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Book VIII. came invested with sovereign power, but left the appearances to Salabadjing, whom he affected to consult; and abrogated none of his indulgences, which this prince was naturally inclined to prefer to the cares of his state. Nizamally immediately gave additional honours and jaghires to his brother Bassaulet Jung, and with a subtle affectation of indifference concerning the seal, committed it to his care. Both the next day introduced Shanavaze Khan to Salabadjing, who received him with the exterior ceremonials of good-will and favour. The officer who commanded the French detachment had neither experience nor force sufficient to counteract the progress of this plot; but redoubled his attention in guarding the person of Salabadjing, which perhaps. saved his life. It was the general opinion that the expedition of the Morratoes with Vizvazrow had been concerted by Shanavaze Khan, as the leading means of accomplishing this revolution.

It happened in the middle of December; Mr. Bussy received intelligence of it at Rajahmundrum in the beginning of January, and immediately began his march, with all his force, to release Salabadjing from these bonds. We shall now return to the affairs of Bengal.

THE first news of the French squadron was brought to Calcutta on the 17th of September, by the Revenge, which had escaped from them on the 8th, in the road of Fort St. David. Other advices followed, with information of the troops they had brought, and of the expectations at Pondicherry of much greater force in the beginning of the ensuing year; in consequence of which the presidency of Madrass repeated with much solicitude the request they had often made, that the troops with Olive might be immediately returned to the coast: but they could not now be sent away, without risquing the accomplishment of the treaties with Meer Jaffier, if he should require their service in the field; and the loss of Calcutta itself, if a French force should arrive in the river, whilst they were employed in a distant part of the Nabob's dominions. This apprehension rendered the French prisoners, and even their vagabonds in the province, an object of solicitude. The prisoners amounted to 200, of whom