Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/143

Book VII. and immediately wrote a letter, peremptorily commanding the English to desist from their intention.

In the mean time Mr. Watts set out for Muxadavad, and with him were sent the artillery-men requested by the Nabob; he was likewise accompanied by Omichund, whose conduct in the late negotiation had effaced the impression of former imputations, insomuch that Mr. Watts was permitted to consult and employ him without reserve on all occasions. They stopped on the 18th near Hughley, where Omichund discovered that a messenger from the Nabob had arrived the day before with a present of 100,000 rupees to the government of Chandernagore; that the governor of Hughley, Nuncomar, had received orders to assist £he French, in case the English should attack them; and that a detachment of the Nabob's army was marching from Augadeep to reinforce the troops at Hughley; on which Omichund visited Nuncomar, and by pompous representations of the English force, by assurances of their protection and favour, and the promise of 12,000 rupees to be paid as soon as Chandernagore should be taken, won him over to their interests; a striking instance of the extreme venality which prevails even amongst the highest ranks in Indostan; for the annual emoluments of the Phousdar amounted to 250,000 rupees. On the 21st, Watts and Omichund arrived at Augadeep, when the Nabob immediately sent for Omichund, and expressing much indignation at the intention of the English to attack Chandernagore, commanded him to answer strictly whether they intended to maintain, or to break the treaty. Omichund told him that the English were famous throughout the world for their good faith; insomuch that a man in England, who on any occasion told a lie, was utterly disgraced, and never after admitted to the society of his former friends and acquaintance: then calling in a Bramin, who chanced to be attending near the tent, he put his hand on the Bramin's foot, a form of oath among the Gentoos, and swore that the English would never break the treaty. The Nabob something appeased by this solemn declaration, said he would revoke the orders he had given to Meer Jaffier, to march with half the army to Chandernagore; and instructed Omichund to assure Colonel