Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/154

148 Meer Jaffier, who, although he despised the wretched character of Surajah Dowlah, dreaded the excesses of it.

Mr. Watts communicated with Omichund on the state of tempers and resentments; and they admitted Mr. Scrafton to their councils, who came at this time to Muxadavad in his way to Dacca, and was instructed by Colonel Clive to observe, whilst he remained there. Omichund with his usual bustle attended every day at the Durbar, and was as assiduous in his visits to the principal officers of the government.

On the 23d of April an officer named Yar Khan Latty, by a private message, requested to confer with Mr. Watts in secrecy. This man commanded 2000 horse in the Nabob's service, but received a stipend from the Seats to defend them upon any occasion of danger even against the Nabob himself. It is therefore probable that he was now employed by the Seats to discover the real intentions of the English towards the Nabob. Mr. Watts sent Omichund, whom Latty informed, "That the Nabob would very soon march with the greatest part of his forces towards Patna, against the Pitans; and that he intended to temporize with the English until his return to Muxadavad; when he had determined to extirpate them out of his dominions, into which he had sworn that they should never return; that most of his officers held him in utter detestation, and were ready to join the first leader of distinction who should take arms; that the English army might, during his absence, take possession of Muxadavad; and that he, Latty, with his own troops would join them in the attempt; when if they would proclaim him Nabob, he should be supported by Roydoolub, and the Seats; he offered in return to enter into any engagements which the English should stipulate for the advantage of their own affairs."

Mr. Watts approved the scheme, and communicated it to Colonel Clive, who approving it likewise, immediately countermanded the detachment which was ready to march in pursuit of Mr. Law, and wrote a very civil letter to the Nabob.

The day after the conference between Omichund and Latty, Petrus the Armenian, who had been employed between the Nabob and the