frequently mortified with instances of his conduct, which made me
look forward with regret to the day on which he was to be intrusted
with the government of Bengal.
"When affairs of the utmost consequence to the Company were
transacting by me, at the distance of seven hundred miles from the
presidency, Mr. Sumner, governor for the time being, would have
yielded up some of the most material privileges of the committee to
Mr. Leycester, Gray, and Burdett, the most factious among the
counsellors; and, if I had not written to him very severely on the
subject, and prevailed on Mr. Verelst to hasten down from Burdwan
to remonstrate to him on the weakness of his conduct, I verily
believe he would have joined with those gentlemen in endeavouring
to abolish the power of the committee.
"Whether his behaviour arose merely from timidity of temper, or
from a consideration that his actions formerly, in the Burdwan
country, could not bear a scrutiny, if the resentment of those whom
he had been obliged to join in condemning should prompt them to
retaliate, I cannot say; but it is certain that his attention to
those gentlemen, guilty as they had been of the most notorious acts
of oppression, was mean and absurd. His conduct, upon the whole,
convinces me, that had he been in council during the late
transactions he would have stood next to Mr. Johnstone in the
donation list, which I almost wish he had, since the Company and I
should, by that means, have been freed from the apprehensions we
now labour under, on account of his succeeding me in the
government.
"Imagine not that I have exceeded the bounds of truth in this
description. A due regard to my own honour, as well as to the
advantage of the Company, obliges me to be thus plain; but it is
not my intention to impress you with ideas so far to the
disadvantage of Mr. Sumner, as that he may be set aside from the
government. I think I cannot go such lengths without hurting my own
reputation. I must make a point of his succeeding me according to
his appointment; and I hope affairs will go on very well, as long
as he has a good committee or council to watch him.
"If you can prevail upon the Court of Directors to empower me
alone, or me in conjunction with the Select Committee, to regulate
matters, I will be responsible for his good behavior: if not, I
much fear things will fall into the old channel; and to the
advantages arising from salt will be added every other that can be
grasped at.
"Remember the oath and penalty bond mentioned in my public letter.
If by increasing the Governor's salary, or ordering his proportion
of salt to be greater, there was a particular oath for the
Governor, whereby he should not be allowed the liberty of private
trade at all, but obliged to attend to the affairs of the Company
only, leaving trade to the second, &c., I think the plan of
government would be much more perfect, as it would be less liable
to abuses from the head.
"I have hinted to Dudley only my sentiments of Mr. Sumner, and he
knows from me that I have explained myself to you. Consult,
therefore, together about the matter; settle it, if possible, in
such a manner that I may not be taxed with breach of promise to Mr.
Sumner, and I may at the same time resign the government without
apprehension for the consequences.
------------------
"It would be endless for me to send you the particulars of every
act of extortion and corruption. I had prepared a great many, under
the hands and seals of the several zemindars and phousdars, in
order to make it impossible for such men to succeed in any of their
future designs; but the total overthrow of Sulivan and his party
makes such authentic proofs unnecessary, especially as we have sent
home sufficient to convince every impartial Director of the general
corruption and profligacy of their servants in Bengal.
"Among other papers, you will find a letter from the King to the
Governor and Council, in favour of General Carnac. The 2 lacs of
rupees he has given him is lodged in the public funds, until the
pleasure of the Directors is known. I shall only say that Carnac
has acted with such moderation and honour in the service of the
Company, and with such good deference and attention towards his
Majesty the Great Mogul, that the Directors must be the most
ungrateful of men, if they do not, by the return of this ship, or
the first conveyance, order him this money, with a due encomium
upon his services, disinterestedness, and modesty. I am sure your
interest will not be wanting to push this matter to the utmost, if
it be possible that such an order from the Court should meet with
the least resistance.
"I have determined to remain in this country until I receive an
answer to our proceedings. No consideration on earth shall prevail
upon me to stay beyond the month of December, 1766; and my friends
may be assured, if no accident happens to me, of hearing of me from
Europe in April or May, 1767. In the mean time I shall dedicate
every day of my life to the service of the Company; a thorough
reformation shall take place; every department, both civil and
military, shall be examined, and regulated by a disinterested
committee, upon oath; and the Directors will be surprised indeed at
the extravagancy, inattention, and frauds of their servants, both
civil and military, at the same time that they must be greatly
pleased at the reduction of their exorbitant expenses.
"Can you believe me, that the civil and military charges at the
time of my arrival, amounted to between 11 and 12 lacs per month?
"I have dropt all thoughts of what I mentioned to you from Rio
Janeiro, concerning my jaghire, and am resolved to let it rest as
it is.
"That you may assist with confidence the justice of my cause, I do
declare, by that God who made me, it is my absolute determination
to refuse every present of consequence, and that I will not return
to England with one rupee more than what arises from my jaghire. My
profits arising from salt shall be divided among those friends who
have endangered their lives and constitutions in attending me; the
congratulatory nuzzurs shall be set opposite to my extraordinary
expenses, and, if aught remains, it shall go to Poplar or some
other hospital."
Clive, the same day, wrote the following letter[268] to Mr. Grenville,
with whom, throughout this period, he appears to have kept up a constant
correspondence:—
"Give me leave to call to your remembrance some discourse we had
together about the Company's affairs (in which the honour and
interest of our nation was so much concerned), and to inform you, I
have now the particular satisfaction of seeing the great object of
my wishes nearly accomplished.
"The enclosed copy of my letter to the Court of Directors, and a
map of Bengal, with some marginal explanations, will open to you a
full view of the present great and flourishing condition of our
East India Company, and show how near it was to destruction, from
corruption, extortion, and luxury. If you have leisure and
inclination to be further acquainted with our transactions, Mr.
Walsh has orders from me to lay before you our proceedings. May
what we are about, in times of distress and necessity, contribute
towards lessening the debt of the nation. If you imagine the King
can find amusement in perusing any of these papers, or some
particular friends whom you can trust, I shall have no objection.
"I hope by this year's conveyance to send you a particular account
of the revenues of these provinces, which, put under proper
management, cannot fall far short of 4,000,000_l._ per annum.
"I return you many thanks for Mr. Strachey: I have found him in
every respect deserving your good opinion; and I must not forget to
express how thankful I am for the assistance you have given Mr.
Nevil Maskelyne, to obtain the Regius professorship.
"My best wishes attend Mrs. Grenville and all your family."
Clive observes, in a letter to Lord Halifax, of the same date,—
"I will not attempt entering into a detail of affairs in this part
of the world, especially as I have enabled Mr. Grenville to give
your Lordship a very explicit account of the prosperous and
flourishing condition of the East India Company: too prosperous,
without they have better heads and hearts to manage such grand and
extensive concerns than heretofore."
In the following letter[269] from Lord Clive to Sir Matthew
Featherstonhaugh he states,—
"We have just concluded a very honourable and advantageous peace
with Sujah-u-Dowlah. To convince him, as well as the Mogul empire,
of our moderation, we have restored to him all his dominions, upon
condition of paying to the Company 50 lacs of rupees, or
600,000_l._ (the half down, and security for the other half.) This
he very readily consented to, and has exactly complied with his
engagements; so that Bengal, by such a powerful alliance, will in
all probability enjoy tranquillity and peace for some time.
"Was I to paint to you the anarchy and confusion which reigned in
these rich provinces upon my arrival, you would be much surprised.
Indeed, the Company's affairs were at their last gasp, not from our
enemies, but from that universal licentiousness which had overrun
the whole settlement of Calcutta. Extortion and corruption were
practised openly and at noonday. The three kingdoms of Bengal,
Bahar, and Orissa, whose revenues amount to 4,000,000_l._ sterling
per annum, had been put up to sale, and the profits divided among
the civil and military; the Company's interests have been most
scandalously sacrificed; but on this subject let me refer you to
Mr. Walsh, who will give you such proofs of the venality,
corruption, and extortions of the Company's servants, as must give
you great pain, from the consideration of the national honour being
so much prostituted.
"We are making use of the power given the committee to check these
great and growing evils, and have made great progress already. Our
vigorous proceedings towards retrieving the national honour, and
obtaining for the Company those great and glorious advantages,
which they are so justly entitled to, will, I make no doubt, create
us many enemies; however, conscious rectitude will enable us to go
through our undertakings with pleasure. With regard to myself, I do
declare, upon the word of a gentleman, and upon my honour, that,
although history can scarce furnish an instance of any subject who
hath had such opportunities of acquiring an immense fortune, it is
my determined resolution to return to my native country not one
farthing richer than when I left it.
"The very great attention you have always paid to my interest, and
the favourable opinion you have always entertained of my abilities
and zeal for the Company, bind me to you by ties of the strongest
gratitude.
"The Company, in consequence of a grant from the Great Mogul, and
with the Nabob's approbation, are in possession of a clear revenue
of 2,000,000_l._ sterling; and all our expenses, both civil and
military, can never exceed the half of that sum in time of war, and
in time of peace, not more than 600,000_l._ per annum: so that, at
the worst of times, there will be a clear gain of 1,000,000_l._
sterling per annum to the Company. Neither are these revenues
chimerical or precarious: the rents are regularly paid; and we have
established such a force, that all the powers of Hindustan cannot
deprive us of our possessions for many years. Let me refer you to
Mr. Walsh for further particulars, who, I am persuaded, will
explain these matters much to your satisfaction.
"Although I find I cannot, as formerly, struggle with the
inclemency of this hot climate, yet I am determined to wait for an
answer to our despatches by this ship: my duty to my family will
not permit me to stay longer. I hope to kiss your hand in April or
May, 1767.
"The Duke of Devonshire's death has given me inexpressible concern:
the nation has lost a nobleman who was an honour to it, and we the
best and sincerest of friends. I could with pleasure have attached
myself to him for the remainder of my days."
The following letter[270] to his friend Scrafton exhibits a short view
of the prosperous state of the finances, and closes with a postscript
written on Clive's hearing of his friend's election to the office of
Director:—
"You must not expect a long letter from me, because I know you will
have many particulars from other friends, and because the public
business will really not allow me time for that purpose.
"Revolution upon revolution, rapacity, extortion, and corruption,
have at last reduced us to the necessity of doing the only thing
which could be done, to save the whole fabric from being ruined.
The King hath granted to the Company the dewannee of Bengal, Bahar,
and Orissa, and expresses himself in this manner:—'In consideration
of the great services rendered me by the English Company, and on
the condition of their paying me the annual tribute of 26 lacs, and
allowing sufficient for the support of the dignity of the Nizamut,
whatever remains of the revenues of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa, I
give to the English Company as a free gift, for ever and ever.'
"The Nabob's allowances are 53 lacs, which he signed and agreed to;
so that there will remain little short of 200 lacs to the Company,
clear of all expenses in collections. What think you of the stocks?
We shall draw bills for about 16 lacs this year, and, in future, I
believe, there will be an end to bills of exchange. Our investment
this year will exceed 40 lacs, and we shall send 15 lacs to China.
We have 24 lacs of restitution money to pay, and 30 lacs of bonds
to discharge, or we should not have drawn at all, even this year.
"We have concluded a firm and lasting peace with Sujah-u-Dowlah, by
giving him up all his country, for which he pays 50 lacs to the
Company: 25 down, and security for the rest in twelve months. I
have not leisure to entertain you with an account of our
proceedings with regard to the gentlemen of council: the upshot is,
as you have expressed yourself in one of your letters, 'There are
not five men of principle in the whole settlement.' I believe this
is the first instance of such a paper appearing upon record as we
have sent home.
"There is an account in our committee and consultation proceedings,
as large as a general return, with as many columns, specifying the
sums of money received, and to be received, by whom, and to whom,
and on whose houses drawn; in short, the Directors, when they first
see these papers, will imagine it to be an account of increase of
revenues. If you can get John Walsh into a humour of entertaining
you upon these matters, he is qualified to do it better than any
man in England. My time and paper grow short.
"I am, dear Scrafton,
"Yours, &c.
"CLIVE
"May it please your Honour,
"I did not know at the time I wrote the above, that your Honour
would have been one of my masters, as I might have saved myself the
trouble of writing so much, or referring you to Walsh. Believe me,
there is an absolute necessity of getting some of the Madras
servants here, or we shall never bring about a reformation. The
gentry here will do nothing with a good will.
"I am
"Your Honour's most obedient servant,
"CLIVE."
Clive, in answering a letter[271] from Mr. Fowke, a Director, observes,—
"I have received your letter of the 13th November, 1764, from the
contents of which I can easily perceive our affairs in Leadenhall
Street are not likely to be upon a solid foundation for some time:
indeed, Rous, though a very honest man, is the most unfit of all
men living to preside and govern a Court of Directors. I am now
convinced, a man of lighter principles, with more abilities, and a
certain degree of resolution, will manage both private and public
concerns to more advantage than Mr. Rous. My only hopes are, that
the next year's election will produce one or two men well versed in
the politics of India, and then Mr. Sulivan may be entirely
excluded.
"I am not at all surprised at your disappointment; nothing less
could have been expected from such a divided and distracted
Direction; nor should I be much surprised if something of a
disagreeable nature, touching my powers, should find its way to
India. If the Directors dare take such a step, woe be to them, for
I am pursuing measures so manifestly to the nation's honour, and
the Company's advantage, that envy and malice themselves will not
dare to enter the lists against us.
"Was I to enter into a detail of all our transactions in these
parts, volumes would not suffice. To Mr. Walsh, therefore, I refer
you, who will be perfectly informed of the great and glorious
things we have already done for this Company; too great, indeed,
for such a Company. I shall only say, that such a scene of anarchy,
confusion, bribery, corruption, and extortion was never seen or
heard of in any country but Bengal; nor such and so many fortunes
acquired in so unjust and rapacious a manner. The three provinces
of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa, producing a clear revenue of
3,000,000_l._ sterling, have been under the absolute management of
the Company's servants, ever since Meer Jaffier's restoration to
the subaship; and they have, both civil and military, exacted and
levied contributions from every man of power and consequence, from
the Nabob down to the lowest zemindar.
"The trade has been carried on by free merchants, acting as
gomastahs to the Company's servants, who, under the sanction of
their names, have committed actions which make the name of the
English stink in the nostrils of a Gentoo or a Mussulman; and the
Company's servants themselves have interfered with the revenues of
the Nabob, turned out and put in the officers of the government at
pleasure, and made every one pay for their preferment."
It may be questioned whether any of Clive's many and great achievements
called forth more of that active energy and calm firmness for which he
was distinguished, than was evinced in effecting the reform of the civil
service of Bengal. It created a host of enemies in India, several of
whom were men of talent, and possessed both of wealth and reputation.
These, when they returned to England, gave vent to their indignation
against one whom they represented as an arbitrary tyrant, who, having
made his own immense fortune in a rapid manner, now desired to obtain
fame by depriving others of the same advantages. They found, among the
Directors and the House of Commons, many who listened eagerly to their
grievances, and to accusations against a man whose fame and fortune made
him an object of envy and of calumny; and who, besides the numbers he
had rendered his enemies, by detecting and exposing their nefarious
conduct, had deeply offended others, of whose character and principles
he had a better opinion, by his impatience at their weak or undecided
conduct. Born, it may be said, to command, clear in his views of what
was right, and devoted to the public service, he was not only
uncompromising, but impatient of check or hinderance in the pursuit of
objects he deemed essential for the good name or interests of his
country. This impatience led him too often to evince indignation or
contempt of those who opposed him, or whose minds could not keep pace
with his own, but whose conduct and character merited more justice and
consideration.
But we must close this chapter, the events detailed in which occurred
within a twelvemonth of Clive's arrival in Bengal. The second year
afforded him a still greater opportunity of displaying his wisdom and
courage.
FOOTNOTES: CHAPTER 14
Footnote 244:
11th May, 1765.
Footnote 245:
Mr. George Vansittart, the brother of Henry, the late governor.
Footnote 246:
13th May, 1765.
Footnote 247:
Vide letter to Mr. Sykes, 7th July.
Footnote 248:
Vide letter to Mr. Palk, 14th July.
Footnote 249:
Vide letter to Mr. Spencer of the 13th May.
Footnote 250:
The Court of Directors, by the Lapwing packet, which left England in
June, 1764, sent positive orders, which reached Calcutta on the 24th
January, 1765, that all persons in the Company's service should
execute covenants, restraining them from accepting, directly or
indirectly, from the Indian princes, any grant of lands, rents, or
territorial dominion, or any present whatever, exceeding the value of
four thousand rupees, without the consent of the Court of Directors.
The letter further contained orders relating to private trade, and to
batta to the troops. The council assembled next day, 25th January. It
is remarkable that the subjects, both of the batta and of the private
trade, are noticed in the consultation, but no allusion whatever is
made to the matter of the covenants. At this crisis the old Nabob
died; and Mr. Johnstone and Mr. Leycester were immediately empowered
to negotiate with his son, the young Nabob, and accordingly did
conclude a treaty, 6th February, as has been already mentioned. About
twenty lacs of rupees were, on this occasion, promised, and the
greater part of it received, as a present to the Governor and several
members of council. (Verelst's Narrative, p. 51.; Third Report of
Select Committee of House of Commons, p. 21.) As upwards of three
months had elapsed at the time of Clive's arrival, and the Company's
orders regarding the covenants had not yet been put in force, the
Select Committee, immediately on meeting, issued an order for carrying
them into instant effect. Clive, in his letters, expresses great
indignation at the circumstances attending the treaty with the young
prince; and it is impossible not to agree with him in thinking, that
the delay in the signing of the covenants, and the subsequent presents
from the young Nabob, reflect light on each other.
Footnote 251:
Vide letter to Mr. Sumner of the 26th June.
Footnote 252:
Vide letter, Secret Committee, 21st June, 1765.
Footnote 253:
This letter is dated the 30th September, 1765. It is published in the
Third Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons, A. D.
1772.
Footnote 254:
17th May, 1766.
Footnote 255:
30th September, 1765.
Footnote 256:
It may be mentioned, as a curious fact, that when the durbar for
conferring the dewannee on the Company was held, the Emperor having
none of the appurtenances of high condition or state along with him,
an English dining table, covered over, made the throne on which he sat
during the ceremony.
Footnote 257:
Vide letter from Mr. Verelst, 27th July, 1765.
Footnote 258:
An addition of 386,131 was subsequently granted.
Footnote 259:
Mr. Johnstone, who had resigned council, but who remained some time
settling the commercial concerns with Mr. Bolts, complains of his salt
being stopped; Lord Clive, in reply, says he should have applied for a
dustuck.
Footnote 260:
Letter to Mr. Dudley, 29th September, 1765.
Footnote 261:
1765.
Footnote 262:
At the time of Lord Clive's writing the letter quoted in the text, to
Mr. Palk, the Governor of Madras, which was the day after his
Lordship's arrival at Bengal, Suja Dowla was, as is mentioned in that
letter, threatening to invade our provinces with a large army, joined
by the Mahrattas and Rohillas. But he altered his tone very shortly
after; since it appears, by a letter written by him to General Carnac,
that he offered to make peace on any terms.
This letter, it appears from the public records mentioned in the
Report of the Select Committee of 1772, was received by General Carnac
on the 19th of May, 1765, and was probably written by Suja Dowla two
days before; which allows for his having received intelligence of Lord
Clive's arrival on the 3d of that month, and that it had the effect of
his proposing to make peace with the English.
The letter is worth transcribing in this place. (3d Rep. of Select
Comm. App. No. 84.)
_Suja Dowla to General Carnac._