Part 1

MEMOIRS

OF THE

REVOLUTION

IN

_BENGAL_,

ANNO. DOM. 1757.

By which MEER JAFFEIR was raised to the Government of that Province, together with those of _Babar_ and _Orixa_.

INCLUDING

The Motives to this Enterprize; the Method in which it was accomplished; and the Benefits that have accrued from thence to that Country, our United Company trading to the _East Indies_, and to the _British_ Nation.

_LONDON_:

Printed for A. MILLAR, in the _Strand_.

M.DCC.L.X.

PREFACE.

The Success that has every where attended the Efforts of the _British_ Arms, during the Course of this just and necessary War, will render this Period of our History resplendent, even to latest Ages. It seems, therefore, requisite to give the most accurate and distinct Accounts that can be obtained of these Successes in the remoter Parts of the Globe, that the Nature and Consequences of them may be the better understood here. The People of _Britain_ are as well entitled to know, and will with equal Pleasure read, what has been effected for their Service at _Bengal_, as at _Goree_; and accept as kindly the Laurels brought them from _Asia_, as those that come from _Afric_ or _America_.

In this we follow only the Custom of other Nations. The _Portuguese_ and the _Dutch_ have not only general Histories of their Atchievements in the _Indies_, and separate Accounts of their respective Settlements, but numerous Memoirs of particular Expeditions, in which they have been exceeded by the _French_. We should therefore be wanting to ourselves, if, having performed as great Things as they, and having as authentic Vouchers, we should willfully suffer the Memory of them to be lost, and the Merits of our deserving Countrymen swallowed up in Oblivion.

The following Pages will shew, how one of our finest Settlements in the _East Indies_ was suddenly sacked and subverted by the Impetuosity of a young Man, intoxicated with Sovereign Power; in what Manner it was recovered and restored; the Peril to which it was again exposed from the same Person; and the Means by which it was not only rescued from a Second Destruction, but the Causes of these Calamities removed; the _British_ Interest placed on a more solid Basis than ever; with additional Advantages that were never hoped; so that Stability may be truly said to have been extracted from intestine Troubles, and Public Miseries rendered the Source of Public Safety and Public Benefits.

But as these Wonders could never have been performed but by the Assistance of his Majesty's Fleets and Forces, and as this was derived from the constant and laudable Concern of the Administration, for the Fate of _British_ Subjects wherever disposed, it is but a just Tribute of Gratitude to shew how Measures so wisely taken, proved so successful in the Event, that Posterity may profit by the Example, and our Trade ever meet with the like Support, under Officers (if they are to be found) of equal Abilities.

Lastly, it will appear how far the Nation has reaped the Fruits of these signal Events. The Settlement at _Calcutta_ being not only effectually restored, but, as far as the Nature of Things will admit, its future Safety as effectually secured, the Honour of the _British_ Name repaired, and the Terror of her Arms diffused throughout the _East_. The Fortunes of _British_ Subjects, ruined in the first Calamity, unprovided for in the first Treaty, entirely recovered by the Second; many of which being now brought over, are actually vested in the Funds or Lands of _Great Britain_.

MEMOIRS

OF THE

REVOLUTION in _BENGAL_.

The late Revolution in _Bengal_ is so extraordinary in its Nature, of such immediate Consequence to the _East India_ Company, and may possibly be of such Importance to the Nation, that a short and perspicuous Relation of this memorable Transaction cannot but be acceptable to the Public. Such a Relation will give a distinct Idea of Things, as to which the World has hitherto had but confused Notions; dispose all Events relating thereto in their proper Places, so that their Motives and Consequences may be clearly understood; and supply those Chasms, that disturb the Order and destroy the Connection between the Narratives which have been written occasionally of particular Points of Fact. Besides, it will explain the Conduct of those who have been chiefly instrumental in bringing such an hazardous, as well as arduous Attempt as this to a happy Conclusion; will shew why it was thought necessary, and on what Account it was originally undertaken; the many, and some of them formidable, Obstacles that were in the Way; and how these were either gradually removed, or gloriously overcome. In a Word, when thoroughly and circumstantially explained, it will open as singular and surprizing a Scene to the View of the inquisitive and judicious Reader, as perhaps he will find in any History respecting our own Times, which, let me have Leave to say, are those that concern us most.

But previous to the Narrative, it will be expedient to give a concise Account of the Inhabitants, and the State of the Government in that Country, where this surprizing Political Catastrophe fell out; and without being well acquainted with which, these succinct Memoirs would not only be less intelligible, but, which is yet worse, would become also very liable to be misunderstood. The Nature of Things depends on their Properties, alike discernable by all who will examine them with equal Care, and with the same Degree of Attention. But the Nature of Facts is determined by the Circumstances that attend them; and if these be not fairly and fully represented, they must be falsely, or at least imperfectly apprehended. In Cases relative to the Alteration of States, a bare Recital of Events establishes only what Alteration they produced, and does not at all inform us to what the Change was owing; gives us no Grounds to conclude, as to the Advantages or Disadvantages flowing from such a Mutation, and does not furnish us with the Means of framing any probable Conjecture as to the Stability or Instability of the New Government.

The two great Nations, inhabiting this Part of the _Indies_, differ widely from each other in their Complexions, Language, Manners, Disposition, and Religion. The _Moguls_ (_Moghuls_) who are commonly called _Moors_ or _Moormen_, are a robust, stately, and, in respect to the original Natives, a fair People. They speak what the _English_ in _India_ commonly call the _Moors_ Tongue, which is in truth the _Persian_, or at least a Dialect of the _Persian_. They are naturally vain, affect Shew and Pomp in every thing, are much addicted to Luxury, fierce, oppressive, and, for the most part, very rapacious. In respect to Religion, they are _Mohammedans_; the common Sort of the Sect of _Omar_ (in which they agree with the _Turks_), but those of Superior Rank are mostly of the Sect of _Ali_ (which is followed by the _Persians_), and some affect to be very devout. These have the Dominion, and are possessed of all the Offices of Trust and Power, in virtue of their Descent from the _Moguls_, whose Empire was established by _Timûr_, commonly called _Tamerlane_ in this Country; but they are now a very mixed People, composed of _Tartars_, _Arabs_, and _Persians_; more especially of the last mentioned Nation; who for various Reasons have quitted their own Country, but chiefly for the Sake of that Favour and Preferment, which for many Ages they have met with at the Court of (_Dehli_) _Delly_. The _Gentoows_, or Native _Indians_, are of a swarthy Aspect, as their proper Appellation _Hindu_ implies; less warlike but more active and industrious than the _Moors_. They are a mild, subtle, frugal Race of Men, exceedingly superstitious, submissive in appearance, but naturally jealous, suspicious, and perfidious; which is principally owing to that abject Slavery they are kept in by the _Moors_; and their Vices are such as innate Cunning, of which they have a great deal, suggests to counteract those of their Masters. They are divided into several Casts or Tribes, of which the most noble is that of the _Bramins_, and there are also several Casts of these. Their Religion is _Paganism_, gross and absurd among the Vulgar, but not so amongst the wiser and better Sort. These Characters are not drawn through any Spirit of Prejudice or Partiality, but from Experience and Observation, and the Faults of both do not so much arise from any Want of Parts, or Defect in their natural Talents, as from their respective Conditions, and the barbarous Severity and perpetual Instability of their Governments.

The _Mogul_, or, as we commonly call him, the _Great Mogul_, is, according to the Constitution of _Indostan_, if Despotism can with any Propriety be stiled a Constitution, as absolute as a Monarch can be. He is the sole Possessor of Property, the single Fountain of Honour, and the supreme Oracle of Justice. The whole Country belongs to him; all Honours are Personal, are bestowed by his Bounty, and resumed at his Pleasure; his Subjects having no other Laws than the Dictates of his Will. The Omrahs, or Great Lords of his Court, who discharge the high Offices in his Household, exercise the Functions of Ministers of State, or hold superior Commands in his Armies, are all Creatures of his own, and so are the Governors of Provinces, stiled in the Language of the Country _Nabobs_, who have again lesser Governments, to which they appoint, called _Phousdaries_. Thus things actually stood under the long Reign of _Aurengzebe_, and under the short one of his Son; but since the Days of his unfortunate Grandson, _Mohammed Shah_, who was dethroned, and restored by _Thamas Kouli Khan_, the _Moguls_ are no more than Shadows of what they were; and their Prerogatives become rather Sounds than Substance. Those Emirs or Nabobs, who govern great Provinces, are stiled Subahs, which imports the same as Lord-Lieutenants or Vice-Roys. These Vice-Roys have ever held their Provinces of the Mogul, by rendering him a yearly Tribute, and furnishing their Contingent of Troops, when demanded for his Service; each of them exacting the like Services from their subordinate Governments; in both the Nabobs and Phousdars were supreme, and executed a kind of Sovereign Authority, subject only to those from whom it was delegated, and by whom it might be again taken away when they thought fit. But now they affect a kind of Independence, send their Tribute to Court when they esteem it convenient, and that is but seldom: and devolve their Employments on their Heirs, who having immediate Possession of the Means, find no great Difficulty in getting themselves confirmed, by making proper Presents at _Delly_. If the Mogul attempts to depose any of them, the Person to whom he gives the Commission must raise an Army, and force a Passage to the Government bestowed upon him with his Sword. The same thing happens with regard to the Phousdars, removed by the Suba's; and hence the Confusions that ensue, whenever the Pretenders to the same Post (who are also sometimes supported, as their Interest leads them, by the different trading Nations upon the Coast) to gratify their Ambition, create implacable, ruinous, and endless civil Wars.

As to the _Gentoows_, though Multitudes of them live in the Cities and Provinces governed by the Officers of the Mogul, yet in the mountainous Countries, and in some others, there are many who still maintain their Freedom, or rather are Slaves to Princes of their own, stiled Rajahs, amongst whom the Mahah Rajah, or King of the Marattes, is the most powerful. His Subjects inhabit the Mountains to the South-East of _Goa_, and he has sometimes brought Armies of one Hundred, and sometimes of two Hundred Thousand Men into the Field, composed mostly of Horse. These, as well as the Troops of the lesser Rajahs, of whom there are many, are employed chiefly in predatory Expeditions, and by making very rapid Incursions, and no less rapid Retreats, do a great deal of Mischief in a very little time. This has induced some of the wisest amongst the Mogul Governors to consent to the Payment of an annual Tribute, stiled the Chout, amounting to a fourth Part of the Revenue of the Province, to prevent these Inroads. The Nabobs likewise frequently entertain the Troops of these Rajahs in Pay, in order to increase the Strength of their own Armies. From this concise Account of Things, it will sufficiently appear, that the Power of the Mogul is rather nominal than real; that a kind of Anarchy reigns through the Country; and that where there is any Thing that resembles ever so imperfectly a Form of Government, it has Force for its Basis, is supported by Fraud, and that in Fact there is hardly any such thing as legal Authority subsisting in any Part of the Empire; so that to measure the Rectitude of Men's Actions in such a Country as this, and in relation to such Governors as these, by the same Rules that take Place under regular Establishments, where Laws are settled and known, and where Justice is duly administred, is not at all founded either in Reason or Equity.

The English established their Presidency at _Calcutta_, towards the Close of the last Century, in virtue of a Phirmaund (Firmân) from the famous _Aurengzebe_, who much extended the Bounds of the Empire on this Side. His Firmân was confirmed, and the Privileges of the _East India_ Company much augmented by his great Grandson _Mohammed Furruksîr_. It is therefore indubitable, that having these Concessions made to them in the most ample and honourable Manner, and when the _Mogul_ Empire was in its most flourishing Condition, the _English_ Nation had as firm and solid a Right to their Possessions and Immunities as that Constitution could give. They were not therefore certainly to be disturbed or controuled by the Governor of the Province, while they behaved themselves peaceably and properly towards him.

The Company and the Servants of the Company had strictly observed the Terms upon which they were bestowed, and were so modest, or rather so cautious, as to keep much within the Bounds of those Concessions, and chose rather to wave some of their Rights than run the Hazard, under so unsettled a Government, of affording any Colour of Complaint. The same Spirit prevailed; the same Care was taken in all the Factories subordinate to this Presidency. When Injuries were done them, they applied to the Suba's for Relief; when the Officers of those Vice-Roys, either with or without their Knowlege, ventured upon Exactions, they proceeded by Remonstrance. If this had its Effect, they thought themselves happy; if not, they bore it with Patience, of which many Instances might be given. They knew very well that Trade was their Business, and that Disputes with the Country Government must be detrimental to their Interests; and therefore studied to avoid them. That this was really the Case, that they had no ambitious Views, that they had not the smallest Intention to perplex or to interfere with the late Suba, appears to Demonstration, from his not attempting to fix any such thing upon them; and still more so, from the Condition in which he found them.

The old Suba of the three Provinces of _Bengal_, _Bahar_, and _Orixa_, who had advanced himself, and seized that Dignity in the usual Way, by a fortunate Audacity, sticking at nothing to gratify his Thirst for Power, _Aliverdy Cawn_, died much advanced in Years, _April_ the 9th, 1756, and was succeeded by his adopted Son _Suraja Dowlat_ (_Sur Rajah al Dowlat_) who began his Administration with Acts of Violence, and Breach of Faith to some of his own Family; and by that time he had been a Month in Possession of the high Office he assumed, manifested his Aversion to the _English_.

On what his Resentment to the _British_ Nation was founded, he was himself at a Loss to say; and the trivial, inconsistent, and in various respects ill-grounded Pretences, he afterwards suggested, as the Motives to his Conduct, evidently shew they were contrived rather to hide, than to declare the Intentions from which he really acted. It has been asserted, and very probably not without sufficient Foundation, that some who knew his violent and rapacious Disposition, made their Court to him, by representing, that the _Europeans_ settled in the Provinces he possessed were immensely rich; that he might well expect considerable Sums from them to merit his Favour and Protection upon his Accession to the Government; that he had a Force much more than was adequate to the crushing them absolutely, if he so pleased; that by compelling them, under Colour of their coming as Merchants only into _Indostan_, to desist from raising any new Fortifications, he would have them always at his Mercy; and that in order to succeed effectually, and with little Trouble, he should, to prevent their making it a common Cause, break only with one Nation at a time; and first with the _British_, who could pay him best, and whose Submission would prove an effectual Precedent to the _French_ and _Dutch_. It is not unlikely, that the Authors of this Advice might also undertake to negotiate a Compromise at a proper Juncture. This, however, is certain; that, before he proceeded to Hostilities, he had determined to reduce _Calcutta_, and had taken all his Measures for that Purpose, and disposed his Instruments properly with that View.

_Cassimbuzar_ being situated, as it were, at his Door, was of course the first attacked. He caused the Place to be invested on the Twenty-second of _May_, by a numerous Body of Troops, and then invited Mr. _Watts_, who was Chief of the Factory, to a Conference, upon a Safe-Conduct. As the Place (in the Opinion of the best Judges) was indefensible, and if it had been defensible, was without a Garrison; as in point of Ceremony it was the usual Custom for the Chief of that Factory to compliment every new Suba on his assuming that Office, and Mr. _Watts_ had all imaginable Reason to hope a good Reception, he accepted that Invitation, and went to the Suba's Camp, where, contrary to his Faith, and in Breach of those Engagements which are in that Country held sacred, he seized and detained him, till by pursuing the same Conduct, and intermixing Fraud and Force against those who had not the Means, and perhaps were doubtful whether they had any Authority to resist, he possessed himself of _Cassimbuzar_, on the fourth of _June_, and then made no farther Secret of his Design to deprive the _English_ of all their Settlements, to which, according to the Constitution of the _Mogul_ Empire, they had a much better Right than he had to his Dominions. Thus the Troubles of _Bengal_ were begun by him in whose Ruin they ended.

This Step taken, his next Enterprize was directly against _Calcutta_; to reduce which, the Suba marched with an Army of Seventy thousand Men, and, when he became Master of it, acted with a Degree of insolent Cruelty, of which the World is too well apprized already, to need any Detail of it here. Let it suffice then to say, that the Suba wreaked his Malice, for Vengeance it could not be stiled, upon a Multitude of innocent People, who had never given him the smallest Offence. Having destroyed the Place, recalled, and then again dispersed the Inhabitants, and with the same lawless Violence extorted large Sums from the _French_ and _Dutch_ Factories, that he might seem to manifest a general Distaste to _Europeans_, he returned to _Muxadavad_ in Triumph.

He had full five Months from this Period to recollect himself, and to consider the Effects of these bold and arbitrary Proceedings, and in which he might have concerted either the Means of restoring the Peace of the Province, or of fortifying his own Strength in such a manner as to be able to make Head against all his Enemies; for he began to find, that besides those this wanton Exercise of his Power had excited, he had several amongst such as had been subject to the Authority, and even sincerely attached to the Person of his Predecessor. But his extreme Haughtiness, and his perpetual Suspicions, joined to the natural Mutability of his Temper, and Want of Experience, being a very young Man, rendered him equally incapable of correcting past Errors, or of digesting any well-connected Plan, and supporting it with that Firmness, without which Success is not to be expected. Sometimes obstinate, mostly irresolute, he forfeited equally the Esteem of Foreigners and Neighbours; and by an unaccountable Compound of Fickleness and Severity, lost the Confidence of all, and excited the Secret Hatred of most of those who were about him.

On the Fifth of _December_ Admiral _Watson_ anchored with his Squadron in _Ballasore_ Road, to which Place Mr. _Watts_ and Mr. _Becher_, both Gentlemen of the Council, were sent to congratulate his Arrival, and to acquaint him with the Situation of their Affairs; Mr. _Watts_ having been released by the Nabob in _July_. Ten Days after the Squadron arrived at _Fulta_, where, without Loss of Time, Measures were concerted for retrieving the Honour of the _English_ Nation, and restoring the Affairs of the Company. The Force was not great, but it was directed by Men of determined Courage, and of distinguished Capacities. Admiral _Watson_, and the Commander in Chief of the Land Forces, Colonel _Clive_, who, after performing Wonders in other Parts of the _Indies_, came to perform still greater Wonders here, and brought with him a Reputation that abundantly supplied the Want of Numbers. On the Twenty-eighth, the Fleet proceeded up the River. On the Twenty-ninth, Colonel _Clive_ landed; and the very next Day, with the Assistance of the Squadron, made himself Master of the Fort of _Busbudgia_; which, though a Place of great Strength, if it had been well defended, was taken with little Loss, and proved the happy Omen of all the mighty Things which afterwards followed.

On New-Year's-Day, 1757, some of his Majesty's Ships cannonaded the Batteries, which had been constructed by the Enemy for the Defence of _Calcutta_, where they had a considerable Force; and this with such Success, that when the Troops debarked, they were abandoned. On the Second, the _English_ re-possessed themselves of their demolished Settlement; finding in the Fort, as they had done on the Batteries, a numerous Artillery left behind, by those, who had not either Skill or Courage to use them. After this Success, it was resolved to proceed up the River to _Hughley_, a very populous Town, full of Warehouses and Magazines; and in that, as well as other respects, a Place of Consequence; and so much the safer from our Naval Force, as it could not be reached by large Ships. On the Fifth, Captain _Smith_ in the _Bridgewater_, and the Sloop of War, anchored within Reach, and fired warmly upon the Town; and being seconded by all the armed Boats in the Fleet, it was very soon reduced. The better to distress the Enemy, the more to alarm the Province, and to work upon the Suba's governing Passion, Fear; Orders were given, though with much Reluctance, for burning the Houses, and for destroying, particularly, all the Magazines on both Sides of the River; which Orders were very punctually executed, and thereby speedily produced the desired Effects.