_Europeans_, Two thousand Seapoys, Fifty Seamen, under the Command of a
Lieutenant, with Seven Midshipmen, and Eight Pieces of Cannon, began
their March from _Chandenagore_ towards _Cassimbuzar_ on the 13th of
_June_. The very same Day Mr. _Watts_ joined the Colonel, to whom he
imparted all the Lights, and gave the best Intelligence in every Respect
that was in his Power. On the Nineteenth the Town and Fort of _Cutwa_,
situated on the same Side with _Chandenagore_, of that River which forms
the Island of _Cassimbuzar_, was attacked and taken. This was an Event
of some Importance, as it opened a free Passage, which could not have
been easily forced, if it had been properly defended. The Army halted
there for two Days, in order to receive some Accounts of the Enemies
Strength, as well as to gain certain Advice of what might be expected
from those who were entered into the Party with, and engaged to support,
_Meer Jaffeir_; which, when it arrived, was far enough from being
satisfactory or explicit. The Colonel, however, was so well informed by
Mr. _Watts_, as to the real Causes of this seeming Backwardness, and had
from his own Experience and Penetration so just a Notion of the _Moors_
Mode of acting, which, without such previous Acquaintance with their
Temper and Manners, might probably have confounded any other Officer in
his Station, that on the Twenty-second of the same Month he passed the
River, and continued his March directly towards _Plaissy_, where the
Army arrived, and took up their Ground about One the next Morning,
without meeting with any Disturbance or Molestation on their March.
This Post was extremely well chosen for that Country, and for the Method
in which those People make War. It was a Grove, covered on every Side by
Mud Banks, in the midst of a Plain. At Day-break, on the Twenty-third,
the Suba's Army advanced within a very small Distance, and with a
manifest Design to attack the _English_ Forces. He had about Fifteen
thousand Horse, and between Twenty and Thirty thousand Foot, with
upwards of Forty Pieces of heavy Cannon, which were managed by
_Frenchmen_, upon whose Skill and Courage he greatly depended. The Van
was commanded by _Roydoolub_, and the left Wing by _Meer Jaffeir_. About
Six they began to cannonade pretty smartly on every Side, and this
Distribution of their Cannon gave them two great Advantages; First, as
they were much larger, and carried a heavier Weight of Metal, they did
Execution where the _English_ Artillery was of no Use; and in the next
Place, being thus separated to a considerable Distance from each other,
it was impossible to make any Attempt to seize them, and therefore all
the Colonel could do was to take the Benefit of his intrenched Posts,
and leave his Troops as little exposed as possible. If the Suba, or any
of his Officers, had understood well what they were about, they might
certainly have prosecuted their Scheme, and have completely invested the
_English_ Army, and then the Colonel must have waited the Approach of
Night, in order to have forced a Passage through the Camp, which he in
reality had designed. But the Enemy, on the contrary, upon the falling
of a smart Shower about Noon, withdrew their Artillery within their
Camp. Upon this, a Detachment marched with Two Field Pieces, and took
Possession of a Tank, covered with high Banks, from whence the _Moors_
had fired with Success. They then would have brought out their Artillery
again, but were prevented; and this encouraged the sending Detachments
to possess two other Eminences, very near an Angle of their Camp,
covered by a double Breastwork; and from thence, as well as from another
Eminence, which still remained in their Possession, they kept up a
pretty smart Fire with their Small Arms. They several times endeavoured
to bring up Cannon to those Posts, but our Field Pieces were so happily
posted, and so well served, that they could never effect it. At length
the _English_ stormed that Angle and Eminence at the same Instant of
time, though the former was defended by Forty _French_, and a very
numerous Body of the Suba's Troops, who had likewise in that Post Two
Pieces of Cannon, and the latter by a considerable Corps of Foot and
Horse. Some Persons of Distinction being killed immediately before, or
at the Beginning of the Attack, the Enemy being dispirited by that,
quickly gave way, and both the Posts were forced with a very trifling
Expence to us, though they suffered severely. On this the right Wing and
Center fled, abandoning their Camp and Artillery. Their Loss in this
Action fell little, if at all, short of Five hundred Men, and between
Forty and Fifty Pieces of Cannon. Of the _English_ Forces, there were
Twenty killed and Fifty wounded, the greatest Part of which were
Seapoys. The Flight of the Enemy was so precipitate, that the Suba,
mounted on a Camel, with the better Part of the Army, arrived at
_Muxadavad_, which was Twenty Miles distant, by Twelve at Night. The
Colonel, after pursuing them Five or Six Miles, halted his Troops, and
disposed of them in the best Manner he could. Such was the Battle, such
the decisive Victory of _Plaissy_!
It was observed during the Action, that a great Body of Horse, in the
Enemy's left Wing, kept mostly hovering at a Distance. But as they made
no Signals, though they sometimes advanced within Cannon-shot, they were
more than once taught by our Artillery to retire. However, after the
Victory was declared, the Colonel was informed that these were _Meer
Jaffeir_'s Troops, which remained on the Field in a Body, and the next
Day, in the Morning, he had an Interview with Mr. _Clive_, in which,
after congratulating him upon his Victory, and applauding his Conduct,
he signified his Willingness to ratify the Treaty, and to perform all
the Articles of it punctually, as soon as it was in his Power. Colonel
_Clive_ advised him to march without Delay, and make himself Master of
the Capital of the Provinces, before _Suraja Dowlat_ could have Time to
recollect himself, or draw together any considerable Part of his
dispersed Army. _Meer Jaffeir_ saw the Utility of this Advice, which he
carried into Execution with the utmost Expedition. At his Entrance into
_Muxadavad_, he found the City in the utmost Consternation. The Suba was
in Possession of his Palace, on the other Side of the River, with some
Troops about him, amongst whom he distributed several Lack of Rupees;
but the rest, as had been foreseen, dispersed. A few Hours after, in a
Fit of Despair, he withdrew, accompanied only by Five Persons, and took
with him a large Sum in Gold, and Jewels to an immense Value. Upon the
News of this, _Meer Jaffeir_ immediately passed the River, entered the
Palace, and assumed the Title of Suba, without any Opposition. At the
same time, he seized the Treasures of his Predecessor; and Things being
in this Situation, he dispatched Advice instantly to Colonel _Clive_. As
there was still a great Fermentation amongst the People, and no
Certainty of what was become of _Suraja Dowlat_, it was judged
expedient, upon the Arrival of this News, to send Mr. _Watts_ and Mr.
_Walsh_ thither, that they might use their best Endeavours to quiet the
Metropolis, to fortify the new Suba, in his Disposition to fulfil the
Agreement, and to put an End to the present Confusions, as soon as it
was possible. They were fortunate enough to succeed in this important
Commission; and all things being reduced to a greater Degree of Order
and Tranquility than could well be expected, Colonel _Clive_ was invited
to pay a Visit to the Nabob. On the Twenty-ninth of _June_ he made his
public Entry into _Muxadavad_, attended by a Guard of Two hundred
_Europeans_, and Three hundred Seapoys. He was received there with the
utmost Expressions of Joy, and the loudest Acclamations of the People,
as well as with the most profound Marks of Respect, and the warmed
Testimonies of Gratitude, by _Meer Jaffeir_, with whom he went to the
Palace, and saw him seated in Form, upon the MUSNUD, or Carpet of State,
where he was unanimously saluted Suba, and thereby invested with the
supreme Authority over the Provinces, with general Applause. Thus, in a
Fortnight's Time, this amazing Revolution was begun and ended, and that
happy Change effected, from which such numerous Benefits have since
flowed to the _East India_ Company, and the _British_ Subjects in
_Bengal_.
About the same time the unfortunate _Suraja Dowlat_ was seized, near
_Rajamaal_: It is certain that he was in a very low and distressed
Condition, with hardly any Cloaths upon his Back, and the Report went,
that he sought Shelter in the House of a Man, whose Ears he had caused
to be cut off in one of his Transports of Passion, and by whom he was
discovered, and given up to his Pursuers. Be that as it will, the making
him Prisoner was regarded as an Event of great Consequence to the new
Suba. He was no sooner informed of it, than he committed that Prince to
the Custody of his Son, recommending to him earnestly in public, to take
the surest Methods to prevent his Escape; but at all Events to preserve
his Life. The young Man, instead of paying that Respect which was due to
his Father's Commands, no sooner had him in his Hands, than he caused
him to be privately put to Death. At this, when the Suba appeared to be
displeased, his Son alleged, that the captive Suba had found means to
write and convey Letters upon the Road to several _Jemidars_, in order
excite a Revolt in the Army; to prevent which, he knew no other certain
Remedy than that of depriving him of Life, which he thought was likewise
better done, without expecting any farther Orders. It has been surmised,
and very probably not altogether without Grounds, that there was
something of Collusion in this Matter between the Father and the Son; a
thing indeed not at all unfrequent in this Part of the World; and what
made it pass for a kind of Justice, was the Remembrance that People had,
that this unhappy young Man, _Suraja Dowlat_, had been often employed in
the very same Acts, by the old Suba, _Aliverdy Cawn_, who availing
himself of the sanguinary Disposition of his Grandson, made use of him
to remove such as through Avarice, Suspicion, or Resentment, he inclined
to have taken away, and then, to save Appearances, disavowed the Fact.
Such was the End of _Suraja Dowlat_, in the Prime of his Youth, being at
the Hour of his Death scarce Twenty-five Years of Age. An End! suitable
to his Life, which had been spent in Violence and Blood. He was
naturally rash and headstrong, conceived the strongest Resentment on the
slightest Occasions, often without any Occasion at all; and
notwithstanding the Variableness of his Nature, and the continual
Fluctuation of his Mind, either executed suddenly the Dictates of his
Passion, or, where that was impracticable, persisted in his bad
Intentions, though he never shewed any Steadiness in the Performance of
his Promises, or any Regard to his Oaths, which he made and broke with
the very same Facility. The only Excuse that can be offered for him, is,
that he had a View of Sovereignty from his Infancy; little, and that but
bad, Education in his Youth; and, after all, lived not long enough to
attain any great Experience, which possibly might have made him better,
and possibly also might have made him worse. His Reign was but of
Fourteen Months, and in that Space he had little Quiet himself, allowed
none to his Subjects; and with boundless Authority, and immense Riches,
never excited Duty, or so much as acquired a single Friend, whose sage
Advices might have prevented his sad Catastrophe. How insignificant then
is Power! How destructive is Wealth! when they fall into the Hands of
him, who only possesses that he may abuse them!
There was a Circumstance attending the Fate of _Suraja Dowlat_, that
perhaps contributed to make even the Manner of it less regretted. Mr.
_Law_, who had been formerly the _French_ Chief at _Cassimbuzar_, a
Gentleman, to do him Justice, of Honour and Abilities, had collected Two
hundred of his Nation for the Service of the Suba, and was within a few
Hours March of him when he was taken; upon hearing of which he stopped.
This is a conclusive Proof that he was in his Pay, and a Circumstance
that very fully justifies the _English_ in their Conduct. If he had
reached, and preserved _Suraja Dowlat_, the War would not have been so
easily and so speedily finished. He who was without Friends in his
Distress, might have again found Troops for Pay, or perhaps for
Promises; so that his Death in this Respect had a stronger Air of
Policy, and contributed to add Credit to the Report, that his Successor
was not so entire a Stranger to it as he seemed. This Event likewise
made it evident, that the Article which provided against the Return of
the _French_ into _Bengal_, was not either improper or imprudent.
Colonel _Clive_, who sees Things and their Consequences in an Instant,
detached Captain _Coote_, then of Colonel _Aldercron_'s Regiment, with
Two hundred _Europeans_, and Five hundred Seapoys, in Pursuit of Mr.
_Law_; and though that Force was fully sufficient, yet he engaged the
Suba to send also Two thousand of his Horse, that his own Subjects and
all _India_ might know, that the _French_ were equally his Enemies and
Our's, and that being accustomed, from his first Entrance on Government,
to fulfil his Engagements, he might learn to place his own Grandeur in
adhering to his Word, and expect the Safety of his Dominions from the
punctual Performance of his Promises. A Lesson that could not be taught
at a more convenient Time.
The setting up the new, or rather restoring the old Form of Rule, was
entirely due to the _English_, and the Suba and his Subjects were alike
sensible of it; which was a Point of equal Honour and Advantage to the
Nation. It afforded a strong and glorious Proof, that we, who in so long
a Course of Years had never given the least Trouble or Uneasiness to the
Government, were yet able to do ourselves Justice, when there was no
other way left to remain in Quiet. On the other Hand, all the Advantages
gained were by the fair and open Method of a Treaty, in which the first
and most difficult Part was performed by us, and not taken violently or
by force of Arms; though at the same time it was evidently in our Power
to have done it, if it had been at all in our Will. When, therefore,
Colonel _Clive_ and Mr. _Watts_ applied themselves to the Suba, for the
specific Performance of that Agreement, which he had made previous to
his Accession, the Justice of their Demand was without Hesitation
acknowleged. The State of the Treasury was laid before them in the most
candid Manner, so as to leave them not the least Reason to doubt, that
what _Roydoolub_ mentioned as an Objection at the concluding of the
Treaty, was a real matter of Fact; and from the Dissipation that had
happened since, the Suba was not in a Condition to fulfil his Promises,
and discharge all his Obligations at once. Besides, it was for the
Interest of the _English_, as well as for the Reputation of the Company,
to support the Government which had been the Work of their own Hands,
and not leave a Prince whom they had raised to the Subaship, with a
Treasury absolutely empty, since supposing this in their Power, it must
have exceedingly distressed him, and no less disgraced them.
In this State of Things, the Proportion he made seemed too equitable to
be rejected. He offered to pay down a third of the whole Sum, to make it
up one Moiety in a very short Space of Time, and to discharge the
Remainder by equal Payments, in the Space of Three Years. This,
therefore, was accepted, from a moral Persuasion that he, who parted
with one Half in Consideration of what had been done for him, would
likewise pay the other Half in the limited Time, to secure Assistance,
in case any thing more was to be done. These then were the real Motives
to the Agreement, which indeed took its Rise from Necessity, a Law that
maintains its Rights under every Government, and in all Climates. There
is a known Custom throughout _India_, and in that Country more than in
any other Custom has the Force of a Law, that Ten _per Cent._ is paid as
Treasury Fees upon all Sums received, which those Gentlemen had Weight
enough with _Roydoolub_ to reduce to Five; and by the Help of this
Concession, every thing was very soon adjusted, and the complete Moiety
came into the Company's Possession. The candid Reader will probably
think that Colonel _Clive_ and Mr. _Watts_ did, upon this very momentous
Occasion, all that it was in their Power to do, and this was also their
Sentiment; for as soon as more was in their Power, they took care to
improve the Opportunity for the common Benefit of all concerned. A
conclusive Testimony of the Uprightness of their Intention, in the whole
of this Transaction.
This wonderful Sunshine of Prosperity at _Calcutta_ was suddenly
overcast, by the Death of a Great Man, to whose Virtues and Abilities
the Inhabitants were indebted, in a very high Degree, for all the
Happiness they possessed. This was _Charles Watson_, Esq; Vice-Admiral
of the Blue, whose amiable Qualities in private Life added Lustre to his
public Character. His Sentiments were noble, generous, and humane, his
Manners graceful, easy, and polite; no Gentleman was ever more capable
of gaining the Esteem of those with whom he conversed, and no Officer
ever understood better how to exercise the Benevolence and Sweetness of
his own Disposition, without impairing his Authority. In his Station he
was Active without Hurry; Vigilant, without seeming to be Busy; and,
with an open Countenance, ever attentive to his Duty. His Orders were
obeyed with Pleasure, because they were enforced by his Example; and he
was himself ready to do more than he ever expected from others. His
having the Command in that critical Conjuncture, was, from the
Beginning, looked upon as a singular and signal Blessing to the
_English_ settled in the _Indies_; and every Action of his afterwards
confirmed that Notion. No Wonder, then, that his Death was considered as
a common Calamity, and his Loss regretted as a public Misfortune. He was
interred on the Seventeenth of _August_, when an unfeigned Sorrow was
plainly visible in the Face of every Inhabitant, and a voluntary
universal Mourning expressed, in some Degree, the true Sense the People
had of his Merit, and the Effects that had been derived to them from
thence. Indeed, they had been inconsolable, but for the Hopes they had
still left in Admiral _Pocock_. Hopes! that did not deceive them, and
which have been productive of new Honours to the _British_ Flag.
It was to the Attention of the Administration at Home, that the Company
and the Subjects of _Great Britain_ in _India_ owed these potent and
timely Succours; and, which was of no less Consequence, the prudent and
happy Choice of the Officers who commanded them. The _French_, though
deficient elsewhere, had a considerable Naval Force in the _Indies_, and
were for this Reason very confident of their Success in that Part of the
World; in which, perhaps, they had not been deceived, if, upon the
Demise of Vice-Admiral _Watson_, the Command had devolved upon an
Officer of less Merit, or even upon an Officer whose Merit had been less
known or less established than that of Mr. _Pocock_. As it was, the
Spirits of _British_ Subjects were not depressed, or those of the Enemy
raised. They had already known and felt his Courage, and he made them
very quickly sensible of the Extent of his Capacity. They saw him
equally active and vigilant: Their Squadrons no sooner appeared, than
they had his in View. He was the Guardian of all our Settlements, and
the Bane of all their Armaments and Expeditions. His Sagacity defeated
many of their Designs, his Dexterity and Dispatch disconcerted others,
till, by his Victories, he ruined, not their Reputation only, but their
Strength in _Asia_, as completely as other Admirals had done in _Europe_
and _America_. These are Facts indisputable; and, as they are connected
with our Subject, we may take the Liberty of mentioning them, without
giving Offence to that Gentleman, whose Modesty renders him as amiable,
as his other Virtues have made him conspicuous. But to return to our
Subject.
All Infant Governments are in their very Nature subject to Disorders.
The new Suba, soon after the Departure of Colonel _Clive_, felt
sufficiently, that, contrary to the first flattering Appearances, his
Administration was not thoroughly established. Some of the Nabobs in his
Province, dubious of his Intentions towards them, made no great haste to
acknowlege an Authority that might be prejudicial to their own; and in
the _Indies_, this kind of Delay is ever considered as Disobedience.
Besides, _Meer Jaffeir_ remembred the Advice which the Colonel had given
him at Parting, which was, to acquire a Reputation for Firmness from his
earliest Actions, if he meant to taste Quiet in the remaining Part of
his Reign. He resolved, therefore, to employ his Forces against those,
who, though they did not presume to question his Title, shewed,
notwithstanding, a Reluctancy to acknowlege it. He found, however, a
sudden Stop put to his Operations. At the Beginning, some of his
Officers were intractable, and his Troops in general were unwilling to
move. He was entitled by the Treaty to Assistance from the _English_,
and, upon his making the Demand, Colonel _Clive_ marched instantly to
his Relief. His Forces were not numerous; but he brought with him a
Reputation that carried with it a Persuasion that he was ever
irresistible, and his very Presence in the Suba's Camp restored
Obedience to that Prince. Colonel _Clive_, and Mr. _Watts_ who attended
him, took this Opportunity to solicit the assigning Funds for the Money
that was still due, and obtained from the Suba, though not without some
Difficulty, all that they desired.
They likewise desired, and obtained, that the Company's Grant of Lands
might be extended Northward from _Culpee_ to _Rangafullah_, which,
besides the Augmentation of Territory, was in other Respects a Matter of
Importance.
The Nabob of _Patna_, whose Name was _Ramnaram_, against whom this
Expedition was made, upon the Approach of the Suba's Army, offered to
submit, and to pay his Tribute regularly, if he was continued in his
Government, and the Suba's Promise was guarantied by Colonel _Clive_.
The Suba requested this as a Favour of the Colonel, and desired that he
would write a Letter to the Nabob, which he accordingly did; and upon
the Faith of that Letter, he came and made his Submission. The great
Product of _Patna_ is Salt-petre, about which there had been formerly
continual Disputes between us and the _Dutch_. At present, it was in the
Hands of neither; but was still a Monopoly under a Lease. Colonel
_Clive_ and Mr. _Watts_, who knew the Consequence of such an Acquisition
to the _English_, proposed the giving it in Lease to them, at the same
Rate, which would be no Prejudice to the Suba; and the Juncture being
favourable, this Proposition was complied with likewise, by which the
Company are annually Gainers of about Two Lack and a half of Rupees, or
something more than Thirty thousand Pounds Sterling. It is evident,
therefore, from these Instances, that no favourable Opportunity was let
slip, no single Occasion lost, that could be turned to the Company's
Advantage.