Clive's first object, after he accepted the Government of Bengal, was
to give what aid he could to Fort St. George. The view he took of the
dangers of that settlement, and the measures he adopted to afford it
relief, are thus described by a contemporary historian.[214]
"No one doubted that Madras would be besieged, as soon as the monsoon
had sent the squadrons off the coast, if reinforcements should not
arrive before. But Clive did not entertain the surmise that it could
be taken whilst it had provisions; and, as troops were known to be on
the way from England, if the ships in which they were embarked should
lose their passage in this year, they would probably arrive in the
first months of the next. Nevertheless it was necessary, if possible,
to alleviate the inequality between the English and French force in
Coromandel.
"But the preference which each of the Company's Presidencies was
naturally inclined to give to its own safety, as the only ground
on which the property and fortunes of the whole community were
established, suggested apprehensions that Madras, in the same manner
as it had been treated by the Presidency of Calcutta, would, whatever
might be the necessity of Bengal, detain on their own service
whatsoever troops might be sent to their assistance; and, although
little was to be immediately apprehended in Bengal from the French,
yet the entire estrangement of the Nabob, and the hazard of all that
remained due from him, were to be expected, if he saw the English force
too considerably diminished, without the immediate power of recall,
to oppose either his own attempts against them, or to afford the
assistance he might want, whether in the maintenance of his authority
against his own subjects, or the defence of his territory against
foreign enemies.
"In consequence of these conclusions it was determined not to send a
body of troops to Madras, but to employ all that could with prudence be
spared, in concert with Anunderauze, against the French in the ceded
provinces[215]; which would either occasion a diversion of their troops
in the Carnatic, or, if they neglected this assistance, would deprive
them at once of all they had acquired by their long connection with the
Soubah of the Deckan; and, lest any danger during the expedition should
threaten Bengal, the troops were only to obey the immediate orders of
Calcutta.
"The conduct of the expedition was committed to Lieutenant-Colonel
Forde, who, on the invitation of the Presidency to take the command of
the army in case of the departure of Colonel Clive, had quitted the
King's service in Adlercron's regiment, and arrived from the coast in
the month of April. Mr. George Grey was sent to continue the course
of intelligence at Cuttack, and Mr. John Johnstone was despatched in
the Mermaid sloop to make the necessary preparations in concert with
Anunderauze at Vizagapatam. The force allotted for the expedition was
five hundred Europeans, including the artillery men, two thousand
sepoys, and one hundred lascars: the artillery were six field-pieces,
the best brass six-pounders, six twenty-four-pounders for battery, a
howitz, and an eight-inch mortar: eighty thousand rupees, and four
thousand gold mohurs, equivalent to sixty thousand rupees, were in the
military chest for immediate expenses. The embarkation was made on
three of the Company's ships arrived lately from Europe, on the Thames,
a private ship of seven hundred tons, with two of the pilot sloops of
the river. The Thames, likewise, carried a great quantity of provisions
intended for Madras, whither she was to proceed as soon as the present
service would permit. By altercations in the Council, for the measure
was too vigorous to be acceptable to all of them, and by delays in
the equipment, the vessels were detained in the river till the end
of September. Their departure left the English force in the province
barely equal to what they carried away."[216]
Of the brilliant success which attended the expedition under Colonel
Forde I shall speak hereafter. I shall content myself at present with
the insertion of extracts from the private letters of Clive written
at the period of its formation. These, while they show the enlarged
and just view he took of the state of affairs on the coast, will prove
that he not only gave to that settlement all the aid he had the power
of giving it, but that he actually left Bengal almost without European
troops, in order to provide for its defence.
The following are extracts from Clive's letters, under different dates,
to Mr. Pigot.
"I cannot quit the coast without explaining to you my sentiments of
affairs there. I do not find that M. Lally is able to take the field
with three thousand men. When our expected forces arrive, and we
are joined with those of Madras and Trichinopoly, we shall be two
thousand five hundred strong; and I do not think victory so much
depends upon equality of numbers as conduct and resolution. From the
several accounts I have received of M. Lally, I do not entertain the
high opinion of him which he seems to have gained upon the coast;
and, indeed, his late behaviour has confirmed me in this opinion.
Captain Monchanin, who is here, received a letter from his brother at
Paris, informing him of the manner in which these troops were raised:
they were not draughted out of any of the regiments of France, but
are composed of foreigners and deserters; these latter had a pardon
promised them on condition of enlisting for the East Indies. Although
M. Lally is a Colonel on the Irish Brigade, I do not find any of that
corps have come out with him. The capture of St. David's ought to add
nothing to our apprehensions of his succeeding in future enterprises,
for there was no opportunity given of experiencing the courage of his
troops, excepting the attack of the fascine party, which, I think,
makes rather in praise of our forces than his, since an officer and
fifty men could defend it from all attempts of the French from ten in
the evening till three next morning. If Colonel Lawrence could, by any
means, draw the enemy upon a spot of ground he is well acquainted with,
and attack them in the manner he did at Bawoor, I should entertain
great hopes of his success.
"By this time the superiority of our force at sea, I take for granted,
is beyond dispute, and of consequence our resources must be more than
those of the French. This will be another inducement for us to hazard
an engagement, whenever we can do it with the least probability of
success. A victory on our side must confine the French within the
walls of Pondicherry; and when that happens, nothing can save them
from destruction, but a superior force at sea, of which I see little
probability, notwithstanding the report of a third division.
"If it should be thought that we are not strong enough for an offensive
war, other measures, I think, may be pursued, which will greatly
distress, if not in the end ruin, our enemies. Their great want of
money is well known; and every method, which can be thought of, to
increase their want of it, must greatly conduce to overset all their
offensive schemes. Can't a body of Mahratta or other horse be taken
into pay, to burn, ravage, and destroy the whole country in such a
manner as that no revenue can be drawn from thence? Bengal is in itself
an inexhaustible fund of riches, and you may depend upon being supplied
with money and provisions in abundance. In the mean time, what must
become of the French if they cannot raise money sufficient to pay
their forces? They must disband their blacks, and their white ones
will disband themselves. I find M. Lally is gone south. If the King
of Tanjore be not overawed into a compliance with M. Lally's demands,
and give assistance to Captain Caillaud, I have such an opinion of
that gentleman's abilities, and the goodness of his garrison, that
I sincerely believe the French will meet with some disgrace before
Trichinopoly.
"You are acquainted with the troubles at Golconda, and that the French
are drove out of Ganjam, Vizagapatam, and Chicacole. One Bristow, who
resided at Cuttack, is gone to Vizagapatam at the particular request of
the Rajah; and I have received a letter from him, desiring assistance
in the strongest terms. Two trusty agents are gone to Vizaram-Rauze;
and if they bring a promising account of affairs, although our
effective force does not exceed seven hundred Europeans, I propose
sending into those parts three hundred and fifty Europeans, and two
thousand sepoys, and a train of artillery under the command of Colonel
Forde. This is not mentioned in the Committee's letters, because not
absolutely determined upon. The news from the North may occasion
an alteration of measures, though at present there is the greatest
prospect of tranquillity.
"If this (expedition) only throw the country into such confusion, as to
prevent our enemies collecting any revenues, it will in a great measure
answer the design and the expense."[219]
"Since my last, the three Europe ships, one country, and two
sloops, are dropped down to Ingillie. The stores are on board, and
the troops will embark in two or three days, and will, I hope, be
landed at Vizagapatam, or elsewhere, by the last of this month. You
must not expect that these forces will be ordered to proceed to
your Presidency. All here are much alarmed at so large a detachment
leaving the place, and the gentlemen in Council have made great
opposition to it. The expedition, whilst at a distance, did not seem
to attract their attention; but now the troops are upon the point
of embarking, self-preservation for the present seems to possess
every breast, without any regard for the future, or the good of the
service in general; and you may be assured, if I was to propose the
troops proceeding to Madras, a negative would be given by every one
but myself. And to tell you the truth, the gentlemen here seem fully
persuaded that the detachments would never be returned, should the
exigency of affairs here require it. We shall see what may be effected
by January, and whether Bussy may not be kept at bay, and his resources
of money, &c. be cut off. If this can be effected, I think the troops
cannot be employed more for your advantage, as it may prevent his
forces from joining M. Lally.
"You may be persuaded that whilst I preside the most vigorous measures
shall be pursued, and I think the present expedition a very strong
proof of it; for I will not conceal from you, that we are in no
condition to receive the French, should there be any possibility
of their paying us a visit during the absence of our troops. Our
effectives are not two hundred and eighty, and those the very scum of
the men. Our garrison is drained of stores and ammunition."[220]
"The detachment of King's[221] troops on the Warren will return in the
same ship, which will sail in a few days for Madras. Not a man shall be
kept, but you may depend upon every assistance in our power; and if you
can but give M. Lally one blow in the field he is ruined. You may draw
upon us for what money you choose: we have twenty lacs of rupees in the
treasury, but no bullion: the gold in the Warren will be sent you. The
Warren and Cuddalore sloops will be loaded with provisions."[222]