Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/699

 Chap. XIl.l CLIVE'S LETTER TO LORD CHATHAM. 665

William Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham, in which lie unfolded his views as to a d ivo9 the futm-e of India. After referring to the great revolution which had been effected, he goes on to say, " Much more may yet in time be done if the Com- pany will exert themselves in the manner the importance of their present pos- cuve's viewi

. as to the

sessions and future prospects deserves. I have represented to them ni the future gov- strongest terms the expediency of sending out, and keeping up constantly, such ]"^^l^i a force as will enable them to embrace the first opportunity of further aggran- dizing themselves; and I dare pronounce, from a thorough knowledge of this coimtry's government, and of the genius of the people, acquired by two years' application and experience, that such an opportunity will soon offer." The reigning soubahdar, he adds, still "retains his attachment to us, and probably while he has no other support will continue to do so ; but Mussulmans are so little influenced by gratitude, that should he ever think it his interest to break with us, the obligations he owes us would prove no restraint." Moreover, " he is advanced in years, and his son is so cruel, worthle&s a young fellow, and so apparently an enem}^ to the English, that it will be almost unsafe trusting him with the succession. So .small a body as 2000 Europeans will secure us against any apprehensions from either the one or the other ; and, in case of their daring to be troublesome, enable the Company to take the sovereignty upon themselve.s." In taking this step there would be no opposition on the part of the people, who "would rejoice in so happy an exchange as that of a mild for a despotic govern- ment;" nor on the part of the Mogul, whose sanction might easily be obtained " provided we agreed to pay him the stipulated allotment out of the revenues, viz., fifty lacs yearly." Indeed, adds Clive, "application has been made to me from the court of Delhi to take charge of collecting this payment, the person intrusted with which is styled the king's dewan, and is the next person both in dignity and power to the subah. But this high office I have been obliged to decline for the present, as I am unwilling to occasion an- jealousy on the part of the subah ; especially as I see no likelihood of the Company's providing us with a sufficient force to support properly so considerable an employ, and which would open a way for our securing the subahship to ourselves."

An obvious objection to the accomplishment of these views could not escape nis e«timat« the notice of Clive, and he therefore continues thus: "So large a sovereignty p.»eiiem may possibly be an object too extensive for a mercantile comjmny ; and it is to LrevemiM be feared they are not of themselves able, without the nation's assistance, to maintain so wide a dominion. I have therefore ])resumed, sir, to represent this matter to you, and submit it to 3'our consideration, whether the execution of a design, that may hereafter be carried to still greater lengths, be worthy of the government's taking it in hand. I flatter myself I have made it pretty clear to you that there will be little or no difficulty in obtaining the absolute possession of these rich kingdoms; and that with the Mogul's own consent, on condition of paying him less than a fifth of the revenues thereof" Dwelling on this argu- VoL. I. 84