Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/65

Book VI. him still more, unfortunately deterred the presidency from taking the necessary measures to oppose, until there remained no longer any hopes of appeasing him: and in this precarious suspense, twenty days, in which much might have been done, were suffered to elapse unemployed. But, on the 7th of June, when news was received of the surrender of cossimbuzar, they were convinced that they must owe their safety to resistance. Letters were immediately dispatched to Madrass and Bombay requesting reinforcements, but without any probability that any could arrive from either in time; for the sea was shut by the south monsoon, and the messengers of the country could not arrive at either of their destinations in less than 30 days. As a relief nearer at hand, the French and Dutch presidencies at Chandernagore and Chinchura were solicited, as in a common cause, to enter into a defensive alliance against the Nabob; but the Dutch positively refused, and the French insolently advised the English to repair to Chandernagore, in which case they promised them their protection. No resource therefore remained but in their own force, which was indeed very inadequate to the contest; for, although the regular garrison consisted of 264 men, and the inhabitants serving as 'militia were 250; in all, 514 men; yet only 174 of this number were Europeans, and of these not ten had ever seen any other than the service of the parade; the rest were Topasses, Armenians, and Portugueze inhabitants, on whose faith or spirit no reliance could be placed. The number of Buxerries, or Indian matchlock men, were therefore augmented to 1500; provisions were laid in store, and works of defence, such as the time would admit, were erected. Whilst the Nabob was advancing, it was determined to take possession of the fort of Tannah, which lay about 5 miles below Calcutta, on the opposite shore, and commanded the narrowest part of the river between Hughley and the sea with 13 pieces of cannon. Two ships of 300 tons, and two brigantines, anchored before it early in the morning of the 13th of June; and as soon as they began to fire, the Moorish garrison, which did not exceed fifty men, fled; on which some, Europeans and Lascars landed; and having disabled