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228 Balajerow and his agent, to themselves, and in stronger terms to the Nabob, a peremptory -demand of the Chout or tribute due to the king of the Morratoes from the Nabobship of Arcot, which Balajerow asserted had been settled by Nizamalmuluck at six hundred thousand rupees a year, four for the Carnatic, and two for Tritchinopoly and the southern countries; but that he had received nothing for six years, that is, since the death of the Nabob Anwarodean Khan: the sum he required was four millions of rupees.

The city of Arcot was struck with consternation by the arrival of the Morratoes at Cudanapatam, and the Nabob himself apprehended the incursion of some of their parties even into the town, on which the presidency invited and advised him to send the women and childern of his family to Madrass; but his mother, the widow of Anaverdi, having some prejudice against the air of the sea coast, chose to remain at Arcot; the rest arrived on the 10th of July, passing without danger, as the English army were then before Vandiwash. In the mean time a correspondence by letters and agents was carrying on between the Nabob and Balaventrow. Cudapanatam, after a breach, surrendered on the 15th of July; when a strong detachment of Morratoes immediately came through the pass and invested Ambore, from which they levied a contribution, and their parties scoured the valley of Vaniambaddy, quite up to the gates of Velore: but Balaventrow himself, with the main body, remained at Cudapatnam, and sent an officer of distinction and great prudence named Armetrow, to negotiate with the Nabob: he arrived at Arcot on the 20th: he demanded 400,000 rupees as arrears from the Nabobship in general, with the reserve of collecting from the forts and Polygars of the Carnatic in proportion. After much discussion, he consented to take 200,000 in ready money from the Nabob, and his rescripts on the forts and Polygars for 250,000 more. These terms, considering all circumstances, were moderate; and the Nabob thinking that the presidency would be as well satisfied with them as himself, requested they would furnish the money out of the rents he had assigned to the Company for the expences of the war. But the presidency wished to annul a claim, which if admitted under