proceeded to India. The task was arduous, but his mind was resolved on its
full performance; and the next chapter will show that his efforts were
more than sufficient to surmount the obstacles that were opposed to his
success, although they proved even greater than he had apprehended.
FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 13
Footnote 205:
More commonly called Ghazee-u-Deen.
Footnote 206:
Prince Royal.
Footnote 207:
Shah Alum signifies "King of the World."
Footnote 208:
22d February, 1760.
Footnote 209:
2d July, 1760.
Footnote 210:
August, 1760.
Footnote 211:
This treaty was concluded on the 27th September.
Footnote 212:
Vol. I. p. 98.
Footnote 213:
A curious and minute account of the progressive steps taken in effecting
this revolution is given in a letter to Clive (dated the 3d December,
1760,) from Mr. Lushington, who held the situation of linguist to the
army, and who was an eye-witness of the incidents he describes. After
detailing Mr. Vansittart's visit to Moorshedabad accompanied by a
hundred and eighty Europeans, six hundred sepoys, and four pieces of
cannon, that force might be used in case Meer Jaffier should refuse to
comply with his demands, and mentioning that he had delivered to the
Nabob three letters explanatory of his intentions, to which he waited a
final answer, Mr. Lushington proceeds:—"We waited all the next day; but
no answer coming, the Governor thought it proper not to lose any time,
and therefore ordered Colonel Caillaud to go by water with his
detachment, so early that he might surround the palace at daybreak;
sending at the same time a letter, acquainting the Nabob that he had
sent the Colonel to settle those affairs which he had conferred with him
about, and to which he had promised to give an answer, but none was
brought. The Nabob sent word to the Colonel he would give no answer
until the troops returned to Moraudbaug, as he never expected such
treatment from the English. Some few conferences were afterwards held by
Mr. Hastings and myself with several of the Nabob's ministers; but as
nothing could be agreed on I was sent back to Moraudbaug, to give an
account of our proceedings to the Governor, and to have his final order
whether we should storm the palace in case the Nabob refused to comply.
He answered he wished not to spill the blood of a man whom he raised to
such dignities, but that the affair must be finished before sunset. With
this I returned; and found, to my great surprise, Cossim Ali Khan's
standards, and the nobits[c] beating in his name. Colonel Caillaud now
told me that the Nabob had sent out the seals to his son-in-law, and
offered to resign the government if the English would be security for
his life. This was immediately agreed to, and a meeting was held between
the Colonel and the Nabob, who made the following speech, as well as I
can remember:—'The English placed me on the musnud; you may depose me if
you please. You have thought proper to break your engagements. I would
not mine. Had I such designs I could have raised twenty thousand men,
and fought you if I pleased. My son, the Chuta Nabob (Meeran),
forewarned me of all this. I desire you will either send me to Sabut
Jung (Lord Clive), for he will do me justice, or let me go to Mecca; if
not, let me go to Calcutta; for I will not stay in this place. You will,
I suppose, let me have my women and children; therefore, let me have
budgerows and be carried immediately to Moraudbaug.' The Governor saw
him soon after this, and he made much the same speech to him, adding, he
could be nowhere safe but under the English protection."
That Mr. Lushington did not concur very cordially in the measures
described, may be inferred from his concluding observations. "The
Company," he observes, "are to receive the countries of Burdwan,
Midnapore, and Chittagong, for this service. I, therefore, should be
glad to know how this Nabob will be any more able to pay his people than
the old man, after having given away a third part of his revenues."
Footnote c:
Large drums.
Footnote 214:
Seer Mutakhareen, vol. ii. p. 164.
Footnote 215:
1761.
Footnote 216:
In a letter to Major Carnac, dated the 7th of May, 1762, Clive observes,
"Although I am convinced of the goodness of your heart and intentions,
yet there is a warmth and fire in your disposition which often carries
you beyond the rules of prudence; and, whatever your friends in India
may say of the letter you sent the Board, I wish you never had wrote it,
for it gives room to such designing men as Sulivan to do you more
prejudice than you can imagine."
The same sentiments had been previously expressed by Clive, in a letter
to Mr. Vansittart, 3d of February, 1762. "I am most heartily concerned,"
he says, "that Carnac has been induced to take part with your enemies in
the Council. He has an excellent heart, and a very good understanding;
but the warmth of his temper in this instance has got the better of
both."
Footnote 217:
Dustuck, a permit, exempting goods from the payment of duties.
Footnote 218:
Verelst's View, p. 47.
Footnote 219:
Mr. Hall and Mr. Amyatt.
Footnote 220:
"The question is," Mr. Vansittart observes, in a letter to Clive, dated
the 25th of February, 1763, "whether the salt, beetle-nut, and tobacco
trade shall be carried on with the Company's dustuck, or pay duties to
the country government, and go with their dustuck. I am of the latter
opinion, and assured the Nabob I would not grant dustucks for these
articles, but that myself and any other English gentlemen who had a mind
to trade in them, should pay the government's duties and take out their
dustuck. This, and some rules I proposed for restraining the overgrown
power of the English gomastahs employed in carrying on this trade, and
giving the officers of the government their due authority, were
disapproved by the rest of the Council; and it was resolved to call down
the members from the subordinates to make the necessary regulations upon
these points at a full board. * * * * Where the abuses will end I know
not; for where the Nabob's officers have the power and the courage to
oppose and prevent the unlawful attempts of our gomastahs, they are not
contented with that, but, in their turn, oppress and injure in a most
extravagant and insufferable manner, so that it is a difficult matter to
keep a proper balance; and I shall be obliged to you if you will take an
opportunity of giving Mr. Sulivan your sentiments on the subject."
A very different view of this subject is taken by Major Carnac. In a
letter to Clive, dated the 26th of February, 1763, he observes: "Mr.
Vansittart's interview with the Nabob, instead of removing our
grievances, has occasioned their being exceedingly multiplied and
carried beyond sufferance. He, in conjunction with Mr. Hastings,
without consulting the rest of the Board, established a set of
regulations, whereby a duty of 9 per cent. is laid upon all articles
of inland trade without exception; and the disputes of our gomastahs
and others in our employ are subjected to the decisions of the Nabob's
officers. These concessions are so evidently shameful and
disadvantageous to us, that it is not to be conceived they could ever
have been submitted to, except by persons who were bought into them;
and, indeed, it is confidently asserted, and generally believed, that
Mr. Vansittart got seven lacs by his visit to Mongyr. The members of
the Council, then at Calcutta, passed a severe minute of censure upon
the President's procedure, and summoned the absent members, in order
to devise a speedy and effectual remedy for the complaints received
from every quarter. They have been some time assembled, and have
absolutely forbid the regulations being complied with, and have issued
out orders to repel by force any insults that shall in future be
offered, or obstructions to our trade. It is, indeed, high time," he
adds, "to overset the ruinous system which Mr. Vansittart has so
industriously endeavoured to establish: by a strange contradiction, he
deposes one Nabob under pretence of mal-administration, and then
asserts the successor to be independent, and master of his own
actions, and uses all possible means to render him so, and to increase
his power. We have so sensibly felt the ill use made thereof by Cossim
Ali Khan, that the man must be wilfully blind who does not see the
necessity of immediately checking his career, and the consequences
that must result from his being suffered to run on." From these
observations, it may safely be concluded, that the gallant Major was a
better soldier than statesman.
Footnote 221:
The following letter, dated the 15th of June, 1763, which we find
entered in the copy book of Mr. Amyatt, was meant to report to Mr.
Vansittart the failure of his mission. The original never reached its
destination. "I am favoured with yours of the 8th and 9th instant. We
waited on the Nabob, and delivered him your letter: he was highly
incensed, and expressed great contempt for us and our forces, and told
us he expected nothing else than a war; that we might go and remain at
our tents till we received the Council's orders, and then signify the
same to him by writing—which he supposed would be much the same as your
letters to him; if so, he should dismiss us, but expected Mr. Hay to
remain a hostage till those prisoners we had of his were released. The
stopping our arms is not equal to the seizing his aumils, he says; and
our troops being in his pay, they shall not remain at Patna; and peace
or war depended on their removal, which he found would not be the case.
All my endeavours to establish a friendship and confidence have been in
vain; nor can I convince him we did not intend breaking with him, or to
disgrace him by being obliged to seize his aumils, but necessitated so
to do. He seemed inclined to quarrel, or rather resolved we shall have
no influence, or free intercourse, or trade through his country, but
what he pleases. I have had a very disagreeable time with him, and shall
be heartily glad when free from this embassy, which I have, to the
utmost of my power, endeavoured to conclude, in bringing about a lasting
peace and friendship, and reconcile the Nabob to every body; but to no
purpose, nor can it be effected."
Footnote 222:
1763.
Footnote 223:
A well-informed friend of the author remarks, that he was not a German,
but a Frenchman or Swiss, of the name of _Sombre_, which, perhaps, had
been his _nom-de-guerre_ when in the French service.
Footnote 224:
Cossim Ali was his son-in-law.
Footnote 225:
Mr. Vansittart, in his communications with the Nabob, rejected this
present previous to the treaty, as it might appear the price of its
stipulations: but he intimated, at the same time, that there would be no
objection to such present after the obligations of the treaty were
fulfilled. The following is a list of the presents acknowledged to have
been received on this occasion:—
Mr. Vansittart rupees 500,000 £58,333
Mr. Sumner 240,000 28,000
Mr. Holwell 270,000 30,937
Mr. M'Guire 180,000 20,625
Mr. Smyth 134,000 15,354
Major Yorke 134,000 15,354
General Caillaud 200,000 22,916
Mr. M'Guire 75,000 8,750
————
£200,269
————
Vide Parl. Reports, vol. iii. p. 311.
Footnote 226:
This protest, which is in the form of a letter, is dated the 11th of
March, 1762.—Vide Parl. Rep., vol. iii. p. 252.
Footnote 227:
Messrs. Holwell, Pleydell, Sumner, and M'Guire.
Footnote 228:
The provinces of Burdwan, Midnapore, and Chittagong.
Footnote 229:
February 6, 1765.
Footnote 230:
February, 1765.
Footnote 231:
This man has been before mentioned. He was justly objectionable to the
British government on account of the various intrigues and treasons in
which he had been detected; and was imprisoned at Calcutta for his
correspondence with its enemies during the reign of Cossim Ali.
Footnote 232:
Vide Mill's British India, vol. iii. p. 318.
Footnote 233:
There is some confusion in Mr. Mill's account of this transaction (vol.
iii. p. 330.), from that accurate historian having overlooked the fact,
that the appointment of Nujum-ud-Dowla was managed by Mr. Spencer and
his council, Mr. Vansittart having previously set out for Europe.—See 3d
Report of Committee of 1773, p. 21.; and Scott's Hist. of Bengal, vol.
ii. pp. 439-447.
Footnote 234:
An exception must be made of the deposition of Meer Jaffier:
Suraj-u-Dowla, and Cossim Ali respectively forfeited their authority in
consequence of their unsuccessful attempts to destroy the power of the
English.
Footnote 235:
1763.
Footnote 236:
1764.
Footnote 237:
Vide Parliamentary Reports, vol. iii. p. 312.
Footnote 238:
1764.
Footnote 239:
Captain Williams' Memoir of the Bengal Native Army.
Footnote 240:
This letter is dated 27th April, 1764.
Footnote 241:
Clive's clear and practical mind here puts the question on its real
basis. There is no other alternative.
Footnote 242:
"For the good of the Company," Clive observes in the letter already
quoted, "I would propose that you should always have, in Bengal, four,
or at least three, thousand Europeans; to consist of three battalions of
seven hundred each; four companies of artillery of one hundred each; and
five hundred light horse."
Footnote 243:
This select committee was composed of Lord Clive, General Carnac, Mr.
Verelst, Mr. Sumner, and Mr. Sykes. The two latter accompanied Lord
Clive from England.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAP. XIV.
We have already adverted to the state of confusion in which affairs were
at Bengal when Lord Clive landed.
Never had an individual a more arduous task of reform; but he came to it
with great local knowledge, with a full acquaintance with the characters
of those by whom he was likely to be aided or thwarted, and with a mind
determined at all hazards to execute the great work to which he had been
called, almost by acclamation.
The public letters, papers, and minutes which were laid before Parliament,
regarding the transactions in Bengal, during the years 1765 and 1766,
illustrated as they are by the debates of 1772, gave a full and accurate
history of those two years; but it is in his volumes of private letters,
more than even in any public documents, that we must look for the motives
of Clive's conduct, during this most eventful period of his life. These
are so numerous, that it is difficult to select from them such as will
best give, in his own language, a just idea of the difficulties which he
had to combat, and of that unyielding firmness and determined resolution
by which they were overcome.
He writes to his friend General Carnac, under date the 3d May, 1765:—
"I arrived here this morning to take possession of a government,
which I find in a more distracted state, if possible, than I had
reason to expect.
"The measures taken, with regard to the country government, have
been at best precipitate; and the gentlemen here, knowing that the
arrangement of all affairs was absolutely vested in the committee,
might, I think, have avoided going the lengths they have, till my
arrival. But I am determined not to be embarrassed by the errors of
others, if in my power to remedy them. At least, I will struggle
hard that the disinterested purpose of my voyage prove not
ineffectual. Your resolution, my dear friend, and principles,
almost unparalleled in these climes, will, I am sure, co-operate
with me in every regulation for the public good. Verelst appears,
as far as I can hitherto judge, to be a man of honour and
integrity. Sykes may be thoroughly relied on, and Sumner must, for
his own sake, be a friend to the Company. It is impossible,
therefore, to doubt that we shall be able to settle every matter to
the satisfaction of our employers. The young Nabob should be
treated with respect, with dignity, and with that honour which
ought to be characteristic of Englishmen in Asia as well as in
Europe; but since we have experienced such a series of troubles
from the mismanagement of Subahships, it is our duty to guard
against future evils, by doing for ourselves what no Nabob will
ever do for us; and never trust to the ambition of any Mussulman
whatever, after what has happened. Peace upon a firm and lasting
foundation must be established if possible. And to obtain this
object, I conclude it will be necessary for me to march up to you
at camp, not to continue long there, but to enter into some treaty
with the King. Your long and extensive expedition I could wish had
been avoidable; but of that and all other affairs I will speak more
at large, when I have the pleasure of hearing from or seeing you.
For the present, I can only say, that our views ought to be
confined to Bengal and its departments, and so far I am sure may be
gone with justice; nor do I doubt, that a committee of gentlemen,
whose emulation is not excited by the distribution of loaves and
fishes, may acquire at this juncture immortal honour to themselves,
and lasting advantages to the Company. To-morrow morning I begin to
read over the papers, and minutes of Council, that I may, by seeing
what has been done, be able to form a clearer opinion of the plan
we ought now to adopt. This business will, I suppose, employ my
attention for two or three days, and then you shall hear from me."
In a letter to the same officer, under date the 6th May, Clive
observes:—
"I shall now inform you of this day's proceedings. Having met in
Council, after some debates, the field officers were established as
follows:—General Carnac, Colonel Smith, and Sir R. Barker are
Colonels of the first, second, and third regiments of Infantry; Sir
R. Fletcher, Major Peach, and Major Chapman, Lieutenant-Colonels;
Majors Champion and Stibbart, Majors. It was also proposed to fill
up the other vacancy, which I objected to, until General Carnac's
sentiments were known; a compliment I thought due to the commanding
officer. You will therefore point out to me whom you would have the
third Major, and he shall be appointed. I am informed you do not
think Major Champion has had justice done him, when these
appointments were made. Major Champion's merits were not known, or
he would most certainly have stood next in rank to Colonel.
However, Major Champion is satisfied with an assurance from me,
that whatever the Directors shall order on that head shall be
complied with.
"After this matter was settled, I desired the Board would order
those paragraphs relative to the power of the committee to be
transmitted to the chiefs and council of the subordinate
settlements, to the Commander-in-chief of the army, and to the two
presidencies of Madras and Bombay, that they might know what powers
the committee were invested with. I then acquainted the Board, that
the committee was determined to make use of the power invested in
them, to its utmost extent; that the condition of the country, and
the very being of the Company made such a step absolutely
necessary. Mr. Leycester then seemed inclined to enter into a
debate about the meaning and extent of those powers, but I cut him
short, by informing the Board, that I would not suffer any one to
enter into the least discussion about the meaning of those powers;
but that the committee alone were absolutely determined to be the
sole and only judges; but that they were at liberty to enter upon
the face of the consultations any minutes they thought proper, but
nothing more. Mr. Johnstone desired that some other paragraphs of
the letter might be sent to the different subordinates, &c., as
tending, I believe, in his opinion, to invalidate those orders.
Upon which I asked him, whether he would dare to dispute our
authority? Mr. Johnstone replied, that he never had the least
intention of doing such a thing; upon which there was an appearance
of very long and pale countenances, and not one of the council
uttered another syllable. After despatching the current business,
the Board broke up, and to-morrow we sit in committee, when, I make
no doubt, of discovering such a scene as will be shocking to human
nature. They have all received immense sums for this new
appointment, and are so shameless, as to own it publicly. Hence we
can account for the motive of paying so little respect to me and
the committee; and, in short, every thing of benefit to themselves
they have in this hasty manner concluded, leaving to the committee
the getting the covenants signed, which they say, is of such
consequence, that they cannot think of settling any thing final
about them until Lord Clive's arrival.
"Alas! how is the English name sunk! I could not avoid paying the
tribute of a few tears to the departed and lost fame of the British
nation (irrecoverably so, I fear). However, I do declare, by that
Great Being who is the searcher of all hearts, and to whom we must
be accountable, if there must be an hereafter, that I am come out
with a mind superior to all corruption, and that I am determined to
destroy those great and growing evils, or perish in the attempt.
"I hope, when matters are a little settled, to set out for the
army; bringing with me full power for you and me to settle every
thing for the best."
His own situation and that of the country, at the period of his arrival,
is forcibly depicted in a letter to Mr. Palk, Governor of Madras.[244]
"I wrote you a few lines last Saturday; since which matters do not
go on so well as I could wish. Nasib Cawn, either through treachery
or want of ammunition, has surrendered himself and army to the
enemy; and Sir R. Fletcher, who was going to his assistance with
one hundred Europeans, four battalions of sepoys, and four
field-pieces, will find some difficulty to get back, as I
understand the Rohillas, Mahrattas, and Sujah Dowla, intend to use
their utmost efforts to prevent it. He has gained the banks of the
Ganges, but I fear has no boats: however, as the General is
marching to join him, I hope the enemy will not be able to make any
impression before their junction, when I think there is not much to
apprehend. Whether Sujah Dowla intends to try his fortune in
another battle, or to harass and cut off our supplies, and detach
into the Bahar province, we know not. However, we are providing
against all accidents, by forming a second army from the
reinforcements lately arrived, who are already upon their march for
Patna, to cover that country or proceed further, as the situation
of affairs may require. Thus circumstanced, you will see the
necessity of reinforcing us upon all occasions when you can do it
consistent with the safety of your own settlement.
"Mr. * * * * and all the council have been guilty of such barefaced
corruption, that the committee have thought it absolutely necessary
to make use of the power given them, in its utmost extent. You are
addressed by this conveyance, and copy of the powers with which we
are invested has been sent to you.
"At the first meeting, the gentlemen began to oppose and treat me
in the manner they did Vansittart, by disputing our power, and the
meaning of the paragraph in the Company's general letter. However,
I cut that matter short, by telling them they should not be the
judges of that power, nor would we allow them to enter into the
least discussion about it; but that they might enter their dissents
in writing, upon the face of the consultations. This brought
matters to a conclusion, and spared us the necessity of making use
of force, to put the Company's intentions into execution. We
arrived on Tuesday, and effected this on Thursday. On Friday we
held a committee; and on Monday was read before the council the
following resolution from the committee book:—'Resolved, that it is
the opinion of this committee, that the covenants be executed
immediately by the rest of the council, and all the Company's
servants.' After many idle and evasive arguments, and being given
to understand they must either sign or be suspended the service,
they executed the covenants upon the spot. From this you will see
what I had the honour to inform you of, that I am determined upon
an absolute reformation; but here we must act with caution, until a
peace is established, which I do not despair of accomplishing
during the rains.