interior of this stronghold, they -found only the smoking ruins of houses, and the mangled and burnt bodies -of all who were its late inhabitants; neither age nor sex was spared in -the dreadful sacrifice: not a human being seemed to be left over whom -his enemies could triumph. As the horror-struck victors were -contemplating this scene of desolation and of death, an old man rushed -from the smoking ruins with a child in his arms. He was conducted to M. -Law, who commanded the party: "This is the son of Rangarow," said the -old man, "whom I have preserved against his father's will." The safety -of this boy was felt as some alleviation of the horrid catastrophe. He -was carried to Bussy, who received and treated him with that humanity -and generosity which belonged to his character[2], constituting himself -his guardian, and securing to him the terms offered to his father, -before his fort was attacked. - -Three nights after this event the camp was surprised by a tumult, and -Bussy soon learned that two[3] of the four followers of Rangarow before -mentioned had made their way to the tent of Vizeram Raz, and stabbed the -inveterate enemy of their race[4] in thirty-two places. They might have -escaped, but they disdained flight. "Look here," they said to the guards -by whom they were attacked, "we are satisfied." Bussy, happy to leave -such a scene of horror and bloodshed, continued his march north to -Ganjam, where he received letters from his countrymen in Bengal, and -from the Nabob Suraj-u-Dowlah, urging his march to that country to -destroy the English. While waiting in expectation of persons from -Moorshedabad to arrange for his advance through Cuttack, he heard of the -fall of Chandernagore; on which he appears to have abandoned all -thoughts of proceeding to Bengal, though he no doubt contrived to feed -Meer Jaffier with hopes which might stimulate him to acts of hostility -against the enemies of France. - -Bussy's next effort was against Vizagapatam, which was compelled to -surrender. His treatment of the English, whom he made prisoners, was -more than humane; it was kind[5] and liberal. From thence he went to -Rajahmundry, where he heard of a change at the court of the Subah very -unfavourable to the views and interests of the French in the Deckan. - -In consequence of an intrigue between Shahnavaze Khan, the prime -minister, and the Subah's brothers, Nizam Ali Khan and Basalut Jung, the -latter two princes had come into power; and, having compelled the weak -Salabut Jung to intrust them with his great seal, had reduced him to a -cipher in his own dominions. The French officer left in charge of the -body of men which remained in the Subah's camp, had neither the talent -nor the influence to counteract these intrigues, and limited himself to -the guarding of Salabut Jung's person, and reporting to Bussy events as -they occurred. That experienced commander saw that no time was to be -lost. He immediately left Rajahmundry, and accomplished the march to -Aurungabad, a distance of more than four hundred miles, in twenty-one -days. He found on his arrival three separate armies; for Nizam Ali Khan -and Basalut Jung had each his own encampment, and the Paishwah Ballajee -Bajerow was in the vicinity; that ruler being, it was believed, -concerned in the plot laid to deprive the Subah of his power. - -The force of Bussy, which consisted of nine hundred Europeans (two -hundred of which were cavalry) and five thousand five hundred sepoys, -with ten field-pieces, was more than equal to any of the armies, or -indeed to any two combined. All waited, therefore, to see the part he -would take. He was aided by Hyder Jung, who, having some claims[6] upon -the French, and being a man of ability, was raised in consequence by -Bussy, who obtained him a title from the Emperor of Delhi. This person -was consulted on all occasions, and displayed both talent and address: -but his influence made him many enemies, and these were increased by his -success in their own arts of intrigue, particularly in corrupting the -Governor of Dowlatabad, and gaining that impregnable fortress[7] for the -French, by whom it was kept as a place of security for Salabut Jung, -instead of being his prison, the purpose for which it is believed to -have been destined by the conspirators against his liberty, if not his -life. - -The Nizam's brothers were compelled to give up the great seal of the -Deckan, which was not surrendered without undisguised marks of their -indignation, and loud protestations against the European influence which -now swayed the councils of their elder brother. Nizam Ali Khan, who -showed at this period both ability and boldness, was directed to proceed -to his government of Berar, and Basalut Jung to the charge of Adoni. -Before his departure Nizam Ali received the ceremonious visits of all -the chiefs and nobles in camp. Among others, Hyder Jung paid his -respects. When that Omrah was seated, Nizam Ali arose; but made a signal -for the former not to move, as he would immediately return. The moment, -however, that he left the apartment, his visitor was stabbed to the -heart. Letters, which had been previously prepared, were sent to Salabut -Jung, Ballajee Row, Basalut Jung, and Bussy; ascribing the death of the -French dewan or minister (for such Hyder Jung was termed) to accident; -but the truth could not long be concealed, and Nizam Ali fled with some -of his best horse to the city of Burhampore[8] in Berar. - -Bussy directed a party to seize Shahnavaze Khan, who was believed to be -concerned in the murder; and that minister, with one of his sons, was -killed in an affray which took place from his followers opposing the -troops of Salabut Jung and the French, that were sent to make him -prisoner. - -All was for some time in confusion. The principal chiefs in the army -hastened to disown any participation in the crime that had been -committed; and the Paishwah Ballajee Bajerow sent to Bussy to assure him -that he viewed the murder of Hyder Jung with detestation. - -Salabut Jung was so greatly enraged with his brother, that Bussy could -not prevent his making some marches towards Burhampore; but he soon -succeeded in convincing him that the pursuit of Nizam Ali was as -impolitic as it would be useless. The fact was, that Bussy did not wish -that his nation should appear as the cause of discord in the Subah's -family; and he had, also, some anticipation, from the accounts which he -had received from Pondicherry, of the changes about to occur in the -councils of that settlement. With these impressions, his object was to -lead Salabut Jung to Golconda, where he would be conveniently situated -for any event which might occur. During this march, M. Conflans arrived -in camp with a letter from M. Lally, appointing him second in command to -Bussy, and announcing to the latter his intended recall. Bussy, on -receiving this intelligence, adopted measures to secure the garrison he -had left in Dowlatabad reaching him in safety. This accomplished, he -proceeded with the Subah to Hyderabad, where the commands of Lally were -received, directing him to abandon all his projects in the Deckan, and -to hasten with part of his troops to Pondicherry, leaving the remainder -under Conflans to protect the Northern Circars, and to garrison -Masulipatam, the able chief of which (Moracin) was also recalled. - -The enemies of the French in the Deckan, and those who dreaded their -rise, saw Bussy's preparations to depart with surprise and delight. -None, however, could account for this sudden abandonment of an influence -and strength which had been established with such labour and ability. - -Salabut Jung had very different feelings; he viewed the departure of -Bussy with deep despondency. It was the loss, as he said, to him, of his -friend and preserver; and his mind presented sad forebodings of his -future fate. These he communicated to Bussy, who supported him by an -assurance that he would return; and in that expectation he was no doubt -sincere; for, notwithstanding what he had heard of the character of -Lally, he could not have anticipated that any individual in M. Lally's -situation could have been so blinded by prejudice, and so misled by his -passions, as to abandon the advantages which a commanding influence in -the councils of the Deckan must have given to the French, at a period so -critical to their interests in India. - -When Bussy had been compelled to march to Aurungabad, he left but a -small body of men in the Northern Circars; and Anunderauze, the -successor of Vizeram Raz, no longer overawed by the presence of a French -force, and desiring to throw off his dependence upon that nation, -courted the alliance of the British Government.[9] Clive appears at this -period to have been well-informed of the situation of parties at the -court of the Subah of the Deckan. He had received an overture from Nizam -Ali Khan, who, prompted by his hostility to Bussy, solicited the aid of -the English. In his answer to this letter[10], Clive gives that Prince -every assurance of friendship; and about two months[11] afterwards, he -informs him of his having sent Colonel Forde into the Circars, to retake -settlements in the Subah's dominions from which the English had been -expelled by the French; and requests Nizam Ali to aid him, and to obtain -the assistance of his brother the Subah in accomplishing that just -object. - -To Anunderauze, Clive wrote[12] in terms calculated to conciliate his -continued friendship: he congratulated him on the advantages he had -gained over the French, and desired him to consult with Colonel Forde on -the operations necessary to expel that nation from the Northern Circars. -He also stated his expectation of the Rajah's benefiting so much by the -aid of this force, that he would contribute to defray its expenses. It -was a serious error[13] to repose such confidence on this source of -supply. It failed; and its failure caused great delays, and had nearly -defeated the whole object of the expedition. - -Colonel Forde, after retaking Vizagapatam, marched towards Rajahmundry, -near which he engaged and completely defeated M. Conflans, who retired -rapidly towards Masulipatam, leaving his guns and camp equipage in the -hands of the English. Anunderauze, who remained in the rear, and either -from caution or fear took no part in this contest, appeared averse to -proceed any further south; nor was it until Colonel Forde had signed an -engagement which secured him great advantages, that he consented to give -him a small sum of money to relieve the urgent distresses of the English -troops, and to accompany him in his march. Fifty days were thus lost; -and the French had not only recovered from their panic, but their ally -Salabut Jung was advancing, and a small French corps of observation had -begun to plunder the countries in the rear of the English; while M. -Conflans, with his main body, prepared to defend Masulipatam, scarcely -expecting, however, that the English would attempt to attack a fortress -the garrison of which outnumbered the troops of the assailants. But the -result proved he was unacquainted with the bold character of the British -commander. - -To increase the embarrassments of Colonel Forde, the treasure sent from -Bengal being prevented from reaching him by the operations of the French -corps of observation, the distress for want of money, added to other -grievances, caused the European part of his force to mutiny and leave -their lines, threatening to march away. Being desired to state -specifically their complaints, they demanded, through deputies, the -immediate payment of the prize-money due to them, and an assurance that, -if Masulipatam fell, they should have the whole of the prize-money, and -not half, as was the usage with the Company's troops, the other half -being reserved as the right of Government. The commander promised that -the prize-money due should be paid from the first treasure received; and -added, that he would recommend the full prize-money to be given them -should their valour be crowned with success. Satisfied with these -assurances, they returned to their duty, and the siege was prosecuted -with vigour. - -Salabut Jung, with a large army, was now within forty miles; and his -mandates were issued to all Zemindars and others, to aid the French and -to act against the English. The alarmed Anunderauze, on hearing this -order, struck his tents, and marched sixteen miles towards his own -country. Colonel Forde sent after him, to represent the extreme folly of -his conduct: he could not (he directed his agent to explain to the -Rajah) expect to escape the numerous parties of horse of the Subah; and, -if he did, he had to encounter the French corps of observation, which -was in the neighbourhood of Rajahmundry: the capture of Masulipatam, -therefore, was the only chance he had for safety. The good sense of this -remonstrance had its effect: the Rajah returned; and Colonel Forde, in -order to inspire him and other natives with confidence, solicited and -obtained leave to send a person to the camp of the Subah to explain the -cause of the expedition, and its limited object of recovering the -English factories, and taking those of the French upon the sea-coast. -Mr. John Johnstone of the Civil Service, who had been the active -co-adjutor of Colonel Forde throughout this expedition, was deputed to -Salabut Jung; and the delay of a few days, which it was expected his -mission would create, was deemed of ultimate importance to the success -of the siege. - -The situation of Colonel Forde was at this moment truly critical. Though -the principal breach appeared practicable, the advance to the attack was -over a deep morass, and the ditch of the fort could only be passed at -ebb tide: a garrison superior to the besiegers was within the walls; and -the army of the Subah was near Masulipatam, and on the point of forming -a junction with the French corps of observation. To add to these -difficulties, the ammunition for the heavy guns was nearly expended. -Under these circumstances, and having no hope of being able to effect a -retreat by land, Colonel Forde had only the choice between saving his -troops by embarking them, or immediately storming the fort. He -determined on the latter; and made a disposition for three attacks, one -of which was a false one, for the purpose of distracting the attention -of the enemy from the main attack on the north-east angle of the fort. - -In addition to this disposition of his own force, the troops of -Anunderauze were directed to move along the causeway that crossed the -morass, and, by their skirmishing, to alarm the enemy at the principal -gateway, and to keep a part of the garrison employed in the ravelin and -outworks near it. To the Rajah's people was also entrusted the care of -the camp; for every man of the English force was engaged in the storm. - -The attack commenced at midnight; and though a great proportion of the -troops soon forced their way into the interior of the place, a -straggling fire was kept up for some hours, when M. Conflans -surrendered, and the English found, in the morning, that their prisoners -amounted to five hundred Europeans, and two thousand five hundred and -thirty-seven Caffres, Topasses[14], and sepoys; being, altogether, far -more numerous than those by whom they were captured. The loss of the -French was small: the assailants had twenty-two Europeans killed, and -sixty-two wounded; fifty sepoys were killed, and a hundred and fifty -wounded.[15] - -The French commander and his garrison had, from the first, treated too -slightingly the efforts of their besiegers. Their confidence, which was -increased by an expected re-enforcement from Pondicherry, was one of the -chief causes of the loss of the place. Few precautionary measures appear -to have been taken to give combination to the points of defence; and the -attack being made at night, and on so many quarters, distracted those in -the different works[16], whose contradictory and exaggerated reports so -embarrassed M. Conflans, that he remained in the centre of the fort with -his most select men, undecided where to direct relief, till he was so -surrounded as to be obliged to surrender at discretion. - -Though these circumstances promoted the success of the English, they -only reflected higher honour upon the British commander and his gallant -soldiers. The irregularity and extent of the fortifications made Colonel -Forde foresee the confusion that must result from dividing his troops -both before and after they entered the place. He also calculated upon -that confidence with which the enemy's superior numbers were likely to -inspire their commander; and he anticipated the success which so -frequently crowns those daring attempts, which are made in contempt of -all the ordinary maxims of war. - -The able and bold plans of their commander were admirably carried into -execution by his brave troops. The English soldiers, by their conduct, -well redeemed the crime of their recent mutiny; and we are informed, by -a contemporary historian[17], that "the sepoys behaved with equal -gallantry to the Europeans!" - -M. Moracin, with a re-enforcement of three hundred men from Pondicherry, -arrived a few days after the place had fallen. On discovering what had -occurred, he sailed to the northward, where the attempt he made to -injure the English interests in the Vizagapatam and Ganjam districts -altogether failed, though he continued, for some period, to excite -considerable alarm. - -Salabut Jung was encamped within fifteen miles of Masulipatam when the -fort was taken. He and his ministers were alike astonished at the -unexpected result of the siege; and, reproaching themselves as in part -the cause of the misfortune to their ally, they refused to negotiate -with Colonel Forde while there appeared a hope of their being joined by -the corps under Moracin; but finding that he had proceeded north, the -Subah evinced a wish to contract an alliance with the English. To this -he was induced by another and more powerful motive. Nizam Ali Khan had, -on the receipt of Clive's letters regarding Colonel Forde's expedition, -not only written to Clive[18] expressing his desire to co-operate -against the French, and his wish that Colonel Forde's force should join -him; but had also addressed Colonel Forde to the same purport, in answer -to a letter received from that officer. This correspondence with a -brother whom he had just cause to dread, combined with the movement of -Nizam Ali in the direction of Hyderabad, turned the scale of the Subah's -court in favour of the English; and, notwithstanding the remonstrances -of the leader of the French corps of observation, Salabut Jung concluded -a treaty with Colonel Forde, by which he ceded Masulipatam and eight -districts in its vicinity. The second article of this engagement -stipulated, not only that he was to have no French troops in his -service, but that he was not to allow that nation any settlement in his -dominions; the third article was in favour of Anunderauze; and by the -fourth Salabut Jung engaged never to give aid or protection to the -enemies of the English; who, on their part, stipulated not to aid or -protect those who were hostile to his person or government. - -I have entered more minutely upon the progress and results of this -expedition, from its being solely and exclusively the measure of Clive. -Its consequences were very important, as tending to distract the enemy -at the period of the siege of Madras[19], and materially to weaken his -actual strength for subsequent operations[20]; but more so as they -destroyed (Clive's great object) the French connection with Salabut -Jung, and raised the military reputation of the English in the Deckan -above that of their European rivals. Besides all these advantages, the -occupation of the fort and dependent districts of Masulipatam was of -itself a valuable object. This possession was annexed to the presidency -of Fort St. George. - -The government of Madras, anxious to add to the army in the field -against the French, desired that Colonel Forde should leave Masulipatam -with a garrison of five hundred sepoys, and send his remaining Europeans -(about two hundred) to Madras. This he objected to, upon the ground of -its exposing this important acquisition to recapture by the French -fleet. Clive approved of this, as of every part of Colonel Forde's -conduct throughout the late service. Besides those public thanks which, -as head of the government, he gave to this able officer and his gallant -troops, we meet, in Clive's private letters, with frequent and strong -expressions of his sense of the importance of the defeat of Conflans -near Rajahmundry, and the capture of Masulipatam. He justly concluded -that these achievements, independent of their immediate consequences, -were calculated to promote our permanent interests in the Deckan; a -point to which he always gave great importance, and to which he upbraids -his friends in the government of Madras for being too inattentive. - -In a private letter to Mr. Pigot of the 21st of August, in which he -congratulates him on the raising of the siege of Madras, he observes, "I -know there are many in England, especially the envious, who have -endeavoured to persuade others, as well as themselves, that our wars in -India are trifling and insignificant; but our late exploits will, I -believe, induce another way of thinking, and add lustre to our quondam -victories. - -"Colonel Forde may, I think, step forth, and very justly claim his share -of the laurels gained. His defeat of Conflans, with a great inferiority -of numbers, was an important stroke; but his taking by storm such a -place as Masulipatam, with a garrison within superior to the force which -attacked it, is what we seldom hear of in these our modern times. - -"I cannot add much to what has been represented to you in our general -letter; only let me beg of you not to neglect the affairs of the Deckan; -they are of great importance, and I know the gentlemen at home think -them so. Besides, we never could be safe in Bengal, while the enemy is -so near at hand, and a strong squadron, which may give ours the slip, -and co-operate with them. If Colonel Forde had left Masulipatam with -only a garrison of five hundred sepoys, and it had been afterwards lost -(which I really believe would have been the case), what a load of -disgrace would have fallen upon us, for putting the Company to so great -an expense, and for losing all the fruits of our eminent successes in -these parts." - -In another letter[21] upon the same subject to his friend Mr. -Vansittart, who was a member of council at Fort St. George, Clive -expresses similar sentiments. "The news from the coast," he observes, -"this year has been very important and interesting. The defence of -Madras will do much honour to our arms in India, and greatly heighten -our reputation as soldiers in these parts. I would gladly have given -some of my riches to share some of your reputation. I know it has been a -conceived opinion among the old soldiers in England, that our exploits -in India have been much of the same nature as those of Ferdinando -Cortez; but your foiling such a man as M. Lally, and two of the oldest -regiments of France, will induce another way of thinking, and add a -fresh lustre to all our former victories. Neither do I think Colonel -Forde's successes fall short of those of Madras. His victory over the -Marquis de Conflans was but one of the many we have gained over our -enemies in the like circumstances; but his taking such a place as -Masulipatam, with a garrison within superior to the force which attacked -it, is, I think, one of those extraordinary actions which we seldom hear -of in these modern times, and must gain him great honour when it comes -to be known at home. And now I have said thus much, I cannot help -thinking there has not been quite that attention bestowed on the affairs -of the Deckan their importance deserves. Much has been risked in not -sending Colonel Forde even a small assistance of money, which I think -might have been done without greatly distressing yourselves; and still -much more in not providing sea conveyances, or timely and sufficient -land escorts for the French prisoners. - -"This expedition was undertaken more with a view to benefit the coast -than Bengal; and most of the Deckan forces would certainly have been at -the siege of Madras, if not prevented by the diversion given from hence. -Much I fear all our successes in the Deckan would have come to nothing, -if Colonel Forde had complied with the late order sent him, of leaving -only five hundred sepoys in Masulipatam, and coming, with the rest of -the forces, to Madras. Excuse me in thinking the gentlemen in council -have had too much at heart the securing to themselves Colonel Forde's -detachment, without sufficiently considering the consequences; for I can -never be persuaded that the addition of two hundred infantry would -either have lost or gained us a battle over M. Lally; but the -withdrawing them from the Deckan would certainly have rendered fruitless -all that has been done. You will be surprised at hearing the French have -landed upwards of five hundred Europeans at Ganjam with M. Moracin; but -it is really matter of fact, and has been confirmed to us by no less -than forty-seven deserters from thence, most of them English taken at -St. David's, and forced into the service. By the latest advices, they -were reduced, by death and desertion, to four hundred. I need say no -more on this subject, as the board will write very fully on this and -other matters of importance." - -I shall now shortly refer to the occurrences at Madras, subsequent to -the great effort made to restore the British interests in Bengal. It -would be as unnecessary as it is foreign to my object to enter into a -detail of events which have been minutely described by several able -writers; but a general notice of them is required, not only to elucidate -the grounds of Clive's conduct, as far as relates to the aid he gave or -refused to Fort St. George, but as it is calculated to exhibit the -character of his mind, which, amid all those critical and important -events in which he was engaged in Bengal, appears to have dwelt with an -earnest fondness upon the scenes of his first efforts, and to have -retained the most anxious solicitude for the continued success of those -who were the friends of his youth, and his early associates in danger. -Absence appears, indeed, to have increased the interest he took in the -affairs of the coast of Coromandel; and from the period of his -proceeding to Calcutta till his departure for England, no occurrence of -any magnitude took place in the Madras Presidency, on which we do not -find numerous letters from Clive, which convey his opinion with equal -freedom upon the measures of the government, and upon the conduct of -individuals. - -In 1757, the events of most magnitude on the coast were the capture of -Madura by Captain Caillaud[22], who commanded the British troops south -of the Coleroon; and the defeat of a party[23] which attacked Nellore, -where the brother[24] of the Nabob Mahommed Ali Khan continued in -rebellion. The fortress of Chittaput was taken by the French, owing to -aid being refused to Nazir Mahommed[25], the killadar (or governor) who, -holding this fortress independent of the Nabob, was an object of -jealousy, and he succeeded in instilling into the minds of the English -government a belief that the gallant defender of this important post was -in league with the French. Succour was delayed till too late. The brave -killadar resisted to the last; and, by his death on the breach, silenced -his calumniators, and left the rulers of Madras to regret their -unfortunate credulity and prejudice. - -The capture of Chittaput was followed by the reduction of a number of -small fortresses in the Carnatic. The successes of the French in this -province balanced those of the English to the southward, where the -gallantry and judgment of Captain Caillaud, and the indefatigable -activity of Mahommed Esoof[26], the celebrated commandant of sepoys, -supported the cause of the English, and of the Nabob Mahommed Ali, -against the French and the rebel Maphuze Khan. The latter were aided by -several polygars, or petty Hindu chiefs, who possess the wild -mountainous tracts of this part of India; and who, from the attachment -and habits of their rude followers, are the most troublesome of all -enemies to the internal peace of the country. - -These indecisive operations had no effect beyond keeping up the flame of -war between the French and English, through whom every native power in -India that they could influence became engaged in hostilities, in which -their interests were deemed subordinate to the primary object which the -two rival European nations alike cherished, of expelling each other from -the eastern hemisphere. - -The French government in Europe appear, at this period, to have -determined on an effort to reduce the British settlements on the coast -of Coromandel; and the armament they prepared seemed adequate to the -object. Fortunately for the English, those who presided in the councils -of Louis 15th were either so completely ignorant of Indian policy, or so -inveterately prejudiced against their East India Company and its -servants, as not only to overlook the advantages that these had gained, -but to put aside as useless all who were acquainted with the scene, and -to substitute a commander and officers, who, whatever experience they -might have had in other quarters of the world, were profoundly ignorant -of that to which they were sent, with the expressed hope that, while -they reformed the gross abuses of the local government, they would -restore the tarnished lustre of the French arms. - -The bold and extensive, though, perhaps, premature, schemes of Dupleix -had, at first, excited great expectations in France; but when, instead -of those successes which his sanguine mind had led his government to -anticipate, every despatch brought accounts of some failure or disaster, -national vanity, combined with prejudice and ignorance, induced the -ministers of that country to throw the whole blame on the Company and on -the individuals whom they had employed to manage their affairs abroad. -Their political and military conduct underwent equal condemnation; their -operations in the field were deemed unskilful, and their connections -with native princes, particularly that with the Subah of the Deckan, -were pronounced altogether chimerical, and calculated for no object but -that of feeding the ambition, or adding to the wealth, of those by whom -they were planned or conducted. - -Though the form of the local government was not changed, controlling -powers were vested in Lieutenant-General Count Lally, who was sent in -command of this force, aided by a large staff of officers of high rank -and reputation. - -The character of Lally, from former services, stood high as a gallant -soldier. He was, perhaps, skilled in European warfare, but he was wholly -ignorant of the different modes and usages of that science in India; -added to which, he was not of a temper to benefit by the experience of -others; and his mind appears, before he left France, to have been imbued -with the deepest prejudices against his own countrymen in India, as well -as the most sovereign contempt for the natives of that country. He was, -in consequence, alike indisposed to receive aid from the experience and -knowledge of the one, or from the alliance of the other; and evidently -expected to subdue all obstacles at the point of the bayonet. - -Such was the man whom the French government sent to India. How different -was the conduct of the great Chatham! When the troops of his sovereign -were ordered to that country to support the national interests, he at -once decided[27] that neither Lawrence nor Clive should be superseded in -their command. Had the ministers of France been endowed with his wisdom, -and the troops they so judiciously sent to India been placed under -Bussy, there is every ground to conclude that the result of the ensuing -campaigns would have been very different. But such was the infatuation -or prejudice of the French ministers, that Bussy, slighted in the new -arrangements, was left, unnoticed and unhonoured, to submit to the -commands and bear the insults of an arrogant superior, whose jealousy of -his fame and popularity was increased into perfect fury at the -attentions shown him by all ranks, and by a memorial from the six -colonels[28] who had accompanied him from France, praying he would -nominate Bussy, yet only a Lieutenant-Colonel, a Brigadier General, that -he might command them, and that their sovereign might derive those -benefits which were to be expected from his name and experience. - -Lally could not refuse compliance with such a request; but he -endeavoured, by bitter sarcasms as to their motives, to detract from the -just merits of those by whom it was made. - -On the same evening that Lally landed with his troops from the fleet of -M. D'Aché, he ordered one thousand Europeans and as many sepoys to move -towards Fort St. David. They were led astray by their guides, and -arrived at the end of their first march, harassed, and without -provisions. To supply them, and to enable the remainder of his force to -follow, Lally resorted to means which filled the natives with alarm and -indignation. He pressed men of all castes and descriptions to carry -baggage, and derided the remonstrances of the Company's Governor, M. -Deleyrit, who was forced to submit; for, though he and his councils -retained their stations, they were placed completely under the control -of the Lieutenant-General. - -Cuddalore could make no resistance. But a very different result from -what occurred was expected from Fort St. David. Its fortifications had -been greatly improved, and its garrison was efficient: if it did not -repel the assailants, no doubt was entertained but it would, for a -considerable period, employ all their means and arrest their operations. -But this hope was disappointed, and the place was surrendered before the -enemy's works were so advanced as to enable them to storm it. Mr. Call, -the chief engineer at Madras, in a letter[29] to Clive says, that he -considers "the place to have been lost rather through want of conduct -and proper management, than of bravery or the means of defending it." - -Clive, as has been shown in the case of Colonel Forde and others, was -warm and even enthusiastic in his encomiums of those who were -distinguished in the service of their country. They not only became -entitled to his notice in his official capacity, but received every mark -of his private regard; and his utmost efforts were used to promote their -advancement. But, on the other hand, he held no terms with any man whom -he considered to have failed in this duty. His condemnation of such was -undisguised and unqualified. Neither the ties of friendship, the -suggestion of self-interest, nor the fear of resentment, had the -slightest effect in preventing the open expression of his opinions, when -there appeared a dereliction of those principles which he thought should -actuate every individual in the public employ. - -Many examples will occur to illustrate this part of his character; but -none are stronger than we find in the letters he wrote to Madras, upon -hearing of the capture of Fort St. David. The thought of the easy -triumph of the French on a spot which had been ennobled by so many -gallant achievements of the English, pained him (as he states[30]) to -the soul, and he gives full vent to his indignation at those by whom -this feeling had been produced. Whatever justice there may be in the -sentence he passes on their conduct, the tone of elevated sentiment, and -the excellence of the military maxims which we find in these letters, -render them very valuable. - -In a private letter[31] to Mr. Pigot, which expresses the deep interest -he takes in the affairs of the coast, Clive states concisely, but -strongly, his opinion upon the fall of Fort St. David. - -"After waiting," he observes, "with much impatience, I have at last -received your favour of the 10th of July. Let me request of my friend, -if he has too much business upon his hands, that he will order one of -his secretaries to write me a few lines, for I am always doubtful of the -news I may receive from any other quarter. - -"I cannot express to you my resentment and concern at the infamous -surrender of St. David. Had there been no powder at all left but for the -musketry, where was the excuse for giving up the place till a breach was -made, the covered way stormed, and the ditch filled? Were our enemies -supplied with wings, that they could fly into the place? I am fully -persuaded that, had M. Lally been obliged to make approaches to the top -of the glacis, the climate would have done him more injury than all the -powder and ball in the East Indies. I could wish, for the honour and -welfare of our nation, that a court-martial would make the severest -examples of the guilty in these cases. For the future, I would not leave -it in the power of a commanding officer to forfeit his trust, but give -him positive orders not to surrender any fort till a breach was made in -the body of the place, and one assault at least sustained." - -In a letter to Mr. Orme of a similar date[32], he enters upon the same -subject. - -"The advices," he observes, "you received of the bad condition of St. -David was nothing less than an introduction to the infamous surrender of -the place. I know not in what light you gentlemen of Madras may look -upon that inglorious transaction: for my part, I have seen the council -of war, and, from that only, think the severest example ought to be made -of those who have set their hands to that base capitulation. - -"They say they had not above three days' powder! Where was the necessity -of throwing it so idly away? Had they no bayonets? Or, had they not -powder sufficient for small arms? I fondly flattered myself that the -hero[33] at Chittaput would, in some measure, have been an example for -us at St. David. - -"I must drop this disagreeable subject with the melancholy reflection, -that Fort St. David so lost has given us cause to lament the departure -of the English reputation on the coast of Coromandel. May our future -actions retrieve all!" - -In a subsequent part of this letter, Clive gives his opinion, that the -enemy should be met in the field; and, if not, he suggests the measures -that should be taken to promote the success of defensive operations. - -"I do not flatter you," he adds, "in saying, I always had the highest -opinion of the strength and activity of your abilities. Let them be -exerted in pursuing vigorous measures; for you may depend upon it, Orme, -if these cautious maxims, which seemed to possess the majority of our -committee when I was with you, still prevail, we shall entail disgrace -upon disgrace on the nation, until we are become the scorn of Hindustan, -and have nothing left us without the walls of Madras. I insist upon it, -victory will not depend upon the trifling odds of a few; good conduct in -the commander, and a determined resolution in the officer and soldier, -will make up for the deficiency, and insure victory to the English over -M. Lally and his rabble—for I can call them by no other name, since I am -well assured the major part of his forces are not much better, being -composed chiefly of foreigners and deserters, raised by subscription: -possibly, the King may have spared the Company some good officers to -head them. - -"The China and Bengal ships will bring you a reinforcement of twelve -hundred men, which, added to the garrisons of Madras and Trichinopoly, -will enable you to take the field with two thousand five hundred men. -Our superiority at sea, by the arrival of two seventy-gun ships, and one -fifty, will be beyond dispute. Of consequence, we shall have more -resources than the French: we may remedy the ill consequences of a -check, by having the sea open to us, and the assistance of our squadron. -Our enemies cannot say so much, for, if they should be defeated, they -must be confined within the walls of Pondicherry, and then their -distress for want of money will ruin them, if supplies are not soon -received, which cannot be effected without a superior force at sea, of -which I see but little probability. In the mean time, we can supply you -from hence with every thing you can possibly want. In short, if we look -upon ourselves in any shape a match for our enemies in the field, I am -fully of opinion a battle should be risked: a victory will be of more -consequence than the loss of ten Fort St. Davids. If the old -gentleman[34] take the field, Caillaud should be sent for at all events, -and a commission of Major given him that he may act as second. - -"Should an offensive war not be thought prudent, I think methods may be -pursued which will near ruin the enemy without it. A body of Mahrattas -may be taken into pay, which will ravage the country in such a manner as -to prevent the French receiving any revenue from it. This will occasion -them to disband their blacks, and their whites will soon disband -themselves. - -"You are acquainted with the disturbances in Golconda, and the -insurrection of the rajahs. I have sent agents there; and you may be -assured, if we remain at peace here (as at present there is the greatest -prospect) I shall send into these parts as large a force as can possibly -be spared, under the command of Colonel Forde. If the country be only -thrown into such confusion as to prevent our enemies collecting the -revenue, the expense and design of the expedition will be answered. - -"I have wrote long letters both to Mr. Pocock and Mr. Pigot to enforce -vigorous measures. To the former, I have proposed the destruction of the -French squadron, even if they should be lying under the walls of -Pondicherry." - -This letter, probably from the delay of the vessel[35] by which it was -to be forwarded, appears not to have been despatched for twelve days -after it was written; and there is a postscript of the 26th of August -added to it, which is peculiarly illustrative of the uncompromising -character of Clive's mind on those points that related to the duty which -he conceived every individual in the public service owed to the state. -Mr. Orme was his most intimate friend, and, from what he knew him to -have already written, Clive must have viewed him as the person to whose -pen he was to be indebted for his fame with posterity. That he did so, -is proved, indeed, by a letter to Mr. Orme[36] immediately after the -enthronement of Meer Jaffier; in which we find the following paragraph: - -"I am possessed of volumes of materials for the continuance of your -History, in which will appear fighting, tricks, chicanery, intrigues, -politics, and the Lord knows what;—in short, there will be a fine field -for you to display your genius in. I shall certainly call at the coast -on my way to England: I have many particulars to explain to you relating -to this said History which must be published." Neither the ties of -friendship, however, nor the expectations of increased fame from the -partial pen of the historian, had sufficient influence to restrain his -free and severe opinion of one of the Council at Madras quitting his -post at such a moment. - -"I have learned," Clive states in the postscript, "with great surprise, -from yourself, of your resolution of going home. I suppose it is never -to return. Your leaving the settlement at this juncture of time, when -the service of every individual is wanted, will justly expose you to the -censure and resentment of the Court of Directors."[37] - -During these operations on shore, Sir George Pocock had made several -efforts to bring the French fleet to a decisive action; but their -superior sailing, the bad condition of several of the English ships, and -on one occasion the conduct of some of his captains, had always enabled -them to escape. Clive warmly sympathised with his gallant friend, in his -feelings upon these fruitless attempts against the enemy: at the same -time he could not refrain from associating in infamy and disgrace those -who had not supported the Admiral, with those who had surrendered Fort -St. David. - -"You may be assured," Clive writes[38], "I felt much for you, when I -heard of the unequal fight between the two squadrons, for want of your -not being better supported by two or three of His Majesty's ships. The -unthinking world, who never bestow applause but where there is success, -would have been ready enough to have laid the censure at your door, if -you had not called the authors of the late miscarriage to a public -account. It is really a cruel case, after the eminent examples of -bravery and conduct shown by you personally, that a certain victory -should be snatched out of your hands by the misbehaviour of others. May -infamy and disgrace attend all those who are backward in their country's -cause; and may the worst of punishment attend those who so shamefully -gave up Saint David's to the French! I cannot think of that transaction -with common patience; every reflection about it pains me to the very -soul; and the more I inquire into facts, the more reason I have to -lament the lost reputation of the English on the coast of Coromandel. I -do not mean that St. David's would not have been taken at last; but it -certainly might have been made to cost M. Lally so dear, as to have -rendered his future attempts much more uncertain and precarious." - -Lally found among the prisoners at Fort St. David a pretender[39] to the -throne of Tanjore; and, by threatening to support this man's claims, he -expected to obtain, through the fears of the Prince of that country, a -supply of treasure, of which he was in great want. To enforce compliance -with the large demand he made as the price of his forbearance, he moved -towards Tanjore. His march was the cause of equal distress to his own -troops, and to the natives of the country through which he passed. The -latter, alarmed by his indiscriminate violence and the licence he -admitted, particularly in seizing their cattle, fled the country; and we -may judge how general the desertion of their homes must have been, when -we are informed that the French army was almost starving in the midst of -plenty; for, while it found great stores of paddy, which is the name -given to rice before the grain is separated from the husk, there were -literally no persons to beat it out, as it requires before it can be -used as food. The troops had neither tents nor baggage; for, in the -common alarm at the violent measures of the French General, not even -bullock drivers could be persuaded to remain in the camp. - -Some days after the arrival of the army at Tanjore, a treaty was -concluded, by which the King agreed to pay five lacs of rupees, and to -furnish some aid in Lally's intended attack of Trichinopoly. Fifty -thousand rupees of this amount were paid, and hostages interchanged for -the fulfilment of the engagement; but recurring points of irritation -soon broke this agreement. Lally charged the King with insincerity, and -with having no design but to gain time; while the other accused the -French General of many outrages, and particularly of having confined, on -groundless suspicion, forty of the contingent of horse with which he had -furnished him. Lally, seeing no prospect of an amicable termination to -these disputes and recriminations, determined, with the advice of his -officers, to attack the town; and he not only sent to the King to -denounce vengeance upon his city and dominions, but expressly directed -Colonel Kennedy[40], through whom this threat was conveyed, to state, -that it was the French General's intention to carry the Prince and all -his family as slaves to the Mauritius. - -The counsels of the King of Tanjore had hitherto been fluctuating; they -were decided, however, by Lally's conduct, and every preparation was -made for defence. Captain Caillaud, who commanded in Trichinopoly, had -before sent five hundred sepoys; and, being now convinced of the King's -intention to oppose the French, sent a reinforcement of an equal number, -with a small party of gunners. The day of their arrival, Lally had -determined to retreat[41]; to which he was induced from want of -ammunition, distress for provisions, and alarm at the British fleet, -which was reported to be off Karical, a sea-port in the vicinity. - -The Tanjore General Monack-jee, on receiving certain information of the -intended movement of the French, determined upon attacking them. He made -some impression from coming upon the camp by surprise[42], but was -compelled to retire: when, however, the army marched towards the -Carnatic, his harassing operations aggravated what they suffered from -fatigue and want of food; and we learn from authentic sources[43], that -the whole of the French force was obliged to live for several days upon -gram[44] and cocoa-nuts. - -The natural violence and acrimony of Lally's disposition were greatly -increased by the bad success of this expedition. Instead of attributing -its failure to the real causes, his own want of local knowledge, his -obstinacy and presumption, he imputed it, and the privations the troops -had suffered, to the corrupt practices of the Company's servants, to the -general laxity of discipline and subordination in all departments of -their government, and to the dread which M. D'Aché and his squadron -appeared to have of the British fleet. These violent attacks produced -abuse and recrimination, and nothing could exceed the discord and -faction which at this period pervaded the settlement of Pondicherry. - -Lally, after his return from Tanjore, found no difficulty in occupying -almost all the towns in the Carnatic, and, amongst others, Arcot, the -capital of the Nabob. Chingliput was the only place which the English -preserved; but, its consequence being fully appreciated, every measure -was adopted to strengthen its garrison and improve its defences. The -government of Madras were not induced by Clive's advice to try their -fortune in the field. They reserved their force unbroken for the defence -of Fort St. George, the siege of which it was evidently Lally's -intention to undertake, as soon as the season[45] permitted him to move. -In deliberating on the course they ought to pursue, they possessed more -correct information than Clive had procured regarding the actual -composition of Lally's force; from which it appeared, that though some -of his soldiers were of an indifferent description, others were of the -French line, and belonged to corps of high reputation. He had besides, -well equipped and well mounted, a body of three hundred European -cavalry, who, being the first of this branch seen in India, were likely, -added to his superior numbers of infantry, to give him a great advantage -in an action in the field; whereas they could be of comparatively little -benefit in a siege. - -Governed by these considerations, they determined to await, within the -walls of Madras, the approach of the French army. The siege which took -place has been minutely described by a cotemporary historian.[46] It -continued for two months, the French having taken up their ground on the -14th of December, 1758, and retreated on the 15th of February, 1759. - -The enemy's force consisted of two thousand seven hundred European -infantry, besides their cavalry, artillery, and sepoys. The garrison was -not more than a third inferior in number; and when, to that -circumstance, was joined the established character of the Governor, Mr. -Pigot, and of Colonel Lawrence, the commander of the troops, who was -aided by some of the most distinguished officers in India, there -appeared, from the first, but little doubt of the result. The most -remarkable event of the siege was a sally, soon after the enemy took up -their ground, by Colonel Draper; which, though not altogether -successful, was attended with a great loss to the French as well as to -the English: and Lally had to regret, which he did deeply, the loss of -two of his best officers, Major-General Saubinet and Count D'Estaing, -the former of whom was killed and the latter taken prisoner. - -During the siege a corps of observation was kept by the French, under -the partisan Lambert; but this did not prevent their receiving almost as -much annoyance from the activity of the English parties without the -walls, as from the courage of those within. Two small corps, sometimes -acting separately, but oftener co-operating, hung continually upon the -outskirts of their camp, attacking and intercepting their supplies. One -of these, which had come from the southern territories, was commanded by -the celebrated Mahommed Esoof; the other by Captain Preston[47]: but -Captain Caillaud, who had been summoned from Trichinopoly, took the -command of both, and by his operations greatly increased the distresses -of the enemy. - -While Madras was well stored with provisions, and had abundance of money -supplied from Bengal[48], the treasury of Pondicherry was completely -exhausted, and the conduct of Lally had destroyed credit. The violent -and irregular means adopted, to anticipate the revenues of the country, -had left the districts which the French occupied without the means of -furnishing either the money or the supplies that were necessary for the -subsistence of the troops. Notwithstanding the privations to which they -were subjected, the French European soldiers performed their arduous -duty with spirit and alacrity; and Lally fully appreciated their merits. -With the natives, however, his contempt and severity produced their -natural effects: they were loud in their clamours for pay, and, actuated -by discontent and resentment, deserted in bodies, and began to plunder -the country, under the pretext of obtaining payment of their arrears. - -These circumstances, and the despair of success,—for he had made little -or no serious progress in the siege[49],—made Lally resolve upon -retreat; and that measure was almost converted into a flight by the -arrival of six ships with the reinforcements from Bombay. Not only his -battering train and camp equipage were left, but the sick and wounded. -The latter he recommended to the care and humanity of the government of -Fort St. George, from whom they received as much kindness and attention -as if they had belonged to the garrison. - -Lally, before he left Madras, blew up the bastion and powder mill at -Egmore, and destroyed the Governor's garden-house, and many private -buildings. He had threatened to reduce the Black-Town of Madras to -ashes; and nothing, probably, prevented this threat from being put into -execution but the hurry of his retreat. This may be inferred from the -numerous instances of wanton severity he showed in the prosecution of -hostilities against the English. Among other acts, the seizure of the -persons of some ladies[50] at Nagapatam, and their harsh treatment, was -one of the least pardonable, as alike contrary to the usage of civilised -nations, and the boasted habits and character of his country. The -proceeding, as will be hereafter stated, forced the English to measures -of retaliation. - -Clive had, from the moment he heard of Lally's intention to attack -Madras, anticipated his complete failure: he dreaded nothing but the -arrival of more troops from France, and the want of support from -England; but his alarm on these grounds was considerable, as we find -from a letter which he wrote to Mr. Pitt, (under date the 21st of -February, 1759,) informing him that accounts had been received of the -arrival at Mauritius of a third armament from France, and of the -expectation of a fourth. - -"I presume," Clive observes, "it must have been in consequence of this -intelligence, that M. Lally took post before Madras, as I cannot think -he would have been so imprudent as to come there with a force not double -that of the garrison, were he not in expectation of a reinforcement. -Should that arrive upon the coast before our squadron from Bombay, or -should the enemy's fleet, by the addition of this third division, prove -unfortunately superior to ours, the event is to be feared. Much, very -much indeed,—perhaps the fate of India,—now depends upon our squadron. -Should it miscarry, our land forces, without some extraordinary -occurrence, will be in danger of being obliged to yield to the great -superiority of the enemy. Advice has been just received, that the French -were still carrying on the siege of Madras on the 25th of January. They -had been before it upwards of six weeks; but I have so high an opinion -of the gentlemen within, that I dare answer they will make such a -defence as will do honour to our nation, and end in M. Lally's -disgrace." - -"The repeated supplies," Clive adds, "furnished the French from home, -compared with the handful of men sent out to us, affords a melancholy -proof, that our Company are not, of themselves, able to take the proper -measures for the security of their settlements; and, unless they are -assisted by the nation, they must at last fall a sacrifice to the -superior efforts of the French Company, supported by their monarch. -Within these eighteen months, have arrived at Pondicherry two thousand -five hundred men, and the third division will probably bring half that -number; whereas, we shall not have received, including Colonel Draper's -battalion, more than one thousand. It looks as if the French Government -were turning their arms this way, in hopes of an equivalent for the -losses they have reason to apprehend in America, from the formidable -force sent by us into that country. But I cannot bring myself to believe -that so valuable a possession as the East Indies, and which may make a -material difference in bringing about a peace, will be abandoned; and -therefore trust that the French armament will have been followed so -closely by one from us, as to get in time to prevent the designs of our -enemies. - -"A son of the Great Mogul (but at present at variance with his father) -has approached the northern frontiers, where he has been joined by a few -disaffected people. As he has no authority from his father, he can -neither, I think, have wealth nor influence enough to make any -considerable progress. However, I have got every thing ready, and, in -case he advances further, I have determined to proceed myself to the -northward, in order to assist the Nabob in driving him out of his -dominions, which I make no doubt will be easily effected, even with the -small force we have. Would to God we could as easily remove our European -enemies from India!" - -In a letter to Mr. Sulivan[51], of the same date[52], Clive anticipates -the result of Lally's operations. - -"To give you my own opinion," he observes, "I think Lally will fail in -his attempt, so great is my confidence in the strength of the garrison, -and the experience and valour of the officers. The arrival of Captain -Caillaud with the sepoy and Tanjoreen horse, will distress our enemies -greatly, if not oblige them to raise the siege; and if they continue -till the arrival of our reinforcements, daily expected from Bombay, they -run the risk of a total defeat. I can no otherwise account for this -undertaking of the French general, than from his distressed situation -for want of money. He is really risking the whole for the whole." - -Clive had from youth been engaged in efforts to prevent the -establishment of the French power in India, and his mind was constantly -and intently fixed on that object. He viewed the period of which we are -writing as a crisis: but he had no doubt of the result, except from -overpowering reinforcements arriving from France, and the English -settlement being left unsupported. From the moment he learned Lally's -proceedings on his march to Fort St. David and Tanjore, he foretold, -that if our resistance was protracted, that general must destroy -himself. In a private letter[53] to Mr. Pigot, he recommends him to -employ native horse[54] in laying waste the French territories. "By -ruining the country," he observes, "you will infallibly ruin M. Lally. -Remember, that he and his forces were obliged to eat gram before -Tanjore. May he be reduced to the same necessity in Pondicherry itself!" - -Clive's letter to Colonel Lawrence, of the same date, exhibits, in an -equally strong manner, his sentiments upon this subject, as well as the -affectionate respect he continued to cherish for his friend and -commander. It is as follows:— - - "My dear friend, - - "I have heard with some surprise, that M. Lally has set himself - down before Madras, not with an intent, I believe, to besiege it in - form, or carry on approaches; if he does, I think he must be either - mad, or his situation desperate; at all events, I hope it will be - the means of adding fresh laurels to those already gained by my - dear friend. - - "Colonel Forde has orders to join you with his forces; and we are - endeavouring to send you a complete company of one hundred rank and - file from hence. In short, we have put every thing to risk here to - enable you to engage Lally in the field. I hope Mr. Bouchier will - spare you some men from Bombay. I enclose you a short sketch of our - strength in these parts; and, considering how much depends upon - keeping up our influence in Bengal, you will say there never was a - smaller force to do it with. - - "God give you success, which will be an increase of honour to - yourself, and of much joy to - - "Dear Colonel, - - "Your affectionate friend and servant, - - (Signed) "ROBERT CLIVE." - - - _State of the European Force in Bengal, 6th Feb. 1759._ - - Doing duty. Military Artillery - Captains. 6 1 - Lieuts. 6 8 - Ensigns. 9 0 - Serjeants. 36 - Corporals. 29 5 - Drummers. 20 2 - Privates. 314* 86 - * Whereof 140 are recruits. - -The delight of Clive at the result of the siege was very great: it was -heightened by his warm feelings of friendship towards those who had so -nobly supported the reputation of the service of Fort St. George, to -which he had a pride in belonging. He congratulates Mr. Pigot[55] on the -fame he had acquired; but his greatest joy, as he repeatedly expresses, -was, that his venerated friend, Colonel Lawrence, should so brilliantly -close his Indian career. - -The events upon the coast subsequent to the siege of Madras do not -relate to our subject. Suffice it to say, that, after some indecisive -operations in 1759, Lally, next year, suffered a signal defeat at -Wandewash, from an English army under the command of Colonel Coote. He -was soon after compelled to shut himself up with the remains of his army -in Pondicherry, which was immediately invested by the English. Before -this period, the increased irritability of his temper had led to -discontent in the local government, and among the inhabitants of that -settlement, almost amounting to sedition. The troops had been in a state -of serious mutiny from want of pay. They nevertheless did their duty -upon this occasion; but Lally had neither money nor provisions, and was -forced to surrender.[56] This unfortunate commander left Pondicherry -amid the insults of his countrymen; and on his return to France, he was -tried, condemned to death, and executed for crimes[57] of which he was -not guilty: for though his prejudice, violence, and tyranny, had no -doubt been one cause of the misfortunes of his country in India, his -courage, his zeal, and his loyalty were unimpeachable. But the voice of -his enemies was loud and vehement, and the ministers of France were glad -to save themselves from the disgrace brought upon the country by their -own want of foresight and judgment. The Count Lally was the victim they -offered to an incensed public. The principles of justice and the -feelings of humanity appear to have been alike violated by this act, -which a philosopher[58] of France truly denominated, at the period of -its perpetration, "A murder committed with the sword of justice." - -Bussy, with a zeal and temper that do him equal honour, continued to -serve under Lally, and to offer his best advice, which was, however, -seldom regarded. Basâlut Jung, the brother of the Subah of the Deckan, -had evinced an anxiety to preserve the friendship of the French; and -Bussy strongly recommended that he should be declared Nabob of the -Carnatic, and invited to aid their operations. No measure could have -been more likely to support them. But Lally had precipitately proclaimed -the son of Chunda Sahib Nabob: a person who had neither influence nor -character to be a useful ally; and he was not only reluctant to repeal -his own measure, but disinclined to attend to any proposition of Bussy. -Overcome, however, by a sense of the urgent necessity of the expedient, -he detached that officer with a small body of troops to the camp of -Basâlut Jung at Kurpah. The French commander was received with honour; -but not being able to comply with the demands made by Basâlut Jung, one -of which was the immediate advance of four lacs of rupees, he was -compelled to return without being able to conclude an alliance with that -prince. He brought back with him, however, a body of four hundred -excellent horse, whom he had taken into service; and he was enabled, -through the credit he had with some of the native chiefs of the Deckan -army, not only to supply this party with money, but also the French -detachment by whom he was accompanied, who, like all Lally's troops, -were many months in arrear, and almost destitute of clothing, as well as -the means of obtaining food. - -Bussy was made prisoner at the battle of Wandewash, (January, 1760,) but -was instantly released by Colonel Coote, from respect for his character, -and as a return for that kindness and consideration which he had -invariably shown to English prisoners.[59] Soon after this occurrence, -he returned to France, leaving behind him a name as fondly cherished by -the natives of India as by his countrymen. That further acquaintance -with the true history of remarkable events, which often diminishes the -fame of military commanders and statesmen, has hitherto tended only to -increase the reputation of Bussy. His courage and conduct as a soldier -stood high, before the genius of Dupleix, appreciating his character, -sent him into the Deckan. - -Acting in that extensive country with a force, which, before he obtained -the cession of the northern circars, had only an uncertain and imperfect -communication with the coast, he supported, for a series of years, the -influence and interests of his country, in a manner which reflects the -highest honour on his qualities as a man, and on his talents as a -statesman. He thoroughly understood and held in respect the usages of -the people among whom he was placed. He united a kindness and -consideration for their errors and weaknesses with such a good faith and -firmness of purpose in the prosecution of his own objects, as to extort -respect even from those to whom he was opposed. This testimony to his -character is not wholly taken from the page of history, though all -writers agree in doing justice to his memory. The facts stated have been -confirmed to the writer of these pages, by many who acted with and -against Bussy, whose reputation, though now deservedly high in France, -is not, even at this period, so great in that country as it continues to -be with natives of the Deckan! - -Clive, unless where their conduct compelled him to acts of severity, was -kind and liberal in his treatment of French prisoners. This appears from -a very voluminous correspondence[60], both official and private, with -individuals of that nation; but the wanton outrages of Lally made him -deem acts of retaliation indispensably necessary. - -In several of his letters from Patna, Clive urged the committee at -Calcutta to destroy the buildings at Chandernagore, and transmitted to -them letters from Mr. Pigot and Mr. Vansittart, in proof of the wanton -outrages committed by Lally at Madras, particularly in levelling with -the ground the Company's country-house, and in having, without any -object, destroyed the country-houses of several private gentlemen, and -among others, that of Colonel Lawrence at St. Thomas's Mount. The -Committee could not deny these facts, nor the right of retaliating such -injuries; but, hesitating between the desire of attending to Clive, and -their alarm at the future consequences of the measure pressed upon their -adoption, they proposed to throw the odium of its execution upon the -Nabob. Of this Clive wholly disapproved, stating, at the same time, his -resolution, when he returned to Calcutta, to take the responsibility of -this act exclusively upon himself. - -"As to your proposal," he observes in a letter[61] from Patna, "of -effecting it through the Nabob, I do not see what end it will answer. -Our known interest with him is such, that it will never be questioned we -were the advisers; and should an opportunity of retaliation ever offer, -(the apprehension of which I presume suggested the proposal to you,) it -will avail us little to attribute the fate of Chandernagore to the -Nabob. If the French should hereafter have it in their power to destroy -Calcutta, it will be matter of small moment whether they do it -immediately themselves, or make use of a like evasion, and employ some -of the country powers to effect it. So far from endeavouring to conceal -our being the authors of the destruction of Chandernagore, we ought to -make a merit of publishing it, as a laudable national revenge for the -unfortunate treatment we have received from the French. The rules of war -established among all civilised nations authorise and applaud reprisals -in such cases. I shall, therefore, very readily on my return take the -risk upon myself: and the more so, as (if I forget not) last year we -received directions from our masters[62] to that purpose." - -I shall proceed in the next chapter to detail events which occurred -previously to Clive's leaving Calcutta. The material changes in those -vested with authority at Madras took place before that period, except -the resignation of Colonel Lawrence, who took the field on the siege of -Fort St. George being raised, but finding that his age and infirmities -disabled him from active service, retired to his native land, to enjoy -that repose in private life, which he now required, and to which he was -entitled by the active and able fulfilment, during more than twenty -years, of the most arduous public duties. - -Colonel Lawrence must ever stand high among those officers who have -distinguished themselves in India. He neither was, nor pretended to be, -a statesman, but he was an excellent officer. He possessed no dazzling -qualities, and his acts never displayed that brilliancy which men admire -as the accompaniment of genius; but he was, nevertheless, a rare and -remarkable man. We trace in all his operations that sound practical -knowledge of his profession, which, directed by a clear judgment and -firm mind, secured to him an uninterrupted career of success, under -circumstances of great difficulty and danger. As one of the chief causes -of this success, we may notice the absence of that common but petty -jealousy, which renders men afraid lest they should detract from their -own fame by advancing that of others, and the influence of which is, -consequently, most fatal to the rise of merit. Lawrence early -discovered, and fully employed, the talents of those under his orders; -and we find him on all occasions much more forward to proclaim their -deeds than to blazon his own. To this quality, which is the truest test -of a high and liberal spirit, England is principally indebted for all -the benefit she has received from the services of Clive. It was the -fostering care and the inspiring confidence of his commander that led to -the early developement of those talents, which, by the opportunities -afforded him, were matured at an age, when most men are only in the -rudiments of their military education. Clive continued, through life, -fully sensible of the magnitude of his obligations to Lawrence, towards -whom he ever cherished the most affectionate gratitude. - -When his venerated commander was on the point of retirement, with a very -moderate fortune, Clive settled 500_l._ per annum on him during -life.[63] "It gives me great pleasure," he observes to Lawrence on this -occasion, "that I have an opportunity given me of showing my gratitude -to the man to whom my reputation, and, of course, my fortune is owing." -This liberal annuity must have added to the comfort of his old age; but -its value was greatly enhanced by the warmth and delicacy of the -sentiments which Clive expressed upon this occasion. These expressions -of grateful obligation gave the retired veteran a right to associate his -own fame with that of the successful pupil to whose progress to fortune -and renown he had, by his early notice and encouragement, so greatly -contributed. - - - FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 9 - - -Footnote 1: - - Vide Vol. I. p. 183. - - -Footnote 2: - - The particulars of the storm of Boobilee are narrated, by Orme (vol. - ii. p. 254.), with the clearness and a feeling which do honoured to - that historian. Such scenes as are here described are but too common - in the history of India; where Hindus, of a high tribe, often take the - heroic, but barbarous, resolution of not leaving a living being for - their enemies to triumph over. - -Footnote 3: - - The other two remained concealed; but they were bound, by a vow, to - murder Vizeram Raz if the first attempt failed. - -Footnote 4: - - Rangarow, and his tribe, considered themselves of much higher race - than the Rajahs of Vizianagur; and their contempt of his family was - one cause of the inveteracy of Vizeram Raz. - -Footnote 5: - - "Bussy promised the English their property; and all they claimed as - such was resigned to them, without question or discussion."—Orme, vol. - ii. p. 263. - -Footnote 6: - - The father of Hyder Jung was governor of Masulipatam when Dupleix made - himself master of that important fortress, and is believed to have - betrayed his trust. - -Footnote 7: - - The small fortress of Dowlatabad stands at the distance of eight miles - to the north-west of Aurungabad. It is defended by walls and bastions: - but what renders it impregnable is the solid rock being scarped - perpendicular all round; and in no place is the scarp less than one - hundred and eighty feet. The entrance is by a long tunnel, in which - there are several traverses cut out of the rock. Shahnavaze Khan had - obtained possession of this fortress. The manner in which it was - seized by Bussy is minutely described by Orme, vol. ii. p. 345. Bussy - himself, attended by a number of officers and three hundred men, went - on the pretext of seeing the fort and paying a visit to the Killadar - (or Governor); and when the garrison were so stationed by the - Killadar, through respect for their guest, that they could make no - resistance, he was made a willing prisoner by the French general, and - such of his followers as made opposition expelled from the fort. - -Footnote 8: - - The rapidity of his flight was great: he is said to have reached - Burhampore in twenty-four hours. The distance is one hundred and fifty - miles. - -Footnote 9: - - A correspondence, between this petty prince and Clive, was opened - through the medium of an English merchant named Bristow. - -Footnote 10: - - Clive's answer to Nizam Ali Khan is dated 27th July, 1758. - -Footnote 11: - - 17th September, 1758. - -Footnote 12: - - 7th July, and 17th September. - -Footnote 13: - - Clive appears to have despatched treasure for this corps the moment he - learned that none was likely to be recovered either from Anunderauze - or the revenues of the country: but the activity of the French corps - of observation prevented, for some period, Colonel Forde from - receiving the benefit of this supply. - -Footnote 14: - - Native Christians, generally the descendants of Portuguese and Indian - parents; called Topasses, from their wearing hats (topees) like - Europeans, instead of turbans. - -Footnote 15: - - The killed and wounded were nearly one third of the whole; so that the - assailants, probably, hardly exceeded nine hundred, while the - prisoners were three thousand and thirty-seven. Arunderauze, with his - irregular native forces, was, indeed, at hand. - -Footnote 16: - - The troops in the ravelin, beyond the main gate, were kept at their - post by alarm at the false attack of the Rajah's troops, till the - assailants, who entered at the breach, shut the gate on them. - -Footnote 17: - - Orme, vol. iii. p. 489. - -Footnote 18: - - Letter received at Calcutta, 17th July, 1759. - -Footnote 19: - - Mr. Call, the chief engineer at Madras, writing to Clive, under date - the 11th October, 1758, observes, "I cannot but say you have added - much to your reputation by the detachment (Colonel Forde's) which you - have sent to our assistance on the coast. No sooner were your - apprehensions for the safety of Bengal somewhat lessened, than you - determined to support us." - -Footnote 20: - - Including prisoners, and the corps under Moracin, at least one - thousand Europeans, and nearly three thousand native troops, were - subtracted from Lally's force by the effects of Colonel Forde's - success. - -Footnote 21: - - 26th August. - -Footnote 22: - - Captain Caillaud suffered two repulses before he succeeded in his - attack on Madura. - -Footnote 23: - - This party was commanded by Colonel Forde, then belonging to - Adlercron's regiment. The circumstances attending the repulse were - such as reflected no imputation on his character. - -Footnote 24: - - Neazballa. - -Footnote 25: - - Nazir Mahommed held Chittaput, and a small surrounding district, by a - sunnud, or grant, from the Subadar of the Deckan. - -Footnote 26: - - Mahommed Esoof was best known, in the early part of his career, by the - name of "the Nellore Commandant." - -Footnote 27: - - Vide Vol. I. p. 402. - -Footnote 28: - - The six colonels who signed this memorial were, D'Estaing, De - Landivisan, De la Fuère, Breteuil, Verdière, and Crillon. Their names - merit to be recorded. They belonged to the noblest families of their - country; and this act shows their patriotic feeling to have been as - honourable as their birth. - -Footnote 29: - - 1st September, 1758. - -Footnote 30: - - Letter to Mr. Pigot, 14th August. - -Footnote 31: - - Ibid. - -Footnote 32: - - 14th August. - -Footnote 33: - - Nazir Mahommed. I have before adverted to his gallant conduct: vide p. - 26. - -Footnote 34: - - Colonel Lawrence. - -Footnote 35: - - Almost all communications between Madras and Bengal, at this period, - were by sea, which often occasioned a considerable interval between - the writing and despatch of a letter. - -Footnote 36: - - 21st August, 1759. - -Footnote 37: - - Mr. Orme appears to have embarked for England about six months after - the date of this letter, but was obliged to leave the ship at the - Cape, being unable, from serious indisposition, to proceed further - until his strength was recruited.—(Letters from Mr. Vansittart to - Clive, 28th June, and 3d July, 1759.) - -Footnote 38: - - Letter to Sir G. Pocock, 14th August, 1759. A postscript is added to - this letter, of the 26th August; the same date as that to Mr. Orme. - -Footnote 39: - - This man's name was Gotica; he was uncle to the deposed King of - Tanjore, whom the English had supported in 1749. - -Footnote 40: - - Col. Kennedy was one of the hostages sent to Tanjore. - -Footnote 41: - - A breach had been made, but it was not deemed practicable. Two of the - principal French officers, General Saubinet and Count D'Estaing, - strongly advised a storm; deeming the breach, though imperfect, to be - assailable. - -Footnote 42: - - A considerable body, cavalry and infantry, of Tanjore troops, with - fifty Europeans, and one thousand English sepoys, were engaged in this - attack; which is chiefly remarkable for the attempt made upon the - person of the French General. A body of fifty horsemen advanced, at - daylight, to the French outposts: they inquired for Lally, saying they - wished to take service. They were conducted to the General, who, being - informed of their request, came out from a choultry to speak to them: - at this moment one of the Tanjore horsemen, supposed to be - intoxicated, fired his pistol into a tumbril, which, by its explosion, - gave a general alarm. The leader of the party, observing this, rode at - Lally, who, however, defended himself with a stick, and the man was - shot by an attendant, while the French guard succeeded in repelling a - charge made by his comrades. - -Footnote 43: - - Orme's History, and Clive's MSS. - -Footnote 44: - - A species of pulse upon which horses are fed in India. - -Footnote 45: - - The north-east monsoon commences, on the coast of Coromandel, in the - end of October; and military operations are difficult, and in some - parts almost impracticable, till towards the end of November. - -Footnote 46: - - Orme, vol. iii. p. 385. - -Footnote 47: - - Captain Preston's corps was from the garrison of Chingliput. - -Footnote 48: - - Orme, vol. iii. p. 453. - -Footnote 49: - - Mr. Vansittart, a member of the Council at Fort St. George, in a - private letter to Clive, dated 2d March, 1759, gives a general account - of Lally's operations, from which the following is an extract:— - - "I am very glad," he observes, "to begin with acquainting you - that the siege of Madras is raised. Certainly it was an undertaking - too great for M. Lally's force, and it was undoubtedly a want of - men that obliged him to confine his approaches to so narrow a - front. I will send you a plan of them as soon as I can find one of - our engineers at leisure. The trenches are the weakest that ever - were seen, and yet they pushed them up close under our nose. Three - or four times small detachments sallied, and took possession of the - head of their sap almost without resistance. Our people retired - after destroying a little of the work, and then the enemy returned - and worked on. Their grand battery, the first that they opened, - tore our works a good deal, but our men were active, and got them - repaired in the night. This continued for a few days, but our fire - was not decreased. The enemy then lost all patience, and advanced - with all our defences in good order; when they got to the foot of - the glacis, they erected a battery against the east face of the - north ravelin, but they could never stand there for an hour - together, as we had a heavy fire both on their flank and front. In - three or four days they abandoned that, but still kept pushing on - their sap, and presently got up to the crest of the glacis, where - they erected another battery close to the north-east angle of the - covered way. This cost them very dear, and they well deserved to - suffer; for all our defences were yet perfect, nay, we had more - guns than we had at first. - - "For six mornings running they opened this battery at daybreak, and - were obliged in an hour or two to shut up their embrasures. Their - loss there must have been very great; for it was raked from one end - to the other by the flank of the royal bastion, had a front fire - from the north-east bastion, and was overlooked by the demi-bastion - so with musketry, that it was absolutely impossible for a man to - live. At the end of six days they gave it up, and at the same time, - I believe, gave up all hopes of success. It is true they had opened - a narrow passage through the counterscarp of the ditch by a mine, - and had beat down so much clay from the face of the demi-bastion, - that there was a slope which a nimble man might run up, and that is - what M. Lally calls a breach; but his people were wiser than he, if - he proposed to assault it, and they refused. That letter of M. - Lally's is a most curious piece. I am glad it was intercepted, that - he may not say the arrival of the ships obliged him to raise the - siege, and that the officers and men of the garrison may have the - honour they deserve. Their duty was really severe, and what was yet - worse, they had not a safe place to rest in when off duty; for - there is not a bomb-proof lodgement in garrison, except the grand - magazine, and the casemates under the Nabob's bastion, where the - sick and wounded lay. Nevertheless there was a universal - cheerfulness from the beginning to the end; and (what M. Lally so - much expected) a capitulation never entered, I believe, into the - head of any one man in the garrison. - - "The enemy retired by the way of Poonamallee, and, by our last - advices, were at Arcot. Our army is just now moving after them. We - had a difficulty to get coolies and bullocks for a camp, by which - many days have been lost. A large body of Mahrattas are upon the - borders of the province: we have made them handsome offers. If they - join us, it will be difficult for the French army to get to - Pondicherry, or if they only stand neuter, Colonel Lawrence will - have no objection to a trial of skill with the Lieutenant-general. - - "I should not forget to mention that your old friend the Nellow - Subhadar was of great service during the siege. He brought a large - body of country horse and sepoys from Tanjore and Trichinopoly; and - being joined by Captain Preston with about fifty Europeans from - Chingleput, and afterwards by Major Caillaud, they occasioned a - powerful diversion. The French were obliged four times to send out - considerable detachments; but our people always kept their post, - till a scarcity of provisions forced them to move further off. The - enemy, however, lost many men in these different actions, besides - the hinderance it gave to their work." - -Footnote 50: - -Mr. Vansittart, in his letter to Clive of the 2d March, 1759 (quoted in -the last note), observes, "I believe I shall be obliged to apply to you -to lay hands upon some of the Chandernagore ladies, in order to exchange -against Mrs. Morse, Mrs. Vansittart, and some others, whom we sent away -in a boat for Sadras, just at the time that M. Lally borrowed that -settlement from the Dutch. They were received by the French officer, and -told they were prisoners. They have been kept there ever since; and two -days after the siege was raised I wrote to M. Lally, desiring he would -let me know his resolutions concerning my family: he sent back the peon -without an answer; nor have I got one yet. All this I could excuse if -they had but been treated with politeness; but it has been far -otherwise, as you will see by a letter I lately received from Mrs. -Vansittart, and which I send enclosed. I beg you will let Carnac explain -it to the French ladies at Bengal, that they may see, with thankfulness, -the different usage they have met with." - -Footnote 51: - -Mr. Sulivan was Chairman of the Court of Directors. - -Footnote 52: - -21st February, 1759. - -Footnote 53: - -6th September, 1759. - -Footnote 54: - -This advice, as appears from Mr. Vansittart's letter, (note, p. 50.) was -adopted. - -Footnote 55: - -"Your defence of Madras," Clive observes, in a letter to Mr. Pigot of -the 21st August, 1759, "and your foiling a man of Lally's rank, will -certainly gain you much honour at home; but what affords me most -pleasure is, the principal part you have acted in this famous siege. I -always said my friend would shine whenever an opportunity offered, by -what I saw of his behaviour, some years ago, near Verdiachelum woods." - -Footnote 56: - -Pondicherry surrendered to Colonel Coote in January, 1761. It had been -blockaded four months before the active operations of the siege, and -there were only two days' provisions for the fighting men when it -surrendered. The gallant regiments of Lorraine and Lally were reduced to -a small number, and these worn out with famine, disease, and -fatigue.—(Orme, vol. iii. p. 722.) - -Footnote 57: - -Mr. Orme justly remarks, that "if abuse of authority, vexations, and -exactions, are not capital in the jurisprudence of France, they ought -not to have been inserted, as efficacious, in the sentence of death." -The same author informs us that Lally was charged with treason, which -deprived him of the aid of counsel. Among other crimes, this unhappy -commander was accused of selling Pondicherry to the English; and was -believed (so credulous is national vanity) to have betrayed the -interests of his country to promote those of a nation that he hated, and -whom he treated (on all occasions when he had the power) with a severity -hardly consistent with the usage of civilised nations. The haughty -spirit of the veteran was unbroken by the persecution of his enemies. -His conduct throughout his protracted trial was collected, but proud and -indignant. When he heard his sentence he threw up his hands to heaven, -and exclaimed, "Is this the reward of forty-five years' service?" and -snatching a pair of compasses, which lay with maps on his table, struck -it to his breast; but it did not pierce to his heart: he then gave loose -to every execration against his judges and accusers. His scaffold was -prepared, and his execution appointed for the same afternoon. To prevent -him from speaking to the spectators a large gag was put into his mouth -before he was taken out of prison, whence he was carried in a common -cart, and beheaded on the Grève. He perished in the sixty-fifth year of -his age.—(Orme, vol. iii. p. 736.) - -Footnote 58: - -Voltaire. - -Footnote 59: - -So high did M. Bussy stand in the public opinion, that when the Nabob -Mohammed Ali wrote Mr. Pigot, the governor of Madras, congratulating him -on the recent victory, he added, that M. Bussy's being taken prisoner -was of itself equal to any victory, and at the same time suggested the -propriety of his being sent to him, when he would take good care of him! - -Mohammed Ali even then, after some years' acquaintance with the English, -was astonished that M. Bussy was allowed to go on his parole to -Pondicherry; and as much afterwards, when he heard how well he was -received at Madras by every body there, before his departure for Europe. -D. H. - -Footnote 60: - -The letters of Clive's agents, also, mention many sums which he appears -to have given and sent to French officers. Mr. Vansittart, writing from -Madras, notices several individuals who have received considerable aid -(two captains one thousand rupees each); stating that they are grateful, -and have every disposition to repay Clive, but no ability; and that he -will lose his money. - -Footnote 61: - -27th May, 1759. - -Footnote 62: - -The instructions from the Court of France to Lally had been -intercepted, in which he was directed to destroy such of the British -settlements as fell into his power: in consequence of which the Court -of Directors gave orders to retaliate the same measures upon the -French settlements.—(Orme, vol. iii. p. 726.) - -Footnote 63: - -Extract from Clive's letter to his agents in England, 25th December, -1758:—"Having granted Stringer Lawrence, Esq., an annuity of 500_l._ per -annum during the term of his natural life, I desire you will pay the -same yearly to him or his order." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAP. X. - - -While Clive was exulting at the advantages gained over the French in the -Deckan and at Madras, and congratulating himself on the success which had -attended his personal efforts in Bengal, a new and alarming danger arose, -from a quarter altogether unexpected. Accounts had been received that the -Dutch were preparing a strong armament in Batavia: and it was further -added, that its destination was Bengal. To this report Clive at first -refused his belief. Mr. Hastings[64] had written him, that the Nabob was -led from several reasons to suspect that the Dutch were in league with the -Sovereign of Oude, and that the armament at Batavia was meant to -strengthen their factory at Chinsura; but Clive, in his answer to this -letter, did not give credit to the surmise. "Although it will be -necessary," he states[65], "to be upon our guard against the Dutch, yet I -have reason to think that the armament fitted out at Batavia is only -intended to garrison their settlements in Ceylon. Some intelligence lately -received confirms me in this opinion." - -It was not easy for Clive, or for any person, to foresee such a course of -measures as the Dutch Government in India adopted at this period of -profound peace between the two nations in Europe. I shall, before -narrating what occurred, take a short review of the conduct of those in -charge of their factory at Chinsura, from the capture of Calcutta till the -period at which we are arrived. - -The Dutch at Chinsura had, like others, suffered from Suraj-u-Dowlah, who -had compelled them to pay a fine of five lacs of rupees. This and other -oppressive acts made them rejoice at his downfall, and they addressed to -Clive a letter[66] of congratulation on his success in dethroning that -prince. Nevertheless, they did not recognise Meer Jaffier as Subah of -Bengal; and the consequence was, so hostile a feeling towards them in the -mind of that prince, that it required the continual good offices[67] of -Clive to preserve terms betwixt them. This was not easy; for their not -recognising him was a cause of just and frequent irritation to Meer -Jaffier. Clive notices the subject in a letter[68] to the Dutch Governor, -written in answer to one full of complaints. - -"I am well acquainted," he observes, "with your attachment to the English, -and the service you have at all times been ready to show them; but give me -leave to observe, Sir, that good offices have always been reciprocal -between the two nations: and, indeed, this is no more than we mutually owe -each other, considering the close alliance and union of interests that -have so long subsisted between us. It gives me, therefore, much concern -that you should do me the injustice to reproach me with being in any shape -accessory to the obstruction which the Subah has thought proper to lay -upon your trade. I have, indeed, heard him make frequent complaints of the -ill behaviour of your government towards him; and was really much amazed -at his patience, in putting up so long with indignities which you would -not have ventured to offer either to Mohabit Jung[69] or Suraj-u-Dowlah. I -shall not pretend to inquire into your reasons for not acknowledging Meer -Jaffier, in the same manner as the preceding Subahs have always been, more -especially as you cannot be ignorant that he has received his sunnud from -the Mogul; but, for my own part, I cannot conceive how you and your -Council will be able to exculpate yourselves to your superiors for the -present stoppage of their trade, since it appears evident to me that you -have brought it upon yourselves, by your disrespect to a person of his -high station." - -The act which gave rise to stopping the trade was one of public disrespect -to the Nabob, to whom the Dutch factory did not even pay the compliment of -a salute, when he passed Chinsura on his way to Calcutta. The mode in -which he resented this insult had its full effect. The Governor and -Council of Chinsura made a very humble apology, which was accepted, and -the prohibition on their commerce removed. - -The chief complaints of the Dutch against the English were, the latter -having the monopoly of saltpetre at Patna, and their insisting that Dutch -vessels, coming into the river, should take English pilots. To the first -it was answered, that saltpetre had always been a monopoly, and that, -since the English obtained it, the Dutch had even bought the article -cheaper[70] than they had ever done before. With regard to the insisting -upon no pilot being employed in the river but English, it was stated to be -a measure forced on the Committee of Calcutta, by considerations of their -own safety; and that, until the danger was over, they could not allow -those of any other nation to be employed. These facts should have been -satisfactory to the Dutch, could the Superior Government at Batavia have -been contented to abandon, without a struggle, to another European power -the political pre-eminence in India: calculating, however, upon the -encouragement given them at the court of Moorshedabad, previous to the -expedition to Patna, they determined to make a bold effort to establish -such a force at Chinsura as might enable them to balance the predominating -power of the English in Bengal. I find among Clive's papers an account[71] -of this transaction; and as it exhibits, in a very clear manner, the -progress of this serious difference between the two nations, from its -commencement to its conclusion, I shall insert it at length. It is -entitled "A Narrative of the Disputes with the Dutch in Bengal," and is as -follows:— - -"About the month of November, 1758, a prevailing party at the Nabob -Jaffier Aly Khan's Durbar, headed by Meeran his son, had prejudiced him to -look with an evil and jealous eye on the power and influence of the -English in the provinces, and taught him to think and look upon himself as -a cipher, bearing the name of Subah only. From subsequent concurring -circumstances, it must have been at that period, and from this cause, -that, we imagine, a private negotiation was set on foot between the Nabob -and the Dutch, that the latter should bring a military force into the -provinces to join the former, and balance our power and sway. The Dutch, -stimulated by envy at our very advantageous situation, and a sense of -their own very small importance, readily embraced the overture, and hoped -another Plassey affair for themselves. - -Actuated by these golden dreams, and encouraged by the absence of our -troops on the Golconda expedition, the Director and his Council at -Chinsura forwarded remonstrances to Batavia, for this purpose, where, by -the event, it appears they had the intended effect. Subsequent to this -private negotiation was the advance of the Shah-Zada, and Governor Clive's -march to Patna in support of the Nabob and his Government, which perfectly -convinced him and his son of our faithfulness, affection, and attachment, -and struck an iniquitous party at the Durbar dumb, who were ever -insinuating to them that the English were aiming to be Subahs of the -country in breach of their treaty. - -"Early in August we received advice that a powerful armament was fitting -out and embarking at Batavia, its destination not perfectly known, but -rumoured to be for Bengal. The Governor sent early notice of this to Meer -Jaffier, who immediately sent a Purwannah to the Dutch Governor, a copy of -which he forwarded to Governor Clive, demanding withal, by virtue of the -treaty subsisting with the English, that he should join his forces to -oppose and prevent any foreign troops being brought into his country. - -"About this time a Dutch ship arrived in the river with European troops -and buggoses, of which the Governor advised the Nabob, who was much -embarrassed at the news; he, however, despatched a second Purwannah to the -Dutch, and ordered Omarbeg Khan Fouzdaar of Hooghley, immediately to join -the Governor with a body of troops, and repeated his demand of our -assistance, to prevent the Dutch troops or ships advancing up the river. -To the Nabob's first Purwannah, the Dutch sent a reply and solemn promise -of obedience to his orders; to the second, they as solemnly assured him, -the ship which was arrived came in by accident for water and provisions; -that she was drove from her destined port of Nagapatam by stress of -weather, and that she and her troops should leave the river as soon as -they were supplied. - -"Notwithstanding these solemn assurances from the Dutch, it was judged -expedient to send a detachment of troops, joined with one of the Subah's, -under the command of the Fouzdaar's officer, to take possession of Tanna -Fort and Charnoc's Battery opposite to it, with orders to stop and search -all boats and vessels that passed, without giving them further -molestation; and parties were likewise sent out on each side of the river -to prevent any foreign troops advancing by land. In consequence of these -orders, every Dutch boat and budgerow was brought to, and those that had -no troops suffered to pass; amongst others, Mynheer Suydland, the Dutch -master-attendant, not only refused for sometime being either brought to or -searched, but struck the commanding officer at Charnoc's Battery. Himself -and another Dutch gentleman with him were made prisoners for a few hours, -until an order from the Governor went down for releasing them and the -budgerow, on board of which were found concealed eighteen buggoses, which -were conducted down under a guard by land, until within sight of their -ship at Fulta, and released. On these transactions, we received very long -remonstrances from the gentlemen at Chinsura, to which we replied, that, -as principals, we had, by the custom and laws of nations, a right to -search all vessels whatever, advancing up this river, not knowing but they -might introduce French troops into the country; and that as auxiliaries to -the Mogul, we were under a necessity, by solemn treaty, to join his -Viceroy in opposing the introduction of any European or foreign troops -whatever into Bengal; and that we should absolutely and religiously do our -duty to the utmost of our strength and power in both capacities. - -"Early in October, Jaffier Ally Khan arrived here on a visit to the -Governor. During his stay with us, advice came from below, of the arrival -of six or seven more Dutch capital ships, crammed with soldiers and -buggoses. Now the Dutch mask fell off, and the Nabob (conscious of having -given his assent to their coming, and at the same time of our attachment -and his own unfaithful dealings with us,) was greatly confused and -disconcerted. He, however, seemed to make light of it; told the Governor -he was going to reside three or four days at his Fort of Hooghley, where -he would chastise the insolence and disobedience of the Dutch, and drive -them soon out of the river again. - -"On the 19th of October he left Calcutta; and in place of his going to his -Fort at Hooghley, he took up his residence at Cajah Wazeed's garden, about -half way between that and Chinsura; a plain indication that he had no -apprehensions from the Dutch, whom he received there in the most gracious -manner he could, more like friends and allies than as enemies to him and -his country. In three or four days after his departure from Calcutta, the -Governor received a letter from him, wherein he informed him of 'some -indulgence he had granted the Dutch in their trade, and that they had -engaged to leave the river with their ships and troops as soon as the -season would permit.' The season permitting their immediate departure with -the greatest safety and propriety, the last condition in the Nabob's -letter, joined to his whole behaviour, convinced us, that leaving the -river was no part of their intention, but that, on the contrary, they had -his assent to bring up their troops if they could; which Colonel Clive was -determined they should not, as the Nabob had not withdrawn his orders to -oppose them, and in this he was heartily joined by his Council. Ruin to -the Company, if not to the country, must have been the inevitable -consequences of their junction with the troops they had in garrison at -Chinsura; which once accomplished, would have been beyond all doubt -attended with a declaration from the Government in their favour, and as -probably a union between them, which must have ended in our destruction. A -very few days justified our suspicions and resolutions; for in place of -the Dutch leaving the river, we received certain intelligence of their -moving up, and that they were enlisting troops under every denomination, -at Chinsura, Cossimbazar, and Patna, and this plainly with connivance of -the Nabob. - -"Whatever may have been the joint or separate views of the Dutch and Nabob -against us, it is most certain they never could have had a more favourable -conjuncture to carry them into execution; for what with the unforeseen and -inevitable long stay of our troops on the Golconda expedition, the -detention on the coast of Coromandel of the forces appointed for this -settlement, and the necessity the Governor was under of leaving a -considerable party at Patna, in May last, our garrison here was -inconsiderable. Our Governor, with indefatigable despatch, made every -necessary disposition to circumvent the designs of our enemies; the -'Calcutta,' 'Duke of Dorset,' and 'Hardwicke' (the only ships we had in -the river), were ordered to proceed immediately to town; the detachments -at Tanna and Charnoc's were strengthened, and heavy cannon mounted at -each, as also on two faces of our new fort commanding the river. The Patna -party was recalled, and the militia put under arms. The Governor wrote -likewise to the Nabob in strong and peremptory terms, to send his son down -with his army to invest Chinsura; but the politics of the Durbar at this -period, we believe, ran counter, where we judge it was determined to let -the English and Dutch weaken and destroy one another, when they would -probably have attempted to reduce both, or join with the strongest. - -"Soon as the Dutch thought their schemes ripe for action, they sent us an -immense remonstrance, recapitulating the whole of all their former ones, -and vowing vengeance and reprisals if we persisted in searching their -boats, and obstructing the advance of their troops up the river. To this -we replied, once for all, that we had given no insult to their colours, or -attacked or touched their property, or infringed their privileges; that -with respect to their bringing troops into Bengal, the Nabob knew best how -far it was incumbent on him to preserve the peace and tranquillity of his -country; that their boats had been stopped and searched, and the advance -of their troops opposed, by orders from the Viceroy, and under the Emperor -his master's colours, and by his troops; that they must apply therefore to -him, and that we were ready to interpose our friendly offices to mitigate -his resentment. This, it may be thought, savoured a little of audacity, -but facts vindicated us; as the Fouzdaar had neither withdrawn his troops -(which consisted of four or five hundred horse), nor the Nabob his orders; -and all that was done below was under the Government's colours. -Notwithstanding which, on receipt of the last Dutch remonstrance, we found -our sentiments a good deal embarrassed, doubting whether we should stand -justified to our country and employers, in commencing hostilities against -an ally of England, supposing they should persist in passing the batteries -below with their ships and troops. In this situation, we anxiously wished -the next hour would bring us news of a declaration of war with Holland; -which we had indeed some reason to expect by our last advices from -England. Another strong reason which determined us to oppose them, and on -which subject we had been guarded against by the Court of Directors, who -had intimated that in all likelihood the Dutch would first commence -hostilities against us in India. - -"Thus circumstanced, the Dutch themselves removed all our difficulties by -beginning hostilities below, attacking with shot, and seizing seven of our -vessels, grain-boats, &c., tearing down our colours, disembarking our -guns, military stores, &c., from our vessels to their own ships, making -prisoners of the captains, officers, &c. They also began hostilities on -shore in our Purgunnahs off Fulta and Riapore, where they tore down our -colours, and burnt the houses and effects of the Company's tenants in -those parts. Amongst the vessels they attacked and seized was the 'Leopard -Snow,' Captain Barclay, whom we had despatched with expresses to Admiral -Cornish, to hasten his coming to our succour, which we judged would meet -him somewhere on the Arracan coast. - -"On this event, we concluded, with the greatest probability, that the -Dutch had received intelligence of a rupture between them and us in -Europe, or that they were sure of the Nabob joining them, or of his -standing neuter at least; and having the utmost reason to suspect the -Nabob's whole conduct, Governor Clive apprised him of the acts of violence -the Dutch had committed below, adding, that as they had commenced actual -war against us, he should judge the quarrel now subsisted between them and -us only, desiring he would leave chastising the Dutch to us, and desist -from sending either his son or any part of his army to our assistance; but -that, if he would convince us of his sincerity and attachment, he should -directly surround their subordinates, and distress them in the country to -the utmost. - -"Hitherto we knew not whether the Dutch intended to pass the batteries -with their ships and troops on board, or whether their intention was to -land the latter as high up as they could, and march them over land. The -Governor, however, made the necessary dispositions against both, as far as -our small body of troops would permit, consisting, on the whole, of about -two hundred and forty Europeans of the battalion, about eighty of the -train, and one thousand two hundred sepoys. The best troops and largest -proportion of these, with many volunteers draughted from the militia, and -part of the independent company, formed into a troop of horse, were -stationed at Charnoc's and Tannas under the command of Captain Knox. -Colonel Forde, on account of his ill state of health and dismission from -the service, had returned to us a few days before these troubles; and, -notwithstanding both, most obligingly and readily, at the Governor's -request, took upon him the command of the remaining troops in the -garrison, which marched to the northward the 19th of November; on which -day Mr. Holwell was ordered to take charge of Fort William with the -militia, consisting of about two hundred and fifty Europeans, besides some -of the Portuguese inhabitants; the Governor dividing his attention and -presence between both divisions, those at Charnoc's and those in the -field. - -"The first stroke struck against the Dutch, was possessing ourselves of -Barnagore, from whence Colonel Forde passed over the river with his troops -and four field artillery to Serampore, the Danish factory, and marched -towards Chandernagore; not only with a view of striking terror into -Chinsura, but to be ready to intercept the Dutch troops, in case they -should disembark, and attempt to gain that place by land. - -"During this period, the Dutch ships kept advancing with their captures -and prisoners, and our three ships in their rear, whose orders were -peremptorily to pass them and station themselves above the batteries, -where fire-boats and every other needful step was taken to destroy the -Dutch ships if they attempted to pass. The Dutch commodore sent two orders -to Commodore Wilson prohibiting his passing their ships, and that if he -attempted it, he would fire upon him. - -"On the 21st of November the Dutch armament came to an anchor in Sankeral -Reach, whose point was within the range of our cannon from the batteries. -On the 23d of November they landed on the opposite shore seven hundred -Europeans, and about eight hundred Buggoses, and dropped down with their -ships to Melancholy Point, the lower end of the reach being near where our -three ships lay; of which advice was immediately despatched to Colonel -Forde, with assurance that he should be reinforced with the utmost -expedition by Captain Knox and the parties at the batteries, who were -accordingly recalled. On the 23d, orders were sent to our commodore to -demand immediate restitution of our ships, subjects, and property; or to -fight, sink, burn, and destroy the Dutch ships on their refusal. The next -day the demand was made and refused. True British spirit was manifested on -this occasion. Notwithstanding the inequality (the Dutch having seven to -three, and four of them capital ships,) we attacked them; and after about -two hours' engagement, the Dutch commodore struck, and the rest followed -the example, except his second, who cut and run down as low as Culpee, -when she was stopped short by the 'Oxford' and 'Royal George,' who arrived -two days before, and had our orders to join the other captains. The Dutch -Commodore had about thirty men killed, and many wounded: she suffered the -most amongst them, as did the 'Duke of Dorset' on our side, who was more -immediately engaged with her. - -"On the same day (the 24th) Colonel Forde marched from the French gardens -to the northward, intending to encamp between Chandernagore and Chinsura. -In his march through the former, he was attacked by the Dutch with four -pieces of cannon, and the garrison from Chinsura, which had marched out -and lodged themselves in the houses and ruins of Chandernagore, at the -very time the Colonel entered with his troops at the southernmost end. -However, he soon dislodged them from their ambush, took their cannon, and -pursued them with some slaughter to the very barriers of Chinsura, which -he prepared to invest, being now joined by Captain Knox and the troops -from the batteries, and Charnoc's and Tannas. - -"The next day Colonel Forde received certain intelligence of the near -approach of the Dutch troops from the ships, who had been, in spite of his -vigilance, joined by part of the garrison from Chinsura. He immediately -marched with two field-pieces, and met them on the plains of Bedarra -(about two coss from Chinsura), where they soon came to an action. The -Dutch were commanded by Colonel Roussel, a French soldier of fortune. They -consisted of near seven hundred Europeans, and as many buggoses, besides -country troops: ours of two hundred and forty infantry, and eighty of the -train, and fifty more Europeans composing the troops of horse, -independents and volunteers, and about eight hundred sepoys. The -engagement was short, bloody, and decisive. The Dutch were put to a total -rout in less than half an hour: they had about one hundred and twenty -Europeans, and two hundred buggoses killed, three hundred and fifty -Europeans and about two hundred Buggoses taken prisoners, with M. Roussel -and fourteen officers, and about one hundred and fifty wounded. Our loss -was inconsiderable. After this action, Colonel Forde returned, sat down -before Chinsura, and wrote for further orders. The Dutch were now as -abject in their submission as they had been insolent in their supposed -superiority. They wrote to Colonel Forde, and likewise to the Board here, -requesting he would cease hostilities and propose terms of amity. - -"We judged we had sufficiently chastised and humbled them, without taking -their settlement (which must have surrendered on the first summons), and -agreed to enter on a treaty with them. Deputies were appointed, and things -brought to a speedy and amicable conclusion. They disavowed the -proceedings of their ships below, acknowledged themselves the aggressors, -and agreed to pay costs and damages; on which their ships were delivered -up to them. - -"Three days after the battle of Bedarra, the young Nabob, with about six -or seven thousand horse, arrived and encamped within a coss of Chinsura: -this struck the Dutch with the deepest terror. Governor Clive was wrote -to, in the most supplicatory terms, to interpose, and not abandon them to -the violence of the Moors. The Governor interposed, and went directly to -the French gardens, that he might be a nearer check upon the young Nabob, -and prevent his proceeding to extremities with them. His friendly -interposition had its proper effect: the young Nabob received their -deputies; and after severe altercation, forgave them, and promised ample -protection in their trade and privileges, on the following terms:—That -they shall never meditate war, introduce or enlist troops, or raise -fortifications in the country; that they shall be allowed to keep up one -hundred and twenty-five European soldiers, and no more, for the service of -their several factories, of Chinsura, Cossimbazar and Patna; that they -shall forthwith send their ships and remaining troops out of the country; -and that a breach of any one of these articles shall be punished with -utter expulsion. These terms, ratified by the council of Hooghley, and the -Nabob (otherwise) satisfied for the trouble and expense of his march, he -broke up his camp and returned to the city." - -"Thus ended an affair which, had the event been different, threatened us -in its consequence with utter destruction; for, had the Dutch gained the -same advantage over us, we have now the most convincing proofs to -conclude, that the remembrance of Amboyna would have been lost in their -treatment of this colony. Mr. Bisdom was in a dying condition during these -whole transactions, and opposed, jointly with Messrs. Zuyaland and -Bachracht, the violence of their proceedings; but they were over-ruled by -the rest of their council, led by Messrs. Vernet and Schevichaven, two men -of desperate fortunes and violent and evil principles, who, we doubt not, -will pay severely for their imprudence." - -"There appears every reason to conclude from this narrative, as well as -from other accounts, that Meer Jaffier had originally given countenance to -an intrigue with the Dutch, carried on through Cajah Wazeed[72]; but there -can be no doubt that the conduct of Clive, on the subsequent invasion of -the Shah-Zada, had made a change in his sentiments. He readily, therefore, -gave the requisite orders to the Dutch, forbidding them to land any -troops. 'He declared to me,' Mr. Hastings[73] writes to Clive, 'that if -they brought any armed force into his country, he would look upon them as -enemies, and treat them accordingly.'" - -Notwithstanding these professions, when the Dutch armament arrived with a -European force superior to that of the English, the Nabob appeared to -falter in his resolution. He had paid Clive a visit at Calcutta, and on -his return (as stated in the narrative) saw the principal persons of the -Dutch settlement at Chinsura; but instead of commanding them to send away -their ships (as he had promised) he treated them with such marked favour -and distinction, that Mr. Hastings, who accompanied him, wrote Clive[74], -that every day's transactions confirmed him more and more in his opinion, -that the Nabob was acting a treacherous part. - -This communication, added to some suspicious circumstances, determined -Clive to take the strongest measures, with the primary view of recalling -the Nabob to a better understanding of his own interests; and, if that -failed, of counteracting his evil designs. He wrote to Mr. Amyate[75] to -acquaint Ram Narrain of the situation in which affairs stood, that he -might be prepared to act, if occasion required. He also directed Mr. Sykes -to seize the persons of Cajah Wazeed and his son before they reached -Moorshedabad, to which they were proceeding; having had full proof of -their combination with the enemies of the English. Cajah Wazeed has been -before mentioned as the agent of the French. He had for a period -transferred his allegiance to the English; but disappointed of the high -reward he anticipated, had subsequently directed all his influence and -ability (which were considerable) to their overthrow, through the means of -their European rivals. When the French cause appeared hopeless, he had -attached himself to the Dutch, and was no doubt the principal agent of all -their intrigues at the Court of Moorshedabad. The strongest presumptive -proof of Meer Jaffier's concern in this plot, was, the favour and -distinction with which he had recently treated Cajah Wazeed. Though that -person was employed by the Dutch, he was the subject of Meer Jaffier, who, -both on that account, and from his partiality to the man, was likely to -resent his seizure as an indignity and insult. Clive was quite aware of -this feeling, but he thought himself justified by the emergency of the -case. He expected that one of the effects of this decided measure would be -to alarm the Nabob in such a degree, as to arrest his progress in any plan -hostile to the English, in which he might have engaged; and, to add to -this effect, he wrote to Meer Jaffier, disclaiming all future connection -with him, unless he changed his course of action. Clive's object, -throughout this affair, was not to inculpate the Nabob, but to save him -from the consequences of his weakness and want of faith. With a thorough -knowledge of his character, he addressed himself to his fears, and the -result proved the correctness of his judgment. Mr. Hastings writes from -Moorshedabad on the 18th of November:— - -"The particulars of my conversation with the old Nabob," he observes, "I -will acquaint you with, after I have seen him again to-morrow. He appeared -(and I am convinced was) extremely disturbed in mind, during the whole -time I was with him. He changed colour upon the receipt of your letter; -and when he had read it, he turned to me and told me, that you had broke -off all connection with him. He declared himself innocent of any deceitful -intention towards you, and offered to give every proof that you could -require of his friendship and sincerity." - -In his letter of the 21st of November, Mr. Hastings observes, "Every thing -goes on in this quarter as it ought. The Nabob appears as zealous in the -cause as he was before remiss in it, nor will, I hope, give you any -further cause for complaining, at least in this affair. He has desired me -to endeavour to accommodate the misunderstanding which has risen betwixt -you and him, which office I cannot undertake more effectually than by -assuring you, that I do believe him now to be sincere. I have already -acquainted you fully with what has lately passed, nor need I trouble you -with a repetition of it. The Chuta Nabob[76] has lately written to me upon -the same subject, and has called upon Mr. Sykes and myself to declare how -earnest he was, from the beginning of these troubles, to join you, which I -know to be fact (so far as his word in that instance could be credited), -and Mr. Sykes' letters to you will sufficiently testify the same. - -"The firmness which you have shown, and your resentment of the Nabob's -cold behaviour, have had every effect that could be wished for; and pardon -me, Sir, if I offer it as my opinion, that it would be proper so far to -change the style of your letters, as to show that you are satisfied with -his present conduct. The Nabob really wants that encouragement: whenever -you forsake him, his ruin will be inevitable; and he must shut his eyes -against the most glaring conviction, if he does not perceive it himself." - -The only subject of complaint Meer Jaffier had now left was the seizure of -Cajah Wazeed, which he was too conscious indicated suspicion of himself. -Mr. Hastings, referring to this feeling, writes to Clive[77]:— - -"I had a long conversation with the Nabob yesterday morning; the -particulars I need not acquaint you with, as it consisted of little more -than a repetition of his complaint of the distrust you have shown him. He -mentioned the affair of Cajah Wazeed yesterday, for the first time. I -excused your proceedings therein, from the necessity there was of seizing -him immediately, as he was the prime instigator of these troubles; and it -appeared from the long consultation held between him and the Dutch, the -evening before his departure, and their letter of defiance immediately -following it, that he was going up to strengthen their cause at the city, -where the Nabob was sensible he had many enemies. I added, that though it -was no time to stand upon the strictness of ceremony, when the enemy were -almost at our gates, yet that you had only given orders that Cajah Wazeed -should be seized on the way; but that no attempt should be made upon him, -if he was arrived within the districts of the city of Moorshedabad. - -"I believe he was not satisfied with my reasons: he ascribed this event -entirely to your suspicions of himself, which I did not attempt to deny. - -"The enclosed letter is in answer to your last. This is the last letter -the Nabob will write, till he hears what your present sentiments are with -respect to himself." - -Clive, on receiving these assurances, readily forgave what had passed; and -the Nabob showed every disposition to give his aid. A few of his troops -co-operated in the attack upon the Dutch, but the young Nabob did not -arrive at Hooghley till after the armament had been destroyed.[78] - -The strength of the small force which Clive had with him on this occasion -is stated in the narrative. It was divided into parties; some of which -were directed to stop and search the boats of the Dutch coming up the -river, and others to intercept any small bodies of men that might attempt -to reach Chinsura by land. Every line of orders or instructions on this -delicate and alarming occasion appears to have been written by Clive -himself. He, indeed, had at first no person of any distinction to aid him, -till Colonel Forde arrived from Masulipatam. This officer was in bad -health; and accounts had reached Bengal that the Directors had not -confirmed his nomination to the service; but neither indisposition, nor -disgust at this treatment, prevented him from offering his valuable -services to his friend and patron, at a crisis when they were so much -required. His skill and gallantry were alike conspicuous in attacking and -defeating so superior a force. This is shown by the narrative. According -to other accounts, his success was greatly to be attributed to the -position of the enemy at the period of the attack. It is stated upon good -authority, that foreseeing this advantage, but acting with the caution -which the attack upon the troops of a European nation not in a state of -war required, Colonel Forde wrote a note, stating, "that if he had the -Order in Council, he could attack the Dutch, with a fair prospect of -destroying them." Clive, to whom this note was addressed, received it when -playing at cards. Without quitting the table, he wrote an answer in -pencil, "Dear Forde, fight them immediately. I will send you the Order of -Council to-morrow." - -Clive appears to have been upon the best footing with several of the -principal inhabitants of Chinsura, particularly their Governor, Mr. Adrian -Bisdom, who, though his name (as he stated) was often and freely used, had -been throughout hostile to the violent proceedings of his countrymen. We -find, indeed, in his letters during these differences, a tone of deep -regret at the violent measures resorted to by both parties, mixed with the -strongest expressions of personal regard for Clive, and gratitude for his -kindness both in his private and official station.[79] We discovered, -also, from his letters to Clive[80], that the large remittances the latter -had made through Batavia or Holland were not settled, and that the Dutch -East India Company were discontented, and had deferred the payment of the -bills, expressing their displeasure at the terms their local government -had granted. The conduct Clive pursued towards their armament was not -likely to make them view any transaction in which he was concerned in a -more favourable light; but the thoughts of himself, or his fortune, had no -weight in a question where the interests of his country were so deeply -involved. - -A more critical situation than that in which Clive was placed by the -arrival of the Dutch armament can hardly be conceived. The responsibility -he took upon himself, in determining to oppose it, was great; but his mind -never faltered when the public welfare was to be promoted by his personal -hazard. When some of his friends remonstrated with him on the danger which -he incurred, in opposing, during the existence of peace, the passage of -the armament of a friendly power up the Ganges, he is said to have -answered, that "a public man may occasionally be called upon to act with a -halter round his neck." The inadequacy of his means was to him the most -appalling circumstance; but this was remedied by the wisdom of his plans, -and the vigour of their execution. The moderation he showed after victory -was calculated to allay, as far as possible, that feeling of hostility -which these proceedings must have excited. A very minute investigation of -the whole subject took place in Europe: but the Dutch Local Government, in -the treaty into which they entered with the English, had acknowledged -themselves the aggressors, and Clive had been so cautious in every step he -took, that his conduct could not be impugned; and he received, as he -merited, unqualified approbation for this last act of his government, -which terminated, as it was meant to do, all attempts of the Dutch to -rival the political power of the English in Bengal. Their views in that -country were thenceforward limited to objects of commerce. - -By the events (A. D. 1759) narrated in the preceding chapter, Mahommed Ali -Khan, whom the Government of Fort St. George had so long supported, became -the undisputed Nabob of the Carnatic. Salabut Jung, the Soubahdar of the -Deckan, had entered into an alliance with the Company; and his brother -Nizam Ali, who was rising rapidly into power, was most favourably disposed -to cultivate their friendship. - -The affairs of the small but important settlement of Bombay appeared as -prosperous as those of Madras. Surat, one of the principal sea-ports and -richest towns on the western side of India, had fallen into decay, as the -power of the Mogul government declined. This city, independent of its -wealth, had great value with the Mahommedans, from being the port at which -the pilgrims annually assembled on their way to the sacred tombs of their -prophet or of his descendants. The Emperor furnished the vessel which -conveyed to Jidda (a port in the Red Sea) those pilgrims who went to -Mecca. The convoy of this vessel, as well as the protection of the -commerce of Surat, had been for some time intrusted to the chief of -Jinjeera, who was styled the Admiral of the Emperor, and had, in virtue of -that office, an assignment on the revenues of Surat, amounting to the sum -of three lacs of rupees per annum. On the ground of this amount not being -regularly paid Seedee Massoud, the ruling chief of Jinjeera, had first -seized the castle of Surat, and afterwards greatly encroached upon the -other local authorities of that place. He died in 1756; and his son not -only retained this usurpation, but demanded one third of the revenues of -the city; another third was paid to the Mahrattas, as the price of their -abstaining from hostilities, and the remaining third was divided among -those officers who governed in the name of the Emperor of Delhi. - -This division of authority, together with the intrigues and disputes to -which it gave rise, was ruinous to the prosperity of the town, and -attended with continual alarm and danger to the inhabitants. The English -factory, which had been settled at Surat for a century and a half, -suffered considerably during this distracted state of affairs, and the -Government of Bombay, consequently, listened with approbation to an -overture made by the principal officers and merchants of Surat, inviting -them to take the castle, to expel the Seedee, and on receiving an -assignment of two lacs of rupees, to become the future protectors of the -commerce of the port. An expedition was sent, which, after a short -opposition from the Seedee, completely succeeded; and the garrison of the -castle were compelled to surrender to the English, who acted throughout -with the sanction and aid of the officers of the Emperor. - -An account of the events which had occurred was sent by Mr. Spencer (the -chief of Surat) to Delhi; from whence he obtained sunnuds[81], or deeds, -appointing the English Company governors of Surat Castle, and admirals of -the Emperor's fleet, and granting them an assignment upon the revenues of -the city for two lacs of rupees per annum. - -These events added both to the strength and the fame of the settlement of -Bombay, and rendered it better able to cope with its predatory neighbours -the Mahrattas. The principal chiefs of that nation, however, were at this -period more occupied with the affairs of the northern than of the western -parts of India. - -Alumgeer the Second was still the Emperor of Delhi; but he continued a -prisoner in the hands of his ambitious minister, who, himself surrounded -by Mahratta armies, and expecting another invasion of the Affghauns, -exercised but a precarious authority. The Shah-Zada was still in a state -of hostility; and having lately received countenance from the ruler of -Oude, he again threatened with invasion the territories of Bahar. This -danger would not appear to have been considered serious by Clive: but he -was very uneasy regarding the internal state of Bengal; and the last -months of his stay in India were devoted to arrangements for securing its -tranquillity. - -The treasury of the Nabob had been exhausted by the great sums he had paid -as the price of his elevation. His extravagance, that of his son, and, -above all, the maintenance of large bodies of useless troops, aggravated -his distress. The slave of habit, and devoid of energy, Meer Jaffier was -incapable of remedying his condition, which became daily more -embarrassing. The conduct of his son, also, alarmed him; and from his -communications to Mr. Hastings, it evidently appeared that he sometimes -thought the impatient ambition of Meeran would lead him to accelerate, by -an act of violence, the hour of his succession. Yet, notwithstanding the -urgent advice of Clive[82], he would neither diminish the troops of his -son, nor cease to employ him in situations which were calculated to -increase his influence, and add to his power. The Nabob disliked the -superiority and influence of Clive, but he certainly was personally -attached to him.[83] He regarded him with the same dread and apprehension -which a wayward scholar bears his preceptor. Though he feared his anger, -he had complete reliance on his justice and good faith, and from habit -looked to him with hopes of every consideration that was possible for his -errors and weakness. With such sentiments, he was alarmed at the near -prospect of Clive's departure; and his feeling affords strong presumptive -proof, that, into whatever intrigues or plots Jaffier had been hurried or -led, he could not, at this period, have deliberately contemplated any plan -of hostility against the English power. If he had harboured any such -scheme, it is quite evident that Clive's quitting the scene was the only -event that could give it the least prospect of success. - -The chief cause which alarmed Meer Jaffier and other natives of rank at -the intended departure of Clive was the fear of his successor not -exercising the same authority in checking and controlling the subordinate -officers of their government. They feared, and with reason, that spirit of -contemptuous superiority, which the extraordinary and sudden rise of the -English in Bengal had engendered among many of the Europeans in the -service of the Company, and still more the assumed influence and power of -the natives in their employment. - -The Nabob and his chief managers had, notwithstanding Clive's efforts, too -great reason to complain of the insolent pretensions and fraudulent -practices of Gomastahs (or agents) employed by the gentlemen in office at -Calcutta, and in different parts of the country. Many of Clive's public -and private letters convey his sentiments very strongly upon this subject; -and from one of them we learn, that he had punished most severely a native -in his own service, for using his name as a sanction to some abuses. This -afforded him an opportunity, of which he availed himself, of stating to -the Committee of Fort William, the great importance of continued and -vigilant attention to a point, upon which the temper and good feeling of -their ally and his principal subjects must so much depend. - -The alarm at Clive's return to England was not limited to the natives: all -the first civil servants, Mr. Amyatt, Mr. Holwell, Mr. Sykes, Mr. -Hastings, and many others, entreated him to remain some time longer. Their -sentiments are nearly similar. I shall, therefore, content myself with -stating those reasons which Mr. Hastings brought forward in support of his -arguments on this subject. - -"I own," Mr. Hastings observes[84], "with great concern I learnt that your -resolution is fixed to return this season to Europe. The disinterested -regard which, without fearing the imputation of flattery, I may declare -you have ever shown for the Company's welfare, convinces me, that you -would not have determined upon this step, were it in the least respect -inconsistent with that principle. Yet permit me, Sir, upon this occasion, -to lay before you such consequences as, from my little experience of the -Durbar affairs, I apprehend may attend your absence. - -"I am, and always have been, of opinion, that the Nabob is, both by -interest and inclination, heartily attached to the English; but I think it -as certain that the people about him, especially his Muttaseddies[85] and -the Seits, who are evidently great sufferers by the large acquisitions of -power which the English have obtained in this Government, would gladly use -every possible means to alienate his affections from us. At present, the -personal obligations which he confessedly lies under to you are sufficient -to intimidate them from any open attempts against us; but as your absence -will encourage these people to throw off the mask, and the Nabob is but of -an irresolute and unsettled temper, I don't think it possible that he can -hold out against the united influence of so many evil counsellors, as will -be perpetually instilling into his mind the necessity of reducing the -English power. I am the more apprehensive of their success, from the -expressions which he has frequently made use of, before the late attempt -of the Shah-Zada, intimating that he knew nobody amongst the English but -yourself to whom he had any obligations, and that nothing but his -friendship for you restrained him from retaliating the many insults which -he pretended to have received from the English. - -"As there is nobody to succeed you with the same influence, and other -advantages which you possess, nothing but a large military force will -secure our privileges from being encroached upon, as soon as you quit the -country; not to mention the dangers we are threatened with from our -natural enemies the French, which, by your resignation of the service, -will be doubled upon us, and in which it is very probable the Nabob will -stand neuter. I believe I mentioned to you already, that, in conversation -with one of the Nabob's principal confidants, a day or two before I went -down to Calcutta, he inadvertently dropped, that the French had made some -overtures towards an accommodation with the Nabob through his means, and -seemed, by his discourse, to wish that it might be brought about; but -whether he spoke his own sentiments only, or the Nabob's, I could not -judge, as he would not explain himself further upon the subject. This -much, indeed, he added, that the proposal was at that time rejected. I do -not advance this as an argument that the Nabob is inclinable to favour the -French; but I think it would not be difficult to persuade him, that it -would be for his interest to suffer the French to come into his country -again, both for the increase of his revenues (a very prevailing argument) -and to balance the power of the English; and with regard to his engagement -by the treaty to succour the English against their enemies; I don't -apprehend it will be any further binding, than as it is for his advantage -to abide by it. - -"Of the great consequence which a junction of the country forces would -prove to us in case of an invasion from the French, I would not presume to -say any thing in an address to you. If the French attempt any thing -against Bengal before your departure, I think I can answer for the Nabob's -readiness to assist you against them; but that he will exert himself as -zealously in our favour when you are gone, I greatly doubt. - -"I know not in what light you may regard the proposal lately made from -Delhi, or whether the consideration of the further advantages that may -result from a nearer connection with that Court (in which your -intervention appears of indispensable necessity) deserve to be thrown into -the scale; though I must own it is my opinion, that nothing can contribute -so much to establish the power of the English in this country on the most -solid and lasting foundation as an interest properly established at that -Court. - -"Such other arguments as might be produced for the necessity of your stay, -till affairs are a little more settled in this country, not coming -properly under my province, I shall pass over; nor should I have troubled -you with so much on this subject, but that, as these reflections have been -suggested to me by my particular employ at the Durbar, I thought they -might not so readily occur to, or carry the same weight with, any other -person; to which I may add, that, as I have in common with the whole -settlement an interest in your stay amongst us, I have a particular one -from the difficulties which I well foresee will attend me in my present -situation, as soon as I lose your influence." - -Clive's correspondence at this period contains the fullest evidence, that, -independently of other motives, one great object of his return to England -was the hope of being able, by his personal representations and influence, -to obtain the adoption of measures which he thought calculated to preserve -India. He desired to obtain for the Governors of the three Presidencies -commissions from his Majesty as Major-Generals, in order that their -superior rank might put an end to the pretensions and independent powers -of his Majesty's officers, which had been found, on some occasions, -seriously to impede and injure the public service. He was also anxious, as -he stated in several letters, to arrive in England before peace was -concluded with France. - -Writing to Mr. Vansittart upon these subjects, he observes[86], "All -things considered, my design is to get with the utmost expedition to -England. Supposing I set out in January, I may arrive the beginning of -May; and an answer to my proposals may come to hand the end of the same -year. My intention is to get you fixt in this government, and to have -Forde and Caillaud at the head of the military; and, if possible, to -prevail on the Directors" (for it entirely depends upon them) "to apply to -his Majesty for commissions of Major-Generals for the Governors, for the -time being, of the three Presidencies. If my interest prevails, I flatter -myself I shall have rendered the Company more service by my return to -England than by my stay in Bengal. If a peace should be on the tapis, I -may be of some use likewise; for convinced I am the Directors are not -masters sufficiently of the subject, and will probably conclude a peace in -Europe, which cannot possibly be abided by in the East Indies." - -I shall, hereafter, have occasion to show the correctness of his -conjectures, with respect to the benefit which might be derived from his -presence in England on the expected occurrence of a peace with France. - -To understand the causes of the contradictory orders from England, which -weakened and distracted the governments in India, it will be necessary to -take a short view of the actual state of the Court of Directors, and of -that of the proprietors at this period. - -Mr. Payne was Chairman, and at the head of the majority by whom the -government of rotation was first appointed. To judge from the facts before -us, and, indeed, from his published narratives, we should believe Mr. -Holwell to have been the person who first suggested this expedient. He had -proceeded to England soon after he was released by Suraj-u-Dowlah; and his -claims and sufferings appear to have made a considerable impression upon -many of the Directors. Still he was too young a servant to be nominated -governor; but the plan of the rotation government gave him a share of that -dignity which he could not hope to hold alone; and he himself informs us, -that the Directors, after protracted discussions upon this subject, agreed -unanimously[87] in the scheme of vesting the government of Bengal in four -of their servants, Messrs. Watts, Manningham, Becher, and Holwell; but -this resolution, as stated at the period, was only intended as a temporary -measure. - -A general reform of the settlement of Fort William was subsequently taken -into consideration, and a plan was adjusted at various meetings, at which -none were present but the two Chairmen, the Secretary, and Mr. -Holwell.[88] - -About this period, violent opposition arose to the Chairman and his -friends, headed by his deputy Mr. Lawrence Sulivan, Mr. Stephen Law, and -several men of talent. This party were indefatigable in their exertions; -and, although they were a minority in the Court of Directors, they had -great influence with the Proprietors. They early declared themselves -decidedly hostile to the continuance of the rotation government; and when -the accounts of Clive's successes led to his nomination, Mr. Sulivan -proposed that a resolution should be added, to the following effect:— - -"That the important changes in their affairs in Bengal, made the expedient -of the rotation no longer needful, but that Mr. Watts should be appointed -to succeed the Colonel." - -After a debate on this question, in which the opposing parties were very -violent, Colonel Clive was nominated, but to be succeeded, on leaving -India, by the rotation government; and the proposed reforms in the -government of Fort William were directed to be carried into execution. The -minority, undismayed by their defeat, had recourse to the General Court, -and carried by their influence the proposition,— - -"That the rotation of four should be abolished, and the government of -Bengal be conducted by a single Governor and Council as heretofore." - -The Court of Proprietors, at the same time that it came to this -resolution, declared it had no intention of interfering with the -appointment of the Governor and Council, which belonged wholly to the -Court of Directors; in which this subject gave rise to further -discussions. The names of Mr. Watts and Mr. Holwell were brought forward -as successors to Clive; and the majority being in favour of the latter, he -was elected. This choice was no sooner made than the Chairman read a -letter he had previously received from Mr. Holwell, requesting, should he -be elected, to decline the station in favour of Mr. Manningham, who was -(he stated) senior, and whose claims were so great, that, if he were -superseded, he would in all likelihood retire; and his loss would be -seriously injurious to the public service. - -Those who opposed Mr. Holwell's elevation gave him little credit for this -display of self-denial. It was certain, they alleged, that Mr. Manningham -was on the eve of his return to England, and that Mr. Holwell, if -appointed his successor, would have both the station, and the merit of -having waived his own pretensions in favour of a much older and more -deserving public servant. Whatever were his motives, his suggestion was -attended to. Mr. Manningham was (in the event of Clive's leaving India) -nominated Governor; and Mr. Holwell and Mr. Becher were appointed to be, -in their turn, his successors. Affairs continued in this state until the -general election of Directors in April, 1758, when the minority brought -forward a list of Directors in opposition to that of the majority, or -house-list. A violent contest arose, but the ballot terminated in favour -of the late minority; whose friends in the new direction outnumbered their -opponents. From this date, Mr. Sulivan, who became Chairman, acquired an -influence and power in the India House which he long maintained. He was, -at this period, greatly indebted to Clive, who gave him all his support, -believing him, from his talents and his former residence in India, more -fitted than any of his competitors for the management of the affairs of -the Company. - -Writing to Mr. S. Law[89] on this subject, he observes:— - -"It has given me much pleasure to hear Mr. Sulivan is at the head of the -Direction. Much more may be expected from one who has laid the foundation -of his knowledge in India, than from those who have no experience but what -they have pick't up in the city of London." - -Clive, writing to Mr. Smyth King[90], ascribes the fall of Mr. Payne's -party to their "endeavours to keep up that absurd system (as he justly -terms it) of the rotation;" and in the same letter he says, "I have to -request you will support Mr. Sulivan as far as your interest goes; he -shall have all mine, because I am persuaded his endeavours are used for -the good of the service." - -In almost all his letters[91] of this period to his friends in England, he -urges the same request, and upon the same grounds. He could, at this time, -have little anticipation, that he was strengthening the man, who was -hereafter to prove the most violent and powerful of all the assailants of -his fame and fortune. - -When Mr. Sulivan had gained the ascendancy, his first measure was to stop -the vessels under despatch, and to change the commission of Government, -and indeed to annul all the appointments of his predecessor. Colonel Clive -was re-appointed Governor; Mr. Watts second and successor; after him, -Major Kilpatrick and nine other members of Council, who were to succeed -according to their seniority. Mr. Holwell was no more than fifth on this -list; but, by death and the departure for England of those above him, he -became, when Clive left India, the person to succeed him. - -The Directors, in the contests and changes which have been described, were -believed to be as much (if not more) governed by personal attachments and -resentments, as by considerations of duty. The public clamour was loud -against them; and when, after stopping the ships, they applied for convoy, -Lord Anson (then at the head of the Admiralty) told them[92], "that in -place of labouring for the interest of the Company and the nation, their -sole aim seemed to be gratifying their private resentments, distressing -His Majesty's service, and embroiling their constituents' affairs." - -The mind of Clive was naturally much occupied in devising the best means -of preserving to his country the valuable possessions in India which he -had been so greatly instrumental in acquiring. After what has been stated -of the conduct of the Court of Directors, it is not surprising that he -should have come to a conclusion, that the India Government in England, in -its actual condition, was incompetent to the large and increasing duties -which it had to perform. With regard to Bengal, while he saw no stability -in the administration of Meer Jaffier, a vision of its future greatness -was before him; and he submitted his thoughts upon this subject in a -letter to Mr. Pitt, whom alone, among the Ministers of England, he -considered competent to comprehend all the points and interests of this -important question. The following is his letter to that great statesman:— - - "To the Right Hon. William Pitt, - - "One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State. - - "Sir, - - "Suffer an admirer of yours at this distance to congratulate - himself on the glory and advantage which are likely to accrue to - the nation by your being at its head, and at the same to return - his most grateful thanks for the distinguished manner you have - been pleased to speak of his successes in these parts, far indeed - beyond his deservings. - - "The close attention you bestow on the affairs of the British - nation in general has induced me to trouble you with a few - particulars relative to India, and to lay before you an exact - account of the revenues of this country, the genuineness whereof - you may depend upon, as it has been faithfully extracted from the - Minister's books. - - "The great revolution that has been effected here by the success - of the English arms, and the vast advantages gained to the - Company by a treaty concluded in consequence thereof, have, I - observe, in some measure, engaged the public attention; but much - more may yet in time be done, if the Company will exert - themselves in the manner the importance of their present - possessions and future prospects deserves. I have represented to - them in the strongest terms the expediency of sending out and - keeping up constantly such a force as will enable them to embrace - the first opportunity of further aggrandising themselves; and I - dare pronounce, from a thorough knowledge of this country - government[93], and of the genius of the people, acquired by two - years' application and experience, that such an opportunity will - soon offer. The reigning Subah, whom the victory at Plassey - invested with the sovereignty of these provinces, still, it is - true, retains his attachment to us, and probably, while he has no - other support, will continue to do so; but Musselmans are so - little influenced by gratitude, that should he ever think it his - interest to break with us, the obligations he owes us would prove - no restraint: and this is very evident from his having lately - removed his Prime Minister, and cut off two or three principal - officers, all attached to our interest, and who had a share in - his elevation. Moreover, he is advanced in years; and his son is - so cruel, worthless a young fellow, and so apparently an enemy to - the English, that it will be almost unsafe trusting him with the - succession. So small a body as two thousand Europeans will secure - us against any apprehensions from either the one or the other; - and, in case of their daring to be troublesome, enable the - Company to take the sovereignty upon themselves. - - "There will be the less difficulty in bringing about such an - event, as the natives themselves have no attachment whatever to - particular princes; and as, under the present Government, they - have no security for their lives or properties, they would - rejoice in so happy an exchange as that of a mild for a despotic - Government: and there is little room to doubt our easily - obtaining the Moghul's sunnud (or grant) in confirmation thereof, - provided we agreed to pay him the stipulated allotment out of the - revenues, viz. fifty lacs annually. This has, of late years, been - very ill-paid, owing to the distractions in the heart of the - Moghul Empire, which have disabled that court from attending to - their concerns in the distant provinces: and the Vizier has - actually wrote to me, desiring I would engage the Nabob to make - the payments agreeable to the former usage; nay, further: - application has been made to me from the Court of Delhi, to take - charge of collecting this payment, the person entrusted with - which is styled the King's Dewan, and is the next person both in - dignity and power to the Subah. But this high office I have been - obliged to decline for the present, as I am unwilling to occasion - any jealousy on the part of the Subah; especially as I see no - likelihood of the Company's providing us with a sufficient force - to support properly so considerable an employ, and which would - open a way for securing the Subahship to ourselves. That this - would be agreeable to the Moghul can hardly be questioned, as it - would be so much to his interest to have these countries under - the dominion of a nation famed for their good faith, rather than - in the hands of people who, a long experience has convinced him, - never will pay him his proportion of the revenues, unless awed - into it by the fear of the Imperial army marching to force them - thereto. - - "But so large a sovereignty may possibly be an object too - extensive for a mercantile Company; and it is to be feared they - are not of themselves able, without the nation's assistance, to - maintain so wide a dominion. I have therefore presumed, Sir, to - represent this matter to you, and submit it to your - consideration, whether the execution of a design, that may - hereafter be still carried to greater lengths, be worthy of the - Government's taking it into hand. I flatter myself I have made it - pretty clear to you, that there will be little or no difficulty - in obtaining the absolute possession of these rich kingdoms; and - that with the Moghul's own consent, on condition of paying him - less than a fifth of the revenues thereof. Now I leave you to - judge, whether an income yearly of upwards of two millions - sterling, with the possession of three provinces abounding in the - most valuable productions of nature and of art, be an object - deserving the public attention; and whether it be worth the - nation's while to take the proper measures to secure such an - acquisition,—an acquisition which, under the management of so - able and disinterested a minister, would prove a source of - immense wealth to the kingdom, and might in time be appropriated - in part as a fund towards diminishing the heavy load of debt - under which we at present labour. Add to these advantages the - influence we shall thereby acquire over the several European - nations engaged in the commerce here, which these could no longer - carry on but through our indulgence, and under such limitations - as we should think fit to prescribe. It is well worthy - consideration, that this project may be brought about without - draining the mother country, as has been too much the case with - our possessions in America. A small force from home will be - sufficient, as we always make sure of any number we please of - black troops, who, being both much better paid and treated by us - than by the country powers, will very readily enter into our - service. Mr. Walsh, who will have the honour of delivering you - this, having been my Secretary during the late fortunate - expedition, is a thorough master of the subject, and will be able - to explain to you the whole design, and the facility with which - it may be executed, much more to your satisfaction, and with - greater perspicuity, than can possibly be done in a letter. I - shall therefore only further remark, that I have communicated it - to no other person but yourself; nor should I have troubled you, - Sir, but from a conviction that you will give a favourable - reception to any proposal intended for the public good. - - "The greatest part of the troops belonging to this establishment - are now employed in an expedition against the French in the - Deckan; and, by the accounts lately received from thence, I have - great hopes we shall succeed in extirpating them from the - province of Golconda, where they have reigned lords paramount so - long, and from whence they have drawn their principal resources - during the troubles upon the coast. - - "Notwithstanding the extraordinary effort made by the French in - sending out M. Lally with a considerable force the last year, I - am confident, before the end of this, they will be near their - last gasp in the Carnatic[94], unless some very unforeseen event - interpose in their favour. The superiority of our squadron, and - the plenty of money and supplies of all kinds which our friends - on the coast will be furnished with from this province, while the - enemy are in total want of every thing, without any visible means - of redress, are such advantages as, if properly attended to, - cannot fail of wholly effecting their ruin in that as well as in - every other part of India. - - "May the zeal and the vigorous measures, projected for the - service of the nation, which have so eminently distinguished your - ministry, be crowned with all the success they deserve, is the - most fervent wish of him who is, with the greatest respect, - - "Sir, - - "Your most devoted humble servant, - - (Signed) "ROB^T. CLIVE. - - "Calcutta, - -"7th January, 1759." - -The reader will, no doubt, be curious to learn Mr. Pitt's sentiments on -this very remarkable letter, and fortunately the means are preserved of -gratifying so natural a curiosity. Mr. Walsh, by whom the letter was -sent, on the 26th of November, 1759, gives Clive an account of his -interview with Mr. Pitt. That great minister, while he acknowledged the -practicability of the plan, was aware of the difficulties that attended -its principle and details. "It was not till six days ago that I had -admittance to Mr. Pitt. He had made one or two appointments, but was -obliged by business to postpone them, for certainly he has an infinite -deal on his hands. He received me with the utmost politeness, and we had -a _tête-à-tête_ for an hour and a quarter, of which I will endeavour to -sum up the particulars. He began by mentioning how much he was obliged -to you, for the marks you had given him of your friendship; and then -began on the subject of your letter. I said I was apprehensive, from my -not having had the honour to speak with him before, that he looked upon -the affair as chimerical: he assured me, not at all, but very -practicable; but that it was of a very nice nature. He mentioned the -Company's charter not expiring these twenty years; that upon some late -transactions it had been inquired into, whether the Company's conquests -and acquisitions belonged to them or the Crown, and the Judges seemed to -think to the Company. He spoke this matter a little darkly, and I cannot -write upon it with precision: he said the Company were not proper to -have it, nor the Crown, for such a revenue would endanger our liberties; -and that you had shown your good sense by the application of it to the -public. He said the difficulty of effecting the affair was not great, -under such a genius as Colonel Clive; but the sustaining it was the -point: it was not probable he would be succeeded by persons equal to the -task. He asked how long you proposed continuing there; that by your -letter he might conclude you intended to carry the business into -execution. I answered that no one's zeal for the public service was -greater than yours; but that I believed your ill health would oblige you -to return shortly. I then mentioned Van's abilities, and that he was -upon the point of being made Governor of Bengal. I observed to him that -it was necessary for him to determine whether it was an object for the -Company or the State; for I was persuaded, that, if the State neglected -it, the Company, in process of time, would secure it; that they would -even find themselves under a necessity to do it for their greater quiet -and safety, exclusive of gain. He seemed to weigh that; but, as far as I -could judge by what passed then, it will be left to the Company to do -what they please. - -"I took an opportunity of mentioning that the French seemed to direct -their views greatly towards India; spoke of Dupleix's designs, Bussy's -letter, and Lally's armament, which, happily for us, had melted away to -nothing, but that in time of peace, if not somehow restrained, they -would certainly pour men into India, and be formidable in after times. -He asked me about Mauritius; whether the reduction of that would not be -laying the axe to the root, and how far it was practicable. I gave him -what information I was capable of on the subject, and referred him, for -further, to Speke, who I said was a clever officer, and, I believed, had -revolved the matter in his breast for some time past. Before parting, he -hinted to me a supply for this season of four men-of-war, and a thousand -men: these generally are granted pretty late, and we must imagine they -will be so this season, as an invasion has been seriously thought of, -and we are still doubtful as to the destination of Brest fleet. I don't -recollect any thing further, of any consequence, that passed in our -conversation. I might, indeed, acquaint you, that he asked very -particularly if I had any thoughts of returning to India." - -The line of policy which subsequently marked our progress in India, is -strongly depicted in this conversation. Mr. Pitt saw, in their infancy, -the difficulties which have so long prevented the final settlement of -that country; and Mr. Walsh, tutored in the school of Clive, already -clearly discovered the future inevitable extension of our dominions and -power. - -Clive's letter was written a twelvemonth before he left Calcutta. -Neither the events in India, nor those in England, were calculated to -alter the sentiments it contained, regarding the necessity for the -interference of the legislature of Great Britain in the administration -of the interests of the nation in India. The despatches received from -the Directors immediately before he resigned the Government, appear to -have excited equal disgust in his mind, and in the minds of his ablest -colleagues; and in the concluding paragraphs of a general letter to the -Directors, the Bengal Government expressed their sentiments with a -freedom, which, though becoming their high sense of the duty which they -owed to themselves and to their country, was but little suited to the -temper or constitution of their superiors. - -The following are the observations made in this letter upon the conduct -of the Court of Directors. - - "Having fully spoken to every branch of your affairs at this - Presidency, under their established heads, we cannot, consistently - with the real anxiety we feel for the future welfare of that - respectable body, for whom you and we are in trust, close this - address without expostulating with freedom on the unprovoked and - general asperity of your letter per the Prince Henry Packet. Our - sentiments on this head will, we doubt not, acquire additional - weight, from the consideration of their being subscribed by a - majority of your Council; who are at this very period quitting your - service, and consequently independent and disinterested. Permit us - to say, that the diction of your letter is most unworthy yourselves - and us, in whatever relation considered, either as masters to - servants, or gentlemen to gentlemen. Mere inadvertencies and casual - neglects arising from an unavoidable and most complicated confusion - in the state of your affairs, have been treated in such language - and sentiments, as nothing but the most glaring and premeditated - faults could warrant. Groundless informations have, without further - scrutiny, borne with you the stamp of truth, though proceeding from - those who had therein obviously their own purpose to serve, no - matter at whose expense. These have received from you such - countenance and encouragement, as must assuredly tend to cool the - warmest zeal of your servants here, and every where else, as they - will appear to have been only the source of general reflections - thrown out at random against your faithful servants of this - Presidency, in various parts of your letter now before us—faithful - to little purpose, if the breath of scandal, joined to private - pique or private and personal attachments, have power to blow away - in one hour the merits of many years' services, and deprive them of - that rank and those rising benefits which are justly a spur to - their integrity and application. The little attention shown to - these considerations, in the indiscriminate favours heaped on some - individuals, and undeserved censures on others, will, we apprehend, - lessen that spirit of zeal so very essential to the well-being of - your affairs, and consequently, in the end, if continued, prove the - destruction of them. Private views may, it is much to be feared, - take the lead here, from examples at home, and no gentlemen hold - your service longer, nor exert themselves further in it, than their - own exigencies require. This being the real state of your service, - it becomes strictly our duty to represent it in the strongest - light."[95] - -This despatch was signed by Clive, and by Messrs. Holwell, Playdell, -Sumner, and M'Guire, Members of Council. I shall only so far anticipate -the narrative as to state, that it excited the utmost indignation and -violence at the India House.[96] - -The Directors had immediate recourse to the extreme measure of removing -and commanding to be sent to England, the four gentlemen who had joined -Clive in this strong remonstrance. This vindication of their authority, -which they deemed necessary to prevent the further diffusion of the -contagion of disrespect and insubordination among their servants, was -attended with the most unhappy results. It deprived the public, at a -critical period, of the aid of some of the most moderate and experienced -of the civil servants in Bengal, and promoted to high stations others of -a very opposite character: and there can be no doubt, the result of -these changes was the massacre at Patna, one of the most shocking -catastrophes to be found on the page of the History of British India. - -Clive was at no pains to conceal the sentiments which the conduct of the -Court of Directors had excited in his mind. In his answer to an address -from the European inhabitants of Calcutta, he observes:— - -"I am so thoroughly sensible, Gentlemen, of this testimony of your -approbation of my conduct, that though the ill-treatment I received from -the Court of Directors in their last general letter, has fully -determined me in throwing up the service, yet I could waive all personal -considerations, and without hesitation comply with your request, did the -state of your affairs really require my making such a sacrifice to you. -But the additional credit you have gained throughout the country by your -late success over the Dutch, the arrival of Major Caillaud, with the -reinforcement from Madras, and the approach of the detachment lately -commanded by Colonel Forde, which you now shortly expect, ensure you -from the least shadow of danger for some time to come. In the interim, -proper measures may be taken at home for the better security of this -valuable settlement, to promote which, you may depend upon my exerting -my utmost interests; and I may perhaps be able to serve you more -effectually than by my continuing here." - -Mr. Amyatt, the Chief of Patna, had written to Clive, expressing his -fear for the continued tranquillity of the country. Clive, in his -answer[97], observes, "Your reflections on the situation of affairs in -general are very just. I make no doubt but the troubles will begin again -in the North. The Nabob will be here in a few days, and I shall advise -him to take the field, the instant the weather will permit. He will have -a party of our troops with him, and, if it should be necessary, I will -accompany him myself. 'Venienti occurrite morbo,' is the advice given by -all physicians; and if the Nabob settles the Purneah country, and then -marches to the pass of Terriagully, the evil-minded will be overawed, -and probably your province of Bahar may remain quiet and in peace." - -The arrival of the Dutch armament, while it prevented the proposed march -of the Nabob, gave encouragement to the Shah-Zada to repeat his invasion -of Bahar. Clive received advices of his movement in January, 1760, when -at Moorshedabad on a farewell visit to the Nabob; but he appears to have -had no alarm for the result, as Major Caillaud (whom the Madras -Government had at his request sent to command in Bengal) had arrived -with a considerable reinforcement of troops, and Colonel Forde's -detachment was daily expected. Besides being confident in the Commander, -and in the number and quality of the troops, Clive had every reliance -upon Ram Narrain; whose fidelity, however, he thought it proper on this -occasion to fortify, by repeating his solemn assurances of protection. - -"You will deliver the inclosed" (he writes[98] to Mr. Amyatt), "which is -an encouraging letter to Ram Narrain; and at the same time assure him -yourself from me, that he may depend upon my taking care of his -interests; and that I will recommend him in so strong a manner to the -protection of Major Caillaud, who has now the command of the English -forces, that he may look upon himself as safe from any danger as if I -myself were at their head. - -"Our forces move to Ghyreebaug to-morrow; and in a few days, I hope, -will proceed as far as Rajamahul at least, and further, should it be -found necessary. There has been some dispute, between the father and -son, who should go upon this expedition. I have thought it necessary to -come to the city to adjust this affair amicably, and I believe the old -man will make the campaign himself. - -"The force with the Shah-Zada is so inconsiderable, that you can have -nothing to fear from him in your parts; and Ram Narrain's troops with -our detachment is an overmatch, I am well persuaded, for any number the -unfortunate Prince can bring into the field." - -Clive's instructions to Major Caillaud are short, but decisive, as to -his opinion that no serious danger was to be apprehended. "I have this -morning" (he writes[99]) "received advice by a letter of Ram Narrain to -the Nabob; that Suraj-u-Dowlah was preparing to enter these provinces in -support of the Shah-Zada. I have, therefore, ordered two hundred men, in -addition to the reinforcement this day despatched to you, to be in -readiness to proceed after you. When these have joined you, with the -troops you already have, proceed with all expedition in conjunction with -the Chŭta[100] Nabob, settle matters with the Purneah Nabob, and then -endeavour to come up with the Shah-Zada before his party have gained -head, and before Suraj-u-Dowlah, should he really have such intentions, -can join him. If you meet with the Prince, I am persuaded you will give -a good account of him; and that the check he will receive will deter -others from making any incursions into the Nabob's dominions." - -Clive returned from Moorshedabad, and after remaining a few weeks at -Calcutta, he embarked for England. He was succeeded by Mr. Holwell, who, -however, was soon superseded by Mr. Vansittart, (a member of the Council -at Fort St. George,) with whom Clive had long been in terms of intimate -friendship, and of whose integrity and abilities he had so high an -opinion, that he earnestly recommended the Directors to appoint him to -the government of Bengal. Mr. Vansittart states in several letters from -Madras, that all his expectations of attaining that station rested on -Clive, whose solicitude on this point appears to have been very great. - -"I am preparing for you," (he observes in a letter to Mr. -Vansittart[101],) "many papers and accounts, which will give you some -insight into the affairs of this province, and of our great consequence -at this juncture in Hindustan. As I have fixed upon you for this -Government, it is necessary you should know how glorious a government it -may prove for you and the Company. I hope to God, my interest in England -will not fail me. I tremble when I think of the fatal consequences of -such a mercenary man as * * *. - -"The expected reinforcements," (Clive adds) "will in my opinion put -Bengal out of all danger but that of venality and corruption." - -I have before noticed Clive's exertions in favour of Mr. Sulivan. In one -of his letters to that Gentleman, he congratulates him upon his becoming -a Director, and assures him he will give him all his interest, -"Because," (he observes) "I was always of opinion the Company's affairs -could never be carried on to advantage, but under the management of one -of those gentlemen who brought home with them a just knowledge of India, -acquired by many years' experience." - -In the same letter, Clive gives his opinion as to the future importance -of Bengal, and the measures best calculated to secure the greatest -benefits from that rich country. He also expresses his sentiments in the -freest manner, as to the character of the public servants best qualified -to fill high stations in India. I cannot refrain from quoting the -concluding paragraphs of this able letter. - -"As the Company's privileges," (he observes,) "have been greatly -extended, so ought their views also; to conduct and carry on the affairs -of Bengal to advantage, not only requires servants of ability, but many -of them. - -"Mr. Watts, I think, has not had that justice done to his merit which -his services at Moorshedabad, and since, have deserved; therefore I -cannot blame him for resigning. It was with much difficulty I prevailed -upon Messrs. Manningham and Frankland to give me their assistance -another year. They may, I believe, be prevailed upon to stay still -longer. - -"Mr. * * * * has talents, but I fear wants a heart, therefore unfit to -preside where integrity as well as capacity are equally essential. Those -who are more immediately to supply the vacant seats of this Board I dare -not recommend to you, (Mr. Sumner excepted,) and I think it a duty I owe -to my employers to call your remembrance to Messrs. Vansittart and -Dupré, two gentlemen whose abilities and integrity would do credit to -any employ. The merit of the former shines with so peculiar and bright a -lustre, as must make his services coveted by every well-wisher to the -Company; and they cannot shine in my opinion to greater advantage than -at the Council Board of Calcutta. The Rev. Mr. Palk, without regard to -his cloth, was deemed worthy of a seat in the Committee at Madras. Mr. -Fullerton is not less so, and may be of equal utility in Bengal. - -"There is not a gentleman on this side of the Cape so well qualified to -be your Major as Captain Caillaud; it is hard to say, whether his -abilities or zeal for your service be greater. I know not one so equal -to the task of carrying on a part or the whole of my designs, under the -direction of a President and Council, as that gentleman. If any accident -should happen to him, or he should choose to remain on the coast, let me -recommend as a fit person to succeed him Captain Carnac; I have had an -opportunity of studying him, and can assure you he is master of an -excellent heart, and of talents, in the military way, sufficient to do -honour to his employers. I believe this gentleman will be recommended to -you by Colonel Lawrence, and other hands, which will serve to illustrate -my account of him. - -"I can declare to you, Sir, with great truth and sincerity, I have no -other attachment to particular persons than what their capacity of -serving the Company entitles them to. As I am independent in my -circumstances, so am I in my affections, where the good of the service -calls upon me to be so; and I should never have given Mr. Sulivan the -trouble of reading this letter, if I was not convinced he would look -upon every syllable of it as proceeding from the dictates of a heart -full of zeal and gratitude for the Company." - -Mr. Sulivan had warmly congratulated Clive[102] upon his successes in -Bengal; and I have great satisfaction in giving that gentleman's answer -to Clive's letter just quoted; first, as it proves the congeniality of -their views; and, secondly, as it conveys, in the most unqualified -manner, a full approbation of Clive's conduct, as far as that was within -the knowledge of Mr. Sulivan, and that gentleman could have been -ignorant of no facts of any importance, except, perhaps, the grant of -the Jaghire. - -This letter is as follows:— - - "Sir, - - "As there is a possibility you may still remain at Calcutta to - cherish and protect your own offspring, which certainly had been - sacrificed without your presence, I shall just confess the receipt - of your friendly and confidential letter; and every essential part - is, or will be, carried into execution. The many judicious - reflections you have made coincide with my own sentiments; and Mr. - Vansittart, so justly your favourite, will, I hope, firmly - establish this great and noble settlement. - - "By our last advices, your situation was critical indeed; but I - trust the same Providence that has hitherto so wonderfully - protected you, has extricated you from that new labyrinth of - dangers. - - "I cannot conclude without confessing myself much obliged for your - good opinion of my disinterested intentions. The Company have - certainly a grateful sense of their obligations to Colonel Clive, - and I hope ever to be esteemed, - - "Sir, - - "Your most obedient servant, - - (Signed) "LAW. SULIVAN. - - "_To Col. Clive._ - -"London, 7th Dec. 1759." - -Clive, though he saw no immediate danger in the actual state of affairs -at the period of his departure, indulged no hope of the continued -tranquillity of the country. It was his decided opinion, that in India, -peace could only be made and preserved by our maintaining a strong and -commanding military force. All his sentiments on this subject are summed -up in the following short paragraph of a private letter to Mr. Stephen -Law, one of the leading Directors. - -"Peace," (he observes[103],) "is the most valuable of all blessings; but -it must be made sword in hand in this country, if we mean to preserve -our possessions. There is no alternative; either every thing in India -must be reduced to their first principles, or such a standing force kept -up, as may oblige the Musselmans literally to execute their treaties." - -Clive sailed from India on the 25th day of February, 1760, rich both in -fortune and in fame, far beyond any European who had ever visited that -country. His departure was viewed with regret by many, and with -apprehension by all who were interested in the prosperity of the British -nation. He left a blank that could not be filled up. "It appeared," (to -use the strong and expressive language of a contemporary observer,) "as -if the soul was departing from the body of the Government of Bengal." - - - FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 10 - -Footnote 64: - - Letter to Clive, 29th July, 1759. - -Footnote 65: - - 3d August, 1759. - -Footnote 66: - - The following is a translation of this letter:— - - "To Mr. Robert Clive. - - "Sir,—As you have had the principal charge of the enterprise - against the late Nabob Suraj-u-Dowlah, we cannot refrain from - congratulating you upon your success. Wishing that the arms of His - Britannic Majesty may every where prosper and be triumphant, and - that your fame, Sir, may become more and more renowned, we have the - honour to be, with much consideration, &c. &c. - - "Chinsura, 30th June, 1757." - -Footnote 67: - -M. Bisdom, the Dutch Governor of Chinsura, applied to Clive on all -occasions of embarrassment or difficulty; and his applications appear, -from the correspondence, to have been always treated with respect and -attention. - -Footnote 68: - -2d October, 1758. - -Footnote 69: - -Aliverdi Khan, the predecessor of Suraj-u-Dowlah. - -Footnote 70: - -We find in a letter from M. Bisdom to Colonel Clive, of the 25th July, -1759, the following passage:—"Referring to your last favour I cannot -refrain from offering you my grateful thanks on the subject of the -saltpetre." It appears, from a variety of documents, that Clive gave -every facility to the Dutch commerce in this as well as in other -articles. - -Footnote 71: - -This paper is not dated; but, from a correction in the rough copy, it -appears to have been drawn up in November, 1759; and was, no doubt, -transmitted to England at that period. - -Footnote 72: - -This person is styled Fakker-u-Toojar (a title signifying "Glory of -Merchants") in the correspondence; but we continue to call him Cajah -Wazeed, the name by which he is generally known. - -Footnote 73: - -4th August, 1759. - -Footnote 74: - -This letter is dated "Hooghley, Thursday evening;" probably the 12th of -November. - -Footnote 75: - -7th January, 1760. - -Footnote 76: - -Meeran, son of Jaffier Aly Caun. - -Footnote 77: - -Letter from Mr. Hastings, 23d November. - -Footnote 78: - -Clive states in his evidence before the House of Commons, that the -Nabob's horse were useful in pursuing the fugitives, after Colonel -Forde's victory. - -Footnote 79: - -When Clive wrote to M. Bisdom to warn him against the danger to be -feared from the advance of the Nabob's army, he offered protection, in -his own house, to Mrs. Bisdom, and any ladies she might bring with her. -I extract the following remarks on this subject from a very minute -official account of the whole transaction:—"This kind proposal of -Colonel Clive was accepted in the manner it deserved; and M. Bisdom's -sensible and polite answer manifests his having a suitable sense of the -favour, and, at the same time, expresses what was very true, that -though, from the rank he held, his name had been very freely used -throughout the whole of this transaction, yet his sentiments never went -along with it, but that he had always retained that respect for the -English nation, and that affection for his friends at Calcutta, which a -long acquaintance, and the exchange of reciprocal good offices, had -rendered equally sincere on both sides." - -Footnote 80: - -M. Bisdom, in a letter to Clive, under date the 26th of July, 1759, -observes, "With regard to the money sent to Batavia, I have no doubt it -will be credited; but, as no vessel has yet arrived, I can at present -say no more. As to the remittances to Europe, I must not conceal from -you that they are much displeased with the negotiation of the bills, -which they think unfavourable to our Company. I can, nevertheless, -assure you that your remittance will be paid after the Company's sale. -This has been stated to me by an individual of power in the Company. -This has been a great mortification to me. I had flattered myself that -the transaction would have given equal satisfaction to both parties; and -it proves exactly the reverse, which really grieves me. As soon as I -hear from Batavia, I will write you." - -Footnote 81: - -The sunnud, as admiral, is dated the 26th of August, 1759; that -constituting them governors of the castle, 4th of September, and the -assignment, the 18th of the same month. - -Footnote 82: - -Clive had, on many occasions, stated his sentiments very freely to the -Nabob, both in regard to the character of his son, and the persons by -whom that Prince was surrounded, particularly his Dewan Rajah Bullub. -The following extract from a letter to Mr. Hastings, dated 21st of -September, 1759, will show how decided he was in his opinions upon this -subject:—"What you write me," he observes, "about the young Nabob, does -not at all surprise me; it was what I always expected. Meer Jaffier's -days of folly are without number, and he had, long before this, slept -with his ancestors, if the dread of our power and resentment had not -been his only security. Sooner or later, I am persuaded, that worthless -young dog will attempt his father's overthrow. How often have I advised -the old fool against putting too much power into the hands of his -nearest relations. Tell him, from me, that Rajah Bullub is an aspiring, -ambitious villain; and, if he does not get him removed from his son's -presence, he will push him to some violent and unnatural resolution." - -Footnote 83: - -The letters of Scrafton, Hastings, and Sykes, afford abundant evidence -to the truth of the fact, that Meer Jaffier was personally attached to -Clive. - -Footnote 84: - -Letter from Mr. Hastings to Clive, 17th of August, 1759. - -Footnote 85: - -Muttaseddie means a "clerk;" but the plural term, as here employed, -describes all the subordinate civil officers of the government. - -Footnote 86: - -This letter is dated the 20th of August, 1759. Clive had written to Mr. -Pigot a few days before upon the same subject. - -Footnote 87: - -11th of November, 1757. - -Footnote 88: - -Holwell's Narrative, p. 156. - -Footnote 89: - -29th of December, 1758. - -Footnote 90: - -Id. - -Footnote 91: - -The grounds of Clive's strong support of Mr. Sulivan appear to have been -entirely public. Among other friends, he wrote (29th of December, 1758) -to his agent, Mr. Belchier, on this subject:— - - "As I have," he observes, "great designs in view for the - advantage of the Company, I must request you will give all your - interest, and that of your friends, in favour of Mr. Sulivan, who, - I am persuaded, will pursue vigorous measures, now become - absolutely necessary." - -Footnote 92: - -Holwell's Narrative, p. 170. - -Footnote 93: - -The application is here limited to the government of Bengal. - -Footnote 94: - -Clive's prediction of the result of affairs in the Carnatic proved, as -has been shown, true to the very letter. - -Footnote 95: - -Although, in point of composition, the despatches of the Indian -authorities, both at home and abroad, at this early period of our -political administration, will not bear comparison with those of a later -date, they exhibit a degree of simplicity and plainness which is both -interesting and amusing. - -Footnote 96: - -In the first general letter to the Governor in Council, at Bengal, dated -21st of January, 1761, the Directors write, "We have taken under our -most serious consideration the general letter from our late President -and Council of Fort William, dated 29th of December, 1759, and many -paragraphs therein contain gross insults upon, and indignities offered -to, the Court of Directors, tending to the subversion of our authority -over our servants, and a dissolution of all order and good government in -the Company's affairs. To put an immediate stop, therefore, to this -evil, we do positively order and direct that, immediately upon receipt -of this letter, all those persons still remaining in the Company's -service, who signed the said letter,—viz. Messrs. John Zephaniah -Holwell, Charles Stafford Playdell, William Brightwell Sumner, and -William M'Guire,—be dismissed from the Company's service; and you are to -take care that they be not permitted, on any consideration, to remain in -India, but that they are to be sent to England by the first ships which -return home the same season you receive this letter." - -Footnote 97: - -7th of September, 1759. - -Footnote 98: - -7th of January, 1760. - -Footnote 99: - -22d of January, 1760. - -Footnote 100: - -Meeran. - -Footnote 101: - -20th of October, 1759. - -Footnote 102: - -The letter of congratulation, from Mr. Sulivan, is dated the 20th of -February, 1758. The following are the concluding paragraphs:—"If your -health would allow of a stay sufficient to fix the government of -Calcutta (recovered and infinitely extended by Col. Clive) on a solid -and lasting basis, the Company are deeply interested in their wishes -that you would remain to cherish and establish this noble colony beyond -the reach of danger. But should your own preservation determine a return -to your native country, may you live to receive the personal thanks of -your employers, together with higher honours intended you." - -Footnote 103: - -29th of December, 1758. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAP. XI. - - -However important the public services of individuals may be, however -entitled to the notice and gratitude of their country, their reputation -will lose much of its lustre, or receive additional splendour, from the -tenor of their conduct in the different relations of private life. -Speculative men may argue, that, if a statesman by his wise counsels, or a -general by his military talents, promote the interests and glory of his -country, it is of little consequence whether he is moral and virtuous. But -such a conclusion is unjust: for men who attain distinction, by becoming -objects of imitation, do infinite good or harm in the community to which -they belong, by the influence of their example. Few can hope to emulate -their higher qualities; but their failings and imperfections are within -the reach of every one, and are copied by the lowest, in the belief that -they thereby approximate themselves to him whom the public voice has -raised to such celebrity. This influence over society renders such persons -far more responsible than ordinary men, for every action, and becomes -therefore one test by which public characters must be tried. There is, -indeed, no way in which we can more satisfactorily confirm our opinion of -the superiority of an individual, than by accompanying him into the walks -of private life; for we may be assured that no stronger proof of his just -title to pre-eminence can be obtained, than his not being intoxicated with -his own elevation, and its effecting no alteration in his personal habits, -or in the ties of family or of friendship; while, on the other hand, we -may pronounce, that he who does not contemplate unchanged and undisturbed -his own fame and fortune, is deficient in that simplicity and strength of -mind, which are the most essential of all attributes in the composition of -a truly great character. - -If there be justice in these remarks, the general historian even should -not lightly pass over the incidents of the private life of those eminent -men whose public deeds it is his duty to record; but with the biographer -such facts are of essential importance, not only as they develope the -character of the subject of his biography, but as they establish or -contradict the sincerity and truth of the alleged motives and principles -of his public acts. I am very anxious to do justice to this part of my -task, which for the sake of perspicuity I have separated from those -official details, which have hitherto occupied so much of our attention. I -can only hope the reader will experience the same satisfaction that I have -had, in escaping for a time from the description of battles, sieges, -crimes, and intrigues, to the less brilliant, though more pleasing subject -of domestic habits, and the formation and maintenance of those ties of -love and friendship which form the bonds of human society. - -I have already spoken of the youth of Clive. In the review of his private -life in this chapter I shall limit myself to the period which elapsed from -his leaving England in 1756, until his return to that country in 1760. - -During his short visit to England in 1753, Clive appears not only to have -revived all his family connections, but to have extended very considerably -the circle of his personal friends; and on his return to India, we -discover that he numbered amongst his correspondents men of the first rank -in his native land. Many of his private letters are addressed to Lord -Barrington, the Chancellor[104], the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Mr. -Henry Fox. - -To the first of these noblemen, who was Secretary at War, Clive, in a -letter under date the 23d of February, 1757, acknowledges himself under -obligations for many marks of friendship, and particularly for his aid "in -the election of Mitchell." To Mr. Henry Fox he owns himself indebted for -much kindness; and he emphatically addresses him as the "patron and -protector of the East India Company." He writes[105] to the Archbishop of -Canterbury and the Lord Chancellor in terms which show that he had been -honoured with their particular notice and kindness during his short -residence in England. - -Clive was in Parliament, but only for a few months; during which period, -though on friendly terms with some members of the administration, he -appears, as far as he engaged in public affairs, to have been in -opposition to the King's ministers.[106] It is very evident, from the -letters of his father at this period, that though he was -disappointed[107], he had established some political influence; for the -Duke of Newcastle, before he resigned the situation of Prime Minister, -expressed himself most anxious to give his father a situation; and though -this promise was never performed, the solicitude the Minister showed on -this and other occasions to conciliate Clive's friendship and support, -could only have proceeded from an impression of his talent, as he had at -this time nothing that could give him any influence on the ground of -wealth. - -Though Clive's fortune was not large when he returned to England, he had -realised, from his prize-money, and from the emoluments of the civil and -military stations he had filled, a competence which would have satisfied a -less aspiring mind; but he never seems to have even contemplated -retirement from public life. Such a step, indeed, was neither consistent -with his ambition, nor the generosity of his disposition. His first use of -his wealth was to place all his family (and above all, his parents,) in a -state of comfortable independence. He greatly added to the joy of his -father, by appropriating a part of his fortune to save the family estate -of Styche, to relieve which, he probably advanced its full value, as we -find that it was transferred to him.[108] His father was delighted at his -son becoming the owner of this property. This we see from many letters; -and in one[109], written after Clive had sailed for India, he informs him -that he had been at "the old place, which," he adds, "I always loved, and -have kept the walls from tumbling, in hopes of seeing the new landlord -come and take possession." - -Clive appears himself to have been quite alive to all those family and -local feelings, which have great value as associated with the earliest and -most vivid of our recollections and affections. To judge from his private -correspondence, no man ever more cherished such ties; for during the -busiest periods of his public life, his letters continually refer to his -relations and to the scenes of his boyhood; but above all, he speaks of -old Styche with a fond familiarity that conveys an idea of the pleasure he -must have had in becoming its possessor. Many of his letters upon these -subjects are addressed to his father, by whose answer to one of them we -may judge of the tone in which they were written. "Your letter," he -observes, alluding to himself, "made the _old man_ drop tears of joy, that -you still survive with honour and success. May you go on and prosper!" - -Clive did not remain two years in England. When he returned to India, -accompanied by his lady, they left two infant boys; the eldest, Edward, is -the present Lord Powis; the second, Richard, died shortly after the -departure of his parents. - -The great generosity of Clive to every branch of his family during this -short visit to his native country, together with the manner in which he -lived, and the expenses of his election, greatly diminished his -property[110]; and it would seem from his agent's letters, that he had -not, when he returned to India, more than three thousand pounds of -money[111]; the interest of which, together with a small annuity he had -purchased, he directed to be given to his father[112], whose letters are -full of gratitude for the comfort given to his declining age by the -liberality of his son. - -"I am entirely obliged to you," he observes[113], in one of these now -before me, "for the comfortable subsistence I may expect from your -generosity, if I should live a few years longer. If among the dead, don't -forget the old place of our nativity; but let Ned[114] reside there. If -the Judge[115] does not take him, (as I think he will, if her Ladyship -pleases,) he will soon be with us, and will divert me in the decline of -life. I shall be desirous of living a little longer, in hopes of seeing -the joyful day when you and my daughter return to England; but whatever -events may happen before that time, God only knows, to whose pleasure I -desire to submit." - -The house of Styche had been given by Clive as a residence to his uncle, -Mr. Robert Clive, who, with the other branches of the family, appears to -have taken an interest in its being improved and beautified. I cannot -refrain from making an extract from one of his letters on the subject. - -"Things go on," he writes[116], "as usual at Styche, and I enjoy a very -comfortable existence, under your roof. My income enables me to keep house -while the family are in town; and when they come down, I am glad to see -them. Aunt Fanny is with me this winter. I am in hopes of seeing you here -again, and your most amiable lady, to whom I beg my most affectionate -compliments. O that these next ships might bring you over! But I am well -assured, your desire is towards your native country and your friends, and -that you will be with us as soon as you can. Styche is now leased to a -tenant; but as the term is expired within about two years, I think it will -be better not to renew it but only from year to year, that you may be able -to make such alterations as you please when you come to England. Mr. -Mackworth has consented to our having a road over the meadows, and we have -built a bridge for that purpose, which is a great convenience; many more -might be thought of and had, were you here with one of Rajah Dowlah's -millions. In the mean time, if you think of any thing that you would have -done, I shall think myself honoured by a commission from you." - -Clive's return to India in 1755, and the successes which attended him -during the three following years, attracted more of the public notice from -being contrasted with the reverses which had attended the British arms in -Europe and America during this unpropitious period. - -The success at Gheriah even, which (had the public mind not been full of -disappointment) would probably not have been mentioned, was spoken of in -all the newspapers of the day as an achievement of importance. - -Mr. Smyth King, in a letter to Clive[117], observes, when alluding to this -event; "The news of your success could not have reached England at a -season more advantageous for the increase of your reputation; a season in -which there was a general clamour and indignation for the ignominy that -had been brought on our arms by the losses in the Mediterranean and North -America, of which you will hear so much: I need not say any thing. The -consequence has been driving out all the Ministry, Duke of Newcastle, Lord -Chancellor, Mr. Fox, &c. &c. Mr. Pitt, and a new set in the Treasury and -Admiralty, are now the steersmen: they have set out well at the opening of -Parliament: how long they will continue in the good course, time will -show. You will easily imagine how opportune and grateful the taking of -Gheriah was, notwithstanding the distance of the place, and its not being -so generally known. Colonel Clive was again in all the newspapers. I -believe you have made a maxim of what I have somewhere read, that 'a man -who has got himself a great name should every now and then strike some -_coup d'éclat_, to keep up the admiration of the people.'" - -The capture of Calcutta, the taking of Chandernagore, the battle of -Plassey, and the dethronement and death of Suraj-u-Dowlah, with the -elevation of Meer Jaffier, were events which, at any time, would have -excited attention; but the impression they made was greatly increased by -the depressed state of the public mind at the moment when intelligence of -their occurrence reached England. They were hailed by all ranks, as -redeeming, in some degree, the national reputation that had been lost in -other quarters of the globe. - -We meet, in a letter from his friend Mr. King, a concise and vivid -description of the causes which combined at this period to raise Clive's -fame in England. - -"You are too well assured," that gentleman observes[118], "of the joy I -must have felt at the news of your great actions, for me to profess it: -they can add nothing to my admiration of your military capacity, which was -at the height, with what you had achieved for several years. I can only -tell you, what your love to your country will make you sorry for, that -your conduct shines with a peculiar brightness, from the unglorious doings -of our leaders of armies and admirals of fleets in Europe; and that the -name of a Clive is made use of in the public papers to reproach and -stimulate his superiors in rank, but not in fame. That you may judge how -little we have to boast of at home, I will give you a compendium of our -exploits since the beginning of the war. - -"You already know Minorca is taken, for which Admiral Byng was shot, and -Blakeney, who defended it, adorned with a title and a riband, though it is -at this time undetermined whether his merit or demerit was the greater. -Lord Loudon went to America last year, with a great number of troops and a -strong fleet. All that we have heard from thence is, that the French have -taken several of our forts, but that we have taken none of theirs, nor -otherwise incommoded them. - -"The Duke of Cumberland, in the beginning of the summer, put himself at -the head of a German army, to defend the Electorate of Hanover; but after -the loss of a battle, and being driven from post to post, was necessitated -to capitulate with the French General, Duke de Richelieu, and signed a -convention, whereby those favourite dominions are to be possessed by the -French King till he shall think proper to evacuate them. His Royal -Highness, a few days after his arrival in England, resigned all his -commissions. Ligonier is made Commander-in-chief of the army. Less than -two months ago, a fleet of about thirty ships of the line, commanded by -three admirals, attended with a number of transports, carrying ten -thousand land forces and three general officers, a noble train of -artillery, and every thing proportionable, sailed upon a secret -expedition; so secret, that it was never divulged, till this pompous -armada of near a hundred sail arrived at Spithead, then was it known that -the design had been against Rochelle; but that, after holding councils of -war for five days, in sight of the coast, it was judged proper to sail -home again and attempt nothing, for the Isle of Aix may be called nothing. -Thus has a million been expended to set the people in an uproar. The -Parliament is to meet in a fortnight; when it is expected they will find -out, as Shakspeare says,— - - "'The cause of this effect, - Or rather say, the cause of this defect, - For this effect defective comes by cause!'" - -The name of Clive was heard every where: we are assured the King himself -spoke of the Indian hero in the most flattering terms. Lord Ligonier -asked his Majesty, "Whether the young Lord Dunmore might go as a -volunteer to the army of the King of Prussia?" Leave was refused. "May -he not join the Duke of Brunswick?" was the next request. "Pshaw!" said -the King, "what can he learn there? If he want to learn the art of war, -let him go to Clive!"[119] - -But a higher honour was reserved for Clive, and one he valued more than -all others. His name was not only brought forward, but held forth as an -example, by the celebrated William Pitt. That statesman, in his speech -on the Mutiny Bill, after adverting to the late disgraces which had -attended the British arms, said, "We had lost our glory, honour, and -reputation every where but in India. There the country had a heaven-born -general who had never learned the art of war, nor was his name enrolled -among the great officers who had for many years received their country's -pay. Yet was he not afraid to attack a numerous army with a handful of -men." After this he drew a character of Clive, which excited the -admiration of every one, but above all, of the father of the -distinguished individual whose name was honoured by such praise. The -above extract of Mr. Pitt's panegyric is from his letter to his -son[120], which is written in the pride of his heart, and concludes in -the following words: "Thus you are, with truth, honourably spoke of -throughout this nation: may you continue to be so, till you return to -your native country, and to the embraces of an aged father!" - -Clive, in 1758, had written to his father to try whether he could not -obtain the appointment of General Governor of India. I do not find among -his manuscripts any copy of his letter on this subject, which is to be -regretted, as the notice taken of the suggestion by his friends proves, -that his clear and penetrating mind saw, and desired to avert, the evils -which were likely to result from the three presidencies (extended as our -connections with native states had become) continuing to be ruled by -distinct and independent authorities. - -Clive's friends in England, to whom his father referred for advice, were -of opinion that the proposition would never be entertained by the Court -of Directors, and that regard for his interest should prevent its being -made. There was another reason for not agitating this question. A -motion[121] had some time before been brought forward in the Court of -Proprietors, to give Clive a sum of 6000_l._, which was opposed on the -ground of his having sufficient opportunities of acquiring fortune in -the course of the service. This had occurred before the news of the -battle of Plassey reached England. The reputation which that and -subsequent events gave Clive with the nation, and with his Majesty's -ministers, excited a spirit of jealousy amongst some of the Directors. -His father informs him that several leading men in the India House -appeared offended at the recommendations they had received of him from -persons of high rank and members of administration. - -Clive knew the world, and was fully aware of the feelings which his -success was likely to produce; and judged wisely that his prospects of -future notice and reward might be impeded, instead of being promoted, by -the imprudent zeal of his friends. He was particularly apprehensive of -the effects of the natural feelings of his father, and wrote to Mr. -Belchier, one of his agents, to endeavour to repress the old gentleman's -desire to intrude the merits of his son upon all the great men of the -land. - -"As this good news," he observes[122], "may set my father upon exerting -himself too much, and paying too many visits to the Duke of Newcastle, -Mr. Fox, and other great men, I desire you will endeavour to moderate -his expectations; for although I intend getting into Parliament, and -have hopes of being taken some notice of by his Majesty, yet, you know, -the merit of all actions is greatly lessened by being too much boasted -of. I know my father's disposition leads this way, which proceeds from -his affection for me." - -It was not easy, however, to moderate either the language or the -expectations of a father whose pride in the public services of his son, -though great, was exceeded by the admiration and gratitude with which he -viewed the conduct of one, whose ties of duty and of love for his -parents and family appeared to gain additional strength as he advanced -in riches and in fame, and who seemed to place his chief happiness in -making those for whom he cherished regard or affection participators in -his own good fortune. - -The moment, indeed, Clive found himself, from unexpected events, -abounding in wealth, his first object was to impart comfort to all who -had claims upon him, either from kindred or friendship. His gifts, -though liberal, had in them no spirit of prodigality. They were adapted -with judgment to the wants and dispositions of those on whom they were -bestowed: but it was the manner, even more than the substance, of his -acts which gave them value with those who loved him. His correspondence -with his family and friends will afford the best evidence of this fact. - -Clive, in a letter[123] to his father, written shortly after the battle -of Plassey, giving him an account of the events which had occurred from -the capture of Chandernagore till the enthronement of Meer Jaffier, -informs him, that the Nabob's generosity will enable him to live in his -native country, in a manner much beyond his most sanguine expectation. - -"I have ordered," he states in this letter, "2000_l._ to each[124] of my -sisters, and shall take care of my brothers in due time. I would advise -the lasses to marry as soon as possible, for they have no time to lose. -There is no occasion for you following the law any more: but more of -this when I have the pleasure of seeing you, which, I hope, will be in -twelve or fourteen months." - -"You may order the Rector[125] to get every thing ready for the -reparation of old Styche. I shall bring his brother home with -15,000_l._, and also Mrs. Clive's brother. If I can get into Parliament, -I shall be very glad; but no more struggles against ministry: I choose -to be with them. - -"Mrs. Clive will write my mother at large. My kind wishes attend her, -not forgetting my brothers and sisters." - -When Clive resolved, as has elsewhere been stated, to defer his -departure for England, he directed his agents to add to the allowance -before given to his father and mother the sum of 500_l._ per annum, and -to keep a coach for them[126]: he also desired them to pay 25_l._ per -annum to each of his four aunts, and to two of Mrs. Clive's, to whose -other relations in England he gave liberal assistance. For her brother, -Captain Maskelyne, who was on the Madras establishment, Clive cherished -a very sincere regard; but I should conclude, from what appears in the -manuscripts in my possession that, though a pleasant and respectable -gentleman, Captain Maskelyne had little talent as an officer. His -conduct to part of the Nabob's family, while commanding at Arcot, had -been severely condemned by Mr. Pigot. We find amongst his letters to his -brother-in-law an indignant remonstrance against the treatment he had -met with from the Governor, who also wrote Clive fully upon the subject. -The latter in his reply[127] to Mr. Pigot states the great uneasiness -which the circumstance had caused him, but adds, that he derived -consolation from the belief, that it entirely proceeded from an error of -judgment. This instance, added to others, proves that, though the title -to Clive's regard rested more upon the heart than the head of the -individual by whom it was possessed, yet he was rigid in his principle -of never nominating any one to public station whose qualities did not -fit him to perform its duties. He regretted, as is shown by his letters, -that Captain Maskelyne did not accompany him to Bengal, as a member of -his family; but, instead of appointing him to one of the many high and -lucrative stations he had in his gift, he recommended him to go to -England, and added to his small means what he deemed necessary to place -him in independence[128]: and we are amused with the following passage, -in a letter[129] from Clive to his father:—"My brother-in-law, Captain -Maskelyne, goes by this conveyance, and will bring you this: he is worth -10,000_l._ or 11,000_l._ I beg you will assist in settling him in the -world, and in getting him a good wife." - -In the same letter he observes, "Should you have occasion for money to -purchase commissions for my brothers, or to answer any other purpose -that may be for their advantage, you will apply to my attorneys, who I -desire may supply you accordingly." - -The letter[130] from Mr. Clive to his son, acknowledging the receipt of -the accounts of his success, commences with one of those simple but -natural bursts of paternal affection that mock all imitation. - -"Your last letter," he says, "gave me joy beyond all possibility of -expression. The whole kingdom is in transports for the glory and success -their countryman has gained. Come away, and let us rejoice together!" - -In a subsequent letter, he dwells with true paternal feeling upon the -same subject. - -"May Heaven," he writes[131], "preserve you safe to Old England, where -not only your friends and relations, but strangers who never saw you, -will congratulate you for the glorious actions you have done your -country. With what joy shall I embrace you! Oh, may I live to see that -day! Your mother and sisters are sitting with me round the fire, -drinking to your health and safe voyage." - -Mr. Clive appears, from his own statement, to have been involved in his -circumstances, and to have felt much distress in becoming such a burden -to his son. In his answer to the letter which informed him of Clive's -agents being directed to give him the additional sum of 500_l._ per -annum, and to keep a coach for him, he observes[132], "I have received -your letter of the 9th of November, 1758, and am under the greatest -obligations that ever father was to a son, especially in the unhappy -circumstances my own imprudence and being bound for others hath rendered -me. Mr. Woolaston, for whom I was surety, is now dead; and what he owed -the government, together with what remained unpaid on my account, amount -to no less than 9000_l._ more than we have to pay. The Treasury, by -direction of the Duke of Newcastle, have postponed the payment to a -future day; but I fear that day will come before you arrive in England; -and when you come, what pretence have I to expect or desire you should -set me free, when I have already had your benevolence in so -extraordinary a manner? Thank God you have so much in your power! Let us -live on a fifth part of what you have so generously allowed me. If I am -free, I shall be content; and, while I live, bless Providence, and pray -for the increase of your happiness, who have saved a distressed family -from utter ruin." - -The letters from Clive's mother breathe the truest maternal affection. -Her warmest gratitude is expressed for that comfort which he has -diffused throughout all his family, and above all, as the old lady -states, for his great kindness to "her girls." - -The greater part of the letters from Clive's mother and sisters, -subsequent to his marriage, are addressed to Mrs. Clive, but docketed by -himself, and placed among his own papers; a proof of the value he -attached to the feelings which they expressed. They contain the common -topics of such correspondence, marked with a feeling of the warmest -affection for one who, amid all his public avocations, was continually -affording them proofs of his love and attachment. Towards Mrs. Clive -there appears to have been but one sentiment throughout the family: all -speak of her constant attention and kindness with gratitude, and appear -to rejoice as much in their brother's happiness in the married state, as -in the other instances of his good fortune. - -Besides occasional acts of generosity, Clive continued incessant in his -endeavours to render happy, by his regard and attention, every branch of -his family, however distant. In this he was wholly disinterested, for -none of them (except, perhaps, Sir Edward Clive) were in a situation to -afford him the slightest aid; but they gave him, what he more valued, -their gratitude and affection. - -The impressions produced by his conduct towards every one with whom he -was connected cannot be better shown than by inserting some short -extracts from the entertaining letters of one of his female cousins[133] -to Mrs. Clive in India. - -"I don't know what title I must give you now[134], but I am sure I may -say, 'To the agreeable Mrs. Clive.' I have always wrote whenever I heard -the ships sailed, and by Captain Tully and Mr. King. Ill fate for you -and me, that so many fine thoughts should be sent to the bottom of the -sea! Neptune will be quite entertained. As to the name of Clive above -ground, the Colonel has made it so famous, that it is the only comfort I -have in still being a Clive. * * * * * * * He is in the highest esteem -in this part of the world, and does honour to all his relations. * * * * -Your father, my cousin Clive, dined with us yesterday, and read, or -tried to read, one of the Colonel's letters; but his joy, with -tenderness at the thoughts of such a son, made him burst twice into -tears before he could go on. Is it to be wondered at? for sure it must -be a pleasure so great, the strongest mind must be greatly affected. -Well, I sincerely wish you all safe on your native shore, with your bags -of money, and bushels of diamonds; with the Eastern Prince the Colonel -is so good as to say he will get for me. I can't possibly refuse him. I -have a taste to be a princess. As to Captain Clack, you are so good to -think of for me, if this Prince don't care to take so long a voyage, -don't leave the Captain behind. The war makes men very scarce. He shall -talk for ever, and I for ever have patience. I have been in town a -fortnight, at two plays; one, a new tragedy somewhat resembling the -story of The Children in the Wood. Did you ever read that old ballad? -Garrick is in as much vogue as ever; operas at a low ebb. I suppose you -are a complete mistress of harmony. - -"I hope you will never receive this letter: not that I don't think it -very clever; but I wish the Colonel and all his family may be in a ship, -the sails filled with most prosperous gales, that will, soon as -possible, send you safe to your own country and friends; one of whom I -hope ever to be styled, which will always be a pleasure to your sincere -and affectionate cousin." - -We meet the following passage in another letter from this lady, which -appears to have been written about the same period (for, like many -ladies' letters, it has no date.) - -"I have a thousand things to say to you, and but a moment's time. I find -the bearer of this is a painter; hope the Colonel and you will let him -take your pictures. I should be glad of them in miniature. I begin to -fear the Colonel will not bring me the Eastern Prince till it is too -late: the bushel of diamonds runs strangely in my head. Fanny is going -to enter into the happy state of matrimony. I have seen the lover: upon -my word, a pretty, cherry-cheeked, agreeable young counsellor. I hear he -is called to the bar, and will have 500_l._ a year. I wish I had been -the Colonel's sister; not to detract from them; certainly he is a great -advantage to his family; and I believe, after my aunts and myself, that -horrid name of old maid will be extirpated out of the house of Clive. - -"I have still a thousand things to say. Apelles is arrived, and must -have this letter: I don't know, but it may be of service to him, his -occasioning me to release you. Well, a little more. All diversions go on -as usual; a gloomy town—general mourning for the Princess of Orange; the -linen that is worn is crape, as yellow as saffron, and what they call -Turkey gauze, that looks like sarcenet: a sketch that the world is as -ridiculous as ever. A most elegant ball at Lord Sandwich's! I must not -say any more, only beg my respects and most sincere love to the Colonel. -I wish for your speedy return to England. Pray my love to cousin George, -who I would write to had I a moment, but will in the next ship." - -Clive had appointed several of his relations and friends joint agents in -England; and he was very fortunate in having his near connexion, Sir -Edward Clive, Bart. (a Judge of circuit), as one of them. It appears to -have required all that gentleman's strictness to prevent his relation -suffering from the bad choice he had made of one of his men of business. - -"One of your attorneys," Sir Edward remarks[135], "is a man I never can, -and never shall, accord with. I have several things to reveal to you -when you come home. I believe, in order to take care of your interest, -and (as I think) to protect your property, I must file a bill in -Chancery. When you arrive, you shall have an account of it: I don't -think any labour troublesome to serve you, but assure you (and Mr. King -knows it) I have had a great deal. - -"It is a great pleasure," adds this respectable Judge, "to know that, -considering your father and his large family, God Almighty has put it -into your mind, as well as your power, to make him and them happy. -Assisting a parent must be the most agreeable sensation to good hearts. -I happened, in a small way, to have that happy opportunity. I call it -happy, and it affords me many agreeable reflections." - -A few months after Clive sailed for India, his eldest sister[136] -married Sir James Markham, Bart.; and when he returned, he found that -three more had entered the matrimonial state, being much indebted (if we -are to believe their sprightly cousin already noticed) for their happy -settlement to the good fortune of having an Indian Colonel for their -brother. - -Clive never forgot those to whom he was in any degree indebted for his -advancement. Several of his letters are addressed to Mr. Chauncey, a -gentleman who, though then retired, had, at one period, taken a very -active part in Indian affairs. In one of these letters[137], after -communicating to him the peace with Suraj-u-Dowlah, Clive observes, "If -I have been in any way instrumental in the late revolution, the merit is -entirely owing to you, who countenanced, favoured, and protected me, and -was the chief cause of my coming to India in a station which rendered me -capable of serving the Company. Accept, Sir, of my gratitude, and -sincerest wishes for your welfare. May you enjoy the blessings of peace -and retirement, and may success and every other happiness in this life -forsake me, when I forget how much I am obliged to you!" - -However, a sense of gratitude had more value from being expressed in the -moment of victory, and from being addressed to an individual who had no -longer any power of promoting his views. I notice such facts, not only -because they are the truest indications of character, but as they -account for the zeal and attachment which Clive's numerous and -respectable friends displayed on many trying occasions. Neither his -wealth nor his fame could have inspired such feelings. Sincerity and -warmth of heart alone can kindle corresponding sentiments in honourable -minds. - -Of Clive's friends in India I have already spoken. His ties with them -had been formed in the course of public service, and remained unbroken, -except in the rare cases, where he thought individuals parted from those -principles of action upon which his esteem was founded. His deep and -affectionate gratitude towards Colonel Lawrence has been mentioned. His -friendship for Mr. Pigot remained unchanged: not so that for Mr. Orme. -We find in one of his father's letters an observation upon his being -reconciled to that gentleman on his return to India in 1755. Mr. Clive -expresses his hope, in this letter, that Mr. Orme's History would be -speedily published, as the objections[138] on account of Mr. Chauncey -were at an end. - -Clive, though his experience had rendered him singularly well acquainted -with the character of all classes of the natives of India, was very -little, if at all, versed in the languages of that country; but he -appears not only to have been most solicitous to avail himself of the -aid of those who had this advantage, but, when he found the acquirement -accompanied by integrity and talent, to recommend them, and place them -in the highest stations in the service. His notice and patronage of Mr. -Watts, Mr. Vansittart, and Mr. Hastings, afford ample proof of this -fact; and, on almost all occasions, public and private, when he brings -forward the names of those individuals, he adds some observations on the -great advantages they enjoy over others, from their knowledge of the -languages, the manners, and the habits of the people of India. - -During his expedition to Bengal, Clive had only one of his relations in -his family, Mr. George Clive, for whom he cherished a very sincere -affection. The two persons to whom he appears to have been most attached -were Mr. Walsh and Mr. Luke Scrafton, both civil servants of the -Company, whose names have been frequently mentioned in the course of the -narrative. They continued through life in habits of the strictest -intimacy with their friend and patron. Of Mr. Walsh, Clive never speaks -without expressing great respect for his character; and of his regard -for Mr. Scrafton, whose lively disposition suited his own, we have many -proofs. Bad health obliging that gentleman to go to Madras, Clive wrote -by him to Sir George Pocock, in a style which evinced his kind and -anxious solicitude. - -"The bearer of this[139]," he observes, "Mr. Luke Scrafton, is a young -fellow of great worth and honour. Much I fear he is too far gone to be -recovered by the coast air: he has been a constant attendant of mine in -all our expeditions, and can solve any question you may have to ask on -the subject of Bengal. For God's sake return him to me in good health -and condition!" - -Clive was also on the most intimate terms with Captain Latham, a -distinguished officer of His Majesty's navy; and this intimacy was -increased from that gentleman's marriage to a relation of Mrs. Clive, -who had accompanied her to India. I have found numerous private letters -from Captain Latham, which are all written in the open manly style of a -British seaman, and bear a convincing testimony to the tone of Clive's -mind on all points connected with his friends. From the tenor of one, in -answer to a letter from Clive, written immediately after the -enthronement of Meer Jaffier, it would seem that Mrs. Latham was one of -those whom he considered (from the relation in which she stood to him) -entitled to participate in his good fortune. His conduct on this -occasion appears to have given sincere pleasure to Mrs. Clive; as the -letter in which his kindness and liberality are noticed is superscribed -with the word "Charming," in her own handwriting. - -I have before mentioned the origin of Clive's regard for Colonel Forde; -the grounds upon which he selected him for the command of Bengal, and -the degree in which he deemed himself indebted to him for his great and -brilliant achievements. We have also seen the poignant feelings with -which he regarded the conduct of the Court of Directors towards this -able and gallant officer, who, immediately after the capture of -Masulipatam, had the mortification to find himself superseded by Colonel -Coote, who, a year before, had been his junior in Adlercron's regiment; -but, returning from India with fortune and reputation, had obtained a -Colonel's commission, and had just landed at Madras in command of a -regiment destined for Calcutta. - -Though Colonel Coote had evinced, on the expedition to Bengal, those -qualities as an officer which subsequently made him so renowned, neither -his opportunities nor his achievements bore as yet any comparison with -those of Colonel Forde; but the successes of the latter were not known -in England at the period of Coote's appointment. Many, therefore, will -deny the justice of Clive's complaint of the conduct of his superiors on -this occasion; but even these must admire that warmth and decision, with -which he pledged himself to support an officer with whom he had no -private friendship, except such as had been formed in consequence of his -eminent public services. - -The news of Colonel Coote's arrival reached Clive about the same period -as the account of Major Forde's capture of Masulipatam, and of the -conclusion of the treaty with the Subahdar of the Deccan. Desiring, at -such a moment, to afford every consolation to the mind of that -meritorious officer, he not only stated his opinion as to his superior -claims to those of the officer by whom he was superseded, but gave him -the most unqualified assurances of his future support. - -"I can easily conceive," he observes in a letter[140] to Colonel Forde -upon this occasion, "that such rank and honour bestowed (I think I can -say without flattery) on one so much your inferior in every respect, -must give you much concern. I assure you it has affected me greatly, and -is one of my principal motives for wanting to push home with the utmost -expedition on the 'Royal George.' I flatter myself, the request I have -to make will not be denied me, which is, that you will stay in Bengal -all next year, provided Coote remains on the coast. If within that time -I do not get you a colonel's or lieutenant-colonel's commission, and an -appointment of Commander-in-chief of all the forces in India, I will -from that instant decline all transactions with Directors and East India -affairs." - -Clive's resentment at the Court of Directors was increased by their -subsequently annulling Colonel Forde's appointment to Bengal, while his -attachment to that officer was greatly heightened by his admirable -conduct in the destruction of the Dutch armament. But there were other -feelings which may have influenced his mind. He certainly entertained at -this period a strong prejudice against Colonel Coote, which may possibly -have originated from the prominent manner in which that officer, when -only a Captain, was brought forward at Calcutta to support the alleged -rights of his Majesty's service against those of the Company. But we -have, nevertheless, proofs that Clive appreciated his talents from his -employing[141] him on all occasions, and particularly in detaching him, -after the battle of Plassey, in pursuit of the French corps. But at the -same time that he entertained this high opinion of his military talents, -he considered, from his whole conduct in Bengal, that he was mercenary -and prone to intrigue, and consequently an unfit person to be intrusted -with great powers on such a scene. I do not find among Clive's papers -any specific grounds to justify this opinion; and in the absence of all -such documents, we must conclude, from the high reputation which Colonel -Coote attained and supported, that it was erroneous; or, at all events, -that, if this eminent commander evinced in his youth any such -dispositions as those of which he was suspected, they were early -corrected: for though he never displayed any remarkable talents as a -statesman, he assuredly became as qualified for the chief military -command in India as any person that ever held that station; and during -his latter years, the love and esteem in which he was held by his -countrymen was even exceeded by the affectionate regard and attachment -of the native troops, whom he so often led to victory. - -In giving this tribute to a soldier, whose memory I have venerated from -my earliest years, I must do justice to Clive by declaring my sincere -conviction (formed from the perusal of his numerous letters upon the -subject) that he was most sincere and conscientious in the opinion he -expressed, and upon which he acted. With such impressions upon his mind, -he certainly thought he was doing his duty to the public by his -endeavours to keep Colonel Coote at Madras; and he was so solicitous to -effect this object that he consented to the request of the government of -Fort St. George, that the regiment of that officer should remain for -some time at that presidency. - -He enters fully upon this subject in his correspondence, both with Mr. -Pigot and Mr. Vansittart; but his letters contain merely a repetition of -his opinions as to Colonel Coote's unfitness for the general command of -the forces in Bengal, while he recognises the benefits to be derived -from his services in the mere military operations on the coast of -Coromandel. The success of Clive's efforts on this occasion proved -fortunate for the reputation of Colonel Coote, who, during the -subsequent year, established a high military character by the battle of -Wandewash and the capture of Pondicherry. - -I have been compelled to enter more at length upon this subject than I -desired, from its being intimately connected with those disputes -regarding the employment of officers in India in which Clive became -involved on his return to England. Colonel Coote, when he revisited his -native country after the campaign of 1757, was received with favour and -distinction. He was possessed of a small fortune, his connections were -respectable, and his manners and address manly and agreeable. He became -more prominent from being the senior King's land officer employed on the -expedition to Bengal; and, from the comparatively low estimation in -which the Company's[142] officers were held at that period, his fame was -advanced to detract from their pretensions. He was represented as a -rising officer, of whom Clive was jealous; and it was believed by many -(till contradicted several years afterwards by his own evidence), that -it was through his advice and remonstrances that the army advanced to -the field of Plassey. Besides the influence and popularity which those -combined causes gave to this officer, he enjoyed the marked favour and -friendship of Mr. Sulivan, the Chairman of the Court of Directors, whose -subsequent rupture with Clive is in a great degree to be attributed to -their difference in opinion with regard to the respective pretensions -and merits of Colonels Coote and Forde. - -Clive, at the period of his second visit to his native country, was -thirty-five years of age. We collect from his private correspondence, -that he retained much of that hilarity of disposition for which he had -been remarkable in youth. He was fond of female society; and many of his -letters show that he was by no means indifferent to those aids by which -personal appearance is improved. It was the fashion of the period to -dress in gayer apparel than we now do; and the European visiter at an -Indian Durbar, or Court, always wore a rich dress. We find in a -letter[143] to Clive, from his friend Captain Latham, a description of a -Durbar suit he was preparing for him, in which he says he has preferred -a fine scarlet coat with handsome gold lace, to the common wear of -velvet. He has also made up, he writes, a fine brocade waistcoat; and he -adds to this intelligence, that "it is his design to line the coat with -parchment, that it may not wrinkle!" - -In a commission which Clive sent to his friend Mr. Orme, there is an -amusing instance of his attention to the most trifling parts of his -dress. - -"I must now trouble you," he observes[144], "with a few commissions -concerning family affairs. Imprimis, what you can provide must be of the -best and finest you can get for love or money; two hundred shirts, the -wristbands worked, some of the ruffles worked with a border either in -squares or points, and the rest plain; stocks, neckcloths, and -handkerchiefs in proportion; three corge[145] of the finest stockings; -several pieces of plain and spotted muslin, two yards wide, for aprons; -book-muslins; cambrics; a few pieces of the finest dimity; and a -complete set of table linen of Fort St. David's diaper made for the -purpose." - -In the list of packages which Mr. Richard Clive sent to his son in -Bengal, one is a box of wigs! Whether Clive had resorted to this -ornament from want of hair, or from deference to the fashion of the -period, I know not; but there is[146] an authentic anecdote of his -boyhood, which proves how essential a wig was considered to all who were -full dressed. Clive had, when very young, been admitted by a relation, -who was Captain of the Tower, to be one of the spectators when his -Majesty George the Second happened to visit that fortress. Nothing was -wanted in the boy's dress to prepare him for the honour of approaching -majesty except a wig! To supply this want one of the old Captain's was -put upon his head; and his appearance in this costume was so singular as -to attract the notice and smiles of the King, who inquired who he was, -and spoke to him in a very kind and gracious manner.[147] - -In concluding this chapter on the private occurrences of Clive's life -during a period so eventful to his fame and fortune, I shall estimate, -as far as I have the means, the wealth he carried to England, as well as -the amount which he had, before he left India, given to, or settled -upon, his friends and relations. I have already shown, in the fullest -manner, how his great riches were acquired; and it is a grateful task to -record the generous manner in which a considerable portion of them was -distributed. - -Clive, from what has been stated, may be said, when he returned to India -in 1755, to have been worth little or no money beyond what he had vested -for redeeming the small family estate, and giving his parents an -annuity. When he took possession of the government of Fort Saint David, -he embarked in trade, like others who filled similar stations; but, to -judge from his correspondence, he had not much success in his commercial -pursuits. We read of nothing but bad markets, or the want of means of -those who owed him money. He appears, before he embarked on the -expedition to Bengal, to have made a large speculation in benjamin, -which turned out badly. It is entertaining, when associated with the -scenes in which he became engaged, to pursue his remarks upon his -unprofitable adventure in this and other articles of trade. - -After desiring his friend and agent, Mr. Orme, not to demand payment of -the money owing to him by Messrs. Pybus and Roberts, and that the -interest of the debt should be only 4 per cent., he observes[148], "You -have given me a most curious account of my adventure in the Grampus. If -I had not made better strokes in war than in trade, my money concerns -would by this time be drawing to a conclusion." - -The whole of Clive's money, when he returned to India in 1755, appears -to have been in that country; for we find, from his correspondence, that -he had hardly sufficient uninvested cash in England to pay for his -annual supplies. He became anxious, however, after he attained great -wealth, to remit it home; but this, owing to various causes, was very -difficult. The public treasury was so rich from the successes in Bengal, -that, for a period, no bills were drawn upon the Directors; Clive, -therefore, had recourse to the Dutch Company, through whom he sent the -greater part of his fortune; he also transmitted a considerable sum in -diamonds[149] (a common mode at that time), and the rest in private -bills; and, latterly, two on the Company.[150] - -I have carefully examined his letters to his agents, from the 21st of -August, 1755, when he advised them of his first remittance, till -January, 1759, when he made one of his last; and the amount of property -sent to England during that period is, as nearly as the difference of -exchange and the loss[151] on bills enable us to judge, 280,000_l._ Of -this I calculate that he received 210,000_l._ on the enthronement of -Meer Jaffier; and the remaining 70,000_l._ is made up by part of his -former fortune, his prize-money at Gheriah and Chandernagore, the -receipts from the high stations[152] he held, and the accumulation of -interest upon a considerable part of his property during the last five -years of his residence in India. - -From what has been stated we may assume that Clive's fortune, before the -jaghire was settled upon him, did not amount to 300,000_l._ It appears -from documents before me that, previous to this grant, he had given -away, or vested for annuities, a sum not less than 50,000_l._[153] (more -than one sixth of his fortune), to render comfortable and independent -those for whom he cherished affection and gratitude. - -Clive was, subsequently to these acts of generosity, enriched by the -grant of the jaghire, which he himself estimates at 27,000_l._ per -annum. With this addition, we may conclude he had an income of upwards -of 40,000_l._; a large amount, but far below what this Indian Crœsus -(for such he was deemed) was thought by his countrymen to possess. - - - FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 11 - - -Footnote 104: - - Lord Northington. - -Footnote 105: - - 23d of February, 1757. - -Footnote 106: - - In a letter from Mr. Richard Clive, dated 18th of April, 1755, we find - this subject mentioned. "I was glad," he writes to his son, "to hear - from you last post; and though you banter me about the election at - Dover, I think, as you are so near, and the electors so well disposed - to oppose the ministry, you have a fair opportunity to disappoint the - Duke of Newcastle; and after you are elected you can proceed on your - voyage." - -Footnote 107: - - Mr. Richard Clive, in a letter to his son on the 22d of December, - 1756, expresses his sentiments on this subject with all the warmth and - partiality of a father. "Before I left London," he observes, "the Duke - of Newcastle repeated his promise to do for me; and the last time I - saw him, he told me it must be something in my own way.[a] I have - little expectation, especially at this time of life: but the great and - solid satisfaction I enjoy is to think I have a son, who is a - benefactor to the public, as well as his own private relations; and - though you may not have met with what might have been expected from - your countrymen, 't is no discredit to you, but a reflection on them - never to be erased." - -Footnote a: - - The law. - -Footnote 108: - - The transfer of the title-deeds of Styche is stated in his father's - letter of the 22d of July, 1756. - -Footnote 109: - - 22d of December, 1756. - -Footnote 110: - - In a letter from his father, dated 22d of December, 1756, we find the - following curious account of the sale of Clive's establishment:— - - "The coach £40 0 0 - "Pair of horses 40 0 0 - "A grey riding horse 12 12 0 - - "One horse broke his neck; another fell backwards; and one pair kept - to go in a chaise." - - From this statement of property, we infer that Clive, while in - England, must have lived very expensively. - -Footnote 111: - - This is independent of the sum he had paid for Styche. - -Footnote 112: - - This appears, from Clive's letter to his agent, Mr. King, of 6th of - October, 1756. - -Footnote 113: - - 29th of April, 1755. - -Footnote 114: - - Lord Powis. - -Footnote 115: - - Sir Edward Clive, a near relation, who always acted as one of Clive's - agents. - -Footnote 116: - - 27th of December, 1757. - -Footnote 117: - - 27th of December, 1756. - -Footnote 118: - - 2d of November, 1757. - -Footnote 119: - - Extract of Mr. R. Clive's letter to his son, 1st of January, 1758. - -Footnote 120: - - 6th of December, 1757. - -Footnote 121: - - Mr. King, who highly disapproved of this attempt, informs Clive that - the motion was made by a Proprietor at the suggestion of his father, - but withdrawn on seeing it was not relished by the Directors. - -Footnote 122: - - Letter to Mr. Belchier, 21st of August, 1757. - -Footnote 123: - - 9th of August, 1757. - -Footnote 124: - - In Clive's letter to his agents, of the 21st of August, 1757, he - directs 2000_l._ to be paid to each of his five sisters, Rebecca, - Sarah, Judith, Frances, and Anne: this amount to be given for their - use for ever. - -Footnote 125: - - The Reverend Mr. Clive, his cousin. - -Footnote 126: - - This order is repeated as one some time before given in a letter to - Sir Edward Clive, Bart., and his other agents, dated 9th of November, - 1758. - -Footnote 127: - - 25th of December, 1757. - -Footnote 128: - - I have not been able to ascertain the exact amount Clive gave Captain - Maskelyne, but judge it must have been considerable from a passage in - one of his letters. - -Footnote 129: - - 29th of December, 1758. - -Footnote 130: - - 23d of March, 1758. - -Footnote 131: - - 23d of December, 1758. - -Footnote 132: - - 29th of July, 1759. - -Footnote 133: - - Miss Sarah Clive. - -Footnote 134: - - 26th of December, 1758. - -Footnote 135: - - Letter to Clive, 24th of December, 1759. - -Footnote 136: - - Lady Markham is still alive, and, although upwards of ninety, in the - enjoyment of all her faculties. - -Footnote 137: - - 23d of February, 1757. - -Footnote 138: - - What these objections were, or the cause of their termination, is not - explained; but Mr. Clive's letter proves that the first part of the - history was written before 1755. - -Footnote 139: - - 14th of September, 1759. - -Footnote 140: - - 24th of August, 1759. - -Footnote 141: - - Captain Coote commanded the troops detached to take Hooghley, and he - was, before the battle of Plassey, sent with the advance to attack - Kutwa. - -Footnote 142: - - Though Clive held the King's commission as Lieutenant-Colonel, he was - always considered as a Company's officer. - -Footnote 143: - - 5th of August, 1757. - -Footnote 144: - - 1st of August, 1757. - -Footnote 145: - - A corge is twenty pair. - -Footnote 146: - - This anecdote of his father was communicated by Lord Powis. - -Footnote 147: - - It is added that he was sent to school in a wig; but, as may be - supposed, was soon quizzed out of it by his play-fellows. - -Footnote 148: - - 11th of March, 1758. - -Footnote 149: - - Clive sent sixteen thousand gold mohurs to his agents at Madras, - Messrs. Orme and Vansittart, with directions to purchase diamonds as a - remittance. - -Footnote 150: - - One of the bills on the Company was for 8000_l._, and the other for - 32,881_l._ 12_s._ 2_d._ He advises his agents of these bills on the - 9th of November and 23d of December, 1758. - -Footnote 151: - - Clive expected the bills on Holland to produce 183,000_l._, but, after - a vexatious delay, they were paid with great deduction. His father - states the loss upon this transaction as amounting to 10,000_l._ - -Footnote 152: - - I consider the statement of the Committee of the House of Commons, of - Clive's receipts at Moorshedabad, to be exaggerated; but we shall have - occasion to notice this statement hereafter, particularly the note - annexed to it, in which it is asserted, in direct opposition to truth, - that Clive's jaghire was obtained at the same period as the donation - from Meer Jaffier. Mr. Mill copies the statement and note without - remark. (Vol. iii. p. 326.) - -Footnote 153: - - The following sums appear to have been given or settled upon his - relations and friends:— - - Present to his sisters £10,000 - Present to Captain Maskelyne and others 10,000 - Money vested to produce an annuity for his father, of £500 - Ditto, his aunts 150 - Ditto, Colonel Lawrence 500 - To keep a coach for his parents 300 - ——— - Yearly amount of annuities £1450 - Sum vested to produce the above 30,000 - ——— - Total £50,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAP. XII. - - -Clive remained in his native country between three and four years; and -it will be proper briefly to narrate the events of his private life -during this period, to notice the part he took in the political -transactions of the times, and the connections he formed with persons of -power and influence, whether in the direction of Indian affairs, or of -the more general interests of the British empire. The knowledge of such -facts, connected as they became with his future career, is quite -essential to our subject. - -The constitution of Clive had never been robust. He had been, for the -last two years in Bengal, freer than usual from the attacks of a -spasmodic complaint, to which he appears to have been more or less -subject from his earliest years. In 1759 he had a very violent attack of -rheumatism, and feared, at one time, that it might settle into gout; but -this apprehension vanished; and when he embarked at Calcutta he -describes himself as in excellent health. - -When Clive reached England, he was received with distinction by his -Sovereign and the members of the administration; and, notwithstanding -the deep offence taken at his last public despatch, the Court of -Directors, and particularly their Chairman, Mr. Sulivan, welcomed him as -one to whom the Company were deeply indebted. The enjoyment, however, of -those flattering attentions was early interrupted by a violent and -dangerous illness, which for many months threatened to terminate his -existence. - -Clive was not, for some time after his arrival, honoured by any public -mark of royal favour. This seems to have arisen from two causes: one, -his very long and serious illness; the other, his desire to obtain more -than the ministers were willing to grant. He, probably, at first -expected to enter the British House of Peers, and to have a red riband; -but, after a considerable delay, he received only an Irish peerage. - -In writing[154] to his friend Major Carnac upon this subject, he -observes; "If health had not deserted me on my first arrival in England, -in all probability I had been an English peer, instead of an Irish one, -with the promise of a red riband. I know I could have bought the title -(which is usual), but that I was above, and the honours I have obtained -are free and voluntary. My wishes may hereafter be accomplished." - -Clive had assumed a scale of expenditure suited to his income. He -engaged in elections to aid his friends in the administration, and to -give him the influence he desired in the prosecution of his plans for -his own advancement, and the furtherance of those which he thought -essential to the prosperity and security of the Indian empire. The -expenses into which he was early led, combined with his liberality to -his family, amounted to a very large sum[155]; and we can easily -conceive the alarm with which he received, while yet on a sick bed, an -intimation from Mr. Sulivan, that the Directors showed an inclination to -question his title to his jaghire. - -He strongly and feelingly expresses his sentiments upon this subject in -a letter to Mr. Amyatt; "My arrival in England," he observes[156], "was -attended with every mark of respect that I could wish, and my interest -in Leadenhall Street might have been of as much consequence as I could -have desired, for the advantage of my friends; but a most severe fit of -sickness overset all. For twelve months it was difficult to pronounce -whether I was to live or die. In so dreadful a situation, I could not -think much of India, or indeed of any thing else but death. It is very -natural to think, the interest of a dying man could not be very great. -Under these circumstances, I had hints given me that either some -attempts would be made upon my jaghire, or some proposal made for giving -it up to the Company after a certain time, on a supposition, perhaps, -that I had not long to live. Accordingly I was given to understand by -Sulivan, that the gentlemen of the Secret Committee would wait upon me -on this subject. But health returning, this proposal was dropt, and I -have heard nothing more of it since. Although I have such an interest at -Court and in Parliament, that I should not be afraid of an attack from -the whole Court of Directors united, yet all my friends advise me I -should do nothing to exasperate them, if they are silent as to my -jaghire. Indeed it is an object of such importance, that I should be -inexcusable if I did not make every other consideration give way to it; -and this is one of the reasons why I cannot join openly with the Bengal -gentlemen in their resentments. It depends upon you, my friend, to make -me a free man, by getting this grant confirmed from Delhi, and getting -such acknowledgment from under the hands of the old Nabob, and the -present Nabob, as may enable me to put all our enemies at defiance. In -this, I am sure, you will be assisted by Vansittart." - -The account of the deposition of Meer Jaffier, and the election of -Cossim Ali Khan, which had been planned by Mr. Holwell immediately after -Clive left Calcutta, will occupy the next chapter. I only so far notice -this revolution at present, as to state its effect on Clive's private -feelings; as it divided and rendered irreconcilable enemies the friends -in India whom he most valued. Though he deplored the revolution, and -anticipated its bad consequences to the reputation of the English -Government, he believed Mr. Vansittart to have been both disinterested -and conscientious in the part he took; and with this impression, while -he admitted the manly sincerity and honourable principles which dictated -the violent opposition of his friend Major Carnac, he decidedly blamed -the warmth and want of respect with which he had addressed his superiors -on this subject. Mr. Amyatt was much respected by Clive both for his -talents and integrity. He wished him to succeed Mr. Vansittart in the -Government, and was unwilling that his services should be lost by his -continued opposition, grounded on a measure which, as Clive truly -stated, however much to be regretted, was now past and could not be -recalled. - -With such sentiments, Clive endeavoured to reconcile his friends to each -other. His efforts were not successful: but it is a remarkable testimony -to his personal character, that, during this period of violent collision -between the parties in Bengal, every individual engaged in the contest -referred to him, as to one on whose honour and judgment they had -implicit reliance; and his more particular friends, though opposed on -all other points, appear to have united whenever his interests were -concerned. - -To understand the motives which induced Clive to take an active part in -the affairs of the India House, it is necessary to explain the actual -condition of the different parties who at this period took a share in -the management of the Company's concerns. - -The legislature had not as yet directly interfered in the administration -of our Eastern possessions; but ministers and men of high rank and -influence had, nevertheless, great power and weight, both in the Court -of Directors and in the Court of Proprietors. This, however, appears to -have been seldom if ever exerted but to serve individuals, and to have -been more maintained to promote parliamentary influence, and as a means -of rewarding and attaching friends, than with any view to the benefit of -the public interests of either the Indian or the British empire. - -Mr. Sulivan, as has been mentioned before, had attained an ascendency in -the direction, of which he was in complete possession when Clive came to -England. But though he had a majority of the Directors with him, he had -many and virulent opponents among the Proprietors. The most prominent of -these were gentlemen who had been in Bengal, who considered themselves -injured by the frequent supersession of the servants of that presidency -by those of Madras and Bombay, to which they considered Mr. Sulivan more -attached, and particularly to the latter. - -Though Mr. Sulivan, as has been shown, professed great admiration of -Clive, and was much indebted to him for the station he had attained in -the direction, he appears to have early regarded him as a dangerous -rival. It is certainly to be concluded from what subsequently took -place, that the intimation regarding his jaghire was meant to repress -the ambition of Clive, as connected with Indian affairs; and for a -period it had the desired effect. This we learn from several of his -private letters. In one, to Mr. Pybus at Madras, he makes the following -observations on this subject[157]:— - -"The Court of Directors seem to be much in the same situation as when -you left England. Sulivan is the reigning director, and he follows the -same plan of keeping every one out of the direction who is endowed with -more knowledge, or would be likely to have more weight and influence, -than himself. This kind of political behaviour has exasperated most of -the gentlemen who are lately come from India, particularly those from -Bengal. They are surprised I do not join in their resentments; and I -should think it very surprising if I did, considering I have such an -immense stake in India. My future power, my future grandeur, all depend -upon the receipt of the jaghire money. I should be a madman to set at -defiance those who at present show no inclination to hurt me. I have so -far fallen into their way of thinking, as to preside at a general -meeting of a club of East Indians once a fortnight; and this has all the -effect I could wish, of keeping Sulivan in awe, and of convincing him, -that, though I do not mean to hurt him, I can do such a thing if he -attempts to hurt me. Indeed I am so strongly supported by the Government -and by Parliament, that I should not be afraid of an attack from the -whole body united; but there is no necessity of wantonly exciting them -to attempts against my interest." - -Clive, soon after he recovered from his illness, appears to have -established himself in great favour at Court; and the Queen stood -godmother to one of his children. These marks of royal favour, and his -connection with the administration, combined with his known opinion that -the British legislature ought to take a share in the management of the -national interests in India, tended much to increase Mr. Sulivan's -jealousy, and to alarm his ambition. His feelings, indeed, for some time -remained dormant; but from the first day of Clive's landing in England -there existed no cordiality between them. That no rupture ensued during -this period, is, in some degree, to be attributed to Mr. Sulivan being -in 1762 out of the direction by rotation. Before next general election, -circumstances occurred which decided Clive in the determination to -combine his interests with those of the great majority of Indians[158], -to oppose this autocrat of the India House. - -We find, in one of Clive's letters[159] to Mr. Vansittart, what I -believe to be an honest statement of his feelings at the period at which -it was written; and it sufficiently indicates the part he afterwards -took to prevent the re-election of Mr. Sulivan. - -"There is," he observes, "a terrible storm brewing against the next -general election. Sulivan, who is out of the direction this year, is -strongly opposed by Rous and his party, and by part, if not all, of the -East Indians (particularly the Bengalees), and matters are carried to -such lengths, that either Sulivan or Rous must give way. * * * * * * I -must acknowledge that in my heart I am a well-wisher for the cause of -Rous, although, considering the great stake I have in India, it is -probable I shall remain neuter. Sulivan might have attached me to his -interest if he had pleased, but he could never forgive the Bengal -letter[160], and never has reposed that confidence in me which my -services to the East India Company entitled me to. The consequence has -been, that we have all along behaved to one another like shy cocks, at -times outwardly expressing great regard and friendship for each other." - -The appearance even of friendship could not long continue between -individuals actuated by such different interests and feelings. Lord -Clive was the first to avow openly his real sentiments; but, according -to his own statement, he had the completest proof that Mr. Sulivan was -the secret abetter of those who sought to ruin him both in fortune and -fame; and he ascribed to the encouragement of that gentleman the -numerous articles which appeared in the newspapers and other ephemeral -publications, traducing his character. This belief was confirmed by a -knowledge that the personal efforts of the ex-chairman were -unremittingly applied to exalt the name of Coote to a rivalry with that -of Clive. But what appears to have exasperated him in the highest degree -was the production of a letter[161] which Mr. Sulivan had written to his -friend Colonel Coote, in March, 1761, in which, when remarking upon some -disputes that the Colonel had with the government at Madras, he -observes; "The behaviour of the then Bengal gentlemen to you being -similar to their treatment of their masters, it puts an end to all -reasoning. Still your detention at Madras verifies that reflection of -Pope upon human foresight, 'Whatever is, is best;' and how much are we -indebted to Providence for this disobedience to our orders. Your country -and your friend share the honour of your masterly and prosperous -conduct." - -In the same letter, when referring more immediately to Colonel Coote's -quarrel[162] with the gentlemen of Fort St. George, Mr. Sulivan adds:— - -"Our people at Madras, we find, are hot-headed, but they are able, -generous, and open. I can smother their rebukes; but the ungrateful -wretches, late of Bengal, have hurt my temper. I pray keep up a friendly -correspondence with General Lawrence,—he is great and good. I adore him -for his distinguished and noble spirit." - -The allusions in the latter paragraph of this letter were too plainly -directed against Clive to be mistaken; and considering that, at the -period when it was written, Mr. Sulivan was on professed good terms with -him, he deemed the expression of such sentiments unpardonable. But, on -the other hand, it might have been urged by Mr. Sulivan's friends, that -these sentiments, though brought to light by some breach of confidence, -were meant only for a private friend, and that there could be no breach -of friendship where none existed; that Lord Clive and Mr. Sulivan -belonged to different parties in politics; that their personal -connections and views, particularly as connected with the Indian -administration in England, were opposed to each other; and that, if Mr. -Sulivan had been led by considerations of interest to preserve outward -terms of cordiality with Lord Clive, his Lordship had been alone -restrained from attacking him by similar prudential considerations. - -Amid the causes which tended to hasten a rupture between these -individuals, we must not omit the irritation produced by their -difference of opinion as to the merits and claims of the Company's -servants in India. Clive was the bold and persevering advocate of all -those who had gained and merited his friendship by the aid they gave him -in the performance of their public duties. Several of his -recommendations to Mr. Sulivan met with attention; but others were -treated with slight or delay. I have already mentioned Clive's feeling -respecting Colonel Forde. However great the claims of that officer, the -more recent successes of his rival, Colonel Coote, had fully justified -those who furthered his promotion in England; but Major Carnac had -distinguished himself in Bengal by the defeat of the Shah-Zada, the -surrender of that prince, and the capture of M. Law and the French who -were attached to him. These services, Clive thought, gave him a claim to -a superior commission. He was also very anxious to obtain a majority for -Captain Knox, who, independent of his services under him, had, on -several late occasions[163], established a reputation for skill and -gallantry, superior to any one of his standing in India. - -At this period it was not uncommon to give superior commissions to those -who greatly distinguished themselves. Clive was the advocate of a -system, which, considering the actual state of the service, he thought -indispensable to reward and encourage men of talent and enterprise. Mr. -Sulivan, though he did not deny the merits of the persons brought to his -notice by Clive, appears to have been very reluctant to promote them, at -the hazard of creating discontent to others. He was, like other members -of the Court of Directors at that period, prompt to attend to the -frequent appeals made to them against the local government; and such -appeals were usually from those who had no pretensions to preferment but -that of seniority, and who were often persons quite unfitted, by their -habits and character, for the delicate and arduous duties which, at this -period, devolved upon officers intrusted with high military command. -Clive, by his notes in answer to the Chairman on these points, appears -to have been very impatient of the general reasoning with which his -applications were answered. He conscientiously felt, in supporting those -he brought forward, that he acted from no motive but that of the public -good; he saw that by such maxims our Indian empire never would have been -gained; and he was quite satisfied that the system which Mr. Sulivan -desired to establish, of directing the attention of the civil and -military servants in India to the government in England, was calculated -to subvert all authority in the local administration, and, in its -results, to distract, weaken, and distress our yet infant empire in the -East. Sulivan's were the principles of the head of a commercial company; -Clive's those of the founder and sustainer of an empire. - -To understand all the motives which influenced Clive's conduct at this -period, it is necessary to advert to the changes in the British -administration, and especially, in so far as these affected the -individuals with whom he was most intimately connected. - -The personal influence exercised by Lord Bute over the mind of his young -sovereign counteracted the wise and vigorous measures of Pitt; who, on -being thwarted in his design of anticipating the hostile intentions of -Spain, retired with his friends from the cabinet.[164] Aware of the -great popularity of his predecessor, Lord Bute (who succeeded Mr. Pitt) -tried every effort to increase the number of his adherents. Amongst -others, Clive was courted to give his support to the new administration. -His fame, his wealth, and the votes he commanded, gave importance to his -aid; and the terms offered him were alike tempting to his ambition and -interests: but his respect for the integrity and great talents of Mr. -Pitt had been increased by personal acquaintance[165], and he cherished -the sincerest attachment to Mr. George Grenville, who, on Pitt's -retirement, had resigned his situation as Treasurer of the Navy. Besides -these personal considerations, the measures of Mr. Pitt were congenial -with every sentiment of his mind; and he augured no benefit to the -nation from the less energetic character of his successor, whose avowed -eagerness for peace (he anticipated) would prevent its being concluded -on such favourable terms as the successes of the war gave grounds to -expect. - -Governed by these motives, Clive rejected the overtures of Lord Bute. He -states the grounds of his conduct in a letter to Major Carnac, written a -month after the change of ministers occurred. - -"Now that we are to have peace abroad," he observes[166], "war is -commencing at home amongst ourselves. There is to be a most violent -contest, at the meeting of Parliament, whether Bute or Newcastle is to -govern this kingdom; and the times are so critical that every member has -an opportunity of fixing a price upon his services. I still continue to -be one of those unfashionable kind of people who think very highly of -independency, and to bless my stars, indulgent fortune has enabled me to -act according to my conscience. Being very lately asked, by authority, -if I had any honours to ask from my sovereign, my answer was, that I -thought it dishonourable to take advantage of the times; but that when -these parliamentary disputes were at an end, if his Majesty should then -approve of my conduct by rewarding it, I should think myself highly -honoured in receiving any marks of the royal favour." - -When the treaty of peace between France and England was in the course of -negotiation, the opinion of Bussy[167] was taken on all points connected -with the interests of his nation in India. No similar reference appears -to have been made to Clive, whose knowledge far exceeded that of every -other individual, on this important subject. But he was too earnest in -his desire to promote the future peace of India to allow any party -motives to prevent his offering every information that could aid -ministers in that part of the negotiation which related to our Eastern -possessions; he transmitted, therefore, a memorial to Lord Bute. - -In this memorial Clive stated, that it was not now more than fifteen -years since the European nations, who had established factories in -India, were as much regulated and controlled in their concerns by the -native governments as the natives themselves. To the extortions to which -this exposed them, to the expense of their establishments, and to the -decrease in value in the Indian manufactures, he attributes the -disappointment of the expectations originally formed of great profits -from this trade. Dupleix (he observes), on the ground that commerce -alone must, under such circumstances, be a losing concern, suggested to -his government the policy of making conquests in India; territorial -revenue being, in his opinion, the only source by which a European -nation could derive wealth from that country. - -"Acting upon the principles he recommended," to use the words of the -memorial, "Dupleix engaged in the contentions of the princes of the -country, and had, at one time, in a great measure, obtained his aim. -There remained nothing to complete it but the expulsion of the English -out of Hindustan. We were at that time wholly attached to mercantile -ideas; but undoubted proof of M. Dupleix's projects obliged us to draw -the sword, and our successes have been so great that we have -accomplished for ourselves, and against the French, exactly every thing -that the French intended to accomplish for themselves and against us." - -After stating these facts, Clive proceeds to detail, in this memorial, -the extent to which concessions may be made at a general peace. He -expresses great anxiety that the French should, if possible, be limited -as to the number of men they are to maintain upon the coast of -Coromandel; but, under every circumstance, he is strenuous against their -re-admission to Bengal, except as merchants. - -Lord Bute expressed his obligations to Lord Clive for this -communication. - -"I have received[168]," he states, "your Lordship's letter, and the -paper accompanying it, in which you have offered your sentiments on the -interests of this country with respect to our possessions in the East -Indies, in a very clear and masterly manner. The lights you have thrown -on the subject could not fail of being acceptable to me. I return your -Lordship thanks, therefore, for the communication; and you may be -assured that I will make a proper use of them." - -Every attention possible was given to Clive's suggestions; and by the -definitive treaty of peace, concluded in February, 1763, the French -government agreed not to maintain any troops in Bengal, or in the -northern circars. These were the chief objects to which he had directed -the attention of Lord Bute; but that minister (consulting only his -friend Mr. Sulivan, and the Directors) had inserted an article into the -preliminary treaty, by which the recognition, by the French, of the -title of Mahommed Ali Khan, as Nabob of the Carnatic, was obtained by -the English recognising the title of the ally of the French, Salabut -Jung, as Subahdar of the Deckan. Nothing could be more preposterous than -this guarantee (for to such it amounted) of the title of two Indian -princes standing in the relations the Subahdar of the Deckan and the -Nabob of Arcot did to each other, and to their European allies. Besides, -Salabut Jung had for some years ceased to be the ally of the French, and -was the ally of the English Government. - -Clive, it would appear from the documents in my possession, only heard -by accident of this extraordinary article. He hastened to Mr. Wood, the -Under Secretary of State, whom he soon convinced of the embarrassment -and danger it might produce. Lord Bute being also satisfied by his -reasoning, it was, in forming the definitive treaty, so altered and -amended, that (as I have elsewhere remarked) it might have remained -innoxious, "had it not been subsequently converted by his Majesty's -ministers into a pretext for one of the most unjustifiable and -mischievous acts[169] of interference with the powers of the Company -that is to be found on the page of Indian history." - -Clive was dissatisfied with the peace, and voted in the minority that -condemned that measure. His having come forward, under such -circumstances, to give his aid in improving the treaty, as far as the -interests of the Company were concerned, greatly increased his -popularity with the proprietors. He continued in opposition, though to -the sacrifice of his personal interests; nor was his conduct, on this -occasion, dictated by any hope of Mr. Pitt's restoration to power. He -evidently thought that great statesman had, by his own acts, barred -himself from all chance of future employment. - -Writing to Mr. Vansittart, Clive observes[170]; "Mr. Pitt, -notwithstanding his great abilities and the many eminent services he has -rendered this nation, has become the most odious man living to the King, -nobility, and both parliaments. The King can never forgive him that -unfortunate visit to the city on the Lord Mayor's day, his popularity -was such, that it seemed as if _King William_ instead of _King George_ -had been invited to that grand entertainment. As to the Privy Council, -he has honoured them in Parliament with the names of state cowards and -political misers. In short, his whole interest in Parliament is lost, -and it is very improbable, if not impossible, he should ever come into -employment again." - -Ministers, unable to gain Clive, desired to give him every annoyance, -and by diminishing his wealth and reputation, to lessen his influence. -Lord Bute was Mr. Sulivan's friend and patron; and the latter was a -willing leader in this attack. The measures taken by his opponents -satisfied Clive that he had no means of supporting his own interests but -by a successful opposition to Mr. Sulivan at the ensuing general -election at the India House. - -The share of stock, which at this period, entitled a proprietor to vote, -was 500_l._; and though it was supposed to be the _bonâ fide_ property -of the individual who voted, the law was not so strict but what it could -be avoided; and there is abundant evidence in the papers before me, -that, in these annual contests for the administration, all parties -"split votes" (as it was termed) to a very great extent. - -Lord Clive, in the election of 1763, mentions his having employed -100,000_l._ in this manner; and we find in the following season, when -his friends (after he had left England) so far triumphed over Mr. -Sulivan as to bring Mr. Rous into the chair, that a bill[171] was -brought into the House of Commons, and ultimately carried, by which the -proprietor was compelled to swear, not only that the stock was _bonâ -fide_ his property, but that it had been in his possession a -twelvemonth. This measure put an end (as was intended) to a practice, -which, from being general, had ceased to be a reproach to individuals; -and which, when resorted to by one party, left the other no option but -following a bad example[172], or submitting to defeat. - -Clive engaged in the contest at the general election at the India House -with all the ardour which belonged to his character. His first intention -appears to have been limited to the support of Mr. Rous; but I am led to -conclude, from a few papers still preserved upon this subject, that he -came forward personally as a candidate. - -In a letter to Mr. Vansittart[173], adverting to what passed at a -numerous meeting of the proprietors, he observes:— - -"That tremendous day[174] is over. I need not be particular about it; -you will have it from many hands. I should imagine there were present -not less than eight hundred proprietors. Numbers of neutral people went -off; and no small number of our friends, thinking our majority so great, -that there was no occasion for their presence. Indeed, upon the holding -up of hands, I thought we were at least two to one. This is really a -great victory, considering we had the united strength of the whole -ministry against us. - -"Our cause gains ground daily, I should think we shall be stronger at -the election than we were in the General Court. However, this time only -can show, and I do not choose to be very sanguine, our opponents being -very active." - -In a subsequent part of the same letter, anticipating success as -certain, he enters into particulars as to the share he proposed to take -in the affairs of the Company, and the arrangements he hoped to be able -to carry into effect. It is a relief, when accompanying him into such -scenes, to have the proof which this letter affords, that the -expectation of being better able to promote the interests and strengthen -the empire of India, was the leading motive which induced him to seek a -station, which he may deem it most fortunate for himself and the -interest of his country that he failed in attaining. - -"If we should succeed," he adds in the letter before quoted, "I have no -thought of ever accepting the Chair; I have neither application, -knowledge, nor time, to undertake so laborious an employ. I shall -confine myself to the political and military operations; and I think I -may promise, you shall have a very large military force in India, such a -force as will leave little to apprehend from our enemies in those parts. -I propose having all the troops regimented; that there shall be kept up -at Bengal three battalions of infantry, consisting of seven hundred and -eighty men each battalion, and three companies of artillery, and four -battalions of sepoys; the same at Fort St. George. A much less number -will serve for Bombay. But more of this by the latter ships, when we see -the event of the thing." - -From letters addressed to his friends in India, during the first two -years of his residence in England, it may be inferred that Clive, on his -return to his native country, had no intention whatever of involving -himself so deeply with the parties at the India House, and for some time -he had little intercourse with any of the Directors. - -"The situation I am in at present," he observes in a letter to Mr. -Lushington[175], "and the part of the town where I now reside, seldom -gives me an opportunity of seeing any of the Directors, to whom I have -been very sparing of applications, since I do not like refusals." - -From this and other facts we may collect that the desire to repel -attack, on one hand, and the zeal and confidence of friends, on the -other, hurried him into the contest in which he became engaged. His -cause was warmly espoused by many noblemen and gentlemen of the first -respectability. Almost all those who had served in India were of his -party, and brought with them their friends and connections. These -classes of proprietors were all-powerful at the quarterly meetings of -the General Court; but when Directors were balloted for, the election -was chiefly decided by persons in different walks of life, many of whom -seldom, if ever, attended those Courts; but, having bought stock, either -as a good investment of capital, or as the means of establishing an -influence with the Directors, or with Administration, they gave their -votes at elections as suited their respective interests. Mr. Sulivan had -in his favour a great majority of the Directors, and he was actively -supported by ministers; his strength was consequently great with this -class of voters, and with persons employed in England by the Company, -and the officers and dependents of Government. He numbered also, among -his friends, many of the merchants and tradesmen in the city, and nearly -the whole of the ship-owners and others connected with the trade to -India. - -No election ever excited more interest than that now pending. Each party -summoned all its forces; but Clive was destined to sustain his first -defeat in a contest, in which we cannot but regret he should ever have -engaged. His victorious opponents lost no time in making him feel the -full weight of their resentment. - -It has been already stated that Clive received his jaghire in 1759: the -grounds upon which it had been granted and accepted were, at that -period, placed upon the records of Government. He had enjoyed it four -years; receiving, annually, its amount from the Company. Immediately -after his return to England an intimation was conveyed to him, by Mr. -Sulivan, that the Secret Committee of the Directors desired to -communicate with him regarding this grant. He expressed his willingness -to meet them, and enter into any explanation; and, considering the -jaghire only as a life-rent, he was disposed to meet any fair -arrangement that could be suggested; but the subject had not been -re-agitated. Three years had passed, and his revenue from this source -was regularly paid by the Bengal Government to his agents in Calcutta. -Under such circumstances, whatever he might have apprehended from the -hostility of Mr. Sulivan, whom he had certainly provoked by an open and -determined opposition, he could not but be astonished to hear that the -first step the Directors took, after the election of 1763, was to -transmit orders to the Bengal Government to stop all further payments on -account of Lord Clive's jaghire, and to furnish them with an account of -all sums which had been paid to that nobleman and his attornies since -the date of the grant. - -I find, among the MSS. in my possession, a short narrative of the -progress of this transaction, which presents, in a very compressed form, -a series of facts, a knowledge of which is quite essential to the clear -understanding of this question; I shall therefore give them in the words -of the writer.[176] - -"By the ninth article of the treaty between the Company and Meer -Jaffier, at the time of the revolution in 1757, certain lands to the -south of Calcutta were ceded to the Company as perpetual renters, the -Nabob reserving to himself the lordship and quit-rents, which amounted -to near 30,000_l._ yearly; and the Company could never be legally -dispossessed so long as they continued to pay that quit-rent. The -Company farmed out these ceded lands for above 100,000_l._ a year, and -paid the quit-rent regularly to the Nabob till the year 1759, when the -Nabob, in consideration of the great services rendered him by Lord -Clive, assigned over to his Lordship, for life, that quit-rent. The -assignment passed through all the forms usual in the country; and Lord -Clive became grantee of the rent, under the same authority, precisely, -as the East India Company had become grantee of the lands. From this -period the rent was duly paid to Lord Clive, instead of to the Nabob; -nor was there any intermission of the payment until differences arose -between the noble Lord and Mr. Sulivan. It was intimated to his Lordship -that some scruples were entertained concerning any further payment; and -Mr. Sulivan himself, at last informed him, that the Court of Directors -were of opinion it ought to be retained for the Company's use. Lord -Clive replied, that he was entitled to it as well by the laws of England -as by the laws of India; that his right to the reserved rent was -established upon the same authority as the Company's right to the ceded -lands; that he was, notwithstanding, ready to concur in its devolving to -the Company after he should have enjoyed the possession of it a -reasonable number of years; and that he was desirous of a conference -with the Court of Directors upon the subject, any day they might be -pleased to appoint. - -"It might have been imagined that the Court of Directors, if they had no -other objects upon this occasion than the honour and interest of the -Company and justice to an individual, would have paid some attention to -an acquiescence of this nature. But their resolution, under the -influence of their leader, was to resent the offence given them by the -noble Lord in the attempt he was meditating against their power; and -this was to be done, not by entering into the discussion of any terms of -accommodation, in which each party, contending for the right above -mentioned, might have met, but by putting an immediate stop to the -payment of the jaghire, and leaving upon his Lordship the difficulties -and vexation of recovering his property by a suit at law. - -"There was, however, another secret motive to this violent and unjust -measure. It happened that Lord Clive and his parliamentary friends had, -for some time, acted in opposition to the court-party; and in this -country, where ministers maintain their power by the inflicting of -punishments, as well as by the distribution of rewards, it is no wonder -that they should endeavour to weary out by oppression those whom they -cannot allure by corruption. The Chairman of the East India Company was -known to be at enmity with Lord Clive. Him, therefore, they considered -as the aptest instrument with which the noble Lord might be tortured -into a change of political conduct; and the plan of mutual resentment -was no sooner resolved upon than executed. - -"By one of the first ships which sailed for Bengal after the contested -election, the Court of Directors sent orders to the Governor and -Council, that they should no longer pay to the attornies of Lord Clive -the rent granted him by Meer Jaffier, but that they should in future -detain it in their hands, and carry it to the credit of the Company; and -that they should transmit to the Court of Directors an exact account of -all the sums already received by Lord Clive or his attornies on that -head, as his Lordship's pretensions to the jaghire would be settled in -England. The public letter conveying these orders assigned no reason for -their being issued; but a private letter[177] from Mr. Sulivan to Mr. -Vansittart, then Governor of Bengal, which was soon after produced on -oath in the Court of Chancery, declared that the payment of the jaghire -was stopped, because all cordiality between the Court of Directors and -Lord Clive was at an end. This vindictive plea, confidentially -communicated by the Chairman to his friend the Governor, could not, -however, be set up in a court of equity in justification of a flagrant -violation of right. The Company had, for some years, paid the jaghire -without objection; and even at this time of litigation they neither -claimed any title to it themselves nor pretended that there was any -other claimant than the present possessor. It is not necessary to -enumerate the absurd arguments and mean subterfuges to which the Court -of Directors were reduced, in answer to the bill filed against them by -Lord Clive in the Court of Chancery. It is sufficient to observe, that -the principal reasons which they assigned for discontinuing the payment -were, that the Company might one day or other be called to account by -the Emperor[178] of Hindustan for the money paid under the head of this -jaghire; that, therefore, Lord Clive was accountable to them even for -the sums he had already received; that, if the Nabob, Meer Jaffier, had -a right to grant the jaghire out of his own revenues, (which, however, -the Court of Directors did not admit,) yet as that Nabob had been -deposed by the Company's agents, the grant became of no effect. - -"Such were the grounds upon which the right to the jaghire was -contested; and we may judge how very futile they were, by the sentiments -entertained of them by all the eminent lawyers of the time; for the -Court of Directors consulted gentlemen of the first reputation in the -profession. Among these were Mr. Yorke, the Attorney-general, and Sir -Fletcher Norton, the Solicitor-general, the substance of whose opinions -was, that it did not appear to be material to enter into such objections -as might be made either by the Emperor of Hindustan or the successors of -Meer Jaffier, to the form or substance of the grant of the lands to the -Company, or of the reserved rent to Lord Clive; that they both claimed -under the same granter, and that the East India Company could not raise -an objection against the grant to Lord Clive, founded on the want of -right and power in the Nabob, which would not impeach their own; that -the question was to be considered, not upon the strict absolute words -(according to the laws and constitution of the Moghul empire), but -relatively as between the East India Company, the grantee of the lands -from Meer Jaffier, and Lord Clive, the grantee of the same Nabob, of a -rent issuing and reserved out of those lands when granted to the -Company; that the question ought to be determined between his Lordship -and the Company upon the same principles as the like question would be -determined, arising between the owner of lands in England subject to a -rent, and the grantee or assignee of that rent, in a case where both -parties derived from the same original granter; that it was incumbent -upon the Court of Directors, in this instance, to turn chancellors -against themselves; and that it was for the honour of that great Company -to act upon such principles, not only with foreign merchants, trading -companies, and foreign states and sovereigns, but with their own -servants. - -"Such was the opinion of the greatest lawyers. But the Court of -Directors, actuated, it should seem, rather by a spirit of resentment -than by principles of equity, although they could not hope for a -decision in their favour, determined still to withhold the jaghire, and -to protract the judgment of Chancery by such stratagems or delays as the -forms of judicial proceedings might chance to furnish them with." - -Lord Clive complained (and apparently with great justice) of the mode in -which this measure relating to his jaghire was to be carried into -execution. The letter regarding it was sent to India without any -intimation to him; and when, on hearing that the government of Bengal -had been directed to stop all future payments to his agents, he applied -to the Court of Directors for a copy of their proceedings in a case so -deeply affecting his fortune and his reputation, they peremptorily -refused compliance with his request. - -Under such circumstances, he had nothing left but to institute (as he -did) a suit in Chancery, and to give to his agents abroad the best -general instructions his want of minute information enabled him. Mr. -Vansittart, the Governor, was his principal agent; but conceiving that -his duty to him and that to his superiors might clash, he desired him on -such occurrence to devolve the charge of his interests on Major Carnac, -and in case of this gentleman not thinking proper to act, he nominated -Mr. Amyatt, Mr. Lushington, and Mr. Amphlett[179], his attornies. - -The situation and feelings under which he acted on this remarkable -occasion are fully explained in the following letter to Mr. Vansittart: - - "My dear Friend, - - "Last night I received advice that the Directors had sent orders to - their President and Council of Bengal to pay into their cash the - amount of my jaghire, and not to grant me any bills of exchange on - that account. Without enlarging upon this subject, so arbitrary and - ungrateful a proceeding will give you a just idea of the principles - of those who have the management of the Company's affairs at - present. - - "I am really at a loss what to desire of you about so delicate a - matter. Upon the whole, act like an honest man, and a man of - honour: do justice to your friend without injuring the Company; for - I am satisfied, the more this affair is inquired into, the more it - will be to my honour. At the same time, I am obliged to take every - step both against the Directors and the Governor and Council that - the law will admit of. - - "Enclosed you will receive a letter to that purport, and if you - should judge it not improper to act as my attorney on this - occasion, I request you will act accordingly. I have sent Carnac a - duplicate of the power of attorney sent you by this conveyance, and - you will observe I have appointed the Major, Lushington, and - Amphlett, to act as may be thought most proper by you and Carnac, - with whom I request you will consult on this occasion. - - "If you should find my information not exactly true, and that the - Directors allow you some latitude of judging of my right to the - jaghire, before you take such a step, these precautions of mine may - be laid aside for the present; but I have too good authority for - what I write; notwithstanding the Directors have refused giving me - a copy of the paragraph sent by this conveyance, which I demanded - in form. - - "I am, dear Sir, - - "Your affectionate friend and servant, - - (Signed) CLIVE. - - "Berkeley Square, - - "April 28th, 1763. - -"_To Henry Vansittart, Esq._" - -In a letter to Major Carnac of the same date, after giving him similar -information regarding the conduct of the Directors, he observes:— - - "Your friendship and regard for justice will, I am persuaded, - induce you to take every step in support of both my fortune and - reputation; and the more this affair of the jaghire is inquired - into, the more honour it will do me, and make the ingratitude of - the Directors appear in blacker light. - - "What I wrote you last year is become now absolutely - necessary,—that the old Nabob, as well as the present one, should - acknowledge my right to the jaghire in the strongest terms. Meer - Jaffier will be surprised at this step, and may, if he pleases, - address a letter to the Company upon the occasion; a translation of - which must be enclosed. - - "The opinion of the lawyers is, that the Directors' orders are - illegal; that the President and Council cannot, consistent with - their own safety, put them in execution; for which purpose I have - addressed a letter to the President and Council, forbidding them to - comply with the orders sent them, at their peril. - - "Enclosed you will receive a power of attorney to act for me, if - you shall think necessary, provided Vansittart should decline it - from his being Governor. I have desired Van. to consult with you on - this matter; and you will observe that I have nominated Lushington - and Amphlett to act as my attorneys, if you should not think it - proper, or for my interest, to act for me. - - "In case the Governor and Council should retain my money, or refuse - giving bills of exchange, you (or whoever acts as my attorney) are - immediately to commence a suit at law against the Company, and to - transmit a very exact account of all your proceedings, that it may - be taken up in England. I am not in the least doubt of making the - aggressors pay dear for the attempt; but their purpose will, in - some respect, be answered by their lawsuit, as it prevents me - becoming a Director next year. However, this will not prevent me - from bringing in my friends, which will be the same thing." - -Lord Clive wrote to his friend, Mr. Amyatt, in much the same terms: he -observes, in the conclusion of this letter[180],— - - "You, who know the honourable manner in which I acquired my - jaghire, will not be wanting to do me justice; at the same time, do - your duty to the Company as far as is consistent with equity and - your own safety; for I tell you very plainly, that if the Governor - and Council obey the orders received from the Company, they must do - it at their peril, and that I shall immediately commence an action - against them by my attorneys in Bengal. - - "The letter I send to the Governor and Council, I am persuaded, you - will look upon as an act of necessity, in order to save my - undoubted property from the worst of enemies,—a combination of - ungrateful Directors." - -From the sentiments entertained and expressed by Mr. Vansittart and Lord -Clive's other friends in Bengal, and the result of communications with -the Nabob and Emperor[181], there is no doubt that every step would have -been taken, and every document obtained, that could have confirmed his -right to the jaghire; but an arrangement which took place in the ensuing -year at the India House rendered all further proceedings unnecessary. - -The violent animosities of parties in Bengal, which spread to England, -were brought to a crisis, in that country, by intelligence of the -dreadful massacre at Patna, and the murder of Mr. Amyatt, and those by -whom he was accompanied, at Moorshedabad. These events will be fully -noticed in the next chapter. Suffice it here to say, that they produced -the greatest alarm in the mind of every one connected with India. - -The proprietors now turned all their attention to the state of Bengal; -where, besides what had occurred with the native government, the -recriminations of the opposed parties among their own servants had -brought to light a scene of corruption, division, and distraction in -their internal rule, which, if not early remedied, threatened to bring -complete ruin upon their affairs, and to disappoint all the golden -dreams of profit from their possessions in that quarter of India. - -Under such circumstances it is not surprising that the eyes of almost -all should have been turned on Clive, as the only person fitted to -remedy the mismanagement and misrule of their Indian empire. At a very -full General Court he was unanimously solicited to return to India. - -At the same time, the proprietors proposed to the Directors the instant -restitution of his jaghire; nor can there be a doubt (according to the -narrative[182] now before me) that this vote would have been carried by -a great majority; but Lord Clive, who was in Court, not thinking it -strictly honourable to take advantage of this sudden spirit of -generosity, and to carry, merely by his popularity, a case which was -depending at law, rose, and requested they would desist from their -liberal intentions; adding, that from being sensible of the impropriety -of going abroad whilst so valuable a part of his property remained in -dispute, he would make some proposals to the Court of Directors, which -would, he trusted, end in an amicable adjustment of this affair. - -Lord Clive had now thrown off all disguise with Mr. Sulivan; they were -open and irreconcilable opponents. His Lordship, on this occasion, -pursued a course quite suited to the boldness and decision of his -character. After stating what he had done about the jaghire, he -concluded by observing, "There was another and more weighty obstacle to -his undertaking the management of the affairs in Bengal, without the -removal of which he thought it incumbent upon him to apprise them of his -positive determination to decline entering again into their service: -that he differed so much from Mr. Sulivan in opinion of the measures -necessary to be taken for the good of the Company, that he could not -consider that gentleman as a proper Chairman of the Court of Directors; -that it would be in vain for him to exert himself as he ought, in the -office of Governor and Commander in Chief of their forces, if his -measures were to be thwarted and condemned at home, as they probably -would be, by a Court of Directors under the influence of a Chairman, -whose conduct, upon many occasions, had evinced his ignorance of East -India affairs, and who was also known to be his personal and inveterate -enemy; that it was a matter totally indifferent to him, who filled the -chair, if Mr. Sulivan did not; but that he could not, consistently with -the regard he had for his own reputation, and the advantages he should -be emulous of establishing for the Company, proceed in the appointments -with which they had honoured him, if that gentleman continued to have -the lead at home."[183] - -Mr. Sulivan, fearing he might fall a sacrifice to the resolution which -he saw the Court entertain of possessing on any terms the services of -Lord Clive, and knowing too well the frame of his Lordship's mind to -expect any change in sentiments he had so decidedly avowed, rose, and -expressed his concurrence in the opinion of the General Court as to the -talents of Lord Clive, with whom he could conceive no reason why he -should be at variance, it having been his desire to live in friendship -with him. After these professions, and some general observations of the -same tendency, Mr. Sulivan proceeded to represent the impropriety of -superseding (by the civil and military powers proposed to be granted to -Lord Clive) Mr. Vansittart, Governor of Bengal, and Major-General -Lawrence, who had lately been induced to return to Madras. He also -stated the disappointment which the nomination of Lord Clive would -create to Mr. Spencer, a Bombay servant lately nominated to the head of -affairs at Bengal. But the General Court were in no temper to listen to -such reasoning, and with one voice insisted upon the Directors making -the appointment. The Directors, as a last resource, desired to try the -question by ballot; but the bye-laws of the Company establish that no -ballot shall take place except by a requisition of nine proprietors. -Though upwards of three hundred were present, this number could not be -found to sign their names to such a requisition; and the Court, in -consequence, adjourned. - -The Court of Directors, thus compelled to attend to the wish of the -Court of Proprietors, nominated Lord Clive Governor and Commander in -Chief of Bengal. There was some hesitation about the military commission -interfering with that of Major-General Lawrence, who, though advanced in -years, and infirm, had accompanied his near relation Mr. Palk, when that -gentleman was appointed Governor of Madras. But Clive intimated, that it -was far from his wish to supersede his old commander: all he required -was, that neither Major-General Lawrence nor any other officer should -have the power of interfering with his command in Bengal. - -Lord Clive received his appointment[184] within a month of the general -election; and the Directors hurried their preparations for his -departure, from a desire that he should leave England before that took -place; conceiving, no doubt, that his doing so would evince a confidence -in their support, and prevent that opposition which several of them -expected, on the ground of their known hostility to the popular -Governor. A letter was, in consequence, written to Lord Clive by the -Secretary, informing him that a ship was ready to receive him. He -replied, that, for reasons he had assigned at the General Court, he -could not think of embarking, till he knew the result of the election of -Directors, which was to take place in the ensuing month. The Directors, -when they received this answer, declared that they considered it as a -resignation of the government. They therefore summoned a General Court, -at which one of the proprietors in their interest moved, that, as Lord -Clive declined the government of Bengal, they should proceed to a new -nomination; but his Lordship's declaration at the late Court had made -too deep an impression to be easily erased. The proprietors saw nothing -in his conduct but manly consistency with the sentiments he had before -so decidedly avowed; and, on the other hand, viewing the conduct of the -Directors as an unworthy artifice to evade compliance with their wishes, -they threw out the proposition with violence and clamour. - -On the 25th of April, 1764, a very warm contest took place. Mr. Sulivan -brought forward one list of twenty-three Directors; and Mr. Rous (who -was supported by Clive) produced another. Notwithstanding his friend, -Lord Bute, was no longer minister, Mr. Sulivan succeeded in bringing in -half his numbers; but we cannot have a stronger proof of the degree in -which the attack of Lord Clive had shaken the power of this lately -popular Director, than the fact that his own election was only carried -by one vote. In the subsequent contest for the chair, Mr. Rous -succeeded; and Mr. Bolton, who was also of Clive's party, was nominated -his Deputy. - -Soon after the election of the Directors, the Court took the subject of -the settlement of Lord Clive's jaghire into consideration; and a -proposition, made by himself, was agreed to[185], confirming his right -for ten years, if he lived so long, and provided the Company continued, -during that period, in possession of the lands from which the revenue -was paid. - -Lord Clive, previous to his departure, communicated his sentiments to -the Directors, very fully, upon all points connected with affairs in -Bengal. The subject of his letters will be noticed hereafter. Suffice it -to say, that the same emergency which caused his nomination led to his -being vested with extraordinary powers; and he was, aided by a committee -of persons of his own naming, made independent of his Council. His -recommendations of different military officers were also attended to. -The King's troops being at this period recalled, all officers in his -Majesty's service were ordered to England. Major Caillaud, promoted to -the rank of Brigadier General, had been appointed to Madras; Major -Carnac's services were rewarded with a similar commission, and the -command of the troops in Bengal; Sir Robert Barker was appointed to -command the artillery; Majors Richard Smyth and Preston were nominated -Lieutenant-Colonels of the European corps; and Major Knox advanced to -the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, to command the sepoys. - -The victory which Lord Clive obtained at the India House was followed up -by his friends, who, on the next general election (1765), strengthened -their party among the Directors very considerably; and Mr. Sulivan, -notwithstanding the active exertions of his adherents, was again -defeated. This success gave Clive the support he required during his -short but important administration of the affairs of Bengal. It laid, -however, the foundation of the future troubles of his life; for those -over whom he now triumphed cherished their resentments[186]; and their -ranks were early recruited by numerous malcontents from India, whom -Clive's reforms had either deprived of the means of accumulating wealth, -or exposed to obloquy. The efforts of his confederated enemies will be -noticed hereafter: the subject is mentioned here merely as a consequence -of his engaging personally in the politics of Leadenhall Street. How far -that step was one of wisdom, or of necessity, it is very difficult to -determine. - -The twenty-four Directors were at this period elected annually; and they -had no sooner taken their seats than they were obliged to commence an -active canvass to maintain them. Their patronage was the great means by -which this was effected; and as that extended to almost every office in -India, the value of which rose in proportion to the undue exercise of -local authority, the Directors, generally speaking, might be said to -derive strength from the continuance of those abuses which, as managers -of the Company's concerns, it was their duty to correct. At the period -of which I am writing, a great change had taken place in this body. -Within the last ten years a number of the servants of the Company had -returned to England with large fortunes; all of those bought India -stock, to give them weight as proprietors; and many sought the -direction, either to support their own interest, or that of their -friends. Their efforts to influence elections brought them sometimes -into violent collision with each other, but oftener with those classes -of individuals who, before this change, had almost wholly monopolised -the management of the affairs of the East India Company. - -To judge from the papers and pamphlets written by the different parties -concerned in the general elections, and the means taken to create and -influence the votes by ballot, we should pronounce that the India House, -at this period, presented, annually, a scene in which there was little -more of temper, and decorum of language, than at any popular election in -the kingdom. No person better knew the nature of these contests than -Lord Clive; and no one could be more anxious to avoid them. The -resolution he took and declared, of preserving himself personally clear -of them, was communicated to all his friends; and there can be no doubt -that he was sincere in desiring to abstain from mixing in a scene where -he might lose, but could not gain, reputation. But England is a country -where men who require support must give it. Lord Clive had grounds, from -his first landing in his native country, to dread an attack upon his -fortune. He ascribes (and no doubt justly) the forbearance of his -opponents to their dread of his influence, particularly with ministers -and at court; but that was now at an end, when his attachment to Mr. -Pitt and Mr. Grenville, and his disapprobation of the peace, led him, as -we have stated, to reject the overtures of Lord Bute, when that nobleman -added to his power, as the court favourite, that attached to the station -of Prime Minister of his country. - -Lord Clive, under such circumstances, had no choice between bartering -his independence to obtain security to his fortune, and strengthening -himself, through other means, in order to resist the attack with which -he was threatened. He had many and warm friends among men of the first -rank and respectability in England; and a numerous body of Indians were -attached to him, either through gratitude, or from admiration of his -character. But all these persons had their own objects to serve; and a -continuance of their attachment could not have been expected by one who, -thinking only of himself, chose to be neutral in affairs which nearly -concerned their honour or their interest. To prevent, therefore, his -being left defenceless and at the mercy of those in whom he had no -confidence, Clive, we must suppose, was compelled to come forward; and, -once in the field, defensive measures (however prudent) were altogether -unsuited to his character. He immediately became the assailant; and his -short but active campaign at the India House, though chequered with -defeat and victory, was ultimately successful, from the same causes -which had made him so often triumph in very different scenes. His bold, -open, and uncompromising mind gave courage to his friends, and filled -with dismay the ranks of his enemies. But never was that good fortune -which attended this extraordinary man through life more conspicuous than -when it preserved him from sinking into the leader of a party at the -India House, and restored him to his proper sphere, to improve and -consolidate his former labours, and fix beyond dispute his claim to the -title of the Founder of the British Empire in India. - -Lord Clive, notwithstanding the opinion he expressed of the imprudence -of Mr. Pitt, continued to entertain the greatest veneration for that -statesman. In a letter to Major Carnac, he expresses his delight at the -feelings of indignation with which Mr. Pitt heard of the conduct of the -Directors in stopping the payment of his jaghire. But the person to whom -Clive appears to have most completely attached himself was Mr. George -Grenville; and the connection between them rested upon principles alike -honourable to both. It was by the advice of Mr. Grenville that Clive -came to a compromise with the Directors; and he interfered, personally, -to bring the dispute between his Lordship and that body to an amicable -conclusion. - -When Clive left England, he took care to free himself of all political -connections, except with his friend Mr. Grenville; and he requested the -members whom he brought into parliament, and those friends who from -gratitude chose to give him their personal aid, to make the support of -that statesman the rule of their conduct. We learn these facts from the -letters of Mr. Walsh to Clive, after the departure of the latter from -England. - -In one letter, written when Mr. Grenville was in office, Mr. Walsh -observes, "There is no alteration in the administration; the coldness -and jealousy between them and Lord Bute seem to continue, and rather to -increase. Your friend Mr. Grenville maintains his ground very well; -indeed he appears to me to confirm his power daily, by his vast -application to business, and by the moderation and circumspection with -which he conducts himself. He is very sparing of promises, and -therefore, as I take it, means to keep those he makes, which is the sure -foundation for a durable administration. I am much inclined to think -that while he has any influence, there will be no unpopular steps taken -by the ministry. The day of the general warrants held till five in the -morning, when an amendment that destroyed the motion was carried by a -majority of thirty-nine. Before the debate, I spoke to Mr. Grenville, -and reminding him of what had passed when you introduced me to him, I -remarked that it was upon such occasions as the present that he had the -most want of assistance from his friends; and that I was apprehensive my -being no longer neutral, as I was last year, would, instead of being of -use to him as I meant it, be of detriment; and that, therefore, I left -it to his option, whether I should come down that day or not; upon, -which, he very handsomely desired me to come down by all means, and be -determined by the merits of the cause, and not only that day, but during -the whole session. I accordingly was there, and staid till one in the -morning, when the debate, having got amongst the lawyers, grew -excessively dull and tedious, and not being very well at the time, I -retired without voting at all." - -In a subsequent letter[187], Mr. Walsh informs Lord Clive of the -unexpected change that had taken place in the administration. After -describing the different political parties that had arisen, and were -likely to arise, he adds, "As to me I do not propose being absolutely of -either party; your interest does not appear to me by any means to -require it, nor do my inclinations at all lead me to it. Mr. Grenville, -it is true, I consider as entitled personally to all your assistance; -but his connections are no ways to be justified. The man, therefore, not -his party, should have your support, and, agreeably to what you yourself -told him in my presence, that your ministerial attachments would cease -for ever with his quitting the administration, your plan henceforward -should be independency." - -Lord Clive had a most tedious voyage to India. The ship put into Rio -Janeiro, from whence we find letters to all his friends in England. -Constantly alive to every object which affected, in the most remote -degree, the interest of his country, he communicated to Mr. Grenville -the observations which occurred to him upon the state of the colony, -which he had very unexpectedly visited. - -"As a well-wisher to my country," he observes[188], "I cannot avoid -representing to you the deplorable condition of this capital settlement -of the Portuguese. I should think myself deserving of everlasting infamy -if I did not, with a battalion of infantry, make myself master of Rio -Janeiro in twenty-four hours. They have nothing here that deserves the -name of fortification: an unflanked garden wall with a rampart, with -some old unserviceable and honey-combed cannon, constitute the chief -strength of this place; and if the capital be in this defenceless -condition, what are we to think of the subordinate settlements on the -coast of Brazil. Bad as the Spaniards are, they could not fail, upon a -future war, of making a speedy and easy conquest of all the Portuguese -possessions in this part of the world, which would be of much more -consequence to Spain than the conquest of Portugal. If a hint of their -weakness could be conveyed to the court of Portugal, and the reformation -already begun there could be extended to the coast of the Brazils, it -might be the means of preserving their valuable possessions from falling -into the hands of the Spaniards sooner or later." - -Mr. Grenville, after he left office, acknowledged the receipt of this -letter and some small presents from the Cape. He refers, in this -communication, to the change of administration which had so recently -occurred; and I quote his observations less from their connection with -the life of Clive than from the value which attaches to every sentiment -of one of the most honourable and eminent statesmen who belonged to this -period of English history. - -"I take this opportunity," Mr. Grenville observes[189], "of repeating to -your Lordship my thanks, for the honour of your letter from the Brazils, -and for the sensible and useful observations contained in it; which I -immediately endeavoured to make the best use of in my power. I have -since then received an account of your very obliging present of some -wine, a sea-dog, and some birds from the Cape. The sea-dog was unluckily -lost in the voyage home, by jumping overboard, and the birds I have not -yet been able to get; but when I return to town, I shall apply to Mr. -Walsh for his assistance. The wine is safely lodged in my cellars, and -by the account of it, I make no doubt will prove excellent. - -"Your Lordship will have heard long before this letter can reach your -hands, of the change which the King has been advised to make in his -administration, in consequence of which I have no longer the honour to -be in his Majesty's service. You will certainly have received many -comments upon this very sudden (and, from the situation of public -affairs when it happened, very unexpected) alteration; but as I am too -nearly concerned in this event to make them, I will only say, that I -sincerely wish it may be productive of benefit to the King and to the -kingdom, instead of being attended with that confusion and disorder -which is generally expected, if the present system should continue, -though that is thought not likely. For my own part, I can only say, that -I am in the same opinions, and shall endeavour to promote the same plan -for the public business out of office, which I did whilst I had the -honour to hold one. In these sentiments, those who are now in his -Majesty's service will probably not agree with me; but on the other -hand, I have reason to hope for the approbation of those who have done -me the honour to approve my conduct. I shall earnestly wish in every -situation, to preserve the good opinion and kindness which my friends -have so strongly expressed towards me upon the present occasion, and to -cultivate the good will and friendship which your Lordship has shown to -me. Our accounts here of the state in which you will find affairs in the -East Indies are too uncertain for me to be able to make any pertinent -observations upon them; I will, therefore, content myself with -expressing to you my warmest and most hearty wishes, that you may be -attended with the same success and honour to yourself, and the same -benefit to the public, in your present command, as your former conduct -in those countries so deservedly acquired." - -Lord Clive had been flattered during his stay in England, by having a -vote passed that his statue should be placed in the India House along -with those of General Lawrence and Sir George Pocock. A medal[190] had -also been struck at the desire of the Society for Promoting Arts and -Commerce, in commemoration of the victory of Plassey, and its great and -important results. These honourable marks of regard and respect could -not but be gratifying; and, combined as they were with the enjoyment of -domestic[191] happiness, and the society of friends to whom he was -attached, they naturally rendered him very reluctant again to leave his -native country. The bad health he had for the first twelvemonth after -his return made him dread the effects of an English winter; but latterly -he appears to have overcome that feeling, though we meet, in his -letters, with occasional expressions of despondency, which indicate that -depression of spirits consequent on the nervous attacks to which he -continued to be subject. - -Lord Clive purchased, as his town residence, the lease of the excellent -and spacious house, which still belongs to his family, in Berkeley -Square. He made several improvements on Styche; but the house and lands -being on a limited scale for his fortune, he bought the estate of -Walcot, and employed a celebrated architect[192] to render the mansion -suitable to the residence of his family. His kind attentions to his -parents appear to have been greater than ever; and when on the eve of -returning to India, though his agents' letters show that the purchases -he had made and the stoppage of his jaghire had so embarrassed him, that -he had no money at command, he generously gave a bond to each of his -five sisters for 2,000_l._, in addition to the present to the same -amount which he had before given them. - -Lord Clive carried to India Mr. Strachey, and Captain Maskelyne, a -brother to Lady Clive. He exerted his utmost efforts to forward the -interests of her other brother, Mr. Nevil Maskelyne of Cambridge; and -these efforts, supported as they were by the great science and high -character of that gentleman, obtained for him the Regius professorship -at Woolwich.[193] - -Mr. George Clive, who (as has been before stated) brought home a -moderate fortune, improved it by marriage; and was too comfortably -settled to return to India. Mr. Scrafton had become a Director; but his -grave duties do not appear to have deprived him of his usual high -spirits. In one letter, he warns Lord Clive, that he is now in a -different relation to him, being "one of his honourable masters." In -another, he gives a humorous account of some of their mutual -acquaintances and friends. - -"I add this letter," he observes, "to give you an account of that arch -Tory Harry[194], who, having shook off a load of gout at Mortlake, is -come to town so pert, so envenomed with toryism, that he is quite -unsufferable. He goes about boasting of your Lordship's conversion, -abuses Mr. Pitt, impeaching his patriotism and honour, because a private -gentleman has left him an estate which he swears he has no right to, and -that the will should be set aside, for that the man who made it must -have been _non com._; trumps up the Duchess of Marlborough's legacy, the -Hanover millstone, &c. &c.; swears Lord Bute is the only man of merit, -and Tories the only true patriots. * * * * Young Walcot has married a -parson's daughter _sans un sol_; and Walsh has married a country-house, -that will run away with more money, and give him more plague, than half -the wives in England. Poor Daddy King is half eat up with the gout; has -just one hand left to play at cards, and the free use of his tongue, so -that he has as much enjoyment of his faculties as if his whole body were -at ease." - -Lord Clive's friend Mr. Pigot returned to England before his Lordship -left it: his fortune[195] was reported to be very large; and through the -influence it enabled him to establish, he attained first a baronetcy, -and afterwards a peerage. - -Mr. Orme had settled in England; and from his correspondence appears (at -this time) to have been engaged in finishing the second part of his -history. In a letter[196] now before me, he complains of the -obstructions which forms create to his examination of the records of the -India House; while he expresses his hope of meeting more facility from -the kind attentions of Lord Clive. Writing to that nobleman, he -observes, "I have had permission to poke into the records of the India -House, and have discovered excellent materials for the exordium of my -second volume; but the difficulty of getting them away is immense, for -every scrap of an extract that I desire is submitted to the -consideration of the Court of Directors; so that in three months, and -after making twenty-five journeys to the House, I have not got half what -I want. All because they wo'n't lend me old books, of which not a soul -in England suspected the existence until my rummages discovered them. I -am afraid, my Lord, that these gentlemen suspect that I shall make a -fortune by my book; and therefore think all the trouble and impediments -I meet with to be what I have no reason to complain of, as it is in the -way of trade. - -"You, my Lord, have treated me differently; and pray continue to do so. -Make me a vast map of Bengal, in which not only the outlines of the -province, but also the different subdivisions of Burdwan, Beerboom, &c. -may be justly marked. Get me a clear idea of the different offices and -duties of Duan, Bukhshee, Cadgee, Cutwall, and all other great posts in -the government. Take astronomical observations of longitude, if you have -any body capable of doing it. I send you a skeleton of the Bengal map I -intend for my second volume, and I will hereafter send you the first -sheets of the book itself; which will contain matter entirely new, even -to us East Indians; but that cruel India House, and my paper -constitution, keep me back most terribly." - -Among those he had left in India, Lord Clive regarded none with more -sincere friendship than Major Carnac[197]; and when he feared that that -officer would resign the service from disgust at the treatment he had -received, he wrote him in the most urgent manner, to take no such -precipitate step. He informs him, in one letter[198], that he had -exerted himself to the utmost, and would continue to do so while he -lived, to promote his views; and "if any accident happens to me," he -adds, "I have left you an annuity of 300_l._ per annum." - -Mr. Amyatt had established himself very high in the opinion of Lord -Clive, with whom he maintained, for several years, a very intimate -correspondence, to which frequent reference has been made. Lord Clive -thought equally well of this gentleman's talent and integrity; and was -deeply grieved at hearing of his death. He had, it is true, recommended -Mr. Vansittart to be his successor, in preference to Mr. Amyatt; but the -latter was quite satisfied that this was done from a conscientious -conviction of Mr. Vansittart's superior competency to the station; and -he knew that Lord Clive had endeavoured, though unsuccessfully, to -obtain for him the succession of the government of Bengal, which had -been given to Mr. Spencer, a member of Council at Bombay, a gentleman -whom Clive had recommended to be at the head of his own presidency, but -against whose present nomination he remonstrated in the strongest -manner, on the ground of his abilities and character (though -respectable) not being such as to warrant the supersession of so many -civil servants at Bengal, and particularly of Mr. Amyatt. - -We have often had occasion to notice the intimate footing on which Clive -had lived for many years with Mr. Vansittart, and the high opinion he -entertained of his virtue and abilities. Though condemning the -dethronement of Meer Jaffier, he ascribed the chief blame of that -measure to Mr. Holwell, and believed that his friend Van. (as he termed -him) had acted from necessity: but when Cossim Ali was left uncontrolled -to pursue his own course, and the Governor, acting on the system of -non-interference with the Nabob's authority, abandoned to his mercy the -rich Hindus and others, who had long looked to the English for -protection, Clive was unqualified in his condemnation of a policy which -he deemed calculated to injure the reputation, and with it the strength, -of the British Government. The opinions he gave on this subject were in -direct opposition to those contained in the minutes and memorials -published by Mr. Vansittart in defence of his conduct; and their wide -difference on a subject of such importance led to their being of -opposite parties in the India House. - -Mr. Sulivan became the advocate of Mr. Vansittart, whose modesty, -moderation, and great virtue he contrasted with the bold, grasping -ambition of Lord Clive; and this circumstance, more than any other, -tended to loosen those bonds by which the two friends had been so long -united. - -When persons are in the situation of Lord Clive and Mr. Vansittart, -every trifle obtains importance, and serves to widen the breach. Lord -Clive appears to have been, during the whole of his residence in -England, very desirous to establish himself well at court. Among other -attentions, he studied to gratify the curiosity of the King, by -obtaining for him some of the most remarkable animals of the East. He -wrote[199] several times to Mr. Vansittart to aid him in this object. -Some time after his application, Lord Clive received a letter from that -gentleman, intimating that he had sent home two elephants[200], a -rhinoceros, and a Persian mare, which he requested his Lordship would, -along with his brother, Mr. Arthur Vansittart, present to his Majesty. - -When these animals reached England, Mr. A. Vansittart requested Lord -Clive would accompany him to court, to present them. The following -answer to this letter shows the first impression which this transaction -made upon his Lordship's mind. - -"Upon the receipt of your letter," Lord Clive observes, "enclosing a -copy of a paragraph from your brother, I can plainly perceive, that Mr. -Vansittart, declining to comply with the request I made him, of -purchasing and sending home, on my account, an elephant, to be presented -to his Majesty by me, has taken that hint to send one home on his own. -This unkind treatment I neither deserved nor expected from Mr. -Vansittart. I am persuaded his Majesty will not think I am wanting in -that respect which is due to him, if I decline presenting, in another -person's name, an elephant which I intended to present in my own. At the -same time, I shall take care his Majesty be informed of the cause of my -desiring to be excused attending you to his Majesty, with Mr. -Vansittart's presents." - -An explanation took place upon this subject; and it appears by a -letter[201] from Lord Clive to Mr. Vansittart in the following year, -that some blame attached to the captain of the ship, who acted, -according to Lord Clive's opinion, at the instigation of Mr. Sulivan. -But it is a justice we owe to the memory of the latter gentleman to -state, that Lord Clive was in such a frame of mind at the time he -listened to this accusation, as readily to believe that every thing -(whether public or private) which tended to annoy or injure him -originated with or was aggravated by, his rival for supremacy at the -India House. - -Though several causes combined to interrupt that cordiality which had -once subsisted between Lord Clive and Mr. Vansittart, no open rupture -took place. The latter had left Calcutta before his successor arrived, -and returned to his native country with a moderate fortune[202], and a -character for integrity that was never impeached, even by those who -censured most severely the weakness and impolicy of many measures of his -government. - -Lord Clive, in the hurry of leaving England, forgot to include Mr. Call, -the chief engineer at Madras (with Mr. Campbell[203] and Mr. Preston), -in his recommendation for a brevet commission as Colonel. He wrote[204] -from Rio Janeiro to the Chairman, Mr. Rous, entreating he would rectify -his mistake, and prevent so excellent an officer being hurt by neglect. -In the same letter he called his attention, in a very forcible manner, -to the merits of Colonel Forde. - -"If Caillaud," he observes, "should not go to the coast of Coromandel, -pray do not forget Colonel Forde, who is a brave, meritorious, and -honest officer. He was offered a jaghire by the Subah of the Deckan, but -declined taking it upon terms contrary to the interest of the Company. -Lord Clive, General Lawrence, and Colonel Coote, have received marks of -the Directors' approbation and esteem; Colonel Forde has received none. -The two captains who fought and took the Dutch ships in the Ganges -received each a piece of plate; but Colonel Forde, the conqueror of -Masulipatam, who rendered the Company a much greater service by the -total defeat of all the Dutch land forces in Bengal, has not been -distinguished by any mark of the Company's favour." - -I here close the account of Clive's second visit to his native country, -in which he resided more than three years. I have been minute in -relating the events of this period. They had, both as they related to -the friendships he formed and improved, and the hostility which his open -and warm temper provoked, a serious influence upon his future career; -and a knowledge of them is quite essential, both to the developement of -his character, and to the understanding of the subsequent part of these -volumes. - - - FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 12 - - -Footnote 154: - - 27th of February, 1762. - -Footnote 155: - - This fact he mentions in several letters. In one to Mr. Amyatt, after - entreating that gentleman to remain a short time longer in Bengal, to - succeed Mr. Vansittart in the government, he warns him against - retiring till possessed of an ample fortune. He notices the - disappointment experienced by many of their friends, by the discovery - of their inadequate means, and adds, that he had already spent[b] (in - a period of eighteen months) upwards of 60,000_l._ - -Footnote b: - - This letter is dated 27th of February, 1762. Clive could not have - reached England before September or October, 1760, and had been a - twelvemonth on a sick bed. - -Footnote 156: - - 27th of February, 1762. - -Footnote 157: - - 27th February, 1762. - -Footnote 158: - - We have already noticed, that the most violent of Mr. Sulivan's - opponents were the gentlemen from Bengal, who formed, on this - occasion, a party, long afterwards known in the India House by the - name of the "Bengal Squad." - -Footnote 159: - - 22d November, 1762. - -Footnote 160: - - For this letter, vide _antè_, p. 129. - -Footnote 161: - - In the heat of the canvass at the India House, in the beginning of - 1763, a copy of this letter was obtained and circulated. One was sent - to Clive, who transmitted it to Mr. Vansittart, with expressions of - the most unqualified indignation. - -Footnote 162: - - Colonel Coote, when he took Pondicherry, supported by the Admiral, - desired to keep that fortress for the King of England, and appointed - an officer to command it. Mr. Pigot, and the gentlemen in Council at - Fort St. George, refused to advance pay to the army till the fortress - was given up; and having thus compelled that concession, removed the - commandant nominated by Colonel Coote. - -Footnote 163: - - The rapid march of Captain Knox to the relief of Patna in 1760, and - the severe action he afterwards fought with a handful of men against - Cuddim Hussun Khan, who had a considerable army, were exploits worthy - of Clive himself. - -Footnote 164: - - Mr. Pitt resigned on the 5th October, 1761. - -Footnote 165: - - We find in Clive's correspondence many allusions to his intercourse - with Mr. Pitt, whom he describes as impressed with the fullest - conviction of the importance of India to England. In a draft of a - private note to the Chairman of the Directors, (which is not dated) he - observes; "A few days ago I was with the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. - Pitt. The discourse of the former was truly in the courtiers' - style—many professions of friendship and regard, many offers of - service, without the least meaning in them; but the discourse of the - latter, which lasted an hour and a half, was of a more serious nature, - and much more to the purpose. The subject was the support and welfare - of the East India Company. Mr. Pitt seems thoroughly convinced of the - infinite consequence of the trade of the East India Company to the - nation; he made no scruple to me of giving it the preference to our - concerns in America. Indeed, a man of Mr. Pitt's influence and way of - thinking is necessary to oppose to the influence of Lord Anson, who - certainly is no friend to our Company." - -Footnote 166: - - 23d November, 1762. - -Footnote 167: - - Bussy carried home a very large fortune, and through its influence he - attained great consideration. The favour he enjoyed at court was - increased by his connection with the Duc de Choiseul, whose niece he - married soon after his return to France. - -Footnote 168: - - Letter from Lord Bute, 1st September, 1762. - -Footnote 169: - - The act to which I here allude is the appointment of Sir John Lindsay, - ambassador from the King of England to the Nabob of Arcot. For an - account of this transaction, vide Political India, vol. ii. p. 36. - -Footnote 170: - - 2d February, 1762. - -Footnote 171: - - The history of this bill is very curious, and is fully given in the - letters of Mr. Walsh and others to Clive. It was brought forward in - 1764, and read twice; but owing to some informality in its wording, - was thrown out that session. This was imputed by Mr. Sulivan to the - measures of his opponents, many of whom would have been disqualified, - from not having had the stock for the prescribed period: they, on the - other hand, accused Mr. Sulivan of having so timed the bill, as to - establish his own votes and destroy those of his opponents. - -Footnote 172: - - Mr. Walsh, in a letter to Lord Clive, of the 14th of February, 1765, - after telling him of Mr. Sulivan's having split a number of votes, and - of Mr. Divon (a partner of Child's house) having split 30,000_l._ to - support him, informs Clive that he means to do the same with some of - his money. He adds, "I am splitting mine to the amount of 20,000_l._ - It is a troublesome and dangerous business, but the act of parliament - will put an end to it." - -Footnote 173: - - 19th March, 1763. - -Footnote 174: - - Clive here alludes to a quarterly meeting of the Court of Proprietors. - -Footnote 175: - - 28th February, 1762. - -Footnote 176: - - The extract here quoted is part of a larger paper in defence of Lord - Clive's conduct, and believed to be written by the late Sir Henry - Strachey. - -Footnote 177: - - The contents of this private letter to the President of the Council at - Bengal were as follows:—"That all cordiality being at an end with Lord - Clive, the Court of Directors had stopped payment of his jaghire; a - measure which would have taken place years ago, had it not been for - him (Mr. Sulivan); and that, on this head, the said President was to - obey every order which he might receive from the Court of Directors; - and that more was not, nor must be expected of him." - -Footnote 178: - - Lord Clive, in his address to the proprietors in 1764, answers all - these objections in a very full and conclusive manner. In treating of - the supposed claims of the Emperor and the want of power in the Nabob - to grant a jaghire, he remarks, that the arguments used against him by - the Directors are exactly those which the Dutch government had - recently brought against them, in the affair of the destruction of - their armament in 1760; and he refers the Court, in answer to their - present plea, to the memorial they lately submitted to his Majesty; in - which, after justly describing the Emperor of Delhi as possessing, - beyond very narrow limits, only a nominal power, they observe; "The - Nabob makes war or peace, without the privity of the Moghul; that - there appears still some remains of the old constitution in the - succession to the state of Nabob; yet, in fact, that the succession is - never regulated by the Moghul's appointment: the Nabob in possession - is desirous of fortifying his title by the Moghul's confirmation, - which the court of Delhi, conscious of its inability to interpose, - readily grants. The Nabob of Bengal is, therefore, _de facto_, - whatever he may be _de jure_, a sovereign prince." - -Footnote 179: - - Mr. Amphlett (a connection of Lord Clive) was a civil servant of - Bengal; but his abilities as an engineer had led to his being employed - in improving the works at Fort William. - -Footnote 180: - - 28th April, 1763. - -Footnote 181: - - The Shah-Zada (Shah Alum) had, before Clive's letters arrived, - succeeded to the throne of Delhi. - -Footnote 182: - - MSS. of Sir Henry Strachey. - -Footnote 183: - - I have extracted this summary of what Lord Clive said upon this - subject from the MSS. before quoted. - -Footnote 184: - - March, 1764. - -Footnote 185: - - This agreement between the Company and Lord Clive is as follows:— - - "By indenture bearing date the 16th May, 1764, between the United - Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies on the - one part, and Robert Lord Clive on the other part, it is agreed, - that the said Company shall, for the term of ten years, cause to be - paid to Lord Clive, his administrators, &c. out of their treasury - in Bengal, (to be computed from the 5th May, 1764,) the full amount - of the said jaghire rents; provided nevertheless, that in case the - said Lord Clive should die before the expiration of the said ten - years, the Company shall make good the payment of the jaghire only - to the time of the death of him the said Lord Clive; provided also, - that in case the Company shall not be in actual possession of the - lands out of which the said jaghire issues, and the revenues - thereof, to and for their own use, and during the said term of ten - years, then and in such case, the said Company shall not be - compellable or subject to pay any further part of the jaghire than - shall accrue due during the said Company's actual possession of the - said lands out of which it issues." - -Footnote 186: - -Mr. Sulivan was not defeated without an active struggle. Mr. Walsh, in a -letter to Lord Clive of the 5th April, 1765, speaking of the contest, -observes:—"Lord Bute joined him (Mr. Sulivan) very strenuously, and got -the Duke of Northumberland to do the same. This change may appear -extraordinary; but abject submissions on the one part, and tender -solicitations on the other, are said to have brought it about!" - -Footnote 187: - -13th December, 1765. - -Footnote 188: - -14th October, 1764. - -Footnote 189: - -14th October, 1765. - -Footnote 190: - -The following is the account of this medal given by Mr. Stuart (commonly -called Athenian Stuart) by whom it was designed. "The medal commemorates -the battle of Plassey, and is in honour of Lord Clive. On one side is -his Lordship, holding the British standard in one hand, and with the -other he bestows the ensign of Subahship on Meer Jaffier. In the space -between, are grouped together a globe, a cornucopia, and an antique -rudder, to which the legend refers. The cornucopia symbolises the riches -with which Meer Jaffier atoned for the injuries done to our countrymen -by his predecessor; the rudder is for the augmentation of our navigation -and commercial privileges; and the globe, for our territorial -acquisitions; all of which were consequences of this victory. In the -exergue is written, '_A Soubah given to Bengal_.' - -"On the other face of the medal is a victory seated on an elephant, -bearing a trophy in one hand, and a palm-branch in the other. The -inscription is '_Victory at Plassey_,' '_Clive Commander_.' In the -exergue is the date of the victory, and the mark of the Society for -Promoting Arts and Commerce." - -Footnote 191: - -In the collection of letters in my possession are many which prove the -happiness Lord Clive enjoyed, at this period, in his family; but he was -not exempt from severe afflictions. I have before mentioned the loss of -an infant boy, when he sailed on his second visit to India. When he left -Calcutta in 1760, his youngest boy was so ill, that he could not embark; -the child was left in charge of Mr. Fullarton, and died. A daughter, as -has been mentioned, was born to Lord Clive after his arrival in England; -and Lady Clive, when he sailed, was on the point of being confined -again. - -Footnote 192: - -Mr. (afterwards Sir Robert) Chambers. - -Footnote 193: - -Dr. Nevil Maskelyne is better known as Astronomer-Royal at Greenwich. - -Footnote 194: - -Mr. Harry Clive. - -Footnote 195: - -Mr. Watts estimated Lord Pigot's fortune at 400,000_l._ It had chiefly -been made (according to the same authority) by lending money at high -interest to the Nabob, the chiefs, and managers of provinces. This -practice was then too common to be considered as in any way -discreditable; though it was soon afterwards discovered to be one of the -most baneful and injurious to the public interests that the Company -could tolerate in any of their servants, but above all, in those high in -station. - -Footnote 196: - -21st November, 1764. - -Footnote 197: - -Major Carnac, in 1760, came to St. Helena with Lord Clive, and from -thence returned to Bengal. - -Footnote 198: - -June, 1764. - -Footnote 199: - -One of Lord Clive's letters to Mr. Vansittart is dated 17th December, -1762. The passage alluded to is as follows:—"I must again repeat my -desire of having a large elephant embarked for his Majesty, if the thing -be practicable, of which you must be a better judge than I, who are upon -the spot; and if you can send me any curiosities, such as antelopes, -hog-deer, nilgows or lynxes, I shall be much obliged to you." - -Footnote 200: - -One of the elephants was so large that it could not be embarked. - -Footnote 201: - -In this letter, which is dated January, 1764, Lord Clive observes; "I am -sorry there should be any mistake about the elephant; and although I was -somewhat affected at first at the commission you gave me to present the -elephant to his Majesty in your name, instead of my own, yet the thing -in itself appears to me to be of too trifling a nature for either of us -to think any more about it. Your brother will inform you in what manner -Sampson has acted, owing, I believe, to the instigation of Sulivan." - -Footnote 202: - -Mr. Walsh writes to Lord Clive, that Mr. Vansittart told him his fortune -did not exceed 2,500_l._ per annum. - -Footnote 203: - -Afterwards Sir Archibald Campbell, Governor of Fort St. George. - -Footnote 204: - -14th October, 1764. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAP. XIII. - - -Before resuming the narrative of Clive's life, and accompanying him on his -last visit to India, it will be necessary to take a general and concise -view of the events which had occurred in that country during the short -period of his absence. It would, indeed, be impossible, without such a -review, to understand the nature of the scenes in which he became engaged, -or the motives and grounds of the measures he adopted. - -He was succeeded in the administration of the affairs of Bengal by Mr. -Vansittart; who, as he owed his elevation to Clive, was disposed, we may -conclude, to pursue the course of policy which Clive had marked out. But -however easy it may be for a man of moderate talent to follow genius in a -smooth and beaten track, it becomes impossible, where the road is rugged -and indistinct, and where the slightest deviation leads inevitably to the -widest separation from him who preceded. - -This was the case with Mr. Vansittart. He had a clear perception between -right and wrong, in the abstract; but his letters and minutes, soon after -he was appointed governor, show that he was quite incompetent to take a -comprehensive view of the great and conflicting interests committed to his -charge, and still less to quell the violent passions that were in action. -He found evils of much magnitude, and he conscientiously desired to remedy -them; but he appears to have looked no further, and, consequently, to have -often exchanged bad for worse. Volumes have been written for and against -the measures he adopted: they will be here noticed only in a very cursory -manner. - -I have stated, in the tenth chapter, that at the period of time when Clive -sailed for England, accounts had been received of the advance of the -Shah-Zada towards Patna; and that Colonel Caillaud had been detached with -a force to aid Ram Narrain in repelling the invasion. Alumgeer the Second -had been murdered by his minister, Umad-ul-Moolk[205]; and the -Shah-Zada[206], on becoming emperor, had assumed the title of Shah -Alum[207]; nominating, at the same time, Sujah-u-Dowlah (the ruler of -Oude) his vizier. - -The young emperor was successful in his first action with Ram Narrain; but -the latter being reinforced by Colonel Caillaud and Meeran, the invaders -were, in their turn, defeated[208], and compelled to retire from before -Patna. The Emperor, however, instead of retiring towards Benares, took the -route of Moorshedabad, whither he was pursued, and obliged to retrace his -steps; and, after another ineffectual attempt to take Patna, he retreated -to Hindustan. The triumph of the Nabob's arms was completed by the defeat -of the rebel Raja of Purneah, by Captain Knox; but, in the midst of these -successes, an event occurred, which became the proximate cause of another -revolution in Bengal. The Prince Meeran, who has occupied so conspicuous a -part in this narrative, was killed[209] by lightning. This violent young -man had been at once the support and dread of the less energetic Meer -Jaffier. Though Meeran was sensible of the necessity of the aid of the -English, he was impatient of the state of dependence and control in which -the alliance with that nation had placed him; and the continual conflict -of his interests and passions rendered him turbulent and dangerous. To -Clive, alone, he was obedient; and a sentiment of attachment and respect -for that commander appears, on many occasions, to have checked him in -schemes that must have terminated fatally for himself, or his father. This -prince, with all his vices and errors, was generous to his dependents and -army; who, after his death, afraid of losing their arrears, surrounded the -palace, and threatened the life of their sovereign, against whom many of -his dependents took up arms; and, as if the misfortunes of the country -were to be complete, it was visited by a predatory incursion of the -Mahrattas. - -Amid these scenes of war, mutiny, rebellion, and plunder, Mr. Vansittart -assumed the government of Bengal.[210] Mr. Holwell, who had been in -temporary charge, cherished the greatest prejudice against the reigning -Nabob. Meer Jaffier was, according to him, the author of all these evils; -and so entirely did he succeed in impressing the new governor with the -same sentiments that, within two months[211] from Mr. Vansittart's arrival -at Calcutta, a treaty was concluded with Meer Cossim Ali, son-in-law to -the Nabob, the general of the army, engaging that the Nabob should invest -him with full power as ruler of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa; in return for -which, he made over to the Company the fruitful provinces of Burdwan, -Midnapore, and Chittagong. - -The ostensible causes of this revolution are honestly, indeed, but not -very satisfactorily, stated by the Governor himself in his narrative[212], -and seem to have been chiefly the financial difficulties of the Company's -affairs. The Nabob was to a certain extent in arrear, and other pressures -were felt. "The season had now begun," says Mr. Vansittart, "when our -forces were to take the field against a powerful enemy, whilst we had -scarce a rupee in our treasury to enable us to put them in motion. The -easy channel in which the Company's affairs ran, whilst the sums -stipulated by the treaty (with Meer Jaffier) lasted, had diverted their -attention from the distresses which must unavoidably fall on them, -whenever that fund should be exhausted; and continuing to act on the same -extensive plan in which they set out, they now found themselves surrounded -by numerous difficulties, which were heightened by the particular -circumstances of the country at this period, and weighed down with the -very advantages which they had acquired; that is, an establishment which -had lost the foundation on which it was built; a military force -proportioned to their connections and influence in the country without the -means of subsistence; a fortification begun upon the same extensive plan, -at a vast expense; and an alliance with a power unable to support itself, -and threatening to involve them in the same ruin." - -Mr. Vansittart adds, that had indolence and weakness been the Nabob's only -faults, destructive as they were to the welfare of the country and of the -Company, he would have felt more severely the necessity of measures the -tendency of which was to dissolve the engagements between him and the -Company; but that in addition to this, he found a general disaffection to -his government and detestation of his person and principles in all ranks -of people. Even from this representation of the person principally -concerned in the revolution, it is plain that the measure "of not only -breaking a solemn treaty without previous warning and negotiation with the -prince with whom it was contracted, but even of dethroning that prince, -without attempting to remedy by some convention the temporary evils -complained of, was a rash and unjustifiable measure, particularly where -the change and all the articles of the new treaty were so obviously for -the advantage of one of the parties only." - -The Governor went to Moorshedabad in the hope of persuading Meer Jaffier -to resign a power which he endeavoured to convince him he was alike unfit -and unworthy to use, and to place it in the hands of Cossim Ali, who was -his nearest connection, and the commander of his army. We cannot be -surprised that the Nabob should indignantly repulse these attempts to -render him the willing instrument of his own degradation. He refused to be -associated, in any way, with the proposed arrangements for the better -government of his dominions; and stipulated for nothing but permission to -retire to Calcutta, that his life might be safe from that danger to which -it must be exposed, if he remained at his own capital. His request was -granted; and Cossim Ali was proclaimed Nabob.[213] - -The character of this chief stood high before his elevation. Of the crime -of guilty ambition, it is vain to think of clearing him; but if he -afterwards committed the greatest atrocities, and if his memory has -become, from his cruel deeds, an object of just abhorrence with the -English, it must not be forgotten that he was stung to madness, by the -conduct of individuals of that nation; that he was rashly raised to power, -by men who could not support him in its exercise, and driven to -extremities by others, who, in the pursuit of their own interests and -political views, appear to have thought all means justifiable, that could -accelerate his downfall. - -There is no page in our Indian history so revolting as the four years of -the weak and inefficient rule of Mr. Vansittart. He was, as an individual, -virtuous and respectable, and his intentions were pure; but these personal -qualities were altogether insufficient to carry him through such a scene -as that in which he became involved. His apologists have imputed his -failure to the want of support from his associates in power, to that -spirit of cupidity and rapacity, which had been kindled by the successes -of Clive, and to the hopes and intrigues of the natives, which were -cherished and excited to action by those that were hostile to the Governor -and his plans. - -These assertions are all true, but they only serve to prove the want of -that superiority of mind, that spirit of command in Mr. Vansittart, which -would have enabled him to sway the minds of his own countrymen, as well as -the want of that foresight which should have led him to abstain from the -adoption of measures extremely questionable in themselves, and which he -did not very clearly see that he could carry through. The only ground of -apology for _him, and that not a very sufficient one_, is, that he allowed -himself to be surprised in adopting the measure at all; and that even in -the instrument which he employed for executing the work, he was deceived -in the character of Meer Cossim, whose financial skill and ferocious -energy were both equally unforeseen. The truth, however, is, that many of -the acts of Mr. Vansittart's administration were less his own than those -of a selfish and domineering council. - -The first year of the new Nabob's reign was marked by success against his -foreign enemies. Major Carnac, who now commanded the English troops in -Bengal, defeated the Emperor at Gyah; and a rebellion of the chief of -Beerboom and Burdwan was repressed by the aid of a detachment under Major -Yorke. Major Carnac, who had obtained just reputation from his military -operations, had acquired more with the natives of India by his generous -treatment of M. Law, who was compelled to surrender to him, and by his -humane and politic behaviour to the unfortunate emperor, whom he had -defeated, but whom he afterwards waited upon and attended as one of his -subjects. - -The courteous behaviour of Major Carnac to the French commander excited, -according to the author of the Seer Mutakhareen, equal astonishment and -admiration. We cannot refrain from giving an account of the surrender and -treatment of M. Law in the words of the native historian.[214] - -"When the Emperor left the field of battle, 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 for the moment of his death. This being -reported to Major Carnac, he detached himself from his main, 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 (sepoys) 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 in their language ensued. The Major, after paying high -encomiums to M. Law for his perseverance, conduct, and bravery, added -these words:—'You have done every thing which 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 the Major sent for his own palankeen, made him sit in it, and he -was sent to camp. M. Law, unwilling to see, or to be seen, shut up the -curtains of the palankeen for fear of being recognised by any of his -friends at camp; but yet some of his acquaintances, hearing of his being -arrived, went to him. 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 Koreishee, who was an -impertinent talker, having come to look at him, thought to pay his court -to the English by joking on the man's defeat; a behaviour that has nothing -strange, 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 -Beeby (Lady) Law, 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 -nation, but cannot be suffered in ours, which 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 been -always 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 in 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." - -The Emperor of Delhi this year[215] invested Cossim Ali as Subadar of -Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa; the latter agreeing to pay an annual tribute of -twenty-four lacs. The aid of the English was desired to fix the Emperor -upon the throne of Delhi; and in return, an offer was made of the Dewanee -of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa; but, though the project was entertained at -Calcutta, the want of funds for the expedition, and alarm at the -embarrassments in which it might involve the Company, prevented its -acceptance. - -The consequence of the success of his arms, was a desire, on the part of -the Nabob, to avail himself of it to confirm his power, and to enable not -only to raise funds to discharge the heavy burdens imposed upon him as the -price of his elevation, but to enrich himself. No means appeared more -likely to effect these ends than the plunder of Ram Narrain, the -celebrated governor of Patna. Mr. Vansittart had anticipated this desire, -and had furnished Major Carnac with orders to protect a man, who had so -often merited, and so often received pledges of protection from the -British government. Happy would it have been for the English name and -interests, had the Governor persevered in this resolution!—but deceived by -the artful representations of Cossim Ali, and irritated by the opposition -and remonstrances of Major Carnac, who had (as his friend Clive -thought[216], most unnecessarily,) joined his opponents, Mr. Vansittart -appointed Colonel Coote to the command of the troops at Patna, as -preparatory to abandoning its ruler. But Coote, like Carnac, refused to be -passive, much less to be the instrument of a measure which they both -deemed a violation of pledged faith to an individual; and as such, -derogatory to the honour, and injurious to the interests of the British -nation. The consequence of this opposition, which, however laudable the -motives, was quite indefensible in military officers, was the removal of -Colonel Coote; after which Ram Narrain was seized, but no wealth was found -in his possession. His imprisonment, and subsequent execution, by order of -Meer Cossim Ali brought just reproach upon the English government: for -nothing but direct rebellion, or the most flagrant violation of his duty, -could have warranted the abandonment of one whom we had so repeatedly, and -so specifically, guaranteed against the apprehended avarice and resentment -of his superior's passions, which were aggravated by the protection that -policy had compelled us to give to this Hindoo ruler. That the conduct of -Cossim Ali was not to be anticipated, is a weak and inadmissible excuse. -The faith of the British nation should not have been committed to such -hands: for if there exists one ground of strength more than another to our -empire in India, it is the strict maintenance of such guarantees as that -which had been given to Ram Narrain. They can never be made without -creating hostility in the parties whose power they limit, or to whose -interests they are, or seem to be, opposed. Every artifice, and every -effort, therefore, will be used to induce us to break them; and when we do -so, we may be satisfied, that we lose more of real strength, by every such -act, than can be gained by the most brilliant victory. - -One of the chief causes of the discord which prevailed in Bengal was the -exemption from duties on their private trade, claimed by the Company's -civil servants, who at that period were remunerated by their trade rather -than their salaries. The system of collecting customs on the transit of -goods in the interior of the country prevailed all over India; and in -Bengal much inconvenience was felt, and many quarrels arose, from the -number of tolls and inspections to which the Company's goods were liable, -in common with all others, in their transit to and from the marts of -purchase and sale. To obviate these, it was arranged with the Nabobs, in -explanation of the Emperor's firman, that the Company's flag and -_dustuck_[217], in their boats and other conveyances, should secure their -goods from search; and as their trade consisted solely of goods from -foreign parts for sale in the country, or of country goods for foreign -exportation, the privilege only partially interfered with the trade of the -interior. While the Nabobs and their officers were in full power, any -abuse of this privilege was easily checked. But when, after the accession -of Meer Jaffier, the English had become all-powerful, and it was dangerous -to interfere with their acts, or to question their proceedings, the -Company's servants, who had still the privilege of trading on their own -account, not only covered their private adventures, by passports under the -Company's name, but all their servants and dependents claimed an exemption -from internal duties on the same plea, and besides entered deeply into the -internal trade of the country. During the vigorous administration of Clive -such attempts had been rare; but when all fear of correction was lost in -the increasing weakness of his successors in the government, men set no -limits to their efforts to enrich themselves. The Nabob's revenue was -injured, and his authority insulted, in every quarter of his dominions, by -the exemptions claimed for the trade of European agents, and the respect -demanded for the persons of the lowest of their servants. Against their -pretensions and excesses he made the most forcible remonstrance, but in -vain. Many of the persons of whom he complained were members of Council; -and it was not surprising, therefore, that difficulties should occur in -any attempt made by the Governor to check and reform such abuses. Cossim -Ali became impatient of delay; and finding his representations produce no -effect, and that the orders of the government were either evaded or -disobeyed, he himself took, and authorized measures of violence, that -increased the discontent and hostility of the party opposed to Mr. -Vansittart; many of whom were the persons chiefly benefited by the abuses -complained of, who represented him as leaving British subjects and public -servants of the Company at the will and mercy of a capricious tyrant whom -he had unjustly raised to the throne. - -To remedy these evils, Mr. Vansittart negotiated a treaty, by which, while -some advantages were left to the servants of the Company, many of the -privileges they had claimed were done away. This treaty, though -exceptionable in some of its clauses, might have operated well, had Mr. -Vansittart's Council been disposed to listen to reason, and had Cossim Ali -been more temperate. Trusting to his judicious and active administration -of the customs as one of the sources out of which he was to discharge the -heavy pecuniary obligations under which he had come to the English, he -adopted the strictest measures for enforcing their collection. The -adjudication and enforcement of all fiscal demands by the articles of the -treaty had (unfortunately as affairs stood) been left to the Nabob's -officers. Numerous collisions instantly ensued in all parts of the -country. "In truth," says Mr. Verelst[218], a dispassionate observer, "it -soon became a personal quarrel. Meer Cossim, in the orders issued to his -officers, distinguished between the trade of his friends, and of those who -opposed him, treating individuals with indecent reproach." The opponents -of Mr. Vansittart, who thought their interest injured, and who now formed -the majority of Council, combined in measures which soon led to an open -rupture. - -So excessive were the claims made by the English and their native -servants, for carrying their goods free from the duties paid by the -Nabob's own subjects, that the whole commerce of the country was thrown -into confusion, and ruin was threatened to the Nabob's finances. As a -measure of justice to his own subjects, and to prevent the daily breaches -of the peace which occurred, he saw no remedy left, but to abolish all -customs in his dominions. An order was accordingly issued abolishing all -tolls and customs for the space of two years. - -This act of the Nabob, though extorted by necessity, and so injurious to -his own revenue, was loudly exclaimed against as an infringement of his -engagements with the Company; and two agents[219] were sent to demand its -annulment. But before they could adjust differences, events were brought -to a crisis, principally through the impressions made upon the Nabob's -mind by the conduct of the majority of the Council.[220] - -Mr. Vansittart informs Lord Clive of his measures for regulating trade; -but states his apprehensions of the result. These were but too fully -verified. The Nabob, alarmed by the assembly of all the Council from the -out-stations, and outraged by their seizure of some aumils (or revenue -officers) for the performance of his orders, became most violent, and was -rendered more so from the daily reports of the conduct of Mr. Ellis, chief -of Patna, who, from the first, had been the determined opponent of his -elevation. A knowledge of the disposition, and a belief of the hostile -intentions of this public agent, led him to stop two boats proceeding to -Patna with arms; and he added to this act of aggression a demand for the -removal of Mr. Ellis, and the English detachment from Patna. This conduct -was regarded as very little short of an open declaration of war; and as -such, it was treated by the majority of the Council, who issued orders to -Mr. Ellis, giving him the power (if he thought it right to exercise it) to -anticipate the Nabob's hostile designs by seizing upon the citadel of -Patna. The reins of government had fallen from the hands of Mr. -Vansittart, and were guided by a selfish and sordid majority. - -It was in vain that Mr. Vansittart and Mr. Warren Hastings protested -against giving such discretionary power to a man known to be so violent. -They too truly anticipated the result. At the very moment Cossim Ali -(alarmed at having proceeded too far) released the boats, he heard of the -Fort of Patna being surprised and taken by the English troops, acting -under the orders of Mr. Ellis. Though it was immediately re-taken by his -troops, Cossim Ali's rage, at what he deemed a treacherous commencement of -hostilities, knew no bounds; and throwing away the scabbard, he became -furious in his resentment against the whole English nation, and all who -had adhered to them. Mr. Amyatt[221], one of the deputies sent to Monghyr, -was murdered on his way back to Calcutta. To Ram Narrain's death was added -the execution of the two Hindu Seits (or bankers), who had always been -supposed attached to the English interests; and notwithstanding the -entreaties and threats of the Governor, and the more direct menaces of -Major Adams, commanding the British forces, he glutted his vengeance with -the deliberate murder of Mr. Ellis and all the English (except one) who -had been taken prisoners at Patna. Their numbers amounted to one hundred -and fifty, of whom fifty were military or civil officers. - -Subsequently to this act of atrocity[222], Cossim Ali and the German[223], -Sumroo, (who had been the instrument of the massacre,) fled before the -British troops, and found refuge in the territories of Oude. -Sujah-u-Dowlah, the prince of that country, not only refused to deliver -them up on the demand of the British commander, but, acting as an ally of -Cossim Ali, advanced to attack the English army, then under Major Munro, -from whom he received a signal defeat at Buxar. He was afterwards pursued -into his own country, and again discomfited, though he had been joined by -the Mahratta chief, Mulhar Row Holkar. So situated, this ruler adopted a -very politic and decided course. He would not, he said, bring a stain upon -his honour, by surrendering men who had sought his protection; but he -commanded Cossim Ali and Sumroo to quit his dominions, and repaired to the -British camp, throwing himself entirely upon the clemency of his enemy. To -this he was chiefly induced by the accounts which had been received of the -return of Clive, whom he could not hope to oppose, and whose resentment he -hoped to disarm by unqualified submission. His conduct and character were -represented in the most favourable light by Major Carnac, who earnestly -recommended that he should be treated with generosity, and confirmed in -his dominions. Such a measure, this sensible and liberal officer remarked, -would be more beneficial to our interests and reputation, than any change -we could make in this quarter of India. - -The events that have been described led to the re-elevation of Meer -Jaffier to the Musnud; and we must, therefore, shortly revert to the -history of that prince. - -Before Clive left India, Meer Jaffier had committed many acts that might -have been construed into infractions of the treaty with the English, and -more, that, strictly viewed, would have proved him ill suited for the high -station to which he had been raised: but Clive considered that his conduct -was less to be attributed to his character, which was weak and -vacillating, than to the galling nature of his dependent condition; and as -the relations between the Nabob of Moorshedabad and the English could not -be changed, without danger to the very existence of the latter, he judged -wisely, that, while Meer Jaffier abstained from hostility, however glaring -his defects, any change in the head of the native government would be -impolitic, and attended with consequences alike injurious to the -reputation and interests of the British government. - -The departure of Clive was the most serious of all misfortunes to Meer -Jaffier. He required the most liberal toleration that enlarged policy -could give to his measures. He had, besides, a respect for the character -and a dread of the displeasure of Clive, which operated as a check upon -his excesses. Mr. Holwell (the temporary successor to Clive) could not -succeed to his influence over the mind of the Nabob, whose want of -personal deference must have aggravated the bad impressions the new -governor appears to have previously entertained of his character. But, -though Mr. Holwell has laboured to prove that Meer Jaffier, subsequent to -his combination with the Dutch, carried on a correspondence with the -Shah-Zada hostile to the English, the fact is not clearly established; and -if it were, the sound principles that regulated the conduct of Clive would -have led to its being passed over. The unhappy death of Meeran, however, -was the event which tended most to accelerate the revolution. It threw, as -has been shown, the army and country into equal confusion; and the step -taken by the Nabob of elevating his nearest connection[224] and most -efficient military leader, Cossim Ali, to the condition before held by his -son, proved the proximate cause of his ruin. - -Cossim Ali's ambition was of too active a nature to render him content to -await the death of his father-in-law and benefactor; and he found, in the -distracted state of the Nabob's government, and in the prejudices of those -intrusted with the administration of the Company's affairs in Bengal, -ample grounds to proceed upon. He had also recourse to what he no doubt -deemed more certain means of effecting his object. He promised (and the -promise was afterwards made good[225]), large sums to those of the select -committee who had favoured his elevation. He anxiously desired to extend -his gifts to the members of the committee who were opposed to the measures -of the Governor; but they rejected his offers, and made such rejection a -strong ground of the sincerity of that protest[226] which they had entered -against the proceedings of the Governor and his party on this memorable -occasion. - -The letter written by the secret committee of Bengal to the Court of -Directors, at the period of Clive's departure for England, has been -already noticed. It was, of course, deemed most contumacious; and as a -mark of their displeasure, the Court dismissed from their service the four -civil councillors.[227] Three of those dismissed were zealous supporters -of Mr. Vansittart; and their removal threw the power into the hands of a -majority, whose violence, in their opposition to him and Cossim Ali, led -to measures which precipitated the rupture with the latter, and all the -horrid acts by which it was attended. - -On the breaking out of the war, the restoration of Meer Jaffier was urged -by the majority of the Council; and when the excesses of Cossim Ali put an -end to all hopes of a settlement with him, Mr. Vansittart and Mr. -Hastings, who were at first opposed to the measure, concurred in it. The -re-elevation was attended with few changes. He confirmed the -concessions[228] made by Cossim Ali, and restored the advantages of trade -to the English which that prince had taken from them. Meer Jaffier -survived his restoration to power but a short period; and that was -disturbed by mutinies in his army, and by the intrigues and corruption of -his court. He imputed all his misfortunes to the absence of Clive; and he -anxiously desired to protract his existence till the arrival of one, whom, -notwithstanding all their disputes and differences, he appears throughout -to have considered as his only true friend. The gratification of his wish -was denied him. He died a few months before Clive's arrival[229]; but the -warm and often-expressed sentiments of Meer Jaffier, on this point, show -that he was neither destitute of good feeling nor discernment. The -sincerity of his attachment was proved by the last act of his life, which -was to leave a legacy to his friend. The amount and destination of this -bequest shall be hereafter mentioned. - -On the death of Meer Jaffier, doubts arose as to his successor. The first -claimant was Nujum-ud-Dowla, a youth of twenty, and son of the deceased; -and the second, his grandson (the son of Meeran), who was only six years -of age. After some deliberation, the decision was in favour of the former. - -By the treaty[230] concluded with this prince, the military defence of the -country entirely devolved upon the English; the Nabob agreeing to keep no -more troops than were necessary for purposes of parade. The most -remarkable feature of this arrangement was, the agreement of the young -Nabob to appoint, with the advice and concurrence of the English -government, a Naib Subah (or vicegerent), to conduct the civil -administration of his country. At the time when Meer Jaffier was restored, -the choice of his minister was, of course, considered as being of the -greatest importance. While at Calcutta, he proposed to appoint to that -office Nundcomar[231], a Hindu of the worst character. To this Mr. -Vansittart strongly objected, recommending Mahommed Reza Khan, a -Mahommedan noble of talent and of reputed integrity, but who was opposed -(probably for those very qualifications) by the intriguing and corrupt -faction which had long governed the court of Moorshedabad. The Nabob soon -after left Calcutta, when Nundcomar followed; and, in spite of Mr. -Vansittart's remonstrances, being supported by the majority in Council -opposed to the Governor, he was intrusted with the direction of the -Nabob's affairs. Mr. Vansittart had left Bengal before the death of Meer -Jaffier; on which event, by the treaty that followed, Mahommed Reza Khan -(then at Dacca) was elevated to the rank of Naib Subah to his successor, -Nujum-ud-Dowla.[232] - -Mr. Vansittart, or rather his council, has been reproached[233] (as Clive -was) for making Nabobs, without any reference or respect for the -legitimate authority of the Emperor of Delhi, or his Vizier, -Sujah-u-Dowla. But however politic it might have been to have gained the -sanction of such authorities after the measure was adopted, a previous -application would have been the height of folly and of weakness. Whatever -latitude of interference, or right of approbation, had been given to the -Emperor or his minister, would assuredly have been exercised for venal and -ambitious purposes; and the embarrassments, that must ever attend such -proceedings, would have been multiplied tenfold. Sujah-u-Dowla, it is -true, upbraided the English with their conduct in this particular. He -accused them of casting down and putting up Nabobs at their pleasure; but -this was to gain opinion, and afford a pretext for the hostilities he -meditated against their power. The very chief who made this accusation was -the proclaimed minister and servant of the Emperor; but he yielded him -neither obedience, nor a participation in the revenues of the wide and -rich territories of Oude. Names and forms, as connected with the different -relations of authority in the empire of India, continued to be observed, -and were so far of importance; but, as connected with the substance of -power, they had been, for a long period, wholly neglected; and though we -may agree with the historical antiquary, who judges from the principles of -times long past, and looks only to the theory of Indian government, that -the English were wrong, yet, if we take a dispassionate and comprehensive -view of the actual condition of India, we must, I conceive, not only deem -them defensible upon this point, but pronounce that, under the -circumstances in which they were placed, it was quite impracticable for -the local authorities at Calcutta to pursue any other line, without -sacrificing the interests committed to their care, and greatly increasing -the anarchy and bloodshed in the country, regarding the administration of -which the disputes existed.[234] - -The changes that took place at Madras during Clive's absence from India -have little relation to these Memoirs, as that presidency continued, -during his second administration, almost unconnected with Bengal. Suffice -it, therefore, to say, that the power of the English Nabob (as he was -termed), Mahommed Ali Khan, was fully established[235]; the strong -fortress of Vellore was besieged, and taken from Mortiz Ali Khan, and part -of the Carnatic was assigned, as a jaghire, to the Company. - -Another event occurred during this period[236], which created a great -sensation. The gallant Mahommed Esoof, who had so greatly distinguished -himself in the early campaigns of Lawrence and Clive, had been continued -in the management of Madura and Tinnevelly, which he had been the chief -instrument of reducing to order. He was, in this situation, subject to the -Nabob, to whom, and those around him, he was not long in becoming an -object of jealousy and hatred. The defalcation of revenue from exhausted -countries, and the haughty replies made by a proud soldier to reproaches, -added to the preparations he made to guard against the designs of those he -justly deemed his enemies, furnished ample pretexts for accusing him of -malversation and rebellion. The Company's troops were combined with those -of the Nabob for his reduction; which was not, however, effected, without -great waste of blood and treasure, and at last accomplished by an act of -treachery. A Frenchman in his service, of the name of Marchand, betrayed -him; and he was put to death by the Nabob, Mahommed Ali. This gallant -soldier, no doubt, became a rebel to the prince he served; but he may be -deemed, in some respects, the victim of those disputes for power which ran -so high, at this period, between the English and the Nabob. Mr. Pigot, -according to Mahommed Ali, forced Mahommed Esoof upon him as the manager -of the countries of Madura and Tinnevelly; and by his support and -countenance encouraged him in acts of contumacy and disobedience. Educated -as the Vellore Subadar had been, and knowing that the real power was -vested in the English, he appears to have looked exclusively to them, and -to have paid little attention to one he considered as having no more than -a nominal authority. But the departure for England of his friend Mr. -Pigot, and the succession of Mr. Palk, whose policy conceded to the Nabob -the real dominion of his country, left Mahommed Esoof without hope; and, -in the desperate struggle he made for his life, the former faithful -soldier of the English not only corresponded with their enemies, the -French, against whom he had so often and so gallantly fought, but declared -himself the subject, and displayed in his fort and country the banners, of -that nation. This last act of his life has not deprived his memory of the -honours that belong to it, as the bravest and ablest of all the native -soldiers that ever served the English in India. - -Mr. Palk, formerly clergyman at Fort Saint David, who had risen, by his -moderation, good sense, and experience, to different offices of -government, was, when Clive returned to India, Governor of Madras. His -appointment to this station induced his friend and near connection, -General Lawrence, to quit his retreat, and revisit, as commander of the -troops, the scene of his former fame. - -At Calcutta, Mr. Spencer from Bombay had succeeded to Mr. Vansittart. He -was governor at the time of the elevation of Nujum-ud-Dowla, and -participated in the money[237] that was distributed on that occasion. -These presents have been justly arraigned, as furnishing powerful motives -to the Company's servants for making revolutions by which they were -enriched; and it is one of the heaviest charges against Clive, that his -example was the origin of this baneful practice. The fact is not disputed; -but it happened in this case, as in most others, where small men attempt -to imitate great, that they reach only the defects, and fail in every -other part. - -The princely presents which Clive merited and received were the rewards of -great services rendered to the parties by whom they were given, and in -which his first efforts were prompted by considerations that were -decidedly uninfluenced by sordid motives. Add to this, that whatever he -undertook prospered, and that all the individuals whom he elevated he -preserved, not only from their native enemies, but from the still more -galling encroachments and rapacity of the Company's servants. By such acts -he won the good opinion of all ranks in India. From the King to the -peasant the name of Clive inspired sentiments of respect and confidence. - -What a contrast was presented by his successors in power! Money for -themselves was, in every engagement, one of the stipulations, and -_appeared_, though in some cases it might not have _been_, the leading -motive of their measures. All their measures failed: every one connected -with them was ruined. The character for good faith, which at Clive's -departure stood so high, was lost. No one trusted the word of an -Englishman. Many of those who engaged in these scenes were able and -virtuous; but there was no leading genius among them. The jealousy and -party spirit that pervaded the government at home multiplied checks and -cherished insubordination in those abroad; till nothing was heard but -accusations and recriminations. - -The army, both European and native, had fallen into a very insubordinate -and mutinous state. The officers evinced this spirit on almost every -occasion where they deemed their personal interests affected; and many of -the privates deserted to the native powers. A most serious mutiny occurred -at the period when Major Munro took the command of the army[238] at Patna. -A battalion of sepoys left camp to join the enemy: they were intercepted -by a body of troops, and twenty-four of the ringleaders were brought -before a native court-martial, and sentenced to death. They were all -executed; and we are informed by an officer who was present, that an -incident occurred on this occasion, which not only created a great -sensation at the moment, but left a lasting impression on the native -soldiers of Bengal, being truly characteristic of their proud and -dauntless spirit. - -When the orders were given to tie four of these men to the guns, from -which they were to be blown, four grenadiers stept out and demanded the -priority of suffering, as "a right," they said, "which belonged to men who -had always been first in the post of danger." The calm manner in which -this request was made, and the anxiety that it should be granted, excited -great sympathy in all who beheld it. The officer[239] on whose authority -this fact is stated, and who was an eye-witness of the scene, observes; "I -belonged on this occasion to a detachment of marines. They were hardened -fellows, and some of them had been of the execution party that shot -Admiral Byng; yet they could not refrain from tears at the fate and -conduct of these gallant grenadier sepoys." - -When a strong sense of imminent danger, and a fear of total ruin to the -affairs of the Company and of the English nation in Bengal, excited -universal attention and alarm, all eyes were naturally turned on Clive, as -the only human being who could restore the reputation and interests of -this nation in India. He was in consequence, as has been stated, called -upon to proceed once more to that country, and he had courage to obey the -call, though convinced that the scene presented difficulties which were -almost insurmountable, and that he would have to perform duties that were -personally invidious, and calculated not only to interrupt but to destroy -all his prospects of future enjoyment. - -There can be no doubt that Clive, in consenting, under such circumstances, -to return to India, was chiefly, if not solely, actuated by an honourable -ambition, and by an ardent desire to promote the interests and glory of -his country. His first stipulation, however, was, that his stay should be -limited to a very short period; and he pledged himself (and the pledge, as -will be shown hereafter, was nobly redeemed) not to enrich himself one -farthing by any pay or emoluments he might receive from the high station -to which he was nominated. - -Though Clive had been restrained by many considerations, as well as by the -rapidity of events, from taking personally any decided part in the -disputes in Bengal, he had not been an unconcerned observer of those -scenes. Each party had addressed him with an equal solicitude that he -should approve and support them; but we do not meet in his private -correspondence with any full expression of his sentiments. He regretted, -it appears from his letters, the removal of Meer Jaffier from the throne; -but uninformed of the minute circumstances that had produced that measure, -he did not withdraw his confidence in the wisdom of the administration of -one, whom he so highly valued as Mr. Vansittart, till he saw him depart -step by step from all those maxims of policy he had laid down as the rules -of his own conduct, both in regard to native princes and other men of rank -and consequence in India. - -The opposition of his views to those of his successor, as well as his own -difficulties, are clearly expressed in a letter he wrote to the Court of -Directors immediately before his embarkation. - -"In obedience to your commands," Lord Clive observes[240], "I now transmit -the purport of what I had the honour to represent to you by word of mouth -at the last Court of Directors, with some other particulars which slipped -my memory at that time. - -"Having taken into consideration your letter sent me by the Secretary, as -also the request of the General Court of Proprietors, I think myself bound -in honour to accept the charge of your affairs in Bengal, provided you -will co-operate with, and assist me in such a manner that I may be able to -answer the expectations and intentions of the General Court. - -"As an individual, I can have no temptation to undertake this arduous -task, and nothing but the desire I have to be useful to my country, and to -manifest my gratitude to this Company, could make me embark in this -service, attended as it is with so many inconveniences to myself and my -family. I cannot avoid acknowledging that I quit my native country with -some degree of regret and diffidence, on leaving behind me (as I certainly -do) a very divided and distracted Direction, at a time, too, when -unanimity is more than ever requisite for the carrying into execution such -plans as are absolutely necessary to the well-being of the Company. - -"I shall now enter into a short discussion of your political, commercial, -and military affairs in Bengal. Without searching into the causes of the -unhappy revolution in favour of Cossim Ali Khan, I shall only remark, that -if the same plan of politics had been pursued, after he was placed upon -the throne, as that which I had observed towards his predecessor, he might -with great ease have remained there to this day, without having it in his -power to injure either himself or the Company in the manner he has lately -done. Indeed, Mr. Vansittart's ideas in politics have differed so widely -from mine, that either the one or the other must have been totally in the -wrong. Soon after Cossim Ali Khan was raised to his new dignity, he was -suffered to retire to a very great distance from his capital, that our -influence might be felt and dreaded as little as possible by him:—he was -suffered to dismiss all those old officers who had any connection with, or -dependence upon us; and, what was the worst of all, our faithful friend -and ally, Ram Narrain, the Nabob of Patna, was given up; the doctrine of -the Subadar's independency was adopted, and every method was put in -practice to confirm him in it. We need seek for no other causes of the -war, for it is now some time that things have been carried to such lengths -abroad, that either the princes of the country must, in a great measure, -be dependent on us, or we totally so on them.[241] That the public and -continued disapprobation of Cossim Ali Khan's advancement to the -government, expressed by the gentlemen of Calcutta, increased the Nabob's -jealousy, is most true; and that it was the duty of every one, after the -revolution was once effected, to concur heartily in every measure to -support it, cannot be denied. It is likewise true, that the encroachments -made upon the Nabob's prescriptive rights by the Governor and Council, and -the rest of the servants trading in the articles of salt, beetle, and -tobacco, together with the power given by Mr. Vansittart to subject our -gomastahs (or agents) to the jurisdiction and inspection of the country -government, all concurred to hasten and bring on the late troubles; but -still the groundwork of the whole was the Nabob's independency. It is -impossible to rely on the moderation and justice of Mussulmen. Strict and -impartial justice should ever be observed; but let that justice come from -ourselves. The trade, therefore, of salt, betle, and tobacco having been -one cause of the present disputes, I hope these articles will be restored -to the Nabob, and your servants absolutely forbid to trade in them. This -will be striking at the root of the evil. The prohibition of dustucks to -your junior servants will, I hope, tend to restore that economy which is -so necessary in your service. Indeed, if some method be not thought of, -and your Council do not heartily co-operate with your Governor to prevent -the sudden acquisition of fortunes, which has taken place of late, the -Company's affairs must greatly suffer. What power it may be proper to vest -me with, to remedy those great and growing evils, will merit your serious -consideration. As a means to alleviate in some measure the dissatisfaction -that such restrictions upon the commercial advantages of your servants may -occasion in them, it is my full intention not to engage in any kind of -trade myself; so that they will divide amongst them what used to be the -Governor's portion of commercial advantages, which was always very -considerable." - -Clive then proceeds to offer some observations upon the state of the -Company's military affairs in Bengal; and suggests the necessity of -keeping up an European force of four, or, at least, three thousand -men.[242] While he pays a just tribute to the high character of the Indian -army, and to the honour they had gained by their gallant exploits, he -laments the want of due obedience and subordination, so essential to the -interests of the service. To remedy this (which was rendered more -necessary by the removal of the King's troops at this time), he recommends -an immediate increase of field officers; and points out to the Court the -different individuals, who, from their character and services, had the -strongest claims upon their notice. - -"I would recommend," he observes, "the appointing three field officers to -every battalion, a colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major; and the -officers I would choose to command the battalions should be Majors Carnac, -Richard Smith, and Preston. You have already done justice to Major -Carnac's character by reinstating him in the command of your forces in -Bengal, and by acknowledging his services in the most public manner. This -gentleman will, I flatter myself, stand as high in your esteem as -Brigadier General Caillaud; and will, I hope, have the same rank and -appointments. The military merits of the other two gentlemen you are -likewise well acquainted with, having both received from the Court marks -of approbation for their distinguished services. To command your artillery -I would recommend Sir Robert Barker, whose abilities in that department -have been exceeded by no officer that ever was in your service. Your -sepoys are already commanded by Major Knox, whose merits I could wish to -have rewarded with a lieutenant-colonel's commission. Your horse, when -raised, should be commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, or major. - -"I have very strong reasons to wish this idea of regimenting your troops -may take place; for without such a subordination I shall not be able to -enforce your orders for the reduction of your military expenses, which -have been a constant dead-weight, and have swallowed up your revenues. I -could wish, that whatever emoluments are unavoidable may fall to those few -who, having been long, are high in your service, whether civil or -military. Thus will the expense be scarce felt by the Company, in -comparison to what it is at present, when, for want of due subordination, -every one thinks himself entitled to every advantage; and the juniors in -your service be excited to exert themselves, from a certain knowledge that -application and abilities only can restore them to their native country -with fortunes honourably acquired." - -In concluding the subject of military affairs, Clive submits to the -consideration of the Court his ideas and opinions on the proper mode of -levying troops in England. The method pursued at this period he considered -to be, in many respects, objectionable. In order that due attention might -be paid to the selection of recruits, and to insure, at all times, a -proper supply of efficient men, to meet any unexpected demands that might -arise in cases of sudden emergency, he suggests, that the Company should -apply to his Majesty for permission to maintain two battalions, of five -hundred men each, in England, with a proper proportion of officers; and, -as a reward to the important services of Colonel Coote and Colonel Forde, -he recommends that these two officers should be nominated to command them. - -Clive appears to have referred much of the spirit of opposition that arose -in Bengal to the jealousy among the public servants of that presidency of -appointments, which they deemed supersessions, of civilians from Madras -and Bombay, to be governors of Bengal. - -"The heart-burnings and disputes," he observes, "which seem to have spread -and overrun your settlement of Calcutta, arose, I must fear, originally, -from your appointment of Mr. Vansittart to the government of Bengal from -another settlement; although his promotion was the effect of my -recommendation. The appointment, therefore, of Mr. Spencer, from Bombay, -can only tend to inflame these dissensions, and to destroy all those -advantages which the Company only can expect from harmony and unanimity -amongst their servants abroad. The resignation of Messrs. Verelst, -Cartier, and many others of the senior servants, which must be the -consequence of Mr. Spencer's appointment, will deprive me of those very -gentlemen on whose assistance I depend for re-establishing your affairs in -Bengal." - -The following letter from Clive relates to the same subjects, and contains -too many sound observations and wise reflections upon the actual state of -the affairs of India at this period to be omitted. Though the Court of -Directors did not comply with the wish of Clive, that he should have the -power (since vested in Indian governors) of acting, when occasion -demanded, upon his own responsibility, they did what was almost -tantamount,—they vested the power required in a select committee[243], -composed of persons from whom he had no opposition to apprehend, and who -were competent to all acts of administration, independent of the other -members of Council. - -"I shall not enter," Clive observes, "into the motives which caused the -deposition of Meer Jaffier, nor into the fundamental cause of the present -war with Cossim Ali Khan. It is sufficient to say, that these two events -have lost us all the confidence of the natives. To restore this, ought to -be our principal object; and the best means will, in my opinion, be by -establishing a moderation in the advantages which may be reserved for the -Company, or allotted to individuals in their service. - -"If ideas of conquest were to be the rule of our conduct, I foresee that -we should, by necessity, be led from acquisition to acquisition, until we -had the whole empire up in arms against us; and whilst we lay under the -great disadvantage of fighting without a single ally, (for who could wish -us well?) the natives, left without European allies, would find, in their -own resources, means of carrying on war against us in a much more -soldierly manner than they ever thought of when their reliance on European -allies encouraged their natural indolence. The last battle fought against -Cossim Ali Khan is a proof of this assertion, for never did the troops of -India fight so well. - -"Nothing, therefore, but extreme necessity, ought to induce us to extend -our ideas of territorial acquisitions beyond the amount of those ceded by -Cossim Ali Khan, in his treaty with Vansittart. This necessity can only -arise from finding that nobody will trust us; and that the people of the -country are determined to try their strength with us to the utmost. - -"But by this system of moderation it is not intended that the Nabob should -be left entirely independent of us. The moment he fancies himself in this -situation he will look upon us as enemies who have taken too much from -him, and whom it will be necessary, either to reduce to our ancient state -of mere merchants, or to extirpate. This, therefore, was the error of Mr. -Vansittart's conduct: he advised the Nabob to regulate his treasury, save -money, to form and discipline an excellent army, and to pay them well and -regularly, contrary to the practice of all the princes of India. By -following this advice punctually, Cossim Ali, in two years, thought -himself in a condition to bid us defiance, and was near being so. - -"It ought, therefore, to be our plan to convince the Nabob that our troops -are his best, his only support against foreign enemies; and that our -friendship will be his best support against the plots and revolutions of -his own officers. Necessitated, by the extent of his dominions, to repose -large governments and great trusts in particular men, jealousies will be -perpetually subsisting. On the nice and disinterested management of these -will depend our importance. The principal officers must be convinced that -we will protect them from any capricious violences of their sovereign; -and, on the other hand, the Nabob must be convinced, that we will give -them up to his just resentment the moment their ambition alone leads them -to strike at him. - -"To carry this balance with an even hand, the strictest integrity will be -necessary in every one who shall have a vote in your councils abroad. I -found myself every day assaulted by large offers of presents, from the -principal men of the province, not to support the Nabob in resolutions -contrary to their interests; and from the Nabob, to sacrifice them to his -capricious resentments. - -"But even this conduct alone will not be sufficient to keep us from giving -umbrage. During Mr. Vansittart's government, all your servants thought -themselves entitled to take large shares in the monopolies of salt, -beetle, and tobacco, the three articles, next to grain, of greatest -consumption in the empire. The odium of seeing such monopolies in the -hands of foreigners need not be insisted on; but this is not the only -inconvenience: it is productive of another, equally, if not more -prejudicial to the Company's interests; it enables many of your servants -to obtain, very suddenly, fortunes greater than those which in former -times were thought a sufficient reward for a long continuance in your -service. Hence these gentlemen, thus suddenly enriched, think of nothing -but of returning to enjoy their fortunes in England, and leave your -affairs in the hands of young men, whose sanguine expectations are -inflamed by the examples of those who have just left them. - -"This, therefore, will be the greatest difficulty which I shall have to -encounter; to persuade, or, if necessary, to oblige your servants to be -content with advantages much inferior to those which, by the prescription -of some years, they may think themselves entitled to. Yet if this is not -done, your affairs can never be settled on a judicious and permanent plan. -My fortunes, my family, and the other advantages I may be possessed of, -will naturally make me wish to accomplish my intentions for the Company's -service abroad as soon as possible, that I may return to my native -country, which, it cannot be imagined, that I quit without some regrets; -but if I should meet in your councils abroad men whom private interest may -render averse to my maxims, I shall, perhaps, instead of settling your -affairs as may be expected from me, find myself harassed and over-ruled in -every measure by a majority against me in council. - -"It therefore rests with the Court of Directors to consider, seriously, -whether they should not intrust me with a dispensing power in the civil -and political affairs; so that whensoever I may think proper to take any -resolution entirely upon myself that resolution is to take place. The -French Company gave Mr. Godeheu sole and absolute control over all their -settlements to the east of the Cape of Good Hope, at a time when their -affairs were not in a worse condition than ours are at present. In India -we ourselves have had examples of supervisors. I myself was intrusted with -great powers by the gentlemen of Madras, when I went down to Bengal -against Suraj-u-Dowlah: the use which I made of these powers will, I hope, -justify my opinion, that I may, without danger, be intrusted with an -authority so highly necessary at present. The occasions of exerting it -will rarely happen, but will certainly happen at times, when all may be -lost for want of it. Moderation, I will venture to say, was always a part -of my character in political concerns; and as a means to induce the -gentlemen abroad to contract their views of private advantage within the -bounds essentially necessary to the interests of the Company, the first -step I shall take will be, to give up to them every commercial advantage, -as I did during my last residence in Bengal. I need not mention that these -advantages are, to a Governor, great, and adequate to his station. - -"To prevent dissensions, I am willing to receive a military commission -inferior to General Lawrence's; but that gentleman has received from the -Court of Directors so very extensive a power over all their forces in -India, that the presidency, at which he resides, is, in fact, little less -than the residence of a Governor-general over all your settlements in -India. If ever the appointment of such an officer as Governor-general -should become necessary, it is evident that he ought to be established in -Bengal, as the greatest weight of your civil, commercial, political, and -military affairs will always be in that province. It cannot, therefore, be -expected that I should be subject to have any part of the military forces -allotted for that province recalled or withheld from me at the will of an -officer in another part of India; or that even the presence of that -officer in Bengal should, in any way, interfere with my military authority -in that province. It will likewise be necessary (at least until affairs in -Bengal are restored to perfect tranquillity) that whatever troops, -treasures, or other consignments may be destined from England to that -presidency, shall not, as usual, be stopped and employed by any of the -other presidencies at which they may chance to arrive in their passage -towards the Ganges." - -Such was the prospect, and such were the anticipations, with which Clive -proceeded to India. The task was arduous, but his mind was resolved on its -full performance; and the next chapter will show that his efforts were -more than sufficient to surmount the obstacles that were opposed to his -success, although they proved even greater than he had apprehended. - - -FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 13 - - -Footnote 205: - -More commonly called Ghazee-u-Deen. - -Footnote 206: - -Prince Royal. - -Footnote 207: - -Shah Alum signifies "King of the World." - -Footnote 208: - -22d February, 1760. - -Footnote 209: - -2d July, 1760. - -Footnote 210: - -August, 1760. - -Footnote 211: - -This treaty was concluded on the 27th September. - -Footnote 212: - -Vol. I. p. 98. - -Footnote 213: - -A curious and minute account of the progressive steps taken in effecting -this revolution is given in a letter to Clive (dated the 3d December, -1760,) from Mr. Lushington, who held the situation of linguist to the -army, and who was an eye-witness of the incidents he describes. After -detailing Mr. Vansittart's visit to Moorshedabad accompanied by a -hundred and eighty Europeans, six hundred sepoys, and four pieces of -cannon, that force might be used in case Meer Jaffier should refuse to -comply with his demands, and mentioning that he had delivered to the -Nabob three letters explanatory of his intentions, to which he waited a -final answer, Mr. Lushington proceeds:—"We waited all the next day; but -no answer coming, the Governor thought it proper not to lose any time, -and therefore ordered Colonel Caillaud to go by water with his -detachment, so early that he might surround the palace at daybreak; -sending at the same time a letter, acquainting the Nabob that he had -sent the Colonel to settle those affairs which he had conferred with him -about, and to which he had promised to give an answer, but none was -brought. The Nabob sent word to the Colonel he would give no answer -until the troops returned to Moraudbaug, as he never expected such -treatment from the English. Some few conferences were afterwards held by -Mr. Hastings and myself with several of the Nabob's ministers; but as -nothing could be agreed on I was sent back to Moraudbaug, to give an -account of our proceedings to the Governor, and to have his final order -whether we should storm the palace in case the Nabob refused to comply. -He answered he wished not to spill the blood of a man whom he raised to -such dignities, but that the affair must be finished before sunset. With -this I returned; and found, to my great surprise, Cossim Ali Khan's -standards, and the nobits[c] beating in his name. Colonel Caillaud now -told me that the Nabob had sent out the seals to his son-in-law, and -offered to resign the government if the English would be security for -his life. This was immediately agreed to, and a meeting was held between -the Colonel and the Nabob, who made the following speech, as well as I -can remember:—'The English placed me on the musnud; you may depose me if -you please. You have thought proper to break your engagements. I would -not mine. Had I such designs I could have raised twenty thousand men, -and fought you if I pleased. My son, the Chuta Nabob (Meeran), -forewarned me of all this. I desire you will either send me to Sabut -Jung (Lord Clive), for he will do me justice, or let me go to Mecca; if -not, let me go to Calcutta; for I will not stay in this place. You will, -I suppose, let me have my women and children; therefore, let me have -budgerows and be carried immediately to Moraudbaug.' The Governor saw -him soon after this, and he made much the same speech to him, adding, he -could be nowhere safe but under the English protection." - -That Mr. Lushington did not concur very cordially in the measures -described, may be inferred from his concluding observations. "The -Company," he observes, "are to receive the countries of Burdwan, -Midnapore, and Chittagong, for this service. I, therefore, should be -glad to know how this Nabob will be any more able to pay his people than -the old man, after having given away a third part of his revenues." - -Footnote c: - -Large drums. - -Footnote 214: - -Seer Mutakhareen, vol. ii. p. 164. - -Footnote 215: - -1761. - -Footnote 216: - -In a letter to Major Carnac, dated the 7th of May, 1762, Clive observes, -"Although I am convinced of the goodness of your heart and intentions, -yet there is a warmth and fire in your disposition which often carries -you beyond the rules of prudence; and, whatever your friends in India -may say of the letter you sent the Board, I wish you never had wrote it, -for it gives room to such designing men as Sulivan to do you more -prejudice than you can imagine." - -The same sentiments had been previously expressed by Clive, in a letter -to Mr. Vansittart, 3d of February, 1762. "I am most heartily concerned," -he says, "that Carnac has been induced to take part with your enemies in -the Council. He has an excellent heart, and a very good understanding; -but the warmth of his temper in this instance has got the better of -both." - -Footnote 217: - -Dustuck, a permit, exempting goods from the payment of duties. - -Footnote 218: - -Verelst's View, p. 47. - -Footnote 219: - -Mr. Hall and Mr. Amyatt. - -Footnote 220: - -"The question is," Mr. Vansittart observes, in a letter to Clive, dated -the 25th of February, 1763, "whether the salt, beetle-nut, and tobacco -trade shall be carried on with the Company's dustuck, or pay duties to -the country government, and go with their dustuck. I am of the latter -opinion, and assured the Nabob I would not grant dustucks for these -articles, but that myself and any other English gentlemen who had a mind -to trade in them, should pay the government's duties and take out their -dustuck. This, and some rules I proposed for restraining the overgrown -power of the English gomastahs employed in carrying on this trade, and -giving the officers of the government their due authority, were -disapproved by the rest of the Council; and it was resolved to call down -the members from the subordinates to make the necessary regulations upon -these points at a full board. * * * * Where the abuses will end I know -not; for where the Nabob's officers have the power and the courage to -oppose and prevent the unlawful attempts of our gomastahs, they are not -contented with that, but, in their turn, oppress and injure in a most -extravagant and insufferable manner, so that it is a difficult matter to -keep a proper balance; and I shall be obliged to you if you will take an -opportunity of giving Mr. Sulivan your sentiments on the subject." - -A very different view of this subject is taken by Major Carnac. In a -letter to Clive, dated the 26th of February, 1763, he observes: "Mr. -Vansittart's interview with the Nabob, instead of removing our -grievances, has occasioned their being exceedingly multiplied and -carried beyond sufferance. He, in conjunction with Mr. Hastings, -without consulting the rest of the Board, established a set of -regulations, whereby a duty of 9 per cent. is laid upon all articles -of inland trade without exception; and the disputes of our gomastahs -and others in our employ are subjected to the decisions of the Nabob's -officers. These concessions are so evidently shameful and -disadvantageous to us, that it is not to be conceived they could ever -have been submitted to, except by persons who were bought into them; -and, indeed, it is confidently asserted, and generally believed, that -Mr. Vansittart got seven lacs by his visit to Mongyr. The members of -the Council, then at Calcutta, passed a severe minute of censure upon -the President's procedure, and summoned the absent members, in order -to devise a speedy and effectual remedy for the complaints received -from every quarter. They have been some time assembled, and have -absolutely forbid the regulations being complied with, and have issued -out orders to repel by force any insults that shall in future be -offered, or obstructions to our trade. It is, indeed, high time," he -adds, "to overset the ruinous system which Mr. Vansittart has so -industriously endeavoured to establish: by a strange contradiction, he -deposes one Nabob under pretence of mal-administration, and then -asserts the successor to be independent, and master of his own -actions, and uses all possible means to render him so, and to increase -his power. We have so sensibly felt the ill use made thereof by Cossim -Ali Khan, that the man must be wilfully blind who does not see the -necessity of immediately checking his career, and the consequences -that must result from his being suffered to run on." From these -observations, it may safely be concluded, that the gallant Major was a -better soldier than statesman. - -Footnote 221: - -The following letter, dated the 15th of June, 1763, which we find -entered in the copy book of Mr. Amyatt, was meant to report to Mr. -Vansittart the failure of his mission. The original never reached its -destination. "I am favoured with yours of the 8th and 9th instant. We -waited on the Nabob, and delivered him your letter: he was highly -incensed, and expressed great contempt for us and our forces, and told -us he expected nothing else than a war; that we might go and remain at -our tents till we received the Council's orders, and then signify the -same to him by writing—which he supposed would be much the same as your -letters to him; if so, he should dismiss us, but expected Mr. Hay to -remain a hostage till those prisoners we had of his were released. The -stopping our arms is not equal to the seizing his aumils, he says; and -our troops being in his pay, they shall not remain at Patna; and peace -or war depended on their removal, which he found would not be the case. -All my endeavours to establish a friendship and confidence have been in -vain; nor can I convince him we did not intend breaking with him, or to -disgrace him by being obliged to seize his aumils, but necessitated so -to do. He seemed inclined to quarrel, or rather resolved we shall have -no influence, or free intercourse, or trade through his country, but -what he pleases. I have had a very disagreeable time with him, and shall -be heartily glad when free from this embassy, which I have, to the -utmost of my power, endeavoured to conclude, in bringing about a lasting -peace and friendship, and reconcile the Nabob to every body; but to no -purpose, nor can it be effected." - -Footnote 222: - -1763. - -Footnote 223: - -A well-informed friend of the author remarks, that he was not a German, -but a Frenchman or Swiss, of the name of _Sombre_, which, perhaps, had -been his _nom-de-guerre_ when in the French service. - -Footnote 224: - -Cossim Ali was his son-in-law. - -Footnote 225: - -Mr. Vansittart, in his communications with the Nabob, rejected this -present previous to the treaty, as it might appear the price of its -stipulations: but he intimated, at the same time, that there would be no -objection to such present after the obligations of the treaty were -fulfilled. The following is a list of the presents acknowledged to have -been received on this occasion:— - - Mr. Vansittart rupees 500,000 £58,333 - Mr. Sumner 240,000 28,000 - Mr. Holwell 270,000 30,937 - Mr. M'Guire 180,000 20,625 - Mr. Smyth 134,000 15,354 - Major Yorke 134,000 15,354 - General Caillaud 200,000 22,916 - Mr. M'Guire 75,000 8,750 - ———— - £200,269 - ———— - -Vide Parl. Reports, vol. iii. p. 311. - -Footnote 226: - -This protest, which is in the form of a letter, is dated the 11th of -March, 1762.—Vide Parl. Rep., vol. iii. p. 252. - -Footnote 227: - -Messrs. Holwell, Pleydell, Sumner, and M'Guire. - -Footnote 228: - -The provinces of Burdwan, Midnapore, and Chittagong. - -Footnote 229: - -February 6, 1765. - -Footnote 230: - -February, 1765. - -Footnote 231: - -This man has been before mentioned. He was justly objectionable to the -British government on account of the various intrigues and treasons in -which he had been detected; and was imprisoned at Calcutta for his -correspondence with its enemies during the reign of Cossim Ali. - -Footnote 232: - -Vide Mill's British India, vol. iii. p. 318. - -Footnote 233: - -There is some confusion in Mr. Mill's account of this transaction (vol. -iii. p. 330.), from that accurate historian having overlooked the fact, -that the appointment of Nujum-ud-Dowla was managed by Mr. Spencer and -his council, Mr. Vansittart having previously set out for Europe.—See 3d -Report of Committee of 1773, p. 21.; and Scott's Hist. of Bengal, vol. -ii. pp. 439-447. - -Footnote 234: - -An exception must be made of the deposition of Meer Jaffier: -Suraj-u-Dowla, and Cossim Ali respectively forfeited their authority in -consequence of their unsuccessful attempts to destroy the power of the -English. - -Footnote 235: - -1763. - -Footnote 236: - -1764. - -Footnote 237: - -Vide Parliamentary Reports, vol. iii. p. 312. - -Footnote 238: - -1764. - -Footnote 239: - -Captain Williams' Memoir of the Bengal Native Army. - -Footnote 240: - -This letter is dated 27th April, 1764. - -Footnote 241: - -Clive's clear and practical mind here puts the question on its real -basis. There is no other alternative. - -Footnote 242: - -"For the good of the Company," Clive observes in the letter already -quoted, "I would propose that you should always have, in Bengal, four, -or at least three, thousand Europeans; to consist of three battalions of -seven hundred each; four companies of artillery of one hundred each; and -five hundred light horse." - -Footnote 243: - -This select committee was composed of Lord Clive, General Carnac, Mr. -Verelst, Mr. Sumner, and Mr. Sykes. The two latter accompanied Lord -Clive from England. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAP. XIV. - - -We have already adverted to the state of confusion in which affairs were -at Bengal when Lord Clive landed. - -Never had an individual a more arduous task of reform; but he came to it -with great local knowledge, with a full acquaintance with the characters -of those by whom he was likely to be aided or thwarted, and with a mind -determined at all hazards to execute the great work to which he had been -called, almost by acclamation. - -The public letters, papers, and minutes which were laid before Parliament, -regarding the transactions in Bengal, during the years 1765 and 1766, -illustrated as they are by the debates of 1772, gave a full and accurate -history of those two years; but it is in his volumes of private letters, -more than even in any public documents, that we must look for the motives -of Clive's conduct, during this most eventful period of his life. These -are so numerous, that it is difficult to select from them such as will -best give, in his own language, a just idea of the difficulties which he -had to combat, and of that unyielding firmness and determined resolution -by which they were overcome. - -He writes to his friend General Carnac, under date the 3d May, 1765:— - - "I arrived here this morning to take possession of a government, - which I find in a more distracted state, if possible, than I had - reason to expect. - - "The measures taken, with regard to the country government, have - been at best precipitate; and the gentlemen here, knowing that the - arrangement of all affairs was absolutely vested in the committee, - might, I think, have avoided going the lengths they have, till my - arrival. But I am determined not to be embarrassed by the errors of - others, if in my power to remedy them. At least, I will struggle - hard that the disinterested purpose of my voyage prove not - ineffectual. Your resolution, my dear friend, and principles, - almost unparalleled in these climes, will, I am sure, co-operate - with me in every regulation for the public good. Verelst appears, - as far as I can hitherto judge, to be a man of honour and - integrity. Sykes may be thoroughly relied on, and Sumner must, for - his own sake, be a friend to the Company. It is impossible, - therefore, to doubt that we shall be able to settle every matter to - the satisfaction of our employers. The young Nabob should be - treated with respect, with dignity, and with that honour which - ought to be characteristic of Englishmen in Asia as well as in - Europe; but since we have experienced such a series of troubles - from the mismanagement of Subahships, it is our duty to guard - against future evils, by doing for ourselves what no Nabob will - ever do for us; and never trust to the ambition of any Mussulman - whatever, after what has happened. Peace upon a firm and lasting - foundation must be established if possible. And to obtain this - object, I conclude it will be necessary for me to march up to you - at camp, not to continue long there, but to enter into some treaty - with the King. Your long and extensive expedition I could wish had - been avoidable; but of that and all other affairs I will speak more - at large, when I have the pleasure of hearing from or seeing you. - For the present, I can only say, that our views ought to be - confined to Bengal and its departments, and so far I am sure may be - gone with justice; nor do I doubt, that a committee of gentlemen, - whose emulation is not excited by the distribution of loaves and - fishes, may acquire at this juncture immortal honour to themselves, - and lasting advantages to the Company. To-morrow morning I begin to - read over the papers, and minutes of Council, that I may, by seeing - what has been done, be able to form a clearer opinion of the plan - we ought now to adopt. This business will, I suppose, employ my - attention for two or three days, and then you shall hear from me." - -In a letter to the same officer, under date the 6th May, Clive -observes:— - - "I shall now inform you of this day's proceedings. Having met in - Council, after some debates, the field officers were established as - follows:—General Carnac, Colonel Smith, and Sir R. Barker are - Colonels of the first, second, and third regiments of Infantry; Sir - R. Fletcher, Major Peach, and Major Chapman, Lieutenant-Colonels; - Majors Champion and Stibbart, Majors. It was also proposed to fill - up the other vacancy, which I objected to, until General Carnac's - sentiments were known; a compliment I thought due to the commanding - officer. You will therefore point out to me whom you would have the - third Major, and he shall be appointed. I am informed you do not - think Major Champion has had justice done him, when these - appointments were made. Major Champion's merits were not known, or - he would most certainly have stood next in rank to Colonel. - However, Major Champion is satisfied with an assurance from me, - that whatever the Directors shall order on that head shall be - complied with. - - "After this matter was settled, I desired the Board would order - those paragraphs relative to the power of the committee to be - transmitted to the chiefs and council of the subordinate - settlements, to the Commander-in-chief of the army, and to the two - presidencies of Madras and Bombay, that they might know what powers - the committee were invested with. I then acquainted the Board, that - the committee was determined to make use of the power invested in - them, to its utmost extent; that the condition of the country, and - the very being of the Company made such a step absolutely - necessary. Mr. Leycester then seemed inclined to enter into a - debate about the meaning and extent of those powers, but I cut him - short, by informing the Board, that I would not suffer any one to - enter into the least discussion about the meaning of those powers; - but that the committee alone were absolutely determined to be the - sole and only judges; but that they were at liberty to enter upon - the face of the consultations any minutes they thought proper, but - nothing more. Mr. Johnstone desired that some other paragraphs of - the letter might be sent to the different subordinates, &c., as - tending, I believe, in his opinion, to invalidate those orders. - Upon which I asked him, whether he would dare to dispute our - authority? Mr. Johnstone replied, that he never had the least - intention of doing such a thing; upon which there was an appearance - of very long and pale countenances, and not one of the council - uttered another syllable. After despatching the current business, - the Board broke up, and to-morrow we sit in committee, when, I make - no doubt, of discovering such a scene as will be shocking to human - nature. They have all received immense sums for this new - appointment, and are so shameless, as to own it publicly. Hence we - can account for the motive of paying so little respect to me and - the committee; and, in short, every thing of benefit to themselves - they have in this hasty manner concluded, leaving to the committee - the getting the covenants signed, which they say, is of such - consequence, that they cannot think of settling any thing final - about them until Lord Clive's arrival. - - "Alas! how is the English name sunk! I could not avoid paying the - tribute of a few tears to the departed and lost fame of the British - nation (irrecoverably so, I fear). However, I do declare, by that - Great Being who is the searcher of all hearts, and to whom we must - be accountable, if there must be an hereafter, that I am come out - with a mind superior to all corruption, and that I am determined to - destroy those great and growing evils, or perish in the attempt. - - "I hope, when matters are a little settled, to set out for the - army; bringing with me full power for you and me to settle every - thing for the best." - -His own situation and that of the country, at the period of his arrival, -is forcibly depicted in a letter to Mr. Palk, Governor of Madras.[244] - - "I wrote you a few lines last Saturday; since which matters do not - go on so well as I could wish. Nasib Cawn, either through treachery - or want of ammunition, has surrendered himself and army to the - enemy; and Sir R. Fletcher, who was going to his assistance with - one hundred Europeans, four battalions of sepoys, and four - field-pieces, will find some difficulty to get back, as I - understand the Rohillas, Mahrattas, and Sujah Dowla, intend to use - their utmost efforts to prevent it. He has gained the banks of the - Ganges, but I fear has no boats: however, as the General is - marching to join him, I hope the enemy will not be able to make any - impression before their junction, when I think there is not much to - apprehend. Whether Sujah Dowla intends to try his fortune in - another battle, or to harass and cut off our supplies, and detach - into the Bahar province, we know not. However, we are providing - against all accidents, by forming a second army from the - reinforcements lately arrived, who are already upon their march for - Patna, to cover that country or proceed further, as the situation - of affairs may require. Thus circumstanced, you will see the - necessity of reinforcing us upon all occasions when you can do it - consistent with the safety of your own settlement. - - "Mr. * * * * and all the council have been guilty of such barefaced - corruption, that the committee have thought it absolutely necessary - to make use of the power given them, in its utmost extent. You are - addressed by this conveyance, and copy of the powers with which we - are invested has been sent to you. - - "At the first meeting, the gentlemen began to oppose and treat me - in the manner they did Vansittart, by disputing our power, and the - meaning of the paragraph in the Company's general letter. However, - I cut that matter short, by telling them they should not be the - judges of that power, nor would we allow them to enter into the - least discussion about it; but that they might enter their dissents - in writing, upon the face of the consultations. This brought - matters to a conclusion, and spared us the necessity of making use - of force, to put the Company's intentions into execution. We - arrived on Tuesday, and effected this on Thursday. On Friday we - held a committee; and on Monday was read before the council the - following resolution from the committee book:—'Resolved, that it is - the opinion of this committee, that the covenants be executed - immediately by the rest of the council, and all the Company's - servants.' After many idle and evasive arguments, and being given - to understand they must either sign or be suspended the service, - they executed the covenants upon the spot. From this you will see - what I had the honour to inform you of, that I am determined upon - an absolute reformation; but here we must act with caution, until a - peace is established, which I do not despair of accomplishing - during the rains. - - "It gives me infinite concern to inform you that Mr. Spencer (of - whom I had the highest opinion) is by no means the man of integrity - or abilities that I took him to be; being deeper in the mire than - the rest, and who appears to me to have been seduced and led astray - by Johnstone and Leycester, having never had any will or opinion of - his own, since he came to the chair. Indeed, the dignity of - governor is sunk even beyond contempt itself; and the name of - council only heard of in these parts. Would you believe that in his - letters to the Nabob and others he has submitted to write, 'I and - the council?' - - "We are waiting the arrival of the Nabob and his ministry, to - determine whether we shall suspend them the service, or represent - matters in a general light leaving to the Directors to determine - their state; though I am persuaded they will never wait such a - decision, having all of them received large fortunes which they - bare-facedly confess, for absolutely and precipitately concluding - the late treaty with the young Nabob; not waiting for our - approbation, or leaving it in our power to rectify the least - tittle, without being guilty of a breach of faith. - - "The large sums of money already received, and obligations given - for the rest, on account of this treaty, are so very notorious - through the whole town, and they themselves have taken such little - pains to conceal them, that we cannot without forfeiting our honour - and reputation possibly avoid a retrospection, as far back as the - receipt of the covenants and Meer Jaffier's death. If we should - call upon you hereafter for the assistance of Messrs. Broke, - Russell, Kelsall, Floyer, and two or three more, we are persuaded - your zeal for the service will not let you hesitate a moment about - sending them by the first conveyance. However, you will keep the - contents of this paragraph to yourself, till you hear from the - committee or me upon the subject. - - "I have employed Mr. Vansittart[245] as Persian interpreter, but - cannot admit him to that share of confidence I wish to do, until - those matters are ended entirely, out of a point of delicacy - towards him." - -Clive addressed a letter to Mr. Spencer at this period[246], which is -singularly illustrative of that bold and open manner which led him to -speak and write his sentiments with little if any of that reserve and -discretion which are necessary to less vigorous minds to insure their -unobstructed progress through life. Mr. Spencer was at this time still -in Calcutta. - - "I have read over all the consultations from the death of the late - Nabob, Jaffier Ali Cawn, to the 4th April, 1765, in which it does - not appear to me that you and the gentlemen have given any solid - reasons for thus precipitately concluding a solemn treaty with the - present young Nabob. There could have been no danger in declining - an absolute conclusion of the treaty, until our arrival, which you - know was expected every day. I am most sensibly affected at the - treatment I have received from you and the gentlemen touching my - jaghire. The instructing your deputies to apply to the Nabob for a - sunnud to confirm the agreement made by the Company and me was - officious, and contrary to the instructions of the Court of - Directors, who more than once, in their last letter of the 1st of - June, say, this matter is to be conducted by Lord Clive in - conjunction with the council. Such a proceeding carries with it a - reflection upon my integrity, as if it was doubted whether I should - make use of the power I was invested with to perform what I had so - solemnly engaged to perform. However, before I leave India, I will - endeavour to convince this part of the world upon what principles I - act." - -Clive was at this period most anxious to make peace with the native -states; and among other reasons that led him to seek this object, one of -the principal was, to establish subordination[247] in the army, and to -correct abuses in the civil administration, neither of which it was easy -to effect while war existed. One of his first steps had been to -establish the supremacy of the committee, which consisted only of five -members, over the council which had sixteen, including the chiefs of all -the principal factories. The members of council could not be expected to -suffer patiently the execution of measures, which not only reduced their -influence and power, but threatened investigation into their past -conduct, and destroyed their golden prospects for the future. A party -was soon formed against Clive, the head of which was Mr. Leycester.[248] -But one of the most able and energetic of Clive's opponents was Mr. John -Johnstone, who had distinguished himself for his zeal and activity when -employed with Colonel Forde at the capture of Masulipatam, and in -various other services. Mr. Johnstone was, as has been stated, one of -the members of the committee who had been the instruments of placing the -young Nabob on the throne, and who had received presents which they were -not disposed to return. On the contrary, they pleaded the example which -others, and especially Clive himself, had given, and refused to admit -that there was any just ground for considering conduct as criminal in -them which had been approved in their predecessors, placed under -circumstances which, according to their statement, were not essentially -dissimilar. - -Clive[249], disregarding opposition, recorded his opinion that the -treaty with the Nabob was formed with precipitation; and while he -expressed in the most open and bold manner his opinion as to the motives -which had influenced those by whom it had been concluded, he declared -his determination to exercise his full powers to correct -mal-administration, to enforce the signature, by the civil servants, of -the covenant, as ordered by the Directors, which had hitherto been -evaded[250]; and above all, to put a stop to the shameful abuses and -wrongs which had arisen from Europeans in the civil service, and free -merchants engaging in the inland trade. - -He was quite aware of all the odium and hostility which the sudden and -great reform he contemplated would bring upon him, both in India and -England; but, from the whole tenor of his private letters of this date -it is obvious, that the knowledge of this, so far from dispiriting, only -encouraged him to the great efforts he made. The following is an extract -of a letter to Mr. Sykes of the 29th June on the subject:— - - "I fear the military as well as civil are so far gone in luxury - and debauchery, that it will require the utmost exertion of an - united committee to save the Company from destruction. However, let - us always appeal to the rectitude of our intentions, and we shall - be enabled to complete the arduous undertaking with great - satisfaction and honour to ourselves. Remember me to Verelst in the - kindest manner; tell him the Company and myself have no other - dependence, but upon the justness of his and your principles." - -Lord Clive's anxiety to conclude a peace, made him determine, -immediately after his arrival, to proceed to Patna. He had also several -arrangements to effect at Moorshedabad[251], where affairs had fallen -into great confusion. His intention was to proceed, after settling -affairs in Bengal, to Bahar; and his colleagues in the committee -delegated to him their power to conclude a settlement with Sujah Dowla -and the Emperor of Delhi, with or without the aid of Brigadier General -Carnac.[252] Lord Clive had, however, left Calcutta but a short time, -before he was embarrassed by the wavering conduct of Mr. Sumner, the -senior member of the committee. His Lordship had proposed, for strong -and obvious reasons, that the members of council should be reduced from -sixteen to twelve, and that the chiefs of subordinate factories should -not be included. Their being in council, he argued, gave them an -increased local influence and power, that was often abused; and the -council were slow and reluctant to censure or punish the acts, however -much they disapproved of them, of members of their own body. Another -evil arose out of this system. Rise to council was in fact by seniority; -for when nothing appeared on record against an individual, his claim to -that station was almost invariably admitted. Mr. Sumner was adverse to -any change of this system. Clive, though annoyed at his conduct, which -he thought too compromising, endeavoured by every argument he could use, -to reclaim him to that decided course which he conceived it the duty of -the committee to pursue, and from which it was important they should not -be diverted, either by the opinions or remonstrances of the council: Mr. -Sykes continued firmly to support the Governor, but he was called away -to his duties at the court of the Nabob at Moorshedabad; and Mr. Verelst -had been before nominated to the station of supervisor of Burdwan and -Midnapore. - -Placed under these circumstances, Lord Clive made every effort to -convince Mr. Sumner of the necessity of giving him a decided support -against the opposition raised by the council. - -"I hope," he observes on one occasion, "my last letter will have -convinced you of the insignificancy of the struggles of the gentlemen of -council, as well as of their power, when compared with that of the -committee. If you will but convince yourself that they have laid -themselves under such a censure that nothing can excuse them at home, -and that the committee's upright and spirited conduct must gain the -universal applause, you will treat them with that contempt which they -deserve, by never suffering them to give a vote on any subject whatever, -when once it has fallen under consideration of the committee. - -"But to convince you what opinion even Mr. Sulivan and our enemies must -have of our conduct, I refer you to the two enclosed letters of Mr. -Palk, who is Mr. Sulivan's oracle. Besides, I have seen a letter of his -to Mr. George Vansittart, wherein he speaks in the highest terms of what -we are about, and the absolute necessity of a reformation. - -"The behaviour of the council is so shameless, abandoned, and -ungrateful, that I know not whether I shall not produce fresh -accusations against them, in that the subordinate chiefs, down to the -writers, have laid all the zemindars under contribution, of which I -shall soon be in possession of the most authentic proofs." - -In almost all Clive's letters written at this period he dwells upon the -same subjects, expresses his opinion that the covenants should be -executed, and depicts the extent and enormity of the prevailing abuses -and corruption in the interior of the country, particularly by the -natives, whom men with local influence and power have employed as -agents. These have (as he states), by their exactions and tyranny, -rendered the English name odious. - -The sentiments he entertained of his council are fully given in a letter -to Mr. Sykes, under date the 10th August. - - "The behaviour of the council has convinced me they are children - and fools, as well as knaves, and I am not at all concerned, on the - Company's account, that they have demeaned themselves in the manner - you represent; for we may now, with great propriety, let the - sentiments of humanity give way to justice. For my own part, I am - determined, as one, to show them no more mercy; indeed it now - becomes necessary, as well for our own vindication as for the - advantage of the Company, to make an example of them, and represent - them in their proper colours to the Court of Directors. - - "I wish you would get ready the Dinagepoor Rajah's evidence, as - well as the evidence of others, concerning Mr. Gray's conduct at - Malda, against we assemble at Calcutta; and also what other - evidences of other gentlemen whose conduct deserves our censure. I - can't help thinking Leycester has been guilty of other - misdemeanours at Dacca, &c. Burdett I am sure has." - -In a letter[253] from Lord Clive to the Directors, he has the following -observations upon this subject:—"Upon my arrival, I am sorry to say, I -found your affairs in a condition so nearly desperate, as would have -alarmed any set of men whose sense of honour and duty to their employers -had not been estranged by the too eager pursuit of their own immediate -advantages. The sudden, and, among many, the unwarrantable acquisition -of riches, had introduced luxury in every shape, and in its most -pernicious excess. These two enormous evils went hand in hand together -through the whole presidency, infecting almost every member of each -department. Every inferior seemed to have grasped at wealth, that he -might be enabled to assume that spirit of profusion which was now the -only distinction between him and his superior. Thus all distinction -ceased; and every rank became, in a manner, upon an equality. Nor was -this the end of the mischief; for a contest of such a nature among our -servants necessarily destroyed all proportion between their wants and -the honest means of satisfying them. In a country where money is plenty, -where fear is the principle of government, and where your arms are ever -victorious, it is no wonder that the lust of riches should readily -embrace the proffered means of its gratification, or that the -instruments of your power should avail themselves of their authority, -and proceed even to extortion, in those cases where simple corruption -could not keep pace with their rapacity. Examples of this sort, set by -superiors, could not fail of being followed, in a proportionable degree, -by inferiors. The evil was contagious, and spread among the civil and -military, down to the writer, the ensign, and the free merchant." - -In the answer from the Court of Directors to this letter[254] from -Clive, they observe; "We have the strongest sense of the deplorable -state to which our affairs were on the point of being reduced, from the -corruption and rapacity of our servants, and the universal depravity of -manners throughout the settlements. The general relaxation of all -discipline and obedience, both military and civil, was hastily tending -to a dissolution of all government. Our letter to the Select Committee -expresses our sentiments of what has been obtained by way of donation; -and to that we must add, that we think the vast fortunes acquired in the -inland trade have been obtained by a scene of the most tyrannic and -oppressive conduct that ever was known in any age or country." - -In the letter of the same date as that of Lord Clive[255], from the -Select Committee of Calcutta above referred to, they express themselves -bound to lay open to the view of the Directors a series of transactions -too notoriously known to be suppressed, and too deeply affecting their -interest, the national character, and the existence of the Company in -Bengal, to escape unnoticed and uncensured. "Transactions," they add, -"which seem to demonstrate that every spring of this government was -smeared with corruption, that principles of rapacity and oppression -universally prevailed, and that every spark of sentiment and public -spirit was lost and extinguished in the unbounded lust of unmerited -wealth." - -Lord Clive, in a letter to Mr. Sykes of the 20th August, informs him of -the happy conclusion of his mission to Benares, and of his having -obtained from the King the grant of the dewannee, or deed, for the -administration of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa; an arrangement to which he -very justly attaches the greatest value, and which may be viewed as -having crowned his efforts as a hero and a statesman, in fixing firm the -foundation of the British empire in India.[256] It is difficult, at the -present day, to appreciate that wisdom which appeared to attach a value -to the form, almost beyond the substance, of power. It is impossible to -satisfy those who judge such questions by philosophic rules, or others -who apply a European standard to Indian policy, of the weight of the -reasons which led Clive to give the consequence he did to an act, that -may appear to them as being more likely to augment, than to lessen, the -numerous obstacles which already opposed the good government of our -Eastern territories. It is not easy to convince such persons of the -degree in which he was enabled, by this grant, to reconcile to the rule -of strangers the various communities which formed the vast population of -India; nor can we compute the amount of strength which it took away from -princes, who had long been enemies to those Europeans whom they deemed -invaders and usurpers, but who were, from the moment the grant was made, -in the eyes of a great proportion of their subjects, if not in their -own, sanctioned in the exercise of the power they had attained, by the -authority of one who, however fallen, was still considered the -legitimate source of all rank and authority over that empire of which he -was hardly more than the nominal head. - -Philosophers may smile at such impressions, may despise those who act on -such grounds; but as the bulk of human beings, in every country, are -swayed by impressions and prejudices more than by reason, wise and great -statesmen will continue to establish authority, and preserve peace, by -adapting their measures to the habits and feeling of the community, -instead of acting on theories which, taken in the abstract, have an -appearance of wisdom, but reduced to practice, by running counter to the -character and condition of the great mass of men, for whose benefit they -are intended, produce bitter fruits from fair but deceitful blossoms. - -Previous to the conclusion of the negotiations at Patna, Mr. -Verelst[257], acting under the instructions of Lord Clive, had succeeded -in obtaining the acquiescence of the Nabob of Moorshedabad and his -ministers, to an engagement, by which it is stipulated, that 50 lacs of -rupees should be assigned for his support[258], and that of his family, -while the remaining revenue was allotted to the payment of restitutions, -expenses of the army, and allowance to the King. - -Lord Clive, in a letter which announced to the Court of Directors his -having made peace, and obtained rights and privileges that gave them -resources which, well managed, were more than competent to maintain the -East India Company in that political power which a rapid succession of -events had forced upon them, entered fully upon the subject of the -future administration of their affairs, and, above all, the necessity of -a complete reform in their civil and military establishments, which, in -Bengal, he describes to be in the worst possible state, owing to many -causes, but to none more than the rise of youth to wealth and high -station, before they had either prudence or judgment; a rise inevitably -succeeded by their falling into a state of indolence and luxury, that -led to the increase of the evils it was his anxious object, and that of -the Select Committee, to remedy. - -The measures he adopted to enforce obedience to the orders of the -Directors, regarding certain classes of their servants discontinuing -trade, were accompanied by a distribution among the seniors, of a -proportion of the profits of the salt monopoly, in shares accordant with -their rank. These shares, though large, were considered as nothing by -men who were enjoying the enormous profits that resulted from the -privileges which their influence and authority gave them as merchants. -This arrangement, consequently, caused great discontent among those -whose interests it affected; which was increased by his removal of civil -servants from many minor stations in the provinces, and ordering all -free merchants, except those that were specifically licensed, to return -to the presidency. An effectual check was also put, at this period, to -that system of violence with which the native gomastahs, or agents of -civil servants and free merchants, continued to enforce the passing -their goods, not only without paying duties, but without dustucks or -passes[259], which were granted when it was deemed expedient or proper, -on application. There is, in Clive's letter books, much correspondence -upon this subject; the whole tenor of which proves, that the effort made -by the committee to stop the inland trade, was one of the principal -causes of that combination of civil servants, which rapidly increased in -number and violence, when it was known, that Clive had requested that -four of the senior and best qualified civil servants of Madras should be -immediately sent to Bengal, in order to strengthen his administration of -the latter presidency. - -The conduct of Mr. Leycester, one of the council, who placed himself at -the head of the discontented, forced the Select Committee to suspend -him. Mr. Gray and Mr. Burdett, two other leaders, went home; and severe -measures were taken with several juniors, who joined with their -superiors in order to arrest reforms, which threatened to destroy those -prospects of early and great wealth in which they so fondly indulged. - -Clive heard, soon after his arrival, of Mr. Dudley being -deputy-chairman; and we find a long private letter[260], written in -1765, to that gentleman. In this, after commenting with his usual -freedom on the characters of persons connected with the conduct of -Indian affairs, both at home and abroad, he particularly alludes to Mr. -Sumner, his destined successor, who, however respectable, he was led to -believe, from what he has seen and heard, would not be found to possess -that energy and decision which were indispensable to carry into full -effect the system which he had introduced. - -He concludes this letter with some strong opinions, as to the measures -that were necessary to insure the future welfare of Bengal:— - - "If the Directors will empower me alone, or me in conjunction - with the present committee, to regulate matters, I can be - responsible for the consequences after my departure; if not, I much - fear, things will fall into the old channel, and to the advantages - arising from salt will be added every other that can be obtained. - - "Remember the oath and penalty bond mentioned in my public letter. - - "If you could, by increasing the Governor's salary, or ordering his - proportion of salt to be greater, insert in the oath, that the - Governor should not be allowed the liberty of private trade, but - attend only to the affairs of the Company, leaving trade to the - second, &c., I think the plan of government would be much more - perfect, as it would be less liable to abuses from the head. - - "With regard to the magnitude of our possessions, be not staggered. - Assure yourself that the Company must either be what they are, or - be annihilated. Hitherto, at least, one can see no alternative; - for, in a moderate state, though the power might still be - preserved, corruption and frequent revolutions, must in the end - overset us. Never was there a time when affairs wore so strong an - appearance of prosperity and stability as the present. - - "Irruptions of the Mahrattas may now and then interrupt our trade, - and impede the collection of our revenues; but I am persuaded that - nothing can prove fatal but a renewal of licentiousness among your - servants here, or intestine divisions among yourselves at home. - - "I am sorry I cannot send the Directors, by this conveyance, a list - of the revenues; but I am as much convinced as that I now exist, - that when the revenues are all perfectly regulated, the Company - will receive, clear of civil and military expenses, and without - oppressing or overloading the inhabitants, a net income of - 2,000,000_l._ sterling per annum. - - "One arduous undertaking still remains behind; I mean, a thorough - examination into all the civil and military offices. The difficulty - is in the choice of men for a committee. We cannot easily find - servants here endued with such strict principles of honour as to - make them think it a duty they owe the Company to enter heartily - into the scrutiny, and recommend such wholesome regulations as may - in future prevent abuses. - - "It is impossible for the Select Committee to go through the whole - themselves, nor can they expect to see a thorough reformation take - place, unless they are assisted with the zeal and assiduity of - others. If the gentlemen of Madras whom I have recommended were - here, I could be certain of having my plan soon completed. The - Directors will, I am sure, be surprised when they see what a total - inattention (to call it by no worse a name) there has been in the - gentlemen of council, with regard to their employment, and what - gross frauds have been committed by the natives acting under them. - - "Still more will they be surprised, when they see the late military - expenses, compared with the present; for there is now a system of - economy, consistent with the true interest of the Company, and yet - the allowances are not reduced below what they ought to be. - - "Neither the general nor committee's letter is very full upon the - subject of remittances. This year we shall probably draw upon you - to the amount of treasure sent to China. There still remains 24 - lacs of restitution money to be paid, 3 lacs of donation, 30 lacs - of bonds and 10 or 12 lacs to be sent to Bombay; and if to this you - add 20 lacs to be sent to China, the whole will amount to 87 or 89 - lacs. Our treasury at present is low, as we have not yet received - the benefit of our new grant; and large sums have been advanced for - the investment, which will exceed 40 lacs this year. - - "The trade of salt, betle, and tobacco is now become an object of - the utmost importance, both to the Company and to individuals. If - the profits should greatly exceed what they are stated at, as some - are sanguine enough to imagine, you may be assured the Company - shall receive the benefit; for, if the clear gain should exceed a - certain sum, the indulgence will become too great. As matters are - settled at present, the Company will receive one half of the - advantages by allowing them a duty of 35 per cent. upon salt, which - is the principal article. The proprietors pay 10 per cent. for the - loan of money, and 5 per cent. may be allowed for the loss of boats - and wastage." - -The Court of Directors appear, from their general letters sent by Lord -Clive, and those of subsequent date, to have been very anxious to put an -end to the internal trade carried on by their servants and their native -agents, which they considered as being alike oppressive to the -inhabitants of the country, and injurious to the native governments. It -constituted a great source of profit to individuals, but was, they -stated, directly opposed to the interests of the Company, and from the -mode in which it was carried on brought disgrace upon the English name. -In the general letter of April 26th, 1765, the Court observes, with -reference to the conduct of the civil servants who had charge of the -government before the arrival of Lord Clive, and who pretended that -their right to engage in the internal trade, and to have their goods -passed free of duty, was founded on the Emperor's firman to the -Company;— - - "Treaties of commerce are understood to be for the mutual benefit - of the contracting parties. Is it then possible to suppose that the - court of Delhi, by conferring the privilege of trading free of - customs, could mean an inland trade in the commodities of their own - country, at that period unpractised and unthought of by the - English, to the detriment of their revenues and the ruin of their - own merchants? We do not find such a construction was ever heard - of, until our own servants first invented it, and afterwards - supported it by violence. Neither could it be claimed by the - subsequent treaties with Meer Jaffier, or Cossim Ali, which were - never understood to give one additional privilege of trade beyond - what the firman expressed. In short, the specious arguments used by - those who pretended to set up a right to it convince us they did - not want judgment, but virtue to withstand the temptation of - suddenly amassing a great fortune, although acquired by means - incompatible with the peace of the country, and their duty to the - Company. - - "Equally blamable were they who, acknowledging they had no right to - it, and sensible of the ill consequences resulting from assuming - it, have, nevertheless, carried on this trade, and used the - authority of the Company to obtain, by a treaty exacted by - violence, a sanction for a trade to enrich themselves, without the - least regard or advantage to the Company, whose forces they - employed to protect them in it. - - "Had this short question been put, which their duty ought first to - have suggested, 'Is it for the interest of our employers?' they - would not have hesitated one moment about it; but this criterion - seems never once to have occurred. - - "All barriers being thus broken down between the English and the - country government, and every thing out of its proper channel, we - are at a loss how to prescribe means to restore order from this - confusion; and being deprived of that confidence which we hoped we - might have placed in our servants, who appear to have been the - actors in these strange scenes, we can only say, that we rely on - the zeal and abilities of Lord Clive, and the gentlemen of the - Select Committee, to remedy these evils. We hope they will restore - our reputation among the country powers, and convince them of our - abhorrence of oppression and rapaciousness." - -In the general letter, under date the 19th February, 1766, recurring to -the same subject, they write:— - - "With respect to the treaty with Nudjum-ul-Dowla, it is proper - here to insert, at length, the fifth article, which runs in these - words:—'I do ratify and confirm to the English the privilege - granted them by their firman, and several husbulhookums, of - carrying on their trade, by means of their own dustucks, free from - all duties, taxes, or impositions, in all parts of the country, - except in the article of salt, on which the duty of two and a half - per cent. is to be levied on the Rowana or Haughley market price.' - This fifth article is totally repugnant to our own order, contained - in our general letter, by the Kent and Lapwing, dated the 1st June, - 1764; in which we not only expressed our abhorrence of an article - in the treaty with Meer Jaffier, literally corresponding with the - present fifth article, but in positive terms directed you, in - concert with the Nabob, to form an equitable plan for carrying on - the inland trade, and transmit the same to us, accompanied by such - explanations and remarks as might enable us to give our sentiments - and directions thereupon. We must remind you, too, that in our said - general letter we expressly directed, that our orders, in our - letter of the 8th February preceding, which were to put a final and - effectual end to the inland trade in salt, betle-nut, and tobacco, - and in all other articles produced and consumed in the country, - should remain in force, until an equitable and satisfactory plan - could be found and adopted. As, therefore, there is not the least - latitude given you for concluding any treaty whatsoever respecting - this inland trade, we must and do consider what you have done as an - express breach and violation of our orders, and as a detrimental - resolution to sacrifice the interest of the Company, and the peace - of the country, to lucrative and selfish views. - - "This unaccountable behaviour put an end to all confidence in those - who made this treaty, and forces us to resolve on measures for the - support of our authority, and the preservation of the Company. We - do therefore pronounce, that every servant concerned in that trade - stands guilty of a breach of his covenants with us and of our - orders; and in consequence of this resolution, we positively - direct, that if that treaty is now subsisting, you make a formal - renunciation, by some solemn act to be entered on your records, of - all right under the said treaty, or otherwise, to trade in salt, - betle-nut, and tobacco; and that you transmit this renunciation of - that part of the treaty, in form, to the Nabob, in the Persian - language. Whatever government may be established, or whatever - unforeseen occurrences may arise, it is our resolution to prohibit, - and we do absolutely forbid, this trade of salt, betle-nut, and - tobacco, and of all articles that are not for export and import, - according to the spirit of the firman, which does not in the least - give any latitude whatsoever for carrying on such an inland trade; - and, moreover, we shall deem every European concerned therein, - directly or indirectly, guilty of a breach of his covenants, and - direct that he be forthwith sent to England, that we may proceed - against him accordingly. And every native who shall avail himself - of our protection to carry this trade on, without paying all the - duties due to the government equally with the rest of the Nabob's - subjects, shall forfeit that protection, and be banished the - settlement; and we direct that these resolutions be signified - publicly throughout the settlement." - -These letters were meant to be in support of the measures Lord Clive was -supposed to have adopted; but the opinions of the Court in regard to the -salt trade differed essentially from those on which he had acted. This -subject, however, will be noticed hereafter. In a subsequent letter, -(May 17th, 1766,) after stating the earnest request they had made of -Lord Clive to remain one more season in Bengal, and giving their -sentiments on the importance of his services, they drew a strong and -just contrast between the conduct of the Select Committee, of which he -was president, and that of the Governor and Council, whose power it had -superseded. - - "The article in the treaty with Shuja Dowla, stipulating a trade - duty-free, through his dominions, we direct to be confined solely - to the Company's trade; and even in that sense of it, we mean only - if his dominions produce any goods fit for the European markets, or - if it can be made the means of extending our trade in the woollen - manufactory, or any other European goods. - - "We come now to consider the great and important affairs of the - dewannee, on which we shall give our sentiments with every - objection that occurs to us. - - "When we consider that the barrier of the country government was - entirely broken down, and every Englishman throughout the country - armed with an authority that owned no superior, and exercising his - power to the oppression of the helpless natives, who knew not whom - to obey; at such a crisis, we cannot hesitate to approve your - obtaining the dewannee for the Company. - - "When we look back to the system that Lord Clive and the gentlemen - of the Select Committee found established, it presents to us a - subah disarmed, with a revenue of almost two millions sterling, - (for so much seems to have been left, exclusive of our demands on - him,) at the mercy of our servants, who had adopted an unheard-of - ruinous principle, of an interest distinct from the Company. This - principle showed itself in laying their hands upon every thing they - did not deem the Company's property. - - "In the province of Burdwan, the resident and his council took an - annual stipend of near 80,000 rupees per annum from the Rajah, in - addition to the Company's salary. This stands on the Burdwan - accounts, and we fear was not the whole; for we apprehend it went - further, and that they carried this pernicious principle even to - the sharing with the Rajah of all he collected beyond the - stipulated malguzary, or land revenue, overlooking the point of - duty to the Company, to whom, properly, every thing belonged that - was not necessary for the Rajah's support. It has been the - principle, too, on which our servants have falsely endeavoured to - gloss over the crime of their proceedings, on the accession of the - present Subah; and we fear would have been soon extended to the - grasping the greatest share of that part of the Nabob's revenues - which was not allotted to the Company. In short, this principle was - directly undermining the whole fabric; for whilst the Company were - sinking under the burden of the war, our servants were enriching - themselves from those very funds that ought to have supported the - war. But to Lord Clive and our Select Committee we owe, that the - Company are at last considered as principals in the advantages as - well as dangers." - -Clive had recommended, that the Governor of Bengal should have an -adequate salary, and be restrained from trade. In one of his letters -already quoted, he strongly urged that he should be vested with -authority to take a resolution in cases of emergency entirely on -himself. He subsequently not only pointed out the expediency of making -Calcutta the chief seat of the government of India, but proposed, in any -future arrangement, the nomination of a Governor-general, with the full -powers he now enjoys. All these propositions have been adopted; but the -most important were not carried into effect till thirty years of -collision and confusion in the administration of the Indian Government, -through the means of separate and independent presidencies, compelled -the divided and jealous authorities in England to follow the wise -counsel of one whose experience and foresight enabled him to predict the -evils which must result from the weakness and distraction of their -government abroad, and the necessity of forming one uniform system for -the administration of our Indian territories, and placing them under one -efficient general rule,—the individual at the head of which should be of -a character that justified his being clothed with paramount power over -the whole. - -Such was the magnitude of the evils that now weighed down the government -of Bengal. It was at this period of danger from external enemies -aggravated by a system radically corrupt, and in the continuance of -which the interests of almost the whole of the public servants, and of -all the free traders, were involved, that Clive evinced all the energy -of his extraordinary character. We trace that quality, however, more in -his private than in his public letters; and some extracts from the -former will exhibit, better than the most laboured detail, the nature of -the obstacles he had to encounter, and the measures he took to surmount -them, and to restore and fix, on a firmer foundation than ever, the -interests of his country in India. He observes, in a letter to Mr. Palk, -Governor of Madras, dated Calcutta, 4th May[261];— - - "I have little more to say than that I arrived here yesterday, - and that all affairs, civil and military, are in a state of - confusion beyond what I had even reason to expect. I can see no end - to the troubles in these parts. Suja Dowla has been joined by the - Rohillas and Mahrattas, and he is marching down with them to make - another effort to recover his dominions, which, at present, are - entirely in our possession. Their apprehension seems to be, that - our principal object is to support the King, and establish him at - Delhi; and if this is the case, we may expect all India will go to - war with us. Such a continued scene of fighting as this seems to - open, will not, however, suit with us; and, in a very short time, I - believe I must march up to camp, in order to settle measures, if - possible, upon a pacific plan. I beg you will send us as many small - arms, as well as men, as your settlement can spare, out of the next - and succeeding ships."[262] * * * * * - -In a letter to General Carnac, he describes the state of the Nabob of -Moorshedabad and his ministers, and the recent events at that court, in -the following terms[263]:— - - "I cannot yet write you particulars; however, matters seem - drawing to a conclusion. The Nabob and Mahommed Reza Cawn are - arrived. The Seets and Roydulub will be here to-morrow, and I am - determined to give an impartial audience to all of them, who are - ready enough to disclose every transaction, and will prove to - demonstration, upon what grounds and principles the gentlemen have - been actuated, thus precipitately to conclude a treaty before our - arrival. - - "Although Nundcomar may not prove guilty of the crimes laid to his - charge, yet, believe me, my dear General, he will do no honour, - either to the Nabob or to the Company, in any great or eminent - post, which he never was formed or designed for; and I can give you - unanswerable reasons against his being the principal person about - the Nabob, when I have the pleasure of seeing you. I am as fully - averse to Reza Ali Cawn's remaining in the great post of Naib - Subah. His being a Mussulman, acute, and clever, are reasons of - themselves, if there were no others, against trusting that man with - too much power; and yet the young man must have men about him - capable of directing and governing him; for besides his youth, he - is really very simple, and always receives his impressions from - those who are last about him. It is really shocking to see what a - set of miserable and mean wretches Nundcomar has placed about him, - men that the other day were horsekeepers. I proposed that three or - four of the principal families in Bengal shall assist him in his - government; and make no doubt of obtaining his own consent for - adopting such a plan as may make him perfectly easy in his own - mind, and do the English nation honour. - - "I hope fifteen or twenty days will enable me to put affairs in - such a channel, that the gentlemen may go on with the reformation - during my absence; and upon my arrival we must heartily set about a - peace: for the expense is now become so enormous, (no less than 10 - lacs per mensem, civil and military,) that the Company must be - inevitably undone, if the Mahrattas, or any other powers, should - invade Bahar and Bengal; for it will then be impossible to raise - money sufficient to continue the war. This is a very serious - consideration with me, and will, I make no doubt, strike you in the - same light." - -Treating the same subject in a subsequent letter, Clive observes[264]:— - - "Strange discoveries have been made, which prove your conjectures - about revolutions to be true. The enclosed will give you an idea of - what is intended. The more I see of the Nabob, the more I am - convinced of his incapacity for business: whether it proceeds from - want of natural abilities, or want of education, time will - discover; certain it is, the most difficult task we have is to act - in such a manner as not to put too great a restraint upon the - Nabob's inclinations, and yet, at the same time, influence him to - do what is for his own honour, and the good of the Company. There - is no submitting to be dictated to by every plaguy fellow about - him." - -And again[265]:— - - "There seems to me to have been a combination between the blacks - and whites, to divide all the revenues of the Company between them, - for the Nabob knows nothing about the matter. Large sums have been - taken out of both treasuries, by Mahommed Reza Cawn at Muxadabad, - and by Nundcomar at Calcutta. Every day convinces me, that so long - as that man with his instruments continue about him we shall never - have that influence which appears to me absolutely necessary, as - well for his own reputation as to prevent the revenues being - dissipated on a set of plaguy rascals." - -The evidence which Clive about this time obtained from the officers of -the Nabob, of the sums paid to the different public servants on the -conclusion of the treaty, are stated in a letter to General Carnac[266], -with some severe remarks on the conduct of those who, on that occasion, -sacrificed the interest and honour of the public for venal objects. This -subject would, in its details, lead us too far. Suffice it to say, that -the strong measures which the discovery he made led him to adopt, -particularly that of suspending several of the older civil officers from -the service, added to the number of his enemies in a degree that made -them more powerful in England than in India, and was the chief cause of -that parliamentary inquiry into his conduct which took place on his -return to his native country. Meanwhile, however, the honest course of -investigation which he pursued, though fatiguing and painful to his -mind, and severe on his spirits, left him resolute and composed in his -sense of duty. He had a great object in view, the salvation of an -empire, through the repression of wrong, and the amendment of the public -character and morals. "Let me but have health sufficient to go through -with the reformation we intend," says he, in writing to his friend -Carnac, "and I shall die with satisfaction and in peace." The same -feeling, which seems at this period to have deeply penetrated his mind, -he expresses to many of his friends. - -Clive, it appears from several letters to other friends, had been, at -this period, seriously hurt at the long, and, as he thought, the -mysterious silence of General Carnac. He was at last relieved by a -letter, which satisfactorily accounted for the apparent neglect of a -friend for whom he cherished so sincere an esteem. The following extract -from Clive's reply is singularly illustrative of his feelings, and of -the principles on which he acted:— - - "The receipt of your letter[267], number eight, gave me as much - pleasure as your long silence gave me real concern. Indeed, I had - resolved to write no more, being convinced that, from some cause or - other, the friendship which had so long subsisted between us was - drawing towards a conclusion, since you had declined even giving me - your sentiments upon a subject or subjects in which I conjectured - we may have differed in opinion. But surely that could be no reason - for not writing at all; neither ought a difference of opinion, - where both are actuated by principles of honour and justice, in the - least diminish that cordial affection which hitherto hath - subsisted, and I trust will subsist to the day of our deaths. - - "I was not ignorant, when a general Court of Proprietors prevailed - upon me to resume this government, what an odious as well as - arduous task I had undertaken. Foreseeing, in a manner, every thing - at the time which has since happened, I was determined, if - possible, to answer the expectations of the Proprietors, who did me - the honour to think me the only person who could, by my power and - influence (and example, I hope,) put a stop to that universal - corruption (some few instances excepted) which seems to have spread - itself over all Bengal. - - "Although a reformation both in the civil and military department - appears to me absolutely necessary, yet if there be any thing which - can occasion you the least uneasiness, for God's sake let the whole - weight fall upon my shoulders. I can go through every thing with - pleasure, so long as I can, with truth, and without vanity, apply - to myself these beautiful lines of Horace:— - - 'Justum et tenacem propositi virum,'" &c. - -Clive, in the following letter to his friend Walsh, dated 30th -September, 1765, gives full scope to his feelings, both as to public -transactions, and those connected with them:— - - "Our friendship and connection have been of so many years' - standing, and I have always observed in you so much real warmth of - heart and zeal for my interest and honour, that I think of these - marks of your affection in this distant part of the globe with the - greatest satisfaction. - - "To you, and to you only, I shall communicate every transaction of - consequence which has passed since our arrival, because I know you - have judgment and discretion to make a proper use of them. - - "It will be needless to expatiate on the very great things we have - done for the Company, since the several papers which accompany this - will make you a perfect master of the whole of our proceedings. - - "I have referred many of my friends to you for information; but you - will communicate to them what you think proper, Mr. Grenville - excepted, to whom I have been very explicit, having inclosed him a - copy of my letter to the Court of Directors, translation of the - treaty of peace, and a map of Bengal, with some marginal - explanations. - - "You will therefore lay before him, without reserve, all papers of - a public nature; such as relate to individuals, and are not made - public, you may not think proper to reveal to any one. There is - only one paper which I could not send you, viz. the letter from the - Select Committee to the Court of Directors, being bound by oath not - to make any of our proceedings public until laid before council, or - communicated to the Court of Directors; neither of which being yet - done, with respect to the committee's letter, is the reason I - cannot send you a copy; but you will, undoubtedly, obtain a sight - of it from Scrafton. - - "Had I known Mr. Sumner as well as I do at present, I would never - have consented to his being appointed my successor, let the - consequences be what they would. I did, indeed, entertain hopes, - that my example and instructions might furnish that gentleman with - a plan of conduct and political knowledge, which would have enabled - him to fill the chair with honour, and me to leave it with - satisfaction to myself. But I am sorry to inform you, that I had - been but a short time on board the Kent, before I discovered him to - be a man no ways fit to be my successor. His ideas of government - differ widely indeed from mine; add to this, his judgment is weak, - timid, and unsound, and resolution he has none. - - "Nor was my opinion of him changed on our arrival here; for I was - frequently mortified with instances of his conduct, which made me - look forward with regret to the day on which he was to be intrusted - with the government of Bengal. - - "When affairs of the utmost consequence to the Company were - transacting by me, at the distance of seven hundred miles from the - presidency, Mr. Sumner, governor for the time being, would have - yielded up some of the most material privileges of the committee to - Mr. Leycester, Gray, and Burdett, the most factious among the - counsellors; and, if I had not written to him very severely on the - subject, and prevailed on Mr. Verelst to hasten down from Burdwan - to remonstrate to him on the weakness of his conduct, I verily - believe he would have joined with those gentlemen in endeavouring - to abolish the power of the committee. - - "Whether his behaviour arose merely from timidity of temper, or - from a consideration that his actions formerly, in the Burdwan - country, could not bear a scrutiny, if the resentment of those whom - he had been obliged to join in condemning should prompt them to - retaliate, I cannot say; but it is certain that his attention to - those gentlemen, guilty as they had been of the most notorious acts - of oppression, was mean and absurd. His conduct, upon the whole, - convinces me, that had he been in council during the late - transactions he would have stood next to Mr. Johnstone in the - donation list, which I almost wish he had, since the Company and I - should, by that means, have been freed from the apprehensions we - now labour under, on account of his succeeding me in the - government. - - "Imagine not that I have exceeded the bounds of truth in this - description. A due regard to my own honour, as well as to the - advantage of the Company, obliges me to be thus plain; but it is - not my intention to impress you with ideas so far to the - disadvantage of Mr. Sumner, as that he may be set aside from the - government. I think I cannot go such lengths without hurting my own - reputation. I must make a point of his succeeding me according to - his appointment; and I hope affairs will go on very well, as long - as he has a good committee or council to watch him. - - "If you can prevail upon the Court of Directors to empower me - alone, or me in conjunction with the Select Committee, to regulate - matters, I will be responsible for his good behavior: if not, I - much fear things will fall into the old channel; and to the - advantages arising from salt will be added every other that can be - grasped at. - - "Remember the oath and penalty bond mentioned in my public letter. - If by increasing the Governor's salary, or ordering his proportion - of salt to be greater, there was a particular oath for the - Governor, whereby he should not be allowed the liberty of private - trade at all, but obliged to attend to the affairs of the Company - only, leaving trade to the second, &c., I think the plan of - government would be much more perfect, as it would be less liable - to abuses from the head. - - "I have hinted to Dudley only my sentiments of Mr. Sumner, and he - knows from me that I have explained myself to you. Consult, - therefore, together about the matter; settle it, if possible, in - such a manner that I may not be taxed with breach of promise to Mr. - Sumner, and I may at the same time resign the government without - apprehension for the consequences. - - ------------------ - - "It would be endless for me to send you the particulars of every - act of extortion and corruption. I had prepared a great many, under - the hands and seals of the several zemindars and phousdars, in - order to make it impossible for such men to succeed in any of their - future designs; but the total overthrow of Sulivan and his party - makes such authentic proofs unnecessary, especially as we have sent - home sufficient to convince every impartial Director of the general - corruption and profligacy of their servants in Bengal. - - "Among other papers, you will find a letter from the King to the - Governor and Council, in favour of General Carnac. The 2 lacs of - rupees he has given him is lodged in the public funds, until the - pleasure of the Directors is known. I shall only say that Carnac - has acted with such moderation and honour in the service of the - Company, and with such good deference and attention towards his - Majesty the Great Mogul, that the Directors must be the most - ungrateful of men, if they do not, by the return of this ship, or - the first conveyance, order him this money, with a due encomium - upon his services, disinterestedness, and modesty. I am sure your - interest will not be wanting to push this matter to the utmost, if - it be possible that such an order from the Court should meet with - the least resistance. - - "I have determined to remain in this country until I receive an - answer to our proceedings. No consideration on earth shall prevail - upon me to stay beyond the month of December, 1766; and my friends - may be assured, if no accident happens to me, of hearing of me from - Europe in April or May, 1767. In the mean time I shall dedicate - every day of my life to the service of the Company; a thorough - reformation shall take place; every department, both civil and - military, shall be examined, and regulated by a disinterested - committee, upon oath; and the Directors will be surprised indeed at - the extravagancy, inattention, and frauds of their servants, both - civil and military, at the same time that they must be greatly - pleased at the reduction of their exorbitant expenses. - - "Can you believe me, that the civil and military charges at the - time of my arrival, amounted to between 11 and 12 lacs per month? - - "I have dropt all thoughts of what I mentioned to you from Rio - Janeiro, concerning my jaghire, and am resolved to let it rest as - it is. - - "That you may assist with confidence the justice of my cause, I do - declare, by that God who made me, it is my absolute determination - to refuse every present of consequence, and that I will not return - to England with one rupee more than what arises from my jaghire. My - profits arising from salt shall be divided among those friends who - have endangered their lives and constitutions in attending me; the - congratulatory nuzzurs shall be set opposite to my extraordinary - expenses, and, if aught remains, it shall go to Poplar or some - other hospital." - -Clive, the same day, wrote the following letter[268] to Mr. Grenville, -with whom, throughout this period, he appears to have kept up a constant -correspondence:— - - "Give me leave to call to your remembrance some discourse we had - together about the Company's affairs (in which the honour and - interest of our nation was so much concerned), and to inform you, I - have now the particular satisfaction of seeing the great object of - my wishes nearly accomplished. - - "The enclosed copy of my letter to the Court of Directors, and a - map of Bengal, with some marginal explanations, will open to you a - full view of the present great and flourishing condition of our - East India Company, and show how near it was to destruction, from - corruption, extortion, and luxury. If you have leisure and - inclination to be further acquainted with our transactions, Mr. - Walsh has orders from me to lay before you our proceedings. May - what we are about, in times of distress and necessity, contribute - towards lessening the debt of the nation. If you imagine the King - can find amusement in perusing any of these papers, or some - particular friends whom you can trust, I shall have no objection. - - "I hope by this year's conveyance to send you a particular account - of the revenues of these provinces, which, put under proper - management, cannot fall far short of 4,000,000_l._ per annum. - - "I return you many thanks for Mr. Strachey: I have found him in - every respect deserving your good opinion; and I must not forget to - express how thankful I am for the assistance you have given Mr. - Nevil Maskelyne, to obtain the Regius professorship. - - "My best wishes attend Mrs. Grenville and all your family." - -Clive observes, in a letter to Lord Halifax, of the same date,— - - "I will not attempt entering into a detail of affairs in this part - of the world, especially as I have enabled Mr. Grenville to give - your Lordship a very explicit account of the prosperous and - flourishing condition of the East India Company: too prosperous, - without they have better heads and hearts to manage such grand and - extensive concerns than heretofore." - -In the following letter[269] from Lord Clive to Sir Matthew -Featherstonhaugh he states,— - - "We have just concluded a very honourable and advantageous peace - with Sujah-u-Dowlah. To convince him, as well as the Mogul empire, - of our moderation, we have restored to him all his dominions, upon - condition of paying to the Company 50 lacs of rupees, or - 600,000_l._ (the half down, and security for the other half.) This - he very readily consented to, and has exactly complied with his - engagements; so that Bengal, by such a powerful alliance, will in - all probability enjoy tranquillity and peace for some time. - - "Was I to paint to you the anarchy and confusion which reigned in - these rich provinces upon my arrival, you would be much surprised. - Indeed, the Company's affairs were at their last gasp, not from our - enemies, but from that universal licentiousness which had overrun - the whole settlement of Calcutta. Extortion and corruption were - practised openly and at noonday. The three kingdoms of Bengal, - Bahar, and Orissa, whose revenues amount to 4,000,000_l._ sterling - per annum, had been put up to sale, and the profits divided among - the civil and military; the Company's interests have been most - scandalously sacrificed; but on this subject let me refer you to - Mr. Walsh, who will give you such proofs of the venality, - corruption, and extortions of the Company's servants, as must give - you great pain, from the consideration of the national honour being - so much prostituted. - - "We are making use of the power given the committee to check these - great and growing evils, and have made great progress already. Our - vigorous proceedings towards retrieving the national honour, and - obtaining for the Company those great and glorious advantages, - which they are so justly entitled to, will, I make no doubt, create - us many enemies; however, conscious rectitude will enable us to go - through our undertakings with pleasure. With regard to myself, I do - declare, upon the word of a gentleman, and upon my honour, that, - although history can scarce furnish an instance of any subject who - hath had such opportunities of acquiring an immense fortune, it is - my determined resolution to return to my native country not one - farthing richer than when I left it. - - "The very great attention you have always paid to my interest, and - the favourable opinion you have always entertained of my abilities - and zeal for the Company, bind me to you by ties of the strongest - gratitude. - - "The Company, in consequence of a grant from the Great Mogul, and - with the Nabob's approbation, are in possession of a clear revenue - of 2,000,000_l._ sterling; and all our expenses, both civil and - military, can never exceed the half of that sum in time of war, and - in time of peace, not more than 600,000_l._ per annum: so that, at - the worst of times, there will be a clear gain of 1,000,000_l._ - sterling per annum to the Company. Neither are these revenues - chimerical or precarious: the rents are regularly paid; and we have - established such a force, that all the powers of Hindustan cannot - deprive us of our possessions for many years. Let me refer you to - Mr. Walsh for further particulars, who, I am persuaded, will - explain these matters much to your satisfaction. - - "Although I find I cannot, as formerly, struggle with the - inclemency of this hot climate, yet I am determined to wait for an - answer to our despatches by this ship: my duty to my family will - not permit me to stay longer. I hope to kiss your hand in April or - May, 1767. - - "The Duke of Devonshire's death has given me inexpressible concern: - the nation has lost a nobleman who was an honour to it, and we the - best and sincerest of friends. I could with pleasure have attached - myself to him for the remainder of my days." - -The following letter[270] to his friend Scrafton exhibits a short view -of the prosperous state of the finances, and closes with a postscript -written on Clive's hearing of his friend's election to the office of -Director:— - - "You must not expect a long letter from me, because I know you will - have many particulars from other friends, and because the public - business will really not allow me time for that purpose. - - "Revolution upon revolution, rapacity, extortion, and corruption, - have at last reduced us to the necessity of doing the only thing - which could be done, to save the whole fabric from being ruined. - The King hath granted to the Company the dewannee of Bengal, Bahar, - and Orissa, and expresses himself in this manner:—'In consideration - of the great services rendered me by the English Company, and on - the condition of their paying me the annual tribute of 26 lacs, and - allowing sufficient for the support of the dignity of the Nizamut, - whatever remains of the revenues of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa, I - give to the English Company as a free gift, for ever and ever.' - - "The Nabob's allowances are 53 lacs, which he signed and agreed to; - so that there will remain little short of 200 lacs to the Company, - clear of all expenses in collections. What think you of the stocks? - We shall draw bills for about 16 lacs this year, and, in future, I - believe, there will be an end to bills of exchange. Our investment - this year will exceed 40 lacs, and we shall send 15 lacs to China. - We have 24 lacs of restitution money to pay, and 30 lacs of bonds - to discharge, or we should not have drawn at all, even this year. - - "We have concluded a firm and lasting peace with Sujah-u-Dowlah, by - giving him up all his country, for which he pays 50 lacs to the - Company: 25 down, and security for the rest in twelve months. I - have not leisure to entertain you with an account of our - proceedings with regard to the gentlemen of council: the upshot is, - as you have expressed yourself in one of your letters, 'There are - not five men of principle in the whole settlement.' I believe this - is the first instance of such a paper appearing upon record as we - have sent home. - - "There is an account in our committee and consultation proceedings, - as large as a general return, with as many columns, specifying the - sums of money received, and to be received, by whom, and to whom, - and on whose houses drawn; in short, the Directors, when they first - see these papers, will imagine it to be an account of increase of - revenues. If you can get John Walsh into a humour of entertaining - you upon these matters, he is qualified to do it better than any - man in England. My time and paper grow short. - - "I am, dear Scrafton, - - "Yours, &c. - - "CLIVE - - "May it please your Honour, - - "I did not know at the time I wrote the above, that your Honour - would have been one of my masters, as I might have saved myself the - trouble of writing so much, or referring you to Walsh. Believe me, - there is an absolute necessity of getting some of the Madras - servants here, or we shall never bring about a reformation. The - gentry here will do nothing with a good will. - - "I am - - "Your Honour's most obedient servant, - - "CLIVE." - -Clive, in answering a letter[271] from Mr. Fowke, a Director, observes,— - - "I have received your letter of the 13th November, 1764, from the - contents of which I can easily perceive our affairs in Leadenhall - Street are not likely to be upon a solid foundation for some time: - indeed, Rous, though a very honest man, is the most unfit of all - men living to preside and govern a Court of Directors. I am now - convinced, a man of lighter principles, with more abilities, and a - certain degree of resolution, will manage both private and public - concerns to more advantage than Mr. Rous. My only hopes are, that - the next year's election will produce one or two men well versed in - the politics of India, and then Mr. Sulivan may be entirely - excluded. - - "I am not at all surprised at your disappointment; nothing less - could have been expected from such a divided and distracted - Direction; nor should I be much surprised if something of a - disagreeable nature, touching my powers, should find its way to - India. If the Directors dare take such a step, woe be to them, for - I am pursuing measures so manifestly to the nation's honour, and - the Company's advantage, that envy and malice themselves will not - dare to enter the lists against us. - - "Was I to enter into a detail of all our transactions in these - parts, volumes would not suffice. To Mr. Walsh, therefore, I refer - you, who will be perfectly informed of the great and glorious - things we have already done for this Company; too great, indeed, - for such a Company. I shall only say, that such a scene of anarchy, - confusion, bribery, corruption, and extortion was never seen or - heard of in any country but Bengal; nor such and so many fortunes - acquired in so unjust and rapacious a manner. The three provinces - of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa, producing a clear revenue of - 3,000,000_l._ sterling, have been under the absolute management of - the Company's servants, ever since Meer Jaffier's restoration to - the subaship; and they have, both civil and military, exacted and - levied contributions from every man of power and consequence, from - the Nabob down to the lowest zemindar. - - "The trade has been carried on by free merchants, acting as - gomastahs to the Company's servants, who, under the sanction of - their names, have committed actions which make the name of the - English stink in the nostrils of a Gentoo or a Mussulman; and the - Company's servants themselves have interfered with the revenues of - the Nabob, turned out and put in the officers of the government at - pleasure, and made every one pay for their preferment." - -It may be questioned whether any of Clive's many and great achievements -called forth more of that active energy and calm firmness for which he -was distinguished, than was evinced in effecting the reform of the civil -service of Bengal. It created a host of enemies in India, several of -whom were men of talent, and possessed both of wealth and reputation. -These, when they returned to England, gave vent to their indignation -against one whom they represented as an arbitrary tyrant, who, having -made his own immense fortune in a rapid manner, now desired to obtain -fame by depriving others of the same advantages. They found, among the -Directors and the House of Commons, many who listened eagerly to their -grievances, and to accusations against a man whose fame and fortune made -him an object of envy and of calumny; and who, besides the numbers he -had rendered his enemies, by detecting and exposing their nefarious -conduct, had deeply offended others, of whose character and principles -he had a better opinion, by his impatience at their weak or undecided -conduct. Born, it may be said, to command, clear in his views of what -was right, and devoted to the public service, he was not only -uncompromising, but impatient of check or hinderance in the pursuit of -objects he deemed essential for the good name or interests of his -country. This impatience led him too often to evince indignation or -contempt of those who opposed him, or whose minds could not keep pace -with his own, but whose conduct and character merited more justice and -consideration. - -But we must close this chapter, the events detailed in which occurred -within a twelvemonth of Clive's arrival in Bengal. The second year -afforded him a still greater opportunity of displaying his wisdom and -courage. - - - FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 14 - -Footnote 244: - - 11th May, 1765. - -Footnote 245: - - Mr. George Vansittart, the brother of Henry, the late governor. - -Footnote 246: - - 13th May, 1765. - -Footnote 247: - - Vide letter to Mr. Sykes, 7th July. - -Footnote 248: - - Vide letter to Mr. Palk, 14th July. - -Footnote 249: - - Vide letter to Mr. Spencer of the 13th May. - -Footnote 250: - - The Court of Directors, by the Lapwing packet, which left England in - June, 1764, sent positive orders, which reached Calcutta on the 24th - January, 1765, that all persons in the Company's service should - execute covenants, restraining them from accepting, directly or - indirectly, from the Indian princes, any grant of lands, rents, or - territorial dominion, or any present whatever, exceeding the value of - four thousand rupees, without the consent of the Court of Directors. - The letter further contained orders relating to private trade, and to - batta to the troops. The council assembled next day, 25th January. It - is remarkable that the subjects, both of the batta and of the private - trade, are noticed in the consultation, but no allusion whatever is - made to the matter of the covenants. At this crisis the old Nabob - died; and Mr. Johnstone and Mr. Leycester were immediately empowered - to negotiate with his son, the young Nabob, and accordingly did - conclude a treaty, 6th February, as has been already mentioned. About - twenty lacs of rupees were, on this occasion, promised, and the - greater part of it received, as a present to the Governor and several - members of council. (Verelst's Narrative, p. 51.; Third Report of - Select Committee of House of Commons, p. 21.) As upwards of three - months had elapsed at the time of Clive's arrival, and the Company's - orders regarding the covenants had not yet been put in force, the - Select Committee, immediately on meeting, issued an order for carrying - them into instant effect. Clive, in his letters, expresses great - indignation at the circumstances attending the treaty with the young - prince; and it is impossible not to agree with him in thinking, that - the delay in the signing of the covenants, and the subsequent presents - from the young Nabob, reflect light on each other. - -Footnote 251: - - Vide letter to Mr. Sumner of the 26th June. - -Footnote 252: - - Vide letter, Secret Committee, 21st June, 1765. - -Footnote 253: - - This letter is dated the 30th September, 1765. It is published in the - Third Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons, A. D. - 1772. - -Footnote 254: - - 17th May, 1766. - -Footnote 255: - - 30th September, 1765. - -Footnote 256: - - It may be mentioned, as a curious fact, that when the durbar for - conferring the dewannee on the Company was held, the Emperor having - none of the appurtenances of high condition or state along with him, - an English dining table, covered over, made the throne on which he sat - during the ceremony. - -Footnote 257: - - Vide letter from Mr. Verelst, 27th July, 1765. - -Footnote 258: - - An addition of 386,131 was subsequently granted. - -Footnote 259: - - Mr. Johnstone, who had resigned council, but who remained some time - settling the commercial concerns with Mr. Bolts, complains of his salt - being stopped; Lord Clive, in reply, says he should have applied for a - dustuck. - -Footnote 260: - - Letter to Mr. Dudley, 29th September, 1765. - -Footnote 261: - - 1765. - -Footnote 262: - - At the time of Lord Clive's writing the letter quoted in the text, to - Mr. Palk, the Governor of Madras, which was the day after his - Lordship's arrival at Bengal, Suja Dowla was, as is mentioned in that - letter, threatening to invade our provinces with a large army, joined - by the Mahrattas and Rohillas. But he altered his tone very shortly - after; since it appears, by a letter written by him to General Carnac, - that he offered to make peace on any terms. - - This letter, it appears from the public records mentioned in the - Report of the Select Committee of 1772, was received by General Carnac - on the 19th of May, 1765, and was probably written by Suja Dowla two - days before; which allows for his having received intelligence of Lord - Clive's arrival on the 3d of that month, and that it had the effect of - his proposing to make peace with the English. - - The letter is worth transcribing in this place. (3d Rep. of Select - Comm. App. No. 84.) - - _Suja Dowla to General Carnac._ - - "It is known all over the world, that the illustrious chiefs of the - English nation are constant and unchangeable in their friendship, - which my heart is fully persuaded of. The late disturbances were - contrary to my inclination; but it was so ordered by Providence. I now - see things in a proper light, and have a strong desire to come to you; - and am persuaded you will treat me in a manner befitting your own - honour. You have shown great favours to others; when you become - acquainted with me you will see with your own eyes, and be thoroughly - sensible of my attachment, from which I will never depart while I have - life. I am this day arrived at Belgram: please God, in a very short - time I shall have the happiness of a meeting with you. As for other - particulars, I refer you to Monyr-o-Dowla and Rajah Shitabroy." - - (And with his own hand.) - - "My Friend,—I regard not wealth nor the government of countries: your - favour and friendship is all I desire. Please God, I will be with you - very soon, when you will do for me what you think best." - - The fame of Lord Clive having been so long established in India, it - will not be thought extraordinary by those acquainted with that - country, that the news of his return to it should have operated, as it - did, so instantaneously with Suja Dowla, in the manner expressed in - the above letter. - - Lord Clive soon after concluded a treaty of peace with him, of which - an account is given in the letter of the Select Committee at Calcutta, - 30th September, 1765, in the same Report, App., No. 86. - -Footnote 263: - - Calcutta, 20th May, 1765. - -Footnote 264: - - General Carnac, 27th May, 1765. - -Footnote 265: - - Ibid., 30th May, 1765. - -Footnote 266: - - 8th June, 1765. - -Footnote 267: - - Mootagyl, 8th July, 1765. - -Footnote 268: - - Dated Calcutta, 30th September, 1765. - -Footnote 269: - - Dated Calcutta, 30th September, 1765. - -Footnote 270: - - Dated Calcutta, 25th September, 1765. - -Footnote 271: - - Dated 25th September, 1765. - - - - - END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. - - - - - LONDON: - Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE, - New-Street-Square. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - _Publications_ - - OF - - THE LATE SIR JOHN MALCOLM. - - ---------- - -=A HISTORY of PERSIA=. _Third Edition._ 2 vols. 8vo. 30_s._ - -=The POLITICAL HISTORY of INDIA=. A new Edition, revised, with an -additional Chapter on the Present State of India. 2 vols. 8vo. 1_l._ -12_s._ - -=SKETCHES of PERSIA=. Second Edition. 2 vols. post 8vo. 15_s._ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ● Transcriber's Notes - ○ In the plain text versions of this book a carat is used before a - character to indicate that that character was superscripted in the - original. - ○ A few cases of inconsistent spelling and hyphenation - were regularized. 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