Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/487

Book XI. sequences of retreating before them, and came to Madrass on the 26th, to dissuade the Council, either from diminishing their force, or from withdrawing it into garrison; and his arguments prevailed. He then declared the inability to which the impaired state of his health had reduced him, of continuing in the command of the army; and received the highest regrets and encomiums of his eminent services, crowned by exertions much beyond his age in the defence of Madrass. The command then devolved to Lieutenant-colonel Draper, who was likewise too ill to accept it, and soon after embarked for England; on which it fell to Major Brereton, the next officer in the king's regiment, and Major Calliaud succeeded Colonel Lawrence in the distinct command of the Company's troops.

Nazeabullah, the Nabob's brother, had accompanied the French army to Madrass, and remained some days with them in the black town; when his own affairs, his doubts of the success of the siege, and the representations and example of his brother, Abdulwahab, who was joining the English troops in the field, induced him to return to Nelore, which, Mr. Lally having derived no advantage from his presence or endeavours, permitted without reluctance. Still, however, holding fair to the French, he retained a few of their Europeans, and 200 of their Sepoys; but as soon as he heard that the siege was raised, he resolved to declare entirely for the English, and blackened his zeal, by putting to death all the French Europeans, excepting their officer, Saint Denys. It is not known whether they attempted resistance; but the Sepoys laid down their arms, and were quietly turned out of the fort. With the advices of this deed, he proffered to pay 30,000 pagodas a year, if the Presidency would confirm him in the government of Nelore, and its districts; and, as no revenue, excepting from his good-will, was to be expected from that part of the country, until the English army had gained the superiority, his terms were accepted, and he sent the French officer to Madrass. Abdulwahab continued with the army, and his services were rewarded by a confirmation of the districts of Chandergherry and Chittore. The three greater Polygars to the