Chapter II: Part 2

Vice-Admiral _Watson_, Colonel _Clive_, and the Select Committee, came to this final Resolution, in the Beginning of the Month of _March_, and entered with all the Diligence and Dispatch possible on the necessary Preparations for this important Expedition, well knowing that the _French_ were not ignorant of their own Danger, or at all remiss or careless in providing against it. _Chandenagore_, the chief of their Settlements in _Bengal_, was a Place very well situated on the Side of the River, Twenty-seven Miles above _Calcutta_, which is a Branch of the _Ganges_, at a small distance below _Hughley_. The Director at this Settlement has under him the _French_ Company's Factories of _Cassimbuzar_, _Dacca_, _Patna_, _Jeuda_, and _Ballasore_. They prudently contrived, at the Beginning of the Troubles, to strengthen it with various Outworks and Batteries, had in it a Garrison of Five hundred _Europeans_ and Seven hundred _Blacks_, with some Mortars, and near Two hundred Pieces of Cannon mounted. They took the Precaution also to send away some of their Merchandize, and the best Part of their Effects, under Colour of providing the better for their Defence; raised considerable Magazines, which were well provided; and made such Dispositions, and kept so good a Countenance, as imposed upon most of the _Moors_, and perhaps upon some of themselves. As they chiefly feared the Squadron, they sunk Two Ships, a Ketch, a Hulk, a Snow, and a Vessel without Masts, directly in the Channel, within Gunshot of the Fort, and laid Two Booms, moored with Chains, across the River. Besides these, they sunk and ran on Shore Five large Vessels, above the Fort, that they might throw every Impediment possible in the Way of our Squadron. In consequence of these military Operations, which were very judiciously planned, and the best their Circumstances would admit, they resolved to stand the Attack; but whether they had any Hopes given them by the Suba of his Assistance, or whether they relied at all on his Insinuations of Aid, in case they were given, could not be learned; though he actually advanced a Corps of Troops, as we shall see hereafter, which might render such a Conjecture not at all improbable.

A Reinforcement of Three hundred Men from _Bombay_ arriving at _Calcutta_, Colonel _Clive_ advanced by the River Side, with Seven hundred Whites, and Sixteen hundred Seapoys, towards the _French_ Settlement; and with very little Loss took Possession of most of the Out-Posts on the Fourteenth of _March_. On the Fifteenth, the Enemy abandoned all their Batteries, notwithstanding these were very well disposed, and in exceeding good Order. He was now possessed of every Post they had, but the Fort, and a Redoubt seated between the River Side and the Fort Walls, wherein were mounted Eight Pieces of Cannon, Twenty-four Pounders, Four of which pointed down the River. The same Day Admiral _Watson_ sailed with the _Kent_ of Sixty-four, the _Tyger_ and _Salisbury_, each of Fifty Guns, having previously sent a Twenty-Gun Ship, and a Sloop, to cover the Boats attending the Camp. On the Eighteenth, he anchored about Two Miles below _Chandenagore_, and the Troops on Shore being employed in raising a Battery against the Fort, the Weather becoming extremely foggy, and the Impediments before-mentioned being of Necessity to be removed, occasioned some Delay. The First Thing to be done was clearing the River; and the Booms being cut, and running adrift, a proper Passage was soon discovered, by sounding, and without losing Time in weighing the _French_ Vessels. While this was about, the brave Admiral _Pocock_, who was just arrived at _Culpee_ in the _Cumberland_, resolving to have a Share in the Action, came in his Long-Boat, and going on board his Majesty's Ship the _Tyger_, hoisted his Flag there. On the Twenty-third, at Six in the Morning, the _Tyger_, _Kent_, and _Salisbury_, weighed. About Ten Minutes after the Enemy began to fire from the Redoubt, but their Artillery was soon silenced by the _Tyger_. Before Seven the Ships were properly stationed, and the Signal being given, the Engagement began; the Firing continuing very brisk on both Sides, till a Quarter after Nine, when the Besieged hung out a Flag of Truce, and the Articles of Capitulation were very quickly settled and signed. In consequence of this, Captain _Latham_, of the _Tyger_, was dispatched by Vice-Admiral _Watson_ to receive the Keys of the Fort, into which Colonel _Clive_ marched with the Troops about Five in the Afternoon. Thus _Chandenagore_, according to the Scheme originally proposed, constantly insisted upon, and at last rendered practicable by Mr. _Watts_, with all the _French_ subordinate Settlements in the Province of _Bengal_, were reduced; and thereby most of the Schemes laid for the future Destruction of _Calcutta_, and the other _English_ Factories, rendered abortive. An Expedition, in the first Instance, glorious to the _British_ Arms, and in its Consequences, as from the Sequel of this Relation will appear, of the highest Importance.

This signal Advantage was not obtained without some Loss. Admiral _Pocock_ was wounded, but not dangerously. The gallant Captain _Henry Speke_, equally distinguished by the Clearness of his Head and the Warmth of his Heart, who commanded the _Kent_, on board which Vice-Admiral _Watson_ wore his Flag, received a Wound from a Cannon Shot, which unhappily carried away the Leg of his Son, who deceased soon after, a Youth of the most amiable Character, extraordinary Learning, and admirable Abilities. The first Lieutenant, Mr. _Samuel Perreau_, and the Master of the _Tyger_, were both killed; the Third and Fourth Lieutenants were also wounded; and the former died. Of the private Men there were Thirty-two killed, and One hundred wounded. The Enemy had Forty killed and Seventy wounded in the Fort. They must be allowed to have defended themselves with great Spirit and Resolution, and probably would not have submitted so soon, if they had not suffered severely from Colonel _Clive_'s Batteries, and been still more galled by the Fire of his Men, from the flat Roofs of the Houses, which in Truth made it almost impossible for them to stand to their Guns. A Part of the _French_ Troops made their Escape, and marched Northwards, after whom Colonel _Clive_ sent a Detachment of Six hundred Seapoys, and Vice Admiral _Watson_ ordered several Boats up the River of _Hughley_, to seize upon whatever was _French_ Property; notwithstanding which, a great deal of the Company's Effects and Merchandize were concealed and carried away. This Blow was very decisive in reference to the _French_, whose Measures it entirely broke, by rendering the Schemes they had formed, with respect to the Suba, utterly impracticable. On the other hand, it released the _English_ from the Apprehensions they were under of being again attacked in _Calcutta_, in case the Squadron had left them without reducing this Place. These were so far from being Suspicions lightly founded, that their Danger was so great and so apparent, considering the Circumstances they were then in, and the Suba's delaying to restore their Artillery, that, if not encouraged by this Event, they would have been very slow in re-settling _Calcutta_. Happy as those immediate Effects were! they were hardly so much as remembred, after the greater Advantages that followed; which demonstrated how justly this Resolution was taken, and in what a critical Conjuncture it was executed.

We have before hinted, that, notwithstanding the Suba had transmitted a Letter of Permission to Vice-Admiral _Watson_ to act as he thought proper against the _French_, without which Letter the Admiral and the Colonel would not have proceeded, nay went farther, and recommended them to his Mercy, yet he presently changed his Mind. He desired Mr. _Watts_ to write to the Colonel, that he would not have War made in his Country, by which the People under his Government must suffer, the King's Revenues be lessened, and the Tranquility of his Dominions disturbed. The _French_, who had misled him from the Beginning, deceived him to the very last. They assured him, that, in the first Attack, the _English_ had been repulsed with Loss, and gave him to understand, that they did not doubt obliging them to retire. The Suba was so much embarrassed by the contradictory Reports he heard, and looked upon this Transaction to concern him so nearly, that he wrote Letter after Letter to Colonel _Clive_, who is said to have received no less than Ten of them in one Day, and these in very opposite Stiles; which the Colonel answered punctually, with all the Calmness and Complaisance imaginable, expressing great Concern at the Impression which the Calumnies of his Enemies had made on that Prince's Mind, and assuring him of his sincere Attachment, as long as he adhered to the Treaty. At length the Suba grew so very uneasy, that he sent _Mutrumul_, in whom he said he placed great Confidence, to the Colonel, with Orders to act, if there was any room for it, as a Mediator. But the Situation of Things at his Arrival made such a Commission visibly impracticable; which _Mutrumul_ perceiving, extolled the _English_ highly, and threw all the Blame upon the _French_. To give Weight, however, to this intended Mediation, _Roydoolub_ advanced, by his Master's Command, at the Head of Six thousand Men, within a small Distance of _Hughley_. But to prevent this from giving any Umbrage, _Mutrumul_, when the Attack was made, assured the Colonel, that _Roydoolub_ had the Suba's Instructions to obey his Orders, which the Colonel took in exceeding good Part, and returned that Prince Thanks for this gracious Offer of his Assistance. The Moment the Place surrendered, he gave Notice of it to the Suba, and ascribed his Success to the Favour of Heaven and his Excellency's Auspice, under which his Arms had been so fortunate. A Compliment, which the Suba knew not how to receive with even a tolerable Grace, or to reject without giving Offence. In reality, he had brought his Affairs by this time into a very perplexed Condition, of which he was sensible, now it was too late; though very probably he might not have Sagacity enough to discern, that the Whole of these Misfortunes had no other Source than the Unsteadiness of his Councils, and the Duplicity of his Conduct. What we have already said will afford Proofs more than sufficient to establish this; but as the setting it in a clear Light will be the best means of explaining the Motives to the Transactions that ensued, we hope the subsequent Remarks will not appear tedious to the Reader.

The Suba, wanting alike in Parts and in Experience, unable to reject bad Counsels, and prone to pursue his own Notions, as far as they could be carried by his Power, shewed plainly from the very Beginning, that he had no formed System; and if he could be stiled so at all, was certainly a bad Politician. His setting out was by breaking at once with all the _European_ Nations; which, if their reciprocal Jealousies of each other, and some other Circumstances, had not hindered, must have united them all against him, and that Union would have rendered his Scheme abortive. As this did not happen, it encouraged him to take another wrong Step, by attacking and destroying the _English_, without having so much as a plausible Pretence. This Act of arbitrary Violence visibly subverted the Foundation of his own Scheme, if it ever had any, by proving, in the strongest Manner, that no _European_ Nation could subsist as Merchants in his Dominions, without having Places so well fortified, as not to lie at his Mercy. When, therefore, he was reduced to the Necessity of concluding a Treaty, the very Basis of that Treaty was his confessing this last Position to be well founded, and admitting by his own Consent, as the only practicable Grounds of Peace, what he had before laid down as the Reason of his taking up Arms. But when he had done this, and might have been quiet, by adhering constantly to that Treaty, he again mistook his Point. Uniformity of Conduct was so little in his Constitution, that he immediately lost all the Advantages he seemed to have sought by that Measure, and which indeed were clearly asserted to have been the Objects he had in View, in his Letters to Admiral _Watson_ and Colonel _Clive_, by shewing a visible Repugnance to the Execution of it in every Step, and doing that slowly and ungracefully, which, if he had done chearfully and at once, might have procured him the Confidence of the _English_, and have thoroughly extricated him from those Difficulties into which his first Errors had plunged him.

His Conduct with regard to the _French_ was to the full as inconsiderate, and no less inconsistent. His Kindness, Friendship, or whatever it was towards them, was as fatal as his Aversion or Dislike had been to the _English_, and productive of the very same Misfortunes. He was undoubtedly imposed upon and misled by the fake Impressions he received from them of their Strength: But in this he was inexcusable, as these Representations were grounded only upon vague and uncertain Reports of what they had done, and of what Strength they had in other Parts of the _Indies_, from whence all the Assistance they could give him was to be hoped, and this against a Power, the Weight of which he had already felt; and to say nothing of the Obligation he was under to maintain that Peace he had solemnly confirmed by his Oath, which was still at his very Doors. If he had really intended, as he seemed very desirous it should be believed it was his Intention, to preserve Peace in his Dominions, and to prevent the _English_ and _French_ from committing Hostilities against each other in them, to the Prejudice of Commerce, in which he was principally interested, and which was also, and was allowed to be, the common Concern of all, he might by acting firmly have carried that Point, by insisting upon a Neutrality under his Guaranty, and a peremptory Declaration that he would stop the Trade, and seize the Effects of that Nation, which violated a Neutrality so concluded; since under this it is certain the _English_ would have acquiesced, and, without the Encouragement or Assistance of the Suba, the _French_ durst not have broke it. But his Intrigues with them, or, as many thought, a Secret Treaty, encouraged their Director to declare, that he was not vested with Authority to conclude any such Neutrality; and even this, which he always knew, he did not acknowlege, until the Time was lost, in which he might have obtained it from _Pondicherry_; and this plainly put the _English_ under a Necessity of exerting the Force then in their Hands without Delay, which ended in the taking _Chandenagore_. Here again, if he had ever had any settled Principle of Action, would have been his Time to have shewn it; for if, upon Colonel _Clive_'s marching, he had assisted the _French_ with his whole Force, he might very probably have saved them. But as he had hitherto been all along the Dupe of their Politics, so in this Instance they were the Dupes of his, and were sacrificed to his Want of Steadiness and Spirit. On the whole, therefore, it became evident, that the Suba was more dangerous to his Friends than to his Enemies; and the Hazard of being hurt lay not in opposing, but in placing any Confidence in him. A Lesson, which, as it had been taught by his first Actions, so, from the Bent of a stubborn Disposition Events could not correct, he took care to inculcate it from time to time, as long as it was in his Power to act at all.

Colonel _Clive_ used repeated Endeavours to extricate him, if he would have permitted it, out of all his Difficulties. He laboured in his Letters to convince him, that as the Attack and Reduction of _Chandenagore_ proceeded entirely from the Behaviour of the _French_ themselves, so it could not be any-way prejudicial to him, or to his Subjects. He assured him, that the _English_ would not suffer his Revenue to be impaired, by their being Masters of the Place; but were disposed, under equitable Conditions, to re-place the Customs paid by the _French_; and that they were well satisfied with their own Possessions, and did not desire to enlarge or to extend them. On the contrary, they were ready to give him whatever Satisfaction he could demand, of their Willingness to acquiesce under any Terms, and to comply with such Measures as should appear most expedient for restoring and preserving the Tranquility of his Country; that their Minds were entirely set upon Commerce; that they became military merely by Force; but that they most ardently wished to return to, and be known by him only in, their old Occupation of Merchants; that, as things stood, their Interest rendered it absolutely requisite to expel the _French_ out of _Bengal_, to prevent new Disputes, which was his Interest likewise; and that, if he would do it himself, they should be well satisfied, and consider it as a Favour. That he had been exceedingly imposed upon, in respect to the Conduct of that Nation, on the Coast of _Coromandel_, where the _Nabobs_ they had espoused were obliged to make exorbitant Grants, in Acknowledgement for their Assistance; that, in consequence of this, they had torn away whole Provinces, of which they were in full Possession; while, on the other hand, the _English_ had lent the _Nabobs_, with whom they had taken Part, purely on account of their being the King's Officers, very large Sums of Money; with the Repayment of which they would be well content, without soliciting, extorting, or even accepting any Grants whatever. That he might from thence judge of the Temper of the two Nations and the Difference that he would find in having either of them for his Allies; and that therefore, if he regarded his own Welfare, he would adhere strictly to, and punctually fulfil, the Treaty he had made; which if he did, he might not only rely upon the Support that had been promised him, but that he might be assured, he would personally lose the last Drop of his Blood, and sacrifice the last Man under his Command, in his Service, against any of his real Enemies, whenever his Occasions might require it. Vice-Admiral _Watson_ wrote also to him to the same Purpose.

The Suba, who was equally dissatisfied with and disturbed at the State of his Affairs, and found himself obliged to be at a great Expence in keeping Troops in the Field, knew not what to say or how to act. He declared, however, positively, against our reducing the _French_ subordinate Factories; would not hear of making the Remains of their Forces Prisoners, and delivering them up to the _English_; but, however, discovered no Scruple at all in seizing upon their Effects, under Colour of doing it to make Satisfaction to his own Subjects, who were their Creditors. At the same time he ordered the _French_ to quit his Dominions, directing them to march towards _Patna_. He likewise paid farther Sums of Money to the Company's Servants, and gave them Hopes, that he would both strictly and speedily fulfil his Treaty in every respect. In regard to the Artillery, which he did not restore, he alleged, that he was distressed himself for want of Cannon, and was willing to purchase them. In this manner things went on for a Month or Six Weeks, during which Space every Method was practised that could lessen his Apprehensions, or free him from that Terror which he seemed to have of the _English_ advancing their Forces into the Heart of his Country. He was even permitted, upon a Rumour that the Garrison of _Cassimbuzar_ was augmented to Five hundred Men, to send his own Officers to inspect it, who found and reported, that there was not above a Tenth Part of the Number. The same Compliances were made in many Respects.

But in the midst of these Compliances and Concessions, instead of growing milder and better disposed, the Suba shewed very evident Marks of his being more and more exasperated against those who gave them. He fell again to caballing with the _French_; and instead of compelling those who had escaped to quit his Country, as he engaged expressly, he took that little Body of Men, which were about _Patna_, into his Pay, at the Rate of Ten thousand Rupees a Month, of which Mr. _Watts_ procured the Intelligence, and communicated it to the Committee. He turned all his Attention towards Mr. _Bussy_, who, as he was made to believe, had an Army of Twenty thousand Men, and with which he might march speedily into his Dominions. When these Rumours at any time sunk, he was more tractable; but as soon as they revived, he became as imperious and as much out of Humour as ever. Vice-Admiral _Watson_ having sent him Several pressing Letters, exhorting him to act suitable to his Dignity, agreeable to his own Interests, for the Good of his Subjects, to give no Ear to idle Reports, to accomplish his Promises, and fulfil the several Articles of his Treaty, he gave no Answers to them, but complained that they wrote in so severe a Stile, that he knew not how to reply to them. At length his Uneasinesses, Jealousies, and Suspicions, rose so high, that he ordered all the Boats to be searched that came up to _Cassimbuzar_, and publickly declared, that if any Powder or Ammunition was found aboard, that he would order the Noses and Ears of the Watermen to be cut off, which was a direct Breach of his Treaty. He could not help knowing, that this Method of acting must have a very disadvantageous Effect upon the Affairs of the _English_ in his Dominions, and impede and perplex their Commercial Transactions exceedingly. He could not be ignorant that this would diminish his own Income, distress his Subjects, and lessen both their Subsistence and their Industry. But alas! he was so much under the Dominion of his Passions, that he considered only gratifying his Caprice; and acting from no Motive, could discern no Consequences. Hapless as a Man! more hapless as a Prince! he had as little Fear of falling into Difficulties, as, when fallen, he had Skill to get out of them.

An Attempt has been already made to give the Reader some Idea of the melancholy and mortifying Situation of Mr. _Watts_, who resided on the Part of the Company at the Suba's Court, whose Perplexities daily increased, and whose Anxieties hourly multiplied, though they had not yet reached to those Circumstances of Disgust and Distress that they afterwards did. He saw himself almost constantly on bad Terms with that Prince, and of course upon no good ones with his Ministers and Favourites. The Suba never forgave him extracting that important, and, as he conceived it, fatal Letter of Permission to Admiral _Watson_; to which, without much Injustice, he ascribed solely the attacking and taking _Chandenagore_. It was from Mr. _Watts_ he received, from Day to Day, those grating Remonstrances that so much displeased him, and those admonitory Letters that made still a deeper Impression. He ought, in Strictness, to have considered him, on these Occasions, as the Instrument only of the Company; but his Warmth and Assiduity in all these frequent Applications, made the Suba look no farther than himself. He was obliged to confer with him daily, and, if he was absent, called for him, as being uneasy if he missed him, whence of course he beheld him often, and yet but very seldom with a gracious Eye. Mr. _Watts_ saw, felt, and understood these numberless Inconveniencies, to which he was exposed, and which, as we have observed, heightened upon him every Hour. But the Consolation he derived from the kind Letters of Admiral _Watson_ and Colonel _Clive_, who had a true and lively Sense of his Services and Sufferings, kept up his Spirits, and enabled him to pursue his Business with a Vivacity that entirely concealed, though it could not remove, but rather augmented, his interior Chagrin. Besides this, he had another Satisfaction, which was getting most Part of the Treaty executed, tho with infinite Trouble; and this procured him the hearty Approbation of the Select Committee, who were now convinced, that he not only did all that could be done, but more than most Men could have done in his Station. As ill as he was treated by him, he continued to render the Suba many good Offices; giving the Committee to understand, that, in all human Probability, they should gradually obtain all that they desired, and that therefore they should not be impatient. He prevailed also upon Colonel _Clive_ to promise the Suba from time to time his Assistance; and he laboured more incessantly to convince that Prince, that, if he would confide in the _English_, he had no Reason to fear either foreign or domestic Enemies, with which, when he thought himself in Danger, he was well enough pleased; but when that was in any Degree over, he shewed a visible Uneasiness at his having confessed that he stood in need of such Assistance.

The Storm, that had been gathering from the Beginning of _March_, began to burst about the latter End of _April_, and in the Opening of the Month of _May_; when the Suba, in sudden Starts of Passion, shewed the Rancour of his Heart, and testified sufficiently, that he waited only for an Opportunity to make the _English_ feel a second Time the heavy Weight of his Resentment. As he never assigned any Causes himself, but on the contrary, even in this Interval, and in the midst of Actions inconsistent with those Declarations, asserted his Intention to fulfil his Treaty, and appealed to God and his Prophet for the Truth of it; we must own it is extremely difficult to guess at his Reasons. They appear, however, to have been chiefly Three; First, the perpetual Insinuations of the _French_, that Mr. _Bussy_ might be brought to his Assistance; and that, by a Junction with his Troops, he would be greatly superior to the _English_; and to this Measure he was so much inclined, that he actually wrote a Letter to that Officer, in which he promised him Twenty Lack of Rupees, if he would march directly into his Dominions, of which Mr. _Watts_ also gave the Intelligence. The next Thing was, the Compliances that had been made with a View of gaining him, the recalling most of the Troops from _Chandenagore_, the permitting him to keep the Cannon, to search the Factory of _Cassimbuzar_, and the warm and tender Expressions of Friendship in Colonel _Clive_'s Letters, with the high Testimonies of Reverence and Respect paid him, whenever he was pleased to be in a good Temper, or to profess his Disposition of adhering to his Engagements. The last was, the Retreat of the _Patans_, who had shewn an Intention to invade his Territories, and the putting an End to the Troubles occasioned by the _My Rajah_, by which he thought himself in a Condition to employ all his Forces, and was likewise secure of having the _French_ to manage his Artillery, with which they made him believe they could perform Wonders. In these Circumstances he was so very elate, as not to make any Scruple (though a direct Breach of his Faith) of interrupting the _English_ Commerce, keeping his Army in the Field, though he had most solemnly promised the contrary, and sometimes expressing a formal Design of sending back the Treaty that had been signed with him, and demanding his own. In such a State of Things it was evident, that the Company could not rely upon him, or consider themselves in any Degree of Security, farther than as they were supported by the King's Squadron and Forces; and as their present Condition was very precarious, so their future Prospect was still more gloomy and alarming; and though as yet they were not in a state of War, they could not, however, with any Propriety, be said to be in Peace.

The Vice-Admiral and Colonel _Clive_ were exceedingly embarrassed, and found it very difficult to judge what Measures they were to take. If they advanced their Forces, or resumed their military Preparations, it might, in Appearance, justify the Suba's Behaviour; and besides, Mr. _Watts_ and the Select Committee both dissuaded any Steps of this kind, as inconsistent with the Company's Concerns, at least till they had secured the Money and Effects of the several Subordinates. On the other hand, they saw that Compliances did more Harm than Good, and that their Professions of adhering inviolably to the Peace, and their repeated Promises of Friendship and Assistance, only flattered the Suba's Pride, heightened his Notions of his own Power, and encouraged him to act with greater Violence and Insolence, of which they had but too many, and those flagrant Instances. Colonel _Clive_, however, took on one Side every Method that was necessary to demonstrate his pacific Inclination, and how sincere his Intentions were to restore and preserve the Tranquility of the Provinces, desisting from his Demands that the _French_ should be delivered up, from the repairing the Fortifications at _Cassimbuzar_, or reinforcing the Garrison. At the same time, he wrote in very plain Terms to the Suba, told him his Thoughts of his Proceedings, the Concern they gave him, and the Determination he had taken, to recur to open Force, whenever he found, from his Manner of acting, that no other Remedy was left, and that it was entirely in his Power to have him for a Friend or an Enemy. In the very Height of these Disputes, the Suba demanded an ample Acquittance, under the Seal of the Governor and Select Committee, and those also of the Vice-Admiral and Colonel. To this the latter wrote him for Answer, that it was strange he should demand, or expect such an Acquittance, when he very well knew, that several of the Articles were still unperformed; that many Lacks of Rupees were due to the Company, in Satisfaction of their Losses; that the Restitution of Thirty-eight Villages, which they claimed, had not yet been made; and that their Commerce in general was still interrupted. But as his Demand might imply a Resolution to settle all these Points, and as it was hoped this was really the Case, such an Acquittance should be immediately prepared, and transmitted to Mr. _Watts_, with express Orders to deliver it, as soon as the Articles hitherto unadjusted were once thoroughly settled.

This, however reasonable in itself, was by no means acceptable to the Suba, who, in Proportion as he lost all seeming Regard, though really he never had any for the Vice-Admiral and the Colonel, towards both of whom he had once professed so much Esteem, kept no longer any Measures towards Mr. _Watts_, whom he looked upon as a Man he could not deceive, as a Man whom he hated for that Reason, and, which was an additional Motive to his Resentment, though it should, if his Mind had corresponded with his Rank, have restrained it, as a Man absolutely in his Power. In order to execute the various Commissions with which he was charged more punctually, Mr. _Watts_, according to the Custom of _Indostan_, had employed a Person to act as his Agent, in the Language of the Country, a _Vaqueel_. Him, in the first Fit of his Fury, the Suba forbid his Court. An Affront very gross in _India_, though in Appearance, and to us, unacquainted with their Customs, a very slight Thing, but it was quickly followed by personal Insults, and those of the most serious Nature. At last, forgetting the Respect due to the _British_ Crown, to Mr. _Watts_'s Character as Resident from the _East India_ Company, and his own Dignity, he told several of his principal Ministers, with a View that they should, as they really did, tell it Mr. _Watts_ again, that, upon the first Intelligence he had of the Motion of the _English_ Troops, he would cut off that Gentleman's Head, or cause him to be impaled. This was such an Outrage on the Law of Nations as was inconsistent with the Rank of a Prince, and must, by the Rules of common Sense, leave any Man in his Circumstances at Liberty to take the Methods that appeared to him safest for his own Preservation. Upon this Occasion Mr. _Watts_ acted with a Degree of Temper and Calmness that must surprize the Reader. He wrote an Account of the Facts to the Governor, without any Exaggeration, adding, that he despised the Suba's Threatenings, and desired the Select Committee would proceed as the Company's Interest directed, and without putting themselves in Pain for his Safety. A Circumstance that would not have been inserted in these Memoirs, if the Person was not alive to whom that Letter was addressed.

The Gentlemen entrusted with the Direction of Affairs, saw plainly the Tendency of the Suba's Proceedings. Indeed they were so evident, as to fill all the Inhabitants of _Calcutta_ with Alarms, that were but too well founded. Experience had already taught them, how far the Caprice of the Suba might go; and it was no way improbable, that if they were so unhappy as to fall again under his Power, they might, if possible, meet with still worse Treatment, which induced them to make the best Provision they could for their Defence; and to put the Troops into such Condition, as that, whenever Necessity required, they might be able to repel Force by Force. At the same time, however, it was resolved, not to precipitate any thing, to act with the utmost Caution, and to lay hold of any favourable Opportunity that might offer, towards furnishing Means to extricate them from these Perplexities.

_Calcutta_ was not the only Place where Doubts and Apprehensions reigned. They were to the full as strong in _Muxadavad_, with this additional and distinguishing Circumstance, that Discord spread itself through the Suba's Court, where the only Oracle that every Man consulted was his own Interest. Reverses of Fortune were equally sudden and frequent. The Courtiers that were in the highest Favour To-day, were To-morrow in the very Depth of Disgrace. No Man was secure, and therefore no Man was contented; and which is, and will be always the Case in corrupt Courts, the worst Men had the best Chance. Those who had nothing to lose, had all Things to expect; and by flattering their Prince's Humour, and complying blindly with all his Commands, the meanest and basest People about him grew quickly the most considerable. Those who had been in the Old Suba's Councils and Confidence, who were Men of Rank and Family, and who had both Estates and Reputations to risque, were, from those very Circumstances, Malecontents. They saw that this System could not last long; that a general Confusion must ensue; and that a Man, governed entirely by his Passions, could never carry on public Affairs with any Degree of Success. But these Reflections, which their own good Sense and long Experience suggested to them, served only to disturb and to distract, without affording them the least Glance of extricating either him or themselves from that impending Ruin, which his rash and raw Measures rendered inevitable. They perceived plainly enough each other's Sentiments, from that Tincture which they naturally gave to every One's Language and Behaviour; but they had no Confidence at all amongst themselves, and every Man was afraid of hastening his own particular Fall, by disclosing or lamenting the Approach of that common Destruction, which, however visible to their Understandings, was by no means a fit Subject for their Conversation.

But in the midst of these Perplexities a Ray of Hope very unexpectedly appeared. The Suba had shewn the Severity of his Nature, in so many Instances, as to strike a universal Terror; more especially as the Fickleness of his Disposition suffered no Man who was near him, and in his Power, to think himself safe. In such a State of general Danger, there occurred to every One, capable of thinking freely (the only Species of Liberty that even Tyrants' Favourites retain) but one single Mode of Security, which consisted in depriving him of his Power, who so constantly, as well as egregiously abused it. The Conception of this availed little, since the Attempt was equally difficult and dangerous; and the failing in it sure to be attended with sudden and certain Destruction. There was also but one way to move, or rather to lessen the Risk; and this also was very easily discovered. It was procuring the Countenance and the Assistance of the _English_. Such as were in the Suba's Confidence, and from that very Circumstance most afraid of him, were persuaded they could merit very much from the Company's Servants, by laying open his Secrets, and thereby shewing them, what these People thought they did not in the least suspect, the Danger to which they stood exposed. Amongst several who reasoned thus in their own Breasts, there was one who had a considerable share of Interest and Authority. His Name was _Godar Yar Cawn Laitty_, who, when he had for some time meditated, and in his own Mind thoroughly digested his Scheme, thought it wore so fair an Appearance, that he sent several Messages to Mr. _Watts_, signifying that he had something to communicate to him of great Importance: But the Suba kept so many Spies upon that Gentleman, and those Spies watched him so very closely, that it was simply impossible to comply with _Godar Yar Cawn Laitty_'s Request of having an Interview with him, because it was evidently risking the utter Ruin of both. Some Days, therefore, elapsed, before an Expedient could be found to remove this troublesome Obstacle, and to give Mr. _Watts_ the necessary Information of what were this Person's real Intentions, and what the Means by which he proposed to carry them into Execution.

He at length thought proper to send to him _Omichund_, who has been mentioned before, in order to draw what Lights he could from this discontented Confident of the Suba, who, after he had conferred with him, reported, that he knew with Certainty his Master's settled Intentions were to break with and to attack the _English_, as soon as he had a favourable Opportunity; that he likewise knew the Suba had retained the _French_, who had escaped from _Chandenagore_, and in the subordinate Factories, in his Service, who were to remain at _Patna_ in his Pay, till an Occasion could be found for employing them; that the _English_ had no Method of preventing this threatening Tempest from breaking upon their Establishments, but by providing in Time a Force sufficient to resist it; that he was willing, whenever the Suba should recur to open Hostilities, to join Us, and act against him, provided we would assist him in assuming the Government of the Province; that in return for this, he would, as soon as he was fixed in that Office, grant, by way of Recompence, a large Extent of Lands to the Company, and would likewise pay down a Sum in ready Money, sufficient to indemnify the People of _Calcutta_ for all the Losses they had sustained. These were Communications of so dangerous as well as so delicate a Nature, that they would infallibly have turned a weak Head, or distracted a timid Mind. They were received calmly and coolly, as Points of Information, in regard to which Mr. _Watts_ could take no Step of himself, but from which the Persons who had communicated them had nothing to fear; and with these Assurances, such was their Opinion of his Secrecy, Sagacity, and Steadiness, that they remained perfectly satisfied and easy, leaving him sufficient Leisure to consider and reflect upon these very extraordinary Overtures, and to review and digest the Thoughts that must naturally arise upon so important a Subject. But, however, restrained him within the Compass of Six Days, to procure for this _Moorish_ Officer an Answer, from those who were entrusted with the Management of the Company's Affairs at _Calcutta_.

The Situation of Mr. _Watts_ in this Conjuncture, is much more easy to conceive than to describe. He was oppressed with Cares, environed with Perils, and had not so much as a single Person with whom to communicate or to consult. His own Safety, the Welfare, and even the Being of the _British_ Settlements, and indeed the future Fate of these Provinces, depended, at least in the first Instance, on his Capacity, Penetration, and Discretion. It was a very arduous Task to form any clear Opinion upon this Offer; it demanded much Skill to set the Motives upon which such an Opinion must be founded in their proper Light; and, when all this was done, it appeared infinitely hazardous to transmit Propositions of this Nature, together with his Thoughts upon them, to _Calcutta_, while a jealous Prince, in a Country where the Character of a Spy is not dishonourable, had Multitudes of such State Implements about him, all filled with the Hopes of rising upon his Ruin. But though perfectly sensible of all this, as he must have been to counteract their Vigilance, he boldly undertook, and as happily performed, all that the Confidence reposed in him, or his Duty to the Company could demand. He stated fully the Nature of these Overtures, the Suba's Disposition at the Time, the Characters and Credit of the principal Officers about him, their Tempers, Circumstances, and Connections, the Probability that such a Design might be carried into Execution, the Hazards to which it must be exposed, and the Methods most proper to avoid them. But when he had done all this, he added no direct Judgment of his own. He contented himself with giving Lights, without venturing to pronounce what Measure ought to be taken. He had frequent Experience of the Regard paid by them to his Sentiments, from his having commonly sent them the Draughts of the Letters to the Suba, which being transmitted back to him, he presented to that Prince; but he held this to be a Matter too difficult, as well as too delicate for him to determine. He knew very well there was no small Danger in Delay; but he likewise knew, that there was still more Danger in a rash Decision, and therefore he gave none. The Select Committee concurred with him in this; they entertained the Motion, commended his Caution, suggested that he should continue to keep Things in Suspense, but directed him by all Means to avoid concluding any Thing, till he should receive their future Directions in a Thing of so great Weight.

It was not long after this, that _Meer Jaffeir Aly Cawn_, a Person of great Distinction, who had married the Sister of _Aliverdy Cawn_, the Suba's Grandfather and Predecessor, sent one in whom he could perfectly confide to Mr. _Watts_, to disclose what were his real Opinions, and how very short a Space he thought was like to intervene, before the Suba took the Field once more, against the _English_. This Person had it farther in Commission to represent, that the Disaffection of the principal Officers, Civil and Military, was in a manner general; that _Meer Jaffeir_ never appeared in the Suba's Presence, without Fear of being assassinated; and that for this Reason, whenever he was constrained to go, he always caused his Forces to be drawn out, under Arms, with his Son at their Head. In the Close of his Discourse, he added, that a Determination was already taken, to depose, for their own Sakes, _Suraja Dowlat_; and that if the _English_ would engage with, and promise to support, another Person, in assuming the Dignity of Suba, _Rahim Cawn_, _Roydoolub_, and _Bahadar Aly Cawn_, were ready to join _Meer Jaffeir_, in removing _Suraja Dowlat_, whose Affairs would be then in a very desperate Situation. Mr. _Watts_ transmitted the Detail of this Conversation also to Colonel _Clive_, and gave it as his own Opinion, that _Meer Jaffeir_ was by far the properest Person to be elevated to that Rank, as his Abilities were greater, his Reputation better, and his Connections more extensive than those of _Laitty_. He at the same time acquainted the Colonel, that if this Change was to be accomplished by their Forces, as he much doubted, whether, after all, the _Moors_ had Spirit enough to attempt so extraordinary an Enterprize themselves, it would be right to form the Outlines of a new Agreement, of which the old one ought to be the Basis; and to frame such additional Articles, as might effectually indemnify the Company for the Risk they ran, and procure an ample Satisfaction for the Losses private Persons had sustained, in the Devastation of _Calcutta_, of which no Care had been taken in the former Treaty; and that, in short, nothing should now be omitted, that might put their Affairs for the future upon a firm and stable Establishment; so that, in case of Disturbances in the Country, the Servants of the Company, and those who depended on it, might be in a Condition to protect themselves.

As these Transactions were of a very delicate Nature, and were to be conducted with much Discretion, and of course with some Delay, the Suba had a Season of Recess, in which, by a Change of Measures, he might have recovered his Authority, have resettled his distracted Government, and repaired all his past Errors. He not only neglected this entirely, but continued acting, in every respect, as if he had aimed at his own Destruction. He endeavoured to negotiate Succours from some of his Neighbours, who, though they knew not the Weakness of his Condition, and therefore civilly entertained his Proposals, had however such an Opinion of the Weakness of his Conduct, that nothing could induce them to enter into his Measures. He continued corresponding with Mr. _Bussy_, from whom he received Letters, which served to support and increase his Delusion, and to flatter him with the Hopes of seeing an Army of Twenty thousand Men in his Dominions, which, could he have brought them, would have tended only to have impoverished his Subjects, and to have given him new Masters, under the Title of old Allies. He was courted all this time by Colonel _Clive_ to lay down his Arms, to settle the few remaining unaccomplished Articles in the Treaty, and, above all, to put the Trade of his Territories into its usual Channel, for the common Benefit of the _Europeans_ and the Natives. To these Solicitations he gave no Answers, or such as afforded no sort of Satisfaction; but, on the contrary, indicated very plainly, by every Step he took, that he meditated new Disturbances, and waited for what should appear to him a favourable Occasion for renewing the War. In reference, on the other hand, to his own People, he grew every Day more and more intolerable, removing, disgracing, insulting, those whom he had formerly treated with the greatest Marks of Favour and Respect, and of whom several fled privately and in Disguise to seek Shelter in the _English_ Territories, and particularly in that of _Cassimbuzar_. By this Behaviour he not only augmented the Disaffection that had already spread so far amongst his Servants, but likewise furnished so many and such authentic Proofs of his having still the same Points in View, that he had at his Entrance on the Administration, and of the Obstinacy of his Aversion to the _English_, so contrary to the Mutability of his Temper in every thing else, that it contributed exceedingly to fortify the Sentiments of those, who maintained, that the Peace of that Part of _India_ could never be effectually restored, so long as he held the Supreme Power.

After 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 sensible, 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 that 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_ by _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.

That 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_

III. 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.

V. 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.