Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/145

Rh by the dogged obstinacy of Meer Jaffier's son, Meerun, who would not spare a single horseman for the pursuit. But the follies and crimes of this wretched Prince were approaching an awful close. On the night of the 2nd of July, 1760, there was a heavy storm; when the tent of Meerun, containing himself, a story-teller to amuse his leisure, and a servant employed in shampooing his feet, was struck with lightning, and all within it perished.

It was about this time that Mr. Vansittart arrived from Madras to assume the office of Governor of Fort William; when he took possession of a treasury so exhausted that the trading investments of the Company were obliged to be suspended, and it was with difficulty that the current expenses of the settlement were provided for. These pecuniary difficulties arose in a great measure from the non-fulfilment of the Soubahdar's engagements; and upon him fell all the evil of the policy that was now pursued at Fort William.

Meer Cossim, the son-in-law of Meer Jaffier, aspired to succeed to the throne. He had advanced money to allay the claim of the mutinous army, on the condition that he should stand in the place of Meerun, and he was so fortunate as to obtain the support of the British Government. After some negotiation, the basis of a treaty was agreed upon, the object of which was to satisfy the impatience of Meer Cossim to ascend the musnud, which he would gladly have done by the murder of his father-in-law; but to this extent his English friends would not oblige him. He was, however, to be invested with the Dewanny, or control of the Exchequer, and to exercise all the executive authority; but Meer Jaffier was to continue in possession of the title of sovereign. All affairs of government were to be transacted in the name and under the seal of the latter, and a suitable revenue was to be