Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/19

Book VI In the mean time, the fleet sent to Surat had been much more successful, having taken from the Mogul's subjects, cargoes, which were valued at a million of sterling money. These losses deterred the merchants at Surat from making preparations for future voyages; the manufacturers and mechanics, left without employment, complained loudly of famine; and the emperor's revenues were considerably diminished: upon which Aurengzebe sent one of his officers from Delhi, with orders to hear the English complaints, and to mitigate the oppressions they had suffered. Orders of the same purport were likewise sent to the 'Nabob of Bengal, and arrived very fortunately for the English troops at Ingelee, when, reduced to only 100 men capable of bearing arms, they were surrounded by 10,000 foot, and 3000 horse. Hostilities ceased, and by a treaty signed the 16th of August, 1687, it was stipulated, that the English should not only be permitted to return to all their factories in the province, but might likewise erect docks and magazines at Ulabarea, a village situated on the western bank, about 50 miles from the mouth of the river.

However Chanock had not faith enough in the treaty to return to Hughley without the ships, and the Moors distrusted the English too much to suffer them to appear there with such an advantage. He therefore remained three months at Ulabarea, during which the place was found to be so improper for the purposes which had induced him to ask it, that he desired and obtained leave to remove to Soota-nutty, a town about 40 miles higher up, and on the other side of the river, where the factors and soldiery lived in huts until they could provide proper habitations. Mean while the war at Surat broke out afresh, on hearing which the Nabob of Bengal paid no regard to the treaty made at Ingelee; but gave up the English trade to the rapine of his officers, and at the same time demanded a very large sum, as a recompence for the damage which his country had sustained by the late hostilities. Chanock being neither in a condition to oppose him by arms, nor to appease him with money, sent two members of the council to Dacca, to try if he might be softened by submissions, Soon after their departure,