Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/21

Book VI that the contempt and disrespect with which Heath had treated him, proceeded from a resolution which the English had taken, to abandon the trade of Bengal; and fearing to be called to a severe account by the emperor Aurengzebe, for forcing them to quit the province, he immediately sent letters to Madrass requesting them to return, and promising all the immunities, the denial of which had been the cause of the late contentions. Such a condescension was thought a sufficient warrant of the sincerity of his intentions. Mr. Chanock, therefore, with his factors and thirty soldiers, sailed from Madrass, and arrived in the month of July at Soota-nutty; where, in consequence of the Nabob's orders, the government of Hughley received them with civility. The next year they received a phirmaund or patent from Aurengzebe, allowing them to trade free of customs, on condition of paying annually the sum of 3000 rupees. The great advantages intended by this favour, depended however more on the temper of the Nabob than on the will of the emperor; for the English had more than once before received such mandates, and found them, of little use; and the remembrance of former evils continued to paise solicitude, even when no immediate causes of apprehension subsisted.

The right of jurisdiction over the Indian inhabitants, whom the residence and commerce of the English continually attracted to Soota-nutty, became every day more necessary, to prevent perpetual litigations with those, who although employed by the English, might at any time defy them in the courts of the government, in which the merchants of the settlement would be more cautious of seeking protection, if the company had power to stop their families and attach their effects: but this right of jurisdiction could not be purchased, even at Delhi, without the consent of the Nabob; it was equally necessary that the company should have a fort to protect their valuable effects against sudden violence; but even proffers of money, repeated for five years successively could not prevail on the Nabob, to allow these privileges; and they were despaired of, when