Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/369

Book V. Monac-gee in the beginning of the year. Animated by the double motive of interest and revenge, he crossed the two rivers in the night with 3000 of his best troops, who fell at day-break upon Gauderow's party so furiously that only 300 with their general escaped; the rest were all either killed, or taken prisoners. Two days after this defeat, the English arrived at Tanjore, where they were joined by the detachment from Devi Cotah, of 150 Europeans, and 500 Sepoys, under the command of captain Pigou. Major Lawrence being at this time much indisposed, deputed captain Calliaud to act in conjunction with Mr. Palk in the conferences with the king on the measures necessary to be taken.

They found that although the late misfortunes had convinced the king of his imprudence in withdrawing his assistance from the English, as well as in displacing his general Monac-gee, they had not weaned him from his affection to Succo-gee, whose counsels had brought such distress upon himself and his country. Seeking, as irresolute minds generally do, to reconcile incompatibilities, he wanted to employ the general without removing his mortal enemy the minister. However, finding that the dismission of Succo-gee was the only condition on which the English would accept of his alliance, and hearing at the same time that they daily expected considerable reinforcements, such as might enable them to carry on the war with out him, he at length consented to banish Succo-gee from his presence and councils, and not only reinstated Monac-gee in the command of the army, but likewise appointed him prime minister. Mr. Palk and captain Calliaud, to secure the king from a relapse, insisted that the disgraced minister should immediately quit the kingdom, and he departed with his family, giving out that he was going to visit some famous pagoda at a great distance, the usual pretext of such great men of the Indian religion, who think it necessary to retreat from danger, or are obliged to retire from power. This change, so essential to the interests of the Nabob and the East-India company, was effected within seven days after the arrival of the army at Tanjore, and Monac-gee received his commission from the king in ceremony in the 7th of June, and immediately began to levy new troops to