vigorously, at least held back from the late contest, was saluted by Colonel Clive as Soubahdar of Bengal, Bahar, and Orissa, after which the latter pushed upon the capital. Meanwhile, the unhappy prince whom he endeavoured to overtake had already abandoned it. He fled by water towards Bahar, with the design of throwing himself upon the protection of M. Law; but his rowers, being weary, stopped at Raje Mahl, and he fell into the hands of a private enemy. He was carried back in chains to Moorshedabad, and secretly put to death on the night of his arrival.

So far all things had succeeded according to the wishes of the confederates. Jaffier Khan, being formally placed upon the throne, was acknowledged Soubahdar by the people of the capital; and nothing remained except to fulfil the conditions to which he had pledged himself in favour of his English allies. But many and serious difficulties arose in the adjustment of this point. It was found quite impracticable to raise so large an amount of money as Jaffier, under various pretexts, had agreed to pay, while extravagant claims were set up by others, besides the English, on the score either of relationship or special services. In the end, however, the English were content to receive one-half of their promised donative. Omichund was coolly informed that not a rupee would be paid him, and the rest of the expectants were put off, some with a greater, some with a less share of their dues.

One danger alone remained to disturb the seeming tranquillity of the new Soubahdar. M. Law, with his party, having failed to join Suraja Dowla

VOL. II.

H

in sufficient time to take part in the battle of Plassy, retreated again into Bahar, where they were well received by the deputy-governor, Ramnarain, a Hindoo by birth, but strongly attached to the family of Aliverdi. As Jaffier distrusted his own troops, a detachment of English, under Major Coote, was sent to assert his authority. The troops proceeded in boats, which were so wretchedly manned and equipped, that their progress proved both slow and hazardous; and when Coote, disembarking, endeavoured to push forward by land, the European portion of them broke out into mutiny. The consequence was, that long ere they reached Patna, the French, after being amply supplied with everything necessary to their convenience, were sent into Oude, where they found a ready shelter.

Coote was now instructed to act openly against Ramnarain, and prepared to do so; but ere he had taken any decisive step, counter-instructions recalled him, and the submission of the Hindoo was accepted. He then returned to Moorshedabad. His detachment was stationed at Cossimbuzar. The rest of the army took up its quarters at Chandernagur; and Clive, having committed the conduct of the Company's affairs with the Soubahdar to Messrs. Watts, Managhan, and Scrafton, departed for Calcutta.

CHAPTER V.

Operations in the Carnatic—Arrival of M. Lally—Capture of Fort St. David-Naval action-Reduction of Conjeveram-Siege of Tanjore-Second naval action-Lally takes Arcot-Besieges Madras, and is repulsed-Conjeve-ram taken by the English-British repulsed from Wan-dewash-Arrival of Colonel Coote-Battle of Wandewash -Capture of Pondicherry.

At the moment when Colonel Clive's expedition set out to avenge the capture of Calcutta, the utmost exertions were making by the authorities both at Pondicherry and Masulipatam, to relieve M. Bussy from the state of siege in which he was kept at Chamoul. Of the circumstances which led him there, some account has already been given. Driven from the presence of the Nizam by the intrigues of his enemies, he proceeded leisurely homewards, in the full persuasion that he would even yet be recalled ere he reached the Carnatic; but the influence of the adverse faction prevailing, he was closely pursued, and surrounded in his quarters by a numerous and well-appointed army. Nothing could exceed the gallantry and coolness of the French troops in this trying situation. They not only repulsed every attack, but made frequent sallies, driving before them division after division; till their numbers daily diminish

ing, and their ammunition beginning to fail, they were at length compelled to act wholly on the defensive. Such was their condition, when a reinforcement, under M. Law, marched from Masulipatam to their support. It was not without severe fighting, and the endurance of many hardships, that the two corps met; but they did effect a junction at last; and having once more beat up the Indian camp, they fell back in good order upon Hyderadabad. Here a reconciliation took place between Bussy and the Nizam. The enemies of the former were given up to him, he was reinstated in all his dignities, and the influence of his nation became more than ever established at the court of Arungabad. Bussy then marched into the Circars, for the purpose of restoring order, and collecting certain arrears of revenue; and was thus employed, when he received the summons from Suraja Dowla, of which notice has just been taken.

These events befell towards the close of 1756, a season little memorable for any other exploit of importance performed south of the Nerbudha, either by the English or the French. With respect to the former, indeed, they found themselves involved in tedious and troublesome disputes with several of the chiefs and rulers of the Carnatic, particularly with those of Tinivelly and Madura, both of whom refused to continue their payments. Against them, Captain Calliaud, who commanded in Trichinopoly, led an army. Of Tinivelly, an open town, he immediately recovered possession; but Madura he found himself unable, for want of battering cannon, to reduce. In like

manner, a force was despatched from Madras, to assist the Nabob in recovering possession of Vellore, a fortress situated in the north of the Carnatic, of which the Nabob's brother was governor. This attempt likewise proved abortive, the troops being repulsed from the breach; and ere a fresh assault could be given, their services were required elsewhere. The French were now in the field; and the authorities at Madras, alarmed for the Presidency itself, hastily recalled Colonel Forde for their protection.

Though war between the two nations had been some time formally declared, their mutual weakness, occasioned by the departure of Colonel Clive's and M. Law's divisions, rendered both parties averse to the commencement of hostilities in the Carnatic. When the French, however, beheld their rivals engaged in operations so harassing and disjointed, they also conceived that they might, with perfect safety, strike a blow; and on the 6th of April, 1757, two hundred Europeans and one thousand sepoys marched, under the command of M. D'Auteuil, from a standing camp which they occupied in front of Pondicherry. Their first attempt was upon Ellavanasore, a place of no great strength, but held by a chief who exercised the calling of a freebooter, and drove off the cattle both of friend and foe, as often as an opportunity offered. Meer Saheb, for such was his name, bravely sallied out against them. He charged with so much vehemence, that he had well nigh broken and dispersed them, when he was himself shot dead by a musket ball; upon which his followers fled in confusion, and the