Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/505

Book XI had been left under the command of Mr. Bristol, who a few days before had received a large sum in gold and silver, sent from Bengal to Vizigapatam, and from hence to him, for the service of the army with Colonel Forde. On the approach of the enemy, Bristol sent away the treasure to Cockanarah, a Dutch settlement on the coast: and as soon as they appeared on the river, ordered all such of his men as were capable of the fatigue to go away, and endeavour to gain Vizagapatam. The enemy marched two days onwards from Rajamundrum, giving out that they intended to take Vizianagarum, the capital of Anunderauze, as well as the English fort at Vizagapatam; but their views were only to extort money from the chiefs and renters, by the severities they exercised in the country. However, finding they could not collect as much as they spent, they returned; and directed their march to join the army of Salabadjing. The daily news of their motions terrified the Rajah with apprehensions for his countries, and no persuasions could induce him to advance either his credit or money: none remained in the military chest: Colonel Forde had borrowed all that the officers under his command had realized from the spoils of the campaign, and had even used the prizemoney of the troops; and the interposition of the French army of observation precluded the hopes of receiving what had been sent to Mr. Bristol; and by this time, every soldier in the army had perceived the obstacles which must be surmounted, to reduce the fort, which exasperated the sense of their distresses. In these agitations, the whole line of Europeans turned out on the 19th, with their arms, and threatened to march away. Colonel Forde, with much difficulty, prevailed on them to return to their tents, and to depute one or two to explain their complaints. The deputies declared, that all were resolved not to serve the siege, unless they were immediately paid the amount of the prize-money already due to them, and were assured of the whole booty, in case Masulipatam should be taken. According to the Company's regulations, authorized by the Crown, the troops in India are only entitled to one half of what is taken in the forts they reduce; the other half is reserved to the Company. Colonel Forde promised to pay them their prize-money,