Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/30

24 embassadors as the author of the benefits which it was not in his power to prevent. The embassadors having thus accomplished their commission, took leave of the emperor in the month of July 1717, two years after their arrival at Delhi. The patents addressed to the Soubah of the Decan, and the Nabob of Guzurat, took effect as soon as they were published, because they afforded no political pretext of opposition, as adding nothing to the military strength of the company's settlements in either of these subahships, although to their commercial advantages. But the thirty-seven towns which they were permitted to purchase in Bengal would give them a district extending ten miles south of Calcutta along the banks on each side the river Hughley, of which the passage in this extent might be easily commanded by the erection of batteries or redoubts; at the same time that the revenue of the tract would defray the expence: and it was supposed that a great number of weavers might be established in it, who would be immediately subject to the company's jurisdiction. The shrewdness of the Nabob Jaffier, exasperated by his grudge to the embassy in general, saw the consequences of this grant with indignation; but, not daring openly to dispute the Mogul's order, he deterred the holders of the land with secret threats of vengeance from parting with their ground'on any terms of compensation which might be proffered to them: and the English government confiding too much in the sanction of the Mogul's authority, neglected the more efficacious means of bribing the Nabob to their own views; and thus the most important concession which had been obtained by the embassy, was entirely frustrated. However, Jaffier admitted the privilege of the dustucks, which, being recognized throughout the province, greatly facilitated the circulation of the company's trade; which now no longer paid customs, nor was liable to be stopped by the officers of the government; and this immunity was still more beneficial, because the other European colonies were not entitled to it; nor indeed, any of the natives excepting two or three principal merchants, who purchased it at a high rate of the Nabob. The