Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/151

Book II. they grew weary of a war by which their interests were not benefited, and to put an end to it, had been the first to advise Murzafa-jing to submit. They were seconded in these intentions of bringing about a reconciliation by Shanavaze Khan the prime minister, and several of the principal servants of Nazir-jing's court: but these were actuated by better motives; for, owing their fortunes to Nizamal-muluck, their gratitude to his memory, and attachment to his family, made them behold with affliction a civil war between his son and grand-son. It was to these nabobs and ministers, as well as to the ambassadors of Murzafa-jing, that Nazir-jing had given those solemn assurances of not injuring his nephew, which he broke as soon as he got him into his power. This breach of faith hurt the minds of all who had interfered in inducing the young prince to surrender: but the ministers were content to make gentle representations to their master, whilst the Pitan Nabobs openly and loudly complained of the affront cast upon themselves, by his contempt of obligations, for the performance of which they had promised to be responsible; and from this hour they confederated, and meditated mischief, but agreed to shew no farther symptoms of discontent until they could carry their designs into execution. At Pondicherry, the retreat of the French battalion, the news of Murzafa-jing's imprisonment, and the dispersion of his army, naturally created the greatest consternation. But Mr. Dupleix, although more affected than any one by these sudden reverses, had command enough over himself to suppress the emotions of his mind, and dissembled great serenity. He immediately ordered the army to encamp out of the bounds, sent other officers to command it, arrested the mutinous, directed Mr. d'Auteuil to be tried for retreating without orders, and by his own resolution re-established in some measure that of the troops. At the same time he knew that the number of his Europeans, unsupported by an Indian army, was insufficient to make a stand against the vast force of Nazir-jing, assisted by the English battalion; but his knowledge of the general character of the princes of Indostan, made him not despair of discovering, or even of creating some faction in the court of Nazir-jing, which, artfully managed, might contribute to re-establish the broken affairs of Murzafa-jing and Chunda-saheb.