Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/739

 Chap. XII. J CLIVE FINALLY QUITS INDIA. 70.5

and we have no doubt that the proprietors will concur with us in opinion, that a.d. kot. some solid and permanent retribution, adequate to your great merits, should crown your lordship's labours and success."

Clive was not insensible to the high encomium pronounced on his sei'vices, cuve nor indifferent to the reward, which, though only vaguely descriljed as "some qiutiuaia solid and permanent retribution," was understood to be nothing less than a grant of his jaghire in perpetuity; but the state of his health admitted of no answer, and he was moreover convinced that every material object contemplated in his re-appointment having been accomplished, the evils apprehended from his dejjar- ture were in a great measure imaginary. The army, again brought into due subordination, was more than a match for any foreign power which might be tempted to provoke hostilities ; the double batta and other expenses which bore most heavily on the treasmy had been subjected to due retrenchment; Mr.Verelst, for whom the governorship was destined, as well as the select committee, who were to continue in office, was disposed to give full effect to the improvements which had been introduced ; and the Company, now in possession of an indepen- dent revenue, which the least sanguine estimated at not less than £1,0,0 sterling, seemed about to enter on a career of unprecedented prosperity.

CUve sat in the select committee for the last time on the 1 Gth of January, ins -lopar- 17G7, and on the 29th finally quitted Bengal for England in the Britannia. His measures had encountered much opposition, and excited in many of those who considered their interests to be injuriously affected by them a vindictive spirit, which they afterwards took an opportunity of gratif^'ing. The general feeling of the presidency was, however, decidedly in his favour, and was not inaccurately expressed by the select committee in a letter addressed to the direc- tors shortly after his departure. Comparing the state of Bengal as he found it and as he left it, they observed, "We beheld a presidency divided, headstrong, and licentious ; a government without nerves; a treasury without money; and a service without subordination, discipline, or public spirit. We may add, that amidst a general stagnation of useful industry and of licensed commerce, indivi- duals were accumulating immense riches, which they had ravished from the msulted prince and his helpless people, who groaned under the imited pressure of discontent, poverty, and oppression. Such was the condition of this presi- dency and these provinces. Your present situation need not be described. The liberal supplies to China, the state of your treasury, of your investment, of the service, and of the whole country, declare it to be the strongest contrast to what it was." His reception in Emjland was flattering. In other quarters of the nurecepfJon.

^ '^ in Ens'ar. *

world disaster had generally attended the Briti-sh arms. Their triumphs in India thus presented a striking contrast, which brought Clive more prominently into view, and obliofed even those who would have detracted from his merits to keep a prudent silence. Nor was applause the only reward which he received. The proprietors of the Company, instead of requiring to be prompted by the Vol. I. 89