Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/95

Book VI. large sum of money. Mr. Manningham who had been sent from Fulta as their representative, objected strongly to the powers given to Clive, as derogating from the authority of that presidency, and contrary to the institutions of the company. Two months passed in debates, before these final resolutions were taken, and then the embarkation began. The sloop of war belonging to the squadron had bean dispatched, somp time before, to inform the English at Fulta of the intended armament, and to exhort them not to quit the river in despair of assistance.

The squadron consisted of the Kent of 64, Cumberland of 70, Tyger of 60, Salisbury of 50, Bridgwater of 20 guns, and a fireship; to which were added, as transports, three of the company's ships, and two smaller vessels. On board of this fleet were embarked 900 Europeans and 1500 Sepoys; 250 of the Europeans were of Adlereron's regiment; the rest, the best men of the company's troops. It was resolved to send more Sepoys as conveyances should offer. Admiral Watson hoisted his flag in the Kent; and Admiral Pocock in the Cumberland. Colonel Clive embarked in the Kent; he carried letters written by Salabadjing the Soubah of the Decan, and Mahomedally Nabob of Arcot, as well as from Mr. Pigot, exhorting Surajah Dowlah to make immediate reparation for the injuries and calamities which the English had suffered from his unprovoked resentment. The instructions to Clive recommended the attack of Muxadavad itself, if the Nabob continued obstinate; and the capture of the French settlement at Chandernagore, if the news of a war with France should arrive whilst the troops remained in Bengal. The fleet set sail on the 16th of October, and were out of sight the next day.

This effort to recover the settlements in Bengal left the forces of Madrass too much diminished to detach to such a distance as Golcondah a body of troops sufficient to assist Salabadjing effectually against the French army with Mr. Bussy; and as a few would be of no service, and might be lost, it was resolved to send none. In the mean time the French army were maintaining their ground in Charmaul