Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/144

138 Colonel Clive, that the troops which had marched two days before, were not intended to assist the French. The next day he received a letter from Colonel Clive, assuring him that he would not commit hostilities against the French without his consent; on which he continued his march to Muxadavad.

Nevertheless, Mr. Watts and Omichund did not despair of obtaining his permission; and on there arrival at Muxadavad, practised with such of the favourites and ministers as could promote the success of their applications. Their solicitations created much anxiety and agitation in the court, where the French, from various causes, had many friends. Monickchund, and several other officers of note, had shaded largely in the spoil of Calcutta, and being convinced that nothing would render the English so formidable to the Nabob, as the reduction of Chandernagore, expected to be called upon to refund their plunder as soon as that event should happen: Coja Wazeed managed the greatest part of the French trade in Bengal with great profit to himself; and, to the Seats Mootabray and Roopchund, the government of Chandernagore was indebted a million and a half of Rupees. These various interests concurred in counteracting the practices and petitions of Mr. Watts and Omichund, and the remonstrances of Colonel Clive. The Nabob encouraged all the intrigues which were employed on both sides; and even often expressed himself to Mr. Watts and Omichund in terms which implied permission; but every letter which he wrote to Colonel Clive, and scarce a day passed without one, positively forbade the attack. With these contradictions he kept the English councils in suspence until the end of February, when he received intelligence that an army of Pitans had taken Delhi, and intended to conquer the eastern provinces of the empire. This news struck him with so much consternation, that he immediately dispatched a letter to Colonel Clive, requesting his assistance against this imaginary invasion of his own dominions, and offered to allow a hundred thousand rupees a month for the expences of the English troops.

The government of Chandernagore, at the same time that they were soliciting the protection of the Nabob, prosecuted their