An abstract of the early records of the Foreign Department

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430053

AN ABSTRACT

OF THE

EARLY RECORDS OF THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.

Part I.

1756-1762.

BY

S. CHARLES HILL, B.A., B.Sc.,

(OFFZCER IN CHARGE OF THE RECORDS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA).

CALCUTTA:

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA.

1901.


CALCUTTA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CENTRAL PRINTING OFFICE,
8, HASTINGS STREET.


AN ABSTRACT

OP THE

EARLY RECORDS OF THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.

Part I. 1756-1762.

PREFACE.

AFTER the capture of Calcutta in June 1756, the Governor, Mr. Roger Drake,
Junior, and certain members of the Council made their escape to Fulta,
where they were joined by Major James Killpatrick, in command of a small
reinforcement from Madras, Mr. William Watts, Chief of Cossimhazar Factory,
Mr. Holwell, who had been carried prisoner to Murshidabad by Siraj-ud-daula
and subsequently released, and other members of Council. Mr. Hotwell at first
refused to acknowledge tbe authority of Mr. Drake, but by the 20th of August
he agreed to do so under protest and to take a seat on a Committee of four
appointed (see Consultation of the 22nd August) for the better despatch of
affairs of the country and for the receiving of intelligence and advice.

The historian Robert Orme (Volume If, page 121) says that, before the
arrival of Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive at Fulta, letters from the Court
of Directors in England had appointed Mr. Drake, with three other members
of the Council, to act as a Select Committee in the conduct of all political and
military affairs, and it has generally been accepted as a fact that the Committee
abovementioned as appointed by the Board and the Select Committee appointed
by the Court are one and the same. This, however, appears to be erroneous.
The Committee appointed by the Board consisted of Messrs. Drake, Watts and
Bolwell, and Major Killpatrick, whilst that appointed by the Court consisted
of Messrs. Drake, Watts, Manning h am and Becher, together with Lieutenant-
Colonel Lawrence, when in Bengal. Further, the letter from the Court of
Directors, which contained this order, is dated the 11th February 1756, and was
despatched in duplicate by the ships Chesterfield and W alpole. These ships
reached Madras only after the middle of September, as is evident from the fact
that a letter which they brought addressed to the Council at Bort St. George was
read first in the meeting of Council held on the 22nd September : that is to say, the
letter appointing the Select Committee did not reach Madras till after the first
meeting of the Committee appointed by the Board at Fulta. The Chesterfield
and Walpole seem to have been delayed for some time at Madras; at any rate
the despatches by the Chesterfield were read at a meeting of the Board at Fort
William on the 16th January 1757, and from paragraph 6 of the General
Letter from the Board at Fort William to the Court of Directors, dated the 31st
January 1757, it appears that the duplicates of these despatches were read in a
meeting of the Board held on the 16th December at Fulta. The Consultations
of this meeting are not forthcoming, hut it is evident that these despatches came
by the Walpole, which had probably arrived a day or two before. The General
Letter expressly states that Mr. Rolwell and Major Killpatrick had been
added, at the meeting of the 16th December, to the members of the Select
Committee named in the orders of the Court.


2

From the above it is evident that the Consultations of the Committee held
at Fulta between August and December 1756 are not Consultations of the Select
Committee properly so called. Accordingly, I have called this publication
An Abstract of the Early Records of the Foreign Department.

S. C. HILL.

December, 1901.

.N.jB.As far as possible, the spelling of Indian names and titles has been
modernised for the sake of uniformity, but Omichand and a few others would
not be easily recognized in any other form. Some names have not been identi-
fied, and are therefore printed exactly as they occur in the Records.

In every case the names of the gentlemen present at the different meetings
are given, as the character of the business transacted often depended upon them.
In many instances they did not sign their names to the Proceedings, and in
such cases their names are entered in Italics.

When any document is entered in full in the Consultations the number of
the page on which it commences is noted in the margin.


Page 1.

T:

COMMITTEE HELD ON BOARD THE PHOENIX SCHOONER, FULTA, 22nd
AUGUST 1750.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

r< Met by appointment of the Board for the better despatch of affairs of the country and
for the receiving of intelligence and advice.

General letter from Madras, dated the 7th instant, informing us of the despatch of gun-
powder, and of Admiral Watson's consent to the despatch of the Bridgewater. Agreed to
reply immediately representing our distress.

Major Killpatrick wrote a complimentary letter to the Nawab Sir aj-ud-daula on the 15th
instant, assuring him of our good feeling in spite of past events, and asking for provisions,
which letter he sent to the Dutch Governor, Mr. Bisdom, to have translated into Persian, but
the Governor refused, advising him to write to Mr. Warren Hastings at Cossimbazar, which
advice he took, sending him a letter for Mir. Warren Hastings for favour of despatch.

Khwaja Petrus 1 and Abraham Jacobs bring a letter from Qmichand to the Major assuring
him of his good intentions, and promise great things, advising him to send friendly letters to
Qmichand for Baja Manik Chand*, Khwaja Wajid*, Jagat Seat and Baja Balab which he will
translate into Persiau and deliver. Agreed the Major do as advised.

Page 4.

COMMITTEE HELD ON BOARD THE PHCEN1X SCHOONER, FULTA, 31st
AUGUST 1756.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

Letter from Mr. Bobert Gregory to Major Killpatrick, dated Chinsurah the 19th instant,
advising that the enemy have received reinforcements at Calcutta, and are daily sending goods
to Chinsurah in fear of the expected men-of-war, that Manik Chand has forbidden the
Governor^ supply the with provisions or ammunition, and enclosing Sergeant Bostick's

receipt for money supplied to him and five European soldiers coming down by a French ship.

Letter from the same, dated Chinsura, the 23rd, advising that boats are being prepared to
fire our fleet, and that Manik Chand is proceeding to Budge Budge to surprise us, keeps
fishing boats to watch our fleet, and is reported to have sent Mr. Macketfs banian^ down as
a spy.

Letter from Abraham Jacobs to the Major, dated the 28th, saying the letters to Qmichand
and Baja Manik Chand were well received, and he and Khwaja Petrus will soon bring answers
to them.

Letter from Mr. Gregory, dated the 20th instant, saying that the Butch have refused to
take over the plunder the Nawab has taken from the English, but fear he will compel them
to do so.

Agreed the Major thank Mr. Gregory and request him to stay and send us all the intepi-
gence he can.

Agreed Mr. William Forth 5 be appointed to procure intelligence at the French and Butch

1 Khoja or Khwaja, pronounced Khaja, is simply a respectful prefix to the name of a respectable person.
The Muhammadans of Bengal used it commonly in the case of Armenians like Petrus Aragon, and his brother
Gorgin or Gregory. On the Bombay side Armenians were often given the title of Ag^ This title was also
given to the Mugal traders {see Fallons Dictionary) and is still used by the Kabulia

* Manik Chand was appointed Governor of Calcutta by Siraj-ud-daula.

3 Orme (Vol. II, page 58) calls him the principal merchant of the proyMie* He also was an Armenian.

4 This is a corruption of the Bengali Banya and was the ordinary na^e applied to the Native Cashier or
man of business in the service of Europeans*Wilson, Glossary of Indian terms.

5 Apparently this is Dr. William Forth, as in the Public Proceedings of the 14th February 1757 we find him
sending in a bill for sundry disbursements made by him at Kughli when employed by the Select Committee.
Dr. William Forth was Surgeon of the Factory at Cossim^azar when the latter surrendered to birag-ud-daula.
Probably he was one of those who were allowed to retire to the French or Dutch Factory, and later on made his
way down to Chinsura.

994 H. D.


Page 7.

factories and J/r. Warren
at Muxadabad.1

COMMITTEE HELD ON

remain at Cossimbazar to watch and report on the natives

BOARD THE PHCENIX SCHOONER, FULTA, 5th
SEPTEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

Letter from Omichand, dated the 1st instant, by Khwaja Petrus and Abraham Jacobs,
referring us to the latter for news. They report that the Purnea Nawab has received a farman
from the Mogul as Nawab of the Province and should be written to according to the terms
sent us, that, for this reason, Omichand returned, undelivered, the letters to Jagat Seat, Raja
Dalab, and Khwaja Wajid. The bearers further suggest presents of chintz and cutlery for the
persons employed in obtaining intelligence, and the payment of their own expenses in boat hire.

Letter from Raja Manik Chand by the same bearers, dated Alinagar1 2, the 2nd instant,
with promises of assistance. Also a boat with a dastak to establish a bazar for all kinds of
provisions.

Letter to the J/q/orfrom Raja Manik Chand, dated Alinagar, the 2nd instant, by Khwaja
Petrus and Abraham Jacobs, with compliments and promises of assistance. He also sent a boat
with a dastak ordering the opening of a bazar for provisions.

Advices from Mr. Porth, dated the 2nd instant, informing us that he learns from letters
communicated to him by Mr. Bisdom that the Nawab of Purnea has been appointed by the
King Nawab of Bengal, and has commenced hostilities, that J afar Ali has been sent against
him, but that, owing to a quarrel between the Nawab and Jagat Seat 3, in the course of which
the latter had been struck and imprisoned, Jafar Ali and others have refused to fight for
Siraj-ud'daula, until he obtains a farman from the King.

Letters from Mr. Gregory of the 2nd and 3rd instant, the former confirming the news
in the above letter, and the latter saying that 1,000 men have been ordered from Calcutta to
Muxadabad and have started.

Letter from Mr. Hastings, dated Cossimbazar, the 1st instant, saying he has obtained
a translation of the Majors letter, but has not delivered it to the Nawab as the change of cir-
cumstances may have altered our minds, that great preparations are being made for war with
Shaukat Jang, the Nawab of Purnea, that the latter is receiving general support, and that he
learns by a letter from the Butch Chief at Patna that the King has crossed the Jamna with
the intention of conquering this province and then visiting all his possessions, that the
Mahrattas are expected and the Nawab is in a position of great danger, but has no appre-
hensions of the English, is raising money in all manner of ways, and is disgusting many
people who are likely to prove disloyal to him.

Agreed a letter be prepared in Persian for the Purnea Nawab, something different from
that suggested by Omichand, and laid before the Board.

Agreed that Mr. Hastings be directed to deliver the Major's letter to the Nawab.

Page 11. COMMITTEE HELD ON BOARD THE PHCENIX SCHOONER, FULTA, 15th
SEPTEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

Agreed to write to 0 mAh an A to write to the Raja MarsuseUy 4 at Balasore in the name
of the Company to secure his support, and to write in his own name to the same purpose.

1 Muxadavad is the older name of Mui^hidabad, which town received the latter name only when Murshid
Kuli Khan changed the Capital of Bengal from Dacca to Maksudabad in 1704.

2 When Siraj-ud-daula captured Calcutta he changed its name to Alinagar.

3 According to Orme, Vol. II, page 29, the wealthiest hanker in the empire.

4 I presume this is Mirza Sallee, whom Orme (Vol. II, page 274) calls the c< renter of Orissa.

A

I


3

Pagel2. COMMITTEE HELD ON BOARD THE GRAMPUS SLOOP, FULTAj 20th SEP-
TEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Bichard Beeher.

John Zephaniah Holwell {absent by order of the Board).1

Letter from Mr. Hastings, dated the 11th instant, advising that the Nawab continues his
preparations, but is diffident of his own peoplg, and that the English are never mentioned
except with pity or contempt.

Letter from Omichand, dated Calcutta the 16th instant, saying he will set out for
Muxadabad in five or six days.

Letter from Padre Bento, dated Chinsurah, the 16th instant, giving details of the
enemies' forces at Calcutta, Tannah Fort, Budge Budge, Hugli and Bandel, and saying that
the garrisons are ready to run away at the first alarm.

Letter from Mr. Robert Pasley, dated the 17th instant, saying he has advanced 52 Arcot
rupees to a sergeant and 16 private sentinels who are coming down to us.

Letter from Mr. Forth, dated Hugli, the 18th instant, saying that he hears from
Mr. Hastings in a letter, dated the 15th instant, that advices have come from Agra to the
Mustaphar (?) that the Royal Army is advancing against Bengal, that Siraj-ud-daula has
marched with a great part of his army, and pretends that he has received a sirpao andfarman
through Jagat Seat.

Letter from Mr. Hastings, dated the 13th instant, saying the furniture of the Factory/
is being sold at outcry, and is being bought by Armenians and others, and the Nawab, in
order to force the Butch and French to purchase, threatens to put peons on their Factories |
and to give Chabuk to their Wakils.

Page 15. COMMITTEE HELD ON BOARD THE GRAMPUS SLOOP, FULTA, 23rd SEP-
TEMBER 1756.

Present

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Richard Becher.

Major James Killpatrick {absent, sick).

(John Zephaniah Holwell.) 1 2 3

Letter from Mr. Robert Pasley, dated Chinsurah, the 18th instant, confirming the news
in Mr. Forths letter of same date, but saying the position of the Nawab is not so desperate
as is made out, and that his Jamadars are faithful to him.

Letter from Mr. Gregory, dated Chinsurah, the 19th instant, saying that he has seen
Tannah Fort, which is not in a defensible condition, also a letter, dated the 22nd instant,
announcing the arrival of Omichandf Khwaja Tfajid and numbers of Moorish merchants
in fear of our expected forces.

Page 17. COMMITTEE HELD ON BOARD THE GRAMPUS SLOOP, FULTA, 30th SEP-
TEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

(Major James Killpatrick). 8
Richard Becher.

Letter from Abraham Jacobs, dated Calcutta, the 21st instant, saying that on the 18th
Qmichand received a parwana from the Nawab and an order for his immediate attendance, and
that tells him the Nawab has got a farman from the King, is very strong,

and has sent for him to settle the affairs of the English.

Letter from J/z. Hastings, dated Cossimbazar, the 23rd instant, saying that on taking
the Nawabs letter to the Diwan, Ahmad Rai, the latter said there was no need to deliver it jl
as Manik Chand had already received orders to settle the affairs of the English in the wav 1

desired, confirming the news of the march of the Kings army which is now only fifteen days

1 His name is however appended to the Proceedings.

2 Copy of Hotwell's signature is appended though his name does not appear amongst those presents

3 Killpatrick's signature is appended though his name does not appear amongst those present.


4

from Purnea, saying the Nawabs pretension of having received a sirpao and farm an is still
doubted, and that the advanced portion of the Nawab's army is forbidden to .advance beyond
a certain river, presumably for fear of desertion.

Letter from J/r. Hastings to Mr. Forth, dated the 23 rd, saying the Naw ah has heard
by letter from Mohan Lal that Shaukat Jang demands 100 krors, all his plunder, restitu-
tion to the English and personal submission as the price of pardon and life, and by another
letter from Mohan Lal that the Nawabs forces have been surrounded by the Purnea people
rendering his presence necessary, and the Nawab has therefore set out, and that 3,000 of the
Nawabs soldiers have been drowned in the Padma.

Letter from Mr, Forth, dated the 28th, reporting information, obtained from a spy, as to
the fortifications of the Moors all along the river to Calcutta, also saying that Manik Chand has
been recalled by the Nawab; but has excused himself on account of his apprehensions of the
English, and that Qmichand is at Hugli on his way to Muxadabad, apparently because he
is afraid to stay at Calcutta.

Page 20. COMMITTEE HELD ON THE GRAMPUS SLOOP, FULTA, 7th OCTOBER 1756.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Richard Becher.

Closure of the bazar, owing to some difficulty with the boatmen, reported by Badha
Krishna Mullick to be by the order of Manik Chand. Agreed Badha Krishna be desired to
explain to Manik Chand that the bjatmen are entirely in the wrong.

Letter from Cmiehand, dated Cninsurab, the 28th ultimo, saying he is on his way to
Muxadabad where is making himself very unpopular, sending by the bearer Khwaja

Petrus the letter for Balasore with a messenger, asseverating his attachment to us and advis-
ing our securing Jagat Seat, for whom he seuds a letter to be written by the Major if approved
of, and saying that Khwaja lKajid and other merchants will be glad to see us. Khwaja
Petrus says the messenger for Balasore has stopped on the road because of a holiday.

Agreed the Major write to Jagat Seat as proposed by Cmichand.

Letter from Mr. Hastings to the Major> dated the 26th, to the same effect as his letter to
Mr. Forth, dated the 23rd, adding that Jagat Seat having accompanied the Nawab to Bom-
mania 1 had with difficulty been allowed to return.

Page 22. COMMITTEE HELD ON THE GRAMPUS SLOOP, FULTA, 14th OCTOBER 1756.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Arrival of orders from Manik Chand to open the bazars.

Letter from Mr. Hastings, dated the 3rd instant, saying he hears that Shaukat dang has
restored plunder taken from the Company Gomastahs by the Nawabs men, and announced
his intention to restore, under order from the King, all that has been taken from the English,
that Shaukat Jang is an excellent and popular person and a favourite at Court and hence his
appointment to replace Siraj-ud-daula, and the despatch of Motiram Hajari to his assistance
with 12,000 horse, confirming the report of the loss of 2,000 men in the Padma and of
Mohan Lal's defeat, saying he thinks the Nawab will not be able to go further than Rajmehal,
and that the Wazir intends to reconquer all parts belonging to the Empire.

Page 24.

COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 20th OCTOBER 1756.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Letter from Mr. Hastings, dated Chinsurah the 11th instant, acquainting us with the
cause of his sudden departure from Cossimbazar, and saying that the Nawab is at Rajmehal,

1 Possibly Bamoni in Rangpur District.


5

Pag 25.

Page 26.

Pag 29.

an engagement is not expected till the end or the month, and Omichand has joined the
Nawab.

Agreed that Major Killpatrick write to Mr. Robert Gregory to see if he can manage to
visit the Purnea Nawab and report to us. Agreed the Captains of the Delaware, Fort William,
Dudley, and Bombay Grab be supplied with ammunition by the Major so as to be ready to go
up the river.

Copy of letter to Mr. Thomas Boddam, dated Fulta the 23rd October, announcing
despatch of 4,000 Arcot rupees for expenses, and the engagement of 500 gunner Buxerries 1
to be secretly sent us overland, and sending Ensign David to be under his command.

COMMITTEE HELD AT EULTA, 27th OCTOBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

Letter from Abraham Jacobs, dated the 22nd instant, insisting on the correctness of his
assertion that there are only about 400 men at Calcutta.

Letter from Mr. Hastings, dated Chiusurah, the 23rd, reporting that Qmichand has
removed all his family to Hugli.

Letter from Abraham Jacobs, dated Calcutta, the 25th instant, saying that Hazari Mat 9
has heard from Qmichand that the Nawab has ordered him to return to Muxadabad where he
will arrange everything to his satisfaction, that he has been with the Nawab within eight
miles of the enemy, and has written to Manik Chand to assist us.

Letter from Raja Manik Chand, dated the 26th, announcing the receipt of a parwana
from the Nawab, stating that he has defeated and killed the Purnea Nawab at the river Sonra,8
and giving assurances of his friendship for us.

Letter from Hazari Mat, datfcd the 26th, mentioning his brothers letter and his prospects
at Muxadabad, saying that the translator has made some mistake about the last Persian letter
which he returns, and referring us to the Rajas letter for news of the Purnea victory.

Letter from Mr. Bisdom, dated the 26th, informing us he has heard from Cossimbazar
of the defeat and death of the Purnea Nawab. Letter from Mr. Right Honourable Baldrick,
dated Chaudernagore, the 15th instant, saying that he was chased and fired at going up, and
that there are two or three thousand men at Calcutta, and that most of Manik Chands
plunder has been removed to a new fort called Muttegure (? Mattigarh).

COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 30th OCTOBER 1756.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

Letter from Mr. Widdrington, dated Chandernagore the 25th instant, saying about 500
men have passed down to Calcutta, that some say the Purnea Nawab has gained a victory,
but the Armenians and Baniyas that he has been defeated.

Letter from Abraham Jacobs, dated Chandernagore, the 28th instant, saying the news of
the Purnea Nawabs defeat is not now so certain nor that of the Nawabs march to Balasore,
that the mistake in Hazari Mais letter was in not giving him sufficient power, that on the news
of the arrival of an English galley with soldiers Manik Chand gave orders to keep a strict
look out, and held a Council in which it was determined to send most of their forces to
Budge Budge and try to surprise the English, that two sloops and two brigantines have been
ordered to be got ready, that Hazari Mai is to come up to Chiusurah and that he fears being
himself discovered. 1 2 3 *

1 In Yule-Burnells Glossary of Anglo-Indian Words only suggested derivations are given. The word
however meant simply foot soldier.

2 Brother-in-law of Omichand - Orme, Vol. II, page 60.

3 Near Nawahganj, see the Seir Mutaqherin, Vol. I, page 740.

994 H. D.


6

Page 3i.

Page 32.

Page 33.

Page 35.

COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 1st NOVEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Major James Killpatrick.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

William Watts (absent by order of the Board).

Richard Becher.

Letter from Jagat Seat to Major Killpatrick by Khwaja Petrus and Abraham Jacobs
expressing his wish to serve the Company, and asking the reason of Omichands confinement.

Letter from Omichand by the same people such as he thinks it will be well to send in
reply to the above letter.

Agreed that the Major reply as suggested by Omichand, and explain his confinement in a
suitable way.

Mr. Hotwell reports, on the information of reliable spies, regarding the fortifications
between this and Calcutta.

A

COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 6th NOVEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Major James Killpatrick.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

Letter from Manik Chand dated 4th instant, by Padha Krishna, saving that as he has
always spoken well of the Major to the Naivab, the latter, who is now at Muxadahad desires
to know our intentions, that, if we intend war, he will come down with an army, if not, he will
consider our demands, and asking us to credit the bearer as to what demands will be likely to
be granted.

Agreed this letter be laid before the Board to decide as to a proper answer.

COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 11th NOVEMBER 1756.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Major James Killpatrick.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

Letter from Mr. Pt, Peasley, dated Chinsurah, the 1st instant, saying the news of
Siraj-ud-daulas victory is entirely false, and that he has suffered a slight defeat.

Letter from Mr. Baldrick, dated Chandernagore, the 29th ultimo, saying that Mir Jafar
has been defeated by the Purnea Nawabs brother, that Siraj-ud-daula has sunk his fleet of
boats, hut the Purnea Nawab is safe iu his capital.

Letter from Mr. Baldrick, dated the 7th instant, confirming the above account which he
thinks the more probable owing to the daily desertions of the Nawabs people, and saying that
Calcutta is weak owing to the despatch of troops to Budge Budge which they are fortifying,
and that there are a sloop and a brigantine off Tannah Fort.

Agreed to employ 14 reliable peons or liarkaras at 20 rupees a month, to advance them
120 rupees, and send three to the Purnea camp, two to Muxadabad, and one to Calcutta.

COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 13th NOVEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

William Watts.

Major James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

Letter from Mr. Peasley, dated the 8th instant, fo Major James Killpatrick, saying
he hears from the Dutch that the Nawab has returned to Muxadabad after defeating the
Purnea Nawab, that he has ordered magazines to be prepared at Triheni and Hugh as he
intends to march down, presumably towards Fulta.


7

Fag 37.

Page 39.

Page 40.

Pag 41.

Page 42,

Letter from the same, dated the 9th, saying* that the Nazcab has forbidden the Dutch
to assist the English in any way and that Khwaga TTajid has had a long conference with the
French Chief, whence it is supposed the French will assist the against us.

Letter from the same, dated the 6th instant, saying that guns and troops are being sent
to Budge Budge where they will make a stand.

Letter from Mr. Thomas Boddam, dated Bulramgurry, the 6th instant, saying he is in
quiet possession of that place, that he has engaged 150 Bag puts whom he will send up by the
Dragon, which ship he asks to be returned with a supply of ammunition, and that none of the
ships of the squadron have yet arrived in the Road.

Letter fr<>m Khwaja Wajid replying to the Majors letter of the 2nd instant, expressing
his attachment to us, and saying he has written to the Nawab regarding us and will write
further on receiving an answer from him.

COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 23rd NOVEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Major James Killpatrick.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

Becker. } ^absent order the Board>)'

Letter from Mr. Robert Peasley, dated Chinsurah, the 12th instant, mentioning their /)
uncertainty about the Nawabs motions arid intentions, and some reports concerning him and ((
the Nawab of Purnea.

Letter of intelligence to Mr. Holwell, dated the 16th instant, saying the bastions of the
fort at Calcutta have been mined, and that the two vessels at Taunah will be sunk in the
narrow channel of the river there.

Complimentary letter from Khwaja IPajid to the Major, saying he has written not only to
the Nawab, but also to Jagat Seat in our favour, and hopes soon to see everything accommo-
dated, but yesterday Radha Krishna brought a letter from Hazari Mai saying that Jagat SeaE
and Khwaja Wagid are entirely in different interests, and that the latters meddling hinders
the former from accomplishing anything.

Agreed the Major write to Jagat Seat, saying we depend on him only.

COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 2nd DECEMBER 1756.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Major James Killpatrick.

John Zephauiab Holwell.

Letter from Mr. Robert Peasley, dated the 23rd ultimo, saying they hear from Cossim-
bazar that the Nawab is at Muxadabad and his army at Rajmehal, that he is on bad terms
with his officers, and that at Calcutta every one supposes a treaty will be made with the
English.

Letter from Mr. Boddam, dated Bulramgurry, the 23rd instant, saying he wrote us the
day before by Balab Das Jemadar, whom he has sent with 61) Rajput Buxerries, that he has
30 more at Bulramgurry and has advanced money for 30 more, that the Faujdar is entirely in
our interests and has privately allowed him to enlist men, and when he met him at the French
Factory made strong professions of friendship and assured him of the attachment of his
father-in-law, Mirza Sallee, who is on good terms with the Mahrattas, and that he has
written to them both in our interest, also that AU Reza Khan, Mirza Sallees Bahhshi, had
offered to raise 1,000 gunmen for us.

Letter from Mr. Boddam and Mr. Playdell, dated the 24th ultimo, requesting that
Mr. Boddam may be allowed to come up with the fleet.

Agreed to send the following letters

Copy of letter to Messrs. Boddam and Playdell, acknowledging theirs of the 24th ultimo,
and forbidding Mr. Boddam to come up with the fleet.

Copy of letter to Mr. Bod dam, Chief at Balasore, instructing him to order the men he has
enlisted not to wait at Kidgeree for conveyance, to enlist more reliable men up to the number
of one thousand, and telling him to keep on good terms with Mirza Sallee, but to make no
alliances with him or the Mahrattas until he has been advised by us of the terms.

Letter to Mr. IK. Forth ordering him to proceed to Muxadabad to obtain intelligence.


8

Letter from Khwaja Wajid to the Major concerning a ship of his at Amsinabad (?) which
he wishes to despatch on a voyage, asking if lie can have a pass

Agreed to inform him we cannot grant a pass until matters are settled.

Page 14. COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 7th DECEMBER 1756.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Major James Killpatrick.

John Zephauiah Holwell.

I Letter from Mr. Forth to the Major, dated the 5th, saying he is ready to receive the
orders of the Committee, and that Mr. Bisdom has allowed him to go up and say he is in the
Dutch service.

Letter from Raja Manih Chand to the Major, asking us to credit the bearer Radha
Krishna; the latter says that the Nawab desires agents to be sent to him to discuss matters,
the Major being one, and will grant the necessary parwana.

Agreed we consult the Board.

Agreed Mr. Keir enclose duplicates of the Majors last two letters to Jagat Seat in the
following letter:

Page 44. Dopy of letter to Mr. William Forth, enclosing duplicate of ours of the 2nd instant, and

the duplicates above mentioned for delivery to Jagat Seat.

Page46. COMMITTEE HELD AT FULTA, 10th DECEMBER 1756.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Major James Killpatrick.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

Arrival of Balab Das Jamadar from below with 21 Buxerries.

News of the arrival of the Protector 1 at Kedgeree bringing word of the sailing of the
I squadron.

Agreed to write the following letter

Page 46. Copy of letter to Mr Thomas Boddam, Chief at Balasore, intimating arrival of Balab Das

Jamadar, and urging expedition in the despatch of further forces.

The Proceedings of the 16th and 20th December referred to in the Preface are missing,
but paragraph 6 of the General letter to the Court, dated the 31st January 1757, seems to
imply that the Select Committee now formed in consequence of receipt of the orders of the 11th
February 1756 had not yet formally commenced work, though it had been constituted as early
as the 16th December. The reason of this is not far to seek. On the 10th December the
refugees at Fulta received certain information of approacbiug relief. On the 15th December
Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive arrived at Fulta. From this date up to the 27th December
every one was occupied with preparations for the attack on Calcutta. On that date the fleet
started, and on the 2nd January 1757 Calcutta was recaptured.

1 The Protector, Captain England, was one of the Companys ships. She was ordered from Madras to
Bengal with reinforcements for Colonel Clive, sailing on the 29th October, 13 days after the Squadron
arrived 2 days before it. See Surgeon Ives' Voyage from England to I idia, page 97 (Published 1773).

G. I. C. P. 0.No. 994 H. D.23'3-1901.75J, E. F.

*


9

1757.

The next day (3rd January) Admiral Watson put Mr. Drake and the
former Members of Council in possession of the Government. In order to
strike terror into the Nawab it was determined to attach Hugli. The fleet left
Calcutta on the 4th January, arrived at Hugli on the 10th, captured it after
a short defence, and, having destroyed the granaries at Bandel and other places,
returned to Calcutta on the 19th.1

During this last expedition news arrived of the outbreak of war with
Prance, and the Select Committee was afraid lest the French, who had 300
Europeans and a train of field artillery at Chandernagore, should join the
Nawab. On this account they attempted to make peace with the Nawab
through the Seths at Muxadahad, hut the Nawab was so enraged at the attack
on Hugli that all the Seths could do was to instruct their Agent Fan jit Fai
to accompany the Nawab and correspond with the English. The Nawab imme-
diately marched against Calcutta and reached Hugli at the end of January,
when the Erench for some unknown reason refused him their assistance and
proposed a treaty of neutrality with the English. Clive distrusting this offer
tried to negotiate with the Nawab through Fanjit Fai and the Armenian
merchant Khwaja Petrus. The Nawab replied cordially hut undecidedly, and
on the 2nd Eehruary his army reached Calcutta, where their advanced guard
was beaten back by a detachment posted at Perrins Redoubt, and a cannonade
between the army and Clives troops followed. On the 3rd a letter was
received from the Naicab asking for deputies to be sent to him at Nawab-
ganj, and Messrs. Walsh and Scrafton were accordingly sent. With some
trouble they found his headquarters in Omichand's garden, where Fanjit Fai
introduced them to the Prime-Minister Fai Durlabh and he to the Nawab.
After an unsatisfactory interview they were warned by Omichand that the
Nawab was only waiting for his artillery, and that they were in danger. Accord-
ingly they escaped in the night, and Clive determined to attack in the morn-
ing. A confused battle followed without any decisive results, but the Nawab
was astonished at the temerity of the English and proposed a treaty, which was
concluded on the 9th and which is mentioned as follows in the Public Proceed-
ings of the 14th Pebruary: The Select Committee acquaint the Board that
a treaty of peace is made and concluded between the English and the Subah, the
articles whereof are now laid before the Board as are the agreement executed on
our part, and a parwana for the clearance of Ballasore Factory. Ordered the
articles of the Treaty and translate of the Agreement to be entered.

On the 11th the Nawab began his retreat, and on the 12th proposed an
alliance offensive and defensive against all enemies. These terms were accepted,
and the English tried to obtain the Nawab's permission to attack Chandernagore.
This he did not wish to allow, but as he did not positively refuse, Clive crossed the
river on the 18th with the intention of attacking the place. The intrigues of this
period may be followed from the Proceedings of the Select Committee.

1 The dates here given are taken from Orme.

660 H. D.




11

Page L

SELECT COMMITTEE, 21st FEBRUARY 1757.

Present :1 * *

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatricle.

Richard Becher.

Letter from Chandernagore, dated 19th instant, saying they are agreeable to a neutrality
within the Ganges if we are.

The Admiral, Colonel, and Major have been requested by the Nawab to leave the French
in peace under pain of his displeasure.

Agreed to write in reply that we are willing to accept a neutrality if the French will
send properly authorised deputies and if the treaty is guaranteed by the Nawab, also to write
to Mr. Watts about the matter, bidding him say only that the notorious ill-faith of the French
makes the Nawab9 s guarantee necessary.

Page 3.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th FEBRUARY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpafrick.

Richard Becher,

Letters from Mr. W. Watts, dated 21stand 22nd instant,saying that the NawabVzA sent
.for Cmichand and said that the English had broken the treaty, on which Omichand asked the
name of his informant, the Nawab then asked if there had ever been any fighting before
between Europeans and whether he was not bound to interfere, to which Cmichand replied
that the English were concerned at the honours unjustly conferred on the French by the
Nawab, though, unlike the English, they had never assisted the Nawab, they were also sur-
prised that the Nawab did not object to the approach of M. Bussy with a large force, that he
himself had lived forty years with English and had never been betrayed by them, upon this
the Nawab was pleased and countermanded his orders to Mir J afar to assist the French, and sent
word to Mr. Watts that the men sent to Hugli were only to garrison it and that the English
should not be molested, that on the evening of the 21st he went to the Nawabs camp and
was kindly received, and the Nawab offered him a sirpao, and to restore the Factory (agree-
ing that Jagat Seth should make it over and not Narain Sing), the Nawab asked and was
promised our friendship and assistance, and said that he had dismissed FLukm Beg for mis-
representing our affairs.

Letter from Chandernagore, dated 23rd instant, intimating that they had deputed Messrs.
Fournier, Nicolaas, and Le Conte^to us and the Admiral to treat about a neutrality; on their
attending the Committee they were asked whether the Director and Council at Chander-
nagore have power to conclude a neutrality which shall be binding on all Frenchmen
within the prescribed limits, whether they can restrain the ships of the French navy from
attacking us, how far they extend the limits of the Ganges, whether the Council will
immediately send one of their own body to the Darbar to get the Nawab9 s sanction, whether
they will, until this is obtained, refrain from fortifying their town ; to these questions they
asked time to reply in writing.

Page 8.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 26th FEBRUARY 1757.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrich.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of 25th instant.

Written reply of the French deputies received and ordered to be entered.

Letter from the French deputies asking what power we have to conclude a neutrality and
what guarantee that another admiral will be bound by Mr. Watson9 s engagements.

1 This list does not contain the name of PLolwell, though (see Public Proceedings, 16th December 1756)

he had been added to the Select Committee. He had suffered so much during the recent troubles that he

apparently broke down when Calcutta had been recovered. At any rate in the Public Proceedings of the 20th

January 1757 he was granted permission to return to Europe, and actually left for England on the sloop Syren,

which sailed early in February. It was on this ship that he wrote his celebrated account of the Black Hole.


12

Page 11.

Page 13.

Page 15.

Page 18.

Agreed to reply that we have received their answer to our questions except as to the
limits of the Ganges, and that the Select Committee considers itself fully empowered to
make such a treaty, that His Majesty's admirals have been ordered to take instructions
from the Company's agents at the different settlements, that we will ourselves protest against
any breach of the treaty, that as soon as it is concluded we will instruct Mr, Watts jointly
with Mr, Law to apply to the Nawab for a guarantee, that until this has been obtained the
French must stop all work on their fortifications, and that it is expedient that the treaty
shall be completed as soon as possible.

Letter from the French deputies, dated Calcutta Roads, 25th February 1757
{in French).

Translation of the above Stating, in reply to the queries of the Council, that all the
Councillors at Chandernagore are members of the Council at Pondicherry and hence are able to
conclude such a treaty, which moreover is conformable to the orders of the Nawab, that the
Council will order Mr, Law, foe French Chief at Cossimbazar, to obtain the Nawabs guarantee
if Mr, Watts will do the same on the part of the English, that as the English can only protest
if any of their commanders break the engagement so will the French, that they cannot suspend
the works at Chandernagore, these being absolutely necessary for defence in case of any revolution.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th FEBRUARY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President,

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 26th instaht.

Letter from Mr. W, Watts, dated the 25th instant, advising that in his of the 21st he had
said that the Nawab at the instigation of Manik Chand and Kliwaja IVajid had ordered Mir
J afar to march to the assistance of the French and was about to follow him with an army, but
had been dissuaded by Cmichand, that he had himself promised our assistance to the Nawab,
that Omichand has been to him to-day and assures him that no help will be given to the French,
and advises us to take the place immediately if we intend to do so as the Nawab cannot be
relied on and, as soon as our squadron goes, he will evade complying with his engagements, that
he can Ke moved only by fear, so, if we take Chandernagore, he will fulfil all his promises and
grant us further favours, that if we agree to a neutrality every artifice will be used to prevent
our getting what he has promised, that he will see the Nawab next evening and try and find
out the Nawabs intentions, and that we must be satisfied with the Nawabs tacit consent to
attack the French as he will never agree openly.

Letter from the French deputies with a draft of the treaty of neutrality. Ordered it to be
translated and the articles to be methodized.

Draft of proposed treaty :(1) Neutrality to be observed throughout Bengal during the
present war between England and France, (2) this neutrality to extend to Cape Palmyras,
(3) each party to send a copy in Persian to the Nawab who shall guarantee the treaty, (4) the
French will send a copy to Pondicherry to be ratified by the Commander-General of all the
French Settlements, (5) the English shall give in exchange a copy signed by Admiral Watson,
(6) until these have been exchanged no act of hostility shall be committed.



Page 20. SELECT COMMITTEE, 2nd MARCH 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President*

Robert Clive.

James Killpatriclc,

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 28th ultimo.

The Secretary presents the treaty which is explained to the French deputies. Agreed that
when it is executed on our part Major KillpatricJc shall take it to Chandernagore and exchange
it with the French.

Agreed to write to Admiral Watson sending a copy of the treaty, explaining our reasons,
asking his opinion and whether he will agree thereto on behalf of His Majesty and lodge with
us a confirmation of the treaty on his part.

Agreed to write to Madras by the Walpole informing them of the proposed treaty, that
11 as soon as it is concluded we shall send back Colonel Clive with part of the troops he brought


13

Page 22.

Page 27.

Page 29.

Page 33.

Page 36.

and that we hope that they will not detain the recruits and military stores destined for usi
also asking for a store of gunpowder as our mills have not been yet repaired.

Treaty drawn up between Roger Drake, President and Governor, and others of the
Select Committee (for affairs of the Honourable United East India Company of England)
in Bengal and Deter Renault, Esq., Director General and President in Chief of the Council
of Chandernagore for affairs of the Honourable East India Company of France, and others, the
Council there having agreed, etc., etc. Besides the 6 articles mentioned on page 18 it is also
proposed that neither party shall shelter deserters from the other, and that until Admiral
Watsons consent is received the Drench shall send no ships to sea from Chandernagore.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 4th MARCH 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.
dames Killpatrick.

Richard Decher.

Approved Proceedings of the 2nd instant.

Letter from Vice-Admiral Watson with his sentiments on the proposed treaty of
neutrality.

Agreed to request the Admiral either to reconsider his objections to the treaty or to
assist us with his squadron to attack Chandernagore without delay.

Letter from AdmiraV Watson, dated 3rd March, acknowledging our letter with the
proposed treaty, expressing an opinion that the treaty should not have effect until its
return ratified from Pondicherry, after which he (the Admiral) may be asked to observe the
neutrality, also remarking that the Nawab is not a proper person to guarantee the treaty, as
he has shown no intention of fulfilling the terms of the late peace, that he ought to be urged to
do this, and if he does not do so in a fixed time we should warn him that we shall consider
him an enemy, also enclosing the deputies answers to the articles.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 5th MARCH 1757.

Present :

{ V The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 4th instant.

Letter from Admiral Watson replying to ours of the 4th instant, repeating his belief that
no Frenchman in India has power to conclude a binding treaty and that therefore he cannot
consent to the treaty, also saying that he cannot break his engagements with the Nawab by
attacking Chandernagore until he has full assurance that the Nawab dogs not intend to carry
out his promises.

Mr. Decher proposed to remind the Admiral that the French deputies have already
informed him of the extent of their powers, and to ask him again to ratify the treaty.

Colonel Clive in consequence of the Admirals proceedings delivers in a letter.

Letter from the Select Committee of Bombay, dated 28th October, condoling with us on our
misfortunes and informing us they have sent us reinforcements under Captain Duchanan on
the Revenge, the ah moody, and the Orixa, which they hope we will return as soon as possible.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated 4th March 1757, saying that as the Admiral will neither
agree to a neutrality nor attack Chandernagore he is responsible for any miscarriage,
that he himself is urgently needed in Madras, that the negotiations with the French are
disgraceful if they are not intended to result in peace, that we must explain our ignorance of
the Admirals intention to refuse, that we may be sure that the French as soon as they hear
that we do not wish for peace will assist the Nawab against us, that the war will be mainly
on land, and that in the opinion of the officers of the land forces the chances of success
against both the Nawab and the French will be slight, and therefore the Admiral ought to be
requested again to reconsider his decision, and that as soon as Peace has been declared he
intends to return to Madras with all the forces that can be spared.

660 H. D.


Page 40,

Page 47.

14

SELECT COMMITTEE, 6th MARCH 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrich.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 5th instant.

Letter from J/r. William, Watts, dated the 3rd instant, intimating the NawaVs disposi-
tion in regard to our attacking Chandernagore and his request for our assistance against the
Pytans (Pathans).1

Colonel Clive presents a translation of a letter from the Nawab. As this letter shows
that we may possibly getthe Nawab's permission to attack the French if we make it
a condition of assisting him against the Pytans, the question of writing again to the
Admiral is raised. Mr. Becher is strongly in favour of establishing a neutrality and telling
the Admiral that the treaty was commenced with his consent and that he is responsible for
the results if he now refuses. Colonel Clive and Major Killpatrick are in favour of advancing
on Chandernagore on the chance of getting the Nawabs permission. The President thinks that
all the advantage of the neutrality will be with the French, that neither the French nor the
Nawab are to be trusted, that without the Admirals consent we cannot conclude a peace,
so, though we should wait for the Nawab's consent if obtainable, we should attack Chander-
nagore as soon as possible.1 2 3 * * 8 Agreed to postpone the treaty till we have tried again to get the
Nawab's consent and to write to the Admiral explaining why unless we get it the peace must
be ratified.

Letter from the Nawab to Colonel Clive, dated 4th March 1757, promising not to
assist the French but to stop their commerce if they create any disturbance, saying that the
troops sent to Hugh, when he heard of the Colonel's intention to attack Chandernagore,
were for the, protection of his own territories and not to assist the French, that he is glad
that the Colonel has desisted from his design, and that he has written to the French, urging
them to make peace, and asking for assistance against the King who is invading Bengal.

Page 49.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 12th MARCH 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrick.

Approved Proceedings of the 6th instant.

Three letters from Mr. Watts, dated the 6th, 7th, and 10th instant, the first advising that
if we carry out all our promises everything will be well, enclosing a copy of his letter to the
Nawab informing us that during the Holi no business will be attended to, that owing to
this, on his receipt of a letter from Messrs. Sumner and Waller, he not only could not get
a parwana but could not even get a letter written: the second informing us that the Factory
had that day been delivered over to him by the Nawab's officers; the third informing us
that he had seen the Nawab who had ordered Jagat Seth to pay him 40,000 gold
muliars, and had ordered the mutasaddis to make over the goods in their possession promptly
and his writers to prepare parwanas inconformity with the treaty, that the Nawab desires
we will in conformity with the farman purchase the 38 villages from the Zamindars, and
that if they fear the Nawab will object to their selling them Mr. Watts will get a letter
from him, that we may coin Siccas in Calcutta, that the Nawab swears he will fulfil every
point of the treaty, and that, though he cannot write so, we may attack the French, asking
for a particular account of thelosses, public and private, at the taking of Calcutta, saying that
Cmichand had told the Governor, the Colonel and himself that Bai Ranjit, the Wakil, expected
10 per cent, on the 3 lakhs obtained and they had consented as far as he remembers, if it was
not so he advises it should be paid as he is a very influential person.3

1 In Wilsons Glossary Pathan is given as the equivalent of Afghan, but chiefly used in Hindusthan

to designate adventurers of that nation or their descendants, who have colonised and settled in India, especially 4

in Rohilkhand. They were constantly at war with the Mughal Emperors of Delhi, and consequently with the
Nawahs of Oudh and Bengal who were dependants of the Emperors.

2 In his evidence before the Parliamentary Committee of 1772 (see page 147), Ford Clive said That the

Members of this Committee were TtZr. Drake, himself, Major Killpatrick wa&Mr. Becher :Mr. Becher gave
his opinion for a neutrality, Major Killpatrick for a neutrality ; his Lordship gave his opinion for the attack of
the place ; Mr. Drake gave an opinion that nobody could make anything of : Major Killpatrick then asked him

whether he thought the forces and squadron could attack Chandernagore and the Nabobs army at the same

time ?He said he thought they could ; upon which Major Killpatrick desired to withdraw his opinion, and

be of his Lordships.They voted Mr. Drakes no opinion at all ; and Major Killpatrick and he being the

majority, a letter was wrote to Admiral Watson, desiring him to co-operate in the attack on Chandernagore,

8 See General Letter from Court dated 3rd March 1758, paragraph 50.


15

Two letters from the Select Committee, Madras, dated 21st and 28th February,
acknowledging ours of the 8th, recapitulating their reasons for the powers 1 given to Colonel
Clive, saying that so far from being able to assist us further they have left themselves
unguarded, that they are not in a proper position to defendeven the Presidency, that
they hope the arrival of the Bombay troops will enable Colonel Clive to achieve such
a measure of success as to allow of the conclusion of a favourable treaty with the Nawab,
that they send us by the Sally and Betsy 400 sepoys, 400 barrels of gunpowder, etc.,
enclosing a letter for the President from the Secret Committee in London which they had
opened to ascertain the Committee's wishes about Captain Brohier, whom they have
retained, as it is impossible for us to undertake the fortifications at present, and inti-
mating that they have agreed with Captains Finley and Dogan, for 3,000 rupees each, to
carry down the troops and powder.

Duplicate of letter from the Select Committee, Bombay, dated 28th October 1756.

Letter from Admiral Watson, dated 7th instant, in reply to our former address,

Agreed to write to the Admiral giving reasons for our present intention to attack the
French and asking him to move up the river to assist us. An immediate reply received
and entered.

Page 55. Letter from Admiral Watson, dated 7th March 1757, acknowledging ours of the 6th
instant and saying he has received a letter of similar import from the Nawab, that he
has written urging him to give permission, and that as soon as it is obtained he is pre-
pared to attack the French, that on a previous occasion when he was on the point of attack-
ing Chandernagore he had desisted only upon the representation of the Committee, and that
as soon as he hears from the Nawab he will reply to what we say about the neutrality.

Page 57. Letter from Admiral Watson, dated the 12th March 1757, acknowledging ours of

same date, promising assistance and expressing his delight at having received His Majestys
declaration of war against France, and stating that he will move as soon as the pilots say
there is water for the big ships.1 2

Page 58.

the

his

SELECT COMMITTEE, 9th APRIL 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.
dames Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Three letters from J/r. W. Watts, dated Muxadabad, the 16th, 18th and 28th March,
first saying that the Nawab had sent troops and stores to the French, that he had paid
troops, and intended to march down himself, but had just received a letter from

Nandkumar 3 that Chandernagore would surrender as soon as the ships appeared, so had ordered
his troops to return and was very angry with Khwaja Wajid for making him think the
French were the stronger, enclosing form of a reply to two letters from the Nawab; the second
enclosing copies of tins NawaVs letters to the Admiral and the Colonel and remarking on the
state of affairs, saying he has received three lakhs but does not know what to do about Banjit
Bai's claim for 10 per cent, nor how to send down the money, that he is sending goods
daily to the Factory but another application will be necessary for the ready money taken at
Calcutta, the subordinates4 and the Aurungs, that he has received a general parwana for
trade and the special parwana for the Aurungs are being prepared, that he has got an
authoritative letter from the Nawab to Bamnarain 5 for our trade at Patna, that he is looking
out for people for the Mint and will get a parwana for the currency of our Siccas ; his
last letter advising that he has received Rs. 1,50,000 for the money taken at Cossimbazar
and Dacca, asking orders about the disposal of this money as he hears that a large body of
French have escaped northward from Chandernagore, saying that Mr. Law 0 has petitioned the
Nawab to entertain the French soldiery, that a servant of the Company is wanted to take charge
of the Dacca goods which have been made over to him, that he has been forced to employ
a wakil, and that he has absolutely failed to get back the cannon taken from Cossimbazar.

Letter to Colonel Clive from the Nawab about the delivery of the French subO^m^ates.

1 Clive was sent from Madras with powers independent of the Council at Fort William. At first the
Council were inclined to resent this ,but the difficulties of the times soon forced them to acquiesce willingly in
his leadership.

2 Clive summoned Chandernagore to surrender on the 13th March, and commenced hostilities on the 14th

The town, after a heroic defence, capitulated on the 23rd March. It was afterwards a matter of question

whether Clive could have taken the town without the assistance of the fleet.

8 Nandkumar was born about 1720, and in spite of his being a Brahman was in 1775 sentenced by the
Supreme Court to be hanged for forgery.

juie vvuii lu ue uaugeu lur xurgery. r-*

1 Subordinates, i. e., establishments subordinate to the Factories.*?
5 Baja Bamnarain was Deputy Governor of Bebar in the time of Mir Jafar and Mir ^Kasim. The
latter imprisoned him for embezzlement of the revenues, and in 1763 put him to death by drowning. He had
been a favourite of Lord Clive and a partisan of the English.

6 M. Law was the chief of the French Factory at Cossimbazar. He gave the English a great deal of
trouble before he was captured by Major Carnac at the battle of Gaya, 15th January 1761.



16

Page 64.

Page 65.

1

Page 68.

Agreed that the Nawabs demand is just, and even trifling in comparison with the advantage
which will be obtained from the total expulsion of the french, and that Colonel Clive write
to the Nawab agreeing to pay into his Treasury the duties formerly paid by the French so long
as they are kept out of the country, and their subordinates given into our hands, and also
to urge the Nawab to delay no longer in the fulfilment of his promise.

Admirals Watson and Pocock, Colonel Clive and Major Killpatrick a few days ago
wrote to us urging the destruction of Chandernagore,1 to which the Committee agreed and
also recommended the separation of the late Director and Council of Chandernagore to prevent
them from intriguing and assuming authority as representatives of the French East India
Company.

Agreed to apply to the Admiral to take under his care the prisoners taken at Pondi-
cherry who, at present, are subsisted at our charge.

Agreed that our powder be laden on board the Speedwell until the magaziues are ready,1 2 3 4 5

Letter from Admirals Watson and Pocock, R. Clive and J. Killpatrick, dated the 31st
March, shewing the necessity of destroying Chandernagore.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 23rd APRIL 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrick

Colonel Clive lays before the Committee an extract from a letter from Mr. Scrafton, dated
Muxadabad, the 20th April, reporting that the Nawab turned our Wakil out of his Darbar
and the latter heard him threaten to destroy the English, that Mir Jafar has been ordered
to march, and that the Nawab will follow, that Omichand has been sent for by J'agat Seth
who wishes us to set up Luttrie? in which case if we march north we shall be joined by a large
force, that Omichand has come back very glum from the Darbar, that this trouble has risen
from our frequent demands against the French, exaggerated by Manik Chand, that the Nawab
is now sorry for his temper, that forty Frenchmen have arrived from Chinsura, and news is
expected of a battle between the Nawab of Patna and a revolted Raja.

Agreed in consideration of the wavering disposition of the Nawab that Messrs. Watts
and Collet be ordered to send down the treasure at Cossimbazar at once, and that all subordi-
nates be ordered to send all goods and money as quickly as possible to Calcutta, and that
a person be sent to Cuttack to reside there and transmit us all the intelligence concerning
the French, the Mahrattas and Mirza Salleej to keep Harkaras and Kasids? to spare no
expense to obtain the best information about Bussys march, and to try and get Mirza Sallee
to oppose him and find out what the Mirza will ask for such a service. Agreed to recommend
the despatch of such a man to the Board 6 and to ask that the person sent as Chief to Patna
shall also procure the best intelligence regarding the Pytans {Pat bans).

As there is probability of war with the Nawab, agreed to ask Colonel Clive to sound the
great men at Court how they are disposed towards a Revolution.



SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th APRIL 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated from Camp, asking that Mr. Scrafton may remain at
Muxadabad to look after important business on which he wishes to employ him. Agreed that

1 The destruction of Chandernagore was the result partly of revenge for the behaviour of the French in
Madras (see letter to Court of Directors, dated 29th December 1759, para. 49) and partly of the timid plans of the
English who considered themselves too weak to hold Chandernagore as well as Calcutta, and feared that if it
were allowed to exist it would be seized by the Nawab and held as a strong position from which to threaten
Calcutta.

2 See Public Proceedings for 14th April 1757.

3 Broome calls him Yar Lutf Khan. Orme writes Yar Khan Latty.

4 The renter of the province of Orissa from the Mahrattas. (Orme.)

5 Both these words mean messenger or courier, hut the harkara was also one sent to obtain newsa spy.

6 See Public Proceedings 28th April 1757 s

The Select Committee lay before the Board parwanasior coining Siccas at Calcutta and for their
C urrency through the three Provinces, which they havereceived from Mr. Watts.

Ordered translates of them to be entered. They likewise inform the Board that they esteem jt very
necessary to keep a Resident at Cuttack during the war, and request the Council will confirm the appointment
of Mr. John Bristow at that place, who has lived sometime at Balasore, has some acquaintance with Mirza
SaUeet who bad invited him there to look after his family, and is by profession a Surgeon, whereby he will
possibly escape suspicion.

Agreed Mr. John Bristow he appointed the Companys Resident at Cuttack for the above mentioned
reasons, and that he be allowed a salary of 150 Rupees per month for his trouble and expenses.


17

Page 71.

'Page 73.

Page 73.

Page 76.

Page 79.

as this business is probably connected with the sounding of important men at Court about a
Revolution Mr. Scrafton may stay, but that Mr. Watts is the proper person to do this busi-
ness ; also agreed that no private correspondence should be carried on in affairs that relate to
the Company; agreed to write to the Colonel as above, to ask that all letters received from
Mr. Watts, the Nawab, etc., may be communicated to the Committee and answered with their
approbation, that we hope the expense on Batta will cease at the end of the month, there being
no further service for the troops in the field.

Letter from Admiral Watson replying to ours about the custody of the prisoners.

Letter from Mr. William Watts, dated the 23rd instant, enclosing copies of two parwanas
for the coining of Siccas and the currency of business, intimating that he has received various
sums on account of the losses at Calcutta, Cossimbazar, Dacca, and the Aurungs, and that as
affairs look doubtful he will send down everything he can to Calcutta.

Letter from Mr. Thomas Boddam, dated Balasore, the 14th instant, advising the arrival of
Lieutenant Young, the seizure of the French Factory, sloops, and pilots at Balasore, the
despatch of thyee^elephants with_ sir poos to Bussy by the jVasgflS, and that he has sent a
trustworthy person to C uttacPto perusesome letters sent for him by Mirza Sallee.

Letter from Admiral Watson, dated Calcutta, 16th April 1757, acknowledging ours of the
9th instant, declining to take the prisoners on board the squadron for fear of sickness,
saying that, though the Company is put to extra expense, the detention of the squadron is
also an expense to the ^Nation and therefore its charges should not be increased, but that when
he leaves the river he will take on board such prisoners as were taken in Fort dOrleans 1 at its
capture.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 1st MAY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 9th, 23rd, and 28th ultimo.

Letter from Mr. Watts, dated the 26th April, to Colonel Clive, enclosing duplicate of
his last, intimating that the Nawab will not leave the city, requesting that letters to
the Nawab may be sent only through him, intimating that Jagat Seth, Banjit Bai, Omichand
and others, all expect the Nawab will break his agreements at a favourable opportunity,
that at present he is fulfilling the terms of the treaty and that he is not bound to give up
tl^e French who have fled to him, still, knowizig him to be our enemy, we must be on guard,
that Mir Jafar told Petrus that the Nawab was generally disliked, that he himself feared
assassination, that the Nawab was only waiting for reinforcements to attack us, and that
he, Bahim Khan, Bai Burlabh, and Bahadur AU Khan were ready to join the English,
asking, if this is approved, to state what terms in land, money, and treaties will be wanted,
enclosing copy of two letters from Nand Kumar and Mathura Mai, the latter of which has
greatly enraged the Nawab, requesting that all appearance of hostile intentions shall be
concealed until the Companys goods and servants have been withdrawn from Cossimbazar and
the Aurungs, requesting to answer in cypher, and stating that the French have arrived at
Rajmehal on their way to Patna.

Letter from Mr. Watts to Colonel Clive, dated the 28th April, advising great
caution, and begging for an immediate answer to Mir J afars proposal, declaring that
he is under no personal apprehensions, and that if the Colonel will suspend his resentment
for a few days he will find everything properly arranged, that the Nawab is very uppish
owing to the retreat of the Pytans and other successes, that three-fourths of his army are
disloyal, that Mir Jafar is so strong that if we follow his advice we must be successful, and
recommending, as a blind to our plans, to talk of nothing but merchandise, and to press our
claims for the restitution of what Manik Chand took from Calcutta, also to order the army to
Calcutta keeping only a guard at Chandernagore.

Extract of letter from Mr. Scrafton to Colonel Clive, dated the 28th April, saying
the Nawab has again been put out of temper by hearing from Mathura Mai and Nand Kumar
that the Colonel is sending up men and ammunition, that he has grossly insulted 0midland,
has ordered Mir Jafar to march, and sent to recall Law, but that on the arrival of a letter
from the Colonel these orders were all countermanded.

Letters from Nand Kumar to the Nawab.

Letter from Mathura Mai to Babu Sahib.

The Committee then considered whether they could accept the offers of Mir Jafar and
decided that as the Nawab cannot be relied upon a revolution will be for the interest
of the Company, on the following grounds, (1) his dishonesty and insolence show that the
recently made treaty was concluded by him only to gain time, (2) the almost absolute

1 Fort dOrleans, or Fort Orleans was the name of the Fort at Chandernagore.

660 H. D.

z


IS



Pag 86,

Pag 88.

certainty of his intention to break the peace, as shewn by his intrigues with the French,
(3) the hatred felt for the Nawab by everybody makes it probable that there will be
a Revolution whether we interfere or not, and it would be a mistake not to assist his
probable successor and so obtain the exclusion of the French. Agreed therefore to assist
Mir Jafar, if he will properly remunerate us for the risk which we are running, and therefore
the following are our demands, (1) the confirmation of our Farman, the privilege of a mint,
and all other grants made by Siraj-ud-daula, (2) restitution for the losses in Calcutta, (3)
our bounds to extend from Surman's Garden 1 to the districts of Baranagore northward and
the Lake eastward, (4) liberty to fortify and garrison our Factory at Cossimbazar, (5) an
offensive and defensive alliance, the prohibition of the French from resettling their settle-
ments on condition that we pay the equivalent of their duties, (6) the Moors not to fortify
within 20 miles of the river from Hugli to Ingeli, (7) the revenues of a^ dhtrict^to be made
over to us Jor the maintenance of a European and Sepoy force for the support of the ~Subah,

(8) an English ambassador to reside at Muxadabad and be admitted to audience when Tie

pleases. Agreed that Colonel Clive transmit these terms to Mr. Watts and urge him to
expedition.

Letter from Colonel Clive in reply to ours of the 28th ultimo.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Camp near Chandernagore, 29th April 1757,
acknowledging receipt of ours of the 28th, expressing surprise at our objecting to his con-
ducting the correspondence in private, when we ourselves requested him to do so,
explaining that it is not possible to conduct such business by Europeans and that the cypher
correspondence is the most secret and expeditious method in certain cases, and lastly, showing
that the keeping of the troops in the field is not due to him.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 12th MAY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.
dames Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 1st instant.

Colonel Clive presents a letter from Mr. Watts, saying the messenger he sent to Mir dafar
did not leave Muxadabad till the 10th, that the Nawab will not withdraw his forces, that
Khwaja Wajid is in disgrace, that the Nawab has written to Bussy and counts on his speedy
arrival, that Law and his party have been stopped, and later on contradicting the news of
Bussy3 s coming, but saying the Nawab has supplied Law with money.

President presents a translation of a letter from the Razir of Ram Raja 1 2 to the
brother of Siraj, communicated to him by one Govind Bat. intimating that he, Bellenay Sri
Rajee Rai? is aware of the distresses,of the English, that he will send Sliamsher Khan 4 and
Raghoba, sons of Baji Rao, with assistance, will restore two fold the goods lost at Calcutta,
will expel the French, and will come to Juggernath as soon as he has made peace with or
conquered the Pytans, that in the meantime we should not make peace with the Nawab, but
communicate our requirements to Govind Rai.

Govind Rai being sent for and interrogated as to the strength of Baji Rao and what he
would want in return for his assistance reports that Shamsher Khan and Raghoba are at
Berhampur with 125,000 horse and Kawgar Khan at Gaya with 22,000, and that if we will
assist Baji Rao to conquer those provinces he will pay us twice our losses at Calcutta and
expel the French whom he hates.

It being doubtful whether this letter is not a trick devised by Manik Chand, decided to
send a cypher copy to Mr. Watts to try and find out whether the letter is real and Io shew to
Mir dafar as a proof of our loyalty, in the meantime our answer may be sent through our
Resident at Cuttack.

As regards the latter, the Committee considers the Mahratta Government the worst in the
world, hut that the possible failure of our alliance with Mir dafar makes it wise to maintain
friendly terms with the Mahrattas, and therefore decides neither to accept or refuse Raji Rao's
offer, but to say that at present there is peace and the rains are approaching, but that if the
Nawab fails to fulfill his promises we shall renew the war after the rains. The President
requested to write to the Mahratta General to this effect and open a correspondence with him
as it is likely to prove useful.

1 Surmans Gardens were cn the site of that part cf Calcutta now known as Hastings. This concession
gave the English Tollys Nullah as the southern boundary of Calcutta.

2 Ram Raja, adopted son of Sahji, succeeded him as Chief of the Mahrattas in 1749, He died
in 1777.

3 This name does not appear to correspond to any minister mentioned in Duffs History of the Mahrattas
unless to Balaji Baji Rao who became Peshwa in 1740.

4 Shamsher Khan, or Shamsher Bahadur and Raghunath Rao or Raghola were the younger brothers
of Dalaji Doji Rao. They were all sons of Ro/i Rao who was Peshwa from 1720 to 1740.


19

Page 93.

Page 93.

Page 97.

Page 103.

Page 105.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 17th MAY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 12th instant.

Letter from Mr. Watts to Colonel Clive, dated 14th May, informing us that he has
received a letter from Mr. Scrafton in which he writes that we have promised Cmichand
5 per cent, on whatever money he receives on the new contract, hut that he has not told him of
this, as he has certain proof that he has behaved with great treachery to our interests, and that
Mir Jafar holds the same opinion and is averse to including him in the new arrangement,
that he and Petrus have had an interview with Mir J afars confidant and have drawn up the
following articles which Mir Jafar is sure to accept, requesting that, if approved of, they may
be formally drawn up and sent back, also intimating that Mir Jafar wishes us to urge on the
Nawab the withdrawal of his troops as, so long as he is kept in the field, nothing can be done.

Articles proposed by Mr. Watts*.(1) Mir Jafar to confirm all grants made to the
English by the present Nawab, (2) Mir Jafar to make an alliance offensive and defensive with
the English; (3) the French and their Factories to be delivered up throughout Bengal and the
French not to be allowed to settle anywhere; (4) the Company to receive one kror of rupees
for their losses; (5 to 8) 105 lakhs to be paid to the Europeans, Armenians, Gentoos, and
Cmichand, on account of losses; (9) the English to receive all the land within the ditch in
Calcutta belonging to the Zamindars and 600 yards without the ditch all round; (10) a dis-
trict yielding 1,00,000 rupees yearly to be bought from the Zamindars, the Company to pay
the usual peshkash and the profits to go towards paying the English military; (11) Mir Jafar
to pay the extraordinary expenses of the Company's army when employed in his assistance

The Committee approve the first four and the 9th, 10th, and 11th articles, propose to
increase the amounts in the 5th, 6th, 7th, to omit the 8th altogether as Cmichand has behaved
so badly, and to add two additional articles, viz., the Moors not to fortify by the river side
below Hugli, and Mir Jafar to fulfil all the terms of the treaty within one month of his estab-
lishment as Nawab.

As Cmichand is a dangerous man and yet not likely to be of any use to us, decided to
deceive him by a double treaty 1 signed by Mir Jafar and us, one copy containing the article
concerning him and one without it, that this be explained to Mir Jafar by Mr. Scrafton who,
to gain his confidence, shall show him Baji Raos letter, and at the same time try to persuade
him of our moderation and good faith and obtain all possible securities from him.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 19th MAY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved proceedings of the 17th instant.

Letter from Colonel Clive enclosing the real and fictitious treaties, enclosing a letter
from Mr. Watts showing the necessity of despatch, and saying he proposes no alterations to
the articles except to leave it to his own discretion whether to ask for one kror or only
fifty lakhs, and to add an article binding Mir Jafar by the most solemn oaths to fulfil his
contract, and binding us to assist him with all our force to establish him in the Government.

Letter from Mr. Watts to the Colonel, dated the 16th instant, intimating that Mir Jafar
has sent a blank paper with his seal affixed for the articles to be written upon, and asking
for despatch.

Read, signed and returned the agreement sent us by Colonel Clive to be signed by us and
Admiral Watson.

Translation of the Treaty executed by Mir Jafar, dated 15th Ramzan, simply to the same
effect as Mr. Watts proposals as modified by the Council and Colonel Clive.

1 In his evidence before the Parliamentary Committee of 1772 (see page 149) Lord Clive said that ho
himself conceived the plan of the fictitious treaty, to which the Committee consented. He added he thought
it warrantable in such a case and would do it again a hundred times. The evidence as to Admiral Watson's
share is confusing. Most of the witnesses questioned on the point had not heard of his refusal to sign or
had heard that he gave permission to Mr. Lushing ton to use his name. Captain Brereton,\h&n. Lieutenant of
the Kent, on the other hand, said the Admiral always denied having ever authorized any one to sign for him.


20

Page 108,

Page 109.

Page 109.

Page 111.

Page 111.

Page 112.

Page 113.

Page 116.

Page 117.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 27th MAY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 19th instant.

Letter from Colonel Clive asking for a loan of a lakh of rupees to pay the troops, The
money applied for to the Board.

Ordered to be entered several letters from the Nawab and Mr. Waits sent us by Colonel
CUve so that the progress of the present undertaking may appear at large in our Proceedings/

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Chaudernagore, 26th May 1757, asking for a lakh of
rupees for his troops.

Letter from the Nawab to Colonel Clive dated 17th May, promising strict observance of
his promises'of friendship, intimating that Abdalix has retired to his own country and that the
Mahrattas are faithfully observing their treaty, and assuring him that his troops are at
Plassey and Daudpur only because they trouble the people when they are in the city, and
that the English may carry on their trade freely without any apprehensions of interference
from the soldiers.

Letter from Mr. Waits to Colonel Clive dated the 20th May, enclosing parwana from
the Nawab which shows that he will not withdraw his army, regretting that Omichands lie
about M. Pussy has served no purpose, and begging for despatch.

Letter from the Nawab to Colonel Clive dated 20th May, pointing out that his restoration
of property is a proof of his good faith.

Letter from the Nawab to Colonel Clive dated 21st May, saying that he has restored
all the Company's property excepting a little, but that Mr. Watts will not give him a dis*
charge in full, asking for such a discharge under the seal of the Company and the Council
and attested by the Admiral and himself.

Letter from Mr. Watts to Colonel Clive dated 23rd May, informing him that the
Nawab of Oudh, Suja-ud-daula, has an army under Muhammad Kuli Khan ready to assist
the Nawab, that Bussy has refused an offer of twenty lakhs to come to the Nawabs assist-
ance, and that he has, therefore, ordered Mr. Law to hold himself in readiness, and that
Khwaja Wajid has promised to get him a copy of the Nawabs letter to Mr. Law, that Mir J afar
is very anxious at getting no reply to his proposals, and that he is absolutely to be depended
on, requesting that no change in our plans may be decided on without previous communica-
tion with him, acknowledging the Colonel's letter of the 19th with the articles, stating that
he will decide how to treat Cmichand when he has consulted with Mir Jafars confidant, and
enclosing a copy of a letter from Omichand to Nanda Kumar which is a fresh proof of
Omichands treachery.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 3rd JUNE 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, Presidents
James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 27th ultimo.

Several letters from the Nawab, Mr. Watts and Mr. Scrafton to Colonel Clive.

Letter from Mr. Scrafton to Colonel Clive dated 25th May, informing him that
when near Mir Jafars camp he was stopped by a guard and forced to turn off to
Plassey, that he arrived at Muxadabad on the 23rd, that the Nawab had taken his letters in
an unexpected way, had summoned Mir J afar back, and offered to withdraw his army under
Bai Durlabh as soon as the Colonel assured him against treachery, and had already warned all
his commanders in the different territories against the Mahrattas, that to counterplot this
Mr. Watts intends to warn Mir Jafar not to return without his army, and that he himself
will try and get his letters from the Nawab tomorrow night, see Mir Jafar the next, settle
everything, and carry down the papers, that Mr. Watts will try to escape to Mir Jafars
camp, and that he hopes everything will be settled in five days by which time Mr. Cassells 1 2 3
party will have escaped from Cossimbazar.

1 Abdali or Alimad Shah Abdali, commonly called Shah. Durrani, wiva the son of an Afghan chief of
the tribe of Abdal. On the death of Nadir Shah he established a Kingdom at Kandahar and conquered Kabul,
Peshawar and Lahore. In 1748 he invaded Hindustan and fought the Moghul Army near Sirhind. The battle
was not decisive and he retreated to Kabul. In 1757 he again advanced as far as Agra and Delhi and then retreated
to Kandahar. In 1758 the Mahrattas had become so powerfulthat Najib'ud-daula, Chief of the Rohillas,
Suia-ud-daula, Nawab of Oudh, and many Hindu chiefs asked his assistance. Enraged at the Mahrattas who
had seized Lahore, he drove them before him to Delhi and finally decisively defeated them at Panipat in January
1761. After having caused the local chiefs to accept Shah Alam as Emperor of Hindustan, he returned to his
own country, where he died in 1772.

2 See Public Proceedings, 30th May 1757. Letter dated the 27th May, from the Gentlemen at Cossim-
bazar advising of their having despatched Lieutenant Cassells with all their military and 282 bales of Aurung
goods. His name is not given in Dodieell and Miles Army List. In fact these are the only occasions on which

his name is mentioned.


21

Page 118.

Pag 119,

Page 119.

Pag 120.

Pag 122.

Pag 122.

Pag 124.

Translation of letter from the Nawab to Colonel Clive, dated 27th May, saying that he
has been convinced by Mr. Scrafbon that mischievous people have tried to create trouble
between them, and that he has accordingly recalled his generals Dalab Ram,1 Mir Jafar and
Mir Madan,1 2 3 and asking the Colonel to carry out the treaty on his part.

Letter from Mr. Scrafbon to Colonel Clive, dated 3 1st May, saying he has seen (D),8
and expects his confidant with the articles the next day, when he will immediately set out,
and that (B) is with him,

Letter from Mr. Watts to Colonel Clive, dated 31st May, enclosing a note from Mir
JafarNr\j\^Mr.Scrafton^^v\^\^NQ carried, saying that Omar Beg4* has just left him,
promising that he will get the articles signed and delivered to the Colonel in a day or two,
that the delay, though Omichand will give a number of false reasons, is entirely due to Mir
Jafars fear of offending Bai Burlabh, who commands a large part of the army, if he con-
cludes the matter without consulting him.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 11th JUNE 1757,

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrick.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 3rd instant.

Four letters from Mr. Watts to Colonel Clive.

Mirza Omar Beg attends and delivers the articles of agreement on the part of Mir Jafar
duly executed. The Mirza made many protestations on the part of his master and withdrew.

Prompt action being considered wise, Major Killpatrick ordered to take up the troops at
Calcutta to join the Colonel, the latter being allowed absolute discretion after once starting.5 *

Copy of letter from Mr. Watts, to Colonel Clive, dated 6th June, intimating that Jagat
Seth has secured Latty and that Omiehand has been tampering with Bai Burlabh against the

Copy of letter from Mr. Watts, to Colonel Clive, dated 6tli June, saying he had paid a
secret visit to Mir Jafar when he signed the articles which Omar Beg was to bring down,
that Mir Jafar will betray the Nawab whether he goes to the field or remains in the city,
that as Omar Begs presence in Calcutta cannot be concealed it makes it necessary for him
to make his escape promptly, and he is only waiting orders.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 15th JUNE 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 11th instant.

Letter from the Select Committee, Madras, dated 27th ultimo, saying the French have
attacked Trichinopoly, to which place they have sent succours, and that their expense in
gunpowder is so great that they cannot spare us any, enclosing duplicate of their letter

1 i.e., Bai BurlabhSee first Report of the Select Committee, 1772, page 140, Evidence of Mr. John
Cooke. He was Diwan or treasurer and confidential minister to Siraj-ud-daula. He was also in command of a
part of the army. See below, and Orme 2,142.

2 Mir Madan {See Orme 2, 175) was mortally wounded by a oannon ball at Plassey. Orme says be was
the best and most faithful of Siraj-ud-daula's generals, and bis fall practically decided the battle in favour of
the English.

3 A note explains that (B) means Omichand, and (D) Mir Jajar.

4 This is probably the Mirza Emir Beg {see Seir Mutaqherin, Raymond's translation, 1, 721), into whose
hands some English ladies fell after the capture of Calcutta. He treated them honourably and restored them
unhurt to their husbands on board the ships in the River.

5 See Public Proceedings 13th June 1757 :

The Select Committee acquaint the Board that it has been judged necessary for our army to proceed
towards Cossimbazar upon a secret expedition, and that there is a supply of Rupees 50,000 wanting for the
expenses of the Camp, which they request the Board will advance the Commissary.

Agreed Mr. Thos. Bod dam, Commissary, be advanced that sum for the use of the Army and that he do
proceed with it himself to the Colonel"

660 H. D.


22

acknowledging ours o£ the 28th February and the 26th March and saying that they had hoped
that after we had made peace with the Nawab and secured ourselves from the French we would
have considered their necessities and returned their troops, that the French are now extremely
strong, asking us to reinforce them as soon as possible, intimating that their President has
received by the Prince Henri/ Packet a letter from the Secret Committee of the East India
Company partly relating to the stay of His Majestys Squadron in India which they enclose,
sending a copy to Admiral Watson and asking him to leave for our protection such ships as
are in a condition to remain, also enclosing copies of all the hasbulhukms they have, and
promising to send us powder speedily, and to send Captain Brohier on the Revenge.

Extract of letter from the Secret Committee in England to the President, Fort William
(? Fort St. George).

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated 14th instant, enclosing two letters from Mr. Watts,
dated the 11th instant.

Page 127.

Page 131,

Page 131.

Page 132.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 23rd JUNE 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Bee her.

Approved Proceedings.of the 15th instant.

Three letters from Colonel Clive, dated Patna,\ the 18th, 19th, 20th instant, the first
stating he has not yet met Mir J afar and is apprehensive of treachery, that spies have been
sent to Cutwa to see if the Fort is attemptable, and that Harkaras have brought news of the
movements of the Nawab and his chiefs; the second enclosing a letter from Mir Jafar which he
savs has not removed his apprehensions, saying that he has sent 700 Europeans and Sepoys to
attack Cutwa and intends to march the army there next day, that the Killadar has promised
to be our friend/' and that his intelligence of the smallness of the Nawabs force has been con-
firmed ; the third announcing the capture of Cutwa Town and Fort, but saying he fears that
either by treachery or excessive caution Mir Jafar will ruin the business, that he has threatened
not to cross the river if he does not come and join him, that he will not risk the loss of our
troops, that there is much grain there and that if he can secure 10,000 maunds he will be able
to hold our present position till the rains, which will so distress the Nawab that he will
consent to a firm peace, or allow us to bring in the Birbhum Raja, the Mahrattas, or Ghazi-
ud-din Khan, and asking our intentions.

Resolved that as the Committee thinks the Colonels fears are ungrounded, and that
any treaty now with the Nawab is impossible, he be instructed to force on a decisive engage-
ment if there is any prospect of success, also that as Bai Durlabh, Jagat Seth, etc., have joined
in this business as well as Mir Jafar we ought not to throw it over until we have proof that
they are all against us.,

SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th JUNE 1757.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 23rd instant.

Received the following letters and papers from Colonel Clive*.*

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Cutwa, 21st June, reporting that he has sent another
letter to Mir Jafar without receiving any reply, enclosing a copy of the conversation between

Jafar and the bearer, expressing doubts as to what he shall do, especially if Mir Jafar
decides to stand neuter, saying the Nawabs troops number about 8,000 only, that it will be
difficult to attack them and that a repulse will be fatal, though success will be of the
greatest advantage, that the Nawab is so frightened that it is possible he will grant an
advantageous peace, and we have also the expedient of calling in Ghazi-ud*din Khan or the
Mahrattas.

Reported conversation between Mimal Singh {Mr. Watts Jamadar, who was sent with
a letter from Omar Beg) and Jafar Ali, Mir an, and Kasim Ali Khan. The two latter
first asked what forces the English had and were told 12,000 men and 30 cannons. Then
they took him to Mir Jafar who said it was on account of the English their families were
surrounded and was told that the English were acting entirely on his account; he then said
he would stand neuter, but that if the English advanced the troops would run away. He was
then taken elsewhere where there were two other men and questioned and threatened by
Mir an.


23

Page 133.

Pago 134.

Page 136.

Page 136.

Pago 138.

Page 140.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Cutwa, 21st June, enclosing copies of two letters received
the previous evening, and the opinion of a court-martial (council-of-war) 1 called to decide the
question of attacking the Nawab without the assistance of some country power, and saying
that he is only awaiting some encouragement from Mir Jafar to proceed.

Letter from Mir Jafar to Colonel Clive, dated the 19th June, promising to communicate
more fully when he reaches camp, and advising caution.

The Committee, having consulted the admirals and such of the commanders of the
squadron as were on the spot, decided that the reported conversation probably took place in
the presence of spies and hence was unimportant, but the letter was satisfactory and therefore
resolved to so inform the Colonel, to refer him to our letter of the 23rd and to enforce its
purport as the only safe expedient.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 26th JUNE 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President,

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Received the following letter :

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Daudpur, 23rd June, reporting a battle at Plassey 1 2 and
the capture of the NawaUs camp, Mir Jafar, Rai Durlabh and Latty Khan remaining neuter,
that he is at Baud pur and about to march to Muxadabad. The Secretary ordered to wait
upon Admiral .Watson with this letter.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 29th JUNE 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 26th instant.

Three letters from Colonel Clire, dated the 24th, 25th, and 26th June, the first describing
the action, saying that Mir J afar has come in, and the principal Jamadar has promised that
the Nawab shall not escape, that he is on his march to the city to which the Nawab has fled;
the second saying he has received a letter from Mir Jafar intimating that Siraj-ud-daula has
fled, but is being pursued, and asking for Mr. Watts to be sent to consult with him, that he
has sent him and Mr. Walsh and expects an early report; the last enclosing a note from
Mir Jafar saying he has caught Mohan Lal and has sent in pursuit of the Nawab.

The Secretary ordered to wait upon the Admiral with these letters and a salute of 21
guns to be fired in honour of the change of Government.

Agreed to congratulate Colonel Clive and ask how Mir Jafar was proclaimed that this
may be done properly in Calcutta.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 2nd JULY 1757.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 29th ultimo.

Three letters from Colonel Clive, dated 26th, 27th, and 28th ultimo, the first asking for
Mr. Manningham to be sent to Muxadabad to attend to mercantile matters; the second acknow-
ledging receipt of ours of the 23rd, advising that he is going to the city to put a check on the
power of Rai Durlabh and to hasten the execution of the treaty, that he will see the Nawab
and Jagat Seth next day to consult on the establishment of the new Government, and that
he would have gone that day but Jagat Seth warned him that Rai Durlabh, who wished to
postpone the execution of the treaty and therefore pretended there were only 150 lakhs in the
Treasury, intended teachery to him.

Agreed to reply that Mr. Manningham will set out at once and act with him, and to
urge the speedy settlement of the arrangement for the .Companys trade.

1 In the Council-of-War, Lieutenant-Colonel Clive, Major Killpatrick, Captains Archibald Grant, Gaupp,
Rumbold, Fischer, Palmer, LeBeaume, Waggoner, Corneille, Jennings and Parshaw, and Captain-Lieutenant
Molitore voted against immediate action, whilst Major Eyre Coote, Captains Alexander Grant, Cudmore,
Armstrong, Muir, Campbell and Carstairs voted for immediate action. Of the former party only Fischer and
LeBeaume belonged to the Bengal service, one was a Dane, the other a Frenchman. Of the latter. Grant,
Cudmore, Muir and Carstairs belonged to Bengal, were English or Scotch, and knew both what kind of men they
had to fight with, and what kind of men they had to fight against.

2 The battle of Plassey was fought on the 23rd June.


24

Page 143.

Page 145.

Page 151.

Instructions to J/r. Manningham approved, signed, and entered.

Agreed to write to the Members of the Select Committee at Muxadabad to the same effect
and to refer them to instructions given to Jfr. Watts about certain other demands which will
be very advantageous to us but which must be put forward with great caution.

Agreed to send the Diligent Schooner home at once with the news of the Revolution.1

Agreed to inform the Board also of our reasons for sending J/r. Manningham to
Muxadabad.1 2 3

Copy of instructions to J/r. Manningham, dated Fort William, 2nd July 1757.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 6th JULY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 2nd instant.

Three letters from Colonel Clive, dated 30th June, 2nd and 4th instant, the first intimat-
ing his entrance into the city, his enthronement of J/zr 3afar, an interview with Jagat
Seth whom he has recommended to the Nawab as an adviser, the Nawab proposing that Jagat
Seth should mediate on money matters, the latter proposed we should take half our demand
now and the other half in three years which he considered a fair proposal, that to conciliate
Rai Lurlabh he has granted him a commission of 5 per cent, and to Jagat Seth the goods of the
French at their out-settlements to recoup him for losses at their hands of which the Company
will pay the balance, that Jagat Seth has promised to get the Nawab confirmed at Delhi and all
necessary farmans; the second acknowledging ours of the 29 th, and intimating that Mb J afar
is firmly settled, Siraj-ud-daula captured and on his way to the city, that they have already
embarked 75§ lakhs ; the last informing us that Siraj-ud-daula is dead.8

The Secretary ordered to wait upon the Admiral with the above letter.

In reference to the ColoneVs letter of the 30th, the Committee do not believe the Nawabs
Treasury is as empty as Rai Durlabh and Jagat Seth have represented to the Colonel, and they
do not approve of postponement of payment, accordingly they recommend to the gentlemen at
Muxadabad to urge immediate payment, and if that is impossible to ask for a guarantee from
Jagat Seth or the assignment of lands near Calcutta, also they cannot agree to the Colonels
gift of French property to Jagat Seth as by the previous treaty that has been left to the
disposal of the Admiral and the Nawab.

Agreed to send an account of these transactions to the Secret Committee in England, vid
Bombay.

Agreed to acquaint the Board that Colonel Clive has received 75 j 4 lakhs in part payment
and that our despatches for the Diligent will be ready next month.5 *

SELECT COMMITTEE, 14th JULY 1757.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 6th instant.

Two letters from the Select Committee at Madras, dated 16th and 29th June, the first
advising that the siege of Trichinopoly has been raised, that Injaram and Madapollam have
been lost, that the Grampus brings word of two French ships in the Strait of Sunda, but that
our homeward-bound China ship3 have escaped them, the other intimating that the French
army, returned from Trichinopoly, had marched out to Wandiwash, and that they had
strengthened their army as much as possible and were encamped near the enemy.

Approved the letter for the Select Committee in England.

Agreed to forward this letter to the Select Committee in Bombay for perusal and to
forward to England.

Agreed to write to the gentlemen at Muxadabad enclosing the above letter for them, if

1 See Public Proceedings of the 4th July 1757.

3 See Public Proceedings of the 4th July 1757.

3 Siraj-ud-daula fled by river to join Af. Law, but being forced to land near Rajmehal was discovered by
a Fakir whom he had once caused to be mutilated. The Fakir gave notice to Mir Laud, brother of Mir Jafar
and governor of the town, who arrested him and sent him to Murshidabad, where he was murdered the same
night, the 2nd July, by Mir Jafar s son Miran, a youth as cruel as himself. Broome gives the Fakirs name
as Lana Shah.

4 See Public Proceedings of the 11th July 1757. The Select Committee inform the Board that by

a letter from Colonel Clive 331 lakhs has been paid by Jaffar Ally Khan for the Company in part of the 6um to

he paid by his Treaty.

1 See Public Proceedings of the 11th July 1757-


25

they approve, to sign and forward through Jagat Seth by express Pattamar to Bombay, acknow-
ledging receipt of the treasure, and asking explanation of the parwana for the Mint.

Page 154.

Page 157.

Page 158.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS, 18th JULY 1757.

The Select Committee lay before the Board translate of the treaty with Jafar Ali Khan.
Ordered it to be entered. _____________

SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th JULY 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 14th instant.

Three letters from the gentlemen at Muxadabad, dated 13th, 15th and 16th instant, the
first acknowledging ours of the 4th and 5th, assuring us that they are hurrying on the execu-
tion of the treaty as much as possible, recommending J/r. Amyatt to be sent to Patna as Chief,
intimating that the Nawab agrees to our rebuilding and fortifying our Factory at Cossimbazar
and wishes us to build him a fort at Rajmehal, for which reasons they ask for Mr. Profiler to
be sent up to advise them, that Major Coote is at Rajmehal and Mr Maw at Bhagalpur $
the second saying they are strongly in favour of fortifying Cossimbazar, that they have bought
back from the merchants of Muxadabad 230 raaunds of raw silk, and that they are expect-
ing the sanad and parwanas for the currency of our trade; the third enclosing translation
of the sanad and advising a present to be made to the Nawab and his officers on the
conclusion of the Treaty?

The Secretary ordered to lay the above before the Board.

Letter from Colonel Clive asking a loan of one lakh of Arcot rupees for the troops,
the men objecting to take Siccas. Entered and an application made to the Board for the sum.

Agreed to inform the Board that a new and ample treaty is being prepared and to ask
them to examine the old treaties and suggest any improvements.1

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Muxadabad, 13th July, asking for a lakh of Arcot
rupees to be made over to Messrs. Amyatt, Clive and Maunsell, agents for the Army,

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS, 21st JULY 1757.

The Select Committee lay before the Board letters from the gentlemen at Muxadabad,
dated 13th, 15th, and 16th July, which being read, ordered they be entered after this consul-
tation. They likewise lay before the Board the translate of a Sanad obtained from the Nawab
for the currency of our business and money. Ordered it to be entered.

Letter, dated 18th July 1757, from Messrs. Robert Clive, William JPatls ani C. Man-
ningfiam to the Honourable Roger Drake, President, and Rickard Beefier, Esqr., member
of the Select Committee, acknowledging their letters of the 4th and 5th and the several
papers brought by _JZr. Manningham, and stating that they will try their best to have the treaty
executed as soon as possible to the best advantage, without exciting the jealousy or mistrust
of the Nawab whose Treasury will not admit of paying the whole at once, desiring that
public notice should be given to all the inhabitants to give in an estimate of their losses by
the capture of Calcutta, recommending that Mr. Peter Amyatt be sent to Patna where the
Company's trade and connections may, just at present, be of the utmost importance, desiring
that servants should at once be sent to all the other Factories, promising to send as soon as
possible parwanas for the currency of the Company's business at the Subordinates and aurungs,
asking to be supplied with copies of the farman, hasbulhukms, and grants, under the Delhi
Nazi's seal, enclosing two letters from Mr. Pearkes reporting the ruined state of Cossimbazar
Factory, and that the Nawab readily consents to rebuild and fortify these, or to make new
fortifications, requesting that Mr. Brohier may be immediately sent up to them to make
a fort for the Nawab who wants us to build one for him at Rajmehal aud to give an opinion as
to whether it will be better to rebuild the factory at Cossimbazar or choose another spot for
a fortification near the Capital, as the latter will keep up our influence at the Darbar, and free
Calcutta from any further alarms, informing us also that Major Coote has arrived at Rajmehal
and Monsr. Law is at Bhagalpur so that there are hopes of hearing shortly that Monsr. Law and
his party have come to terms or that an action has taken place with them.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 30th JULY 1757.
Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.
Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 20th instant.

660 II. D.

1 See Public Proceedings of the 25th J uly.


26

Page 159,

Page 162.

Page 163.

Page 168.

Three letters from Muxadabad, dated the 26th, 27th and 28th instant, the first repeat-
ing their request to us to send Mr, Br older, the others informing us they had sent our
advices to England via, Bombay with a letter of their own of which they send a copy.

Letter from Admiral Watson informing us he must withdraw his seamen from Chander-
nagore and asking us to send a garrison if we wish to suspend the demolition of the place
or to keep it for the Company. Ordered to be entered and the Board1 consulted as to what is
to be done in regard to Chandernagore.

Letter, dated 25th July, to the Honourable Secret Committee, from Messrs. Clive,
Watts and Manningham, at Muxadabad, enclosing the letter from the Select, Committee, in
Calcutta, enumerating the terms of the treaty with Mir Jafar, and explaining why they
have accepted payment of only half the sum stipulated, and congratulating the Company
on this successful event.

Letter, dated 30th July, from Admiral C. Watson, asking that a garrison may be sent to
relieve his seamen at Chandernagore.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 16th AUGUST 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 30th ultimo.

Letter, dated 3rd instant, from the Select Committee at Madras saying they cannot
reinforce Colonel Caillaud, and that unless they speedily receive reinforcements they will lose
the three provinces of Madura, Tinnevelly and Nellore, that they have ordered Colonel Clive
directly to Madras as Vizagapatam has been lost, and enclosing a paper brought by a Danish
ship to Tranquebar, regarding the state of affairs in Europe.

The euclosed paper entered.

Two letters from Mr. Paul Pic-hard Pearkes, dated Patna, 5th and 6th instant, reporting
his efforts to persuade the Nawab Suja-ud-daula to surrender Mr. Law*s party.

Agreed to write to Madras by the Mermaid Sloop, explaining how the necessities of the
Revolution have prevented us from returning any of their troops, referring them for details to
the enclosed letter to the Secret Committee in England, saying that after the rains we expect to
have to support the Nawab against his enemies in the north, sending them a copy of the
articles of surrender of Fort dOrleans, asking them to forward the packet for the Secret
Committee to England and informing them that we are sending copies by the Diligent and
the Marlborough.

Extract from a letter of the Rev. Mr. Antony Frederick Bushing, D.D., a Professor in
the Royal University at Gottingen, dated 14th October 1756, describing the war as one
between Protestants and Catholics, and rejoicing in the great success of the King of Prussia
in Saxony and Bohemia, and adding in a postcript that the Russians have joined the French
and Austrians.

The Danes report an English naval victory, but can give no details.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS, 16th AUGUST 1757.

Copy of letter, dated Muxadabad, 7th August 1757, from Pobert Clive to the Honour-
able Roger Drake and gentlemen of the Select Committee, requesting them to pay to Messrs.
Amyatt, Clive and Maunsell, Agents for the Army, the amount of Arcot Rs. 50,000 for
value received for disbursements on account of the troops from Fort St. George.

Copy of letter, dated Calcutta, 14th August 1757, from Pobert Clive to the Honourable
Roger Drake and. gentlemen of the Select Committee, requesting them to pay to Messrs.
Amyatt, Clive and Maunsell, Agents for the Army, the amount of Arcot Rs. 50,000 value
received for disbursements on account of the troops from Fort St. George.

1 See Public Proceedings 1st August 1757. The Board are unanimously of opinion that the Revenues
of that place (after deducting the ground-rent and other dutys usually paid by the French to the Government)
would by no means be adequate to the expense of maintaining a garrison there ; and as it is probable that we
should be obliged to restore it upon the conclusion of a Peace in case it then remained in our hands, we are
of opinion it would be most prudent to destroy the Fortifications and. Public Buildings immediately, and then
deliver up the Town to the Nawab who has engaged in his treaty not to suffer the French to settle any more
in his Subaship. Agreed we acquaint the gentlemen at Muxadabad of this resolution, and give them our
reasons for being desirous of having the works at Chandernagore demolished immediately.


27

PaS0 le9- SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th AUGUST 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 16th instant.

Agreed to write to the Secret Committee in England, enclosing copy of ours of the 14th
July, saying that nothing important has happened since then, that we expect trouble after the
rains with the Rawab of Oudh, who has sheltered the French and threatens to invade Bengal,
that Captain BroTiiers indent for military stores is in the packet to the Court of Directors,
asking that strict orders may be sent to Madras not to detain any of the stores, and intimating
that we expect the payment of the first moiety to be completed shortly, and that translates of
the general Sanad and the par w ana for the Mint have been iucluded in the packet to the
Courtin the latter the word Alinagar1 has been left out.

Page 171. SELECT COMMITTEE, 27th AUGUST 1757.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 20th instant.

Two letters from the Select Committee, Bombay, dated 1st June and 17th July, the first
acknowledging ours of the 7th January and a packet for the Secret Committee in England sent
them from Madras, saying they had anticipated our request for reinforcements, and congratu-
lating us on the successful peace; the other requesting the return of their forces and saying
they had received notice from the Secret Committee in England of the despatch of a squadron,
and also believed that Admiral ZFwould be ordered to stay in these parts.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 12th instant, saying they had
received intelligence of the despatch of a squadron from England, but that Colonel Adlercron
had been ordered to return with his regiment and therefore asking for the return of as many
troops as possible with Colonel Clive, also saying that Colonel Adlercron had communicated
his orders to Admiral TTatson and asked him to call at Madras for his men.

Letter from Major Killpatrick, dated Saidabad,1 2 3 the 23rd instant, saying that he and Mr.
Watts had visited the Nawab and at his request had recalled Colonel Coote from Patna as the
Nawab thought his presence might give umbrage to Ramnarain.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS, 12th SEPTEMBER 1757.

Letter dated 1st September 1757 from Major Killpatriek asking permission to resign the
Artillery Company, on the ground that it ought to be established on the footing of the Regu-
lations in the Kings Service or the orders last received from the Compauy.

Major Killpatrick had already in a letter dated the 27th March applied for leave to go to
England. (See Public Proceedings, 31st March.)

Page 174. SELECT COMMITTEE, 14th SEPTEMBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 27th ultimo.

As the Squadron has been ordered away at such a critical time, agreed to ask' Admiral
Pocock to send to Bengal, for refreshment, all the ships expected from Europe which are not
forced to go to Bombay for repairs.

1 Orme says that Alinagore or Port of God was the name given by Siraj-nd-daula to Calcutta after he
had captured that place. Alinagar means the City of Ali, not the City of God, which would be Allahnagar.
When the English had recovered the town it becamea point of honour on the Nawabs part to continue the use
of the name he Had imposed, and ou the part of the English to return to the old name.

2 The Armenians formed a permanent settlement at Sydabad, the commercial suburb of Murshidabad, by

virtue of a royal far man issued in 1665 by Aurungzeb, the Mogal Emperor of Delhi . . . The only traces

now left of that once flourishing community are the Armenian Church and a number of tombstones with
Armenian inscriptions. Seth. History of the Armenians in India, page 35.



28

Page 175.

Page 175.

Page 178.

Page 180.

Page 182.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 19th SEPTEMBER 1757.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James KillpatricJc.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 14th instant.

Letter from Captain William James to the President, dated the Revenge, Ingelie, 17th
September, informing us of his arrival, having been despatched to join the Admiral with news
of the arrival of a French fleet at Poudicherry, and of the arrival of certain English ships for
China.

Resolved to wait for further information but to advise the Board to delay the despatch of
the Marlborough.

Letter from Admiral Pocock, dated 15th, in reply to our last, saying that he cannot now
decide about the disposition of the squadron.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 23rd SEPTEMBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 19th instant.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 9th September, confirming arrival
of the French fleet at Pondicherry but giving no details of its force, enclosing a copy of theirs
of the 8th instant, giving an extract from the Company's General Letter of the 29th December
relative to the preparations at Brest against the East Indies, advising that the recruits arrived
are only about 400 men, and as they will be very inferior to the enemy in number, they
trust we will return them as many men as can be prudently spared.

Letter received from Admiral Pococlc approving of our design to freight the Restitution
to convey the French gentlemen from Chandernagore to the Coast.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 27th SEPTEMBER 1757.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James Killpatrick.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 23rd instant.

Agreed to write to the Committee at Madras, acknowledging receipt of theirs of the

8th, regretting our inability to return any of their troops, saying that owing to the arrival of
the French fleet the Board consider it necessary to send all the inhabitants of Chandernagore
to the Coast, that this will be done by the Restitution, and asking them to settle a cartel with
the French at Pondicherry for that ship to prevent her seizure or detention.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 6th OCTOBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

James KillpatrickJ
Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 27th ultimo.

Letter from Mr. Paul Richard PearJces dated 25th ultimo, informing us that he hears
schemes are on foot at Patna to cut off Mir J afar and set up another Nawab.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras dated the 15th September, informing us that
the French Squadron had landed from 12 to 15 hundred men at Pondicherry, that it is evident

1 Major Killpatrick departed this life of a fever on the 15th instant at 9 p.m. Public Proceedings,
17th October 1757.


29

that the French intend to make a prodigious effort, that J/r. Wynch1 wrote on the 11th that
six ships had sailed northward.

Letter from the Select Committee at Bombay, dated the 9th September, enclosing a copy
of their last, aud requesting attention to their request for the return of the reinforcements
sent to us by them.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS, 10th OCTOBER 1757.

C( Having advanced the Navy and Army their money partly in consequence of the Nawabs
letter promising a punctual compliance with the terms of the treaty, the President and Mem-
bers of the Select Committee are requested to write the Nawab a letter and inform him of our
having made that advance from a dependence on his word and promise.

P£?ge 184. SELECT COMMITTEE, 18 th OCTOBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 6th instant.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated the 15th instant, at the French Gardens,1 2 enclosing one
from the Nawab, asking for assistance, in accordance with which he had ordered the officer at
Saidabad to hold himself in readiness, and Mr, Scrafton to demand money from the Nawab for
expenses. Translate of letter entered, and the Board warned that the troops will have to take
the field.

Page 185.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 27th OCTOBER 1757.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President,

Charles Manningham.

Richard B cher.

Approved Proceedings of the 18th instant.

Letters, dated the 20th and 2??rd instant from Dacca, the first informing us of the receipt
of a letter from their Nawab warning them of a plot by Amant Khan 3 to seize the kila, that the
latter and his friends had been confined, but the Nawabs force there was so small that there
was great danger of such an attempt being successful, especially if assisted by the French at
Chittagong, and asking for a guard of 50 or 60 sepoys; the second saying that the Nawab had
discovered that most of his own soldiers were engaged in the plot and had requested a guard
of Buxerries which they had given.

The Presidents despatch of a company of sepoys to their assistance approved and the
President requested to inform the Nawab and Bai Durlabh immediately.

Page 187.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 8th NOVEMBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Beeher,

Approved Proceedings of the 27th ultimo.

Three letters from Colonel Clive, dated the French Gardens the 4th, 6th and 7th instant,
the first informing us that from Mr. 8 craft ons letters it is evident that the Nawab, as his
Government gets more and more settled, gets less and less willing to pay the remaining half
of the money promised in the Treaty, that we should therefore take possession of the lands
and secure the remainder of the debt by getting the District of Burdwan made over to us, also
enclosing letters from Bamnarain,, the Nawab and Captain Grant*, the second enclosing one
from Mr. Scrafton shewing the necessity of our troops taking the field and asking us to order
Captain Muir to hold the garrison of Calcutta in readiness to march at a moments notice, the
third enclosing one from the Nawab promising to pay the money for the troops as soon as the
Colonel arrives in Muxadabad.

1 Mr. Alexander Wynch was on the Madras Council (Madras Consultations, 11th December 1752) and was
temporary Governor of Fort St. David, when that town was captured by the French in June 1758. See Orme
Vol. II, page 313.

2 These were at Ghyretty, a little south of Chandernagore on the west bank of the Hughli. (See Star or i-
nus, Vol. I, Chap. V.)

3 Amani Khan was the son of Sarfaraz Khan, Nawab of Bengal, who, in 1740, was killed and succeeded
by AlMiwardi Khan, the grandfather of Siraj-u d-d aula. He was tempted to this exploit by the fact that the
Governor of Dacca appointed by Mir Jafar was very poor, and was so distressed by his masters requisitions
for money that he could keep up a garrison of only 200 men. See Orme Vol. II, page 271.

660 H. D.



SO

Agreed to defer the question of seizing the lands to the 12th and to ask Colonel Clive and
Jfz. Watts to attend.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS, 7th NOVEMBER 1757.

The Fanny Snow being ready to proceed to sea and a proper vessel to be employed as
a packet. Ordered Captain Hague1 to follow the Select Committees directions/'

GENERAL LETTER FROM COURT, 11th NOVEMBER 1757.1 2

Para. 49. It being necessary in the present situation that there should be a Select Committee
to transact affairs with the Country Government, and other matters which require secrecy, we
do hereby direct that the following persons be a Select Committee accoidingly, viz.:

William Watts, Esq.

Charles Manning ham, Esq.

Richard Becher, Esq.

John Zephaniah Holwell, Esq.

Major James Killpatrick, when Military Affairs are under con-
sideration and then only,

Para. 50. Mr. Watts, Mr. Manningham, Mr. Beefier and Mr. Holwell are to preside
alternately in the said Committee for four months, in the same manner as before directed with
respect to the Council.

Para. 51. The Committee is to consist of four persons only except when Military Affairs
are under consideration, then it will be five by the addition of the Major as mentioned above.

Para. 52. The Select Committee are to proceed upon the plan of our General Letter of the
11th February 1756, but they are to observe that the principal objects of their business are
to be the transacting and negotiating matters with the European and Indian Powers^ so far as
secrecy is absolutely necessary and not otherwise, also the concerting the necessary plans and
measures for military operations to be laid before the President and Council for their deter-
mination and ordering them to be carried into execution, if approved of, that Committee will
easily judge of such, whereof the nature and circumstances require secrecy and that, they
should not be immediately made public, in such the yare to use their discretion and reserve
as a part of their province as a Select Committee, and correspond with our Secret Committee
accordingly thereupon, in general nothing is to be concealed from the President and Council,
but what in its nature and circumstances ought to be really secret, and might be prejudicial
to the Company if discovered for a time at least, in consequence whatever matters and transac-
tions are not of a secret nature must, stand upon your Consultations, and be advised to us in
your General Letters and the rest must be communicated by the Select Committee to our Secret
Committee.

Page 189.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 12tii NOVEMBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Robert Clive.

William Watts.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 8th instant..

Letter from the Chief at Gombroon 3 acknowledging receipt of our packet which he had
forwarded to Bussora.

Letter from the Resident at Bussora, dated 2nd September, advising receipt of our packet
for the Secret Committee which he has forwarded to His Majesty's Consul at Aleppo.

Agreed that the Colonel should march northward with the army and should try to settle
the quarrels of the Nawab with Ramnaiain and Rajaram amicably, thate if our troops are to
be employed in Purnea the Nawab must pay the expenses and batta of th troops, and that an
account of our expenses should be kept.

Agreed it will be more prudent to defer the seizure of thel ands until we have tried
whether the Nawab will make them over regularly, that the Colonel shall use his influence in
the Larbar to get this done and the remainder of the debt paid or a mortgage given us.

Mr. Watts being, about to return to Muxadabad agreed that he shall try to persuade the
Nawab to the same effect, point out the disobedience shown to his orders by bis officers and

1 It was Captain Thomas Hague who commanded the Companys ship, Prince George, which grounded
while falling down the river from Perrins Redoubt, and so cut off the last chance of retreat for Holwell and
his companions in the Fort. See John Cooke's evidence, First Report of the Select Committee, 1772, page 143.

Holwell in his letter dated Muxadabad, 17th July 1756, to the President of the Council at Bombay calls the
ship Saint George.'9 $

2 This letter was received in Calcutta on the 20th June 1758 in the Companys ship Hardwick.

3 Now known as Bundar Abbas. The English settled here in 1613, the Dutch in 1620.

*


31

advise their punishment, also to ask that Jagat Seth may he ordered to fourth-sun Siccas
to give currency to ours.

Secretary ordered to draw up Mr. Watts instructions and a permit to attend the Nawab
northward if necessary.

Secretary ordered to ask Captain Webb to land an officer and thirty men from the Warwick
for land service according to Charter party.

The Military Store-keeper ordered to buy gunpowder for the army and garrison.

Agreed that Mr, William Frankland make an enquiry into the extent, nature and
revenues of the lands we are to receive, and report to the Committee, and that he sit as
a Member of this Committee when the lands are under discussion. Secretary ordered to inform
him of this order.

Agreed to write to Madras informing them of the state of affairs and asking for reinforce-
ments in men and stores.

Agreed to write to Colonel Forde to come and take charge of the garrison as Major
Killpatricks death leaves no one to succeed Colonel Clive in case of accident.

Agreed to write to Colonel Adlervr on to allow Colonel Forde to come here if he chooses,
and, as his regiment is going home, to allow any of his men who are willing to take service
with us.

Agreed to send copies of the above under cover to Mr. Spencer at Anjengo for despatch to
Madras.

Agreed to write to the Select Committee at Bombay asking for reinforcement and stores.

Page 195.

Page 197.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 15th NOVEMBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Decher.

Approved Proceedings of the 12th instant.

Approved and signed instructions to Mr. Watts, and letter to the Select Committee
at Madras, to Colonel Adlercron, to Lieutenant-Colonel Forde, to the Select Committee at Bom-
bay, and to Mr. John Spencer, Chief at Anjengo.

Letter from Mr. Bristow, dated Cuttack, the 5th instant, reporting a revolution in the
Government of that city. Transmitted to the Colonel.

Letter from Colonel Clive, enclosing one for Admiral Pocock to ask that the Kings
troops may march on the present expedition, and asking us to support this application.
The Admiral written to and the necessary orders issued by him. The Admirals letter sent
to the Colonel,

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated the 14th instant, enclosing three letters from Mr.
Scrafton, asking that Captain Brohier may be ordered to send up the battering cannon and the
transporting carnage at once. Secretary ordered to instruct Captain Brohier accordingly.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 18th NOVEMBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake> President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Bee her.

Approved Proceedings of the 15th instant.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated the French Gardens, 17th instant, saying the troops
left on the 15th and that he follows them to-day, reminding us of the necessity of landing the
30 sailors from the Warwick, saying that Mr. Scrafton3s letter does not confirm the report of
Suja-ud-daulas march .to j oin Ramnarain, the only difficulty now is to reconcile the latter
and other great men to the Nawab and he hopes to do this at Muxadabad, also that if foreign
enemies can be kept out of the country there is a great chance of securing the Company's
acquisitions and the remainder of the debt.

Secretary ordered to write peremptorily to Captain Webb to land the men. Captain We bb
landed all the men who were well but no persuasions would induce them to serve. Agreed
write to the Colonel that he must not depend on them.

to

Pago 199a

SELECT COMMITTEE, 30th NOVEMBER 1757.
Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 18th instant.


32

Letter from Colonel Clive dated the 27th, acknowledging ours of the 13th, saying1 that
he thinks Captain Webb has behaved badly, that he hopes we will persist in persuading the
men to serve, that nothing of importance has happened since he left Calcutta, that the
Purnea rebels 1 are strong and the Rawabs affairs so critical as to cause him to look on us with
much respect, thus increasing our chance of getting in our arrears, that he hopes to join the
Hawab shortly at Rajmehal. Captain Webb being again asked to persuade his men to serve
says that through sickness and desertion he is unable to do anything and that he has already
used every persuasion in vain.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 8th DECEMBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake^ President,

Charles Manningham,

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 30th ultimo.

Two letters from Colonel Clive, the Erst, dated Saidabad, 24th ultimo, asking to send up
the battering cannon at once as the Purnea rebels are very strongly entrenched and that he
proposes to join the Nawab as soon as possible; the other dated Aurungabad, 1st instant,
announcing his arrival there and his intention to march the next morning.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 20th October, reporting the
arrival of His Majesty's Ship Queenborough with a packet from Commodore Stevens for
Admiral Watson, that she left the former with four ships at Madagascar on the 13th
August whence they were to sail in a day or two to Bombay, saving they have already
informed us of the orders received from England about Colonel Adlercrons regiment, that
about 350 of the men have enlisted for service with the Company, that Colonel Adlercron
asks for a passage to England for the rest, and they accordingly send a copy of the Company's
letter to their Presidency containing directions on this subject.

Enclosed in above a copy of letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 18th
October, acknowledging ours of the 13th August and 27th September, congratulating us on
our successes, informing us of the capture of Chittaput by the enemy, of the increasing
strength of the latter, trusting we will send them all the reinforcements possible, and saying
they have given to Captain Towley a letter for the Secret Committee in England.

Captain Brohier informs us the battering cannon were sent some days ago. Agreed to
write to Colonel Clive, acknowledging his of the 27th ultimo and 1st instant, expressing our
pleasure at the prospect of the Nawab fulfilling the treaty and our opinion that he should take
advantage of this crisis to force him to do so, asking him to assist Watts in obtaining
payment of the debt or the mortgage of some Rajdari, and informing him that Captain
Webb is actually unable to supply the sailors, that Admiral Stevens has arrived at Madagascar
and has sailed for Bombay, and that we forward to him copies of the Company's letters to the
Select Committee at Madras about Colonel Adlercrons regiment.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 19th DECEMBER 1757.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Brake, President,

Charles Hanning ham.

Richard Becher,

Approved Proceedings of the 8th instant.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras dated 4th October, giving a list cf the forces
which the French declare are intended for India, and further details of their force and move-
ments in Madras, and informing us that Captain Webb in the Warwick called at Tranquehar,
hut learning of the proximity of the French had put off without communicating with any of
the English Settlements.

Letter from Hr, Watts, dated the 6th instant near Rajmehal, saying he found it neces-
sary to accompany the army so as to he near the Nawab, that he hoped to enter upon business
with the Nawab the next day, and to ask not only for the debt but for the first half of the
annual agreement.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated the 9th instant, saying the approach of our army and
that of Kadm Husain Khan had put an end to the Purnea rebellion, that he and the Nawab
will march to Patna in a few days, and that there is no news from the north.

1 Mir Jafar in defiance of his promise had appointed one of his relations, Kadm Husain Khan, Fouzdar
of Purneah, in place of Hazir Ali Khan, who by the ability of his Diwan Vkil Singh, had driven out the
Governor appointed by Siraj-ud-daula. ks Mir J afar y&A attention to Hazir A lis remonstrances the
latter rebelled. On the approach of Clive the rebels dispersed and their leaders were taken prisoners.


33

Letter from Mr, Play dell, dated Balasore, the 12 th instant, informing us that the
Mahratta Faujdar insisted on the customary present so that the Companys dastak was
of no value, and asking for a force to be sent him to resist the Faujdar.

Agreed the list of the French forces sent us by the Select Committee at Madras be
entered.

The President informs us that the French prisoners in the Jail have escaped but are being1
pursued.

Agreed to write to Colonel Cline that it will be imprudent to remove the army far from
Calcutta after the departure of the Squadron, asking him to proceed no further than is
absolutely necessary and if possible to come back to Calcutta or at any rate to Cossimbazar.

Agreed to write to Peter Renault, Fsq., asking him to have 30 or 40 persons ready to
proceed to the Coast by the Warwick and Drake, and informing him that any who wish can
go to Pondicherry by Danish or other foreign vessels.

Page 208. Liste de Vaisseaux de Guerre Franjais armes pour PIndes sous les ordres de J/. DAcke,
Lieutenant-General.

Page 209. Liste de la premiere Escadre* partie en novembre 1756, arrivee a Pondicherry le 8me
septembre 1757, commande par M, Bouvet, Chef d'Escadre.

Page 210. SELECT COMMITTEE, 26th DECEMBER 1757.

Present;

Tke Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningkam,

Rickard Bechtr.

Approved Proceedings of the 19th instant.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated the 19th December, acknowledging ours of the 8th,
informing us that he had refused the Nawab to march north until he had received the pane an a
for the Calcutta lands, the payment of the money due last October, and security for the pay-
ment of the debt, that he has received the jwrwoa and made it over to Mr, Watts, that he
advises our taking immediate possession, also that the Nawab has promised to settle the other
demands on the arrival of Rai Durlabk,

Letter from Mr. Watts, dated 18th December, saying he has received the parwana of
which he sends a copy, that the original will be sent to Mr. Scrafton to get copies made
under the Nazis seal, advising us to take immediate possession, and saying that he will try to
get another parwana for the lands within the Mahratta Ditch and for 600 yards round it,
these being entirely given up to us, and an order on several Zamindars of Provinces to pay
up the remainder of the debt.

Ordered copy of the pamana to be translated and entered.

1 On the 18th December, the whole party, 90 in number, made their escape, and crossing the river

sought shelter in the Dutch and Danish Factories atChinsurah and rear Hughli. A month alterwaids, 15

were taken near Midnapore, and in the March following 30 more were apprehended atCuttack, on their way to

join M. Bussy," Broome, page 193.






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Page 1.

35

SELECT COMMITTEE, 4th JANUARY 1758.

PRESENT:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 26th ultimo.

Letter from Colonel Clive and Mr, Watts, dated near Rajmehal, 22nd ultimo, informing
us that when they applied to the Nawab for the parwana of the lands he requested that
Mirza Sallee should not be deprived of his ancestral lands, but that we would take their
equivalent near Calcutta or elsewhere, to which they agreed.

Letter from Mr. Scrafton, dated Moradbagh, 31st December, enclosing the original
parwana for the lands.

Having enquired into the character of Mirza Sallee's lands near Calcutta, decided that
their possession is absolutely necessary for the development of the town and the interests of
the Company, accordingly agreed to write to the Nawab, Colonel Clive and Mr. Watts to
persuade the Nawab not to listen to Mirza Sallee's representations.

Agreed to write to the Select Committee at Madras, acknowledging theirs of the 18th and
20th October, saying that we hope to enlist most of Colonel Adlererons1 regiment, but their
number is much diminished, and, therefore, we hope no recruits will be detained at the Coast,
that the rebellion mentioned in ours of the 13th November has come to an end, that the
Nawab is going to Patna to settle that Province and reconcile himself with Ramnarain, the
Nawab of that city.

The original sanad being received, agreed that Mr. Frankland survey the lands and
take possession of them.

Agreed the President prepare a letter for the Secret Committee in England to be sent
by the Marlborough.

Page 5.

Page 8,

SELECT COMMITTEE, 11th JANUARY 1758.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 4th instant.

Letter from Mr. Watts, dated Camp near Rajmehal, 29th ultimo, informing us that the
original parwana was sent to J/ir. Watts by Mr. Maunsell2 to forward to us after haviug had
copies made under the Nazi's seal at Muxadabad.

Letter from Messrs. Clive and Watts, dated Camp near Rajmehal, 29th ultimo, saying
they hoped Mr. Scrafton had already received 7 lakhs on account of the first payment of
the Nawabs debt.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Rajmehal, 31st December, acknowledging ours of the
19th, saying he has heard from Mr. Pocock of his intention to leave the river in a few days,
that without foreknowledge it is impossible to say whether the steps we take will or will not
be beneficial to the Company, that if we send a force to Patna with the Rawab, we may expose
ourselves to an attack from the French, and if we refuse, we lose our influence with him, that
he has promised the Nawab to go with him on his paying the remainder of his debt, that the
orders on Burdwan, Nadiya, Hugli and Injellie will be issued shortly, and the half year's
payment will also be made in a few days, that Ramnarain having demanded his safe conduct
he has with the Nawabs consent given it, and he hopes that in this way the matter may be
settled without the Army's advancing further than Teliagarhi,3 which will rid us of any fear
of a French attack and save the Nawab great expense.

Letter prepared by the President for the Secret Committee approved and signed.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 24th JANUARY 1758.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 11th instant.

Letter from Messrs. Clive and Watts, dated Colgong, the 9th instant, advising receipt

1 This was the 49th regiment. It landed in Madras, in 1754, 700 strong. (See Orme I. 371.)

2 Mr. Maunsell was sent from Madras as an Assistant to Messrs Smith and Walsh when they accom-
panied Colonel Clive to Bengal. See Madras Consultation, 20th September 1756.

3 A pass in the Santhal Parganas, lying between the Rajmehal Hills on the south and the Ganges on the
north. Formerly of great strategic importance, as commanding the Military approaches to Bengal Proper.
The ruins of a large stone fort still exist, through which the East Indian Railway passes. Imperial Gazetteer
of India.

855 H. D.


36

from the Naivab of strongly-worded parwanas to the Rajas of Bard wan and Nadiya and the
Fauj&ars of Hugh and Injellie for the payment of the remainder of his debt, enclosing copies
and saying the originals will be sent by the first safe conveyance.

Letter from the same, dated Colgong, the 12th instant, saying the parwanas have been
sent to If/. Scrafton to get six copies made with the Kozis seal, and to forward the originals to us.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Colgong, the 12th instant, saying he has heard from the
Nawab that Ramnarain has refused to accept any accommodation or trust his person to the
Nawab except on condition that he will recall his two brothers from Patna, send him
3,000 horse to assist in collecting the revenue, and allow him to appoint a Faujdar of Shahabad
and that the Nawab will return with his army to Muxadabad, but that having heard from
Ramnarain to the contrary effect, he does not know what to believe, only that the affair is
urgent, also urging on us the necessity of greater despatch iu completing the fortifications of
Calcutta.

Letter to the Secret Committee prepared for despatch by the Warwick presented to the
Committee, approved and signed.

Agreed to write to the Select Committee at Madras, intimating the arrival of the Grantham
and Elizabeth, informing them that we hear from the Secret Committee in England that the
French are fitting out a squadron and land forces to attack Bengal, that Admiral Pocock is about
to leave the river in a few days, that we have written to Lieutenant-Colonel Forde to take charge
of the garrison, and asking, if he has set out for England or declines coming, to send Captain
Cadliaudj informing them that several gentlemen prisoners from Chandanagore are being sent by
the Drake and Warwick to Madras, whom they are requested to despatch to Pondicherry, and
lastly that the Nawab has been confirmed from Delhi and great honours bestowed upon Colonel
Clive* 2 3 and J/r. Watts.

Agreed to reply to the letters received from Messrs. Clive and Watts, intimating our satis-
faction at the Nawabs behaviour in regard to the payments, that Mr. Frankland has started
to take possession of the lands, that we send a statement of the Revenues credited to the King
which may be settled with the Nawab, that we are proceeding vigorously with the fortifica-
tions, that Admiral Pocock starts to-morrow, which will leave Calcutta in a very weak condition
necessitating Colonel Clives speedy return, and justifying our asking the Nawab to keep 12
or 15,000 gunmen and horsemen at Hugli for our assistance, if attacked, and to order all
Zamindars to the southward of Hugli as far as Balasore to give no assistance to the French

Page 13.

Page 15,

SELECT COMMITTEE, 4th FEBRUARY 1753.

Present:

The Honourable Roger brake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 21th ultimo.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated 18th ultimo, saying the intelligence of Ramnarain was
contradicted by the Nawab himself, that he had received a letter from Ramnarain saying he
would set out on his way to the Nawab on the 17th, and that the Sunder Raja* had also
written, so that it appears likely that all Behar will be settled, that the reports about Ram-
narain had caused him to make some long marches which may hasten the arrival of Ram*
narain and his own return to Calcutta, that Mr. Pearkes has reported an extraordinary insult
from Rhwaja Ashraf, which the Nawab has promised to punish, that as it is time for the Madras
sepoys to return he intends sending Lieutenant Flaction 4 into the Bhojpur 5 country to enlist
1,000 men.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Haibatgunj (?) informing us of the arrival of Ramnarain^
who will shortly visit the Nawab, when he hopes that everything will be settled.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 18th FEBRUARY 1758.

Present:

The Honourable Roger brake, President.

Charles Mannrngham,

Rickard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 4th instant.

Letter from Mr. Scrafton, dated Moradbagh, the 14th instant, intimating that Rai

* Orme spells the name in this way, but Broome spells it Caillaud, as it generally appears in the
Public Proceedings and Letters to Court.

2 Clive was constantly referred to in native correspondence by the title of Sabit Jang Bahadur or the
Firm in War. His full title from Delhi was Flower of the Empire, Defender of the Country, the Brave, the
Firm in War.

3 Possibly Sundar Singh, a petty Raja whose possessions lay between Bihar and Birbhum. See Orme, II.

281.

4 I cannot identify this officer, but in General Letter to Court, 14th February 1763, paragraph 40, it is
stated that an officer named Francis Flaction has been given a commission. A certain Caesar Flaction is
also sriven an ensigncy.

5 Iu Shahabad District.


37

thirlabhs brother had heard from Hyderabad that Salabat Jangs brother with the assistance
of the Malirattas had defeated and captured Jf. Bussy, and that it is reported in the city that
the Rawab is dead.

Letter from Mr. Scrafton, of the same date, saying that from captured letters it appeared
that the Nawabs intention to assassinate Ramnarain having failed, the troops of the latter
and Rai Durlabh fell upon the forces of the Natoab and Sunder Singli and murdered the Nawab,
and asking for a force of sepoys, and if possible of Europeans, to protect the treasure and
preserve order in the city until the Government is settled.

Letter from Mr, Scrafton, dated the 13th [? 15th] instant, saying there is no further
news from the north, that the young Rawab is collecting his forces and that everything is in
confusion.

In consequence of the above, ordered Captain Gatipp1 to send 50 Europeans and a com-
pany of sepoys to Muxadabad.

Agreed to write to Mr. Scrafton to send down at once all the money in his possession
and to keep us fully informed by express messenger. Letter signed and despatched to
arrive in 30 hours.

Half-an-hour after despatch of the above received a letter from Mr, Scrafton, dated
the 16th, saying he had heard from the Chhota Nawab that the report of the Nawabs death
was absolutely false, that the army was at Hulberry (?) and everything quiet.

Captain Gaupp sent for and ordered to send only 50 topasses1 2 to Mr, Scrafton,

Ordered Dak Kasids to be fixed at the different stages between Calcutta and Muxada-
bad.

Letter from Colonel Clive) dated the 7th instant, saying that Ramnarain has been well
received by the Nawab, in spite of which he thinks the Nawab intends to bestow Bihar on
his brother (? son-in-law) Mir Kasim in defiance of his promise, that Mr, Watts had gone to
the Nawab to learn his intention, that the army had marched to the north of Patna and is

c encamped in a position secure from treachery.

Letter from Mr, Robert Gregory 3 4 sending a recital of a conversation between him and
Omichand, Ordered to be entered and a copy sent to Messrs, Clive and Wafts,

Agreed to write to Messrs. Clive and TFatts acknowledging receipt of the above letter,
forwarding a duplicate of ours of the 28th ultimo, repeating our request for the speedy
return of the army, intimating to them the arrival at Tellichery of the Company's ships for
Bombay, and that it is certain there is a large French force at sea, and therefore it is necessary
to concentrate our forces.

The squadron having left the river and the southern monsoon being near, when it will
be practicable for the enemy to attack, the Secretary ordered to cause the Master Attendant
to send for some country commanders and pilots, and consult them. Tne Master Atten-
dants report delivered in on the 20th instant and laid before the Committee for their approba-
tion.

Page 20. Letter from Robert Gregory dated 16th February 1758 (the contents certified as true

by Messrs. Richard Court, George Gray, Anselm Beaumont, and John Adams) reporting a con-
versation with Otnichand, who wished to recover by a process at law the 20 lakhs promised him
at the late revolution, and said that Mir Jafar, a mere soldier, was unfit to govern, and that
a proper representation at Delhi would cause his dethronement.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 22nd FEBRUARY 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manning ham *

Riehard Becher,

Approved Proceedings of the 18th instant.

Letter from J/r. Luke Scrafton, dated the 18th instant, enclosing one from Mr, Courtin, *
who offers to surrender himself and party, saying he has therefore asked the Nawab to order
Mir Kasim to suspend hostilities, and asking us to send him powers to treat with Mr.
Courtin.

1 Captain F. Gaupp was in command of one of the three companies of the Madras European Battalion,
which formed part of Clive s relieving force. See Broome, page 78.

2 From Portuguese Topaz, perhaps from Hind. Topi, a hat. Originally a Christian sprung from a Portu-
guese father and native mother in the South of India. The Company at first largely employed these men as
soldiers, especially in the artillery.

3 Mr. Robert Gregory's signature is appended to a petition, dated the 15th December 1757^ for the estab-
lishment of a corps of volunteers to be named *' The Patriot Band.*

4 Mr. Courtin was chief of the French Factory at Dacca. After the battle of Plassey he was joined by

X French fugitives from all directions until he had a party of some 60 men. After ths most desperate efforts to

escape and constant conflicts with the natives, he surrendered at Dinajpur to an officer sent by the English.
See Orme, II. 285.


38

Page 27.

Page 30,

Three letters from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 17th, 17th, and 26th
January, the first two acknowledging triplicate of ours of the 15th November, informing us
that the Hunter Schooner was there having spoken the Grantham and the Elizabeth, that
they persuade themselves we are sensible of the enemy's superiority and of their own efforts
to assist us, that Mr. Bigot had arranged with 2M. De Leyrit1 for the safe conduct of the
Restitution with the French prisoners to Pondicherry, but they had heard from Masulipatam
that the French gentlemen 1 2 had seized the ship and carried her to that port, when, upon JIAr.
Bigots demand for her restoration, she had been ordered to Pondicherry for investigation into
the matter, for which purpose the written engagements entered into by the French gentlemen
will have to be produced, enclosing duplicate of a letter from Mr. Bigot to Mr. Drake sent
by Pattamar 3 on the 3rd December, saying that they have allowed Colonel Forde to come to
Bengal which he will do by the Sally ; the third acknowledging ours of the 4th January, say-
ing that they have heard from Bombay of the safe arrival of the Company's ships Hawke*
Latham, York and Lord Anson, that owing to their weakness they consider it proper that
on the arrival of the Coast and Bay ships some of our troops should be sent to their assistance
and sending a message from Commodore Stevens for Admiral PocQck*

Ordered Mr. Pigots letter to Mr. Drake to be entered.

Letter from Colonel Lawrence, dated 17th January, recommending Captain Caillaud to be
made our Major if Colonel Forde refuses. Agreed to write to Messrs. Clive and Watts the
intelligence received from the Coast and of the arrival of Colonel Forde on the Sally.
Agreed to write to Mr. Scrafton enclosing a letter to JAr. Courtin accepting his surrender, and
authorising Mr. Scrafton to obtain a parwana for his coming to Calcutta without molestation.
The President desired to prepare a letter for the Secret Committee to be forwarded by the
Elizabeth.

Letter from Mr. George Pigot to the President, dated Fort St. George, 3rd December
1757, reporting the arrival at Bombay of His Majestys ships Elizabeth* Yarmouth*
Weymouth, and Newcastle, under Commodore Stevens, saying he has received a copy of a
letter from Mr. Secretary James to the Governor at Bombay, advising the sailing of the Itches-
ter, Grantham, Worcester* Fox, and Elizabeth with instructions to get to Bengal as best they
can, instructing them to advise Madras to this effect, and that instructions have been given to
Fort William to send all necessaries to Madras, hoping therefore that these ships have arrived,
and asking that this news may be communicated to the Admiral, hoping that this will allow of
reinforcements and stores being sent to Madras as the French have been greatly strength-
ened and expect more men, and lastly informing him that Colonel Adlercron and those men
who had not enlisted have embarked on the Norfolk, Princess Augusta and the Prince Henry*
leaving about 350 men with them.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 24th FEBRUARY 1758.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher>

.Approved Proceedings of the 22nd instant.

Two letters from Mr. Play dell at Balasore, dated the 17th and 18th February, the first
saying that 100 men have been sent after the French prisoners who had escaped from
Calcutta and gone to the southward, the second saying that they had caught twelve and
were pursuing the rest.

Letter from Mr. Scrafton, dated the Great Ramna, the 22nd instant, acknowledging ours
of the 18th, saying that since the departure of Rai Durlabh the seals are seldom opened,
hence the Companys and all other business is at a standstill, that with difficulty he
persuaded the Nawab to open them the previous night, that the parwanas for Berhampore and
for the Company to coin 2,50,000 Rupees in the Dacca Mint have been sealed, and that as soon
as he returns he will despatch all the money received on account of the Company and private
sufferers.

Letter from Colonel Forde, asking £5,000 down with all the honours, pay and emolu-
ments for quitting the Kings servioe and taking service with us as our Major.

Agreed Colonel Fordes letter be submitted to the Board.4

1 M. Duval de Leyrit assumed the Governorship of Pondicherry on the 25th March 1755.

2 No guard was sent with them, the crew consisting entirely of Lascars, with only three Englishmen on
hoard, the Captain and his two Mates. But scarcely had the vessel got to sea, when this party, unmindful of
every feeling of honour, rose upon the crew, and carried the ship into Alasulipatam, where they declared them-
selves free and the vessel a lawful prize. Rroome, Bengal Army, page 184.

3 Or Pat'imar (1) a foot-runner, a courier, (2) a kind of lateen-rigged ship, common on the West Coast.
Probably from the Konkani path-mar courier. Yule and Burnell, Glossary of Anglo-Indian Words.

4 The Board granted him £5,000 down, which was ultimately paid by the Nawab, a seat on the Board as
third in Council, Counsellors allowances, £250 per annum Military allowance, and the charge of one of the
Companies of Foot. These were the honours and emoluments annexed to the Majority of Fort William. See
Letter to Court, 31st December 1758, paragraphs 129 and 130.


39

Captain Brohier having approved of the report presented by the Master Attendant,
pilots and commanders, the Secretary ordered to direct Captains Brohier and Wedderburn to
take measures immediately and to deliver to Council an indent of the stores, etc., needed
for the fireboats.

Master Attendant ordered to remove the necessary buoys, to black the Pagoda at Injellie
and to keep but one sloop at a time in the roads.

Page 32. Letter from Colonel Francis Forde, dated Calcutta, the 23rd February, announcing his

arrival and asking £5,000 as compensation for quitting the Kings service.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th FEBRUARY 1758.

Present:

The Honourable Roger Brahe, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Colonel Fordes letter considered. Decided by a majority that his request is unprece-
dented. Agreed to write to him that we do not think there is any danger of His Majesty
being displeased with him for taking service with us, or of his losing his rank, and that we can
assure him of the rank, honours, emoluments, and allowances as our Major, if he thinks proper
to remain with us.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 2nd MARCH 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Brahe, President.

Charles Manningliam%

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 24th and 25th ultimo.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Patna, the 15th February, informing us that the result
of Mr. Watts9 visit to the Nawab was that Ramnarain is to be confirmed as Governor of
Patna, and that, in conformity with the request of the Chief and Council at Patna, he has
asked the Nawab for a parwana for the exclusive purchase of saltpetre.

Messrs. Boddam and Wedderburn present a copy of their letter to Mr. Bisdom.

Letters and proceedings to be sent to England by the Flizabeth signed.

Letter from the Honourable Adrian Bisdom, Directore, dated Chinsurah, the 1st instant,
saying he has consulted the Committee on the matter referred to by Messrs. Boddam and
Wedderburn} aud they ask to be excused from committing any breach of neutrality such as
we request.

Agreed to write to Mr. Bisdom that we regret they cannot assist us in preserving these
provinces from trouble, and that we hope they will allow us to insist on none of their sloops
remaining in Balasore roads till the season for their ships arrives, and in the meantime one
or two of their pilots may go on board our sloop or our pilots will bring up any Dutch ships.
Secretary ordered to inform the Master Attendant as above and to direct him to order our
pilots to cause the Dutch sloops to leave the roads by fair means or by force.

Commanding Officer of the garrison ordered to stop the Dutch sloops in their passage
down the river.

GENERAL LETTER FROM COURT, 3rd MARCH 1758/

Para. 36. If it is possible to come to an agreement with the Dutch so that there should be
but one purchaser for saltpetre either at Patna, Calcutta or elsewhere, it would be attended with
considerable advantage to them as well as this Company, but then this Agreement must be
settled between the Presidencies and at the same time conducted with great Secrecy. Your
Select Committee are therefore hereby directed to sound and treat with a Committee of the
Dutch Presidency at Hughly upon this point aud report at a proper time their Proceedings
to you as a Board in order for your determination and final directions/

Para. 50. Upon the Select Committees Minutes, under date of the 12th of March, we find a
letter there taken notice of from Mr. Watts, that Cmichund had mentioned to the Governour,
Colonel Clive and himself, that Roy Runget acting as Vackeel in getting the three lack of
rupees (towards indemnifying the Company) expected the same allowance of ten per cent, as
they used to get on payment of all money to the Nabob, which, if he remembers right, was
assented to, however lest he should be mistaken he requested immediate directions. This
being the last minute in the Book, the Resolution thereupon does not appear, but we have
taken notice of it on purpose to acquaint you that if this claim has been complied with in its
full extent, it is a further mark of your lavishing the Companys money in a very extraordi-
nary degree.

1 The letters from Court, dated 3rd, 8th aud 23rd March and 11th April, were despatched by the Warren
and London and arrived in Calcutta shortly before the 31st December 1758, see General Letter to Court of
that date.

855 H, D,


40

GENERAL LETTER FROM COURT, 8th MARCH 1758.

Para. 5. Colonel Clive as Governour is on course to be added to the Select Committee
appointed by our letter of the 11th of November, of which be is to be the Chief and constant
presiding Member."

Para. 6. In case Colonel Clive shall be desirous of returning to England and accordingly
leaves India or of his decease, then the rotation of the four gentlemen who are to preside alter-
nately as President and Governour and in the Select Committee is immediately to take place in
the manner mentioned and directed in our said General Letter of the 11th of November. 1

Para. 7. You will observe in the 134th paragraph of our Letter of the 3rd instant that
the Four Gentlemen there mentioned are to be allowed during the time that each of them shall
preside as Governour and President Two Thousand Current Rupees per Month for a table
and all other allowances whatsoever as Governour and President, this is to be understood as an
allowance during their said Presiding only and not to be paid them so long as Colonel Clive
continues the Governor and President.

Page 37.

Page 41.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th MARCH 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham*

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 2nd instant.

Two letters from J/r. Playdell, dated Balasore, the 14th and 15th March, the first
asking for 15 or 20 Europeans to defend a fascine battery at the point of the Sand, and the
latter informing us of the imprisonment of 30 French prisoners at Cuttack by the Govern-
ment there and his precautions to prevent 50 more from passing Balasore.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 20th February, with 50 barrels of
gunpowder.

Letter from Messrs. Clive and Watts, dated Pockypore (? Bankipur), the 6th instant,
acknowledging ours of the 28th January and the 21st February, informing us that the Nawab
has at last consented to make Ramnarain Nawab of Patna and so secured all Bihar to the
English interest, that a parwana is being drawn out for the exclusive purchase of saltpetre, that
they think we are wrong in wishing the Nawab to have a large force at Hugli to assist us as
this will be a confession of weakness, that Mir Jafar has already forgotten his obligations to
the English and such an application will cause him to refuse to fulfil the treaty, that they
think it is not wise to let the province know our apprehensions of the French, and that nearly
1,000 good sepoys have been raised, and they recommend us to purchase as many fire-arms as
possible.

Agreed to write by the Company's ships, Boscawen, Grantham and Fox, to the Select
Committee at Madras acknowledging receipt of theirs of the 17th and 26 th January and the 20th
February with fifty barrels of powder, saying that we cannot send them any of the European
recruits of this season, asking for more powder and large shot, and saying that we think the
seizure of the ship Restitution by the French is a breach of the law of nations, and therefore
hope M. Be Leyrit will deliver her up when he knows the circumstances.

Agreed to write to Admiral Pocock congratulating him on his arrival at the Coast, and
sayiug that the only event of importance since his departure is the confirmation of Ramnarain^
that M. Courtin and a small party of Frenchmen have surrendered as prisoners of war, that
from his knowledge of Bengal and his interest in it we hope be will watch the French and
come to our relief in case of any necessity.

GENERAL LETTER FROM COURT, 23rd MARCH 1758.

Para. 6. Colonel Clive as President or the President for the time being is in course to
be of the Select Committee as appointed by our letters of the 11th of November last and the
8th instant, of which he is to be the Chief and Constant Presiding Member; and in case of a
Vacancy or Vacancies therein by Death or Absence of any Member or Members thereof, they
are to be filled up by such Person or Persons as the President for the time being and the rest
of the Select Committee shall think fit."

SELECT COMMITTEE, 31st MARCH 175S.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Brake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 20th instant.

Letter from George Pococky Esq., dated the Tiger, Madras Road, the 6th instant, advising

1 See Page 30.


41

bis arrival, stating that the French have done nothing since the capture of Chittapat, but are
encamped outside Pondicherry, that he expects the early arrival of Jfr. Stevens, and asking
for early advice of any attack on our settlement.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Camp near Patna, the 17th instant, saying he has received
proper sanads for the exclusive purchase of saltpetre in Behar.

Letter from the Select Committee, Bombay, dated 30th November, saying ours of the llth
July with Colonel Clives of the 27th did not arrive till the 26th November, but that one copy
has been forwarded to the Gulf of Persia and the other will be, and congratulating us on the
great advantages that have resulted from the accession of Jafar AU.

Agreed to write to Admiral Pocock, acknowledging his of the 6 th instant, and saying
that though everything is quiet it appears the French are meditating a serious blow, and
therefore we request he will watch them and come to our relief as soon as he hears of any
such attempt.

GENERAL LETTER FROM COURT, 11th APRIL 1758.

Para. 2. That Colonel Clive be our President and Governour with the Emoluments
heretofore mentioned, and in case of the death or absence of Colonel Clive, William Watts,
Esq., is hereby directed to be the President and Governour with a Salary of Two Thousand
Rupees per Month in full of all Allowances whatever and Mr. Charles Manningham is hereby
appointed to succeed to the Chair on the death or absence of Mr. Watts when the Rank of our
Servants is to stand as follows each to rise and succeed in his turn, viz s

Colonel Clive President.
William Watts, Esq. Second.
Major James Killpatrick Third, and to remain so without rising to a superior rank therein.
Charles Manningham, Esq. Fourth.
Mr. Richard Becher Fifth.
Mr. Paul Richard Pearkes Sixth.
Mr. William Frankland Seventh.
Mr. Matthew Collett . Eighth.
Mr. John Zeplianiah Hotwell Ninth.
Mr. William Maekett Tenth,
Mr. Peter Amyatt . Eleventh.
Mr. Thomas Boddam . Twelfth.
Mr. Richard Court . Thirteenth.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 14th APRIL 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Decher.

Approved Proceedings of the 31st ultimo.

Letter from Robert Clive, Esq., dated Patna, 1st instant, informing us that the army has
begun its march for Cossimbazar, but will probably have to halt for a few days so as not to
outmarch the Nawab.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated 25th March, transmitting copy of
a letter from Jf. Bussy to Count DArgentine^?), Minister, and other important people in France
received from the Secret Committee in England, and advisiug us of the arrival of Commodore
Stevens, also enclosing two letters from the Select Committee at Bombay, dated 17th January,
one informing us of the arrival of the Syren Sloop in England in less than four months,
and that they have learned from an intercepted letter from Gottenburg that Mr. Christopher
Henry Raad has been ordered by the Swedes to come to Bengal with the object of re-establish-
ing the Swedish factory, and advising us to take necessary precautions, the other saying they
are aware of the loss which will be suffered by Mr. Mace1 owing to his detention in Bombay
about their fortifications, and asking us to reserve the emoluments of the artillery company for
him as his stay is by the Company's orders.

Captain John Gouin delivers a letter from the Select Committee at Bombay, dated 23rd
December, asking us to give him the command of their detachment.

Mr. Becher submits a Minute on the Acquired Lands.

Agreed Mr. Frankland be asked to give a complete account of progress through the
Acquired Lands and all information on the subject.

1 See letter from Court, dated 27th April 1757, para. 1, in which Mr. James Mace is appointed to
be the Companys Chief Engineer and Captain of the Artillery Company.


42

Page 48.

Page 49.

Page 50.

Page 53.

Page 55.

Letter from Mr. Richard Beclier, dated Calcutta, 14th instant, advising that two more
gentlemen be ordered to form a Committee with Mr, Frankland so as to expedite the survey
of the Acquired Lands, and objecting strongly to the employment of Kasi Nath under Mr.
Frankland.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 24th APhIL 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 14th instant.

Letter from the Select Committee of Madras, dated 31st March, acknowledging ours of
the 24th January, and asking us to send them the rest of the French prisoners with us, and
our remarks on any of them who have infringed their parole.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 12th MAY 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 24th ultimo.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 21st April, saying that the Select
Committee at Bombay inform them that advices from Poona show that Miran Ali 1 is on
friendly terms with his brother Salabat Fang, and their forces are collected at Aurungabad
but that intercepted letters from J/. Bussy show that he has failed to persuade them to go to
Muxadabad, and that Miran* s ^Nizams'} designs against the provinces near Cuttack have been
laid aside, and enclosing a letter from the Select Committee at Bombay (giving the above men-
tioned information, acknowledging ours of the 23rd January, congratulating us on the quieting
effect of Colonel Clive* s inland march with the Nawab, regretting that they cannot help us
with men but promising us musket powder, and warning us that a French ship has been
reported from Gombroon apparently lying there to attack English ships entering the Gulf).

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 3rd May, informing us of the
arrival of a French Squadron of eleven sail, referring us to a copy of Admiral Pococks letter,
for an account of the subsequent engagement, saying that his arrival was fortunate as a body of
French troops had approached Madras, that the French had escaped, and they had recom-
mended the Admiral to sweep the Coast from Negapatam to Fort St. David in order to find
them.

Entered Admiral Pococks letter, and ordered that copies of this and the letter from the
Select Committee be sent to Colonel Clive, who is now at Muxadabad.

Letter from Admiral George Pocock, foA&i the Yarmouth, off Madras, April 30th, 1758^
reporting an indecisive engagement with the French fleet.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 29th MAY 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Colonel Robert Clive.

William Watts.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 9th instant, sayiug that the French
ships had suffered severely, but that six of them had arrived at Pondicherry, enclosing an account
of the supposed strength of the French, saying that the French appeared determined to attack
Fort St. David, Cuddalore having surrendered to them on the 3rd instant, but that it ought
to make a good defence.

Letter from Mr. John Spencer, Chief at Anjengo, dated 6th May, acknowledging ours
of the 17th November, and saying he has forwarded the enclosed letter for the Select
Committee at Madras.

1 Probably Nizam Ali. Nizam-ul-Mulk had six sons G-hazi-uddin, Nasir Jang, Salabat Jang, Nizam
Ali, Basalat Janq and Mughal Ali. He was succeeded in the Government of the Deccan by Nasir Jang who
was assassinated in 1750, being succeeded by Muz ajar Jang, son of a daughther of Nizam*ul-Mulk. Muzaffar
Jang was assassinated in 1751 and Salabat Jang was placed on the throne by the influence of M. Bussy and
hte French. In 1761 his brother Nizam Ali dethroned and imprisoned him and in 1763 put him to death.


43

Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Forde, dated Saidabad, the 25th instant, reporting that
Colonel Clive has left the command of the forces with him and requesting orders.

Letter from the Directore and Council at Hugli, dated 26th' instant, complaining that
one of their pilot sloops has been prevented from passing Calcutta on ber way down.

Complaints having been made of the powder delivered by Mr. McDonald \ resolved that
any one making powder for the Company, and receiving a salary from the Company for so
doing, shall be severely fined if he be found to make any profit beyond his salary, and that
the powder be returned to Mr, McDonald to be re-manufactured.

Captain-Lieutenant Jennings appointed to be Commissary of the Military Stores as it is
important that they should be kept in good order, and as a civil officer cannot be expected to
understand the business, also agreed that he receive charge of the Laboratory and that the
Military Storekeeper consult him.

Colonel Clive suggested that in conformity with the opinion of Admiral Pocock regarding
the necessity of having a Dock in Bengal, an immediate survey be made for a suitable spot
and directions given for carrying out the work as quickly as possible, ordered that Captain
Brohier, the Master, and Deputy Master Attendant, be asked their opinion as to whether a
Dock can be expeditiously made, where, and at what cost.

Mr. Frankland being at a standstill for want of the Burd wan Kanungos 1 2, agreed to
write to Mr. Scraflon to send them to Calcutta without any delay.

Ageed to write to Colonel Forde, acknowledging his of the 25th May, saying our only
instructions at present are to support Mr. Scrafton in all his dealings with the Nawab and the
Darbar officers.

Agreed to write to the Directore and Council at Hugh that we have already informed
them that we cannot allow any of their sloops to go into Balasore Road, and that we will
advise them when we are able to do so consistently with our safety.

Page 59. SELECT COMMITTEE, 2nd JUNE 1753.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President,

Colonel Robert Clive.

William Watts.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 14th and 29th ultimo.

Letter from Colonel Forde, dated Saidabad, 30th May, asking for an Assistant who under-
stands the country language and a Persian writer.

Captain Brohier, the Master, and Deputy Master Attendant attend and report that the
best place for a Dock is at Surmans Carden or thereabouts. Captain Brohier ordered to pre-
pare the materials and commence work as soon as the season permits.

Agreed we write to Admiral Pocock mentioning the orders given to Captain Brohier,
saying we hope to have the Dock ready by December, pointing out the advantage to the Com-
pany of his coming to Calcutta instead of Bombay, informing him of the return of our army,
and the favourable state of the Nawabs affairs, and that we have heard from Acheen that there
are no French ships there.

Agreed to enclose the above letter in a letter to the Select Committee at Madras with
request to deliver it.

Page 61. SELECT COMMITTEE, 17th JUNE 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.

Colonel Robert Clive.

William Watts.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of the 2nd instant.

Letter from the Select Committee at Bombay, dated the 17th May, saying that they had
been unable to send us any powder because the country ships are already fully laden, that

1 Mr. John Macdonald, Assistant to Captain JBrohier, appointed Overseer of the Powder Mills, vice
Major Rillpatricki resigned. See Public Proceedings. 22nd September 1757.

2 Applied in Hindustan especially to village and district revenue officers, who, under the former Govern-
ments, recorded all circumstances within their sphere which concerned landed property and the realization of the
revenue. H. H. Wilson, Glossary of Judicial and Revenue Terms,

855 H. P.

k



44

Page 65.

Page 66,

they hear the French ship Bristol was detained at Bussarah till the middle of June, and there-
fore hope that she has been intercepted by the Revenge and Drake Ketch.

Captain Jennings sent for and informed of his appointment as Commissary of the
Military Stores and Director of the Laboratory and granted an allowance of HO current
rupees per month.

On Captain Jennings' recommendation to have a separate house for the Laboratory and
for keeping the Military Stores, the ordered to request the Mayor to take another

house at the Companys expense for the Mayors Court and give the present Court House for
the purpose.

It being impossible to finish our fortifications in time to resist a French attack which
may rake place at any time. Captains Brohier and Wedderburn and Messrs. McDonald, Smith
and Scott, being sent for, recommend heavily armed fascine batteries at suitable places on the
liver and sunken ships and chains higher up to annoy an (advancing fleet, ordered that
Captains Brohier and Wedderbnrn construct such batteries.

Colonel Clive recommends the replacement of the buoys, and that the Dutch sloop be
permitted to go to Balasore as our showing so much fear of the French is likely to have a bad
effect on the Nawabs Darbar; the Mas ter Attendant ordered to replace the buoys.

Agreed to write to the birector e and Council at Hugli of the above order and to say that
we have no further objection to their sloops going to Balasore, provided they lie within ours as
proposed by Mynheer Zuyland, when in Calcutta.

The Company .being in want of arms the Secretary ordered to give notice that all
persons possessing fire-arms, fowling-pieces, etc., must send them in and those taken will be
paid for at a fair valuation.1 _______________

SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th JUNE 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Roger Drake, President.2
Colonel Robert Clive.

William Watts.

Charles Manningham.

Bichard Becher.

Approved Proceedings of tlie 17th instant.

Two letters from the Select Committee at Madras, dated the 6fch and 7th instant, the
former informing us that Fort St. David3 is said to have surrendered on the 2nd, that the Trench
have sailed from Pondicherry, but it is not known in what direction, and that contrary
winds have prevented Admiral Pococks squadron from coming further south than Allumparva ; 4
the latter reporting the Admirals arrival after having seen the French at Pondicherry.

Captain Brohier sent for and requested to expedite the fortifications and to use all the
workmen employed by private persons, if necessary.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 4th JULY 1758.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

William Watts.

Charles Manningham.

Members assembled took the oath of secrecy 5 and tendered the same to Mr. William
McGuire, now appointed their Secretary, and his assistants.

Letter from Mr. Scrafton, dated Moradbagb, 28th June, reporting that Suja-uDdaula,
has arrived at Ghazipur and purposes to cross the Karamnasa, and that the young Nawab
is about to march to Rajmehal with his forces.

Bv numerous claims for payment f.r arms and military stores sent into Fort William on the approach of
Siraj-ud-daula, it would appear that this order was only a customary one.

2 On the 20th June the Hardwicke arrived with orders from the Court dismissing Mr. Drake. This order
was dated 11th November 1757. See Orme, II. 354, and Letter from Court, dated 3rd March, 1758, para. 92.

3 Fort St. David was a very diminutive fortification, being only 390 feet from North to South and 140
feet from East to West. See Orme, II. 307.

4 Allumparva or Alamparwa or Alamparai is marked on Orme's second man of the Coast of Coromandel as
being on the Coast to the north of Pondicherry. It is a mere village, and Hunter in his Imperial Gazetteer
writes of it: It was granted to Dupleix by Muzaffar Jang, the Subahdar of the Deccan, in 1750, and was

the scene of many events during the struggle between the French and English...........Formerly famous for its

oyster-beds.

5 This was in consequence of the arrival on the 20th June (probably after the meeting of the Committee of
that date) of the Hardwicke with the General Letter from Court of the 11th November 1757 (see Page 30)
nominating 3/essrs. Watts, Manningham, Becher, Hohoell, and Major Killpitrick to be Members of
the Select Commitiee. Kilpatrick was dead, Clive who evidently had been omitted by accident assumed the
Presidency as his right. This action was confirmed by the Geueral Letter from Court, dated the 8th March
1758. See Page 39.


45

Letter from Mr. John Bristow, Resident at Cuttack, dated 14th ultimo, reporting the
receipt from the Gajapati Raja, of a sirpao and letters inviting him to take possession

* of Ganjam and Vizagapatam, and pressing Colonel Clive to march that way in hopes o£

gaining Masulipatam, in c onsequence of which he proposes to set out for Vizagapatam in a
few days.

Enclosed in above two letters from the Gajapati Raja, dated the 17th May, which
were read and ordered to be kept in the Book1 set apart for correspondence with Country
Powers.

It being considered unwise to divide our forces, unless circumstances change, agreed to
write to the Raja encouragingly, and to Mr. Bristow approving his conduct and telling him
to promise the Raja assistance.

Agreed to direct Mr. Scrafton to send us all intelligence he can of the movements of
Suja-ud-daula and the Nawab.

Agreed to direct the Chiefs and all subordinates to address the Select Committee on all
matters that require secrecy.

Report from Captain Brohier on the places suitable for batteries to annoy an enemy's

fleet.

y _________________

GENERAL LETTER TO COURT, 31st DECEMBER 1758,

Paras. 2 and 3. Intimating 'arrival of the London and Warren with General Letters
from Court, dated 3rd, 8th and 23rd March and 11th April 1758.

Para. 155. Mr. John Coohe desiring permission on the 23rd June to relinquish the
post of Secretary to the Select Committee, we appointed Mr. William McGuire to that
employ ; upon his going Commissary to that expedition we gave the post of Secretary to the
Select Committee to Mr. Culling Smith.

1 This book is not to be found in the Records of the Government of India,




Page 1.

Page 3.

47

SELECT COMMITTEE, 2nd JANUARY 1759.

Present

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Richard Becner.

William Frankland,

Mr. Frankland 1 takes his seat in place of Mr. Watts who has left for Europe and takes
the oath of secrecy as does Mr. Scrafton appointed Secretary in place of Mr. Culling Smith.

The Nawab making difficulties about the Lands, agreed to write to Mr. Manning ham not
to pay the lakh of rupees Mr. Hastings was permitted to advance until it is clearly explained
that the Compauy is to pay the King's rents only, to give the Royrayan any present that may
be necessary, and to send Kasinath down immediately.

Agreed to write to Madras to send one or two of the Companys ships to Colonel Forde, to
advise the latter of the same, and to ask him to send back the Hardwicke in time for despatch
to Europe.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 15th JANUARY 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland,

The President lays before the Committee two letters from Colonel Forde dated the 7th
instant, to Mr. Andrews, reporting a decisive victory over the French under M. de Conflans,
and that not a single Frenchman would have escaped had it not been for the dastardly
behaviour of the Raja; Captain Adnett killed and Messrs. Wick, Moran, Johnstone and
McGuire wounded.

Also letter from Mr. Andrews to the Resident, reporting arrival at Vizagapatam
and arrangement of matters between the Raja and Colonel Forde on the following terms .*
(1) All plunder to be equally divided, (2) conquered territories with their revenues to go to the
Haya, (3) seaports, rivers with the towns upon them, and their dependencies with their
revenues to belong to the Company, (4) neither party to enter into any treaty for redelivery of
the territory without consent of the other, (5) the Baja to allow Colonel Forde Rs. 50,000
a month for the expenses of the camp and Rs. 6,000 to the officers, (6) the Raja to pay the
expenses of a force of from 100 to 500 men if supplied by the Company, saying that the
last point was left undecided pending orders from Madras, and that he is sending the Hard*
wicke and two sloops to block up the Yanaon2 River and hopes next year to make a large
investment.

Also a letter from the Resident to Mr. Andrews, dated the 10th, informing him that
Colonel Forde is on the march to attack Masu lipa tarn.

It appearing from Mr. Andrews' letter that he contemplates taking large territories in
the Companys name, which is inadvisable, agreed we write to Colonel Forde in this sense,
congratulating him on his victory, intimating that if he captures Masulipatam he may keep or
destroy it as he thinks fit, advising him to keep up correspondence with Salabat Jang, and if
he can drive the French out of the Deccan to proceed to the coast as soon as he hears of the
arrival of our squadron, to remain under the orders of Madras or return here as he chooses, to
make Vizagapatam his channel of communication with us in future and to garrison that town,
intimating that we have sent the Bombay Castle to relieve the Hardwicke and asking him to
send the latter at once to Bencoolen.

Agreed to write to the Select Committee at Madras sending a copy of our orders to
Colonel Forde and reminding them of the supreme importance of the settlement here*

Agreed to write to Bombay informing them of Colonel Forde's victory and recommend-
ing them to follow our example in assisting the gentlemen at Madras to expel the French
entirely from India.

Letter from Mr. Manningham reporting his difficulties in getting the sanads and saying
that the present has been of great use.

Agreed to write to Messrs. Manningham and Hastings that we will pay nothing but the
King's rents, that the surplus was intended for the support of a native force, that we are
astonished at the Nawab9 s hesitation in complying with the treaty, that if he wrests its
meaning to his own advantage so will we, and reminding him that whereas the treaty men-
tioned Siccas the first half was paid largely in bad rupees, a loss which we will not put up
with.

1 In the Public Proceedings of the 4th January Mr. William Yrankland was appointed a member of
the Select Committee in the place of Mr. Watts, resigned, and Mr. Luke Scrafton was appointed Secretary.

a Yanaon.The Factory is built at the point where the Koringa or Gautami River falls into the sea.
It is surrounded by a small area which still belongs to the French.

1330 H. D.


4S

Page 8. SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th JANUARY 1759.

Present:

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Richard Becher,

William Frankland.

The President lays before the Committee a letter from Mr. Amyatt advising that
Ramnarain has heard that the Prince has arrived at Lucknow, has been welcomed by Suja
Daul a, and it appears likely that they will attack Bengal. Communicated to the Board with
advice to detain the King's troops, to which they agree.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 26th JANUARY 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

(harles Manningham.1
Richard Becher.

William E rank land.

Letter from Mr. John Anderson? Chief of Vizagapatam, advising capture of vessels and
effects at Yanaon by Colonel Forde, saying that disputes have arisen between the Colonel and
the Raja, and that he intends to go to the Camp to try and effect a settlement and desires a
supply of money.

Enclosed in the above a letter from Madras dated the 4th November and copy of letter
from the Council at Madras to Colonel Forde dated the 17th December, the former advising
arrival of news at Pondicherry that ten Kings and Companys ships had left France and were
expected on the Coast early in the season to join M. dAche and therefore suggt sting an
immediate atack upon the enemy, but that their ability to do this depends on our allowing
Colonel Forde to join them, aeking us in future to address the whole Council instead of the
Select Committee, the latter giving details of fighting with Count. Lally near Madras, and
saying they hope soon to hear of the arrival of our fleet or the disappointment of the
enemy.

Agreed to write to Colonel Forde saying we regret to hear of his differences with the
Raja as the success of his design against Masulipatarn dependslon the assistance of the latter,
that we are prepared to pay the whole cost of the expedition, and have sent 3,500 gold mohurs
to Mr. Andrews and will send more, that on his going into garrison all ^for'and extraordinary
expenses must cease, that if he does not expect to take Masulipatam immediately he should send
as many men as possible to Madras unless he hears of the retreat of the enemy in which case
he is to behave according to our former orders.

Agreed to send the Kings detachment with the 12 Volunteers and Captain DelavaVs*
Company to Madras, advise the Council at Madras accordingly and send them a copy of our
instructions to Colonel Forde and a copy of the General Letters from England of the 12th May
containing the Companys orders for our behaviour during the investment of any of their
settlements.

Agreed to send 3,500 gold mohnrs tp Mr. Andrews and advise him to use his best efforts
to accord matters betweeu the Colonel and tlx Raja.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 29th JANUARY 1759.
Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.
Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

The Master Attendant reporting that the Warren cannot get out of the river, agreed
to prepare sloops to carry Captain Drakes detachment to Madras and to ask the Council
at Madras to send a vessel to lay off the Armaghan1 2 3 4 to give the necessary intelligence to the
Warren.

1 On the 15th January, the gentlemen at Cossimhazar made over charge of the Factory to Mr. Charles
Manningham. Apparently he returned to Calcutta immediately after.

2 Query Andrews,

3 Captain Robert Delaval raised a company of soldiers for the East India Company (see Letter from
Court, dated 12th May 1758, paras. 5 and 7). This Company was sent to India on the St. George, but Captain
Delaval died on the voyage. On the arrival of the St. George in Calcutta, the Company was given to his brother
Henry Delaval, the officer here referred to.

4 Armagham, about 50 miles north of Madras. There is now a light-house on this island.


49

Page 14.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 10th FEBRUARY 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

(Charles Manningbam.) 1
Bichard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from J/r. Peter Amyatt, Chief of Patna, saying it is certain the Prince intends to
invade Bengal, that he is near Benares, has sent for M. Law, is daily joined by many
malcontents, and asking for our orders.

Two letters from Mr. Hastings to the President, the first of the 7th advising as above and
saying Suja Daula had intended to make the Shahzada prisoner, but he had fled, that Pam-
narain had refused to join the Prince without the NnwaVs orders, that the Nawab had promised
to come to his assistance, but the young Nawab said the Nawab would only go as far as Bom-
menea1 2 till Colonel Clive arrived, as he feared the treachery of his Jamadars, the second of the
8fch saying the Nawab has asked the Seths to effect an accommodation with the Prince at any
cost of money. Communicated these advices to the Council.

Agreed to write to Mr. Amyatt that in spite of the Board's orders regarding the Com-
pany's effects he is to stay at Patna and encourage Pamnarain to take the field or at least to
defend Patna.

Letter from Mr. Ceorge Gray, Junior, Resident at Cuttack, saying the news of Salabat
Pang being at war with the Mahrattas is confirmed, that Madhuji 3 4 would have attacked Cuttack,
but had been oidered by the Son (?) Paja's Begum to assist Janoji against Salabatffs army
under his brother Nizam Ali, that when affairs are settled wiih the Mahrattas the Subab, who
is with Janoji, will come with Madhuji to Cuttack, and that this design is due to an invita-
tion from P^ai Durlabh to go to Muxadabad and effect a revolution.

Page 17,

SELECT COMMITTEE, 18th FEBRUARY 1759.

PuESENT :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Colonel Forde, dated 25tb January, acknowledging ours of the 23rd December,
promising to comply with the Company's orders in reference to future plunder, saying that that
already made has been divided amongst the captors with the reservation of the artillery and
military stores for the Company, also acknowledging receipt of ours of the 4th January, but
saying it is impossible to comply with our instructions therein for various reasons, and that if
he returns here he must give up all hopes of Masulipatam, that the affairs on the Coast are near-
ing a crisis, that the Paja has paid him nothing but has written to Mr. Andrews to settle the
differences between them, that Mr. Andrews has come there, but can not persuade him to cross
the River Rajamahendri, that he has nevertheless got Sarraf* notes for Rs. 60,000 and as soon
as they are paid will march on Masulipatam, that he expects no assistance from the
Paja and thinks it a pity to be in alliance with him, that the Europeans with him, being
chiefly foreigners, are deserting daily, and that any re-inforcements sent him should be
subjects of Great Britain, and askiug for another battalion of sepoys and a troop of horse.

Letter from Mr. Andrews, dated the 4th instant, saying that he has with great difficulty
persuaded the Paja to pay his contribution and to accompany Colonel Forde to Masulipatam,
towards which town they have at last set out, that they have agreed that any conquests
made beyond the River Rajamahendri shall be equally divided between the Company and the
Paja, that the French number only 300 and the country powers are ready to join us, that
he encloses copies of two letters from J/r. Brook at Pullicat to Colonel Forde, that Captain
Calliaud is reported to be at Negapatam with 5,000 Trichiuopoly sepoys and 3,000 Taujore
horse, that he expects to hear from us and receive supplies of money and has drawn on the
Council for Rs. 20,000 already spent.

1 Mr. Manninghams name is given amongst the signatures.

2 Bommenea or Bominea is a little way to the north of Murshidabad on the opposite side of the Cossimbazar
river. See Herklots. Illustrations of the Roads throughout Bengal, etc.

*Paghoji Bhosla I was nominated Sena Sahib Sabha, or general of ihe Mahratta confederacy in A.D.
1734. lie died in 1749 (or 1753) and left his Government to his son Janoji. Besides Janoji he had two sons
Samoji and Madhuji. I think the latter is the person referred to as Mannogee in the Records as no such name
is to be found in Duffs History of the Mahrattas.

4 Sarraf, commonly spelled Shroff by English people. The word means a money-changer.


50

Pag 20*

SELECT COMMITTEE, 8th MARCH 1759.

PRESENT I

Charles Manningham, President,1
Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Mirzapur,1 2 3 the 4th instant, enclosing copies of two
letters from J/r. Hastings and one from Mr, Amyatb, informing him that the Prince, with
Muhammad Kuli Khan has crossed the river and sent a body of horse to assist the Seths, and
that all Kasids and passengers are stopped, saying that, if he can send up a light party of
Europeans, the Province may be saved, asking us to instruct Colonel Forde to be in readiness
to return at a moment's notice, and saying that he hopes to reach the city in a few days aud
compose the differences existing between the Nawab and his Jamadars.

Two letters from Mr, George Gray, dated Cuttack, 23rd and 24th February, enclosing
duplicates of Colonel Fordes letters of the 3rd and 2nth January.

Agreed to write to Colonel Clive, acknowledging his letter of the 4th instant, and send-
ing copies of our instructions to Colonel Forde, which will be despatched as soon as we bear
again from him.

Agreed to write to Colonel Forde, informing him that the President has been forced to
take the field and instructing him not to send any portion of his forces to Madras but to hold
himself in readiness to embark for Calcutta.

Agreed to write to Mr, George Gray at Cuttack to forward the above by express Kasid
to Colonel Forde, and to Mr. Burdett to forward the above to Mr, Gray,

Pag 22.

Page 24.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 13th MARCH 1758 (? 1759).

Present:

Charles Manningham, President,

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Three letters from Colonel Clive, the first dated the camp near Plassey, the 7th March
acknowledging ours of the 6th March and approving of our instructions to Colonel Forde, the
second dated Plassey the 10th instant, and the third dated Cossimbazar the 13th instant,
saying he has met the Naivab and accompanied him to Cossimbazar and explained to him that
the dissatisfaction of his Jamadars and the invasion of the Prince are entirely due to his trea-
cherous neglect to pay his servants, and that.it is confidently reported that the King and the
Wazir are following the Prince who is said to have crossed the Karamnasa.

Agreed to write to Colonel Clive, acknowledging his letters of the 7th, 8th and 10th
instant, expressing our hope that he will be able to accommodate the differences between the
Nawab and his Jamadars, and our certainty of a favourable issue to the English if the King
and Wazir come this way, saying we have despatched our letter to Colonel Forde, and as
Mr, Burdett complains of the behaviour of the Faujdar at Ballasore we request he will
obtain from his master, Mirza Sallee, now with the Naivab, orders for his proper behaviour,
also saying that we will forward advices from the South as soon as they are received.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 22nd MARCH 1759.

Present:

Charles Manningham, President,

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Four letters from Madras, the first, dated the 26th January, acquainting us with the
situation of that Presidency, saying the long delay of the Warren in Bengal wili expose
the troops to risk of capture, that everything has turned out to the advantage of M. Lally,
that the garrison nevertheless behaves well, and their loss is less than might be expected in
so long a siege, and they hope to be able to raise the siege ; the second, dated the 16th Feb-
ruary, reporting the arrival of the Shaftesbury with part of Colonel Drapers regiment, and
that Major Calliaud has done good service in intercepting the enemy's supplies ; the third
dated the 1st March, saying the expected succour has arrived from Bombay and the enemy

1 In the meeting of the Board on the 26th February, at which Clive was present, be announced bis inten-
tion of taking the field in person. Mr. Manningham as Second-in-Council accordingly presided at subsequent

meetings o£ the Select Committee.

3 Mirzapur is a little north of Khulna. See Herlclots,


51

has raised the siege, that they have received oars of the 25th, 26th and 29th January, and send
us a packet for the Court of Directors; the fourth, dated the 6th March, saying they have des-
patched the Cuddalore Schooner to wait the appearance of the Warren.

Letter from Colonel Forde, dated the 22nd February, acknowledging ours of the 26th
January, saying his difficulties with the Raja are settled, that he will follow our orders regard-
ing his marching to Madras, that he needs money badly, that the French at Masulipatarn
number 300. Europeans and 3,000 sepoys, that Salabat Jang's brother is approaching, but
whether to join the French or the English is unknown.

Letter from Mr. Andrews, dated Vizagapatam, the 13th instant, acknowledging ours of
the 26th January, informing us of the loss of the Mermaid Sloop, saying the Warren is in
sight, that he will observe our orders about the money, that Colonel Forde and the Raja are
now before Masulipatam and have taken a fort two miles away from that place.

Agreed to write to Madras, ackowled^ing their various letters, congratulating them on their
successful defence, saying we have forwarded their packet to the Court of Directors, that as
the President has been forced to take the field we have been compelled to order Colonel Forde
to be in readiness to return here, that we are sending grain and money to Madras, and hope
later on to send saltpetre and other necessaries, and that we hear from Mr. Andrews that the
Raja and Colonel Forde are before Masulipatam.

Page 28.

Page 30-

SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th MARCH 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William brankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Camp, near Eritteapur (?),1 the 18th instant, acknow-
ledging ours of the 13th ; saying he has written to the Nawab and Mirza Sallee concerning
the complaint from Ballasore, that Mr. Batson has joined him with the information that the
Prince is close to Patna, that he intends to march on that place immediately, and will find
out the reasons of Ramnarains easy surrender of his proviuce, and asking us to inform the
Secret Committee of these particulars.

Enclosed in above a letter from Mr. Amyatt to Colonel Clive, informing him of Ramna-
rains resolution to surrender his province.

Agreed to write to Colonel Clive, acknowledging his of the 1 8th, expressing our regret
at Ramnarains behaviour, saying we have forwarded his last advices to the Secret Committee
and that we are preparing the despatch of rice and military stores for Madras,

SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th MARCH 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frank land.

Letter from Mr. Burdett, dated Ballasore, the 19thinstant, acknowledging ours of the
30th and lltb, and informing us that he has forwarded the two letters enclosed to Mr.

Cray.

Two letters from Mr. George Gray, Junior, dated the 18th and 20fch instant, acknowledging
ours of the 10th, containing a letter for Colonel Forde, which he promises to forward, saying he
hears by harharas from Mangpur 1 2 that the dispute between Salabat Jang and Janoji
has been decided in favour of the former, that Janoji was dissuaded from attacking Bengal by
FLansipzf/r Cosain, that the Subah is actually on his way with 10 to 12 thousand Mahrattas,
and that he has forwarded advices of the same and our letters to Colonel Forde vid Midnapur.

Agreed to send the Colonel copies of Mr. Grays letters of the 18th and 20th.

Agreed to write to Mr. Burdett expressing our hope that the Nawabs orders to the
Faujdar to expedite the Company's business have been received, and enclosing a letter to be
forwarded to Mr. Gray at Cuttack.

Agreed to write to Mr. Gray acknowledging bis of the 18th and 20th instant, and asking
him to send us constaut news of the Mahrattas as they will probably approach Bengal vid
Cuttack.

1 This place is not to be found on Herklots Route Map: possibly it stands for Futkypour, marked in
Pennell's Atlas as about ten miles east of Rajmebal.

2 Possibly Nagpur,

1330 H. D.

I


52

Pago 32*

SELECT COMMITTEE, 1st APRIL 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Camp, near Shahabad,1 the 23rd ultimo, saying there is
no longer any doubt of Ramnarains desertion to the Shahzada, that the Chota, Nawab has
joined him with his forces, and that he intends to bring the matter to a speedy issue. Agreed to
write to the Colonel acknowledging his of the 25th ultimo, and saying that, as we intend to
send the last despatch of the season to Madras in a few days, we request his final instruc-
tions for Colonel Forde.

Pag 34.

Page 37.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 6th APRIL 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becber.

William Erankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Camp, near Champernapore,1 2 the 27th March, saying it
appears that disputes have arisen between the Shahzada and Ramnarain, and that the former
has been repulsed from Patna, that he has written to Ramnarain and Murlidhar to keep up
their spirits and has sent forward a battalion of sepoys, and that the whole army is near
Champernapore.

Agreed to write to Madras, sending them treasure and stores, asking for the speedy
return of the ships carrying them, and informing them of the state of affairs to the north-
ward.

Agreed to write to Colonel Forde, acknowledging his of the 27th February, saying we
have heard of his successes from J/r. Andrews, informing him of our affairs, and telling him
we write to Madras as we expect he will have taken Masulipatam and proceeded there before
our letters reach him.

Agreed to write to 1/r. Andrews, acknowledging his letters of the 4th February and 13th
March, congratulating him on having settled the differences between the Raja and Colonel
Forde, saying we hope to hear by next advices of the capture of Masulipatam, and that his
Bill on the Presidency has been honoured, asking that all Bills in future may be made
payable in current rupees, expressing regret at the loss of the Mermaid, and saying the
President is absent from Calcutta.

Agreed to write to Colonel Clive, acknowledging his letter of the 27th ultimo, saying we
hope that Ramnarain will hold Patna till his arrival, that we have heard nothing more from
Cuttack or any part of India, and have despatched to Madras as much money and military
stores as possible.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 10th APRIL 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Madras, informing us of the situation, saying that they have sent Colonel
Forde money but can not spare him any men, that the Cuddalore sloop has been ordered to
await the Warren off the Armagham but that the Warren has not yet arrived even at
Vizagapatam.

Letter from Mr. Burdett dated Ballasore the 4th instant enclosing one from Mr> Gray
dated Cuttack, the 31st ultimo, saying the Subahs forces have been greatly exaggerated,
that the Subah announces his speedy arrival at Cuttack, that the Nawab is much frightened
at this news, that though he has received orders to return he will stay at Cuneah (?) till he
hears further from us.

Agreed to write to Colonel Clive, enclosing the advices received from Cuttack, saying our
squadron has not yet arrived at Madras but is daily expected, that Captain W edderburn has
left Madras, and on his arrival his advices will be forwarded without delay.

Agreed to write to Mr. Gray, acknowledging his letter of the 31st ultimo, saying as there
is a likelihood of the Mahrattas coming he must stay at Cuttack to obtain early intelligence
and facilitate correspondence with Vizagapatam.

1 About 30 miles west of Rajmehal.

2 Champernapore. Either Champernagar or Champerpore, marked in Berklots as a little to the west of
Bhagalpur.

I


53

Agreed to write to J/r. Burdett acknowledging his letter of the 4th instant, desiring
him to forward the above to J/z*. Gray, and saying that as there is a likelihood of the Maha-
rattas coming he is to obtain all the intelligence he can, and if they approach Ballasore, he
must send the Company^ goods to Calcutta, in the meantime to advance no money.

Page 40. SELECT COMMITTEE, 17th APRIL 1759.

Present:

Charles Manningham, President*

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Camp, near Bahr, 4th April, informing us that the
Skahzada has abandoned the seige of Patna and retired.

Letter from J/r. Andrews dated Vizagapatam, 26th March, saying that by the last
advices Colonel Forde was landing his cannon and would begin to erect his batteries, that
Salabat Jang and his brothers had passed Golconda, and that he intends setting out shortly
to obtain intelligence.

Agreed to write to Colonel Clive acknowledging his letter of the 4th instant, congratulat-
ing him on the favourable event of the troubles in the north, saying that Colonel Forde will
be ordered to proceed to the Coast after finishing his business in the Deccan, and enclosing a
copy of JZr. Andrews letter of the 26th ultimo.

Agreed to write conditionally to Madras, transmitting a letter to Colonel Forde, order-
ing him to proceed there on finishing his business in the Deccan.

Agreed to write to Colonel Forde as above.

Agreed to write to Colonel Forde also in cipher to the same effect.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th APRIL 1759.

Present:

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Erankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Patna, the 9th April, saying Ramnarain had met him at
Jafar Khans garden, and bad acknowledged that the retreat of the Shahzada was entirely due
to the arrival of the detachment of sepoys under Ensign Matthews at Futwa Bridge which
had so frightened him that even Mons. law could not persuade him to remain any longer, that
in order to prevent such attacks again he proposes to march as far as the Carampore, (?) visiting
the Bhojpur Country in his way and making one of the Rajas, Palwan Singh 1 who had
assisted the invasion most actively, pay so dearly for his rebellion as to intimidate anyone
from such behaviour in future, that Ramnarain and the Chota Nawab will accompany him on
this expedition, acknowledging receipt of ours of the 23rd ultimo, with the various duplicates,
expressing regret that his letter of the 18th March should have been sent home as he is now
convinced that Ramnarain has been quite loyal to us, and saying that he has just received a
letter from the TPazir, saying he hopes he will capture the Shahzada, and that he will prevent
such disturbances in the future.

Letter from Mr. George Gray, Junior, dated Ballasore, the 13th April, acknowledging
ours of the 28th ultimo, saying he has beeu prevented from coming to Calcutta, rid Cunka (?)
as the Raja of that place had planned to intercept him, and that the reports of the Subahs force
varied so much he had sent harkaras to his camp, with instructions to report to Mr. Burdett
at Ballasore.

Agreed to write to Colonel Clive, acknowledging his of the 9th instant, congratulating him
on his success, saying Colonel Forde has been instructed to proceed to Madras, but we are uncer-
tain when he will arrive, congratulating him on the Wazirs letter, which will possibly open
the way to obtaining the Royal confirmation of all our privileges in these provinces, informing
, him of the contents of Mr. Grays letter of the 13th April, and of our order to Mr. Gray to
continue at Cuttack.

Agreed to write to Fir. George Gray, Junior, acknowledging his letter of the 13th,
repeating our desire for him to remain at Cuttack, and saying that our advices show the
Flahrattas will not come into these provinces this season.

1 Orme (III. 282) calls Palwan Singh an Indian Chief. His territories lay along the Karamnasa and he
was an enemy of Ramnarain.


BI

Page 47.

Page 4 9.

Page 51.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 26th APRIL 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frank land.

Letter from Mr. Biirdett, dated Ballasore, the 17th April, acknowledging ours of the
10th instant, and saying he will obey the orders contained therein.

Letter from Mr. Gray, dated Ballasore, the 16th instant, acknowledging ours of the 10th
in obedience to which he will return immediately to Cuttack, saying he does not know whether
the Ghaut has been paid, but even if it has, it is impossible that so large a force should inarch
into these provinces with any but hostile intentions, and that his intelligence shows that
the Subah is coming at RaidurlaWs invitation to effect a revolution at Muxadabad.

Letter from Mr, Andrews, dated Vizagapatam, the 13th instant, saying Colonel Forde
stormed Masulipatam on the 8tli instant, and that he is sending 20 prisoners by the Thames, it
being unsafe to keep them at Vizagapatam.

Agreed to write to the Colonel informing him as above and sending him extracts of the
letter received to-day.

-

SELECT COMMITTEE, 2nd MAY 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Sampara,1 the 19th April, saying he thinks the Mahrattas
are coming at the invitation of the Nawab himself, and that he will represent to him the
folly of this step, that the Shahzada, Mir Kuli Khan and Jfr. Law are retreating, that
Mr. Law has 127 Europeans with him who are regularly paid, that he is marching with
Ramnarain and the Chota Nawab to punish Palwan Singh, and that he hopes we have already
given instructions to destroy Chandernagore.

Letter from Mr. Andrews, confirming the news of the capture of Masulipatam, and say-
ing he hopes to bring over Salabat Lang to opr interest.

Letter from Mr. George Gray, saying Lanoji has prevented the Subah from coming to
these provinces, and that it is generally reported that Raidurlabh and Rajaram (? Ramnarain)
invited the Mahrattas.

Agreed to y^rite to Mr. Gray to carefully watch Raidurlabhs house at Jangipur (?) in the
province of Cuttack, and to send harkaras to watch the French forces at Gan jam.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 4th MAY 1759.

Present:

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated 24th ultimo, enclosing extracts from Mr. Pocock's letter
and a translation of a letter from the Shahzada, informing us of the submission of two of the
Bhojpur Rajas, that the Shahzada has crossed the Karamnasa and has written to him under
the pretence of replying to a letter, but really either to cause dissension between him and the
Nawab, or to open away to throw himself upon the protection of the Company, that he has
not answered this letter, that if we bad been supplied with a proper force from home we
should have had an excellent opportunity to make ourselves great in India, but under the *
present circumstances it will be better not to risk giving offence to the Wazir by encouraging
the Shahzada and to rest satisfied with what we have got.

Agreed to write to the Colonel, advising him of the accident to ths Kent, and expressing
our regret at the poor support we receive from Europe.

1 Not marked in LLerklots or Rennell.



55

Page 53.

Pag 55.

Page 57.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 21st MAY 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Mr. Burdett, dated the 8tli May, advising of his having seized a man from
Pondicherry with letters, whom he sends us.

Letter from Mr. Burdett, advising the arrival of two French deserters who report the
presence at Ganjara of 5Oo Europeans waiting for Narain Deos 1 army, and requesting to
be allowed to keep these two men at Ballasore.

Letter from the Select Committee, Madras, dated 8th May, saying they have heard of
Colonel Fordes success, that French reinforcements have reached Masulipatam and forced the
Hardwicke to put to sea, that Colonel Forde, fearing the enemy may preserve their interest
with Salabat Jang and so be enabled to disembark, asks for reinforcements from Madras, but
they think his success will cause Salabat Jang to come over to us, that they are sending the
French prisoners by land, that they captured Conjeveram on the 16th, that Colonel Lawrence
and Colonel Draper are invalided, and Admiral Focock with His Majestys Squadron arrived
at Negapatam on the 30th.

Letter to Mr. Burdett, saying his prisoner will be examined.

Agreed to write to Colonel CUve, informing him that four different despatches have been
sent to Colonel Forde, ordering him to proceed to Madras as soon as possible, but that we have
heard nothing from him, and informing him of the intelligence received from Madras and
Ballasore.

/

SELECT COMMITTEE, 30th MAY 1759.

Present :

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Mr. Burdett, advising the arrival of nine more French deserters, and that ten
more are coming, and asking that he may keep a Corporal, Sergeant, and six privates at
Ballasore.

Letter from Colonel Clive, announcing his arrival in and devastation of Palwan Singhs
country, and the submission of Palwan Singh himself, which he is inclined to accept, saying
that the Shahzad a has repeatedly requested him to take him under his protection, which he
has refused to do, h>ut has sent him 500 gold mohurs to relieve him in his distress and has
enabled him to pass the Karamnasa, and that at present he is trying to get into the Ghazipur
country.

Letter to Mr. Burdett, ordering him to send all Europeans here as fast as possible, and
saying that if soldiers are necessary for his Factory, they will be sent from hence.

Letter to Mr. George Gray to send harkaras to get constant intelligence of the move-
ments of the French at Gan jam.

Letter to Colonel Clive, congratulating him on the settlement of affairs in the North,
hoping to see him soon in Calcutta, informing him of the arrival of deserters from Ganjam
and of the explosion of the Powder Mill.1 2

SELECT COMMITTEE, 22nd JUNE 1759.

Present:

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Mr. Burdett, dated 1st instant, requesting a supply of cash.

Letter from Mr. Burdett, dated the 9th instant, forwarding a letter from Ernenagore (?).
Letter from Mr. Burdett, dated 15th instant, advising of the arrival of the Hertford

Sloop.

1 Narain Deo was the principal Raja'In the neighbourhood of Gan jam. He had been insulted by the
Native representative of M. Bussy, and hence his treacherous behaviour to the French. (See Orme, III, 554.)

2 See Public Proceedings of the 31st May 1759. The powder mills and godowns at Perrins Gardens were
blown up and 150 barrels of gun-powder destroyed on the 26th May.

1330 H. D.


56

Letter from Mr. Burdett, dated the 16th instant, advising the arrival of the Black
Merchant Sloop from Pondicherry.

Letter from Mr. Biirdett, dated the 18th instant, advising that the Faujdar of Ballasore
demanded the surrender of the above sloop.

Letter from Mr. George Gray, dated the 7th June, advising of the arrival of a number
of Englishmen from Ganjam who say they were captured in a sally at Madras and forced
to enter the French service, but being taken to Ganjam had with many Frenchmen also
managed to escape, that by their report the French force is weak and ill-provided, and
Mons. Bussy has gone to Salabat Jang to try and keep him firm to the French interest, that
Janoji has appointed Seehobut 1 Subah of Cuttack, which will probably cause trouble.

Letter from Mr. George Gray, dated the 9th, forwarding a letter from Vizagapatam.

Letter from Mr. George Gray, dated the 11th, saying that Janoji has been killed or
taken prisoner by his brother Madhuji, and that, under orders of the latter, Seehobnt (?) is on
his march to Cuttack.

Letter from Colonel Clive, dated Peterbund, the 16th instant, saying Palwan Singhs son
had made a mere pretence at a stand, that he will slay at Jehanabad for a few days only
that it will be necessary to leave some force with Bamnarain to settle the Bhojpur country
and that the Shalizada has crossed the river at Benares.

Letter from Colonel Forde, dated Masulipatam, the 14th instant, giving details of the
storming of Masulipatam, and commending the behaviour of Captain Sampson 2 saying that
Salabat Jang has concluded a treaty, but has quarrelled with him on his refusal to assist
him against his brother, but he hopes to settle matters peaceably, that through some mistake
in the cipher he could not read our letters of the 8th March and 17th April, that he had
vainly attempted to bribe the Nawabs courtiers to hand over the JrrnA in his army so as
to make an irreconcileable breach between him and the French, and that he has advanced
Captain Milliard 30,000 Arcot rupees.

Letter from Mr. Pocoek, dated the Yarmouth, Bombay Harbour, the 27tb March, saying
he will shortly be ready to sail for the Coast, (hat he hears from Madras of the arrival of three
French ships of war and seven Company's ships with the regiment De Bourge on board, that
the expedition to Surat has been successful, and recommending us to make a Dock.

Letter from Mr. Pocock, dated Negapatam Road, the 24th May, giving details regard-
ing his squadron, and asking us to assist Mr. King in obtaining bread and peas for the
squadron.

Letter from the Select Committee, Madras, advising the arrival of the leopard Snow and
the Fort William Schooner, that the French army having declined battle, both armies have
retired to cantonments, and that they hear the Diligent Snow arrived at Anjengo on the
23rd ultimo.

Letter from Mr. Andrews, dated the 3rd instant, enclosing copy of the treaty with Salabat
Jang, and valuing the present acquisition to the Company at 12 lakhs per annum.

Letter to Colonel Clive, advising him of the receipt of the above letters.

Letter to Mr. Burdett, ordering him to take muchalkas from all merchants under the
Company's protection not to trade with our enemies, and if Luckoo Baubo (?) has any connec-
tion with the French Company to dismiss him.

Letter to Mr. Gray.

Pago 03. Requests made by Colonel Forde to the Nabob Salabat Jang, and his compliance thereto

in his own hand

(1) Grant of certain districts to the English.

(2) Expulsion of the French from the Deccan, and prohibition of French settlements

in future.

(3) Grant of indemnity to Garapully Bae* The Nawab to give no assistance to the

enemies of the English, nor the English to the enemies of the Nawab,

Page 65. SELECT COMMITTEE, 29th JUNE 1759.

Present:

Charles Manningham, President.

Richard Becher.

William Frankland.

Letter from Colonel Clive, advising his arrival at Muxadabad and expectation of reaching
Calcutta in a few days. ____

1 This officer is not mentioned by either Qrme or Duff.
a Captain of the PLardwicke.

8 Probably Gopal Bao. See Orme, II, 464.


57

Letter from J/r. Gray with a person suspected to be a French harkara.
Letter from J/r. Burdett, forwarding the said harkara.

Page 00. SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th JULY 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningbam.

William Frank land.

Bichard Becker, {Sick.}1

Letter from Colonel Forde, dated the 11th July, saying he thinks it imprudent to start
fur Madras whilst Monsieur Moracin 2 is in the country with so large a force, that Mr, Andrews
has arrived with orders from Madras to take over Masulipatam, but he awaits our orders on
the subject, that Salalat Jang has accommodated matters with Nizam Ali and Basalat Jang and
has retired with the French to his province, that as the place was taken by storm he considers
the captors entitled to all the plunder except military stores and provisions, but recommends
the grant of the latter to them as an encouragement, that under apprehension of going to
Madras many of bis men have demanded their discharge and leave to return to Bengal, that he
intends to attack Monsieur Moracin after the rains, that 400 of his Coast sepoys are returning
to Madras, and he requests a reinforcement of 400 Europeans and a battalion of sepoys, that,
as the country will produce little at first, he needs a supply of two lakhs of rupees, that the
money last sent was short in number and bad in quality and had to be recoined at great loss,
that if the troops are ordered to Madras, he requests permission to return to Bengal, and that
as the Council at Madras has refused a supply of money he will find it difficult to pay his
troops.

Letter from Mr, Andrews, saying Colonel Forde has refused to make over to him
Masulipatam or any of its dependencies without our orders, that the present possessions of the
Company will not exceed four lakhs, and that Monsieur Moracin has seized Narain Deo and
put him on board ship till he complies with his demands.

Letter from Colonel Forde, dated the 7th instant, saying that the Council at Madras
have pressed him to march to their assistance as soon as the country is settled, but that he
has replied it is far from being settled whilst Monsieur Moracin remains in it with 500
Europeans, and that he has asked for a supply of money.

Letter to Colonel Forde, acknowledging his letters, congratulating and thanking him and
his officers, approving his reply to the Council at Madras, saying that the French will probably
attack Bengal, and if he hears of any naval engagement to our disadvantage, he should destroy
Masulipatam and all the French places in his possession and march here at once, that we will
supply him with money, and, if we receive troops, with sufficient reinforcements to drive the
French from Ganjam, that the English deserters say Monsieur Moracin has only 400 men and
is destitute of arms and money, asking him to send us all the French arms he can spare,
and saying that whilst he is not to be interfered with in military matters, Mr, Andrews
should act as Chief in mercantile and civil affairs.

Agreed to comply with Colonel Fordes indents for medicine.

Letter from Madras, dated the 27th June, advising arrival of the Duke of Dorset with
despatches from the Court of Directors to the effect that the war with France is being prose-
cuted with vigour and success, that the efforts of the French are chiefly by Sea and directed
against the East Indies, that they hope this early information regarding the naval and land
forces under Monsieur dAche and Lally and the loss they have suffered from sickness will
prevent the French from making any serious impression, that a fleet of 11 French ships is
reported from Brazil to be on its way out, and that the King is likely to grant them a
reinforcement, saying that they send an account of the French forces assembled at the Islands,
and that as tranquillity has been restored to Bengal, they have asked Colonel Forde to take
his whole force to Madras as soon as possible and hope we will enforce this order.

Letter from Mr, George Gray, dated Cuttack, the 25th June, and 1st and 7th July.

Letter to Mr, Gray,

Letter to J/r Burdett,

Mr. Becher remained too ill to appear at the Council till the 22nd October, but does not seein to have
resumed his duties as a Member of the Select Committee,

3 M, Moracin was a friend of Bussy, and for this reason Lally deprived him of the Government of
Masulipatam, in June 1758. In April 1759 he was sent with a detachment to relieve Masulipatam, but the
town fell before his arival so he retired to Ganjam. This town, owing to the hostility of Narain Deo, he was
forced to leave in November and finally returned to Pondicherry. (See Orme, II, 555-59.)


58

Page 71.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 22nd JULY 1759.

Present:

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningbam.

William Franklaud,

Letter from Madras, dated the 8th instant, advising the arrival of the Royal George from
England, and desiring us to join with them in such plans as may be most conducive to the
public good, saying that as the French fleet has no land forces on board, they wil have to call
at Pondicherry to obtain them before they can attack Bengal, and that if the French do so
they will ask Mr. Pocock to come to our assistance and send us land forces, but if Mr. Pocock
can prevent their taking up land forces at Pondicherry, they advise a concentration of forces
on their Coast, saying that Mr. Herbert, l^sident of Batavia, advises them of the embarkation
of a large European and native force, and if they hear that it is intended for Bengal,
they will send us sufficient reinforcements, asking us to give them our opinion on all subjects,
and to send orders for Colonel Coote or the Officer commanding the Troops coming from
England, in case we wish them to remain on the Coast, asking us to order Colonel Forde to
make over Masulipatam to Mr. Andrews, and saying that both armies are in cantonments.

Letter from Madras, dated the 10th instant, forwarding a letter to them from Colonel
Forde.

Agreed to write to Madras, saying that, under the circumstances, we have no apprehension
of a French attack upon Bengal, and consent to their keeping Colonel Coote with his forces
except 300 men which we insist on beingsent to Colonel Forde to enable him to drive the
French from Ganjam, and that when he has done this he will return to Bengal, making over
the place to whomsoever they may appoint.

Agreed that when Colonel Forde makes over Masulipatam to the person deputed by the
Council at Madras, that Presidency be debited with all the expenses of the expedition.

Agreed to defer considering the Dutch armament from Batavia till we hear further from
Madras.

Agreed to write to Madras, saying we hope to supply them with money if they will
provide secure conveyances, and asidng for an immediate supply of small arms and Europe
powder.

The President informs the Committee he has written to Mr. Hastings to warn the
Nawab against the Dutch armament.

Pag 75.

Pag 77.

Pag 78.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 4th AUGUST 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

Letter from Mr. Gray, dated Cuttack, the 10th ultimo, saying the Sub ahs army is small
and will stay there some time, that the French at Ganjam have quarrelled with Farain Deo
and destroyed several villages and have been reinforced from Pondicherry.

Letter from Mr. McGuire, enclosing letters from the present Subah and our gumashta
at Chittagong regarding the parwana sent to Mohar Singh to allow of our establishing a
Factory at Chittagong.

Agreed to write to Mr. Gray to watch the Sabahs motions and gee if he has any connection
with the French at Ganjam, to sound him as to his readiness to assist us with three or four
thousand Mahratta horse, and to acquire a complete knowledge of the country between
Ganjam and Cuttack.

Agreed to write to Mr. McGuire, acknowledging his letter of the 17th ultimo, saying
we have no leisure at present to attend to the establishment of a settlement at Chittagong,
and that it appears this cannot be done without offending the Nawab.

Translate of a letter from Aga Najam, Faujdar of Chittagong, saying the parwana
granted to Mohar Singh has lapsed with his dismissal, but that he will give every assistance to
the establishment of a Factory at Chittagong when & parwana to himself is obtained from the
Nawab.

Translate (of a letter) from Ram Das, Gumashta, to Mr. McGuire, saying the Faujdar
refuses to grant a site for a Factory without parwana from the Fawab, and that it will be
necessary to use force, if the Factory is to be established.


59

Page 79.

Page 80.

Page 81.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 8th AUGUST 1759.

Present:

The Honourable Robert Clive, President,

Charles Manuingham.

William Frankland.

Two letters from Mr, Gray, dated Cuttack, the 22nd and 26th ultimo, saying it is
dangerous for him to stay there and he is leaving for Ballasore immediately, that Janoji
and his brother Madhuji have quarrelled, hence the smallness of the Sub ah's forces.

Agreed to write to Gray, to express surprise at his leaving Cuttack without orders,
to instruct him to return at once and pay strict attention to our letter of the 3rd January,
and when the good of the service is in question he is not to be so anxious about his own safety
and direct him never again to leave his station without our orders. 1

SELECT COMMITTEE, 17th AUGUST 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President,

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

Letter from Mr, Burdett, dated Ballasore, the 29th July, forwarding the prisoners from
Cuttack.

Letter from Mr, Gray at Cuttack (?) ; informing us of his arrival at Ballasore where he
waits our orders.

Agreed .to write to Mr. Gray that we are so much distressed at his conduct that we
order him to make over charge of the Companys affairs to Mr, Charles Rogers and return at
once to Calcutta.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS, 20th AUGUST 1759.

The Select Committee acquainting the Board that Colonel Forders wsvcNzd about thirty
thousand rupees worth of grain out of the capture of Masulipatam for the benefit of the
Company, which he thinks, as the town was taken by storm, should properly belong to the
captors.

Agreed that Colonel Forde should be permitted to present the captors with the same in
the name of the Company as a further incitement to them to continue their zeal and service
to their employers. ....... ......

Agreed we write to the President and Council of Fort St. George .... that
the Select Committee have given Colonel Forde discretional powers either to detain this
vessel (the Leopard Snow) or despatch her to them.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th AUGUST 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President,

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

Two letters from Mr, George Gray at Ballasore, acknowledging ours of the 8th instant,
and giving reasons for his departure from Cuttack without orders, saying he subsequently
received ours of the 4th and will punctually obey the orders contained therein, and that two
harkaras have come from Ganjam who report the French have been defeated by Narain Deo,
that no third ship has arrived, and of the other two, one has left and one has been wrecked.

Agreed to write to Colonel Forde, sending him the cipher corresponding to our letter of
the 24th July, enclosing copies of two letters to Madras urging the despatch of reinforcements
thence to his aid, and giving him absolute discretion as to attacking the French or returning

1 Cf. previous instructions on the 10th April, where he is instructed in case of danger to send the Com-
panys effects to Calcutta. Mr, George Gray was present at the siege of Calcutta in 1756, and was one of the
few who escaped alive after the capture. It was natural that he should be unwilling to risk a second time
falling into the hands of the natives, but Clive was a very different Governor from Drake, and expected his
subordinates not to show too much anxiety about their own safety. Both Manningham and Frankland had
shared Governor Drake's desertion of Fort W illiam.

1330 H. D.


60

here, provided only he uses despatch in the measures he decides on, also allowing him to send
on to Madras or to retain the Leopard Snow {Captain Barclay} by whom this letter is des-
patched.

Page 84. SELECT COMMITTEE, 6th SEPTEMBER 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.1

Mr. Holwell takes his seat as member of the Committee.

The President submits a letter from Mr. Amyatt, dated Patna, the 28th August, giving a
detailed account of the state of affairs in the North, saying that Ramnarain hates the Naicab
and his son, and that all that country is in favour of the Shahzada and hostile to us because
of our supporting the Nawab, and that we shall probably soon need all our forces there.

Agreed to write to Madras, sending a copy of the above letter and a copy of the Return of
the Military in the Kingdom of Bengal, impressing upon them the precarious condition of
our affairs, and asking that, if Mr. Pocock be obliged to leave the Coast without engaging
the French, the regiment may be sent to us.

Agreed to write to Mr. Pocock, acknowledging his several letters, saying we have assisted
Mr. King to the best of our power, and will send the provisions for his squadron as con-
veyance offers.

Page 88. SELECT COMMITTEE, 12th SEPTEMBER 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

Letter from Mr. George Gray, Junior, dated Cuttack, the 31st ultimo, informing us that
the French had solicited tlie assistance of the Subah, that he had seen the latter, but had not
been able to carry out the orders contained in our letter of the 4th August, that deserters
from Ganjam report that Narain Deo treacherously massacred Mr. Burseon 2 and some forty
Europeans and dispersed his sepoys, that the French at Ganjam are in the utmost distress and
are thinking of joining M. Be Rochet at Besswan(?) and must evacuate the country unless
speedily reinforced.

Agreed to despatch the Companys ship Hardwicke to cruise off Ganjam and attempt to
capture the Harlem, which the French have sent to Mergui for reinforcements.

Agreed to apply to the Board for the complete control of the Hardwicke during this
cruise on condition she returns in time to be despatched to Europe in December.

Agreed to write to Mr. Gray that before the arrival of his letter of the 15th August we
had appointed Mr. Charles Rogers in his place, and that he is to deliver over to him the
charge of the Factory at Cuttack.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 14th SEPTEMBER 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

John Zepbaniah Holwell.

Having obtained the loan of the Hardwicke from the President and Council, agreed to
instruct Captain John Sampson, or other officer commanding her to cruise off Ganjam in
order to capture or destroy the Harlem, but not to continue his cruise beyond the 20th October
or such date as he thinks will allow him to return in time to leave for Europe in December,
but if he hears that the French have left Ganjam to proceed to Vizagapatam and land the
Europeans received from Captain Benn and return here immediately.

1 In Public Proceedings of the 9th August 1759, it appears that Mr. Holwell was sent to Murshidabad on
special duty and appointed a member of the Select Committee. He returned from Murshidabad on the 30th
August.

* Orme (II, 555) gives the name as Barven.


Page 92. SELECT COMMITTEE, 16th SEPTEMBER 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

As it is probable that the French have left Ganjam, agreed to instruct the Commander
of the Hardwicke if he ascertains this as a fact to proceed to Narsipur, and if he finds M.
Moracin has entered the river to endeavour to destroy his force and vessels, and then
to proceed to Masulipatam and place himself at the disposal of Colonel Forde for the passage
of himself and his troops, Colonel Forde being instructed not to detain him beyond the 20th
October.

Agreed to write to Colonel Forde, informing him of our instructions to the Captain of
the Hardwicke.



Page 94. SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th SEPTEMBER 1759.

Present :



The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

Letter from Mr. Brook Sampson, in command of the Hardwicke, acknowledging receipt
of ours of the 16th instant, and intimating his readiness to carry out our orders.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 3rd OCTOBER 1759.

Present:

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

Letter from Madras, dated the 28th August, announcing the arrival of Major Gordon
with part of Colonel Cootes regiment, saying that the Dutch force of 500 Europeans
and 1,000 Malays is evidently intended for Bengal, that Basalat Jang with some Frenchmen
and a country force has prevented the march of the French prisoners from Masulipatam, that
Admiral Pocock will cruise off Ceylon to intercept the French ships, that the Royal George
has captured a French sloop with a number of military officers.

Agreed to write to Madras of the arrival of the Dutch armament in the river, and
urge upon them to persuade the Admiral to come to Bengal instead of going to Bombay.

Page 97. SELECT COMMITTEE, 6th OCTOBER 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

Letter from Madras, dated the 10th ultimo, advising of the Dutch being at Negapatam, ,
that Admiral Pocock is on the windward station, and that a French ship has arrived at
Mahe.

Two letters from Colonel Forde, dated the 8th and 23rd August, informing us of the state
of affairs in Golconda, and asking reinforcements.

Letter from Mr. George Gray, forwarding duplicate of his of the 2nd September, which
he supposes to have miscarried, and informing us that the war between Janoji and Madhuji
continues.


62

Page 98. SELECT COMMITTEE, 14th OCTOBER 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

John Zephaniah Hoi well.

Two letters from Mr. George Gray, dated the 26th and 29th September, acknow-
ledging ours of the 10th instant, saying he will make over the Factory to Mr. Charles Rogers
on his arrival, that Narain Deo is striving to be reconciled with the French, that the latter are
reported to have received reinforcements, that the Subah is trying to persuade Narain Deo to
join him in an attack on the Jagannath Raja.

Page 99. SELECT COMMITTEE, 2nd NOVEMBER 1759.

Present :

The Honourable Robert Clive, President.

Charles Manningham.

William Frankland.

Johu Zephaniah Holwell.

Letter from Madras, dated the 27th September, informing us of the arrival of the French
fleet at Pondicherry with reinforcements rendering it necessary for them to concentrate their
forces and impossible to reinforce Colonel Forde except with a few Europeans, that the Prince
Henry Packet has arrived with news of the departure from England of Admiral Cornish
and the remainder of Colonel Coolers regiment.

Letter from Madras, dated the 1st October, informing us of the arrival of the squadron
at Madras, after the French fleet had refused battle off Pondicherry, that our army is in the
field attempting to bring the French to an engagement at Wandiwash, and that the Dutch
ships left Negapatam on the 13th September with all the troops from Batavia.


63

7

y



The Select Committee Proceedings in the Record Office at Calcutta cease
abruptly on the 2nd November 1759. Clive resigned the Governorship on the
23rd January 1760, and Hotwell became Governor pro tempore on the 28th of
the same month. On the 27th July 1760 Vcmsittart assumed the Governorship
under orders from the Court of Directors, procured, says Mill (Volume III, page
305), by the influence of Clive, and on the 28th, he held a meeting of the
Select Committee.



898 H. b,




65

Page 1.

Page 1.

Page 2.

Page 3.

Page 4.

Page 7.

Page 9.

Page 9.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th JULY 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,1
William Brigbtwell Sumner.

John Zephaniah Holwell,

William McGuire,

Letter from Secret Committee, London, dated 23rd November 1759.

Mr, Holwell requested to present latest advices from the Nawab, Mr, Amyatb, Major
Caillaud, etc., and a report on the present situation.

Agreed to summon Major Caillaud to Calcutta to join in the Consultations.

Letter from Madras, dated 12th June, reporting arrival of the Fort Sloop with military
stores, and that the King of Mysore has sent troops to the assistance of the French.

Letter from Madras, dated the 7th instant, reporting arrival of certain ships, despatch
of packets from the Secret Committee by the Syren and Muxadavad, and retreat of the
Mysoreans in spite of Mr, Lally3 s efforts to retain them at Pondicherry.

Reply to the above two letters, regretting inability to send any assistance, as owing
to the death of the young Nawab by lightning on the 1st July,1 2 the Shahzada has recrossed
the Soane and an action between him and Major Caillaud is expected, saying it is impossible
to raise any money either to supply Madras or to provide for the investme nt here, but we will
send military stores in September.

Letter from Mr, Hastings, dated Moradbagh, the 18th instant, reporting that, owing to
the death of the Chota Nawab, the sepoys have mutinied for arrears of pay and have been quieted
only by the interference of Kasim AU Khan, the Nawabs son-in-law, that Asad Jama
Khan is preparing to revolt, and that it is necessary for him to have a force of at least three
companies of sepoys under his own orders at Moradbagh.

Letter from Mr. Hastings, dated the 25th instant, reporting his immediate departure for
Calcutta on important business. Reply deferred.

Agreed the President advise the Nawab to have a resident Wakil in Calcutta.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 4th AUGUST 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

William Brightwell Sumner.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire,

Approved Proceedings of the 28th ultimo.

Mr, HolwelVs 3 report on the present situation, stating that ever since his accession Mir
JafarX&& plotted to get rid of the English connection, that he and his son Mir an 4 sheltered by
the power of the Kngli sh have indulged in gross cruelty, that he has certainly invited the Dutch
to send an armament, that in 1760 his cruelties caused an invasion by the Shahzada who was
assisted by the Mahrattas, and that his treacherous neglect to support the troops sent to his assist-
ance put the country into the hands of the Mahrattas and prevented the collection of our Tankas,
that Major Caillaud has been prevented from obtaining any decided success by the young
Nawab3s treachery,5 that the Nawab is trying to make a separate treaty with the Shahzada,
that at present the situation is satisfactory, but there is great danger in the ensuing season
unless we receive relief by sea, and that the death of the young Nawab opens a way of settle-
ment without actually deposing the present family. Ordered the memorial to lie on the table
for consideration.

Page 21.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 11th AUGUST 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

William Brightwell Sumner.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire.

Approved Proceedings of the 4th instant.

1 See Public Proceedings of the 27th July 1760. Mr. Vansittart arrived from Madras with orders from

the Court of Directors, dated 23rd November i759, to take over charge of the Governorship, which is accordingly
made over by Mr. Holwell.

2 Broome, pages 303-304, gives the date as the night of the 2nd July. On the death of Miran, Major
Caillaud took command of the Nawab's troops as well as his own.

3 On resigning his charge as Governor to Mr. Vansittart, Holwell drew up this report on the state of
affairs in Bengal for his guidance. See Broome, 308.

4 Mir Sadiq.

5 eg., in the Battle with Kadm Husain on the 25th June 1760 Miran kept his forces a mile in the rear
and never fired a shot, so that Kadm Husain was able to carry off all his treasure.


66

Page 21.

Page 28.

Page 28.

Page 37.

Page 51.

Page 51.

The President reports the arrival of the Nawabs Diwan Pai Payan on business regarding
the Tanka, the lands to be given to the Nawab and the Dutch. Agreed the President do write
to the Dutch the following letter :

Letter to the Dutch enumerating the accusations of the Nawab against them, and demand-
ing in the Nawabs name that they shall send away all their excess troops, destroy all new
fortifications, send away excess guns, allow their settlement to be inspected by a Nawabs
officer, allow only one Europe ship to come up the river at a time, and more exactly comply
with the terms of the treaty, under penalty of losing all privileges of trade, but promising to
protect the Dutch from any tyranny on the part of the Nawab or his ministers.

Letter from Major Caillaud dated Patna, the 2nd instant, announcing the advance of the
Shahzada on Daudnagar.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 18th AUGUST 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

"William Bright well Sumner.

J ohn Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire.

Approved Proceedings of the 11th instant.

Letter from Mr. Amy at t and Colonel Caillaud, dated Patna, the 7th August, narrating
the steps taken to quiet the army on the death of the young Nawab,1 the wish of the leaders to
secure the succession to the Nawabs infant grandson, and the quiet return of the army to
Patna, and giving reasons for favouring the claims of Pajabalab to be Diwan.

Letter from Messrs. De Wilde and Bacheracht, the Dutch Commissaries, dated the 13th
instant, acknowledging the Presidents letter of the 14th instant, denying the Nawabs
accusations, but submitting to his demands and proposing certain articles, viz., that the English
East India Company shall guarantee the privileges granted by the Nawib, and shall protect the
Dutch from unjust demands by the Nawab, that the Dutch shall have full rights of trade and
coining, that the English shall restore the cannons they have taken, and that Dutch subjects
shall be recompensed for goods lost in the capture of Calcutta, and subsequent confusions.

Agreed the President write to the Dutch the following letter :

Letter to the Dutch refusing the claim to buy saltpetre, denying any right to restitution,
agreeing to restore the guns, insisting on most of the demands of the Nawab, and promising
to guarantee his promises.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th AUGUST 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

William Brightwell Sumner.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire.

Approved Proceedings of the 18th instant.

The Dutch Commissaries agreeing to the alterations proposed, signed a treaty between the
Dutch East India Company and the Nawab, the ratifications to be exchanged within twenty
days, the terms being guaranteed by the President and Council of Fort William, on the follow-
ing conditions.

Articles agreed on, (1) the Dutch to send away all men above the treaty number, (2)
the Dutch to reduce all new fortifications to their former condition, (3) the Dutch to send away
any overplus of military stores, (4) the Dutch to allow only one ship to come up the river at a
time, (5) the Dutch to confirm the terms of the treaty of the 3rd December 1759 especially
that limiting their force in Bengal to 125 Europeans, (6) the Dutch to allow an officer of the
Nawab in company with an English officer to inspect their forts and stores at Chinsura or
some other satisfactory form of inspection, (7) the Na/wab's Diwan Rai Payan promises in
return the maintenance of the Dutch in all their privileges, and (8) that they shall be exposed
to no new exactions and freed from old ones, and (9) that.they shall have free passage for
their trade throughout the country, and (10) the right to trade except in saltpetre, and (11)
that their coinage account at Karimabad1 2 shall be settled and their coinage in future not
interfered with.

The President intimates that Colonel Caillaud expects the Malirattas to recross the Soane
and that the Colonel will then come to Calcutta.

Extract from a letter from Mr. Pigott to the President, dated August 11th, saying that
he hears from Messrs. Norris and Herbert at Batavia, the 17th and 18th June, that the Dutch
are sending six ships with Rs. 1,30,000 and 1,500 Europeans to attack Bengal, and ascribe
their previous failure to bad management. Resolved that the precautions taken are sufficient.

1 See 'Broome, page 309.

2 The original has Cariem Abaad, Hotwell says this is the Dutch Mint near Muxadabad.


67

Pago 57. SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th AUGUST 1760.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

William Brightwell Sumner,

John Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire.

Agreed to write to Madras, as follows :

Pago 57. Letter to Madras intimating the arrival of three Dutch ships without any forces on board,

and our expectation of the speedy arrival of Colonel Caillaud in Calcutta.

Pag 58. SELECT COMMITTEE, 11th SEPTEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

Colonel John Caillaud.1
William Brightwell Sumner.

y John Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire,

Colonel Caillaud reports that the Prince and M, Law have recrossed the Soane.

Description of the present situation. We have now more than a thousand Europeans
and five thousand sepoys, and the reserves stipulated in the late treaty being exhausted an
increase of income must be arranged for if this force is to be kept up. This is necessary to
prevent the designs of the French and Dutch which are most likely to prove dangerous when
there is peace in Europe. The Nawab is bound by treaty to pay a lakh of rupees a month to
our troops when in the field, but its payment even if punctual, which it is not, would be
insufficient, he should therefore be asked to make over a larger income by giving to the Com-
pany the sole right over such districts as lie most convenient to us. Our troops though
always victorious in the field cannot put an end to the war, partly because of the disinclination
of the natives ever to push an advantage and partly owing to our want of cavalry, thus the
country is weakened by the devastations of the enemy and the defection of the Nawabs own
dependants, especially the Raja of Birbhum. It would be to our advantage to change our
policy and support the Shahzada in his claims to the throne of Delhi, especially as the death of
the young Nawab has opened a way to intrigue in Bengal, and so weakened our power. Also
we want money for the operations on the coast, for the reduction of Pondicherry, and the
provision of an investment for loading the next years ships at all the Presidencies. An alliance
with the Shahzada will put an end to the misgovernment of the Naw abs favourites and secure
the just influence of the Company.

Page 64. Letter from the Raja of Birbhum to the President complaining against the Nawab

and declaring his fidelity to Shah Alum,

Intelligence that the rival parties are concentrating near Shahjehanabad.

Pago 67. SELECT COMMITTEE, 15th SEPTEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

Colonel John Caillaud.

William Brightwell Sumner.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire,

Subjects of discussion, (1) the supply of funds, (2) whether we should continue to oppose

the Shahzada or form an alliance with him,...Under the present system we find it difficult to

pay our army and the Naw abs, and to get money from the Nawab for our military and
commercial expenses in Calcutta and for the supply of the other Presidencies; it is possible
that the Shahzada may be more successful, and many of the country Chiefs are disaffected; even
when we are successful we cannot deprive the Shahzada of the means of renewing the war, and
if we could end the war the country is too much impoverished to furnish the necessary supplies;
on the other hand, if we join the Shalizada, we shall find it difficult to get the Nawabs consent
to protect the country when a large force has been withdrawn from it, to get money for
immediate expenses, and to persuade the Nawab to agree to the terms we make with the
King. In either case some violence must be done to the Naw abs feelings, and it appears to be
least offensive in the shape of orders from the Prince, Also as our army must be divided there
will be least danger if our forces at Patna are in alliance with the Shahzada, especially if the
latter enables us to entertain a large country force in Bengal. Resolved to make an alliance
with the Shahzada and to sound Kasim Ali Khan to see if he will join in this project,
Mr, Holwell instructed to consult with Raidurlabh as to the best means of doing this.

1 Was summond by Governor Vansittart from Patna, and arrived in Calcutta on the 10th September.
398 H. D.


65

Pag 72.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 16th SEPTEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel John Cailland.

William Briqhtwell Sumner.

Joh n Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire.

Approved Proceedings of the 15th instant.

The President reports a conversation with Kasim Ali Klianx that he is eager to get
possession of the government of the country, in return for which he will make the necessary
assignments to the Company, and thinks he could keep up a sufficient force to check the
Mahrattas, that he would like to see Raidurlabh, but, that being difficult to manage in secret,
it is determined to employ Khwaja Petrus to disclose the whole plan to him.

Mr. Bolwell reports that Raja Rnidurlabh strongly approves of onr plans and will assist in
every way, he advises us to ask the Subahdari, Bakshtgari and Diwam for the Company
which can then, if it likes, confirm Mir J afar, and asks for the Bakshi Niyabat1 2 for himself.

Page 77.

Pag 77.

Pag 79.

Page 83.

Page 82.

Page 82,

SELECT COMMITTEE, 19th SEPTEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel John Caillaud.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire.

Agreed to write to Mr. Amyatt:

Letter to Mr. Amyatt, ordering him to send Rajabalab to Murshidabad to arrange about
payment of the army, all security being given him that he shall not be ill-treated by the
Nawab.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th SEPTEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel John Caillaud.

William Bright well Sumner.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

Wil liam McGuve.

Agreed to write to Mr. Amyatt :

Letter to Mr. Amyatt forwarding duplicate of yesterdays letter, also one from Rai-
durlabh to the Shahzada (with an English translation) to be forwarded to the Prince, asserting
the strength of Governor Pansittart's forces, and offering an alliance in return for a Karman
giving the English the Subahdari and Diwani of Bengal and the Bikshigari of the army,
protesting the firm loyalty of the English to their engagements, and his own readiness to be
their security, also asking the Prince, if he agrees, to communicate with Colonel Caillaud and
21/r. Amyatt.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 24th SEPTEMBER 1760.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel John Caillaud.

William Bright well Sumner.

John Zephaniah Holwell.

William McGuire.

Agreed to give the following letter of instructions to Mr. Amyatt and Lieutenant-Colonel
Bohn Caillaud

Instructions to Mr. Amyatt and Lieutenant-Colonel Cailland, ordering the Colonel
to join the Prince as soon as the latter communicates with him, to use all means to bring over
the Nawab3 s officers, informing them that Kasim, Ali Khan is on our side, and also using the
assistance of Kamgar Khan* enclosing a letter to the latter, which may be used or not, and a
copy of Kasim Ali Khan's address to the Shahzada, also a letter from the Subah of Arcot
laudatory of the English, and a letter from the President. Mr. Amyatt is to insist on the

1 Kasim Ali Khan signed a treaty with the English on the 17th September, by which he ousted Mir Jafar
from the Nawabship.

2 Deputyship.

SA petty Baja in the district between Bihar and Birbhum. Orme, Vol. II, p. 281.


Page 84.

Page 89.

Page 89.

Page 91.

Page 94.

69

surrender of 1/. Law and his party, and as soon as matters have progressed far enough the
Colonel is to march northward in accordance with the following instructions :

Instructions to Lieutenant-Colonel John Caillaud, instructing him as soon as the Shalizada
has declared himself to join him with our army, to reconcile the Nawab to this arrangement,
to arrange for supplies and money, to assist the Shahzada in his attempts on the throne,
to make all possible attempts to gain the friendship of the country chiefs especially with a view
to checking the Mahrattas whose friendship is absolutely unreliable, to forward all communica-
tions through the Chief of Patna, appointing Mr. Samuel Eowitt Paymaster and Mr. Gilbert
Ironside Commissary to the Army, and authorising the Colonel to hold Court-martials.

To keep Kasim AU firm to his agreement the President accompanied by Major Yorke
with two companies of military, and a detachment of artillery with four pieces of cannon,
are despatched to Murshidabad.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th SEPTEMBER 1760.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel John Caillaud.

William Brightwell Sumner.

J ohn Zephaniah Hoi well.

William McGuire.

Agreed to instruct Colonel Caillaud as follows:

Instructions to Colonel Caillaud, ordering him if the negotiations with the Prince fail to
attack the Mahrattas in company with the Nawabs troops, drive them across the Karamnasa,
and if possible keep the war in a foreign country and to advise with the Chief at Patna when-
ever necessary.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 27th SEPTEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel John Caillaud.

William Brightwell Sumner.

John Zephawah Hotwell*

William McGuire.

Terms agreed upon between the Company and Mir Muhammad Kasim AU Khan, Bahadur :
(1) the Nawab Mir Muhammad J afar Khan to retain his dignities and a suitable income,
all business to be transacted in his name, (2) the Niyabat of the Subahdari of Bengal,
etc., to be conferred on Mir Muhammad Kasim Khan together with the administration of the
provinces and the succession on his Excellency, (3) a mutual alliance between Mir Muhammad
Kasim AU Khan and the Company, (4) the forces of the English to assist Mir Muhammad
Kasim Ali Khan to the utmost of their power, (5) the lands of Burdwan, JMidnapore, and
Chattagam (Chittagong) to be assigned to the Company for the expenses of their troops, (6) the
Company to purchase one-half of the Chunam produced in Silhut (Sylhet) for three years, (7)
the balance of the former Tankas shall be paid, (8) tenants of the Sircar shall net settle in
the territory of the Company nor vice versa, (9) neither party shall give protection to the
dependants of the other, (10) the war with the Shahzada and the raising of the necessary
money shall be decided on in conjunction, and whether peace is or is not made with the
Shahzada this treaty shall remain inviolable.

As Kasim Ali Klian sets out for Murshidabad to morrow the following instructions
are issued to the Presideut and Colonel Caillaud :

Instructions to the President and Colonel Caillaud to keep the troops now sent up, under
pretence of reinforcing the army at Patna,, at Cossimbazar to overawe the Nawab and his
advisers, if the Colonel is not needed immediately at Patna he is to remain at Murshidabad
till the Nawab has been settled with, Captain Knox co-operating with Mr. Amyatt, and when
Colonel Caillaud goes to Patna Major Yorke is to take command at Murshidabad.

The President and Colonel take leave of the Committee.

Page 98.

Page 98.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 14th OCTOBER 1760.

Present :

(William Ellis), President.2
William Brightwell Sumner.

William McGuire.

Letter from the Secret Committee of the East India Company, dated the 9th April.

Letter from Madras, dated the 13th September, reporting the safe arrival of the

1 On the 29tli September, Holwell asked permission to res!gn the service, and to remain in Bengal till he
had settled his affairs. The Boards permission is granted in the consultations of the same date.

The name of the President is omitted, but from the signatures it is evident that Mr. Ellis presided.


70

Page 104.

Page 105.

Page 107.
Page 107.

Page 110.

Page 110.

Page 111.

Page 112.

Company's and the King's ships, enclosing extracts from the Court's letters showing what
succours they are sending out and the estimated force of the enemy, reporting that the trench
have had some success in communicating with the Mysoreans in spite of the efforts of Major
More, but have not benefited in the point of stores, that on the 20th July Colonel Coote had
captured Villenore and thus confined the enemy to very narrow limits, the President accordingly
visited the Admiral off Cuddalore and arranged with him to remain on the coast, if necessary, so
as to facilitate our further designs on the enemy, that they need money very badly, that they
have detained the detachment of Scotch Highlanders sent from England for Bengal, and hope
for further reinforcements from Bengal, that Colonel Monson being the senior he has super-
seded Colonel Coote, but that the latter has consented to allow his regiment to remain on the
Coast as long as may be necessary, that Admiral Stevens has been recommended to send the
Tiger and Salisbury to Bengal to assist in defending that Presidency against the Dutch, but
the latest advices show that there is little danger of an attack, that the Mysoreans have accu-
mulated stores for Pondicherry at Gingee, that Haidar Naik, late Diwan of the King of Mysore,
has proved a rebel and been driven out by the help of the Mahrattas, that Mr, Andrews has
been sent to the Mahratta General Wararey Punt to promise future payments of Chant and so
prevent him from entering the Province, that Brigadier-General Bussy, Colonel Murphy, and
Colonel 0Kennelly have been sent to Europe and the other officers and men will be sent as
soon as possible, asking that the ships sent may be returned as soon as possible with what men
can be spared, reporting that on the 10th instant Colonel Monson successfully attacked
the bounds hedge {sic) at Pondicherry and took all the French artillery, but was unfortunately
wounded, and that Colonel Coote has resumed command, that in case any accident should
happen to Colonel Coote it will be necessary for Colonel Caillaud to be present, and therefore
asking for him to be sent, that the Fort of Ariancopong has been occupied and the other posts
will be attacked as soon as possible.

Letter from Madras, dated 25th September, reporting that the French remain at Pondi-
cherry, that they are in much distress for provisions, that the Governor of Negapatam has
complained against Capt tin Fischer, and asking for that officers account of the affair.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 20th OCTOBER 1760.

Present :

William Ellis, President,

William Brightwell Sumner.

William McGuire,

Letter from the Honourable Henry Vansittart, dated Cossimbazar, 15th instant, reporting
an interview with the Nawab, in which he purposely painted the state of affairs in the worst light
possible so as to persuade him to accept our proposals, expressing an opinion that he will give
in, and enclosing a letter from Mr, Amyatt which is a further and convenient proof of the weak-
ness and instability of the present Government.

Letter in reply, expressing congratulations and full confidence.

Letter from Mr Amyatt, dated Patna, the 4th October, reporting that though the Nawab
has not written to Bajabalab he attempted to start for Murshidabad but the sepoys have
mutinied and forced him to swear he will not go till money or Kasim Ali Khan arrives, that
every one blames Kasim Ali's imprudence in not having sent money, that most people believe
the Nawab is dead, everything is in confusion and the Prince will probably seize the oppor-
tunity to attack. ________________

SELECT COMMITTEE, 24th OCTOBER 1760.

Present :

William Ellis, President.

William Brightwell Sumner.

William McGuire.

Approved Proceedings of the 20th ultimo.

Letter from Madras, dated 28th September, acknowledging receipt of letters by the Boneta
Sloop, reporting that the Admiral will not send the Tiger and Salisbury to Bengal but to
Bombay for repairs, and that he has been asked to send others, that Captain Bichd. Smith has
captured Caroor in Mysore, and asking for all the entrenching tools that can be spared for use
in the siege of Pondicherry.

Letter from the President, dated Moradbagh, 20th October, reporting that everything has
been managed successfully,1 and that Kasim Ali will immediately take possession of the Gov-
ernment.

Letter from the President and Colonel Caillaud, dated Moradbagh, 21st October, detail-
ing the late events as follows :After some conversation with the Nawab, the President
gave him three letters explaining the bad state of affairs under his government; he confessed

1 The dethronement of Mir Jafar was quietly effected on the 20th October, and Mir Jafar was sent down,
at his own request, to Calcutta. Broome, 315-14.


71

that through old age and grief he was unable to effect a reform and ashed to consult his advisers,
but was told that this was useless as they were his worst enemies, and he was asked to name
some of his relations whom he could trust; among those he named was Kasim A li, and so he
was asked to put the government in his hands, but being extremely tired he was allowed to
go to his palace; it was arranged that Kasim Ali should not go near the palace till the affair
was settled for fear of his being got rid of; the next day the Nawab made no sign, but consulted
with his favourites Kiniram, Moonilaut, and Checon, so it was determined to terrify him by
a display of force and Colonel Caillaud was ordered in conjunction with the forces of Kasim Ali
to surround the palace at day-break and seize the favourites; this was done and the Nawab
resigned in favour of Kasim Ali, asking to be allowed to go and live in Calcutta. Kasim Ali
was proclaimed and peacefully accepted by every one. Kasim Ali will immediately grant
farmans for Burdwan, Midnapur and Chittagong and for half the Sylhet Chun am, order
the Calcutta Siccas to be accepted everywhere, pay the arrears of pay to the troops, and prob-
ably make a handsome present to the Company, this arrangement is especially fortunate just
now as the European powers are now at leisure to attend to Indian affairs; the old Nawab has
left for Calcutta with a strong guard and is to be provided with two houses, his legitimate
wife, the mother-in-law of Kasim Ali, prefers to remain with her son-in-law.

Pa ge 119. Translation of an address presented to the Nawab by the Governor, dated 18th October, saying

that instead of the friendship he had been led to expect from the Nawab by Colonel Clive he
found the English forces in his service left without pay, his own forces discontented for the same
reason, the sepoys at Muxadabad in open rebellion, that his ministers were unjust, tyrannical
avaricious and cruel, that owing to mis-government there was a general dearth of provisions,
that the circulation of the Calcutta Sice as had been stopped, that the result of the war was on
the whole unfavourable to the Nawab, and since the death of the Cliota Nawab the country has
been in a general state of confusion and ruin, wherefore the Governor determined to make an
effort to remedy this state of affairs.

Pago 121. Translation of an address presented to the Nawab by the Governor dated the 18th October

accusing his ministers of being wavering and changeable, and asking wThy when he had said
that it was necessary to bring Rajalalab from Patna he had not issued the necessary par-
wana.

Pago 122. Translation of a letter presented to the Nawab by the Governor, dated 18th October, inform-

ing him that the present provision for the English forces is insufficient, that the simplest and
most effective way will be to make over certain lands to the Company, and that if he is incapa-
citated by grief for his sons death from managing his affairs he should make over the govern-
ment to some one of his relations.

Page 125. Translation of a letter from the Governor to the Nowab, dated 19th October at night,

expressing surprise at having received no communication during the day, intimating that this is
due to his evil councillors whom it is necessary to remove before they ruin both the Naivab and
the Company, that therefore Colonel Caillaud has been sent to expel those councillors, that he
need be under no personal apprehensions and should look upon the Governor as his friend.
Agreed to write to the President and Colonel Caillaud :

Page 126. Letter to the President and Colonel Caillaad congratulating them and announcing that
preparations have been made to receive the old Nawab,

Page 128. SELECT COMMITTEE, 26th OCTOBER 1760.

Present :

Page 128.

Page 130.

Page 133.

Page 135.

William Ellis, President.

William Briglitwell Sumner.

William McGuire.

Approved Proceedings of the 24th instant.

Letter from the President and Colonel Caillaud, dated Moradbagh, 2ith October,
announcing the departure of the old Nawab for Calcutta under the charge of Captain Robertson,
that everything is quiet in the capital, and the new Nawab is making every effort to carry out
his promises, enclosing a letter from Mr. Amyatt announcing a success over some of Kadm
Husain Khans adherents and copy of a letter from the Prince to Mr. Amyatt, intimating
that the Colonel as soon as he has the necessary money for the troops, will do his best to bring
the war to a satisfactory conclusion, and enclosing a translation of a letter from the Governor
to the various Country Powers regarding the late Revolution and his intention to stay and assist
the Nawab to put his affairs in order.

Translation of a letter from the Governor to the Country Powers, intimating the abdication
of the Nawab Mir J afar Ali Khan, stating that after failing to reply to the address presented
to him by the Governor, he had finally declared his inability to carry on the government and
requested permission to retire to Calcutta.

Translation of Karman to the Governor from the Shahzada, eulogising the loyalty ot
the English, bestowing titles upon Mr. Vansittart and agreeing to peace.

Letter from Mr. Amyatt to the President and Colonel Caillaud, dated Patna, the 13th
instant, intimating that the Prince is about to leave for Tikari, Bihar or Patna, and giving
details of a successful engagement fought by Captain Yoecker (with Lieutenant Smith and
Ensign Delaware) near Port Tuckeroo (?), which the Captain hopes soon to take.

398 H. D.


72

Page 138. SELECT COMMITTEE, 6th NOVEMBER 1760.

Present :

William Ellis, President.

William Bright well Sumner.
li illiam McGuire.

Page 138.

Page 141.



Approved Proceedings of the 26th ultimo.

Letter from the President and Colonel Caillaud, dated Moradbagh, 3rd November
intimating that the Colonel's departure has been delayed by the Hawaiis difficulty in get"
ting money for the troops, but he will now take seven lakhs, the Nawab having paid nearly all
the arrears of the monthly subsidy and granted parwanas for the lands, the expenses of the
army will from the 1st October be met by the Company, and Jag at 8"tk has been asked to
advance money at Patna to be paid in Calcutta at a premium of 2 per cent., that the Colonel
will see that the army expenses are as light as possible, but the arrears to the armies of the
late Chota Naw ah and Ramnarain are so great that there is no hope of paying them off, the
Colonel therefore will try either to force the Prince to make peace or to fight and so end the
war in one way or another, and he will also take measures to reduce the Nawab's troops, the
terms to be offered the Prince are to be either a sum of money to retire or assistancei with
troops, as soon as this is settled the Colonel will return to Calcutta with the two Companes of
the Madras Detachment to go and assist in the siege of Pondicherry, and in case of delay the
Colonel may leave instructions with Major Carnac.

Letter from the President, dated Moradbagh, 3rd November 1760, announcing his return
to Calcutta with the7? irwznas for the ceded districts, that the Nawab has promised a present
of five lakh8 as an assistance for the prosecution of the siege of Pondicherry, enclosing a letter
from Mr. Amyatt reporting that the Mahrattas have declared the Shahzada King of Delhi,
which will probably facilitate his retirement from Bengal, the Nawab has been behaving well,
and the President has left him a letter of advice.

Page 142. Letter from the Governor to Nawab Kasim Ali Kb an, dated 3rd November, saying
that the late Nawab would never have fallen into trouble if he had followed the advice and
instructions given to him by Colonel Clive, that he had ruined himself by giving himself into
the hands of favourites, who were guilty of all kinds of injustice and even murder, who prac-
tised no economy and collected large numbers of troops whom they left unpaid until public
credit was ruined, and the whole country distressed and discontented, that to govern success-
fully the Nawab must be careful not to indulge in pleasure, but to keep his power in his own
hands and carefully watch those officers whose position gives them opportunities for amassing
money, that he will do well to cherish the friendship of the English, and that, if anything in
their conduct offends him, instead of aggravating this by talking about it, he should trust the
Governor to give him satisfaction, that all the army except 6,000 horse should be dismissed,
and these well disciplined and regularly paid, that means should be taken to secure life and
property, also to protect the farmers of taxes from unjust exactions, and to see that in the
markets provisions are not engiossed or too heavily taxed,

Page 148. Letter from Mr. Amyatt to the Governor, dated Patna, 27th October, reporting that the
Prince has been made King of Delhi by the Mahrattas, and that the arrival of the Colonel at
Patna is urgently required.

Page 150. SELECT COMMITTEE, 8th NOVEMBER 1760,

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

William McGuire.

Approved Proceedings of the 6th instant.

The President takes his seat.

Agreed to lay the proceedings of the Select Committee concerning the late Revolution before
the Council for perusal,

Page 151. SELECT COMMITTEE, 19th NOVEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 8th instant.

Page 151. Letter from Mr. Amyatt to the President, dated Patna, 24th ultimo, reporting that the
Kharagpur Raja has plundered the young Nawab's boats at Goorat, and that Messrs. Grant


73

and Stables 1 have been ordered to attack him, that Captain Yoechers detachment has been
withdrawn, that the arrival of money has quieted the troops and the city, and that his health
being bad and his presence no longer necessary, he will leave Patna next month, that M.
Laws forces have been much increased by desertions from us and the Nawab.

Agreed to write by one of the Companys Sloops to Admiral Stevens as follows :

Page 152. Letter to Admiral Stevens informing him that the Governor had some time ago trans-

mitted him a copy of the treaty with the Uiieetore and Council of Chinchurah, dated 23rd
December 1759, that we have been forced to replace the old Nawab by Kasim. AU Khan
and for information on this subject send the following papers : (1) the treaty with Kasim Ali
made in September, (2) letter from the Governor and Colonel Caillaud to the Select Commit-
tee, dated 21st October, describing the abdication, (3) letter from the Governor and Colonel
Cailland to the Select Committee, dated 3rd November, describing the difficulties of the army
at Patna, (4) letter from the Governor to the Selct Committee, dated 3rd November with a
copy of an address to the Nawab, (5) a memorial shewing the necessity of the Revolution,
informing him that we have no present apprehensions of the Dutch, and that we hope for a
speedy accommodation with the Shahzada.

Page 155. SELECT COMMITTEE, 4th DECEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

William Ellis.

William Bright well Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 19th ultimo.

Page 155. Letter from Mr. Amyatt, dated the 5th November, to the President and Colonel
Caillnud acknowledging a Bill of Exchange for Rs. 50,000, saying that for lack of money the
investment is at a standstill and the troops mutinous, that every one is alarmed at the change of
government, the Prince, now that he has been made King by the Mahrattas, is very formidable,
and holds almost all the country on this side the river except Monghyr and Patna, and must
therefore be speedily dealt with.

Page 150. Letter from Mr. Amyatt, dated 12th November, acknowledging Mr. Lushingtous

letter of the 27th ultimo enclosing Bill of Exchange for Rs. 50,000, intimating that Jagat
Seth has been informed that the bond for Rs. 20,000 will be paid at Muxadabad, that the
Nawabs army is mutinous for want of pay and is with difficulty kept in hand, and asking
for a Companys bond or bill of exchange on England for Rs. 50,000 advanced to Bajabalab.

Agreed to write to Mr. Amyatt, Colonel Caillaud, Major Carnae, and Mr. McGuire
as follows;

Page 158. Letter to Mr. Amyatt, Colonel Caillaud, Major Carnac and Mr. McGuire, approv-
ing of the encouragement given to Kamgar Khan by Mr. Amyatt, hoping that the
claims of the army may be in some way reduced as it is impossible for the Nawab to pay so
much, that Mr. Amy ait reay have Bills of Exchange or Interest notes for his advance, but that
the amount should be recovered from the Kawab and credited to the Company.

e

r

Page le0< SELECT COMMITTEE, 11th DECEMBER 1760.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 4th December.

Page 160. Letter to the President from the Shahzada dated 12th November acknowledging and
accepting the Presidents request for an alliance, intimating that the necessary pirwanas
have been sent, asking for the appointment of a Naib, and the sending of a suitable minister
with the Nazrana.

Page 161. Letter from Kamgar Khan to the Governor, dated 12th November, expressing pleasure
at the Presidents request for an alliance, informing him that the parwanae for the Subadhari
of Bengal have been granted, and asking for a confidential agent to be sent up, but saying
that the King absolutely refuses to receive a Said in that capacity.

Pag 102. Letter proposed by the President to be sent to the Nawab in consequence of the receipt

of the two foregoing letters, sending copies of these letters, saying that the objection to the
Saids is probably due to the Princes hatred for 3afar Ali, and that if the Nawab will order
his Wakil to act in concurrence with the Colonel the difficulty will probably be got over,
also disclaiming any wish for the Subahdari on the part of the Company.

Extract from a private letter received to-day from Patna stating the whereabouts of the
Colonel, the Shahzada, etc.

1 See Broome, pages 320-21, for account of Ensign Stables' brilliant actions with the Kharagpur Raja

at Kharagpur.


Pag 165.

Page 165.

Pag 166.

Pag 166.

Pag 171.

Pag 171.

|

Pag 173.

Pag 174.

Pag 176.

I

I

Pag 177.

I

Pag 178.

74

SELECT COMMITTEE, 14th DECEMBER 1760.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Bright well Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 11th instant.

Letter from Madras, dated 21st October, informing us that the army is busy preparing
for the investment of Pondicherry but that Admiral Stevens in spite of their requests to the
contrary has left for Trincomalee to refit, leaving only his marines ashore, that two French
officers Messrs Keerer and Kracht, on parole, have been permitted to proceed to Bengal in
order to embark for Europe.

Letter from Colonel Caillaud, dated Patna, 30th ultimo, reporting safe arrival at Patna
with treasure, and that the Eawabs army is in a state of great distress.

Letter from Colonel Caitlaud, dated Patna, 4th instant, acknowledging ours of the 3rd
and 13th ultimo, apologising for not returning immediately on the ground of the necessity
of his presence at Patna to introduce Major Camac and to fulfil his promises to the
Jamadars of the Nawabs army, saying that his departure will add to the present
confusion, that the money he has brought is insufficient to satisfy the soldiers and that they
look to him to fulfil his promises of seeing justice done to them, that they will declare their
intentions to-morrow, Bajabalab is frightened for his life, but there is hope that the speedy
coming of the Nawab will have a good effect and enable him to make known the orders of the
Council and to leave Patna, that he has sent an Arji to the Prince mentioning our desire for
peace and asking for a trustworthy person to be sent to discuss terms, but on this head
Mr. Amyatt, as he has started for Calcutta, will give full information, that he has persuaded
the Jamadars to wait the Nawabs reply to a letter despatched by Ensign Swinton on
condition that if it is not satisfactory he will accompany them to Muxadabad and see that they
get their dues, and that any attempt on his part to leave the army before this matter is settled
will endanger the Subhaship.

Letters from Ensign Swinton, dated Moradbagh, 8th and 9th instant, enclosing a copy of
Colonel Caillauds instructions, reporting arrival at Muxadabad and having passed Mr.
Amyatt8 boats opposite Pointy.

Letter from Colonel Cailland to Ensign Archibald Swinton dated Patna, commissioning
him to carry a letter to the Nawab demanding an immediate and satisfactory answer; the
purport of which letter is that the troops at Patna demand the same payments as have been
made to those at Muxadabad, that the Colonels honour is pledged to do them justice, that
he has promised to accompany them to Muxadabad if this is refused, and that such refusal
will endanger the Government, also empowering the Ensign to take a guard from Major
Tor he for any treasure that may be entrusted to him.

Letter from Ensign Swinton, dated Patna, Moradbagh, 9th instant, informing us that
after a stormy interview the Eawab has promised to pay the troops at Patna the same as
those at Muxadabad.

Extract of a letter from Colonel Caillaud to the President, describing the brilliant conduct
of Ensign Stables in utterly defeating the Baja of Kharagpur near Monghyr, and asking that
he may be mentioned in a General Letter and this communicated to him by the Commanding
Officer of the army.

Agreed to write to Colonel Caillaud or the Commanding Officer for the time being
as follows:

Letter to Colonel Caillaud or the Commanding Officer, regretting the difficulties about
money, saying that the Nawab has promised Ensign Swinton to send money but we doubt
his ability to do so, advising an immediate attack on the Prince with our troops alone if the
Nawabs refuse to move, leaving a garrison in Patna, conveying our approval of Ensign Stables
conduct and promising to report it to the Company.

Agreed to write to Major Yorke as follows :

Letter to Major Yorke ordering him to advance without waiting for the Nawab and to
appoint a rendezvous with Captain White.

Letter from Pajali Pulwansingh. to Pam, Earain Bahadur, reporting a battle between
the Abdalis and the Mahrattas in which the former were victorious.

Page 179.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th DECEMBER 1760
Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.
Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Bright well Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 14th instant.


75

Tag 179. Letter from 3/r. Batson, dated Cossimbazar, 22nd instant, reporting an interview with
the Nawab, that he declared he could find no money, but had finally given an order on the
Bai Bayan for 2,30,000 rupees to be paid on the 24th instant and 2,00,0( 0 on the 15th
proximo which with other amounts already paid or to be paid by the Fanjdar of Hugli will
make up the amount promised, he also agrees to pay the amounts due to Mr, Amyatt, that
Colonel C ail I and has sent Rajabalabs draught for 8,80,000 rupees advanced to him at
Patna, that Major Torlce has marched to Seirpur, that owing to the representations of Petrus
the Fawab had been uneasy at the dealings of the Council with the Prince but is now
satisfied.

T




130 H. D.


78

rage 1. SELECT COMMITTEE, 5th JANUARY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Bright well Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 25th ultimo.

j Letter from Colonel Caillaud and Major Carnac, dated Jafar Khans Gardens,1 26th
December, reporting upon the progress of negotiations with the Prince, enclosing copies of
instructions to their Yfakils, saying the demands made by Dalab Pam had been granted, ask-
ing for full instructions regarding the treaty to be made, saying it is useless to ask from the
Prince anything more than the dismissal of Mr. Law, that a Wakil sent some months ago to
the Princes Camp reports that he is only amusing us and will not grant any Sanad,
saying the presence of the Nawab is necessary to satisfy the troops, that there seems no
chance of Rajbalab repaying the money advanced him by Mr. Amyatt, and that they
await the return of their Wakils from the Princes Camp before advancing further.

Page 3. Letter to the President from Captain Martin White, dated Camp at Battasy ka Bagh, the

29th December, reporting the occasion and details of a conflict with the Raja of Burdwan,
Misri Khan, Dundar ting, the Faquirs and a party from Birbhum between Burdwan and
Sangotgola,1 2 the Raja and his friends having attempted to prevent him from passing through
his territories to effect a junction with Major Yorke, reporting that he has heard from the
Major of a party of Mahrattas being between them, but fears there is no chance of their
risking an engagement, that he has found a number of letters, some being from the Shahzada,
which may be of intelligence and will be delivered to the Major, and asking if anything has
been heard of the money sent him which appears to have fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Agreed to write to Major Carnac as follows :

Page 7. Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging receipt of letter from Major Carnac and Colonel

j Caillaud, explaining why Sanads for the SubaMp have been asked from the Prince, and
approving of his conducting all negotiations conjointly with the Nawabs Agent on the basis
of the confirmation of the Nawabs Subaship and the present possessions and privileges of the
Company, but as there is little chance of making terms with the Prince advising the
vigorous prosecution of the war, and saying that Captain Whites victory over the Raja of
Burdivan will enable him to effect a junction with Major Yorke, their combined forces being
sufficient to prevent the Prince from entering that country, thus making it probable he will
be forced to give battle to Major Carnac or to Major Yorke, also that the money advanced by

Mr. Amyatt to Pajabalab has been accounted for by the Nawab.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 9th JANUARY 1761.

Page 9.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.
Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Page 9. ?

2

I

1

Approved Proceedings of the 5th instant.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp, at Jafar Khans Gardens, the 1st instant,
reporting the departure of Colonel Caillaud for Calcutta after vainly attempting to quiet the
Nawabs Jemadars, saying they threatened to march on Muxadavad but he has persuaded them
to remain quiet for the present, though he apprehends a speedy renewal of trouble unless the
Nawab arranges for payment of arrears, requesting the Council to impress upon the Nawab the
necessity of this, sending a copy of his own letter to the Nawab upon this subject, saying
that Ensign Swinton writes he is bringing three lakhs of rupees, but the sending of such small
sums is of little use, informing the Council of the return of Sitab Rai and 8haikh Abdullah
from the Princes Camp with the intelligence that the Prince is negotiating only with the
object of gaining time, as is evident from the impossible conditions be offers, sending copies of
his letters to the Prince and Kamdar Khan, announcing his intention to march with the
Nawabs troops towards Futwa in hopes of bringing the Prince to an engagement.

1 A little to the east of Patna.

2 Ten miles west of Burdwan on the south bank of the Damnda.


79

Page 17.

Page 17.

Page 20.

Page 20J

4

I

I

Page 22.,

fl

,3

SELECT COMMITTEE, 13th JANUARY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 9th instant.

Agreed to write by the Godolphin to Madras as follows

Letter to the Select Committee at Madras, acknowledging theirs of the 28th November,
expressing regret that they have not been able to persuade Admiral Steevens to remain off
Pondicherry, and congratulating them on the capture of the Compagnie des Indes, the loss of
which will cripple the enemy, hoping that they will soon be able to spare a battalion for
Bengal, informing them that Colonel Caillaud has left for Madras and that Major Carnac has
taken the field against the Shahzada, and that Major Yorke has occupied Birbhum.

Agreed to write to Major Yorke as follows :

Letter to Major Yorke, approving his conduct in Birbhum, instructing him to accompany
the Nawab to Patna with such troops as can be spared.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 19th JANUARY 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 13th instant.

Letter from Major Carnac, dated Futwa, the 5th instant, reporting his arrival at Futwa
and that of Ensign Swinton with three lakhs of rupees, that the Nawab is making no effort to
pay the arrears to the troops who are desperate and no longer to be relied upon, that he sees
no advantage in halting there, but will stay till the 7th, after which he will advance with his
own forces against the Shahzada, leaving a small body with Mr. McGwire to defend Patna.

Agreed to reply as follows

Letter to Major Carnac, approving of his conduct, saying Mr. Batson has sent him two
lakhs of rupees from Cossimbazar, urging a speedy battle, asking for an account of expendi-
ture, and saying the Nawab has promised to settle the arrears of the army as soon as the
accouuts are made out.

Page 25. SELECT COMMITTEE, 22nd JANUARY 1761,

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 19th instant.

Page 25. Letter from Major Carnac, dated Bihar, the 15th instant, reporting a victory over the

Shahzada on the Son River, and the capture of M. Law and most of the French.1

Agreed to defer reply till arrival of further details.

Page 26. SELECT COMMITTEE, 26th JANUARY 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 22nd instant.

Letter from Major Yorke, dated Cungarpur(?), the 22nd instant, acknowledging ours of
the 13th instant, and congratulating us on Major Carnacs victory.

1 This victory was won on the 15th January 1761 (see Eroome, pages 322-326). Golam Husain
JChan in the Seir Mutaqherin, Volume 2, pages 164-166, gives an interesting account of the capture of
M. Law, concluding as follows :Itmust be acknowledged, to the honour of those strangers (the English)
that as their conduct in war and in battle is worthy of admiration, so, on the other hand, nothing is more
modest and more becoming, than their behaviour to an enemy, whether in the heat of action, or in the pride of
success and victory : these people seem to act entirely according to the rules observed by our ancient com-
manders, and our men of genius.


80

Pag 27.

Page 28.

Page 28.

Page 30.

Page 32.

Page 32.

Page 33.

Page 33.

Page 35.

Page 35.

Page 36.

Page 37.

Agreed to write to Madras by the Prince Edward as follows

Letter to Select Committee, Madras, informing them of Major Carnacs victory.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th JANUARY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 26th instant.

Letter from Major Carnac, dated Banks of the Sukkery (?) the 17th instant, giving details
of his victory, commending Captains Knox and Broadbridge, asking for orders in case the
Shahzada, offers to come over to us, saying there is an excellent harvest in Kamdar Khan's*
district, aud that he is very short of money.

Letter to the President from Mr. John Johnstone, dated Midnapur, the 26th instant, say-
ing he is surrounded by the enemy and asking for immediate relief.

Resolved to send Lieutenant Wilson with a small force to relieve Mr. Johnstone and drive
the Mahrattas out of the country.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 30th JANUARY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 28th instant.

Agreed to write to Major Carnac as follows:

Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging his of the 17th instant, ordering him to receive
the Sha-hzada if he throws himself entirely upon our mercy, informing him of the despatch of
money for the troops, and wishing him continued success.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 9th FEBRUARY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner

Approved Proceedings of the 30th ultimo.

Letter from Major, Carnac, dated Ruanulla,1 2 the 24th ultimo, giving details of the pur-
suit of the Khalizada whose army must have been totally dispersed had the Nawabs army
been fit for service, saying no money has yet arrived, reporting the capture of a small fort and
severe punishment of its defenders (the principal being hanged, and others chabucked and
their ears cut off).

Letter from Lieutenant John Stables, dated Monghyr, the 17th ultimo, thanking us for
our remarks on his behaviour against the Karagpur Raja.

Letter to the President from Mr. John Johnstone, dated Midnapur, the 3rd instant,
stating his extreme distress, asking for a strong relieving force, and saying that Bahadur
Singh is a traitor and refuses to march and join Mr, White.

Letter to the President from Mr. John Johnstone, dated Midnapur, the 5th instant,
reporting again his great distress.

Agreed to write to Major Carnac as follows

Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging his of the 24th ultimo, saying the Nawab is
going to Patna to settle the district and ordering the Major to assist him, ordering him to
protect Bamnarain from any possible injustice on the part of the Nawab, saying that the
Nawab very properly asks for an account from Bajbalab of the troops he commands and
will employ him or not again according as the account rendered is satisfactory, that, Subut
with the whole force of the Mahrattas is keeping Mr. Johnstone besieged, and that we have
despatched such relieving force as is available, and that being short of troops we desire the

1 This appears to be the Chief elsewhere called Kamgar Khan.

2 Or Ray nullah, about 20 miles west of Monghyr.


81

return of Major Yorle with 150 or 200 Europeans, as soon as possible, sending a copy of
letter from Madras reporting the great damage done to the fleet in the hurricane of the 1st
January, and saying that Lieutenant Perry has arrived with a number of French prisoners.

Page 40.

Page 40.

Page 42.

Page 45.

Page 46.

Page 40.

Page 46.

Page 47.

Page 49.

Page 49.

Page 50.

Page 50.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 10th FEBRUARY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis

William Brightweil Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 9th instant.

Letter from Major Carnac, dated Camp, near Bihar, 30th ultimo, enclosing copy of
a letter from the Prince to Sitab Rai and saying be is inclined to accept almost any terms
which will place him on the throne, and enumerating the dates of his letters to the Council
and Committee.

Letter from Mr. John Johnstone, to the President, dated Midnapore House, 8th February
1761, saying news of Lieutenant Whites approach has arrived, commending the courage and
endurance of the Sepoys, the wounded and sick having suffered much for want of a doctor,
asking for a supply of arms, and saying the Zamindars have all deserted to the enemy.

Agreed to write to Major Carnac as follows

Letter to Major Carnac announcing the capture of Pondicherry on the 15th ultimo
and forwarding particulars of the same.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 13th FEBRUARY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 10th instant.

Agreed to write to Mr. Johnstone, congratulating him on having made the enemy retire
approving of his conduct which will be reported to the Company, and intimating that Captain
Knox will be despatched with a force to reduce the Zamindars*

Agreed we write to Major Carnac aud Mr. William McGwire, promising to assist the
Prince to recover the throne if he will join us and the project is feasible and will not be too
expensive, ordering them to consult the Nawab in this matter, and to continue the pursuit of
the Prince if he does not accept our terms.

Agreed to write to Major Carnac, acknowledging his of the 30th ultimo, noting the
expression of our wishes in our letter to him and Mr. McGwire, and ordering him, if negotia-
tions fail, to push on the war with vigour, and sending him letters from the President to
Bulwant Singh and Faizulla Khan, Zamindars of Oudh, who are likely to join him if he
enters that province.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 16th FEBRUARY 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of 13th instant.

Agreed we write to the Select Committee, Madras, as follows

Letter to the Select Committee, Madras, saying we hope the capture of Pondicherry
will permit of the despatch of Colonel Coote and his battalion to Bengal, informing them
that the Slializada has thrown himself upon our protection, and that, provided the project
be feasible, we shall assist him to recover the throne.

Agreed we write to Admiral Steevens as follows :

Letter to Admiral Steevens, congratulating him on the capture of Pondicherry, informing
him of the surrender of the ShahzadaJ, and saying our future action in regard to the latter will
depend largely on the reinforcements we receive, and promising to write further.

Agreed we write to Colonel Eyre Coote to the same effect.

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote>

130 H. D.


82

Page 53.

Pl

Pl

Page 53.

Page 54.

Page 55.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 17th FEBRUARY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansitturt, President,

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis,

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 13th instant.

Letter from the President to the Nawab, acknowledging his Parwana and the Arzis from
Maharaja Ramnarain and Maharaja Rajbalab, informing him of the Shahzadas application
for assistance, requesting him to advise with Major Carnac and Mr, William McGwire at
Patna, saying that reinforcements have been asked for from Madras, that there is no lack of
men but only of money, aud asking that a proper provision be made for the Prince from the
revenue of Behar.

Letter from Major Carnac, dated Camp at Gya, the 6th instant, saying he has had an
interview with the Shahzada and that he awaits our orders, being forced to stay at Gya by the
Gentoos who wish to perform their devotions at so holy a place.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows :

Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging his of the 6th instant, ordering him to
assure the Shahzada of our support if the project is feasible and the Company not put to
expense, but that nothing can be done till the arrival of fresh forces from Madras, saying
provision must be made for the Shahzada from the revenues of Behar, enclosing a letter for
him from the Governor and a translation of the same and duplicates of other letters.

I

I

I

p

p

I

£

I

Pago 57. SELECT COMMITTEE, 19th FEBRUARY 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis,

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 17th instant.

Page 57. Letter from Major Carnac, dated Camp at Gya, the 8th instant, saying his rapid

pursuit of the Prince had driven him to dismiss Kandar Khan, that he had then sent Sitab Rai
and Mr. Swinton to him, engaging the Company to grant him Rs. 1,01)0 a day but referring
his other demands to us, that the Prince had visited him at his Camp and been allowed to
return to his people, that he had then sent Mr, Lushington to him for a peremptory answer
as to whether he would join the English or no, that the Prince had agreed to do so and was
expected immediately, and that on his arrival the pursuit of Kamdar Khan will be resumed,
advising that the Prince should be kept in the Companys own protection as his life will be in
danger if he is made over to the Nawab or his officers, and dwelling upon the great influence
which the name of King has upon both Mussulmans and Gentoos.

Page 60. Letter from Major Carnac, dated Camp at Gya, the 8th instant, acknowledging ours

of the 2nd, saying it is only the timely supplies received from Mr. McGwire that have saved
the-army from great distress, that the great expense of the boats is due to the fact
that no one will consent to take charge of them and requesting us to depute somebody for
that purpose, that Mr. Lushington delivered over his accounts to Mr. William Smith, that he
will try to submit his accounts monthly, that Nobut Rai has joined the Nawabs army after
long delay and without any money, so that the distress of the soldiers is extreme.

Agreed to reply to the above letters as follows:

Page 63. Beply to the above two letters, congratulating Major Carnac on bis success in

getting the Shahzada into bis power, approving of his arrangements about an allowance,
and promising to keep the Shahzada in our own bands, saying our future action must depend
on bis resources and the reinforcements from Madras, asking the Majors advice as to the
proper place for the Shahzadas residence, and giving dates of previous letters.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th FEBRUARY 1761.

j Page 65.

Present:

(John Carnac.)1 .

I (William McGwire.)

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis,

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 19th instant.

Page 65. Letter from Major Carnac, dated Patna, the 19th instant, informing us that he has

accompanied the Nawab to Patna, having left Mr. Lnshington and 100 Europeans with

1 These two names are entered in the rough copy only.


Page 67.

Page 68.

83

Rajbalabs troops to make head against Kamdar Khan, that the Prince is afraid to enter the
city for fear of being made a prisoner, that Air. Swinton has been sent to enquire after his
health and to bay the Major will not see him or pay any allowance till he enters Patna, con-
gratulating us on the capture of Pondicherry, and saying Mr. Swinton has returned with the
Prince's promise to come in tomorrow.

Letter from Major Carnac and Mt. W. McGwire, dated Patna, the 20th instant, saying
the Prince has come into Patna and taken up his abode in the Killah.

Page 69.

Page 70.

Page 71.

Page 73.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 7th MARCH 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 28th ultimo.

Translation of letter from the President to Abdullah, dated the 3rd instant, asking for
orders as to whether the Company's army shall accompany Shah Alam, to Delhi.

Translation of a letter from the President to the Shahzada proposing that Siccas shall not
be struck nor the Khutba read in his name until these things have been done in Delhi.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows

Letter to Major Carnac, approving his conduct, saying there is no news as yet
from the Coast, and saying that we can take no steps until we have procured the support of the
Abdalis and other principal powers of the Empire, directing him to assist the Nawab in reduc-
ing refractory Zamindars and to see that every one renders him proper accounts of their
expenses. - ______

Page 73.

Page 79.

Page 70.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 15th MARCH 1761.

Present :

(John Carnac.)3

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 7th instant.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Patna, the 6th instant, saying he has communi-
cated our sentiments to the Shahzada who affirms that Abdullah is in his interest, that our treat-
ment of him will confirm or dishearten his friends, and that if we acknowledge him as King and
give him the sign of royalty he will soon receive supplies of men and money, saying the
Prince is in great dread of being even considered a prisoner, that if Abdullah recognises him he
will not need our assistance and should be escorted out of our dominions, hut if Abdullah makes
himself King then the Prince will be without any importance and can take shelter where he
will, that the Nawab is encamped at Baikantpur and shows a cowardly fear of the Prince,
that he has offended the Nawab by recalling Colonel Champion from Bihar when he recalled
his own troops, and has refused to assist him except in acts consistent with honour and justice,
that'the bawab does not wish to favour the Shahzada unless he can procure some great advan-
tage from doing so, and finally that he and the Nawab are mutually dissatisfied with each
other,

SELECT COMMITTEE, 17th MARCH 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightweil Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 15th instant.

Letter from Major Car vac and Mr. William McGwire, dated Patna, 24th February,
acknowledging ours of the 13th, sayipg the Shahzada is afraid we want to make him a
prisoner and so demands free access to his troopswhich is dangerous, that his fear is increased

1 Shah Alam, known as the Prince or Shahzada, was the son of Alamgir II, who succeeded to the throne
of Delhi in 1754 when his predecessor Ahmad Shah was blinded and imprisoned. Alamgir II was assassinated
in 1759, his son Ali Gauhar (afterwards Shah Alam) being then in Bengal. In 1765 he gave the Di wan; of
Bengal to the English and resided at Allahabad under their protection till 1771, when he went to Delhi. He
died in 1806.

2 Only in the rough copy.


81

Page 81.

Page 83.

Page 84.

Page 85.

Page 87.

Page 89.

Page 91.

Page 91.

by the approach of the Nawab, that he is distressed by our refusal to let the Khutba be read and
Siccas coined in his name, that he affirms Abdullah is in his interest, that they have referred
him to us on these points and enclose a letter from him to the Governor, that the allowance
promised by the Major being insufficient they have increased it by Rupees Three hundred a
day, and that they think the Nawab should provide him with a much larger allowance, and
asking for a speedy reply and orders.

Copy of Intelligence sent from Delhi by Balabdas, dated the 19th January, to the effect
that the King of Kings 1 has won a great victory 1 2 over the Deccan army (the Mahrattas} and
has occupied Delhi.

Translation of a letter to Shah Alam from Nawab Zinut Mahal (title of Bital Kanwar),
his mother, saying she has seen Ahmad Shah and his son Timur Shah who have promised to
restore Shah Alam to the throne, aud begging him to come to Delhi.

Translation of letter from the Shahzada to the saying he has come into the

English Camp and been well treated by Major Carnac, asking for assistance and promising
favour.

The Governors answer to the Shahzada, asking what assistance he can give in men and
money, notifying our success at Pondicherry, and asking him to consult with the Nawab,
Major Carnac and Mr. IK. McGwire, and asking him to reside where he pleases in the Com-
pany's territories.

Letter from Major Carnac, dated Patna, the 24th February, acknowledging several of our
letters, complaining of their late delivery, promising to assist the Nawab as instructed,
promising to protect Ramnarain and to send back Major Yorke to Calcutta.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows :

Letter to Major John Carnac, acknowledging his of the 6th instant, expressing regret
at his quarrel with the Nawab, who should have consulted him in all military affairs, and
ordering him to assist the Nawab in the collection of revenue as far as that can be done
with safety to the army.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 20 th MARCH 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 17th instant.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac and Mr. William McGwire as follows

Letter to Major John Carnac and Mr. William McGwire, saying we can assist
the Shahzada only with men and not with money, that if he can do without our assistance he
should be escorted out of Bengal as it is not proper that he should reside in Calcutta or any
where else in Bengal, that if Abdullah declares him King we will agree to grant him the
ensigns of royalty, that at present we ask of him only a confirmation of* our present posses-
sions, a free Mint, a confirmation of the Nawab of Arcot and the Company in their possessions
in that province, his favourable attention to any future requests from the gentlemen at
Madras and Bombay, and the payment of any troops we send him, which as it will have to be
made by the Nawab the latter will require to be confirmed in the Subahdari of Bengal, and
that until his expedition to Delhi actually starts he should observe strict economy.

Page 94.

Page 94.

Page 95.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 24th MARCH 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 20th instant.

Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated the Ganges, Rangafulla, 23rd March 1761,
acknowledging ours of the 16th ultimo, expressing his regret at the retention of his regiment
at Madras on the pretext of a projected attack on the Islands.

Letter from the Select Committee, Madras, dated Fort St. George, 9th March 1761,
acknowledging ours of the 23rd January aud 16th February, intimating to us the departure
of Colonel Coote, enclosing copies of the Court's directions regardingthe capture of the Islands,
the President's letter to Mr. Steevens and his reply, their letter to Colonel Coote, a statement
of the present condition of their affairs, and the capitulation of Mahe.

1 Ahmad JBhah Abdali or Shah Durrain.

2Panipat, January, 1761.


£5

Page 99.

Page 101.

Page 102.

Page 105.

Page 110,

Page 113.

Page 129.

Page 132.

Page 132.

Page 135.

Page 138,

Page 138.

Extract from a letter from the Secret Committee, dated 23rd November 1759, to the Select
Committee, Madras, recommending the reduction of the Islands.

Letter from Mr. Pigot to Admiral Steepens, dated 13th February 1761, regarding the
proposed attack on the Islands.

Letter from Admiral Steerens to Mr. Pigot, dated the Norfolk at Pondicherry, loth Febru-
ary 1761, on the same subject.

Proposals of Capitulation made by Mons. Louel, Commander-in-Chief of the French
Garrison at Mahe, for the surrender of that place and its dependencies to Thos. Hodges, Esq.,
Commander-in-Chief of Tellichery, aud Hector Munro, Esq., Commander of the King's and
Company's Forces.

Letter from Admiral Steevens, dated the Hof oik, at Pondicherry, the 20th February 1761,
acknowledging receipt of various papers and packets, saying he has, since the settlement of
differences between England and Holland, the strongest assurances of friendship from the
Dutch, congratulating us on all our successes on the Coast aud in Bengal, saying he must
proceed immediately to Bombay to clean and refit, and promising as early intelligence of the
enemy as possible.

The General Letter from Fort St. Gorge, dated the 9th instant, being read and con-
sidered, decided to write to the Select Committee, Madras, acknowledging theirs of 9th instant,
informing them of the arrival of Colonel Cooie, saying we wish to acquit ourselves honourably
to the Shahzada but shall not behave rashly, that we think the expedition against the
Islands not worth the expense or danger, and that we think it better to concentrate our force
on the defence of our possessions in India as the Dutch may take advantage of any weakness
shown by us, that we think it absolutely necessary that Colonel Coote's battalion should be
sent to us, with a Company of the King's Artillery, and an officer and 20 Huzzars or
the whole troop of Huzzars to discipline our new mounted forces, sending an indent for mili-
tary stores, and saying that the Shahzada is waiting at Patna for the effects of the good
offices of his friends at Delhi.

Indent for Ordnance and Ordnance Stores sent to Madras.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th MARCH 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

Wiliam Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 24th instant.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, 20th March 1761, acknow-
ledging ours of the 7th, saying the Nawab has met the Shahzada, hut their reconciliation is
hollow, and the Nawab wishes him to be dismissed, as does the Shahzada himself, asking orders
upon this point, expressing disbelief in the Jesidt's 1 letter from Lucknow, saying that in con-
sequence of the recent victory all the local Zamindars are submitting, but the Nawab will not
hear of any part of the army returning to Calcutta.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows :

Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging his letter of the 20th instant, saying we
think it probable that Suj a-u d-d aula has intrigued with Abdullah as stated in the Jesuit's
letter, advising the Shahzada to use Siija-ud-daula's influence with Abdullah, saying that the
Shahzada must not be allowed to treat separately with Suja-ud-daula as that would result in
his invading Bengal, enclosing letters to AbdMah and Suj a-ud-daula to be forwarded with his
own and that of the Shahzada if he is willing to negotiate, notifying the arrival of Colonel Coote}
and our wish, as his regiment is expected shortly, that the whole force should stay at Patna.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 31st MARCH 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel Eyre Coote.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

WiHiam Briyhtwell Sumner (absent at Burd wan).

Approved Proceedings of the 28th instant.

Letter from Major John Carnac and Mr. William McGwire, dated Patna, 23rd instant,
acknowledging ours of the 7th instant, expressing an opinion that our openly declaring in

1 Possibly the German Jesuit Wen del, whom M. Chevalier, the French Governor of ChandernagOro
suspected of correspondence with the English. See Emile Barbe, Le Nabab Rene Madec., p. 40.

130 H- a


86

Page 140.

favour of the Shahzada would be of great service to him, saying the Nawab had returned the
Arzdashb to Abdullah as being improper in form and language, saying the Prince is disgusted
with the smallness of his allowance, and that, if the letter enclosed is a true one, his presence
at Delhi is urgently required, the Nawab wishes him to go, but Major Carnac is unwilling to
let him go without our orders, that unless we and the Nawab assist the Prince he will have no
reason to favour us when he ascends the throne, as it now seems probable he will, and stating
their urgent need of money.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows

Letter to Major Carnac, acknowleging his letter of the 23rd, repeating our
assurances of assistance to the Shahzada as soon as the necessary alliances are completed and
the necessary money raised, saying that as the Prince will not disclose his plans we suspect
his march to Delhi to be merely a pretence to enable him to join Svja-ud-daula and invade
Bengal, aud therefore require an explanation from him of his future intentions, and that on
receiving this our final orders will be issued, repeating* our refusal to grant the Shahzada at
increased allowance, and saying his mothers letter is not a sufficient guarantee of Abdxillahs
friendship.

Page 144.

Page 144.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 3rd APRIL 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel Eyre Coote.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 31st March.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, 24th ultimo, forwarding
another letter from the Jesuit at Lucknow, transmitted by the residing at Patna.

Letter from the Jesuit at Lucknow, saying that Suja-ud-daulas designs on Bengal have
been given up owing to the approach of a large body of Mahrattas, and that Abdullah has sent
a trusty messenger with a booy-guard of 50 men to the Shahzada.

Page 147.

Page 147.

Page 148.

Page 150.

Page 152.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 9th APRIL 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel Eyre Coote.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

"William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 3rd instant.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, 25th ultimo, acknowledging
ours of the 17th ultimo, saying he would assist the Nawab except where the good of the
service and his honour were concerned, and that on this account he had disabused him of the
error in which he was of thinking the army to be under his orders, promising to assist the
Nawab towards the regulation of the country and the collection of the revenue, but requesting
permission to return to Calcutta if the army is to be dispersed in detachments at the Nawab's
discretion, sayiug he forwarded us yesterday a letter from a Jesuit in Lucknow, and that he
is waiting impatiently our instructions regarding the Shahzada.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, the 28th ultimo, saying that,
as he had warned us and the Nawab, our inaction has encouraged Kamdar Khan to come out
of his hiding, and that he has ordered Captain Champion to pub a stop to his operations, little
as the Nawab deserves our assistance, acknowledging receipt of ours of the 20th, pointing out
that our inability to assist with money is a fatal obstacle to the Shahzada's hopes that the
Shahzada is now anxious to depart, and should never have been received by us, though his
treatment whilst in our power has favourably disposed him towards the English.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, 30th ultimo, saying the Shahzada
had paid him a vis.t, aud that he communicated to him the arrival of Colonel Coote, but that
the Shahzada was only the more eager to depart and was so disgusted with the Nawab that he
wished to grant the Subahdari of Bengal to us iustead of to him, and promised whenever he
came to the throne to grant the English Company any requests it might make, that the
Prince pressed him to accompany him to Benares, that the Nawab has begged him to secure
him the honour of a visit from the Prince, which he has done, and that Captain Champion has
defeated Kamdar Khan.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, the 1st instant, giving parti-
culars of the defeat of Kamdar Khan, and saying the Nawab has at last agreed to send three
or four thousand horse into Kamdar Khans territory. x


87 *

Page 153.

Page 155.

Page 156.

Letter from Major John Carnac and Mr William McGwire, dated Patna, the 1st instant,
acknowledging ours of the 2()th ultimo, recommending a small increase to the Shahzada's
allowance in order to keep together his present force, asking that the Nawab may be requested
to grant this, and begging for an immediate answer to prevent the Prince's departure.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac and Mr. McGwire as follows :

Letter to Major John Carnac and Mi. William McGwire, acknowledging theirs of the
1st instant, agreeing to the increase in the Shahzada's allowance, saying the President will
write to the Nawab to re-imburse them and that Colonel Coote is setting out immediately to
confer with the Prince,

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows:

Letter to Major John Carmc, acknowledging his last four letters, and congratulating
him on Captain Champion's success.

Page 158.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 10th APRIL 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel Pyre Coote.

(Peter Amyattj 1
William Ellis.

William Bright-well Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 9th instant.

Page 158. Letter from the Select Committee, Madras, dated the 30th January 1761, saying the fleet
has proceeded to Bombay to refit, and that the greater part of the army has been put in
garrison, pending further news from us.

Agreed that as we have already written a full account of the state of affairs here and have
given our opinion on the expedition to the island, we may await an answer.

Page 160. SELECT COMMITTEE, 17th APRIL 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel Eyre Coote.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the loth instant.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Patna, 6th instant, acknowledging ours of the 28th
ultimo, pointing out that the second letter from the Jesuit at Lucknow must entirely dissipate
our fears of an invasion by Suja ud-daula, saying it is unnecessary to open a correspondence
with Abdullah as lie has left Delhi for his own country, that the Prince wishes to know what
now hinders us from giving him the ensigns of royalty and if he does not get a favourable
reply from the Nawab and us to-morrow lie will immediately commence his march, that there
is no danger from him if lie goes, and that the Prince has paid a friendly visit to the Nawab.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows :

Page 162. Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging his of the 6th instant, declining for the present
to give the Prince the marks of royalty, saying that Colonel Coote will set out next week,
that if the Prince will not wait, he should be escorted to the Karamnassa, and ordering the
President's letter to Snja*ud*da>ula to be forwarded, as the chief point to be adjusted is to
secure Suja-u d-d aula in the Prince's interest,

Page 165. SELECT COMMITTEE, 21st APRIL 1761,

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel Eyre Cocte.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 17th instant.

Page 165. Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, the 13th instant, saying the
Prince does not think it worth while staying longer, especially as the Nawab has bribed his
favourites to urge his departure, and that the Prince has left the city and will march shortly,
that he will accompany him to the Karamnassa with half of Major lathe's detachment, leaving

1 Not mentioned amongst the members present, but his signature given at the end of the Proceedings.


Pago 163.

Pago 169.

Page 174.

Page 174.

Page 176.

Page 176.

Page 180.

Page 181.

* 88

the rest under Captain Robertson to attend the Nawab, reporting that the Nawabs ill-will to
Ramnarain has shown itself openly as he refuses to submit the different accounts to the arbi-
tration of the Board and says that Ramnarain must be removed from the Niyabat of the
Province, reminding us of Colonel Clwes pledge to Ramnarain that he should hold this post
as long as he pleased, saying that it is politic to keep this promise as the Nawab oppresses all
who are known to favour the English, e.g., Sitab Rai, whom he is about to dispossess of his
Jagirs, and enclosing a translation of News received from Ramnarain (?).

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows

Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging his of the 13th instant, saying we think the news
transmitted shows the necessity of our assistance to the Shahzada, and lienee it is probable
he will wait till Colonel Coote arrives, and that Colonel Coote has been instructed to protect
Ramnarain.

Instructions to Colonel Coote.The position of the Shahzada gives us a good opportunity
for securing the tranquillity of our possessions. The chiefs most loyal to him and therefore
to be secured are Suja-ucl-daula, Nawab of Oudb, and Najib-nd-daula, the Chief of the Rohillas.
Abdullah is said to have left Delhi, and a body of Mahrattas is said to be marching on that
town, their ultimate objective being Suja-u d-d aula. This should render the latter as well as
the Prince more inclined to an alliance with us, and letters have been written to him accord-
ingly. Ten lakhs will be necessary for expenses and these must be provided by the Nawab
who should be consulted bow to raise that sum. The differences between the Nawab and
Ramnarain may be settled amicably, at any rate Tfo/zmarao is to be protected from oppression
and injustice, and preserved in his government. The striking of Siccas and the reading
of the Khutba in the Princes name are to be left to the discretion of the Colonel as also all
other urgent matters. _______________

SELECT COMMITTEE, 28th APRIL 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt. __

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 21st instant.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote as follows :

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote, requesting him to arbitrate between the Nawab and Ram-
narain in respect to the latters accounts, to reduce the charges of the army as much as
possible, enclosing a Regulation relative to Batta to officers and leaving other matters to
bis discretion after consultation with Mr. Hugh Watts, our Comnrssary-General, who has
accompanied him to Patna. _______________

SELECT COMMITTEE, 6th MAY 17*61.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 28th April.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, 22nd ultimo, acknow-
ledging ours of the 9th ultimo, saying that in spite of the increase of tbe Shahzadas allow-
ance it is imperative for him to go to Delhi at once, everything being in his favour, that there
is no fear of the Mahrattas, that the Nawab and ourselves are the only persons who refuse
him the signs of royalty, that he ouly delays marching with the Shahzada as he has received
a letter from Colonel Coote asking him to do so and enclosing an Arji for the Shahzada,
acknowledging ours of the 9th, saying that he has prevailed on the King1 to wait 15 days
longer for Colonel Coote, though he is much hurt at our refusal to grant him the signs of
royalty.

Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated Plassey House, 29th ultimo, acknowledging the
Presidents letters of the 26th and 28th and other letters and papers, saying he has been delayed
by difficulties of carriage, that he intends if possible to bring about a quadruple alliance
between the English, the Prince, the Nawab and Snja-ud-daula, with some secret articles
between the first two, that Gopal Singh will be sent to Calcutta when found, and that his
brother Gurdial Singh is with Mr. Johnstone.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote as follows

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote, acknowledging his of the 29th ultimo, intimating that as
Mr. McGwire is a member of the Select Committee we shall address our letter to them both
jointly, that we have had no advices from Madras, but, as we expect his regiment, we request
to know his wishes whether it should be sent up country or not, leaving it to him to decide
whether to use his own Regiment or the Companys troops in the expedition to Delhi, and

1 i.e., the Shahzada.


89

recommending him to send as many Europeans as possible to Calcutta if the Prince starts
alone.

Page 184. * SELECT COMMITTEE, 8th MAY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 6th instant.

Page 184. Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Banbipur, 28th ultimo, acknowledging
ours of the 17th, saying it is evident Szij a-ud-daul a is in the Princes interest and that he
will send the Presidents letter to him and write himself, that it is useless to send our letter to
Abdullah, that the Nawab is much displeased at the King's detention, that on the 23rd the
Kings tents were forced by some of his men, possibly at the Naivabs instigation, and he would
have been killed but for the assistance given him by the English.

Page 187. Translation of a letter from the King to Major Carnac saying the letter produced by
the Nawab, asking the President to order Major Carnac not to detain the King by force, is
a forgery.

Page 188. Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Camp at Bankipur, 30th ultimo, acknowledging

ours of the 21st and duplicate of ours of the 17th, saying the Kings prospects are very
favourable, expressing his delight at our determination to support Ramnarain, and asking
permission to obtain leave from Colonel Coote to come down to Calcutta in order to go to
England.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote and Mr. McGwire as follows:

Page 100. Letter to Colonel Coote and Mr. W. McGwire explaining that no assistance can be
given to the Rhahzada, which will involve the Company in any expense or our possessions in
Bengal in any danger, that these points being safeguarded we waut from the Shahzada Par*
wannahs for the zemidary of Calcutta and the 24-Pergunnahs and the jagirs of Burd-
wan, Midnapur and Chittagang, a free Mint in Calcutta, the confirmation of Ali Verdi
Khan 1 in the Nawabship of Arcot, and the promise of favourable attention to any requests
from the gentlemen of Madras and Bombay, and asking them to adjust the balances between
the Nawab and Ramnarain.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote as follows

Page 191. Letter to Colonel Jyre Coote, acknowledging his of the 29th ultimo, instructing

him to prevent Suja-ud-daula from entering the Province, saying we have intelligence that
Subut with a Mahratta force is approaching Bengal, and asking for some of the Company's
troops to be sent down to oppose him, that we have no news as yet from Madras, that his
regiment will be sent to Patna if the expedition to Delhi is decided upon, and that Major
Carnac has been granted leave to come down to Calcutta.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows

Page 193. Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging his last three letters, expressing our disgust at

the forgery resorted to by the Nawab, and granting him leave to come down to Calcutta.

Page 194. SELECT COMMITTEE, 17th MAY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 8th instant.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote and Mr. McGwire as follows:

Page 194. Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote and Mr. William McGwire, giving definite instructions
about the settlement of Ramnarains accounts for the Patna Province, expressing the import-
ance of coming quickly to a resolution regarding the Delhi expedition, and of strict
economy in the management of the army.

Page 201. Ramnarains computed accounts of three years' government of the Patna Province

conformable to his agreement.

f 1 Muhammad AU Khan, son of Anwaruddin Khan, the English candidate for the Nawabsbip of the

Carnatic. He ruled from 1750 to 1795.

130 H. D.


90

Page 202. SELECT CCLMMITTEE, 20th MAY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.
Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

Appraved Proceedings of the 17tli instant.

Page 202. Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Murli Dhars Garden, the 12th instant, reporting
that Suja-ud-daula is approaching the Karamnasa, enclosing an impertinent letter from him
to Sabit Jang 1 as commanding the army, to which he has replied that the English are not to
be dictated to nor intimidated, that we have attached ourselves to the King of our own
inclination, that he can refer to the King about this, that Colonel Coote is coming up to
concert measures with the King, that we wish his concurrence and alliance, that he ought to
wait for the King in his own dominions, saying the King has also sent a letter to Suja-ud-
danla ordering him to stay in his own dominions but if he comes into ours he thinks we have
forces to meet him as he has the same despicable opinion of his forces as of the other
Indostan Powers, when set in opposition to Europeans, and that complications have risen at
Delhi about the Wazarat.

Page 205. Translation of a letter from Suja-ud-daula to Sabit Jung announcing his speedy arrival
ordering him to do homage, etc., to the King and asking a speedy answer.

Page 206. Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Murli Dhars Garden, the 13th instant, announcing
the arrival of a messenger from Delhi with a letter, a copy of which is enclosed, and several
letters for the King.

Page 207. Translation of a letter from Shah Wali Khan, Wazir of the King of Kings, to the Com-
mander of the English Forces, dated 11th March, announcing the despatch of Zahmat ~Ullah
Khan to meet the King, to whom the Colonel in command of the English forces is to make
over the King with the treasure of Bengal and a suitable force, intimating that Suja-ud-daula
has been ordered to escort the King, and conferring the authority and direction of the affairs
of Bengal upon the Colonel.

Page 209. Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated Jungera,1 2 16th instant, acknowledging ours of
the 28th ultimo, complaining that in his Instructions he was given full discretion to act as he
thought best, but that Mr. McGwire has now been joined with him, saying he has so far
transacted no business with any of the Country Powers, and has no wish to do so, and will
be glad if we will transfer the business to some one else, that as Suja-ud-daula has
advanced to Benares it is unwise to send any Europeans or sepoys to Calcutta, also
that he is at a loss how to act as he fears if he makes any treaty with the Shahzada and Snja-
ud-daula his word may be forfeited, and he thinks it impolitic and absurd to let the Shahzada go.

Page 211.

Page 214.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote as follows

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote, acknowledging his letter of the 16th,- explaining that
we have every confidence in him, but cannot exclude a Member of the Committee from
being acquainted with, and advising upon, all concerns of the Company and hence we address
our letters to him and Mr. McGwire so long as he remains at Patna, that on his leaving that
place he will have absolute discretion, saying we cannot now prevent the Shahzada from going
to Delhi, and promising to inform him immediately of any news from Madras.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote and Mr. McGwire as follows

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote and Mr. William McGwire, intimating that we have
heard from Major Carnac of Suja-ud-daulas advance, that he must not be allowed to cross the
Karamnasa, that the Shahzada should be persuaded to march as soon as possible, and if he
wishes our assistance the Colonel will follow him as soon as his regiment arrives from Madras,
that the troops accompanying him to the Karamnasa are to stay there so long as there is any
danger from Suja-ud-daula, that this will probably prevent any immediate reduction in
military expenses and that we leave this matter to their discretion.

Page 218. SELECT COMMITTEE, 25th MAY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 20th instant.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Murli Dhar's garden, the 16th instant, informing
us of the approach of Suji-ud-daula, forwarding letters from the latter to the President and
the Major and an Arzi from the horsemen sent to him.

A

1 Clive.

2 A little west of Sultangung.


91

ordering

him to attend the

Page 219. Translation o£ a letter from Suja-ud-daula to the Governor
Emperor to Delhi.

Letter to Major Carnac of the same purport.

Page 221. Translation of a letter from Mir Said Muhammad and Karim Shah to Major Carnac, inform-
ing him of their arrival at the camp of Suja-ud-da.ula, that the latter bad sent the above
letters, and that they will not be dismissed till replies are received.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote and Mr. McGwire as follows

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote and Mr. William McGwire, notifying our consent to
join in the general acknowledgment of Shah Alam as King, and inability to give him any
escort of troops, informing them that the King is free to stay or go as he pleases, sending
copy of Suja-nd-daula's letter to the Eresident advising us not to cross the Karamnasa,
ordering the Colonel to observe these instructions and to prevent Suja-ud-daula entering
Behar, and asking what forces the Nawab has with him.

Agreed we write to Major Carnac as follows

Pago 225. Letter to Major Carnac, acknowledging his letters of the 12th, 13th and 16th instant.

V Page 226.

Page 226.

Page 228.

yr

Page 236.

Page 239.

Page 242.

Page 247.

Page 253.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 29th MAY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter A my at t.

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 25th instant.

Letter from the Select Committee, Madras, dated 2nd May 1761, forwarding duplicate
of their last, dated 21st March, enclosing copy of Colonel Monson and other officers' opinions
on the expedition against the French Islands and their own letter on the subject to the Select
Committee at Bombay, forwarding copies of intercepted letters from the King of France and
the trench East India Company, and announcing the capture of Gingi.

Letter from the Field Officers on the Coast {George Monson, Colonel in India, John
Caillaud, Colonel in India, George Scott, Major and Commandant of His Majesty's 89th
Regiment, and John Call, Chief Engineer to the East India Company) to the gentlemen at
Madras giving their advice on the proposed expedition against Mauritius.

Extract from a letter of the President and Council at Madras to the Select Committee at
Bombay, dated 14th April 1761, asking for assistance iu troops, provisions, vessels, boats
and money for the expedition against Mauritius.

Extract from the French East India Company's instructions to General Lally, authorizing
him to destroy all places on the Coast taken from the English, giving strict orders as to his
treatment of prisoners and of foreign merchants iu English settlements, and informing him
of the despatch of recruits whom he is to use at his own discretion. .

Remarks on the French East India Company's instructions given to Monsieur Magon, one
of the Directors, who was sent out as Governor of the Islands of Mauritius and Bourbon, 24th
May 1755.

Remarks on a Memorial of the French East India Company delivered to the Count E'Ache
Chef d'Escadre, and commanding the squadron destined to the East Indies, towards the
latter end of 1756, ordering him amongst other things to attack neutral places (except in
Bengal and China) where the English may take refuge.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote as follows :

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote, enclosing letter from the Select Committee at Madras,
and instructing him to tell the King he will follow him to Delhi after the rains.

Page 254.

Page 254.

/

Pago 254.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 31st MAY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt,

William Ellis.

Approved Proceedings of the 29th instant.

Letter from the Select Committee, Madras, dated the 13th instant, acknowledging ours of
the 28th March, and promising to comply with our indent for military stores.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote as follows

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote, forwarding the letter and enclosures from the Select
Committee, Madras.


Page 257.

Page 257.

Page 259.

Page 262.

Page 262.

Page 262,

Page 266.

Page 266,

Page 267.

Page 268.

92

SELECT COMMITTEE, 5th JUNE 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis,

Approved Proceedings of the 31st ultimo.

Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated Patna, 26th ultimo, announcing his arrival at
Patna, and describing his visits to the King and the Nawab, the latter of whom insists on
the dismissal of Ramnarain, also acknowledging receipt of a joint letter from us to himself
and Mr. McGwire dated the 17th instant, objecting to its containing military matters and
requesting us on these matters to address him singly.

Agreed to write to the Secret Committee of London and to ask the gentlemen at Madras
to forward our letter by the first ship.

Agreed we write to the Select Committee, Madras, as follows

Letter to the Select Committee at Madras, acknowledging theirs of the 2nd and 13th
May with enclosures, promising all the assistance in our power, informing them that
Shah Alam has been generally accepted as King and is about to proceed to Delhi, and enclosing
a letter to the Secret Committee to be forwarded by the first ship.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 13th JUNE 1761,

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis,

Approved Proceedings of the 5th instant.

Letter from the Select Committee at Madras, dated 28th ultimo, enclosing copy of a letter
from the Secret Committee dated the 1st January, urging the reduction of the French Islands.

Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated Patna, the 6th instant, announcing the departure
of the King with a small escort to the Karamnasa, asking that Mr. Lushington may be sent to
Suja-ud-daala, saying that Major Carnac has been instructed to collect the revenues of the
Bhojpur country, expressing astonishment that his regiment has been retained at Madras,
saying that he has begun to reduce expenditure, that the Nawab has reconciled himself to
Rajabadab and appointed him to assist in settling the affairs with Ramnarain, whom he has
assured of our protection, but warned not to consider himself as Subah of the province.

The above letter ordered to lie on the table for consideration.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 18th JUNE 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President,

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 13th instant.

Translation of a letter from the Nawab to the President complaining of Ramnarain,
Colonel Coote and Mr. Watts, and begging for an immediate order for the dismissal of the first
named.

Translation of a letter from the King to the President, inveighing against Ramnarain
and announcing his departure from Delhi.

Agreed we write to Colonel Coote as follows :

Letter to Colonel Eyre Coote, acknowledging his of the 26th ultimo, approving of
his despatch of Major Carnac to escort the King and collect the Bhojpur revenues,
expressing doubts as to whether Ramnarain is behaving properly and suspending his powers
till his accounts are settled, ordering greater respect to be paid to the Nawab, and military
assistance to be given according to his request, asking bow many sepoys are to be kept at
Patna after the King has crossed the Karamnasa, complaining of his not having replied to our
joint letters to him and Mr. McGwire, announcing that instead of sending any more such
letters we request him simply to consult Mr. McGwire on all matters referring to Accounts
and Politics, sending a copy of the Kings letter to the President, and copies of the last letter
from Madras and our reply.


93

Page 272.

Page 274.

Pago 274.

Page 275.

Page 27^.

Page 277.

Page 278.

Page 280.

Mr. Ellis dissents to this letter on the grounds that the style is unbecoming, that the
dismissal of Bamnarain, is unnecessary, and that it is disgraceful to put the army at the
disposal of the Nawab, who will probably use it as an instrument of injustice.

Mr. Amyatt objects for the same reasons and also because Bamnarain esteems himself
more a subject of the English than of the Eawab, and has on all occasions proved his loyalty
to us, which friendship to us is the chief cause of the Nawabs hostility to him.

Agreed we write to the Select Committee, Madras, as follows :

Letter to the Select Committee, Madras, acknowledging theirs of the 28th ultimo with
enclosures, and asking for the early despatch of Colonel Cootes regiment.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 22w JUNE 1761,

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Biightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 18th instant.

Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated Patna, the 13th instant, acknowledging ours of
the 29th ultimo and 3rd instant with enclosures, announcing that he has recommended the
Nnwab to have the Khntba read and the Siccas coined in the name of the King, that
Bamnarain is very dilatory in settling his accounts, saying he has received two letters from
Suja-ud-daula and Salar Jang, the first of which he returned as illegible and the second
he encloses, and notifying certain reductions effected in expenditure.

Letter from Salar Jang (Diwan to the King} to Colonel Coote protesting his fidelity to
Shah Alam.

Letter from Major Carnac, dated Ian para (?), the 10th instant, expressing surprise at our
having, in answer to his letters, addressed ourselves to Colonel Coote and Mr. McGwire jointly
without including him, though he is a member of the Select Committee, and threatening to
appeal to the Court of Directors, and refusing to write to Colonel Coote and J/r. McGwire
jointly or in any way recognize the superiority of the latter.

The Committee are of opinion that Major Carnac has no right to be joined with Colonel
Coote in the transaction of any affairs, military or civil.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 29th JUNE 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

Willi am, Ellis,

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 22nd instant.

Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated Patna, the 19th instant, intimating to us that
the Nawab has agreed to read the Khutba aud coin the Siccas in the name of Shah Alam to
the universal satisfaction of all people, saying he has heard from Major Carnac to the effect
that Suja-ud'daula is ready to make an alliance with us, and saying he cannot decide what
to do till he hears whether his regiment is coming.

Letter from Major John Carnac, dated Sasseram, the 16th instant, saying that he and
Mr. Lushington have been offered bribes by Bajabalab to assist him in getting the office
now held by Bamnarain and have replied to him as he deserves, that he is strongly opposed
to dismissing Bamnarain, and inveighing against the Nawab.

The Committee have had more than one occasion of observing Major Carnacs for-
wardness in offering his opinion upon affairs which it does not belong to him to judge of.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 11th JULY 1761.

Present:

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 29th ultimo.

Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated Patna, the 1st instant, showing what proportion
of the army is at present under the Nawabs orders, saying that he had always offered to

130 H. D,

page 280,


91

assist the Nawab in forcing the Zamindars to pay their dues, but the Nawab cared for
nothing except the dismissal of Ramnarain, that he is not surprised at the complaints of
the Nawab against himself when he has been so base as to complain against Jfz. Waits, who
has always obliged him in every way, that it was the Nawab's own fault that Kamgar Khan
had not been taken, and that the Nawab had privately settled with him for three lakhs of
rupees, that he cannot understand the Kings letter in reference to Ramnarain, that the
King was always well pleased with the English and distrusted the Nawab, enclosing letters
to the same tenour, saying that Major Carnac has received a letter from the King promising
to confirm the Company in all its privileges and possession, that he has cantonned the troops
with him in the French Factory, and expects Major Carnacs speedy return, after which he will
dismiss all superfluous people and send down to Calcutta all the troops he can spare, and
pointing out that he has already replied to our joint letters to him and Mr. McGwire.

Page 283. Letter from Mr. McGwire, dated Patna, the 29th June, complaining that we have not

included him in our letters to Colonel Coote, on the ground of delay in receiving replies,
though this has been due only to Ramnarain not having completed his accounts before,
saying as the Colonel has been instructed to consult him on certain matters he presumes
we have not altogether deprived him of his vote, asking us to consider his remonstrance and
promising to give his opinion to the best of his ability whenever we consult him.

Agreed we write to the Select Committee, Madras, as follows :

Page 284. Letter to the Select Committee, Madras, informing them that the King has crossed the

Karamnasa.1

Page 285. SELECT COMMITTEE, 12th JULY 1761.

Present : .

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Peter Amyatt.

William Ellis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 11th instant.

Page 285. Letter from Colonel Eyre Coote, dated Patna, the 4th July, saying as the King had left,
he sent for Major Carnac to come and discuss the question of the distribution of the troops,
that he hears from Captain Hart, whom Major Carnac left in command at Sasseram, that
there is little hope of collecting money there, and that he will, therefore, order his party to
come in now that the Nawab has made up matters with Kamgar Khan, and that he will
immediately set out for Calcutta there being no further occasion for his remaining at Patna,
and by that means I shall rid myself of the most troublesome and disagreeable service I

ever was employed on, where nothing but Corruption, arts and villainy are carried on by a set of
people, the basest of the species.

Agreed no reply is necessary, the Colonel being on his way to Calcutta.

Page 287.

Page 287.

Page 288.

Page 289.

Page 289.

SELECT COMMITTEE, 13th JULY 1761.

Present :

The Honourable Henry Vansittart, President.

Colonel Eyre Coote.

Peter Amyatt.

William Eliis.

William Brightwell Sumner.

Approved Proceedings of the 12th instant.

Colonel Eyre Coote takes his seat as a Member.

Translation of a letter from the King to Colonel Coote, dated the 29th June, thanking
Colonel Coote for his loyal services.

Translation of a letter from the King to Colonel Coote, dated the 29th June, instructing
him to settle the affairs of Bengal and Behar, and send the proper dues to Delhi.

Translation of a letter from the King to Colonel Coote, dated the 29th June, instructing
him to see that the three krors of dams due from the Jugirdars of Behar be paid to
Madar-ud^daula and Mumtaz-ud-daula.

Translation of letter from the King to Colonel Coote, dated the 29th June, ordering
him to force the Nazim of the Subah of Behar to relinquish the Jagirs of the Court
Servants which he has illegally seized.

Ordered the above letters to lie on the table for reference.

1 The King crossed the Karamnasa on the 21st June (see Broome, page 338).