Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/556

532 had a little before the siege of Madrass retired with his wealth, which was considerable, to Kalastri. His disgust to the present Nabob had attached him to Maphuze Khan, who still continued helpless and discontented, endeavouring to keep up the disturbances which he had created in the Tinivelly countries. An officer deputed by them both went to Bassaulut Jung, as soon as it was known that he had separated from his brothers, Salabadjing and Nizamally; and it is said, seconded the advice of the pencil in his service, to enter the Carnatic, but with very different views; for Sampetrow, who managed the intrigue, intended that Bassaulut Jung should proclaim himself Nabob, and appoint him his duan; foreseeing that the concerns of his countries nearer the Kristna would soon call him away; when he intended that Bassaulut Jung should nominate Maphuze Khan his deputy in the Carnatic, and Sampetrow continuing duan, would, by his ascendance over Maphuze Khan, gather the whole power of the government into his own hands. When it was objected what engagements were to be taken or kept with the French, Sampetrow said, None, if possible, with either them or the English; but, if necessitated to chuse, Maphuze Khan was at least equally free from predilection to either. As a specimen of his own abilities for the situation to which he aspired, he persuaded the two Polygars to make each of them a present of 40,000 rupees in ready money, and added the same sum of his own. This assistance was very much wanted, and gave recommendation to his counsel, of which he was expecting the effect, when an officer of the first distinction in Salabadjing's court, and the confident of Nizamally, arrived in the camp, with offers of friendship, reconciliation, and grants, to dissuade Bassaulut Jung from entering into any alliance with the French against the English. Nizamally foresaw that the standard of his brother, as the son of Nizamalmuluck, with the force he commanded, and his resources, if acting in conjunction with the French in the Carnatic, might turn the fortune of the war in their favour: and, in their success, he saw and dreaded, with abomination, the restoration of Mr. Bussy to the councils of Salabadjing, as the ruin of his own ambition. Bassaulut Jung inclined to the advice of Sampetrow,