Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/375

Book V. upon him, in case he had proved refractory, for Mr. Godeheu was furnished with one of those orders signed by the king, which supersedes all forms of the French laws and jurisprudence, by declaring the person against whom it is directed a criminal of state, and renders all other persons guilty of high treason, who refuse to assist in carrying the mandate into execution. His successor Mr. Godeheu not having occasion to make use of this extremity of his power, treated him with much respect, and even permitted him to continue the exhibition of those marks of Moorish dignity, which both Murzafa-jing, and Sallabad-jing, had permitted him to display, when they appointed him Nabob of the Carnatic. These were of various flags and ensigns, various instruments of military music, particular ornaments, for his palankeen, a Moorish dress distinguished likewise with ornaments peculiar to the Nabobship; and in this equipage, he went with great solemnity to dine with Mr. Godeheu on the feast of St. Louis. Mr. Godeheu immediately on his arrival acquainted Mr. Saunders of the intentions for which he was sent to India; and as a proof of his earnestness to accomplish them, sent back to Madrass the company of Swiss soldiers which Mr. Dupleix had made prisoners as they were going in Massoolas from Madrass to Fort St. David in the beginning of the preceding year. The two governors entered into a correspondence, and both seemed desirous of agreeing to a suspension of arms, but until it should be concluded they seemed attentive to lose no advantage which might be gained in the field. The orders sent to hasten Maphuz Khan found him after many unnecessary delays just arrived at Fort St. David, with no inclination to proceed any farther. This indeed now scarcely depended on his own choice, for his troops, grown refractory from their conviction of his incapacity, refused to march before they received more money; notwithstanding the presidency had paid 50,000 rupees when they set out, and the remaining 50,000 was not due before they crossed the Coleroon; but major Lawrence having no expectation of essential service from such troops with such a commander, thought it unnecessary to waste either more time or money to procure their assistance, and ordered the detachment of Europeans to leave them behind.