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 DUPLEIX VIRTUALLY RULER OF THE DAK HAN. 277 This important matter being regarded as settled, c **| p - MuzafFar Jang, not doubting that peace would thence-. '_. forth reign in the Karnatik, informed Dupleix of his 1750. intention to proceed to the northern part of his govern- ment, as well to consolidate his power as to settle divers matters which in consequence of the war had fallen into great confusion. But he represented at the same time to Dupleix that, in order to undertake, with safety and success, a journey across provinces which had been so recently hostile, it would be very desirable that a body of French troops, upon whom he knew he could rely, should accompany him. He expressed himself willing to defray all the charges connected with these troops, and, he added, he would not send them back before he had given to them, as well as to the Company they served, real marks of his gratitude. This proposal chimed in exactly with the policy of Dupleix. It assured him against any change of policy in the councils of the Subadar. It made him virtually master of the Dakhan, ruling Southern India through the representative of the Mughal. He consented there- fore to the proposal. Perhaps if he had known the secret intentions which Muhammad Ali still cherished, he might have delayed the departure of his troops until the affairs of the Karnatik and its dependencies had been quite settled. But he had excellent reasons for believing that Muhammad Ali had entered into his schemes ; that he would resign Trichinapalli in favour of a government elsewhere. Had he not been satisfied with the assurances he had received on this head, it is certain he would not have detached so far from Pondi- chery a considerable contingent of his little army, and — what was of far greater importance — his best officer to command it. But believing peace re-established, anxious to have French interests powerfully represented at the court of the Subadar, and not indifferent to the financial considerations resulting from the transfer to