Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/597

 ATTACK ON CHANDERNAGOEE. 5C3

your country as all the water in the Ganges shall not be able to extinguish. ..i). itst. Farewell ! Remember that he who promises you this never yet broke his word with you or with any man whatsoever."

This was rather strange language to address to an ally, an independent prince, i'i'« " -^^'^

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with whom a treaty offensive and defensive had been concluded only a few answer, weeks before. The nabob, however, was a cowai'd at heart; and, though foaming with rage, sent two letters in reply. In the one, quietly pocketing the menace, he contented himself with excusing the delay which had taken place in the payment of the compensation due under the treaty ; in the other, rather evading than facing the subject of Chandernagore, he used the following expression: — " You have understanding and generosity ; if your enemy with an upright heart claims your protection, you will give him his life ; but then you must be well satisfied of the innocence of his intentions ; if not, whatsoever you think right that do." This expression, which may be variously interpreted, becomes still more enigmatical in the work of Mr. Orme, who gives it thus: — "If an enemy comes to you and implores yom' mercy, with a clean heart, his life should be spared; but, if you mistrust his sincerity, act according to the time and occasion." At this time Clive considered himself and the admiral so completely bound not to attack Chandernagore "contrary to the expressed order of the nabob," that he says they could not do it without being 'guilty of a breach of faith ;" and yet, with no better authority than they managed to extract from the above dubious expression, they felt relieved of all their scruples. They might at least, in a case of so much dubiety, have asked the nabob to give his own explanation. They refrained, and it must have been purposely, for when they were proceeding with their preparations the explanation arrived unasked, and amounted to an expressed retractation of any assumed previous assent. So far, however, from giving effect to the prohibition, they treated it as "an indig- nity."' Perhaps the best explanation of the resolution to proceed at all hazards maybe found in the fact that three ships had just arrived from Bombay, having on board three companies of infantry, and one of artillery, and that the Cinn- berland, which parted from the squadi'on on the voyage from Aladras, had at length reached Balasore Roads.

The capture of Chandernagore was an enterprise not unattended with diffi- i^efences. f

^ ... Cliander-

cvdty. The settlement, situated on the right bank of the river, and a little south nagore. of the toA^Ti of Hooghly, extended two miles along the bank, and a mile and a lialf inland. The fort, standing about thirty yards from the water, and nearly equidistant from the south and north extremities of the settlement, formed a square of about 130 yards, inclosed by a wall and rampart, with a bastion at each angle mounting ten gims. Several more gvms were mounted on the ram- parts, and eight on a raveUn on the banks of the river opposite to the western gateway. Beside these cannon, which were all from twenty- four to thirty-

' Memoirs of Lord Clive, vol. i. p. ]91.