rajah the fulfilment of some of his promises. At the hour of departure Mahomed Ali's own troops assembled in the court of the palace, declaring that they would not allow him to depart until he had paid their arrears. English bayonets opened a path through these mutinous natives; but as soon as the nabob was gone they went over in a

and they cut off the noses of those whom they caught attempting to infringe their orders. Captain Dalton made his situation known to Major Lawrence, who had retired to Madras, but who immediately took the field and marched to his relief. Lawrence arrived at Trichinopoly on the 6th of May (1753), but the hurried march and the heat of the weather had proved fatal to several of his English troops, who had died upon the road, and above a hundred more were sick and helpless, and only fit for the hospital. No attempt was, however, made to intercept him, or to prevent his entrance into the place. When his forces were joined to those of Captain Dalton they did not exceed 500 English and 2000 sepoys: there was indeed quartered in the town a body of Mahomed Ali's force, but these fellows were ill-paid and mutinous. Provisions now found their way into the town; but Dupleix and his allies made such exertions that in a short time nearly 30,000 men, including about 500 French, were gathered round the place. Major Lawrence made several sorties, and even attempted to drive the enemy from the strong pagoda of Seringham, which they had again occupied; but he failed, and was compelled to retire with some loss. The French drew nearer and made an attack upon a post called the Golden Rock, which Lawrence had established in order to keep open his communications with the country. The post was defended by sepoys, who gave way before the impetuous attack of M. Astruc; and the French flag was hoisted on the rock. Lawrence sent his grenadiers to recover the important position, and it was soon recovered at the point of the bayonet; but, as the whole French force came up to support their comrades, a general action ensued, in which the Mysore army and the Mahratta cavalry took part. The Mahrattas occasionally made a charge and did some mischief, but the Mysoreans kept themselves at a respectful distance in the rear: the stern contest was only between the British and the French; but the British bayonet finished the day, and the French fled from the field, leaving three field-pieces behind them. Lawrence returned triumphantly to the walls of Trichinopoly; but his loss, considering the small number of his troops, was considerable, and forced him to confess that one or two more victories of the same kind would have ruined him. The Indian Rajah of Tanjore professed to remain steady to the Eng-parently with the intention of giving up the lish interest, but he sent little or no assistance to Trichinopoly. It was now resolved that Major Lawrence should proceed with Mahomed Ali to the Tanjore frontier, in order to obtain from the

body to the enemy. The journey to the Tanjore frontier was, however, very successful; for the rajah sent 3000 horse and 2000 foot under the command of Monacjee, the general who had assassinated Chunda Sahib, to co-operate with the English and the forces of Mahomed Ali. Moreover, Lawrence was now joined by 170 British soldiers who had just arrived from England, and by 300 natives who enrolled as sepoys. Thus reinforced, with his carts well loaded with provisions, and with some thousands of bullocks in his train, Lawrence returned towards Trichinopoly. The French made a spirited attempt to cut off his convoy and impede his entrance into the town, but they were again repelled by the bayonets of the English grenadiers, and Lawrence and the nabob got to their old quarters without loss or damage. The French and their allies made no progress in reducing Trichinopoly, and the English and their allies had not sufficient force to compel them to raise the blockade. Many encounters took place, in one of which M. Astruc and several French officers were taken prisoners. Months were passed in this manner in foraging and skirmishing. In the autumn a party of Lawrence's troops took Weycondah, a post of some strength; and the French and their allies then retired from the vicinity of Trichinopoly, ap

blockade. But on the 20th of November, when Lawrence was fifteen miles from the town, aud when the Tanjore troops had quitted him to return to their homes, he was startled by news of

an attack made by the French on Trichinopoly. | tered forces and to dictate his own terms to that Before he reached that town he was, however, trembling court. The courtiers and ministers gladdened by the intelligence that the few English and the sepoys within it had repulsed the French with a terrible loss.

who had intrigued against him were forthwith
exiled; and, as security for vast arrears already
accumulated and for future pay, he obtained at
the end of the year 1753, the cession of the five
important provinces of Ellore, Rajahmundry,
Cicacole, Condapilly, and Guntoor, called the
Northern Circars, which made the French mas
ters of the sea-coast of Coromandel and Orissa for
an uninterrupted line of 600 miles. But neither
the court of Versailles nor the French India Com-
pany at home had embraced the grand projects of
Bussy and Dupleix; the court questioned the pro-
priety of these wars with the English in a tine
of peace, and the company doubted whether thes
territorial acquisitions could be maintained pro-
fitably to themselves. The French directors or
managers were all for trade and peace, and wer
quite incapable of the exertions which the joint-
stock English Company could make with little in-
convenience. Dupleix, too, had had his day; and.
considering the mutations and intrigues of the
old French cabinet, it had been a long one: his
protectors and admirers were now out of office;
his recall to France was procured, and a M. Gode
heu was sent out to supersede him as govern
of Pondicherry, with instructions to negotiate
immediately a peace with the English and thea
allies. M. Godeheu arrived at Pondicherry in
the beginning of August, 1754; and with th
return ship that carried away Dupleix, the gran
schemes of French empire and dominion in t
East seemed to vanish into thin air. On the llu
of October, a suspension of arms was agreed t
for three months; and on the 26th of Decem
of the same year (1754) a provisional treaty wa
signed at Pondicherry. The French stipulate
to withdraw their troops from the Carnatic, an
to interfere no more in the affairs of the nati
princes there, thus leaving Mahomed Ali, the all
or creature of the English, undisputed Nabob
the Carnatic. They also agreed that the territ
rial possessions of the French and English shou
be settled and defined on the principle of equali
thus virtually resigning nearly all that Bussy a
Dupleix had acquired by their wars and poli

But in the meantime M. Bussy, who took his departure for Hyderabad in 1752, to establish Salabut Jung in the sovereignty of the Deccan, had gone through a series of brilliant and romantic adventures, and penetrated farther into the country than any European army had hitherto gone, and had to all appearance consolidated the authority of his ally. Bussy had been living with all the pomp and splendour of a vizier or a sultan at Golconda, and directing all the measures of Salabut Jung's government. To expel the French and their allies, and to place upon the throne of the Deccan, U-din the prince of the Mogul's choice, every exertion was made that the reduced means of the emperor would allow; an army of Mahrattas, who were ever ready to sell their services to any party, or to embark on either side in any war that offered a prospect of abundant booty, were engaged by the Mogul, and placed with other native troops under the command of U-din. | But this unfortunate claimant was carried off by poison, or by his own excesses, as he was entering the province of Golconda with 100,000 horse. Upon this event many of his host took their departure; but the Mahrattas, eager for the spoil of a rich province, continued their advance, and encountered the French and the troops of Salabut Jung in several places. Bussy, who had the genius of Clive, defeated them repeatedly, and once or twice with so much slaughter that the Mahrattas became anxious for peace. Salabut Jung then purchased their retreat by ceding to them some districts near Berar and Boorhanpoor; and they gladly withdrew from the murderous execution of Bussy's quick musketry and artillery. The bold Frenchman had, however, soon to experience how slightly the ties of gratitude attached Indian princes and politicians. Disgusted at seeing Salabut Jung completely ruled by a handful of foreigners, and forgetting that those foreigners alone had gained and could defend the Deccan, the courtiers advised their master to reduce the power of the French, who did not enjoy or exercise it with much moderation. Taking advantage of the temporary absence of Bussy, Salabut Jung withheld the pay of the French troops, and then began to detach them in small parties to distant quarters. But some of the Mahratta tribes, continually on the watch, dis-hood until they were scared away by the r covered this dispersion of the only force they feared, and instantly began to prepare for a new war in the Deccan. Quickened by the prayers of Salabut Jung, Bussy hurried back to his post, and was instantly allowed to reunite his scat

M. Bussy, however, left undisturbed at G conda, continued his control over the Den** and the Mysoreans, alleging that the French no authority to bind them by their paper ag ments, seemed disposed to continue the blockof Trichinopoly, and remained in that neigh

that a Mahratta army was marching to att them. Their departure finished a siege and bac ade which had lasted altogether more than a ye and which had brought out on the part of t English troops uncommon bravery, steadines

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

and no inconsiderable skill. Yet the pacification | ratta race, and bore the name of Angria, who had 687 was scarcely settled when the two rival European established on the coast a power closely resemnations were involved in fresh differences. The French complained that the English continued to keep their troops with Mahomed Ali to assist him in collecting his revenues and reducing his refractory subjects; and the English justified their conduct by showing that M. Bussy and the French troops with him in the interior continued to render the same services, and on a more extensive scale, to Salabut Jung. It soon became evident that no peace or truce could be of long duration. As there was no work to employ an English squadron which had arrived under the command of Admiral Watson, it was resolved to send some of the ships to destroy the nests of some powerful pirates who for fifty years had been commit--was not destroyed until the following year, ting depredations on the Malabar coast. chiefs of these corsairs were a family of the Mah- England with improved health and enlarged hopes. The when the adventurous Clive had returned from

bling that of the Algerines, and who nominally acknowledged the Peishwa, or the supreme head of the Mahrattas, as the Algerines nominally professed allegiance to the Ottoman Porte. But the Angrias had recently given such offence to the Peishwa that he determined upon their destruction, and consented to join his fleet to the English squadron. In 1755 the English ships, under the command of Commodore James, drove the pirates from two of their strongholds and took possession of them, the Mahratta fleet of the Peishwa never coming within reach of cannonnest of the pirates-the fort and port of Gheriah shot till the fighting was over. But the chief

CHAPTER XVIII-CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.-A D. 1756-1759.

RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.-GEORGE II.

Clive's welcome in England-He returns to India with higher rank and appointments-Prosperity of Calcutta under the Great Mogul's viceroy, Ali Verdy Khan-His successor, Surajah Dowlah, quarrels with the English of the settlement-His pretexts for quarrel-He captures the English fort and factory at Cossimbazar-He assaults Calcutta-Its scanty means of defence-Its desperate resistance-Surrender of Calcutta-The Black Hole, and the agonies of its victims-Cruelty of the conqueror to the survivers-Surajah Dowlah's further aggressions-Clive returns to India at the critical moment-He defeats the enemy and recovers CalcuttaSurajah Dowlah repeatedly defeated-He allies himself with the French-Clive's great victory at PlasseyFlight of Surajah Dowlah-Clive establishes Meer Jaffier as nabob in his roomDowlah-His French allies pursued by Eyre Coote-Trichinopoly besieged by the French-The siege raised-Capture and death of Surajal Indecisive movements between the English and French in the Carnatic-A French squadron flies from a dead English admiral-Alternate successes of the French and English-Reinforcements to the French arrive under Count Lally-He besieges and takes Fort St. David-He quarrels with the members of his council-Lawless proceedings of his troops-He attacks Tanjore-He is obliged to retreat-Quarrels between him and BussyLally attacks Madras-The arrival of a British fleet compels him to decamp-Naval operations of the French and English at Trincomalee-Continuing disasters of Lally-The English defeat the French at PeddapoorThey take Masulipatam-Their growing ascendency-Clive appointed governor of Bengal-Difficulties of Meer Jaffier-He applies to Clive for aid-Warren Hastings the new English resident at Moorshedabad--Troubled

state

its government-Clive marches against the enemies of Meer Jaffier-He disperses them-The country restored to order-Rewards conferred on Clive by the native rulers-Meer Jaffier forsakes the English-He alles himself with the Dutch in India-The Dutch attempt to send him succours against the English-Clive detects their design-His arrangements to defeat it-He disperses the Dutch naval squadron, and defeats their troops on land-The Dutch factory compelled to submit-Clive returns to England.

RECEDED by glowing reports of his remarkable achievements at Arcot and in other parts of the Carnatic, Clive had been received in England with enthusiasm. Young as he was, he was hailed as the best of living English generals. The Company resolved in sendig him back to appoint him governor of Fort St. David, with a provisional commission to sucsed to the government of Madras. George II., who loved a soldier, gave him the commission of

lieutenant-colonel in the British army, which it which so frequently occurred between the king's was hoped would obviate the quarrels about rank and the Company's officers. After the reduction of the pirates' nest at Gheriah, Colonel Clive proceeded to Fort St. David, and assumed the government of that place on the 20th of June, 1756, the very day on which the Nabob of Bengal took Calcutta from the English, and disgraced his success with detestable cruelties.

The Company's settlement at Calcutta had

called Omichund, a man of intrigue and of enor mous wealth, which he was constantly seeking to increase without any scruples as to the means he employed. Omichund had lived long in Calcutta, and had been permitted to engross much more of the Company's investment than was allowed to any other contractor. The presidency, moreover, had almost constantly employed him to transact their political business with the nabob and the minor potentates in the neighbourhood, and had paid him lavishly for all these services. The influence this intriguing Hindoo had acquired was immense, aud his power was altogether so grea! that it was dangerous to offend him. Yet the presidency, disgusted by some dishonest practices. had deprived him of all his contracts, and given him the most mortal offence. Omichund retired to Muxadabad, or Moorshedabad, with 4,000,000 rupees; but he left his harem and a considerable part of his household property at Calcutta. It was believed that the vindictive Hindoo put himself in close communication with the French at Chandernagore, and advised Surajah Dowlah to annihilate the English settlement. After a short stay at Moorshedabad, Omichund returned to Calcutta to facilitate the scheme of destruction he recommended, and to act as a spy for the nabob. Surajah Dowlah despatched a peremptory letter to Mr. Drake, the governor, ordering him instantly to destroy all the works which had beer added to the fortifications of Calcutta.

risen rapidly under the pacific rule of Ali Verdy | wealthy Hindoo native, called Kissendass, whom Khan, the Mussulman viceroy of the Great Mo- | Surajah Dowlah wished to plunder, and they had gul, but who had become virtually the indepen- refused to give him up to his officers. Other dent and absolute sovereign of all the rich king-facilities were afforded by a Hindoo merchant, dom or territory of Bengal-the richest country in all India, with the most pusillanimous Hindoo population. Ali Verdy was, for India, a prince of rare virtues; while his neighbours and brother potentates consumed their time and their strength in multitudinous harems, and, in defiance of the Koran, stupified their intellects with excessive drinking, he adhered most scrupulously to the law of the Prophet, which prohibits the use of wine and strong drinks; and he neglected at the same time to avail himself of the Prophet's license for indulging in a plurality of wives and an ad | libitum number of concubines. To the amazement of Hindoos and Mahometans, Ali Verdy rested satisfied with one faithful and beloved wife. He was orderly, prudent, just, and averse to all violence; he encouraged the trade of the English settled in his dominions, and derived a fair and growing profit from their prosperity. Their factors and their various agents travelled without interruption through every part of his dominions, finding every where protection for their property and safety and respect for their persons. But Ali Verdy Khan died early in the month of April of this year, 1756, and his grandson and successor, Surajah Dowlah, a cruel, luxurious, and effeminate youth, proved altogether unworthy of him. As in these oriental despotisms nearly everything depends upon the personal character of the ruler, it was evident, from the first day of Surajah Dowlah's accession, that everything in Bengal would undergo a rapid and thorough change. He was known to entertain very hostile feelings towards the English, so that everybody at Calcutta ought to have been prepared for his hostile attacks; and the stories related of his violence and cruelty-of his delighting in seeing torture inflicted under his own eye -might have warned them of the fate that awaited them if they ever fell into his power. He had seen the coffers of his grandfather filled directly or indirectly by the trade of the English; he had been led to believe that the wealth and treasures these foreign merchants had accumulated within the walls of Calcutta were enormous in extent, and always ready and tangible; and, like the fool in the fable, he resolved to kill the goose that laid these golden eggs. It was very easy to find pretexts for quarrel. Alarmed by reports from England that a new war with France was inevitable, and would be prosecuted in all parts of the world, the English had begun to fortify Calcutta, so as to prevent any attack by the French on the side of the river. Moreover, they had granted refuge in their fort to a very

A few days after he collected his whole army at Moorshedabad, and sent a detachment of 3000 men to invest the small English fort and factory at Cossimbazar. This investment was begun on the 22d of May, but no hostilities were committed until the 1st of June, when the nabob arrived with the rest of his forces. The fort of Cossibazar had neither ditch nor palisade; its walls were contemptibly weak, the largest of its guns were but nine-pounders, and those were honeycombed or shaking upon rotten carriages; the garrison consisted of twenty-two Europeans and twenty topasses, and of the Europeans the majority were Dutchmen. The nabob summoned Mr. Watts to come forth to him. Mr. Watts waited upon the savage in his tent, and was again threatened with impalement. He was compelled to sign a paper importing that the presidency of Calcutta should level whatever works they had raised; that they should instantly deliver up ali subjects or tenants of the nabob who had taken protection in their settlement, &c. Mr. Watts was next required to sign an order for the surrender of Cossimbazar; but this he refused to do.