Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/251



FOUR hundred of the French prisoners were sent under an escort to Fort St. David; and the rest, together with the artillery and stores taken at Jumbakistna, were carried into Tritchinopoly: after these and some other necessary dispositions were made, major Lawrence represented to the Nabob the necessity of his marching without delay at the head of the confederate army into the Carnatic, where it was not to be doubted that the reputation of their late successes would contribute greatly to reduce such fortresses as were in the interest of Chunda-saheb, and facilitate the establishment of his government over the province, from which he had hitherto received neither revenues nor assistance. The Nabob acquiesced in this advice, but continued for several days to shew an unaccountable backwardness, as often as he was pressed to put it into execution. The inconsistency of this conduct perplexed all but the very few who were acquainted with the cause; and the English had no conception of the difficulties which with-held him, when, to their very great astonishment, the Mysorean explained the mystery, by refusing to march until the city of Tritchinopoly with all its dependencies was delivered up to him; for such was the price he had stipulated with the Nabob for his assistance.

They had both, for every reason, agreed to keep this important article a profound secret; but the Mysorean had either not been able to conceal it from the sagacity of his subsidiary the Morattoe, or perhaps had made the agreement by his advice. It is certain that the Morattoe had all along projected to turn it to his own advantage at a proper occasion: excepting these principals, and their immediate secretaries, not a man in the province had any idea of it. Great therefore was the general surprize and anxiety when it was made public.