conducted with much Discretion, and of course with some Delay, the Suba
had a Season of Recess, in which, by a Change of Measures, he might have
recovered his Authority, have resettled his distracted Government, and
repaired all his past Errors. He not only neglected this entirely, but
continued acting, in every respect, as if he had aimed at his own
Destruction. He endeavoured to negotiate Succours from some of his
Neighbours, who, though they knew not the Weakness of his Condition, and
therefore civilly entertained his Proposals, had however such an Opinion
of the Weakness of his Conduct, that nothing could induce them to enter
into his Measures. He continued corresponding with Mr. _Bussy_, from
whom he received Letters, which served to support and increase his
Delusion, and to flatter him with the Hopes of seeing an Army of Twenty
thousand Men in his Dominions, which, could he have brought them, would
have tended only to have impoverished his Subjects, and to have given
him new Masters, under the Title of old Allies. He was courted all this
time by Colonel _Clive_ to lay down his Arms, to settle the few
remaining unaccomplished Articles in the Treaty, and, above all, to put
the Trade of his Territories into its usual Channel, for the common
Benefit of the _Europeans_ and the Natives. To these Solicitations he
gave no Answers, or such as afforded no sort of Satisfaction; but, on
the contrary, indicated very plainly, by every Step he took, that he
meditated new Disturbances, and waited for what should appear to him a
favourable Occasion for renewing the War. In reference, on the other
hand, to his own People, he grew every Day more and more intolerable,
removing, disgracing, insulting, those whom he had formerly treated with
the greatest Marks of Favour and Respect, and of whom several fled
privately and in Disguise to seek Shelter in the _English_ Territories,
and particularly in that of _Cassimbuzar_. By this Behaviour he not only
augmented the Disaffection that had already spread so far amongst his
Servants, but likewise furnished so many and such authentic Proofs of
his having still the same Points in View, that he had at his Entrance on
the Administration, and of the Obstinacy of his Aversion to the
_English_, so contrary to the Mutability of his Temper in every thing
else, that it contributed exceedingly to fortify the Sentiments of
those, who maintained, that the Peace of that Part of _India_ could
never be effectually restored, so long as he held the Supreme Power.
After the Propositions made by Mr. _Watts_ had been duly canvassed, and
their Importance maturely considered, by the Select Committee, who upon
this Occasion framed and took an Oath of Secrecy, they were unanimously
approved, and the Project or Draught of a new Treaty was transmitted to
him. But at the same time there was great Latitude left, in case of
Objections; and he was requested to procure as many and as large
Concessions as might be, in case he found it impracticable to obtain
every one of the Conditions in the full Extent that they desired. Indeed
they relied so entirely upon him, that a Blank was left for the
Company's Demand in their Draught of the Treaty for him to fill up; and
how it was filled up, will appear from the Treaty itself. This was not
only expedient but necessary, as he was upon the Spot, knew the Persons
with whom he was treating, their Connections and Circumstances, and the
Motives which might render any of these Demands agreeable or
disagreeable. The use Mr. _Watts_ made of this Confidence was such as it
deserved, and turned not a little to the Advantage of those who gave it.
He was himself perfectly sensible, and took all imaginable Pains to make
those he dealt with no less sensible, that, notwithstanding this Change
was for their mutual Benefit, yet the Weight, the Hazard, and the
Expence, would fall principally at least, very probably wholly, upon the
_English_. He represented, therefore, effectually, that for such
extraordinary Assistance, which alone could put the Means of making it
into their Power, a proper Satisfaction ought in Justice to be made, and
that this suitable Satisfaction should be made likewise in a proper
Manner. He was apprehensive also, upon this Head, that a false Delicacy
might produce future Disputes, and therefore very prudently provided,
that the unliquidated Demands in the Sketch should be reduced to a
Certainty. He also enlarged the Sums stipulated for the Losses of
private Persons, and distinguished them under National Heads; that, if
possible, no Jealousies or Heart-burnings might arise in the Colony,
when they came to be actually paid.
The surest as well as the shortest Method of setting this Matter in a
true Light, and that will at once place it in the strongest, is to
insert the original Plan of the new Alliance, as transmitted to Mr.
_Watts_, and then the Project settled by that Gentleman, which the
Reader will hereafter have an Opportunity of comparing with the Alliance
concluded.
Copy of the ARTICLES of Agreement
sent by Colonel _Clive_ to _William
Watts_, Esq; _May 2, 1757_.
An Alliance offensive and defensive against all Enemies: The _French_
Fugitives to be taken and delivered up to us; all their Factories to be
delivered up to us, in order to be destroyed; the _French_ never to be
permitted to re-settle in this Subaship; in Consideration of which, the
_English_ Company will annually pay the Amount of Duties usually paid
into the King's Treasury on the _French_ Trade, or a Sum not exceeding
Fifty thousand Rupees annually.
Restitution of the Company's Loss, by the taking of _Calcutta_, and
their Out Settlements; also Restitution for the Losses of all
_Europeans_ by _Ditto_, as may be stated fairly by Admiral _Watson_, the
Governor, Colonel _Clive_, _William Watts_, Esq; Major _Kilpatrick_, and
Mr. _Becher_.
_Blacks_ and _Armenians_ are not included.
That the whole of our Phirmaund be complied with, and all other Grants
made to us, particularly in the Treaty with _Suraja Dowlat_.
That the Bounds of _Calcutta_ are to extend the whole Circle of
_Ditchdug_, upon the Invasion of the _Marattes_; also Six hundred Yards
without it, for an Esplanade.
The Inhabitants within our Bounds to be entirely subject to the
_English_ Laws and Government.
That we have Liberty to fortify and garrison our Factories of
_Cassimbuzar_ and _Dacca_, as we think proper, and a sufficient
Esplanade be granted us round each.
That Convoys to and from one of our Settlements to another, be permitted
to pass without Interruption or Molestation.
That the _Moors_ shall erect no Fortifications within Twenty Miles of
the River Side, from _Hughley_ to _Ingelee_.
That a Tract of Land be made over to the _English_ Company, whose
Revenues shall be sufficient to maintain a proper Force of _Europeans_
and Seapoys, to keep out the _French_, and assist the Government against
all Enemies.
That whenever the _English_ Troops are called to the assistance of the
Government, that the extraordinary Expences of the Campaign be made good
by the Government.
That an _English_ Gentleman, in Quality of Envoy, be permitted to reside
at Court, and be treated with due Respect.
Minutes of the Treaty, by Mr. _Watts_,
_May 14, 1757_.
I. That he will confirm all the Grants the former Nabob
made us.
II. He will make an Alliance with the _English_, offensive
and defensive, against all Enemies, either Natives or
_Europeans_
III. Whatever _French_ are in his Provinces of _Bengal_,
_Bahar_, or _Orixa_, to be delivered up with all
their Houses and Factories, and they never permitted
to settle more in either of those Provinces.
IV. On Account of the Company's Loss[1] 1 Crore.
V. On Account of the Losses of _Europeans_ 30 Lack.
VI. Ditto _Jentoows_ 30 D^o.
VII. Ditto _Armenians_ 10 D^o.
VIII. Ditto for _Omichund_ 30 D^o.
IX. Whatever Ground there is within the _Calcutta_ Ditch,
belonging to the _Zemindars_, to be given to the
_English_, and Six hundred Yards without the Ditch
all round.
X. A Tract of Land, whose Rents in the King's Books
amounts to 100,000 Rupees Yearly, to be bought at a
reasonable Value, from the Zemindary, and the Nabob
to assist us in the Purchase, we paying the annual
Piscash or Revenue, as usual, to the Nabob. Whatever
Profit may arise from this Zemindary, is to go
towards paying our Military.
XI. Whenever the Nabob wants the Assistance of our Troops,
the extraordinary Expence to be paid by him.
Footnote 1:
The Rupee is a Silver Coin, struck in the _Moghul_'s Mints, with an
Inscription of his Name and Titles, the Year of his Reign, and the
Place at which it was struck. It weighs from 7 _dw._ 10⅓ _gr._ to 7
_dw._ 11 _gr._ and the Proportion of Allay to fine Silver, is as 1 or
2 to 100. One hundred thousand Rupees make a Lack, One hundred Lacks a
Coroe or Crore, One hundred Crores an Arrib.
_TABLE_ of _RUPEES_.
Lack of Rupees. £. _Sterling_.
1 12,500
10 125,000
20 250,000
30 375,000
40 500,000
50 625,000
60 750,000
70 875,000
80 1,000,000
90 1,125,000
A Crore 1,250,000
His Plan of the Treaty was returned, with Alterations: Some of the
Articles were modified, and a Blank left for the Company's Demand, that
in case _Meer Jaffeir_ should think it too extravagant, Mr. _Watts_
might have Liberty to moderate it, and he was desired to get it carried
into Execution; but it will appear in the Treaty itself, which will be
hereafter given, that Mr. _Watts_ got the Treaty executed, without any
Deduction or Modification. This was a Work equally arduous and
hazardous, as Things then stood, when every Look, every Word, every
Motion of his was suspected, and which at the same time rendered the
procuring its Conclusion expeditiously a Circumstance of the utmost
Consequence. In all this, the Risk might be truly said to fall entirely
upon himself; so that it is not easy to imagine, how any Man's
Circumstances could be more critical than his actually were in this
Conjuncture. We shall however see, that they really became so
afterwards, and this in a very high Degree, and in very many Respects,
from Causes that could not be avoided, and which produced a Train of
unforeseen Events.
It was pretty early known, that _Meer Jaffeir_ had entertained no very
favourable Notion of _Omichund_, but there was a Necessity of employing
and trusting him notwithstanding, of which though the former did not
complain, yet he did not dislike him the less. In the midst of these
arduous Transactions, and when every one else had their Hands and their
Hearts full, it came into _Omichund_'s Head to practise a little upon
_Suraja Dowlat_, probably that he might be sure of somewhat, however
Things went. He mentioned to Mr. _Watts_ this very fine-spun Project, to
which, that it appeared wild and strange, was by no means the strongest
Objection. It was, however, in vain to make any: there was Money he
thought to be got, and, if it was possible, he was resolved to get it.
On the Sixteenth of _May_ he went to the Palace, where, exerting his
admirable Faculty of magnifying the Utility and exalting the Credit of
the Advice he had to give, and having first alarmed the Suba's timid
Mind, by touching many Subjects he knew were disagreeable, and in the
Close, when he saw him sufficiently amazed, condescended to hint, that
he had found means, with great Difficulty, to come at a Secret of the
last Consequence, and for the revealing of which he was sure to lose his
Life, if it was so much as suspected that he had penetrated and
disclosed it. Promises of every kind were made, and at length out it
came, that the _English_ had discovered all his Negotiations with Mr.
_Bussy_, some Circumstances of which he mentioned; that, upon this, they
had sent two Gentlemen to confer with, and to convince him, how much
more it would be for his Interest to concur with them; and that they had
made, or were upon the Point of making, a Peace; which, without doubt,
must be at his Expence. As strange as it may seem, _Omichund_ prevailed
over a Man's Foibles, which he had studied, and deluded him into a firm
Belief of all he said, and, in consequence of this, he procured a
Perwannah, that is, an Order from the Suba to the Burdwan Rajah, one of
his Officers, for the Payment of Four Lack of Rupees which he owed him,
and the full Restitution of the remaining Part of the Money, and all the
Goods, of which he had been despoiled at _Calcutta_. This he took
wonderful Care to have immediately executed, for fear of Accidents, that
very Night; neither did he remain within the Suba's Reach long after. He
left Traces, however, behind him, that sufficiently justified _Meer
Jaffeir_'s Suspicions, and exerted that Power of perplexing, which he
possessed in full as eminent a Degree as that of persuading. This was
one principal Cause of those new Difficulties, to which Mr. _Watts_
found himself exposed, when he thought the whole Stock of his Abilities
small enough to deal with the old ones.
When the Agreement came to be offered to _Roydoolub_, one of the Suba's
principal Ministers, but, notwithstanding that, one of the Parties to
this Treaty, he made a Doubt as to the Possibility of complying with it.
He said, the Treasury, since the Death of the Old Suba, _Aliverdy Cawn_,
had been much drained, and that though _Suraja Dowlat_ was indeed very
rapacious, yet he managed his Affairs so ill, by keeping his Forces so
long in the Field, as to have impoverished himself by a vast, and at the
same time useless Expence. He also suggested, that possibly in the
Confusion that commonly attends every Revolution, the Suba's Treasury
might be plundered, and then they should remain bound, without having it
in their Power to pay. But to remove these Difficulties, he proposed it
as an Expedient, to divide whatever was found in the Treasury with the
_English_. Mr. _Watts_, who understood these People perfectly, consented
to sign the Treaty with such a Clause, subject to the Approbation of the
Select Committee at _Calcutta_. But when _Roydoolub_ reflected, that
upon such a Division he could pretend to no Commission, as he might on
Money issued in virtue of the Treaty, of which he had Hopes given him;
when Things came to a Crisis, he relinquished his own Proposal, and
resolved to sign the Treaty as it stood. It appeared, that the
Apprehensions which occasioned these Disputes, and this Delay, were
infused into _Roydoolub_ by _Omichund_, who gave him to understand, that
if once the _English_ Army took Possession of _Muxadavad_, they would
not leave it again in three Years. This old crafty Man was not satisfied
with giving this Proof of his Skill in embarrassing; he went much
farther; and as soon as he was himself out of Danger, divulged the
Secret, which brought Mr. _Watts_, as well as _Meer Jaffeir_ and the
rest, to the very Brink of Destruction; while at _Calcutta_ he
represented the whole Design as become desperate and impracticable,
because it was discovered. It was, indeed, wonderful, all Things, and
more especially his Behaviour, considered, that it was not so. However,
this Effect these Rumours had, that Confusion increased, Discontent
spread itself more and more in the Suba's Camp, and the Divisions
between him and his principal Officers grew daily wider and wider. _Meer
Jaffeir_ was fallen into open Disgrace, removed from his Office of BUXY,
or Paymaster; upon which he withdrew, and continued in his Quarters with
his Troops, and came no more near the Suba. A Circumstance that rendered
it next to impossible for Mr. _Watts_, who was sensible that he had many
Spies upon his Conduct, to have an Interview with him, whose House was
entirely surrounded by the Nabob's Forces, without its being known; and
this had given the Suba an Opportunity of executing his Threats, and if
that had been a Thing he regarded, without much injuring his Reputation.
The Matter, though so much embarrassed, being still absolutely
necessary, and the time pressing, Mr. _Watts_ went to him, in a covered
Dooley, the Manner in which Women are conveyed in that Country, by which
means he escaped Notice, and saw the Treaty which had been signed,
sealed, and sworn to on the Koran, and upon his Son's Head, by _Meer
Jaffeir_, with all the Solemnity imaginable, in the Evening of the Fifth
of _June_. When this was once done, and authentic Advice received of its
being done at _Calcutta_, it removed all Surmises, silenced every
Suspicion, and by giving entire Satisfaction, made way for the taking
those Measures which were requisite for carrying it into Execution.
But before we proceed farther, it will be proper to look upon this
Treaty, which with such indefatigable Diligence Mr. _Watts_ planned,
prosecuted, and brought to bear, in despite of the Suspicions, Spies,
and insidious Contrivances, of all his Enemies; by which the Company's
Commerce, and all their Establishments in this Part of _India_, were
secured, the Losses which the Inhabitants of those Places had sustained,
repaired, and the Honour of the Nation vindicated.
Translation of the _TREATY_ made
with _Meer Jaffeir_.
Wrote with his own Hand.
I Swear by God, and by the Prophet of God, to abide by the Terms of this
Treaty, as long as I have Life.
_Mir_ JAFFEIR KHAN BAHADAR,
Servant of King ALLUMGEER.
_TREATY_ made with the Admiral,
Colonel _Clive_, and the other Counsellors,
Mr. _Drake_ and Mr. _Watts_.
I. _WHATEVER_ Articles were agreed upon in the time of Peace with
the Nabob, _Suraja Dowlat_, _Munsurah Mimalek Shaik Kouli Khan
Bahadar_, and _Hybut Jung_, I agree to comply with.
II. The Enemies of the _English_ are my Enemies, whether they be
_Indians_ or _Europeans_.
III. All the Effects and Factories belonging to the _French_, in the
Provinces of _Bengal_, _Bahar_, and _Orixa_, shall remain in the
Possession of the _English_; nor will I ever allow them to settle
any more in the Three Provinces.
IV. In Consideration of the Losses which the _English_ Company have
sustained, by the Capture and Plunder of _Calcutta_, by the Nabob,
and the Charges occasioned by the Maintenance of their Forces, I
give them One Coroe of Rupees.
V. For the Effects plundered from the _English_ Inhabitants of
_Calcutta_, I agree to give them Fifty Lack of Rupees.
VI. For the Effects plundered from the _Gentoows_, _Mussulmen_, and
other Subjects of _Calcutta_, Twenty Lack of Rupees shall be
given.
VII. For the Effects plundered from the _Armenian_ Inhabitants of
_Calcutta_, I will give the Sum of Seven Lack of Rupees. The
Distribution to be made of the Sums allotted the Natives,
_English_ Inhabitants, _Gentoows_, and _Mussulmen_, shall be left
to the Admiral, Colonel _Clive_, _Roger Drake_, _William Watts_,
_James Kilpatrick_, and _Richard Becher_, Esqrs. to be disposed of
by them, to whom they think proper.
VIII. Within the Ditch, which surrounds the Borders of _Calcutta_,
are Tracts of Lands belonging to several _Zemindars_, besides
which, I will grant to the _English_ Company Six hundred Yards
without the Ditch.
IX. All the Lands lying to the South of _Calcutta_, as far as
_Culpee_, shall be under the Zemindary of the _English_ Company,
and all the Officers of those Parts shall be under their
Jurisdiction; the Revenues to be paid by them in the same Manner
with other Zemindars.
X. Whenever I demand the Assistance of the _English_, I will be at
the Charge of the Maintenance of their Troops.
XI. I will not erect any new Fortifications near the River _Ganges_,
below _Hughley_.
XII. As soon as I am established in the three Provinces, the Sums as
aforesaid shall be faithfully paid.
Dated the 15th _Ramzan_, in the
Fourth Year of the present Reign.
The perfect Harmony that subsisted between Vice-Admiral _Watson_ and
Colonel _Clive_, and the intire Confidence reposed in them by the Select
Committee, was upon this Occasion, as it had been often before, the
principal Source of that Alacrity, with which every thing was
undertaken. A Train was immediately provided, a Detachment of Fifty
Sailors, with a full Compliment of Officers, appointed to assist those
who had the Direction of it; and Instructions were given for stationing
a Twenty Gun Ship above _Hughley_, to keep the Communication with the
Army open. These Steps were absolutely requisite, and others of a like
Nature were prudently contrived, and chearfully performed, by the
Officers in the King's and in the Company's Service; the Select
Committee did their Business in Silence; and though there was a warm
Spirit of Emulation, yet the least Spark of Envy or Jealousy never
appeared, though so many Corps of different Kinds were serving
conjunctly in the Expedition. This, as it was truly singular, was also
remarkably happy; for no Exploit of this Consequence was ever begun or
prosecuted in a more critical Situation, or where any untoward Accident
might have more easily occasioned a Disappointment. The Forces that were
to be employed, tho more numerous than in the preceding Operations, yet
were but a Handful, in comparison of the Suba's Army. _Meer Jaffeir_,
who had separated his Corps of Troops, was again joined with the Suba,
but without any real Reconciliation on either Part: Yet this, however,
was sufficient to raise a Doubt, how far any Dependance could be formed
upon his acting; and what followed, plainly shewed that Suspicion was
not ill founded. There was no small Danger of being surrounded by these
superior Troops, and if the Communication with the River had been
intercepted, the greatest Difficulties might have ensued. Besides these,
the rainy Season was just coming on; so that, all Things taken together,
and the Hazard that was to be run being maturely weighed, the _Moors_
embarked in this Design had not the smallest Reason to repine at the
Price they paid for our Assistance; as on the other hand, their own
Safety, and the large Stake for which they fought, being considered, the
_English_ had great Encouragement to exert themselves with that steady
Intrepidity which they did. Mr. _Watts_, from what he knew of the Suba's
natural Disposition, and what he had observed with respect to his
Forces, and those who commanded them, formed so true a Judgment of all
that might happen, and had previously acquainted the Select Committee
with these Sentiments, that there scarce fell out any Thing in the
Progress of this Expedition which was not foreseen, and in regard to
which therefore the proper Precautions had not been taken.
After finishing his Negotiations with _Meer Jaffeir_, and taking all the
Measures requisite for executing his intended declining from the Suba in
time of Action, and, if a favourable Opportunity offered, seizing his
Person, there seemed to be no farther Necessity for Mr. _Watts_ to
continue under the Eye of a provoked and capricious Prince. But this
very Circumstance rendered it expedient; to distract his Thoughts, to
give him a Diffidence of the Informations he received, and to afford
Leisure for the Preparations making at _Calcutta_. His House was
surrounded with Spies, who watched not only his Motions, but his Words
and Looks. It may be, the strong Assurances they gave, that he could
take no Method to withdraw, but they must have previous Intelligence,
contributed to his Safety. However, his Condition was most unhappy; a
sudden start of Passion in the Suba had in a Moment brought him to a
violent Death, at least; perhaps, to Tortures. At _Calcutta_ they had so
true a Sense of his Danger, that it was more than once reported, _Suraja
Dowlat_ had cut off his Head, and set it upon a Pole. There was likewise
Doubts as to the Means of his escaping. He chose to do it with the rest
of the Gentlemen on Horseback, the Manner least suspected, because of
the Length of the Journey, and the extreme Heat of the Season, which
rendered it excessively fatiguing, and not a little dangerous. But when
he understood from Colonel _Clive_, that every thing respecting the
Expedition was completed, he happily deceived the Spies of the Suba, and
on the Eleventh of _June_ made his Escape, though not unpursued. It was
not to _Calcutta_ he directed his Course, but to the Army, in which he
continued, and was present at the decisive Action which brought on the
Completion of his Treaty, and thereby restored Peace to _Bengal_. Let us
now resume the Operations of the _British_ Forces.