Presidency, under their established heads, we cannot, consistently
with the real anxiety we feel for the future welfare of that
respectable body, for whom you and we are in trust, close this
address without expostulating with freedom on the unprovoked and
general asperity of your letter per the Prince Henry Packet. Our
sentiments on this head will, we doubt not, acquire additional
weight, from the consideration of their being subscribed by a
majority of your Council; who are at this very period quitting your
service, and consequently independent and disinterested. Permit us
to say, that the diction of your letter is most unworthy yourselves
and us, in whatever relation considered, either as masters to
servants, or gentlemen to gentlemen. Mere inadvertencies and casual
neglects arising from an unavoidable and most complicated confusion
in the state of your affairs, have been treated in such language
and sentiments, as nothing but the most glaring and premeditated
faults could warrant. Groundless informations have, without further
scrutiny, borne with you the stamp of truth, though proceeding from
those who had therein obviously their own purpose to serve, no
matter at whose expense. These have received from you such
countenance and encouragement, as must assuredly tend to cool the
warmest zeal of your servants here, and every where else, as they
will appear to have been only the source of general reflections
thrown out at random against your faithful servants of this
Presidency, in various parts of your letter now before us—faithful
to little purpose, if the breath of scandal, joined to private
pique or private and personal attachments, have power to blow away
in one hour the merits of many years' services, and deprive them of
that rank and those rising benefits which are justly a spur to
their integrity and application. The little attention shown to
these considerations, in the indiscriminate favours heaped on some
individuals, and undeserved censures on others, will, we apprehend,
lessen that spirit of zeal so very essential to the well-being of
your affairs, and consequently, in the end, if continued, prove the
destruction of them. Private views may, it is much to be feared,
take the lead here, from examples at home, and no gentlemen hold
your service longer, nor exert themselves further in it, than their
own exigencies require. This being the real state of your service,
it becomes strictly our duty to represent it in the strongest
light."[95]
This despatch was signed by Clive, and by Messrs. Holwell, Playdell,
Sumner, and M'Guire, Members of Council. I shall only so far anticipate
the narrative as to state, that it excited the utmost indignation and
violence at the India House.[96]
The Directors had immediate recourse to the extreme measure of removing
and commanding to be sent to England, the four gentlemen who had joined
Clive in this strong remonstrance. This vindication of their authority,
which they deemed necessary to prevent the further diffusion of the
contagion of disrespect and insubordination among their servants, was
attended with the most unhappy results. It deprived the public, at a
critical period, of the aid of some of the most moderate and experienced
of the civil servants in Bengal, and promoted to high stations others of
a very opposite character: and there can be no doubt, the result of
these changes was the massacre at Patna, one of the most shocking
catastrophes to be found on the page of the History of British India.
Clive was at no pains to conceal the sentiments which the conduct of the
Court of Directors had excited in his mind. In his answer to an address
from the European inhabitants of Calcutta, he observes:—
"I am so thoroughly sensible, Gentlemen, of this testimony of your
approbation of my conduct, that though the ill-treatment I received from
the Court of Directors in their last general letter, has fully
determined me in throwing up the service, yet I could waive all personal
considerations, and without hesitation comply with your request, did the
state of your affairs really require my making such a sacrifice to you.
But the additional credit you have gained throughout the country by your
late success over the Dutch, the arrival of Major Caillaud, with the
reinforcement from Madras, and the approach of the detachment lately
commanded by Colonel Forde, which you now shortly expect, ensure you
from the least shadow of danger for some time to come. In the interim,
proper measures may be taken at home for the better security of this
valuable settlement, to promote which, you may depend upon my exerting
my utmost interests; and I may perhaps be able to serve you more
effectually than by my continuing here."
Mr. Amyatt, the Chief of Patna, had written to Clive, expressing his
fear for the continued tranquillity of the country. Clive, in his
answer[97], observes, "Your reflections on the situation of affairs in
general are very just. I make no doubt but the troubles will begin again
in the North. The Nabob will be here in a few days, and I shall advise
him to take the field, the instant the weather will permit. He will have
a party of our troops with him, and, if it should be necessary, I will
accompany him myself. 'Venienti occurrite morbo,' is the advice given by
all physicians; and if the Nabob settles the Purneah country, and then
marches to the pass of Terriagully, the evil-minded will be overawed,
and probably your province of Bahar may remain quiet and in peace."
The arrival of the Dutch armament, while it prevented the proposed march
of the Nabob, gave encouragement to the Shah-Zada to repeat his invasion
of Bahar. Clive received advices of his movement in January, 1760, when
at Moorshedabad on a farewell visit to the Nabob; but he appears to have
had no alarm for the result, as Major Caillaud (whom the Madras
Government had at his request sent to command in Bengal) had arrived
with a considerable reinforcement of troops, and Colonel Forde's
detachment was daily expected. Besides being confident in the Commander,
and in the number and quality of the troops, Clive had every reliance
upon Ram Narrain; whose fidelity, however, he thought it proper on this
occasion to fortify, by repeating his solemn assurances of protection.
"You will deliver the inclosed" (he writes[98] to Mr. Amyatt), "which is
an encouraging letter to Ram Narrain; and at the same time assure him
yourself from me, that he may depend upon my taking care of his
interests; and that I will recommend him in so strong a manner to the
protection of Major Caillaud, who has now the command of the English
forces, that he may look upon himself as safe from any danger as if I
myself were at their head.
"Our forces move to Ghyreebaug to-morrow; and in a few days, I hope,
will proceed as far as Rajamahul at least, and further, should it be
found necessary. There has been some dispute, between the father and
son, who should go upon this expedition. I have thought it necessary to
come to the city to adjust this affair amicably, and I believe the old
man will make the campaign himself.
"The force with the Shah-Zada is so inconsiderable, that you can have
nothing to fear from him in your parts; and Ram Narrain's troops with
our detachment is an overmatch, I am well persuaded, for any number the
unfortunate Prince can bring into the field."
Clive's instructions to Major Caillaud are short, but decisive, as to
his opinion that no serious danger was to be apprehended. "I have this
morning" (he writes[99]) "received advice by a letter of Ram Narrain to
the Nabob; that Suraj-u-Dowlah was preparing to enter these provinces in
support of the Shah-Zada. I have, therefore, ordered two hundred men, in
addition to the reinforcement this day despatched to you, to be in
readiness to proceed after you. When these have joined you, with the
troops you already have, proceed with all expedition in conjunction with
the Chŭta[100] Nabob, settle matters with the Purneah Nabob, and then
endeavour to come up with the Shah-Zada before his party have gained
head, and before Suraj-u-Dowlah, should he really have such intentions,
can join him. If you meet with the Prince, I am persuaded you will give
a good account of him; and that the check he will receive will deter
others from making any incursions into the Nabob's dominions."
Clive returned from Moorshedabad, and after remaining a few weeks at
Calcutta, he embarked for England. He was succeeded by Mr. Holwell, who,
however, was soon superseded by Mr. Vansittart, (a member of the Council
at Fort St. George,) with whom Clive had long been in terms of intimate
friendship, and of whose integrity and abilities he had so high an
opinion, that he earnestly recommended the Directors to appoint him to
the government of Bengal. Mr. Vansittart states in several letters from
Madras, that all his expectations of attaining that station rested on
Clive, whose solicitude on this point appears to have been very great.
"I am preparing for you," (he observes in a letter to Mr.
Vansittart[101],) "many papers and accounts, which will give you some
insight into the affairs of this province, and of our great consequence
at this juncture in Hindustan. As I have fixed upon you for this
Government, it is necessary you should know how glorious a government it
may prove for you and the Company. I hope to God, my interest in England
will not fail me. I tremble when I think of the fatal consequences of
such a mercenary man as * * *.
"The expected reinforcements," (Clive adds) "will in my opinion put
Bengal out of all danger but that of venality and corruption."
I have before noticed Clive's exertions in favour of Mr. Sulivan. In one
of his letters to that Gentleman, he congratulates him upon his becoming
a Director, and assures him he will give him all his interest,
"Because," (he observes) "I was always of opinion the Company's affairs
could never be carried on to advantage, but under the management of one
of those gentlemen who brought home with them a just knowledge of India,
acquired by many years' experience."
In the same letter, Clive gives his opinion as to the future importance
of Bengal, and the measures best calculated to secure the greatest
benefits from that rich country. He also expresses his sentiments in the
freest manner, as to the character of the public servants best qualified
to fill high stations in India. I cannot refrain from quoting the
concluding paragraphs of this able letter.
"As the Company's privileges," (he observes,) "have been greatly
extended, so ought their views also; to conduct and carry on the affairs
of Bengal to advantage, not only requires servants of ability, but many
of them.
"Mr. Watts, I think, has not had that justice done to his merit which
his services at Moorshedabad, and since, have deserved; therefore I
cannot blame him for resigning. It was with much difficulty I prevailed
upon Messrs. Manningham and Frankland to give me their assistance
another year. They may, I believe, be prevailed upon to stay still
longer.
"Mr. * * * * has talents, but I fear wants a heart, therefore unfit to
preside where integrity as well as capacity are equally essential. Those
who are more immediately to supply the vacant seats of this Board I dare
not recommend to you, (Mr. Sumner excepted,) and I think it a duty I owe
to my employers to call your remembrance to Messrs. Vansittart and
Dupré, two gentlemen whose abilities and integrity would do credit to
any employ. The merit of the former shines with so peculiar and bright a
lustre, as must make his services coveted by every well-wisher to the
Company; and they cannot shine in my opinion to greater advantage than
at the Council Board of Calcutta. The Rev. Mr. Palk, without regard to
his cloth, was deemed worthy of a seat in the Committee at Madras. Mr.
Fullerton is not less so, and may be of equal utility in Bengal.
"There is not a gentleman on this side of the Cape so well qualified to
be your Major as Captain Caillaud; it is hard to say, whether his
abilities or zeal for your service be greater. I know not one so equal
to the task of carrying on a part or the whole of my designs, under the
direction of a President and Council, as that gentleman. If any accident
should happen to him, or he should choose to remain on the coast, let me
recommend as a fit person to succeed him Captain Carnac; I have had an
opportunity of studying him, and can assure you he is master of an
excellent heart, and of talents, in the military way, sufficient to do
honour to his employers. I believe this gentleman will be recommended to
you by Colonel Lawrence, and other hands, which will serve to illustrate
my account of him.
"I can declare to you, Sir, with great truth and sincerity, I have no
other attachment to particular persons than what their capacity of
serving the Company entitles them to. As I am independent in my
circumstances, so am I in my affections, where the good of the service
calls upon me to be so; and I should never have given Mr. Sulivan the
trouble of reading this letter, if I was not convinced he would look
upon every syllable of it as proceeding from the dictates of a heart
full of zeal and gratitude for the Company."
Mr. Sulivan had warmly congratulated Clive[102] upon his successes in
Bengal; and I have great satisfaction in giving that gentleman's answer
to Clive's letter just quoted; first, as it proves the congeniality of
their views; and, secondly, as it conveys, in the most unqualified
manner, a full approbation of Clive's conduct, as far as that was within
the knowledge of Mr. Sulivan, and that gentleman could have been
ignorant of no facts of any importance, except, perhaps, the grant of
the Jaghire.
This letter is as follows:—
"Sir,
"As there is a possibility you may still remain at Calcutta to
cherish and protect your own offspring, which certainly had been
sacrificed without your presence, I shall just confess the receipt
of your friendly and confidential letter; and every essential part
is, or will be, carried into execution. The many judicious
reflections you have made coincide with my own sentiments; and Mr.
Vansittart, so justly your favourite, will, I hope, firmly
establish this great and noble settlement.
"By our last advices, your situation was critical indeed; but I
trust the same Providence that has hitherto so wonderfully
protected you, has extricated you from that new labyrinth of
dangers.
"I cannot conclude without confessing myself much obliged for your
good opinion of my disinterested intentions. The Company have
certainly a grateful sense of their obligations to Colonel Clive,
and I hope ever to be esteemed,
"Sir,
"Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) "LAW. SULIVAN.
"_To Col. Clive._
"London, 7th Dec. 1759."
Clive, though he saw no immediate danger in the actual state of affairs
at the period of his departure, indulged no hope of the continued
tranquillity of the country. It was his decided opinion, that in India,
peace could only be made and preserved by our maintaining a strong and
commanding military force. All his sentiments on this subject are summed
up in the following short paragraph of a private letter to Mr. Stephen
Law, one of the leading Directors.
"Peace," (he observes[103],) "is the most valuable of all blessings; but
it must be made sword in hand in this country, if we mean to preserve
our possessions. There is no alternative; either every thing in India
must be reduced to their first principles, or such a standing force kept
up, as may oblige the Musselmans literally to execute their treaties."
Clive sailed from India on the 25th day of February, 1760, rich both in
fortune and in fame, far beyond any European who had ever visited that
country. His departure was viewed with regret by many, and with
apprehension by all who were interested in the prosperity of the British
nation. He left a blank that could not be filled up. "It appeared," (to
use the strong and expressive language of a contemporary observer,) "as
if the soul was departing from the body of the Government of Bengal."
FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 10
Footnote 64:
Letter to Clive, 29th July, 1759.
Footnote 65:
3d August, 1759.
Footnote 66:
The following is a translation of this letter:—
"To Mr. Robert Clive.
"Sir,—As you have had the principal charge of the enterprise
against the late Nabob Suraj-u-Dowlah, we cannot refrain from
congratulating you upon your success. Wishing that the arms of His
Britannic Majesty may every where prosper and be triumphant, and
that your fame, Sir, may become more and more renowned, we have the
honour to be, with much consideration, &c. &c.
"Chinsura, 30th June, 1757."
Footnote 67:
M. Bisdom, the Dutch Governor of Chinsura, applied to Clive on all
occasions of embarrassment or difficulty; and his applications appear,
from the correspondence, to have been always treated with respect and
attention.
Footnote 68:
2d October, 1758.
Footnote 69:
Aliverdi Khan, the predecessor of Suraj-u-Dowlah.
Footnote 70:
We find in a letter from M. Bisdom to Colonel Clive, of the 25th July,
1759, the following passage:—"Referring to your last favour I cannot
refrain from offering you my grateful thanks on the subject of the
saltpetre." It appears, from a variety of documents, that Clive gave
every facility to the Dutch commerce in this as well as in other
articles.
Footnote 71:
This paper is not dated; but, from a correction in the rough copy, it
appears to have been drawn up in November, 1759; and was, no doubt,
transmitted to England at that period.
Footnote 72:
This person is styled Fakker-u-Toojar (a title signifying "Glory of
Merchants") in the correspondence; but we continue to call him Cajah
Wazeed, the name by which he is generally known.
Footnote 73:
4th August, 1759.
Footnote 74:
This letter is dated "Hooghley, Thursday evening;" probably the 12th of
November.
Footnote 75:
7th January, 1760.
Footnote 76:
Meeran, son of Jaffier Aly Caun.
Footnote 77:
Letter from Mr. Hastings, 23d November.
Footnote 78:
Clive states in his evidence before the House of Commons, that the
Nabob's horse were useful in pursuing the fugitives, after Colonel
Forde's victory.
Footnote 79:
When Clive wrote to M. Bisdom to warn him against the danger to be
feared from the advance of the Nabob's army, he offered protection, in
his own house, to Mrs. Bisdom, and any ladies she might bring with her.
I extract the following remarks on this subject from a very minute
official account of the whole transaction:—"This kind proposal of
Colonel Clive was accepted in the manner it deserved; and M. Bisdom's
sensible and polite answer manifests his having a suitable sense of the
favour, and, at the same time, expresses what was very true, that
though, from the rank he held, his name had been very freely used
throughout the whole of this transaction, yet his sentiments never went
along with it, but that he had always retained that respect for the
English nation, and that affection for his friends at Calcutta, which a
long acquaintance, and the exchange of reciprocal good offices, had
rendered equally sincere on both sides."
Footnote 80:
M. Bisdom, in a letter to Clive, under date the 26th of July, 1759,
observes, "With regard to the money sent to Batavia, I have no doubt it
will be credited; but, as no vessel has yet arrived, I can at present
say no more. As to the remittances to Europe, I must not conceal from
you that they are much displeased with the negotiation of the bills,
which they think unfavourable to our Company. I can, nevertheless,
assure you that your remittance will be paid after the Company's sale.
This has been stated to me by an individual of power in the Company.
This has been a great mortification to me. I had flattered myself that
the transaction would have given equal satisfaction to both parties; and
it proves exactly the reverse, which really grieves me. As soon as I
hear from Batavia, I will write you."
Footnote 81:
The sunnud, as admiral, is dated the 26th of August, 1759; that
constituting them governors of the castle, 4th of September, and the
assignment, the 18th of the same month.
Footnote 82:
Clive had, on many occasions, stated his sentiments very freely to the
Nabob, both in regard to the character of his son, and the persons by
whom that Prince was surrounded, particularly his Dewan Rajah Bullub.
The following extract from a letter to Mr. Hastings, dated 21st of
September, 1759, will show how decided he was in his opinions upon this
subject:—"What you write me," he observes, "about the young Nabob, does
not at all surprise me; it was what I always expected. Meer Jaffier's
days of folly are without number, and he had, long before this, slept
with his ancestors, if the dread of our power and resentment had not
been his only security. Sooner or later, I am persuaded, that worthless
young dog will attempt his father's overthrow. How often have I advised
the old fool against putting too much power into the hands of his
nearest relations. Tell him, from me, that Rajah Bullub is an aspiring,
ambitious villain; and, if he does not get him removed from his son's
presence, he will push him to some violent and unnatural resolution."
Footnote 83:
The letters of Scrafton, Hastings, and Sykes, afford abundant evidence
to the truth of the fact, that Meer Jaffier was personally attached to
Clive.
Footnote 84:
Letter from Mr. Hastings to Clive, 17th of August, 1759.
Footnote 85:
Muttaseddie means a "clerk;" but the plural term, as here employed,
describes all the subordinate civil officers of the government.
Footnote 86:
This letter is dated the 20th of August, 1759. Clive had written to Mr.
Pigot a few days before upon the same subject.
Footnote 87:
11th of November, 1757.
Footnote 88:
Holwell's Narrative, p. 156.
Footnote 89:
29th of December, 1758.
Footnote 90:
Id.
Footnote 91:
The grounds of Clive's strong support of Mr. Sulivan appear to have been
entirely public. Among other friends, he wrote (29th of December, 1758)
to his agent, Mr. Belchier, on this subject:—
"As I have," he observes, "great designs in view for the
advantage of the Company, I must request you will give all your
interest, and that of your friends, in favour of Mr. Sulivan, who,
I am persuaded, will pursue vigorous measures, now become
absolutely necessary."
Footnote 92:
Holwell's Narrative, p. 170.
Footnote 93:
The application is here limited to the government of Bengal.
Footnote 94:
Clive's prediction of the result of affairs in the Carnatic proved, as
has been shown, true to the very letter.
Footnote 95:
Although, in point of composition, the despatches of the Indian
authorities, both at home and abroad, at this early period of our
political administration, will not bear comparison with those of a later
date, they exhibit a degree of simplicity and plainness which is both
interesting and amusing.
Footnote 96:
In the first general letter to the Governor in Council, at Bengal, dated
21st of January, 1761, the Directors write, "We have taken under our
most serious consideration the general letter from our late President
and Council of Fort William, dated 29th of December, 1759, and many
paragraphs therein contain gross insults upon, and indignities offered
to, the Court of Directors, tending to the subversion of our authority
over our servants, and a dissolution of all order and good government in
the Company's affairs. To put an immediate stop, therefore, to this
evil, we do positively order and direct that, immediately upon receipt
of this letter, all those persons still remaining in the Company's
service, who signed the said letter,—viz. Messrs. John Zephaniah
Holwell, Charles Stafford Playdell, William Brightwell Sumner, and
William M'Guire,—be dismissed from the Company's service; and you are to
take care that they be not permitted, on any consideration, to remain in
India, but that they are to be sent to England by the first ships which
return home the same season you receive this letter."
Footnote 97:
7th of September, 1759.
Footnote 98:
7th of January, 1760.
Footnote 99:
22d of January, 1760.
Footnote 100:
Meeran.
Footnote 101:
20th of October, 1759.
Footnote 102:
The letter of congratulation, from Mr. Sulivan, is dated the 20th of
February, 1758. The following are the concluding paragraphs:—"If your
health would allow of a stay sufficient to fix the government of
Calcutta (recovered and infinitely extended by Col. Clive) on a solid
and lasting basis, the Company are deeply interested in their wishes
that you would remain to cherish and establish this noble colony beyond
the reach of danger. But should your own preservation determine a return
to your native country, may you live to receive the personal thanks of
your employers, together with higher honours intended you."
Footnote 103:
29th of December, 1758.
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CHAP. XI.