Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/720

 (J.SG

ULSTUIIY UF ISbLV

[Book HI.

A.D. 1761.

Clive reappoiutetl.

Want of cordiality between Clive and the lUrectors.

Agreement as to the jaghire.

under discussion by a motion that the nomination of Mr. Spencer as governor of Bengal should be referred back to the court of directors for their re-consider- ation. The object of the motion, of coui-se, was to cancel the nomination, and thus prepare the way for Lord Olive's appointment. But, after a warm debate, it was lost by a majority of 184; to 141. The Clive party, thus defeated, pre- pared for a new struggle by a wholesale manufacture of votes ; and at a subse- quent meeting, held on the 12th of March, 1701, carried the following resolu- tion: — "That it was the desire of the general court that Lord Clive be requested to take upon him the station of president of Bengal and the command of the Company's military forces, upon his arrival at that presidency."

The directors having no alternative but to make an appointment which they would most willingly have resisted, contented themselves with instructing their ' secretary to send Clive a letter inclosing a copy of the above resolution, and informing him of their readiness to provide for his passage in the manner that might be most convenient for him. His answer was equally laconic. " I have received your letter inclosing copy of the last resolution of the general court. I must desire you will return the directors my thanks for their offers of preparing every convenience for my passage." While such feelings existed, cordial co-ope- ration was impossible; and therefore Clive was right when, at a subsequent general court, held on the 21st of March, he declined to declare his acceptance of the appointment till the issue of the approaching election of directors was known. He made no secret of his motives. It was his positive determination not again to enter the service of the Company while Mr. Sullivan filled the chair, for "it would be in vain for him to exert himself as he ought in the office of governor and commander-in-chief of their forces, if his measures were to be thwarted and condemned at home, as they probably would be, by a court of directors, under the influence of a chairman, whose conduct upon man}' occasions had evinced his ignorance of East India affairs, and who was also known to be his personal and inveterate enemy." The election which was thus to decide the whole matter proved fiivourable to Clive's supporter.s. Both the chau-man and deputy were his friends ; and Sullivan was run so closely, that he cari'ied his seat in the direction by only a single vote. All obstacles were now removed, and Clive's acceptance was immediately declared. The lawsuit as to the jag- hire was also arranged in terms of a compromise which Clive himself proposed, and by which the Company engaged to pay him the quit-rent for ten yeai-s, or during his life, if he should not live so long. What was to become of it after- wards does not appear to have been openly declared, but the understanding was, that the Company, who had previously farmed out the lands included imder the jaghire at £100,000, while their quit-rent fell short of £30,000, were, in the event of Clive's death, to be absolute proprietors.

At the time of Clive's reappointment, afftiirs in Bengal were understood to have fallen into such disorder, that it would be necessary to make his powers