MEMOIRS OF THE Revolution in BENGAL. (continued 2)

86After the Propositions made by Mr. Watts had been duly canvassed, and their Importance maturely considered, by the Select Committee, who upon this Occasion framed and took an Oath of Secrecy, they were unanimously approved, and the Project or Draught of a new Treaty was transmitted to him. But at the same time there was great Latitude left, in case of Objections; and he was requested to procure as many and as large Concessions as might be, in case he found it impracticable to obtain every one of the Conditions in the full Extent that they desired. Indeed they relied so entirely upon him, that a Blank was left for the Company's Demand in their Draught of the Treaty for him to fill up; and how it was filled up, will appear from the Treaty itself. This was not only expedient but necessary, as he was upon the Spot, knew the Persons with whom he was treating, their Connections and Circumstances, and the Motives which might render any of these Demands agreeable or disagreeable. The use Mr. Watts made of this Confidence was such as it deserved, and turned not a little to the Advantage of those who gave it. He was himself perfectly 87sensible, and took all imaginable Pains to make those he dealt with no less sensible, that, notwithstanding this Change was for their mutual Benefit, yet the Weight, the Hazard, and the Expence, would fall principally at least, very probably wholly, upon the English. He represented, therefore, effectually, that for such extraordinary Assistance, which alone could put the Means of making it into their Power, a proper Satisfaction ought in Justice to be made, and that this suitable Satisfaction should be made likewise in a proper Manner. He was apprehensive also, upon this Head, that a false Delicacy might produce future Disputes, and therefore very prudently provided, that the unliquidated Demands in the Sketch should be reduced to a Certainty. He also enlarged the Sums stipulated for the Losses of private Persons, and distinguished them under National Heads; that, if possible, no Jealousies or Heart-burnings might arise in the Colony, when they came to be actually paid.

The surest as well as the shortest Method of setting this Matter in a true Light, and 88that will at once place it in the strongest, is to insert the original Plan of the new Alliance, as transmitted to Mr. Watts, and then the Project settled by that Gentleman, which the Reader will hereafter have an Opportunity of comparing with the Alliance concluded.

Copy of the Articles of Agreement sent by Colonel Clive to William Watts, Esq; May 2, 1757.

An Alliance offensive and defensive against all Enemies: The French Fugitives to be taken and delivered up to us; all their Factories to be delivered up to us, in order to be destroyed; the French never to be permitted to re-settle in this Subaship; in Consideration of which, the English Company will annually pay the Amount of Duties usually paid into the King's Treasury on the French Trade, or a Sum not exceeding Fifty thousand Rupees annually.

Restitution of the Company's Loss, by the taking of Calcutta, and their Out Settlements; also Restitution for the Losses of all Europeans 89by Ditto, as may be stated fairly by Admiral Watson, the Governor, Colonel Clive, William Watts, Esq; Major Kilpatrick, and Mr. Becher.

Blacks and Armenians are not included.

That the whole of our Phirmaund be complied with, and all other Grants made to us, particularly in the Treaty with Suraja Dowlat.

That the Bounds of Calcutta are to extend the whole Circle of Ditchdug, upon the Invasion of the Marattes; also Six hundred Yards without it, for an Esplanade.

The Inhabitants within our Bounds to be entirely subject to the English Laws and Government.

That we have Liberty to fortify and garrison our Factories of Cassimbuzar and Dacca, as we think proper, and a sufficient Esplanade be granted us round each.

That Convoys to and from one of our Settlements to another, be permitted to pass without Interruption or Molestation.

90That the Moors shall erect no Fortifications within Twenty Miles of the River Side, from Hughley to Ingelee.

That a Tract of Land be made over to the English Company, whose Revenues shall be sufficient to maintain a proper Force of Europeans and Seapoys, to keep out the French, and assist the Government against all Enemies.

That whenever the English Troops are called to the assistance of the Government, that the extraordinary Expences of the Campaign be made good by the Government.

That an English Gentleman, in Quality of Envoy, be permitted to reside at Court, and be treated with due Respect.

Minutes of the Treaty, by Mr. Watts,

May 14, 1757.

I. That he will confirm all the Grants the former Nabob made us.

II. He will make an Alliance with the English, offensive and defensive, against all Enemies, either Natives or Europeans

91III. Whatever French are in his Provinces of Bengal, Bahar, or Orixa, to be delivered up with all their Houses and Factories, and they never permitted to settle more in either of those Provinces.

IV. On Account of the Company's Loss^[1] 1 Crore.

92V. On Account of the Losses of Europeans 30 Lack.

VI. Ditto Jentoows 30 D^o.

VII. Ditto Armenians 10 D^o.

VIII. Ditto for Omichund 30 D^o.

IX. Whatever Ground there is within the Calcutta Ditch, belonging to the Zemindars, to be given to the English, and Six hundred Yards without the Ditch all round.

X. A Tract of Land, whose Rents in the King's Books amounts to 100,000 Rupees Yearly, to be bought at a reasonable Value, from the Zemindary, and the Nabob to assist us in the Purchase, we paying the annual Piscash or Revenue, as usual, to the Nabob. Whatever Profit may arise from this Zemindary, is to go towards paying our Military.

93XI. Whenever the Nabob wants the Assistance of our Troops, the extraordinary Expence to be paid by him.

His Plan of the Treaty was returned, with Alterations: Some of the Articles were modified, and a Blank left for the Company's Demand, that in case Meer Jaffeir should think it too extravagant, Mr. Watts might have Liberty to moderate it, and he was desired to get it carried into Execution; but it will appear in the Treaty itself, which will be hereafter given, that Mr. Watts got the Treaty executed, without any Deduction or Modification. This was a Work equally arduous and hazardous, as Things then stood, when every Look, every Word, every Motion of his was suspected, and which at the same time rendered the procuring its Conclusion expeditiously a Circumstance of the utmost Consequence. In all this, the Risk might be truly said to fall entirely upon himself; so that it is not easy to imagine, how any Man's Circumstances could be more critical than his actually were in this Conjuncture. We shall however see, that they really became so afterwards, and this in a very high Degree, and in very many Respects, from Causes that could 94not be avoided, and which produced a Train of unforeseen Events.

It was pretty early known, that Meer Jaffeir had entertained no very favourable Notion of Omichund, but there was a Necessity of employing and trusting him notwithstanding, of which though the former did not complain, yet he did not dislike him the less. In the midst of these arduous Transactions, and when every one else had their Hands and their Hearts full, it came into Omichund's Head to practise a little upon Suraja Dowlat, probably that he might be sure of somewhat, however Things went. He mentioned to Mr. Watts this very fine-spun Project, to which, that it appeared wild and strange, was by no means the strongest Objection. It was, however, in vain to make any: there was Money he thought to be got, and, if it was possible, he was resolved to get it. On the Sixteenth of May he went to the Palace, where, exerting his admirable Faculty of magnifying the Utility and exalting the Credit of the Advice he had to give, and having first alarmed the Suba's timid Mind, by touching many Subjects he knew 95were disagreeable, and in the Close, when he saw him sufficiently amazed, condescended to hint, that he had found means, with great Difficulty, to come at a Secret of the last Consequence, and for the revealing of which he was sure to lose his Life, if it was so much as suspected that he had penetrated and disclosed it. Promises of every kind were made, and at length out it came, that the English had discovered all his Negotiations with Mr. Bussy, some Circumstances of which he mentioned; that, upon this, they had sent two Gentlemen to confer with, and to convince him, how much more it would be for his Interest to concur with them; and that they had made, or were upon the Point of making, a Peace; which, without doubt, must be at his Expence. As strange as it may seem, Omichund prevailed over a Man's Foibles, which he had studied, and deluded him into a firm Belief of all he said, and, in consequence of this, he procured a Perwannah, that is, an Order from the Suba to the Burdwan Rajah, one of his Officers, for the Payment of Four Lack of Rupees which he owed him, and the full Restitution of the remaining Part of the Money, and all the 96Goods, of which he had been despoiled at Calcutta. This he took wonderful Care to have immediately executed, for fear of Accidents, that very Night; neither did he remain within the Suba's Reach long after. He left Traces, however, behind him, that sufficiently justified Meer Jaffeir's Suspicions, and exerted that Power of perplexing, which he possessed in full as eminent a Degree as that of persuading. This was one principal Cause of those new Difficulties, to which Mr. Watts found himself exposed, when he thought the whole Stock of his Abilities small enough to deal with the old ones.

When the Agreement came to be offered to Roydoolub, one of the Suba's principal Ministers, but, notwithstanding that, one of the Parties to this Treaty, he made a Doubt as to the Possibility of complying with it. He said, the Treasury, since the Death of the Old Suba, Aliverdy Cawn, had been much drained, and that though Suraja Dowlat was indeed very rapacious, yet he managed his Affairs so ill, by keeping his Forces so long in the Field, as to have impoverished himself by a vast, and at the same time useless Expence. He also suggested, 97that possibly in the Confusion that commonly attends every Revolution, the Suba's Treasury might be plundered, and then they should remain bound, without having it in their Power to pay. But to remove these Difficulties, he proposed it as an Expedient, to divide whatever was found in the Treasury with the English. Mr. Watts, who understood these People perfectly, consented to sign the Treaty with such a Clause, subject to the Approbation of the Select Committee at Calcutta. But when Roydoolub reflected, that upon such a Division he could pretend to no Commission, as he might on Money issued in virtue of the Treaty, of which he had Hopes given him; when Things came to a Crisis, he relinquished his own Proposal, and resolved to sign the Treaty as it stood. It appeared, that the Apprehensions which occasioned these Disputes, and this Delay, were infused into Roydoolub by Omichund, who gave him to understand, that if once the English Army took Possession of Muxadavad, they would not leave it again in three Years. This old crafty Man was not satisfied with giving this Proof of his Skill in embarrassing; he went much farther; 98and as soon as he was himself out of Danger, divulged the Secret, which brought Mr. Watts, as well as Meer Jaffeir and the rest, to the very Brink of Destruction; while at Calcutta he represented the whole Design as become desperate and impracticable, because it was discovered. It was, indeed, wonderful, all Things, and more especially his Behaviour, considered, that it was not so. However, this Effect these Rumours had, that Confusion increased, Discontent spread itself more and more in the Suba's Camp, and the Divisions between him and his principal Officers grew daily wider and wider. Meer Jaffeir was fallen into open Disgrace, removed from his Office of Buxy, or Paymaster; upon which he withdrew, and continued in his Quarters with his Troops, and came no more near the Suba. A Circumstance that rendered it next to impossible for Mr. Watts, who was sensible that he had many Spies upon his Conduct, to have an Interview with him, whose House was entirely surrounded by the Nabob's Forces, without its being known; and this had given the Suba an Opportunity of executing his Threats, and if that had been a Thing he 99regarded, without much injuring his Reputation. The Matter, though so much embarrassed, being still absolutely necessary, and the time pressing, Mr. Watts went to him, in a covered Dooley, the Manner in which Women are conveyed in that Country, by which means he escaped Notice, and saw the Treaty which had been signed, sealed, and sworn to on the Koran, and upon his Son's Head, by Meer Jaffeir, with all the Solemnity imaginable, in the Evening of the Fifth of June. When this was once done, and authentic Advice received of its being done at Calcutta, it removed all Surmises, silenced every Suspicion, and by giving entire Satisfaction, made way for the taking those Measures which were requisite for carrying it into Execution.

But before we proceed farther, it will be proper to look upon this Treaty, which with such indefatigable Diligence Mr. Watts planned, prosecuted, and brought to bear, in despite of the Suspicions, Spies, and insidious Contrivances, of all his Enemies; by which the Company's Commerce, and all their Establishments in this Part of India, were secured, 100the Losses which the Inhabitants of those Places had sustained, repaired, and the Honour of the Nation vindicated.

Translation of the Treaty made with Meer Jaffeir.

Wrote with his own Hand.

I Swear by God, and by the Prophet of God, to abide by the Terms of this Treaty, as long as I have Life.

Mir Jaffeir Khan Bahadar,

Servant of King Allumgeer.

Treaty made with the Admiral, Colonel Clive, and the other Counsellors, Mr. Drake and Mr. Watts.

I.

WHATEVER Articles were agreed upon in the time of Peace with the Nabob, Suraja Dowlat, Munsurah Mimalek Shaik Kouli Khan Bahadar, and Hybut Jung, I agree to comply with.

101II. The Enemies of the English are my Enemies, whether they be Indians or Europeans.

III. All the Effects and Factories belonging to the French, in the Provinces of Bengal, Bahar, and Orixa, shall remain in the Possession of the English; nor will I ever allow them to settle any more in the Three Provinces.

IV. In Consideration of the Losses which the English Company have sustained, by the Capture and Plunder of Calcutta, by the Nabob, and the Charges occasioned by the Maintenance of their Forces, I give them One Coroe of Rupees.

V. For the Effects plundered from the English Inhabitants of Calcutta, I agree to give them Fifty Lack of Rupees.

VI. For the Effects plundered from the Gentoows, Mussulmen, and other Subjects of Calcutta, Twenty Lack of Rupees shall be given.

102VII. For the Effects plundered from the Armenian Inhabitants of Calcutta, I will give the Sum of Seven Lack of Rupees. The Distribution to be made of the Sums allotted the Natives, English Inhabitants, Gentoows, and Mussulmen, shall be left to the Admiral, Colonel Clive, Roger Drake, William Watts, James Kilpatrick, and Richard Becher, Esqrs. to be disposed of by them, to whom they think proper.

VIII. Within the Ditch, which surrounds the Borders of Calcutta, are Tracts of Lands belonging to several Zemindars, besides which, I will grant to the English Company Six hundred Yards without the Ditch.

IX. All the Lands lying to the South of Calcutta, as far as Culpee, shall be under the Zemindary of the English Company, and all the Officers of those Parts shall be under their Jurisdiction; the Revenues to be paid by them in 103the same Manner with other Zemindars.

X. Whenever I demand the Assistance of the English, I will be at the Charge of the Maintenance of their Troops.

XI. I will not erect any new Fortifications near the River Ganges, below Hughley.

XII. As soon as I am established in the three Provinces, the Sums as aforesaid shall be faithfully paid.

Dated the 15th Ramzan, in the

Fourth Year of the present Reign.

The perfect Harmony that subsisted between Vice-Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive, and the intire Confidence reposed in them by the Select Committee, was upon this Occasion, as it had been often before, the principal Source of that Alacrity, with which every thing was undertaken. A Train was immediately provided, a Detachment of Fifty Sailors, with a full Compliment of Officers, appointed to assist those who had the Direction of it; and Instructions were given for 104stationing a Twenty Gun Ship above Hughley, to keep the Communication with the Army open. These Steps were absolutely requisite, and others of a like Nature were prudently contrived, and chearfully performed, by the Officers in the King's and in the Company's Service; the Select Committee did their Business in Silence; and though there was a warm Spirit of Emulation, yet the least Spark of Envy or Jealousy never appeared, though so many Corps of different Kinds were serving conjunctly in the Expedition. This, as it was truly singular, was also remarkably happy; for no Exploit of this Consequence was ever begun or prosecuted in a more critical Situation, or where any untoward Accident might have more easily occasioned a Disappointment. The Forces that were to be employed, tho more numerous than in the preceding Operations, yet were but a Handful, in comparison of the Suba's Army. Meer Jaffeir, who had separated his Corps of Troops, was again joined with the Suba, but without any real Reconciliation on either Part: Yet this, however, was sufficient to raise a Doubt, how far any Dependance could be formed upon his acting; and what followed, plainly shewed 105that Suspicion was not ill founded. There was no small Danger of being surrounded by these superior Troops, and if the Communication with the River had been intercepted, the greatest Difficulties might have ensued. Besides these, the rainy Season was just coming on; so that, all Things taken together, and the Hazard that was to be run being maturely weighed, the Moors embarked in this Design had not the smallest Reason to repine at the Price they paid for our Assistance; as on the other hand, their own Safety, and the large Stake for which they fought, being considered, the English had great Encouragement to exert themselves with that steady Intrepidity which they did. Mr. Watts, from what he knew of the Suba's natural Disposition, and what he had observed with respect to his Forces, and those who commanded them, formed so true a Judgment of all that might happen, and had previously acquainted the Select Committee with these Sentiments, that there scarce fell out any Thing in the Progress of this Expedition which was not foreseen, and in regard to which therefore the proper Precautions had not been taken.

106After finishing his Negotiations with Meer Jaffeir, and taking all the Measures requisite for executing his intended declining from the Suba in time of Action, and, if a favourable Opportunity offered, seizing his Person, there seemed to be no farther Necessity for Mr. Watts to continue under the Eye of a provoked and capricious Prince. But this very Circumstance rendered it expedient; to distract his Thoughts, to give him a Diffidence of the Informations he received, and to afford Leisure for the Preparations making at Calcutta. His House was surrounded with Spies, who watched not only his Motions, but his Words and Looks. It may be, the strong Assurances they gave, that he could take no Method to withdraw, but they must have previous Intelligence, contributed to his Safety. However, his Condition was most unhappy; a sudden start of Passion in the Suba had in a Moment brought him to a violent Death, at least; perhaps, to Tortures. At Calcutta they had so true a Sense of his Danger, that it was more than once reported, Suraja Dowlat had cut off his Head, and set it upon a Pole. There was likewise Doubts as to the Means of his escaping. He chose 107to do it with the rest of the Gentlemen on Horseback, the Manner least suspected, because of the Length of the Journey, and the extreme Heat of the Season, which rendered it excessively fatiguing, and not a little dangerous. But when he understood from Colonel Clive, that every thing respecting the Expedition was completed, he happily deceived the Spies of the Suba, and on the Eleventh of June made his Escape, though not unpursued. It was not to Calcutta he directed his Course, but to the Army, in which he continued, and was present at the decisive Action which brought on the Completion of his Treaty, and thereby restored Peace to Bengal. Let us now resume the Operations of the British Forces.

All things being in Readiness, the Army, which consisted of One thousand Europeans, Two thousand Seapoys, Fifty Seamen, under the Command of a Lieutenant, with Seven Midshipmen, and Eight Pieces of Cannon, began their March from Chandenagore towards Cassimbuzar on the 13th of June. The very same Day Mr. Watts joined the Colonel, to whom he imparted all the 108Lights, and gave the best Intelligence in every Respect that was in his Power. On the Nineteenth the Town and Fort of Cutwa, situated on the same Side with Chandenagore, of that River which forms the Island of Cassimbuzar, was attacked and taken. This was an Event of some Importance, as it opened a free Passage, which could not have been easily forced, if it had been properly defended. The Army halted there for two Days, in order to receive some Accounts of the Enemies Strength, as well as to gain certain Advice of what might be expected from those who were entered into the Party with, and engaged to support, Meer Jaffeir; which, when it arrived, was far enough from being satisfactory or explicit. The Colonel, however, was so well informed by Mr. Watts, as to the real Causes of this seeming Backwardness, and had from his own Experience and Penetration so just a Notion of the Moors Mode of acting, which, without such previous Acquaintance with their Temper and Manners, might probably have confounded any other Officer in his Station, that on the Twenty-second of the same Month he passed the River, and continued his March directly towards 109Plaissy, where the Army arrived, and took up their Ground about One the next Morning, without meeting with any Disturbance or Molestation on their March.

This Post was extremely well chosen for that Country, and for the Method in which those People make War. It was a Grove, covered on every Side by Mud Banks, in the midst of a Plain. At Day-break, on the Twenty-third, the Suba's Army advanced within a very small Distance, and with a manifest Design to attack the English Forces. He had about Fifteen thousand Horse, and between Twenty and Thirty thousand Foot, with upwards of Forty Pieces of heavy Cannon, which were managed by Frenchmen, upon whose Skill and Courage he greatly depended. The Van was commanded by Roydoolub, and the left Wing by Meer Jaffeir. About Six they began to cannonade pretty smartly on every Side, and this Distribution of their Cannon gave them two great Advantages; First, as they were much larger, and carried a heavier Weight of Metal, they did Execution where the English Artillery was of no Use; and in the next Place, being thus separated 110to a considerable Distance from each other, it was impossible to make any Attempt to seize them, and therefore all the Colonel could do was to take the Benefit of his intrenched Posts, and leave his Troops as little exposed as possible. If the Suba, or any of his Officers, had understood well what they were about, they might certainly have prosecuted their Scheme, and have completely invested the English Army, and then the Colonel must have waited the Approach of Night, in order to have forced a Passage through the Camp, which he in reality had designed. But the Enemy, on the contrary, upon the falling of a smart Shower about Noon, withdrew their Artillery within their Camp. Upon this, a Detachment marched with Two Field Pieces, and took Possession of a Tank, covered with high Banks, from whence the Moors had fired with Success. They then would have brought out their Artillery again, but were prevented; and this encouraged the sending Detachments to possess two other Eminences, very near an Angle of their Camp, covered by a double Breastwork; and from thence, as well as from another Eminence, which still remained in 111their Possession, they kept up a pretty smart Fire with their Small Arms. They several times endeavoured to bring up Cannon to those Posts, but our Field Pieces were so happily posted, and so well served, that they could never effect it. At length the English stormed that Angle and Eminence at the same Instant of time, though the former was defended by Forty French, and a very numerous Body of the Suba's Troops, who had likewise in that Post Two Pieces of Cannon, and the latter by a considerable Corps of Foot and Horse. Some Persons of Distinction being killed immediately before, or at the Beginning of the Attack, the Enemy being dispirited by that, quickly gave way, and both the Posts were forced with a very trifling Expence to us, though they suffered severely. On this the right Wing and Center fled, abandoning their Camp and Artillery. Their Loss in this Action fell little, if at all, short of Five hundred Men, and between Forty and Fifty Pieces of Cannon. Of the English Forces, there were Twenty killed and Fifty wounded, the greatest Part of which were Seapoys. The Flight of the Enemy was so precipitate, that the Suba, mounted on a Camel, with the 112better Part of the Army, arrived at Muxadavad, which was Twenty Miles distant, by Twelve at Night. The Colonel, after pursuing them Five or Six Miles, halted his Troops, and disposed of them in the best Manner he could. Such was the Battle, such the decisive Victory of Plaissy!

It was observed during the Action, that a great Body of Horse, in the Enemy's left Wing, kept mostly hovering at a Distance. But as they made no Signals, though they sometimes advanced within Cannon-shot, they were more than once taught by our Artillery to retire. However, after the Victory was declared, the Colonel was informed that these were Meer Jaffeir's Troops, which remained on the Field in a Body, and the next Day, in the Morning, he had an Interview with Mr. Clive, in which, after congratulating him upon his Victory, and applauding his Conduct, he signified his Willingness to ratify the Treaty, and to perform all the Articles of it punctually, as soon as it was in his Power. Colonel Clive advised him to march without Delay, and make himself Master of the Capital of the Provinces, before Suraja Dowlat 113could have Time to recollect himself, or draw together any considerable Part of his dispersed Army. Meer Jaffeir saw the Utility of this Advice, which he carried into Execution with the utmost Expedition. At his Entrance into Muxadavad, he found the City in the utmost Consternation. The Suba was in Possession of his Palace, on the other Side of the River, with some Troops about him, amongst whom he distributed several Lack of Rupees; but the rest, as had been foreseen, dispersed. A few Hours after, in a Fit of Despair, he withdrew, accompanied only by Five Persons, and took with him a large Sum in Gold, and Jewels to an immense Value. Upon the News of this, Meer Jaffeir immediately passed the River, entered the Palace, and assumed the Title of Suba, without any Opposition. At the same time, he seized the Treasures of his Predecessor; and Things being in this Situation, he dispatched Advice instantly to Colonel Clive. As there was still a great Fermentation amongst the People, and no Certainty of what was become of Suraja Dowlat, it was judged expedient, upon the Arrival of this News, to send Mr. Watts and Mr. Walsh thither, that they might use their best Endeavours 114to quiet the Metropolis, to fortify the new Suba, in his Disposition to fulfil the Agreement, and to put an End to the present Confusions, as soon as it was possible. They were fortunate enough to succeed in this important Commission; and all things being reduced to a greater Degree of Order and Tranquility than could well be expected, Colonel Clive was invited to pay a Visit to the Nabob. On the Twenty-ninth of June he made his public Entry into Muxadavad, attended by a Guard of Two hundred Europeans, and Three hundred Seapoys. He was received there with the utmost Expressions of Joy, and the loudest Acclamations of the People, as well as with the most profound Marks of Respect, and the warmed Testimonies of Gratitude, by Meer Jaffeir, with whom he went to the Palace, and saw him seated in Form, upon the Musnud, or Carpet of State, where he was unanimously saluted Suba, and thereby invested with the supreme Authority over the Provinces, with general Applause. Thus, in a Fortnight's Time, this amazing Revolution was begun and ended, and that happy Change effected, from which such numerous Benefits 115have since flowed to the East India Company, and the British Subjects in Bengal.

About the same time the unfortunate Suraja Dowlat was seized, near Rajamaal: It is certain that he was in a very low and distressed Condition, with hardly any Cloaths upon his Back, and the Report went, that he sought Shelter in the House of a Man, whose Ears he had caused to be cut off in one of his Transports of Passion, and by whom he was discovered, and given up to his Pursuers. Be that as it will, the making him Prisoner was regarded as an Event of great Consequence to the new Suba. He was no sooner informed of it, than he committed that Prince to the Custody of his Son, recommending to him earnestly in public, to take the surest Methods to prevent his Escape; but at all Events to preserve his Life. The young Man, instead of paying that Respect which was due to his Father's Commands, no sooner had him in his Hands, than he caused him to be privately put to Death. At this, when the Suba appeared to be displeased, his Son alleged, that the captive Suba had found means to write and convey Letters upon the Road to several 116Jemidars, in order excite a Revolt in the Army; to prevent which, he knew no other certain Remedy than that of depriving him of Life, which he thought was likewise better done, without expecting any farther Orders. It has been surmised, and very probably not altogether without Grounds, that there was something of Collusion in this Matter between the Father and the Son; a thing indeed not at all unfrequent in this Part of the World; and what made it pass for a kind of Justice, was the Remembrance that People had, that this unhappy young Man, Suraja Dowlat, had been often employed in the very same Acts, by the old Suba, Aliverdy Cawn, who availing himself of the sanguinary Disposition of his Grandson, made use of him to remove such as through Avarice, Suspicion, or Resentment, he inclined to have taken away, and then, to save Appearances, disavowed the Fact.

Such was the End of Suraja Dowlat, in the Prime of his Youth, being at the Hour of his Death scarce Twenty-five Years of Age. An End! suitable to his Life, which had been spent in Violence and Blood. He was naturally 117rash and headstrong, conceived the strongest Resentment on the slightest Occasions, often without any Occasion at all; and notwithstanding the Variableness of his Nature, and the continual Fluctuation of his Mind, either executed suddenly the Dictates of his Passion, or, where that was impracticable, persisted in his bad Intentions, though he never shewed any Steadiness in the Performance of his Promises, or any Regard to his Oaths, which he made and broke with the very same Facility. The only Excuse that can be offered for him, is, that he had a View of Sovereignty from his Infancy; little, and that but bad, Education in his Youth; and, after all, lived not long enough to attain any great Experience, which possibly might have made him better, and possibly also might have made him worse. His Reign was but of Fourteen Months, and in that Space he had little Quiet himself, allowed none to his Subjects; and with boundless Authority, and immense Riches, never excited Duty, or so much as acquired a single Friend, whose sage Advices might have prevented his sad Catastrophe. How insignificant then is Power! How destructive is Wealth! when they fall into the 118Hands of him, who only possesses that he may abuse them!

There was a Circumstance attending the Fate of Suraja Dowlat, that perhaps contributed to make even the Manner of it less regretted. Mr. Law, who had been formerly the French Chief at Cassimbuzar, a Gentleman, to do him Justice, of Honour and Abilities, had collected Two hundred of his Nation for the Service of the Suba, and was within a few Hours March of him when he was taken; upon hearing of which he stopped. This is a conclusive Proof that he was in his Pay, and a Circumstance that very fully justifies the English in their Conduct. If he had reached, and preserved Suraja Dowlat, the War would not have been so easily and so speedily finished. He who was without Friends in his Distress, might have again found Troops for Pay, or perhaps for Promises; so that his Death in this Respect had a stronger Air of Policy, and contributed to add Credit to the Report, that his Successor was not so entire a Stranger to it as he seemed. This Event likewise made it evident, that the Article which provided against the 119Return of the French into Bengal, was not either improper or imprudent. Colonel Clive, who sees Things and their Consequences in an Instant, detached Captain Coote, then of Colonel Aldercron's Regiment, with Two hundred Europeans, and Five hundred Seapoys, in Pursuit of Mr. Law; and though that Force was fully sufficient, yet he engaged the Suba to send also Two thousand of his Horse, that his own Subjects and all India might know, that the French were equally his Enemies and Our's, and that being accustomed, from his first Entrance on Government, to fulfil his Engagements, he might learn to place his own Grandeur in adhering to his Word, and expect the Safety of his Dominions from the punctual Performance of his Promises. A Lesson that could not be taught at a more convenient Time.

The setting up the new, or rather restoring the old Form of Rule, was entirely due to the English, and the Suba and his Subjects were alike sensible of it; which was a Point of equal Honour and Advantage to the Nation. It afforded a strong and glorious Proof, that we, who in so long a Course of 120Years had never given the least Trouble or Uneasiness to the Government, were yet able to do ourselves Justice, when there was no other way left to remain in Quiet. On the other Hand, all the Advantages gained were by the fair and open Method of a Treaty, in which the first and most difficult Part was performed by us, and not taken violently or by force of Arms; though at the same time it was evidently in our Power to have done it, if it had been at all in our Will. When, therefore, Colonel Clive and Mr. Watts applied themselves to the Suba, for the specific Performance of that Agreement, which he had made previous to his Accession, the Justice of their Demand was without Hesitation acknowleged. The State of the Treasury was laid before them in the most candid Manner, so as to leave them not the least Reason to doubt, that what Roydoolub mentioned as an Objection at the concluding of the Treaty, was a real matter of Fact; and from the Dissipation that had happened since, the Suba was not in a Condition to fulfil his Promises, and discharge all his Obligations at once. Besides, it was for the Interest of the English, as well as for the Reputation of the 121Company, to support the Government which had been the Work of their own Hands, and not leave a Prince whom they had raised to the Subaship, with a Treasury absolutely empty, since supposing this in their Power, it must have exceedingly distressed him, and no less disgraced them.

In this State of Things, the Proportion he made seemed too equitable to be rejected. He offered to pay down a third of the whole Sum, to make it up one Moiety in a very short Space of Time, and to discharge the Remainder by equal Payments, in the Space of Three Years. This, therefore, was accepted, from a moral Persuasion that he, who parted with one Half in Consideration of what had been done for him, would likewise pay the other Half in the limited Time, to secure Assistance, in case any thing more was to be done. These then were the real Motives to the Agreement, which indeed took its Rise from Necessity, a Law that maintains its Rights under every Government, and in all Climates. There is a known Custom throughout India, and in that Country more than in any other Custom has the Force of a Law, 122that Ten per Cent. is paid as Treasury Fees upon all Sums received, which those Gentlemen had Weight enough with Roydoolub to reduce to Five; and by the Help of this Concession, every thing was very soon adjusted, and the complete Moiety came into the Company's Possession. The candid Reader will probably think that Colonel Clive and Mr. Watts did, upon this very momentous Occasion, all that it was in their Power to do, and this was also their Sentiment; for as soon as more was in their Power, they took care to improve the Opportunity for the common Benefit of all concerned. A conclusive Testimony of the Uprightness of their Intention, in the whole of this Transaction.

This wonderful Sunshine of Prosperity at Calcutta was suddenly overcast, by the Death of a Great Man, to whose Virtues and Abilities the Inhabitants were indebted, in a very high Degree, for all the Happiness they possessed. This was Charles Watson, Esq; Vice-Admiral of the Blue, whose amiable Qualities in private Life added Lustre to his public Character. His Sentiments were noble, generous, and humane, his Manners graceful, 123easy, and polite; no Gentleman was ever more capable of gaining the Esteem of those with whom he conversed, and no Officer ever understood better how to exercise the Benevolence and Sweetness of his own Disposition, without impairing his Authority. In his Station he was Active without Hurry; Vigilant, without seeming to be Busy; and, with an open Countenance, ever attentive to his Duty. His Orders were obeyed with Pleasure, because they were enforced by his Example; and he was himself ready to do more than he ever expected from others. His having the Command in that critical Conjuncture, was, from the Beginning, looked upon as a singular and signal Blessing to the English settled in the Indies; and every Action of his afterwards confirmed that Notion. No Wonder, then, that his Death was considered as a common Calamity, and his Loss regretted as a public Misfortune. He was interred on the Seventeenth of August, when an unfeigned Sorrow was plainly visible in the Face of every Inhabitant, and a voluntary universal Mourning expressed, in some Degree, the true Sense the People had of his Merit, and the Effects that had been derived 124to them from thence. Indeed, they had been inconsolable, but for the Hopes they had still left in Admiral Pocock. Hopes! that did not deceive them, and which have been productive of new Honours to the British Flag.

It was to the Attention of the Administration at Home, that the Company and the Subjects of Great Britain in India owed these potent and timely Succours; and, which was of no less Consequence, the prudent and happy Choice of the Officers who commanded them. The French, though deficient elsewhere, had a considerable Naval Force in the Indies, and were for this Reason very confident of their Success in that Part of the World; in which, perhaps, they had not been deceived, if, upon the Demise of Vice-Admiral Watson, the Command had devolved upon an Officer of less Merit, or even upon an Officer whose Merit had been less known or less established than that of Mr. Pocock. As it was, the Spirits of British Subjects were not depressed, or those of the Enemy raised. They had already known and felt his Courage, and he made them very quickly sensible of the Extent of his Capacity. They saw 125him equally active and vigilant: Their Squadrons no sooner appeared, than they had his in View. He was the Guardian of all our Settlements, and the Bane of all their Armaments and Expeditions. His Sagacity defeated many of their Designs, his Dexterity and Dispatch disconcerted others, till, by his Victories, he ruined, not their Reputation only, but their Strength in Asia, as completely as other Admirals had done in Europe and America. These are Facts indisputable; and, as they are connected with our Subject, we may take the Liberty of mentioning them, without giving Offence to that Gentleman, whose Modesty renders him as amiable, as his other Virtues have made him conspicuous. But to return to our Subject.

All Infant Governments are in their very Nature subject to Disorders. The new Suba, soon after the Departure of Colonel Clive, felt sufficiently, that, contrary to the first flattering Appearances, his Administration was not thoroughly established. Some of the Nabobs in his Province, dubious of his Intentions towards them, made no great haste to acknowlege an Authority that might be prejudicial 126to their own; and in the Indies, this kind of Delay is ever considered as Disobedience. Besides, Meer Jaffeir remembred the Advice which the Colonel had given him at Parting, which was, to acquire a Reputation for Firmness from his earliest Actions, if he meant to taste Quiet in the remaining Part of his Reign. He resolved, therefore, to employ his Forces against those, who, though they did not presume to question his Title, shewed, notwithstanding, a Reluctancy to acknowlege it. He found, however, a sudden Stop put to his Operations. At the Beginning, some of his Officers were intractable, and his Troops in general were unwilling to move. He was entitled by the Treaty to Assistance from the English, and, upon his making the Demand, Colonel Clive marched instantly to his Relief. His Forces were not numerous; but he brought with him a Reputation that carried with it a Persuasion that he was ever irresistible, and his very Presence in the Suba's Camp restored Obedience to that Prince. Colonel Clive, and Mr. Watts who attended him, took this Opportunity to solicit the assigning Funds for the Money that was still due, and obtained 127from the Suba, though not without some Difficulty, all that they desired.

They likewise desired, and obtained, that the Company's Grant of Lands might be extended Northward from Culpee to Rangafullah, which, besides the Augmentation of Territory, was in other Respects a Matter of Importance.

The Nabob of Patna, whose Name was Ramnaram, against whom this Expedition was made, upon the Approach of the Suba's Army, offered to submit, and to pay his Tribute regularly, if he was continued in his Government, and the Suba's Promise was guarantied by Colonel Clive. The Suba requested this as a Favour of the Colonel, and desired that he would write a Letter to the Nabob, which he accordingly did; and upon the Faith of that Letter, he came and made his Submission. The great Product of Patna is Salt-petre, about which there had been formerly continual Disputes between us and the Dutch. At present, it was in the Hands of neither; but was still a Monopoly under a Lease. Colonel Clive and Mr. Watts, 128who knew the Consequence of such an Acquisition to the English, proposed the giving it in Lease to them, at the same Rate, which would be no Prejudice to the Suba; and the Juncture being favourable, this Proposition was complied with likewise, by which the Company are annually Gainers of about Two Lack and a half of Rupees, or something more than Thirty thousand Pounds Sterling. It is evident, therefore, from these Instances, that no favourable Opportunity was let slip, no single Occasion lost, that could be turned to the Company's Advantage.

This Expedition, as it effectually fixed the new Suba in that Dignity, naturally brings the Memoirs of this Revolution to their Period. We cannot, however, conclude without observing, that as there could not be any thing more melancholy than the Situation of the Company's Affairs, when the Settlement of Calcutta was overwhelmed and destroyed, so nothing can be more satisfactory than to contemplate the Advantages that have resulted from this Alteration to the East India Company, the private and particular Sufferers, and the British Subjects who either 129reside in, or may hereafter go and reside in, Bengal. In reference to the Company, the Treaty with the present Suba procured them an ample Indemnity, without tying them down to a Specification of Losses, which would have been not more impossible than improper. The Sum was such as became the Rank and Grandeur of him who gave, and was admirably tinted to the Situation and Services of those who received. The Point of Security is likewise fully provided for; the Settlement may be fortified in such a Manner as to remove all Apprehensions; at the same time that these mighty Concessions are made, they are made in a Method that renders them doubly valuable, not through Fear or Compulsion, but with all possible Marks of Confidence and Esteem. The Interests of the Company, and the Country Government, are declared to be the same; and to prevent any Suspicion of Alteration, they are allowed an unrivalled Superiority, and the Enemies of the one are to be of Course the Enemies of the other. There is a Provision, as far as such a Provision can be made, that this Conjunction of Interests shall not be temporary, but perpetual; since the 130Company is at Liberty to take whatever Measures shall seem most expedient for the Safety of her Settlements, which is as much as could be either expected or desired.

The Regard shewn, and the Provision made, for all Degrees of Persons, who suffered by the Subversion of the Colony, was equally equitable and honourable. The Company, and those who depended upon it, shared the good as well as the ill Fortune that attended the different Administrations in Bengal. There were many of the European Sufferers, who were absolutely ruined and undone; reduced from Opulence and Ease, to Misery and Want, by a sudden, unforeseen, and inevitable Misfortune. These were restored to the whole of what they had lost, which was a Benefit to themselves, and to their Creditors in other parts of India and in Europe. Besides, as many of them had acquired their Fortunes by their Industry, and had spent almost their whole Lives in this Climate, it was not only a Piece of Justice to recover for them what they had lost, but a Point of true Policy to prevent the Terror of their Fate from having a mischievous Operation 131in succeeding Times, which otherwise it might have had; and this too in many Respects. The extending this Restitution to the Jentoows and Armenians, was not only a very exemplary but a very generous Act of Benevolence, founded in Principle. At the same time that it attached the particular Persons who were relieved, it raised the Reputation of the Company. It revived the Spirits of those useful Inhabitants, and gave a new Spring to their Activity and Industry, which were not only salutary Consequences at the Time, but will be found more so in their Effects, and facilitate the Execution of those Designs, that will be hereafter mentioned. This Tenderness for other Nations, this laudable Desire that they should share in the Prosperity, who had been hurt by the Adversity of the English, might be set in a far stronger Light, if placed in Comparison with the Conduct of others, without stirring out of India; but as that would be invidious, it is better omitted.

This stupendious Revolution may be also considered as equally glorious and advantageous to the British Nation. We may be allowed 132to say, because the Fact cannot be disputed, that it is a signal Proof of the Utility of Maritime Empire. As Commerce carries the Subjects of Britain every where, British Subjects every where experience British Protection: There are no Limits to our Naval Power, but those by which the Creator has confined the Globe. The East India Company was saved, and her Affairs restored, by the Attention and Arms of that Government by which she was erected. Many of those, who would have totally lost the Fruits of long Labour and various Hardships, and who must have been Beggars if subject to any other Power, are again easy in their Fortunes, and some of them have already transported their Effects to their native Country; the proper Return for the Assistance they derived from her maternal Affection; and as these Events have distinguished the present Age and the present Administration, so their Effects will probably be felt in succeeding Times. The Company, by an Accession of Territory, has an Opportunity of making an ample Settlement; which, under proper Management, may be not only extremely serviceable to her, but also to the 133Nation; and having a Revenue from these Lands, the Mint at Calcutta, and the Lease of the Salt-petre at Patna, which amounts in the whole to One hundred thousand Pounds a Year, there is a Provision against future Dangers upon the Spot, and without farther Expence. These Benefits have clearly arisen from that Revolution, of which we have given an Account, and are due to those who conducted it. May the future Emoluments do the like Honour to those who shall hereafter have the Care of the Company's and the Nation's Concerns in the Indies!

FINIS.