Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/584

 ■^■^^' HISTORY i)y IMJiA. [Book J II.

A D 17SC. ■sultation.s, and connnittees, which will give you a full account of this catnAtroj^he. Upon this melancholy occasion the governor and council thought projjer to

viow*. my service, which was at last accepted, and 1 am now upon the point of em- barking on board his majesty's squadron, with a fine body of Europeans, full of spirit and resentment for the insults and barbarities inflicted on so many Biitish subjects. I flatter myself that this expedition will not end witii the taking of Calcutta only, and that the Company's estate in those parts will be settled in a better and more lasting condition than ever. There Is less reason to ai)prehend a check from the nabob's forces than from the nature of the climate and country. The news of a war may likewise interfere with the success of this expedition ; however, should that happen, and ho.stilities be commenced in India, I hope we shall be able to dispossess the French of Chandemagore, and leave Calcutta in a state of defence. I have a true sense of my duty to my country and the Company ; and I beg leave to assure you that notiiing shall be wanting on my part to answer the ends of an undei'taking on which so very much depends. Success on this occasion will fill the measure of my joy, as it will fix me in the esteem of those to whom I have the honour to subscribe, with great respect. R. Clive."
 * in^"amr' ''*'"""^*-'" "^^ ^^ ^^"'"^ P^^^ce. As soon a.s an expedition was resolved upon, I offered

In another letter to a director he says — "A few weeks ago I was happily seated at St. David's, pleased with the thoughts of obtaining your confidence and esteem, by my application to the civil branch of the Company's affairs, and of improving and increasing the investment ; but the fatal blow given to the Company's estate at Bengal has superseded all other considerations, and I am now at this presidency upon the point of embarking on board his majesty's squadr-on, with a very considerable body of troops, to attempt the recovery of Calcutta, and to gain satisfaction from the nabob for the losses which the Com- pany have sustained in those parts. The recapture of Calcutta appears no ver}' difficult task, but om- further progress for reducing the nabob to such terms as the gentlemen of Calcutta may think satisfactory, is precarious and doubtful, from the prospect of a war which may not allow time for such an undertaking. You may be assured I will never turn my back to Bengal, if not oidered from thence, without trying my utmost efforts towai'ds obtaining the desired succes.s."

n.e squa Two months havins: been spent in debate, the expedition did not sail till

.iron and o I ir

land force, the 16th of Octobcr. The squadi-on consisted of the Kent, of sixty- four, bearing Admiral Watson's flag ; the Cumberland, of seventy, bearing Admii-al Pococke s flag; the Tiger, of sixty; the Salisbury, of fifty; the Bridgewater, of twenty guns, and a fire-ship ; together with three Company's ships, and two smaller vessels as transports. The land force, under Colonel Clive, consisted of 900 Europeans, 250 of them belonging to Adlercron's regiment, and 1500 sepoys. The instructions recommended the attack of Moorshedabad itself, if the nabob refused redress, and the capture of Chandemagore if war with France should