Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/132

126 Kent, and seven in the Tiger; but their fire slackened as that from the ships increased; and before eleven they deserted the fort, and soon after the town; when a detachment sent from the ships, under the command of Captain Coote, hoisted the English colours in the fort; for the troops with Colonel Clive were not yet arrived. The next day Admiral Watson put Mr. Drake, and the former members of the council, in possession of the government.

The greatest part of the merchandizes belonging to the company, which were in the fort when taken, were found remaining without detriment; for this part of the plunder had been reserved for the Nabob; but every thing of value belonging to the inhabitants had been removed out of the settlement: some of the best houses had been demolished, and others damaged by fire: in the middle of the fort a mosque was erected with the materials of several buildings which had been pulled down to make room for it; but no alterations had been made in the fortification. About 50,000 of the Indian inhabitants had returned to their dwellings during the government of Monickchund; they were indeed mostly of the lower ranks of people; for his rapacity had deterred such as were known to have property from trusting themselves within his reach. Whatsoever joy the English inhabitants might feel at their restoration to the town, it was soon allayed by the contemplation of the ruined state of their habitations, and of the poverty to which they were reduced, having no means to procure themselves subsistence, but their usual allowances from the company.

Mr. Drake, notwithstanding his adversities, had retained some correspondents, and the company's money some spies, from whom he received intelligence as soon as he arrived at Calcutta, that the town of Hughley was in great consternation, and that it would be some time before the Nabob's army would march from Muxadavad; upon which the committee resolved to attack Hughley without delay. The twenty-gun ship, the sloop of war, and three other vessels, were appointed to this service; and on board of them embarked 150 Europeans, being those of Adlercron's regiment, with 200 Sepoys; they sailed on the 4th of January, and hoped to reach Hughley in one