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Rh CHAPTER IV.

Critical position of Trichinopoly – Blockaded by the Mysoreans – The French support Murteza Khan in opposition to Mahomed Ali – Major Lawrence marches to the relief of Trichinopoly – Overwhelming Power of the French there – Brilliant Affair of the Golden Rock – Further successful Operations of Major Lawrence – Gallant Exploit of the Sepoys – Truce between the French and English – Destruction of the Pirates of Gheriah by Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive – Affairs of Bengal – Character of Suraja Dowlah – His hatred of the English – Commences Hostilities against them – Captures the English Factory at Cassimbazar – Marches against Calcutta – Defenceless State of that Place – Disorder and Confusion amongst the British – Disgraceful Flight of the Governor and principal Merchants – Desperate Situation of those who remain – Base and cruel Desertion of them by the fugitive Authorities – Fall of Calcutta – Horrors of the Black Hole.

After the successful termination of the last campaign, the Madras troops were principally employed for some months in reducing other places of minor importance in the Carnatic which had not yet been subjected to the authority of their ally, Mahomed Ali; but the details of these transactions are not sufficiently interesting or important in themselves to call for lengthened notice in a work like the present. Of a different character, however, are the operations which took place soon after at Trichinopoly.

This fortress, the most important in the Carnatic, had been promised by Mahomed Ali, in the midst of his difficulties, to Mysore, as the price of the aid he derived from that power in his contest with Chunda Sahib; but when this was terminated, he evaded the fulfilment of his promise by all those crafty excuses and expedients at which Oriental sovereigns are so expert. The Mysorean general, Nunjeraj, insisted, however, on obtaining the reward of his services, and continued encamped outside the walls for that purpose. A small garrison of English troops