College 
 
 Lib. 
 
 DS 
 
 486 
 
 B4H2
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 N A R*R A T I V E 
 
 QT THE LATE 
 
 TRANSACTIONS 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for J. DEBRETT, (Succeflbr to Mir. ALMON) op- 
 
 , PICCADILLY. 1782.
 
 Library 
 
 OS 
 486 
 
 T O 
 
 Edward Wheler. Efq. 
 
 7 J. 
 
 &c, &c. &c. and Council. 
 
 Fort William. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, 7 
 
 JL H A V E now the honour to fend 
 you the Narrative, which I promifed 
 in my letter of the i8th O&ober, of 
 the tranfa&ions and events which 
 patted during the courfe of the late 
 infurre&ion of this province. 
 
 I had 

 
 I had begun it at the time oF 
 the date prefixed to it, but the 
 bufy icenes which followed, both 
 while was at Chunar and after my 
 return to Benares, hindered me from 
 profecuting it till a few days before 
 the date which I have fubjoined to 
 it. I did not chufe to alter the in- 
 troduction, although written at fuch 
 a diftance of time from that in which 
 the body of the work was executed, 
 and even from the exiftence of the 
 events which are recorded in the 
 latter, becaufe I found it not eafy 
 to give it a new form, without a 
 total cmiffion of what had been al- 
 ready produced, while my mind was 
 animated by the recent, and actual 
 fcenes on which it was engaged. 
 To an anxious and rnpft feeling fo- 
 licitude, not more tor the iflue ol 
 
 the
 
 ( fii ) 
 
 the impending conteft, than for its 
 confequences on my own reputation : 
 in the cenfcioufnefs of the re&itudfe 
 of my own intentions, I had allow- 
 ed myfelf to ufe an appeal, the moft 
 folemn and moft facred that could 
 bind my relation to truth, or imprefs 
 the conviction of it on the hearts of 
 others; nor could I, confidently with 
 my own fenfe of its obligation, with- 
 draw it, or coldly place it after the 
 narrative already written, and writ- 
 ten under the check which I had 
 impofed upon it. I know not whe- 
 ther I fhall be clearly underftood ; 
 if I am not, yet let this endeavour 
 to explain a feeming .impropriety in 
 the conftruclion of this performance 
 be accepted for its apology. 
 
 I have
 
 v 
 
 I have only to add my hope, tha-t 
 as I have received the in oft cordial 
 {upport in the paft events from you, 
 my refpectable, and moft refpeded 
 affociates in the adminiftration ; and 
 as it has been my unvaried ftudy to 
 prevent your fuffering any embar- 
 -rafsment from them, my conduct in 
 them may alfo receive its firft ret 
 ward, in the teftimomy of your ap- 
 probation. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 (Sigaed) 
 
 WARREN HASTINGS, 
 
 Benares, 31!* Dec. 1781*
 
 Mr. Haftings's Narrative 
 
 OF THE LATE 
 
 TRANSACTIONS 
 
 BENARES, 
 
 Ckunar, ijl of September, 1781* 
 
 IN whatever manner the fcene may clofe in 
 which I am now engaged, the calamities with 
 which it opened will not fail, in their firft im- 
 preffion, to influence in fome degree the minds 
 jpf all men in forming their judgment of it. In 
 the following Narrative, if I can truft to my 
 own fentiments, or if thofe who fhall read it 
 will credit thi$ declaration of them, I fhall lefs 
 ftudy to efface that impreffion than feek to divefl 
 my mind of all partial bias, and to deliver all 
 the pad tranfa&ions and occurrences with the 
 flrifteft and moft faithful regard to truth ; ift 
 which if I fail, I fail unknowingly: and may 
 the God of Truth fo judge me, as my own con- 
 fcience mail condemn or acquit me of intentional 
 
 deception ! 
 
 B The
 
 The motives and objects of my journey 
 various : with thefe the defign of my tranfalions 
 at Benares had but a remote and fccondary con- 
 nedion. I left Calcutta on the 7th of July. At 
 Buxar, Rajah Cheit Sing paid me the cuftomary 
 duty of refpecl, by advancing to that place which 
 lay the neareft to the boundary of his Zemidarry. 
 He brought with him a great fleet of boats, which, 
 as I afterwards learned, were crouded with two 
 thoufand armed and chofen men. This circum- 
 ftance was noticed by many of the gentlemen 
 who accompanied me, and was certainly a devia- 
 tion from the eftablimed rules of decorum ; not 
 only fuch as are obferved from vaffals to their 
 fuperiors, but even fuch as pafs between equals. 
 An inftance of this will be remembered by many 
 to have happened at Benares, in the year 1773, 
 in the meeting which took place there between 
 the late Vizier Suja ul Dowla and myfetf. He 
 had left his capital with a large retinue ; but 
 hearing that I came unattended, h difmiiled his fol- 
 lowers, and met ma with a ftate as humble- as 
 mine. 
 
 I received, the Rajah with civility, .and without 
 any expreflion of difpieafure. I left Buxar the 
 next morning, and received a fccotuL vifit, from 
 the Rajah in my boat. After a fhort fpace, he 
 defired. to fpeak to me in private. The particu- 
 lars
 
 r 3 ) 
 
 lars of our converfation I do not exa6ily remem- 
 ber : I can only relate the fubftance of it. He 
 profefifed much concern to hear that I was dif- 
 pleafed with him, and contrition for having given 
 catafe far it, affuring me that his Zemidarry and 
 all that he poffeffed were at my devotion : he ex- 
 prefTed his fears of Ooffaun Sing, who had been 
 fome days in my fuite, and of the intrigues of 
 his relations ; and he accompanied his words by 
 an action either ftrongly expreflive of the agita- 
 tion of his mind, or his defire to imprefs on mine 
 a convi&ipn of his fincerity, by laying his tur- 
 ban on my lap. I replied, that I had not feen 
 Poflaun Sing, nor concerned myfelf about him, 
 npr mould I delcend to be a party in his family 
 difagreements ; that my bufinefs was with him, 
 and with him only : that w.hat he heard, or might 
 have conjectured of my difpleafune, was true ; 
 and I entered into a fall difcuMion of the caufes 
 of it ; that I had been .already once deceived by 
 his oaths and protections, and ftipukl not fuf- 
 fer my purpofc tp be changed, or my duty to 
 be over- ruled, by any verbal conceffions or de- 
 clarations, which were made witty little coft, 
 and for the obfervanqs of which I had no pledge 
 nor warrant to credit them. He pleaded his 
 inability to anfwer my charges againft him, ad- 
 mitted that he was in every refpecl faulty, but 
 defired that I would forget the pad, and form 
 B 2 my
 
 C 4 ) 
 
 my opinion of him on his future behaviour : I 
 declined any further converfation on the fubjecl, 
 and he took his leave. 
 
 As the preceding converfation was accidental, 
 and made no part of the plan which I had con- 
 certed in my own mind for rny conduct with 
 the Rajah, I kept no minutes of it, nor mould 
 have thought it deferving of a place in this nar- 
 
 O O 1 
 
 rative, but for the weight which he has fince 
 given to it, and that it might not be imputed 
 to me as a defigned fuppreflion, if I made no 
 mention of it, 1 (hall proceed to relate the fub- 
 jecls to which it alluded, and add the purpofes 
 tvhich I had in contemplation concerning them. 
 
 On the firft intelligence of the war with France, 
 in July, 1778, it was refolved in Council, that 
 Rajah Cheit v ,ing Ihould be required to contri- 
 bute an extraordinary fubfidy for the expence 
 which this new exigency had impofed on our 
 Government ; and the fum was limited to five 
 Lacks of Rupees for the current year. After 
 many excufes, and proteftations of inability, he 
 at length confented, with a very ill grace, to the 
 payment, and with a worfe difcharged it. The 
 next year the fame demand was repeated, and he 
 attempted in like manner to elude it, affefting 
 to borrow money in fmall (urns, and to fell his 
 
 plate
 
 ( s ) 
 
 plate and jewels to raife the fum ; nor was it paid 
 at lad till he had reduced the board to the ex- 
 tremity of ordering two battalions of Sepoys to 
 ' the neighbourhood of Ramnagur, and quartering 
 them upon him, with their pay charged to his 
 account, until the whole payment was completed. 
 
 Early in the following year, about the month 
 of May, he deputed Lalla Saddanund, who was 
 his buxey and the confidential manager of his af- 
 fairs, on a private commiffion to me, to folicit 
 my forgivenefs for his paft condu6l, and to give 
 me aflurances, confirmed by oath, of his future 
 fubmiffion to the orders of my government, and 
 compliance with my advice. I accepted his ex- 
 cufes, and promifed him an oblivion of all that 
 had pafled exceptionable in his conducl, and my 
 future protection and every good office in my 
 power, fo long as he adhered to his profeflions : 
 requiring only as the pledge of their fmceriry, that 
 he would immediately notify his ready and un- 
 referved confent to the demand which would be 
 made upon him, this being the period for it, of 
 the fublidy for the current year, and that he would 
 ufe no delay in difcharging it. I at the fame 
 time explained to Saddanund the nature of the 
 demand, its conformity to the cuftoms of all 
 States in times of extraordinary emergency, and 
 allured him that, though he muft expect a repe- 
 tition of it every year fo long as the war lafted, 
 
 yet
 
 ( 6 ) 
 
 yet it could not be juflly drawn info a precedent 
 for enading an encreafe on his regular and ftipu- 
 lated rent ; and fo far as it could depend upon 
 me, I gave him the ftrongeft aflurances, and I 
 believe very folemn afleverations, that it fhould 
 not. Saddanund vowed the fullefl obedience on 
 the part of his mafter : the demand was accord 
 ingly made ; and the Rajah anfwered k with a 
 liberal and unreferved declaration of his acqui- 
 efcence. I expecled the immediate payment of 
 the whole fum according to his engagement, and 
 I placed a reliance upon it fo far as to defline the 
 appropriation of it to the fupport of the detach- 
 ment, which was then acling in the Province of 
 Malva, under the command of Lieut. Col. Camac, 
 not apprehending any policy which could warp 
 him from the ftrong obligation of fuch an engage- 
 ment, and from the evident intereft which lie had 
 in fulfilling it. I was miftaken. The firft. pay- 
 ment was made in different periods in the courfe 
 of a month, amounting to about a lack of rupees ; 
 and there, as I recollect, he flopped, and even 
 defcended to the meannefs of writing to folicit the 
 forbearance of the remainder, that it micrht be 
 
 o 
 
 included in the regular payment of the enfuing 
 year, which was then approaching. I am not 
 pofieflTed at this time of the materials for afcertain- 
 *ng the dates of the demand, and of his letter 
 written in acquiefceace of it, nor the dates and 
 vorrefpondent fams of the fubfcquent payments 
 
 at
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 but I defire that thefe may be inferted by the Se* 
 cretary as a note to this page of the narrative*. It 
 is fufficient to fay that the demand was made, and 
 the whole payment confequently due, in July, 
 that it was not until the month of O&ober, nor 
 until the fame conftraint was praclifed to compel 
 his obedience as had been ufed in the preceding 
 year, by an order for the advance of two battalions 
 of Sepoys for that purpofe, that the balance of 
 the fubfidy, which was two lacks and a half of 
 rupees, was difcharged. In the mean time the 
 rsfident received an order from the board to remit 
 the money, as he received it, by bills to the Pay 
 Mafler of Lieut. Col. Camac's detachment; but 
 thefe from the latenefs of the receipts were not 
 fent until the detachment had fuffered the ex- 
 tremity of diflrefs from the want of money, and 
 very great delertions ; all which calamities I charge 
 to Rajah Cheit Sing's account, as it is certain that 
 my reliance on his faith, and his breach of it were 
 the principal caufes that no other provifion had 
 been made for the detachment, and that it fuffer- 
 ed fuch want in confequence. 
 
 It is with the greateft tendernefs that I recur to 
 the paft diflentions in our Government ; but I am 
 
 cora- 
 
 * July 100,000 
 Auguft 50,000 
 September - 100,000 
 zoth of O&ober 250,000 
 
 500,000
 
 ( 8 ) 
 
 compelled to it On this occafion for the elucidatiori 
 of the conduct: of this man, which had the ap- 
 pearance of being invariably guided by the reports 
 which were made to him of the ftate of my in- 
 fluence. When he deputed his Buxey Saddanund 
 to me in the manner I have mentioned, an appa- 
 rent harmony had taken place in our Councils, 
 with the general expectation of its being perma- 
 nent. The powers of our Government whenever 
 united, and if I may ufe the term, confolidated by 
 fuch an event, will ever recover the refpecl: which 
 is due to them, efpecially from thofe who have 
 rendered themfelves obnoxious to its terrors. The 
 fubjecl: which produced the fubfequent conteft be- 
 tween Mr. Francis and myfelf originated a little 
 before the departure of Saddanund from the pre- 
 fideficy, but was not perhaps either generally 
 known, or known to have grown into a decided 
 breach, till the latter end of July. A reference to 
 the ptoceedings of that period will prove the 
 grounds of this fuppofition. It was the prefcribed 
 duty of Cheit Sing's VakeeL to furnifh him with 
 every little anecdote which bore any relation to the 
 ftate of our Government : I believe that the de- 
 liberate manner in which he made the firft pay- 
 ment of the fubfidy of that year was dictated by 
 the doubts fuggefted of the firmnefs of my autho- 
 yiry; and I am morally certain that his fubfequent 
 f xcufcs and delays in the payment of the refidue 
 of the fubfidy were caufed by the belief that I was 
 
 no
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 fio longer able to enforce it, and poflibly (for 
 fuch was the report) that a few months would clofe 
 the period of my adminiftration altogether. That 
 I had his folemn promife in the manner which I 
 have recited, to pay the fubfidy, I as folemnly 
 affirm ; and his letter aflenting to the payment, 
 which is recorded in our confutations, is a ftrong 
 prefumptive evidence of it ; and that he evaded 
 the performance of his promife, that he attempted 
 to the utmoft of his power to elude it altogether, 
 is alfo -proved by the record of the dates of the dif- 
 ferent payments, the minutes of the Board re- 
 lating to them, and the order of the Board for the 
 
 o 
 
 march of a detachment for the purpofe of com- 
 pelling him to perform it. That this order had a 
 principal effect in bringing him to a compliance I 
 bejieve; but I alfo attribute a mare of it to the 
 approaching departure of Mr. Francis, which was 
 publicly and generally expected. 
 
 I owe it in candour to the Gentleman, ~whof 
 n$me I have reluctantly repeated in this digref- 
 iion, to obviate any inference which might other- 
 wife be unwarily drawn from it, by declaring 
 that I mean not, by the mod diftant hint, to 
 impute any of this policy to him, and in my 
 heart do totally and deliberately acquit him of 
 any concern in it, however, in the inftant re- 
 fentment of difappointment, I may have fuf- 
 C feied
 
 ( 10 ) 
 
 fered my mind to catch fuch a fufpicion, althougli 
 I believe that if I have, it has been facredly con- 
 fined to my own bread. 
 
 This was the firft direct charge which I had to 
 prefer againft the Rajah : the fecond was fimilar 
 in its quality and principle. On the fecond of 
 the month of November, 1780, a refolution 
 pafied the Board, that a letter fhould be written 
 to the Nabob Vizier, advifing him to require from 
 the Nabob Feyz Oolla Cawn the number of 
 troops ftipulated by treaty, expreffed, as they 
 were then underftood, to be 5000 horfe; and 
 that rhe like demand fhould be made on Rajah 
 Cheit Sing for all the cavalry in his pay, which 
 he could (pare for our fervice At that time we 
 ilood in need of every aid that could be deviled 
 to re ell the multiplied dangers which furrounded 
 us; the Rajah was fuppofed to maintain a very 
 large ^md expenfive force; and the ftrength of 
 his cavalry alone was eftimated at two thoufand. 
 I had formerly experienced their utility in the 
 war with the Sineaffies, in which they were fuc- 
 cefsfully employed, and liberally rewarded. The 
 demand was formally made, both in a letter from 
 myfelf, and in perfon by the Refident, Mr Fowke, 
 in the eafy and indefinite terms mentioned above. 
 His anfwers were evafive, pleading, as I recollect, 
 for I am not in pofleflion of them, the fcantinefs
 
 C I' ) 
 
 of the eftabliftiment, its employment in enforcing 
 the collections, and the danger of thefe failing, if 
 the detachments were Withdrawn. At length a 
 more peremptory order was fent to him, and 
 repeated by the prefent Refident, Mr. Markham. 
 The number required Was 2000, and afterwards 
 reduced to the demand of 1500, and laftly to 
 icoo; but with no more fuccefs. He offered 
 250, but furniflied none. 
 
 Thefe inftances of contumacy and difobedience^ 
 criminal as they were in themfelves, and aggra* 
 vated by the extreme and known diftreffes and 
 dangers of the fuperior ftate, to which he owed 
 not only perfonal fealty, but every voluntary 
 aid which all the refources of his Zemidarrv could 
 
 t 
 
 contribute, appeared to me of lefs conlideration 
 as fuch than as they were evidences of a delibe- 
 rate and fyftematic conduct, aiming at the total 
 fubverfidn of the authority of the Company, and 
 the erelion of his own independency on its ruins* 
 This had been long and generally imputed to 
 him. It was reported that he had inherited a 
 vaft mafs of wealth from his father Bulwant Sing, 
 which he .had fecured in the two flrong fortrefles 
 of Bidjeygur and Luteefpoor, and made yearly 
 additions to it ; that he kept up a large military 
 eftabliihment both of cavalry, of difciplined and 
 irregular infantry, and of artillery ; that he had 
 C 2 the
 
 the above and many other fortreffes, of flrong 
 conflru&ion and in good repair, and conftantly 
 iveli ftored and garrifoned ; that his Aumils and 
 tenants were encouraged and habituated to treat 
 Englim paflengers with inhofpitality, and with en- 
 mity ; that he maintained a correfpondence with 
 the Marattas, and other powers who either were 
 or might eventually become the enemies of our 
 ftate ; and if the difaffefted Zemidars of Fyzabad 
 and Bahar were not included in the report, which 
 1 do not recollect, we have had woeful proof that 
 there was equal room to have fufpecled the like 
 jntercourfe between them ; and laftly, that he was 
 collecting, or had prepared, every provifion for 
 open revolt, waiting only for a proper feafon to 
 declare it, which was fuppofed to depend either 
 on the arrival of a French armament, or on a Ma- 
 Tatta invafion. 
 
 This defign had been greatly favoured by the 
 unhappy divifions of our government, in which 
 be prefumed to take an open part.' It is a faci, 
 that when thefe had proceeded to an extremity 
 Bordering on civil violence, by the attempt to 
 wreft from me my authority in the month of 
 June, 177/5 he had deputed a man, named Sum- 
 boonaut, with an exprefs commiffiori to my op- 
 ponent; and the man had proceeded as far as 
 Moorfhedabad, when hearing of the change of 
 
 affairs
 
 ( '3 ) 
 
 fcffairs which had taken place at the Prefidency, he 
 flopped, and the Rajah recalled him. 
 
 It may, perhaps, be urged in favour of Rajah 
 Cheit Sing, that he was juilifiable by the prin- 
 ciple of good policy in feeking a ftate of indepen- 
 dency , that we had no natural right to his vaf- 
 falage, having acquired it, with all our other 
 rights of dominion, by no other charter than the 
 fuccefsful fpirit of enterprize. Were this truly 
 the cafe, it would reduce the relation between us 
 to the primitive law of nature ; and it would be 
 equally incumbent on us on that ground alone to 
 ufe every means to confirm and perpetuate his 
 fubjection, as it would be allowable in him to 
 emancipate himfelf from it. But fomething more, 
 I apprehend, was due, both as a political and even 
 moral obligation from him. His father, Bulwaat. 
 Sing, derived the degree of independency which 
 he polTefled during the latter period of his life,- 
 from the protection and intervention of our go- 
 vernment. His fon, Cheit Sing, obtained from 
 cur influence, exerted by myfelf, the fir II legal 
 title that his family ever poflefled of property in 
 the land, of which he, till then, was only the 
 Aumil, and of which he became the acknow-. 
 ledged Zemidar, by a Sunnud granted to him 
 by the Nabob Suja ul Dow la, at my inftapce, in 
 the month of September. 1773. On the fuccef- 
 
 fion
 
 ( 14 ) 
 
 Con of the Nabob Affof ul Dowla, the rights of 
 fovereignty, which were held by him over the 
 Zemidany, were transferred by treaty to the 
 Company. Thofe rights were indifputably his, 
 and became, by his alienation of them, as indif- 
 putably the Company's ; and every obligation of 
 fidelity and obedience, which is due from a Ze- 
 midar to the fuperior magi ft rates by the conftitu- 
 tion of Hindoflan, became as much the right of 
 the Company from Cheit Sing, as they had been 
 due to his former fovereign, with the additional 
 ties of gratitude for the fupei ior advantages which 
 he was allowed to poflefs with his new relation.' 
 The unexampled lenity of our government, in 
 reliriquifhing to him the free and uncontrouled 
 rule of his Zemidarry, fubjecl: to a limited annual 
 fine, and the royalties of the mint, adminiftration 
 of juflice and police, ought to have operated as 
 an additional claim on his fidelity ; but evidently 
 ferved but to ftimulate his ambition, and perhaps 1 
 to excite in his mind an opinion that he pofleffed 
 an inherent right of felf-dependency. 
 
 I confidered Chert Sing as culpable, in a very 
 high degree, towards our Mate, and his punifh- 
 ment, of which I had given him frequent warn- 
 ings if he did not amend his conduct, as an ex- 
 ample which juftice and policy required, equally 
 for the repaiation of the wrongs which its dignity- 
 had.
 
 ( '5 ) 
 
 bad fuftained, and for the future prefervation of 
 its authority. I was refolved to draw from his 
 guilt the means of relief to the Company's dif- 
 trefles, and to ejca& a penalty, which I was con- 
 vinced he was very ajble to bear, from a fund 
 which I was alfo convinced he had deftined for 
 purpofes of the moft dangerous tendency to the 
 Company's dominion. In a word, I had deter- 
 mined to make him pay largely for his pardon, 
 or to exacl; a fevere vengeance for his paft delin- 
 quency. 
 
 Thofe who have been accuflomed to regar4 
 Cheit Sing as a vaflal, or tributary prince, may re- 
 volt at the idea of treating him with fuch indignity, 
 and call it an oppreffiqn. They will fupppfe no- 
 thing due from him to the Company but the pay- 
 ment of his ftipulated tribute, and that the pledge 
 of his exemption from every other claim. I fuf- 
 pecl; too that the deeds, which pa/Ted between 
 jhim and the Board on the transfer of his Zemi- 
 cjarry to the Company in 1775, are by many un- 
 derllood to bear the quality and force of a treaty 
 of optional conditions between equal ftafes. To 
 fach I reply, that fuch an opinion is itfelf cri- 
 minal to the ftate of which he was a fubje&, and 
 that he was Jiimfelf amenable to its juftice if he 
 gave countenance to the belief. He paid no tri- 
 H?ute to the Company, but a fixed annual rent. 
 
 The
 
 The deeds by which he held his Zemidarry, and 
 the Company their claim to their portion of its 
 revenue, were a Sunnud, or grant, and a Potta, 
 or leafe, executed on the part of the Company ; 
 and a Cabuleeat, or ngieemenr, and Kiflbundee, 
 or account of payments to be made by in ft all-, 
 inents, on his part, Thefe, excepting the fpecial 
 privileges allowed to ihe Rajah of the Mint, the 
 Cutwallces of Benares and Jowanpoor, the Fooj- 
 flarree and Aumeeny ; that is, fo far as they re- 
 late to the Zemidarry alone, are drawn precifely 
 in the fame forms as inttruments of the fame de- 
 nominations interchanged with the Zemidars of 
 Bengal. I refer to the inftruments themfelves, 
 which will make a nnmber in the Appendix to 
 this Narrative, in which it will be feen on how 
 different a tenure, and how infinitely below inder 
 pendency, he really held his Zemidarry. The 
 Sunnud and Cabuleeat are exact counterparts of 
 each other. The former prefcribes the revenue 
 which was to be paid, and the duties which were 
 to be performed, as the conditions on which the 
 Rajah was confirmed in the poflfcdion of his Ze- 
 jnidarry ; and of thefe conditions the Cabuleeat is 
 a pledge or engagement for the performance. In 
 the firft, the " government and fovereignty" of 
 the Zemidarry, transferred by the Nabob Affof 
 ul Dov;la to tbe Company, are flated as the bafjs 
 of if. The Zemidarr is confirmed to him : A
 
 ( '7 ) 
 
 fti -161 " obfervation and execution of the duties in- 
 " cumbent on him ," " to behave with modera- 
 " tion and kindnefs to the Reyots and people ; to 
 " promote the cultivation and increafe of the in* 
 " habitants and produce of the lands;" to pre~ 
 lerve the peace, and " punilh the difturbers of 
 " it;" and to pay a yearly rent of 2,340,249 
 Mahidar rupees, in monthly payments, agreeable 
 to the Kiftbundyi are mod ftri&ly and pofitively 
 
 commanded and enjoined : And the o'rkcrs 
 
 of the Zemidarry are commanded to regard him 
 as the Zemidar, " and to acknowledge his autho- 
 " rity in the feveral ah appertaining thereunto." 
 
 1 muft obferve that, in the tranflation of the 
 
 Sunnud, the yearly revenue is in one place, 
 through the negligence of the translator, expreffed 
 by the word tribute : but it is not on the tranfla- 
 tion, nor on the will of the tranflator, that the 
 rights of the Company depend. I affirm the 
 word to be falfe, as it is inconfiftent with the pro- 
 per term " revenue," immediately following in 
 the fame tranflation, and with the fame term 
 " revenue/* occurring in the tranflation of the 
 Cabuleeat or agreement. 
 
 The Cabuleeat alfo fets off with flating the 
 Company's fovereignty as the bafis of the agree- 
 ment ; and acknowledges the grant made by the 
 Company to Rajah Cheit Sing, of the Zemidarry 
 
 JD and
 
 (..'8 ) 
 
 and other privileges recited in the Sunnud. And 
 it proceeds to exprefs, that " it {hall be his duty 
 " to do every thing that may be needful and ufual 
 t( for the intereft and fecurity of the country ; to 
 " provide for the welfare of the inhabitants ; to 
 " be attentive to the encreafe of cultivation and 
 " improvement of the revenue; to ufe his en- 
 " deavours " to expel robbers," &c. and to pay the 
 * c annual revenue of government, in the manner 
 " prefcribed by the Sunnud." 
 
 To obviate mifapprehenuons I think it proper 
 to remark, that in the above recital I have abridged 
 the text where it was too prolix and involved for 
 literal quotation, and given the fubliance in the 
 clofefl fenfe of it ; but where I have ufed the ori- 
 ginal words of the translations, I have marked 
 them with inverted commas as fuch. The copies 
 in the Appendix will hew with what fidelity I have 
 conformed to the text in both inftances. 
 
 I have dwelt \vith a greater flrefs, and with a 
 rnore minute exafmefs on the foregoing fubjecl;, 
 frecaufe it is on this point that the juftice and pro- 
 priety of my conduct muft wholly turn. If Rajah 
 Cheit Sing poifefied the Zemidarry of Benares in 
 his own right, and with an inherent and exclufive 
 authority; if he owed no allegiance to the Com- 
 pany, nor obedience beyond the payments of a 
 
 ftipulated
 
 ftipulated tribute, I am liable to condemnation 
 for exacting other duties 'from him, and for all the 
 confequences of that exaction, and he is guiltlefs. 
 But if the Company^ pofleffing the acknowledged 
 right of his former Sovereign, held an abfolute 
 authority over him ; if in the known relation of 
 Zemidar to the fovereign authority, or the power/ 
 delegated by it, he owed a perfonal allegiance and' 
 an implicit and unreferved obedience to that au- 
 thority ; at the forfeiture of his Zemidarry, and 
 even of his life and property, at the difcretionof 
 thofe who held or fully reprefented the fovereign 
 authority ; if, in corroboration of the general and' 
 implied obligation, he was bound to it by written 
 engagements and fpecific conditions, I am war- 
 ranted in my aflertion of the rights of government, 
 which were fully and wholly delegated to me ; and 
 he alone is refponfible for his oppofition to them, 
 and for all the confequences which have attended 
 that oppofition. 
 
 Whether I have exercifed the power vefled in 
 me with juftice, and with moderation, will appear 
 from the preceding relation, and the following parts 
 of this narrative. 
 
 Before I quit this digreflion, I muft further 
 trefpafs on the patience of the Board, and of thofe 
 for whofe judgment it is ultimately written, by a 
 
 D 2 more
 
 more pointed application of the above to my own 
 perfonal conduct and character. 
 
 I will fuppofe for a moment that 1 have erred, 
 that I have a6led with an unwarranted rigour to- 
 wards Cheit Sing, and even with injuftice. Let 
 my motive be confulted: I left Calcutta imprefled 
 with the belief that extraordinary means were ne- 
 ceffary, and thofe exerted with a ftrong hand, to 
 preferve the Company's interefts from finking 
 under the accumulated weight which oppreffed 
 them : I faw a political neceffity for curbing the 
 overgrown power of a great member of their do- 
 minion, and for making it contribute to the relief 
 of their prefilng exigencies. 
 
 If I erred, my error was prompted by an excefs 
 of zeal for their interefts operating with too flrong 
 a bias upon my judgment. But rare are the iri- 
 flances in which the judgment fullers the bias of 
 fuch an operation ; and much flronger is the prc- 
 fumplion, that afts prompted by an unmixed 
 attention to the public interefts aafc founded on 
 juft principles, than that they are sfce.refult of a 
 mifguided judgment. 
 
 Poflibly it may be fufpcfted, and may God for- 
 give thofe who know me, and countenance ihe 
 fufpicion, I have no title to an exemption from it 
 
 with
 
 with others, that I was influenced by a fecret and' 
 mercenary intereft. I have heard of the practice 
 of holding out the terrors of authority, and the 
 denunciations of difgrace, difmiffion, and war, as 
 the inftruments of private rapacity. Though the 
 charge, if true, is capable of pofitive conviction, 
 yet I know of no direct evidence which could re- 
 fute it where it were falfe ; for no man can be 
 confcious of the receflfes of another's mind. I can 
 therefore only offer fuch prefumptive proofs of 
 my intention as the nature of it will admit, and 
 accident has provided. Thefe are my own early 
 and confidential declarations, and the attestations 
 of thofe to whom they were made. In a point of 
 fuch public moment, independently of the near 
 intereft which I have in eftabliihing the truth of 
 it, Mr. Wheler will pardon my appeal to him, 
 although in one light it may tend to involve him i# 
 a participation of the reproach of thole who may 
 regard every feverity fhewn to Cheit Sing as cri- 
 minal, however founded. He will doubtlefs re- 
 collect the converfation which I had with him on 
 the fubject, on the eve of my departure from Cal- 
 cutta , our mutual opinion; of Cheit Sing's pad 
 conduct; mine oF the juft ice and policy of exact- 
 ing an exemplary punilhment for it by a large pe- 
 cuniary mulct ; the fuin to which I then declared 
 my refolution to extend it ; my conviction of his 
 ability to pay.it j and the two alternatives on which 
 
 I had
 
 1 had refolved, if he refufed to fubmit to it. 
 will alfo remember that I befpoke his confidence in 
 the means which I mould ufe for this end, and his 
 fnpportiri the iffue of them. I entreat him to give 
 me his formal and circumftantial atteftation of thefe 
 fah, and that he will permit it to be inferted in 
 this part of my narrative. 
 
 
 
 " I have the pleafure to comply with the Go- 
 " vernor-General's requeft, and will chearfully 
 * e record in this plaice what I at prefent recollect to' 
 " have paflfed between us at the time, and on the 
 " circumftances which he mentions. I well re. 
 " member, that on the eve of the Governor-Gene- 
 " ral's departure from Calcutta, the conduft of 
 " Cheit Sing, late Rajah of Benaves, was a principal 
 " fubjecT: of a confidential difcourfe between us, 
 " and that he befpoke my fupport of the meafui es 
 cc which he intended to purfue towards him. 
 
 <c The Rajah's offences were declared to require 
 ' early punifhment, and as his wealth was great, 
 *' and the company's exigencies preffing, it was 
 " thought a meafure of policy andjuftice, to exacl: 
 "from him a large pecuniary malcl: for their re- 
 te lief. The fum to which the Governor declared 
 ' his refolution to extend this fine, was forty or 
 l fifty lacks. His ability to pay it was ftated as a 
 *' fa6l that could not admit of doubt, and the two* 
 
 alternatives
 
 '' alternatives on which the Governor declared 
 " himfelr to have refolved, if Cheit Sing refufed to 
 " comply with the requifition, were, to the beft of 
 " my remembrance, either a removal from his 
 " Zemidary entirely, or by taking pofferjion of 
 " his forts, to obtain out of the treafure depofited 
 " in it the above fum for the Company. 
 
 EDWARD WHELER.*' 
 
 After fuch an appeal it would be as fuper- 
 fluous as indelicate to call on the aid of other 
 teftimonies, if all that were required were no 
 more than to afcertain that I did hold fuch 3. 
 converfation as that which I allude to with 
 him. The conclufion will be much ftrength- 
 
 o 
 
 ened by its agreement with declarations made by 
 me on the fame fubject, and nearly at the fame 
 point of rime, to others. I mail therefore require 
 iimilar atteftations from Major Palmer, my mili- 
 tary Secretary, and from Mr. Anderfon, my ap- 
 pointed affiftant on this deputation. With thefe 
 references, and their refuk, I (hall make my lad 
 and folemn appeal to the breaft of every man who 
 fhall read this ; whether it is likely, or morally 
 poffible, that I mould have tied down my own 
 future conduct to fo decided a procefs and feries of 
 acts, if I had (ecretly intended to threaten, or to 
 ufe a degree of violence, for no other purpofe than 
 to draw from the object of it a mercenary atone- 
 pentformy own private emolument, and fuffer 
 
 all
 
 ( 23 ) 
 
 all this tumult to terminate in an oflenfible and 
 unfubftantial fubmiffion to the authority which I 
 reprefented ? Whether it is likely, or morally pof- 
 fible, that I fhould have chofen to irritate the feel- 
 ings of my colleague in office, and expofe myfelf 
 to all the effects of his indignation, by fo wanton 
 and unneceflary a deception; or lower mv own dig- 
 nity and character, and afford fo bafe an example 
 to my inferiors, by pretending to nuke them privy 
 toa6h which I never meant to perform, and from 
 which I could not depart with any poflible Ihew of 
 reafon, but the maniteft facrifice of my integrity? 
 A man actuated by fuch a motive, and pofieifing 
 the truft which I held, would have ufed a cover 
 to his venality : he would not have compromifed 
 himfelf by pofitive declarations of what he would 
 do, much lefs by detailing his intentions in a feries 
 of trials as they might fucce (lively fail ; but would 
 have been content with diflant and indefinite inli. 
 mations and fuggeftions, which obvioufly left his 
 actions open to enquiry and variation; which 
 could not fubjeft him to the imputation of incon- 
 ftltency, if they were productive of no effecl; ; and 
 which he might life asjuilifications, if his artifices 
 fbould chance to operate with the cffeti oRenlibly 
 portended by them. 
 
 I now return to my narrative. 
 I arrived at Benares on the morning of the I4th 
 Of Auguft. ; the Rajah fome hours later. I forbad 
 
 his
 
 his coming that evening to my quarters as he had 
 intended, and required him to defer his future 
 vifits until he mould receive my penniffion, as I 
 had fome previous matters to fettle with him, of 
 which he would be informed by the Refident, 
 whom I fhould depute to him the next morning 
 for that purpofe. 
 
 My narrative will be beft continued, nor will the 
 thread of it be broken, by the following copy of 
 my report of my proceedings, and the confequences 
 which attended them to Mr. Wheler, then the 
 only effeclive member of the Board. 
 
 To EDWARD WHELER, E 
 SIR, 
 
 " I arrived at Benares on the 14th inftant. 
 *' My tranfa&ions with the Rajah being of a moft 
 *' important nature to the prefent and future inte* 
 *' refts of the Company, I have determined to 
 " inform you of them without delay, in the order 
 
 in which they have occurred. 
 
 (C 
 
 " The firft ftep which I judged it neceflary to 
 ** take, as the ground on which my future pro- 
 " ceedings with the Rajah were to be conduced, 
 
 was
 
 ( 26 ) 
 
 " was to recapitulate in writing the feveral in- 
 41 fiances of his conduct which for fome time pad 
 " have repeatedly drawn upon him the fevere re- 
 " prehenfions of the Board, and to demand a clear 
 " and fatisfaclory explanation. 
 
 " This paper I fent to the Rajah by the hands 
 " of Mr. Markham, who was directed to require 
 " an immediate anfwer. Late in the evening his 
 " anfwer arrived* The following are copies of 
 ' both: 
 
 " To Rajah CHEIT SING. 
 
 " It is about fixteen months fince Lalla Sadda- 
 " nund, your Buxey and confidential fervant, 
 *' came to Calcutta, charged with an exprefs com- 
 " miflion and authority to make excufes for your 
 '* paft conducl;, and to give me alTurances, cori- 
 41 firmed by oath, of your future fubmiffion to 
 " my advice and the orders of my government. 
 *' As a tefl of yourfmcerif.y, I required an imme- 
 * c diate and unreferved acquiefcence in the demand, 
 " which at the fame time was made to you in (he 
 " the name of the Governor General and Council, 
 '* ofafubfidy of five lacks of rupees for the ex* 
 " pences of the war. With this demand you 
 " oflenfibly complied, in your anfwer to iny 
 
 [ l letter;
 
 " letter ; and the Buxey promifed me verbally in 
 " your name, and in terms fo flrong as amounted 
 " to the fulleft afiurance, that there mould be no 
 " delay in the payment. Relying on this agrce- 
 " rnent and promife, I gave orders to Mr. Fowke, 
 " who was then Relident at this place, to re- 
 " ceive the money, and remit it to Colonel Camac, 
 " for the pay of the army which had been 
 " ordered to march towards the Province of 
 *' Malva, and I made no other provilion for it. 
 " Such was my confidence in your faith, but you 
 *' deceived rne ; and all er having made the firft 
 *' payment of a few rupees, either confulting 
 f< the temper of the timt*, or conforming to a 
 " premeditated defign, you hy fhifts and pretexts 
 *' with-held the remainder until the army, for 
 <{ whofe ufe it was intended, was reduced to thp 
 " laft ftate of diftrefs : many hundreds deferted, 
 '' and had an enemy at that time appeared againft 
 " -them, their total deftruftion had been inevitable. 
 " In all this time daily application was made to 
 " you by the Refident, and I wrote repeated let- 
 " ters to you, but you paid no regard to either, 
 " Befides this, I required in the name of the Go- 
 " vernor General and Council by letter, and 
 " ordered Mr Fowke to repeat the requifition in 
 " perfon, that you fhould furmfh a body of horfe 
 <J to atfift and afc with the armies of the Company ; 
 f{ and, when Mr. Markham fucceeded Mr. Fowke, 
 E a '* I gave
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 " I gave him an order to repeat the demand, 
 *' which he did accordingly with frequent and 
 " almoft daily importunity, limiting the num- 
 " ber to 1500, and afterwards to 1000. To this 
 " demand you returned evafive anfwers, nor to 
 " this hour have you contributed a fmgle horfe- 
 " man. 
 
 *' I pafs over other inftances of your conduc>, 
 " in which, through the means of your fecret 
 " agents, you have endeavoured to excite diforders 
 " in the government on which you depend ; and 
 " your negleft of the duty which you owe to it, 
 " and to the fubjecr.s of this Zemidarry, by fuffer- 
 <f ing the daily perpetration of robberies and mur- 
 *' ders, even in the ftreets of the city of Benares 
 " itfelf, to the great and public fcandal of the 
 " Englith name, and in violation of one of the 
 " conditions on which you received the confirma- 
 " tion of this Zemidarry. But as the two fore- 
 " going inflances amount to a dire 61; charge of 
 ** difafFeclion and infidelity to the government on 
 " \vhich you depend, and happened at a time in 
 " which it was your duty more efpecially to have 
 ** exerted yourfelf in the fupport of its intereHs, 
 " I have therefore judged it proper to (late them 
 : to you thus fully in writing, and to require 
 " your anfwer to them j and this J expert imme- 
 
 From
 
 ( 29 ) 
 
 From RajahCHEiT SING to the Honourable the 
 GOVERNOR GENERAL. 
 
 " I received your letter delivered to me by Mr. 
 " Markham, and I have underflood every parti- 
 " cular of its contents. Sir, after the arrival of 
 " Shaick Ally Nucky, I obferved all the orders 
 " which you fent me, and I received the letter 
 " which the deceafed Shaick brought me, inform- 
 *' ing me that every fufpicion was now completely 
 " removed from your mind, and that I muft confi- 
 " der you as formerly attentive to me : but I have 
 ee not experienced from you the fame generofities 
 *' as formerly. I fent you repeatedly letters re- 
 " prefenting to your consideration my unhappy 
 " circumftances, but you never honoured me with 
 "' any reply. For this reafon I lent my Euxey Sad. 
 " danund to your prefence, enjoining him to re- 
 *' prefent to you the hrmnefs of rny obedience and 
 " attachment, to lay before you the particulars of 
 " my fituation, and to learn the difpofition of your 
 " mind towards me. He arrived accordingly in 
 " your prefence, and reprefented every thing in 
 <c a proper manner, I have never deviated in 
 " the fmalleft degree from thefe profeffions ; and 
 " the benefits and civilities with which you have 
 " honoured me have given me the greatefl fatis- 
 " faction, and I have confidered you as the fourcc 
 41 from which I derived the fulfillment of all my 
 
 " wiflies
 
 ( 30 ) 
 
 " wifhcs and defires. It is my firm hope that I 
 " may be always favoured with your directions. 
 " In this manner I complied with the utmoft rea- 
 " dinefs with the order you fent me for the pay- 
 '* ment of five lacks of rupees on account of the 
 " expcn-^ of the war. I fent fint one lack of 
 16 rupees, with an anfwer to your letter ; afterwards 
 " having paid to Mr. Fowke the fum of one lack 
 " and 70,000 rupees, I fent a letter requeuing a 
 *' further allowance of time to enable me to make 
 " feme preparations. To this I received no 
 *' reply ; it being no time for delay. Notwith- 
 " flanding this, I was not a moment inattentive 
 " to this concern, and as foon as my Buxey ar- 
 " rived, I paid immediately the remaining part of 
 " the fum. The remitting of this to the army 
 " did not depend on me : if any delay happened 
 *' on this head, I could not help it. If befides the 
 " payment of the money, the remittance of it 
 <e alfo to the army had refted with me, a delay 
 " of this kind mould not have happened. I have 
 " inclofed in this letter a paper fpecifying the par- 
 " ticular fums which have been advanced, wiih 
 " their dates. 
 
 <f \Vith refpeft to the horfe, you dtfired me in 
 *' your letter to inform you what number I could 
 '- afford to ftation withf you, and I fent you a par- 
 c< ticular account of all that were in my fervice, 
 
 " amounting
 
 u amounting to 1200 horfe, of which feveral were 
 " flattened at diftant places ; but I received no 
 " anfwer to this. Mr. Markham delivered mean 
 ** order to prepare 1000 horfe. In compliance 
 *' with your wifhes I collected 500 horfe, and as 
 " a fubftitute for the remainder, 500 burkundofles, 
 *' of which I fent you information, and I told Mr. 
 " Markham they were ready to go to whatever 
 " place they fhould be fent. No anfwer, however, 
 " came from you on this head, and I remained 
 " aftonifhed at the caufe of it. Repeatedly I 
 " aflted Mr. Markham about an anfwer to my let- 
 " ter about the horfe, but he told me he did not 
 *' know the reafons of no anfwer having been fent. 
 *' I remained aftonilhed. With refpeft to the 
 *' fepoys, I received firft an order to Ration two 
 " of my companies, which I did : I was then de- 
 *' fired to give a Tunkaw for the payment of the 
 *' fepoys, and likewife to pay the Captain, which 
 ft has been done every month. 
 
 " Excepting Abdullah Beg and his attendant? 
 ** none of my people, either dependants or fervants, 
 '-' or others in any Chape connected with me, have 
 ** ^ver gone to Calcutta : my enemies, with a view 
 * to my ruin, have made falfe reprefentations to 
 ** you. Now that happily for me you have yourfelf 
 *' arrived at this place, you will be able to afcertain 
 *' all the circumftances relative to the horfe, to
 
 ( 3* ) 
 
 " my people going to Calcutta, and the dates of 
 " the receipts of the particular fums above-men- 
 " tioned. You v.ill know whether I have amufed 
 " you with a falfe reprefentation, or made a juft 
 " report to you, I have given my Aurmls moft 
 " particular injunctions, and have taken a penalty 
 " bond from them, that they (hall keep no thieves 
 " in their diftrift. What power have they to act 
 " otherwife ? But if ever a murder or robbery is 
 ** committed in the country, I have been careful 
 " to impale or otherwife puniQi the culprit. If a 
 *' perfon having committed a delinquency fhould 
 " efcape to fome other place, fo as to elude all dif- 
 " covery, in that cafe I am helplefs; but to the 
 " utmoft of my power I endeavour to fulfil your 
 " orders. I have never fwerved in the fmalleft 
 " degree from my duty to you. It remains with 
 " you to decide on all thefe matters. 1 am in 
 " every cafe your Have ; what is juft I have re- 
 " prefented to you : may your profpeirty increafe." 
 
 " Account of five lacks of rupees advanced for 
 the expences of the war. 
 
 ift Shaabaun 100,000 
 
 2gth Ramzan 170,000 
 
 7th Showull 130,000 
 
 1 8th Showull 100,000 
 
 500,000 
 
 " T-hi*
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 "This anfwer you will perceive to be not 
 *' only unfatisfadory in fubftance, but ofFenfive 
 " in ftile, and lefs a vindication of himfelf than a 
 " recrimination on me. It exprefles no concern 
 " for the caufes of complaint contained in my 
 fi letter, or defire to atone for them, nor the 
 " fmalleft intention to purfue a different line of 
 ec conduct. An anfwer couched nearly in terms 
 " of defiance to requifitions of fo ferious a nature, 
 *' I could not but confider as a ftrong indication 
 *' of that fpirit of independency which the Rajah . 
 " has for fome years paft affumed, and of which 
 " indeed I had early obferved other manifeft 
 " fymptoms, both before and from the inftant 
 " of my arrival, 
 
 " Under thefe alarming appearances of th 
 ft Rajah's conduct and difpofition, I conceived 
 " myfelf indifpenfibly obliged to form fome im- 
 t( mediate and decifive plan for obviating their 
 " confequences, and for the prefervation of the 
 *' Company's rights and interefts in this Zemi- 
 " dairy. To have left him in the full exercife of 
 " powers which he had notorioufly abufed, and 
 " which it was to be apprehended he would 
 * f employ to the moft dangerous purpofes, was to- 
 " tally inconfiftent with the maxims of juftice and 
 * s prudence. To diveft him entirely of the Ze- 
 [' raidarry, thoughjuflifiable on the grounds ftated 
 
 F *' above,
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 " above, would have been attended with art 
 "appearance of feverity, and might have fur- 
 " nifhed ground for conftruclions unfavourable 
 ' to the credit of our government, and to my 
 " own reputation, from the natural influence 
 " which every ab of rigour exercifed on the per- 
 " fons of men who ftand in elevated flations, 
 " is apt to imprefs on the minds of thofe who 
 " are too remote from the fcene of action to 
 " judge, by any evidence but of the direcl fah 
 41 themfelves, of their motives or propriety. 
 
 " Thus circumflanced, and attentive to thefe 
 " oppofite confiderations, I laid down the follow- 
 " ing plan for my future proceedings : 
 
 v 
 " I firft directed the Relident to repair to the 
 
 " Rajah, who relided at his houle, fituated on 
 " this fide of the river, at the dittance of about 
 '' two tniles, and gave him the following in- 
 " ftrudions : 
 
 ee Mr. WILLIAM MARKHAM, 
 " Refident at Benares. 
 
 " SIR, 
 
 " It is my order that you proceed early to-mor- 
 '' row morning to the houfe of Rajah Cheit >ing, 
 t: with your ufoal guard, and put him in arreft. 
 
 ' You
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
 " You will require his immediate fubmiffion, in- 
 " forming him that you at under orders given 
 ct you by me ; and in cafe of his refufal, you will 
 " wait the arrival of two companies of fepoys 
 " belonging to Major Popham's detachment, who 
 " are directed to follow and affift you in the 
 " execution of this fervice. Having fecured the 
 " Rajah, you will keep him in your cuflody until 
 " further orders. I am, &c. 
 
 " Benares, i$thof Augvft, 1781, 
 *' ten at night," 
 
 " On the next morning Mr. Markham went 
 " according to his foregoing inftruclions, and was 
 " followed by two companies of grenadier fepoys 
 " belonging to Major Popham's detachment. 
 " The Rajah quietly fubmitted to the arreft, and 
 " Mr. Markham returned to rne with the fol- 
 " lowing letter from the Rajah, leaving him under 
 " the charge of Lieutenants Stalker, Scott, and 
 " Simes. For the particulars which patted at this 
 " interview, I refer you to the following report, 
 11 which Mr. Markham delivered to me qn his 
 " return. 
 
 " No.. IV. Letter from Rajah CHE IT 
 
 " At this time Mr. William Markham being 
 " come to me, has informed me that your High- 
 '* nefs's orders are that I Ihonld remain under a 
 
 F 2 " guard.
 
 ( 36 ) 
 
 <c guard. My Proteftor, I before reprefented to 
 Cf you, on board your pinnace, that I was the 
 " fervant of the Honourable Company, and- was 
 " ready from my heart and foul. Whatever 
 " may be your pleafure, do it with your own 
 " hands. I am your flave. What occafion can 
 " there be for a guard ? 
 
 " No. V. Report of Mr. MARKHAM. 
 
 " To the Honourable WARREN HASTJN-GS, Efcj. 
 " Governor-general, &c. &c. 
 
 c{ Honourable Sir, 
 
 " I this morning, in obedience to your orders 
 " of laft night, proceeded with a few of my Or- 
 *' derlies, accompanied by Lieutenant Stalker, to 
 " She-wallah Gaut, the prefent refidence of Rajah 
 * : Cheit Sing, and acquainted him it was your 
 " pleafure he mould conuder himfelf in arreft, 
 *' that he mould order his people to behave in a 
 **<juiet, orderly manner, for that any Attempt 
 *' to refcue him would be attended with his own 
 *' deftruclion. The Rajah fubmitted quietly to 
 " the arreft, and affured me that whatever were 
 " your orders, he was ready implicitly to obey. 
 " He huped that you would allow him a lub- 
 " fiftence ; but as for his Zemidarry, his forts, 
 *' and his treafure, he was ready to Jay them at 
 
 " your
 
 ( 37 ) ' ; 
 
 " your feet, and his life, if required. He cx- 
 " prefled himfelf much hurt at the ignominy 
 <{ which he affirmed muft be the confequence of 
 4 ' his confinement, and entreated me to return to 
 " you with the foregoing fubmiffion, hoping that 
 " you would make allowances for his youth and 
 * e inexperience; and, in confideration of his father's 
 tc name, releafe him from his confinement as foon 
 " as he fhould prove the fincerity of his offers, 
 " and himfelf deferving of your compaflion and 
 " forgivenefs. 
 
 " Nearly a quarter of an hour after this con- 
 " verfation, Lieut. Scott arrived with the two 
 *' grenadier companies of Major Popham's de- 
 " tachment, to whofe and Lieutenant Stalker's 
 ** care I left the Rajah, having given them the 
 " following inftru&ions ; that they mould difarm 
 " every fervant of the Rajah's, that they mould 
 " allow him any fuch eight or ten Kiftmutgars for 
 " the attendance of his perfon as he mould ap- 
 " prove of; that thefe men mould be fhewn to the 
 " fepoys, left any deceit mould be praclifed; but 
 " that they might indulge him in any requefl conn 
 " liftent with the fecurity of his perfon. 
 
 " I am now returned to acquaint you with 
 ** my proceedings, and to receive any further 
 
 " iriftmclions
 
 ( 38 ) 
 
 inftruftions which you may think necef- 
 fary. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 " Honourable Sir, 
 " Your rnofl obedient humble fervant, 
 
 (t (Signed) WILLIAM MARKHAM. 
 
 <c Benares, i6lh of Augujl, 1781. 
 
 " As the Rajah, in the above letter, had defired 
 " that Mr. Markham might be fent back to him, 
 " I was preparing inftruftions for that purpofe, 
 " when I received another letter from the Rajah, 
 " of which the following is a tranflation : 
 
 o 
 
 " No. VI. Letter from the Rajah. 
 
 " I am the fervant of the Sirkar, and am ready 
 " from my heart and foul in the performance of 
 " your orders. My honour was beftowed on me 
 " by your Highnefs. It depends on you alone 
 " to take away or not to take away the country 
 " out of my hands. In cafe my honour is not 
 " left me, how (hall I be gqual to the buiinefs of 
 " the Sirkar ? Whoever with his hands in a fup- 
 <! plicating poflure is ready with his life and pro- 
 *' perry, what neceflity can there be for him to be 
 *; dealt with in this way ? 
 
 From
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 cc From the apparent defpondency in which 
 " thefe letters were written, I thought it neceffary 
 " to give the Rajah fome encouragement, and 
 " accordingly wrote him the following anfwer : 
 
 <{ No. VII. Letter from the Governor-general. 
 
 " I have received your two Arzees from the 
 " hands of Mr. Markbam, and underfta,nd their 
 " contents. That gentleman will wait on you 
 '* in the afternoon, and explain particulars. Let 
 " your mind be at reft, and do not conceive any 
 " terror or apprehenfion. 
 
 " To this I received the following reply : 
 
 " No. VIII. Letter from the Rajah. 
 
 " Your gracious letter has been received, and 
 <c has made me acquainted with your commands. 
 tf Your order that in the afternoon Mr. William 
 " Markham will come to me, that I muft not 
 *' fufFer any apprehenfion to difturb me, but 
 *' remain at eafe in my mind. My Proteclor, 
 " wherever you fpread your (hadcrw over my 
 " head, I am entirely free from concern and 
 14 apprehenfion ; and whatever you who are my 
 " mafter (hall as fuch determine, will be right. 
 
 At
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 " At this time I had prepared Mr. Markham's 
 " fecond inft ructions; but before he could fetout 
 " with them, intelligence came that large bodies 
 " of armed men had crofled the river from Ram- 
 " nagur, and had proceeded to the Rajah's houfe. 
 " What follows is a fcene of fuch horror, that it 
 " is with the greatefl reluctance I fubmit to the 
 " painful duty of relating it. The guard placed 
 '' over the Rajah confifted of two companies of 
 " grenadier fepoys, as above mentioned, from 
 " Major Popham's detachment, commanded by 
 " the officers already named, who were Rationed 
 ** in an enclofed fquare, which furrounded the 
 " apartment where the Rajah was. The Refident's 
 " guard had returned with him. It now appeared 
 " that thefe troops had taken no ammunition with 
 " them. Major Popham fent another company 
 " of fepoys under an officer, with ammunition to 
 <c reinforce and fupport the firft party. When 
 " the latter arrived at the Rajah's houfe,. they found 
 4i it furrounded, and all the avenues blockaded, 
 " by a multitude of armed men, who oppofed their 
 " palTage. The minds of this tumultuous aflembly 
 " becoming foon inflamed, fome of them began to 
 *' fire upon the fepoys within the fquare, and im- 
 "mediately, as if this had been the concerted fig- 
 " nal, made an inftantaneous and fierce attack on 
 " the fepoys, who, wanting their accuflomed 
 " ! means of defence, were capable of making but 
 
 *' a feeble
 
 19 a feeble refiftance, and fell an eafy facrifice to 
 ** the fuperior number of their affailants, who Cut 
 " almoft every man of this unfortunate party tp 
 " pieces. The officers, it is fuppofed, were the 
 " firft victims to their fury, but not until they 
 " had, by aftonifhing efforts of bravery, and undif- 
 '* mayed amidft the imminent dangers which fur- 
 " rounded them, involved a much fuperior num- 
 " ber of their enemies in their fate. In this gene- 
 " ral report of them all accounts concur, though 
 '* varying in circumftances. I yield to my own 
 " feelings in beftowing this juft but unavailing 
 " tribute to thefe unhappy gentlemen. 
 
 v 
 <l In the midft of this confuGon the Rajah 
 
 '* found means to efcape through a wicket which 
 *' opened to the river ; and the banks being ex* 
 " ceedingly fteep in that place, he let himfelf down 
 " by turbans tied together, into a boat which was 
 " waiting for him, and conveyed him to the op- 
 " pofite Ihore. Thofe who had efFefted his 
 *' efcape j followed him acrofs jhe river in the 
 *' fame tumultuous manner in which they had 
 " affembled, leaving the party of our fepoys which, 
 *' had laft arrived in poflfefiion of the houfe. On 
 " the firft intelligence of this commotion, I hai 
 ** directed Major Pppham to repair immediately 
 " to his camp, which was about two miles from 
 " the Refident's, and at the fame diflauce from 
 
 G the
 
 ( 42 ) 
 
 ts the Rajah's houfe, and to march inflantly with the 
 " remainder of his detachment to the fupport of 
 I 1 the party. 
 
 " This order was executed with all poffible ex- 
 " pedition ; but Major Fopham arrived too late, 
 " and had the mortification to be a fpe&ator of 
 " the effects of a maflacre which he could neither 
 " prevent nor revenge. He returned to me im- 
 
 * mediately, and made the following report : 
 
 i 
 
 " No. IX. Major. POPHAM'S Report. 
 
 " Confequent to an order for the detachment 
 c: under rry command to proceed to the fupport 
 *' of the grenadier companies under the order of 
 rt Lieut. Stalker, 1 carried it with as much expe- 
 " dition as poffible to Cheit Sing's palace, which 
 " I found to be entirely evacuated by the Rajah's 
 " people, who were already landed on the oppo- 
 " fite fide of the river. 
 
 Ci Of the two companies commanded by Lieut. 
 " Stalker, very few remained alive, and the ma- 
 " jority of thofe appeared to be feverely wounded. 
 " The bodies of Lieuts. Stalker, Scott, and Simes, 
 " were lying within a fmall diftance of each other, 
 " fhockingly mangled, and without any figns of 
 } life. 
 
 "It
 
 43 
 
 <{ It may be neceflary to obferve, that Lieut. 
 " Birrell was difpatched with one company of 
 " fepoys upon the firft rumor of the Rajah's 
 " coercive intentions ; but the fate of the com- 
 " panics which preceded him was decided prior 
 " to his being able to enter the palace. There 
 " were however forne of the Rajah's people, whom 
 " he efFe&ually cleared it of. In his attack he 
 " met with fome lofs. My utmoft endeavours 
 " have hitherto proved inefficient to procure an 
 " exact detail of the killed and wounded in this 
 " unfortunate tranfa61ion. I thought it nsceflary 
 " to leave a company with a fubaltern in tlje 
 " palace." 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 WILLIAM POPHAM, Major." 
 
 * ' Benares, 1 6th of Augujl, 1781.'* 
 
 11 I cannot learn with certainty what is be- 
 * { come of the Rajah, but the prevailing report is 
 t{ that he fled from Ramnagur, his ufual relidence 
 " on the other iide of the river, in the middle of 
 " the night, and proceeded with his Zenana and 
 " effects to Lutteefgur, a ft rong fort of his, fituate 
 " about 10 miles from Chunar. He was ac- 
 " companied by Sujan Sing, his brother, and 
 " Mannyar Sing, a relation, and fon l?y adoption 
 (t of Rajah Bui want Sing. He has alfo had the 
 G 2 " precaution
 
 C 44 5 
 
 " precaution tp take with him Ranny Golafv 
 " koower, the widow of Rajah Bulwant Sing hi* 
 " father ; her fon in law, Dvvegbijey Sing ; and 
 ** his two fons, her gi;andfons In them he 
 " pofiefies every member of his family who can 
 " have any plea to difpute with him the right of 
 ** inheritance from his father Rajah Bui want 
 *' Sing, if that were ever a queftion, his right to 
 " the Zemidarry being derived exclusively from 
 " Sunnuds which his father never poiTelTed, but 
 " which were firft granted tp Cheit Sing by the 
 * f late Vizier Suja ul Dovvla through the influence 
 " of our Government in i?73 and fmce repeated 
 " by fimilar grants from our Government, when 
 " the fovereignty was ceded to the Company by 
 ** the prefent Nabob Affof ul Dowla. 
 
 < I have made choice of Bauboo Ooflauri 
 *' Sing, who held the office of Dewan during fe- 
 " veral years of the life of Rajah Bulwant Sing, 
 " and for a confiderable period fince the accefTipri 
 " of the prefent Rajah, to adminifler the revenues 
 " and Government of this country in the quality 
 " of Naib, until it can be determined to whom 
 " the Zemidarry may legally belong, and whe> 
 " may be in a capacity to receive it. 
 
 " To this effecl; I have caufed a proclamation 
 t( to be made through the city of Benares, and 
 
 ? have
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 *.* have notified it by circular perwannahs to all 
 *' the zemindars and aumils of the Zemidarry. 
 
 '.* To enforce the execution of thefe a6ls, to 
 *' maintain tranquility and order in the country ^ 
 * f and protect the inhabitants, I have ordered one 
 " battalion of fepoys from Chunargur, the re- 
 " mainder of Major Popham's detachment from 
 " Mirzapore, and one regiment of fepoys from 
 '* Dinapore to march immediately to Benares, 
 
 " The detail of thefe proceedings {hall be 
 " ,tranfmitted to you in a fubfequent letter. I do 
 " not expe6l they will detain me here much be- 
 '.' yond the time I had prefcrjbed to myfelf, which 
 " was abouj 7 or 8 days. 
 
 " I have the honor to be, v/ith the greateft 
 ** .efleem, 
 
 SIR, 
 
 " Your mofl obedient 
 
 <e Humble Servant, 
 (Signed) WARREN HASTINGS.^* 
 
 ?' P. S. The delay occafioned in copying this 
 *' letter from its great length has afforded me an 
 " opportunity of contradicting the latter part of 
 J it ; and I have now the fatisfalion to add, that 
 
 *' Ranny
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 " Ranny Golabkoower, together with her fon in 
 " law Durgbijey Sing, and his two fons, are fafc 
 " at Benares. I have this morning received a 
 " vifit from Durgbijey Sing, and his eldeft fon 
 " Mehipnaraim" 
 
 I have read over the preceding letter with 
 great attention, but can find nothing in it, with 
 the advantage of recent and better means of infor- 
 mation, to correct ; nor do I know that it requires 
 a comment. That which I am now about to 
 make may appear trivial; but I make it as it 
 impels me by its prcfent impreffion. The Rajah, 
 in his reply to the charges which I had preferred 
 againft him, infifts much on the many letters 
 which he wrote to me, praying to be difpenfed 
 from his obedience to the orders of Government, 
 and my neglect to arifweV them : and this charge 
 againft me he repeats in a manner not the mofl 
 refpe&ful. I do not know but it may be true. 
 He had received pofitive orders, and thofe had 
 been repeated. It was his duty to obey them, 
 not to wade my time with letters of excufe, to 
 cavil with my anfwers for evafions, or with my 
 filence for delays. His Vakeel was in daily at- 
 tendance on me, and knew my mind fufficiently 
 upon thefe fubjecls; and what he knew I am fure 
 he wrote to his matter. As to his plea of inability 
 to pay the refidue of the fubfidy 4t without pre- 
 
 " paration.;'*
 
 ( 47 ) 
 
 paration," that is, without contriving the means 
 to.raife the money, after having facrcdly pro* 
 mifed the full and inftant difcharge of it, it was 
 as infolent, as we now know too furely, that ic 
 was moft egregnufly falfe. 
 
 It was truly reported that Cheit Sing, after 
 
 his efcape from Shewallah Gaut, immediately 
 
 fled to Lutteefpoor, taking his family, and his 
 
 whole force with him, except the ordinary guard 
 
 which had been early appropriated in the time of 
 
 his father, Bulwar.t Sing, under the command 
 
 of Gudgerauge Sing, who had the title of Kel- 
 
 lidar, to the charge of Ramnagur. This was a 
 
 vaft pile of irregular but maffy buildings con- 
 
 ftructed of ftone, on the river fide, and within 
 
 the bed of the river. To its original ftrength 
 
 Cheit Sing had added fome fmall baftions of 
 
 ftone and earth. A large town had grown round 
 
 it, which rendered the approach to it fufpicious; 
 
 and the intricacy of the apartments and pafiages 
 
 of the palace was fuch, that a cautious officer 
 
 would hcfitate under almoft any encouragement 
 
 to enter it. I had early information that it Was 
 
 in efoct evacuated, and I believed it ; but not 
 
 being certain; I did not chufe to hazard a re- 
 
 pulfe, nor had I force equal to any operation of 
 
 doubtful fuccefs, much lefs of enterprize. My 
 
 whole ftrength had confuted originally of fix 
 
 companies
 
 companies of Major Popham's regiment, about 
 fixty fepoys which I had taken from the garriton 
 of Buxar for the protection of my boats, 2nd a 
 few men who had been newly recruited for the 
 Refident's guard, who had yet neither arms nor 
 difcipline. Of Major Popham's regiment eighty- 
 two men had fallen in the maffacre of Shcwahah 
 Gaut, and ninety-two were wounded. The 
 whole number of killed and wounded of every 
 corps and denomination, was two hundred and 
 five. Every circumftance of an event and time 
 ft critical to the prefent exiftence and permanen- 
 cy of the Britifh intertfts in India will merit 
 notice in a relation of this kind. If Cheit Sink's 
 
 
 
 people, after they had effected his refcue, had 
 proceeded to my quarters at Muhdoodafs's gar- 
 den, inftead of crouding after him in a tumultu- 
 ous manner, as they did, in his paflage over the 
 river, it is moft probable that my blood, and 
 that of about thirty Englifn gentlemen of my 
 party, wovtld have been added to the recent 
 carnage ; for they were above two thoufand in 
 number, furious and daring from the ealy fucccfs 
 of their laft attempt : nor could I aflcmble more 
 than fifty regular and armed fepoys for my 
 whole defence. Let it not be thought that I at- 
 tribute too much confluence to my own perfon 
 when I fuppofe the fate of the Britifh empire in. 
 India connected with it. Mean as its Jubilance 
 
 may
 
 < 49 ) 
 
 be, ks accidental properties were equivalent 
 to thoie which, like the magical characters of a 
 Talifman in the Arabian Mythology, formed the 
 offence of the State itfelf ; reprefentation, title, 
 and the eftimate of public opinion. Such a 
 ftroke as that which I have fuppofed would have 
 been univerfally confidered as decifive of the 
 national fate : every State around it would have 
 darted into arms againft it ; and every fubject of 
 its own dominion would, according to their feve- 
 ral abilities, have become its enemy. What 
 really patted approaching to fuch an effect, from 
 the fole apprehenfion of fuch a caufe, more than 
 warrants the conclulion of what would have fol- 
 lowed the caufe itfelf, had it exifted. 
 
 The effects of the firft confternation having 
 fubfided, a number of men, reputed two thou- 
 fand, returned to Ramnaguron the i8th, under 
 the command of Ramj'eewaun, a confidential and 
 domeftic Chief of the family* 
 
 The remainder of Major Popham's detach- 
 ment, confifting of four companies of fepoys, 
 one company of Artillery, and the company of 
 French Rangers, lay at Mirzapore. 
 
 Thefe were ordered to march immediately to 
 Ramnagur, Lieutenat-colonel Blair was ordered 
 
 H w
 
 ( 50 ) 
 
 to detach a battalion of fepoys from the garri- 
 fon of Chunar on the fame deftination, It was 
 intended, that as foon as thefe corps had joined, 
 and were properly equipped for fervice, Major 
 Popham fliould take the command, and proceed 
 againft the forces quartered in Ramnagur. I 
 wrote an order exprefs to Captain Blair, who 
 commanded the battalion from Chunar, com- 
 manding him to halt at a fecure diftance from 
 Ramnagur, and wait for further orders -, and 
 Major Popham, whom I had afterwards vefted 
 with the command in form, wrote a fimilar order 
 to Captain Mayaffre, the officer commanding the 
 refidue of his detachment, with an additional 
 caution to avoid hoftilicies, and attend to the 
 fafety of the whole party, of which, being a 
 fenior officer, he would have the command till 
 Major Popham afTumed it. To enfure the fuc- 
 cefs of his operations on that fide, he had chofen 
 a convenient and open plain on the more oppo- 
 fite to Ramnagur for a battery of two martars, 
 which were expected from Chunar, nor can there 
 be a doubt, that a place fo peculiarly ill formed 
 for fuch a mode of attack, and in no ftate of de- 
 fence againft a wary affailant, would have prov- 
 ed an eafy -conqueft. Unhappily, the ill-timed 
 ambition of a rafli individual defeated this plan, 
 and had nearly caufed the deftruclion of the 
 whole party. Captain Mayaffre unwilling, as ic 
 
 appears,
 
 (50 . 
 
 appears, for no other poflible motive can be 
 afcribed to fo precipitate and irregular a con- 
 duel;, to lofe the opportunity which his prefent 
 and cafual command afforded him, of acquiring 
 a military reputation, without plan, without en- 
 quiry, againft the advice of his officers, and 
 againft order, ordered the detachment to march 
 into the narrow lanes of the town, where they 
 were oppofed by the fire of an enemy furround- 
 ing them unfeen ; and the party which entered 
 were in an inftant annihilated rather than defeat- 
 ed. Twenty- three men of the corps of Rangers, 
 with their commander, Captain Doxat, who led 
 the attack, were killed, and ten wounded. The 
 firft battalion of the fixth regiment of Sepoys, 
 commanded by Captain Blair, which followed, 
 loft fifty- feven killed, and forty-one wounded. 
 The whole Jofs fuftained in all the corps was, 
 one hundred and feven killed, and feventy-two 
 wounded. Captain MayafFre was killed. The 
 detachment inftantly retreated. The retreat ap- 
 pears to have been conducted by Captain Blair, 
 and in a manner that did him much credit. The 
 enemy purfued with little effect, their numbers 
 gradually lefiening, till the detachment arrived 
 within four miles ofChunar, which it regained 
 the fame evening. 
 
 This unfortunate affair happened on the 
 morning of the 2oth of Auguft.
 
 ( 5* ) 
 
 I confidered myfelf now as plunged in a de- 
 cided war, and made every provifion both for its 
 fpeedy termination, and its confinement to the 
 fcene in which it had opened. 
 
 Orders were written and difpatched in multU 
 plied copies to the different military ftations for 
 afiiftance, to the Refident of the Vizier's Court 
 for a fupply of treafure, and to Lieutenant- 
 colonel Blair for an inftant reinforcement. 
 The Very few reached their deftination, the 
 communication with every quarter being inter- 
 cepted, and all the country in arms againft us ; 
 and our emiffaries, unufed to this dangerous fer- 
 vice either made prifoners, or not daring to 
 execute it, and fecreting their difpatches. Two 
 of my letters reached Colonel Blair, who ordered 
 Captain M'Dougal, with the fecond battalion of 
 the fixth regiment, to march on the next day, 
 which was the 21 ft, to Benares. I now pafied 
 an interval, like that of a dead calm preceding 
 a violent florin, and fraught with all the fymp- 
 toms of its certain approach. Succeffive notices 
 were brought to me by various channels of pre- 
 parations making at Ramnagur for an aflault on 
 my quarters, which ftood in the midft of the 
 fuburbs of Benares, and confided of many de- 
 tached buildings within one large enclofure, fur- 
 rounded
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 rounded by houfes and trees, which intercepted 
 every other profpedh The whole force which I 
 had left amounted to about four hundred and 
 fifty men. The reports 'of an intended afiault, 
 which was fixed for that night, grew flronger as 
 the day advanced. The boats on the other fide 
 of the river were feen to be in motion 5 and be- 
 fides the moral certainty of the real exiftence of 
 fuch a defign, the obvious advantages which it 
 prefented to the enemy, who had nothing left to 
 fear and nothing elfe to do, precluded all hefita- 
 tion, but on the choice of expedients for defeat- 
 ing it. There were but two , which were, to 
 wait the danger and try the chances of repelling 
 it, or to retreat to a place of greater fecurity, or 
 of equal advantage for the encounter. The con- 
 fined ftate of the place, of which any defcription 
 will be infufficient to convey an adequate idea, 
 rendered the firft plan impracticable. We had 
 not a force fufficient to guard all the defences of 
 the place, nor a ftore for the provifions of a 
 day, even for that fmall number. The only arr 
 guments for it were, the difgrace of a flight, and 
 the confidesation of our wounded fepoys, whom 
 it might leave at the difcretion of a mercilefs 
 enemy. The former confederation yielded to the 
 fuperior weight of necefilty; the latter to the 
 impoffibility of protecting the wounded men in 
 cither cafe, as they were quartered at the diftance 
 
 of
 
 ( 54 ) 
 
 of near a mile from Mahoodafs's Garden ; nor 
 would it have been poflible in their condition, 
 and in the multiplicity of prefling exigencies 
 which the refolution to remain would have creat- 
 ed, to remove them. Yet thefe confiderations 
 held me fufpended during the whole courfe of 
 the day. In the evening it became neceffary to 
 come to a final determination, as the delay of a 
 few hours might now preclude every option. I 
 confulted Major Popham. He declared the de- 
 fence of the place impofiible, and advifcd a re- 
 treat to Chunar, There were other field officers 
 with me. I afked for their opinions feparately. 
 They clearly and unhefuatingly agreed in the 
 fame advice. My opinion had been determined 
 from the inftant I received the certain informa- 
 tion of Captain MayafFre's defeat, J had not yet 
 received the news of Capt, M'Dougal's march, 
 nor any anfwer to the letters which 1 had written 
 to Lieiuenant-c'olonel Blair for a reinforcement, 
 nor could 1 know whether thefe had reached him. 
 I yielded to the reluctance of a few minutes. 
 My refolution was taken and declared, and orders 
 given to form our little corps, that we might 
 have time to gain the open country before the 
 enemy, having notice of the defign, could crofs 
 and attack us at the difadvantage of the ftreeta, 
 lanes, and broken ground which we had to pafs 
 before we could reach it. Thefe orcjers \vere 
 
 ifllird
 
 '( 55 ) 
 
 iflued between feven and eight o'clock , and by 
 eight the line was in motion, having been much 
 retarded and impeded by an incredible tumult of 
 fervants, palankeens, and baggage of every de- 
 nomination, which, for a time, threatened a total 
 obftruction to our march. Fortunately this 
 enormous mafs took the wrong road, which left 
 the right with a free and undifturbed pafiage for 
 the fcpoys. On the way we pafied Captain 
 McDougaPs battalion about nine o'clock. We 
 fent him timely notice of our movement ; he 
 turned and joined us. Early the next morning 
 we arrived at Chunar. 
 
 It is proper to mention, that as foon as I had 
 formed my refolution to leave Benares, I fent my 
 Moonfhy to the Nabob Saadut Ally Cawn to re- 
 commend the wounded fepoys to his care, be- 
 lieving that the Rajah, from a confideration of 
 policy, would not chufe to molcft them, efpe- 
 cially as he could have no motive or object to it 
 but revenge, if he would fhew a determined re- 
 foknion to protect them. The fame requefl I 
 made to him in writing, after my arrival at 
 Chunar. I owe him thejuftice to atteft, that he 
 faithfully and liberally complied with my requeft. 
 Me vifited them himfelf, and furnifhed them 
 with provifions and with money, and appointed 
 native furgeons to attend them ; and, as they 
 
 were
 
 ( 56 ) 
 
 were able to bear it, he caufed them all to be 
 removed to his own quarters. 
 
 Many reports and fufpicions have pr. vailed of 
 his being concerned in fome of the defigns which 
 were formed againft us. I can neither credit nor 
 refute them. The evil imputed to him is at Deft 
 doubtful. The good which he did is certain ; 
 and he is entitled to the entire merit of it* 
 
 I avail myfclf of this repofe in my narrative 
 to relate another inftance of private merit in 
 Beneram Pundit, the Vakeel or Minifter of the 
 Rajah of Berar, and his brother BifTumber Pun- 
 dit. Thcfe pcrfons had come to pay their 
 cuftomary attendance at my quarters about the 
 time that the line was already on the march. 
 They immediately joined it. Some time after I 
 faw and fpoke to them, exprefllng fome concern 
 to find them in that fituation. They were on 
 foot without a fingle fervant or attendant. I 
 fuffered them to accompany me till we came to 
 the plain and halted. I then thanked them for 
 the proof which they had (hewn of their attach- 
 ment, with which I was fatisfied, and defired 
 them to return, as they had a large family in 
 Benares, which would be expofed by their con- 
 rinnance with me to the refentment of Cheic 
 Sing, and perhaps to the worft efftcls of it; nor 
 
 could
 
 ( 57 ) 
 
 could they by their prefence afford me any fcr* 
 vice which could repay what I myfelf mould 
 feel of compunction for fuffering them to be ex- 
 pofed to fuch hazards. They refufed me in a, 
 peremptory manner, without compliment, or 
 the oftentation of performing meritorious fervice, 
 and perfifted, although I as peremtorily infilled 
 on their return. I then defired that the elder 
 brother, who was corpulent and of a conftitu- 
 tion lefs equal to fatigue, would return, and the 
 youngeft only remain ; but could not prevail.' 
 A few days after my arrival at Chnnar, I cafually 
 mentioned to them my diftrefs for provisions, 
 which was occafioned principally by the want of 
 money, for fuch was our total lofs of credit, 
 that we could not raife a fufficiency even for the 
 ordinary wants of our fmall detachment; and it 
 was with great difficulty, and a degree of vio- 
 lence, that Lieutenant-colonel Blair extorted 
 from the Shroffs of Chunar, who had lived and 
 grown opulent under the protection of the gar- 
 rifon, the fmall fum of two thoufand five hun- 
 dred rupees, which was diftnbuted among all 
 the fepoys, and afforded a fatisradtory relief. 
 Beneram Pundit immediately, and with an eager- 
 nefs which belonged to his character, told me, 
 that he had a lack of rupees, in ready money, 
 lying in his houfe at Benares, which I might 
 take, if I could find any means to receive and 
 
 1 convey
 
 convey it to Chunar; and the youngeft brother 
 advifed, as the fimpleft expedient, to fend a bat- 
 talion of fepoys for that purpofe, which could 
 cafily go and return without interruption, as there 
 were no troops Rationed near the town on that fide 
 of the river, offering to accompany it himfelf, and 
 to bring away the money. I rejected this pro- 
 pofal for an obvious reafon, and preferred the 
 trial of the means which the Shroffs are fuppofed 
 to practice for the conveyance of money on fuch 
 occasions. I accepted a draught on their family 
 for the fum, payable to Comoo Bauboo, my 
 Dewan, who had been left in Eenares, and lent it 
 cnclofed in a letter to him, with directions to 
 concert with Gopaul Dofs the means of conveying 
 it to Chunar. This proved ineffectual ; Contoo 
 Bauboo could not be found, Gopaul Dofs was 
 feized (I forget at what exaft period of rime) and 
 fent a prifoner to Lutteefpoor, and in a fhort time 
 after Contoo Bauboo was alfo fecured and con- 
 veyed to the fame place of confinement. I was 
 obliged therefore to wait for a more favourable op- 
 portunity, which never happened while I remained 
 at Chunar. After my return to Benares, Beneram 
 again repeated the offer, I accepted it, and received 
 the whole amount on the inllant, giving him a 
 note in the Company's name, and in the ufual 
 form for the fam. 
 
 Examples
 
 ( S9 ) 
 
 Examples of fidelity and national attachment 
 merit the firft reward of being recorded. In me, 
 it is a duty, both of public and private obliga- 
 tion, to relate what I have related. Their merit 
 is national, for under whatever impreflions their 
 affiftance was offered, its object was the national 
 fervice ; nor can my perfon, in fuch an inftance, 
 be feparated from my public character. 
 
 On the 2oth or 21 ft, I forget which, I received 
 a letter from Rajah Cheit Sing, rilled with ex- 
 preffions of flight concern for what had parted, 
 and profeflions, but indefinite and unapplied, of 
 fidelity. I did not think it becoming to make any 
 reply to it, and I think I ordered the bearer of 
 the letter to be told that it required none. 
 
 On the morning of the 21 ft, a perfon came to 
 Mr. Richard Johnfon, who was one of my party, 
 and defired his interpofition with me to receive a 
 letter and meffenger from the Rajah in the even- 
 ing, with propofals for an accommodation. The 
 like application was made by Mirza Abdoola Beg, 
 the Rajah's Vakeel, to my Dewan Contoo Bau- 
 boo, and with my permiffion Contoo Bauboo re- 
 turned to his own houfe in the evening to meet 
 the Vakeel by appointment for that purpofe, by 
 which means he miffed the opportunity of going 
 pff with me, the intelligence of my intention 
 
 I 2. reaching
 
 ( 6 ) 
 
 reaching him too late for him to join me, or his in- 
 firm ftate of body not admitting of his taking fo 
 hafiy a refolution. The fubftance of the meflage, 
 as it has been fmce delivered to me by Abdoola 
 Beg in writing, was to exculpate himfelf from any 
 concern in what had pafled, which he charged to 
 the infolent behaviour of a fervant of the Re- 
 fident, who was prefent, and the refentment of 
 his own people, and to profefs his obedience and 
 fubmiflion to my will in whatever way I Ihould 
 diclate. 
 
 I regarded this as an artifice to gain time, fince 
 the meflage, whatever were the fubftance of it,' 
 might as eafily have been delivered in the morn- 
 ing as in the evening, and the meflenger might 
 have obtained an eafy accefs to me without the in- 
 trigue and myftery of fecret and indirect appli- 
 cations. 
 
 I have been fmce confirmed in this opinion by 
 the two following anecdotes, and their exaft co- 
 incidence with the defign to which I attribute that 
 juft recited. 
 
 On the morning of the 21 ft, while prepara- 
 tions were making to crofs Capt. M'Dougal's bat- 
 talion, three men, two ftrangers, and all volun- 
 teers, went fucceffively to Col. Blair with intel- 
 ligence
 
 ( 61 ) 
 
 ligence that a deiign was formed to efcaladc the 
 ibrt of Chunar with a numerous force on that 
 night, and fin earneft caution that he mould not 
 diminifh the ftrength of his garrifon. 
 
 The intelligence and advice delivered by each were 
 expre fled nearly in the fame words. When Captain 
 M'Dougal's battalion was on the road, three men 
 ftrangers and volunteers like the former, came tp 
 him fucceflively with intelligence that a large body 
 pf armed men lay in wait to intercept him at a vil- 
 lage called Beetaburr, and warned him not to pro- 
 ceed. He proceeded, but did not meet a man. 
 Lieut. Col. Blair caufed a more than ordinary 
 watch to be kept on that night in the fort, but not 
 a man appeared to attack it. Not one of thefe 
 emiffaries has ever been feen fince. 
 
 As it had been mr original intention to make 
 but a mort ftay at Benares, the Nabob Vizier, in 
 the expectation of my vifit, had already left his 
 capital, and advanced to a Ihort drftance to meet 
 me. I confidered that his prefence would prove 
 of much fervice by its influence on our credit, 
 and his troops, rabble as they were, might ferve 
 to keep the country in awe, and to divide the at- 
 tention of the enemy. But thefe advantages 
 would invert the relation of our alliance, and give 
 
 . o 
 
 him a fuperiority in our meeting, which would 
 
 defeat
 
 defeat the purpofes of it ; befides that, I did not 
 think it coniiftent with the dignity of our govern- 
 ment to employ a foreign aid for the fuppreffion 
 of a rebellion of its own fubje&s. I therefore 
 wrote a letter to the Nabob, requefting him to 
 return to Lucknow, and remain there until I 
 fhould have leifure from the a&ual diflurbances to 
 profecute my original journey. The Nabob re- 
 fcifed to comply with this injun&ion, and on the 
 firft intimation of my difficulties refolved to join 
 me ; and he executed this purpofe with fuch ap- 
 parent earneflnefs, that he made his firft ftages 
 with no other attendance than about 100 horfe, 
 and about four companies of his body guard, with 
 his ufual domeftic attendants. As foon as I was 
 informed of this, to remove any unfavourable im- 
 preffion of my former letter under the conftruc- 
 tion of diftruft; I wrote another to the Nabob, 
 cxprefiing the warmeft fenfe of fuch a teftimony 
 of his attention, apologizing for what I had before 
 \vritten from an unwillingnefs to involve him in a 
 icene of trouble, and expreffing my defire to (CQ 
 him at Chuiaar, according to his own wilhes. 
 
 In the mean time I had received feverai inti- 
 mations imputing evil defigns to the Nabob, and 
 warning me to guard myfelf againft them, and ef- 
 peciaily to be careful that I did not expofe myfelf 
 so the effects of concealed treachery, by viiiting 
 
 him,
 
 C 63 ) 
 
 him without a ftrong guard. Many circumflance* 
 favoured this fufpicion. No fooner had the re- 
 bellion of this Zemidarry manifefted itfelf, than 
 its contagion inflantly flew to Fyzabad, and the 
 extenfive territory lying on the North of the River 
 Dewa, and known by the names of Gooruckpoor, 
 and Bareech. In the city of Fyzabad, Nawaub 
 Allea and Junaaby Allea, the mother and grand- 
 mother of the Nabob, optnly efpoufed the party 
 of Cheit Sing, encouraging and inviting people to 
 lift for his fervice, and their fervants took up arms 
 againft the Englifh. Two battalions of regular 
 fepoys in the Vizier's fervice, under the command 
 of Lieut. Col. Hannay, who had been entrufted 
 \vith the charge of that diftrift, were attacked and 
 furrounded in various places, many of them cut 
 to pieces, and Col. Hannay himfelf; encompaffed 
 by multitudes, narrowly efcaped the fame fate. 
 The Nabob Vizier was charged with being privy 
 to the intrigues which had produced and foment- 
 ed thefe diflurbances; and the little account that 
 he feemed to make of them ferved to countenance 
 the fufpicion. I can truly fay for myfelf, that 1 
 never afforded it the flighteft degree of credit: 
 neither his character, the tenor of his pad con- 
 duit, the expectations which I knew he enter- 
 tained of afiiftance and relief from myfelf, nor 
 his inability to fupport himfelf without the pro- 
 teclion of our government, allowing me for a
 
 ( 64 ) 
 
 moment to entertain a thought fo injurious to his 
 fidelity, and fo contrary to probability ; yet I was 
 not pcrfe&ly free from apprehenfions fimilar to 
 fuch a fuggeftion. T*he Nabob was furrounded 
 by men bafe in their characters, and improvident 
 in their understandings, his favourites and the 
 companions of his loofer houts. Thefe had every 
 caufe to dread the effect of my influence on theirs ; 
 and both thefe, and the relations of the family, 
 whofe views of confequence and power were in- 
 tercepted by our participation in the admini- 
 flration of his affairs, entertained a mortal hatred 
 to our nation, and openly avowed it. Thefe all 
 joined in prefcribing the mofl; pernicious and fatal 
 counfels to the Nabob, reprefenting this 'as the 
 time to deliver himfelf from what they defcribed 
 as the yoke of fervitude. Although he firmly re- 
 jected all their perfuafions, and I was allured of 
 it, yet he himfelf was at their mercy, and it was 
 in their power to ufe both his authority and his 
 perfon for the perpetration of their own defigns ; 
 nor could I ufe any precaution to avoid them, 
 which would not appear to proceed from a diftruft 
 of the Nabob himfelf. I never communicated 
 jny apprehenfions, nor acted from them, and had 
 the fatisfaction of receiving the Nabob, of main- 
 taining an intercourfe with him, with every mark 
 of the mofl focure and mutual confidence ; and of 
 
 parting
 
 ( 65 ) 
 
 parting with him with every demonftratipn of 
 inutual fatisfa&ion. 
 
 J had before written to Col. Morgan for affifl- 
 ance. I now repeated the order; and as the 
 iffue of a war, begun with fuch difadvantages on 
 our fide, and with the total lofs of the country, 
 was doubtful, I added an order to follow with his 
 whole force, with another to Col. Sir John Cum- 
 rning who commanded at Futtehgur, to fupply his 
 place at Cawnpoor. I conlidered that if we were 
 fuccefsful with a lefs exertion, it would be eafy 
 Jo countermand thefe orders before the troops 
 could have advanced far in the execution of them ; 
 but if we failed of fuccefs, and fuch orders were 
 not fent, it might be too late to iflfue them with 
 any hope of effect from them, or even of their 
 being received ; fince the communication, which 
 was now very difficult and uncertain, might then 
 be abfolutely precluded. None of my letters 
 reached Col. Morgan till he had taken his refo- 
 lution.' Reports were conveyed to him of my 
 fituation and paft mifadventures. The fudden 
 failure of intelligence convinced him of the truth 
 of what he heard; and juflly concluding that 
 orders had been fent which had been flopped in 
 their way to him, he at once refolved to execute 
 their fuppofed and obvious purport, and detached 
 a force fuperior to that which I had required to
 
 my affiftance. It confifted of two regiments of 
 feppys, thirty European artillery men, and two 
 companies of the European regiments, with four 
 fix pounders, one howitz, tumbrils, ammunition, 
 draft and carriage cattle. For the greater expe- 
 dition, he ordered this detachment to proceed by 
 \vater. The zeal of the officers, fo well feconded 
 that of their commander, that although it ap- 
 p'ears that the Refolution was taken on the 29th, 
 the whole were embarked, and in movement, 
 on the 3 ifl of the month. Major Crabbs com- 
 manded the detachment. 
 
 A long interval of time, which acquired its 
 full meafure, from the magnitude of the events 
 which were expefted to grow out of it, and their 
 uncertain production, paffed in total ignorance of 
 the fuccefs of the various orders which had been, 
 difpatched, and of the fuccours which might be 
 preparing for us. One-half of the province of 
 Owd, was in a ftate of as complete rebellion as 
 that of Benares. Hutteh Shaw had invaded Sircar 
 Sarun, in our own province, of Bahar, fupported 
 by fupplies of money, and encouraged with pro- 
 iTiifes of more from Cheit Sing : Many of the 
 Zemindars of Bahar, had difcovered fymptoms of 
 difarFec"lion ; and reports were made to me of 
 levies of men openly entertained for the enerny 3 
 fr o'm our fubjefts in that province. Even 
 
 the
 
 ( 67 j 
 
 ihe v/retched fubje&s of Napal, dared to feize; 
 by force, forhe villages, to which they had a 
 claim, and had fometime before fupplicated the 
 attention of our government towards it. In my 
 impatience for advices, I dreaded that every 
 packet would bring a frem accumulation to our 
 diftrefles, and the news of commotion in every 
 quarter. At this period, a letter found its way 
 to me from Colonel Muir, who commanded the 
 army employed againft Madajee Sindia, inform- 
 ing me of overtures made by that chief for & 
 feparate peace. This had been one of the ob- 
 jects of my journey to this quarter ; but eagerly 
 as I had fought fuch an event, I was proportion- 
 ably mortified to learn with what facility it might 
 have ben accornpliflied, and how unfeafonably 
 our domeftic misfortunes had happened to defeat 
 fo fair a profpet of it. I had no money or Cre- 
 dit, equal to the fiipply of 3000 rupees; and by 
 Jin unfortunate train of official perplexities, which 
 had happened feme time preceding this, both 
 Major Popham's regiment, the Rangers, and all 
 ihe corps of the garrifoii of Chunar, were four 
 months in arrears. This was our fituatibn. 
 
 What force could be fpared from the garrifon, 
 bf Chunar, added to Major Popham's regiment, 
 was formed into a detachment under his com- 
 mand, and encamped on a plain about a mile to 
 K 2 the
 
 ( 68 ) 
 
 the eaftward of Chunar. The greateft ftrengtft 
 of the enemy was colle&ed at Pateeta, about 
 feven miles from Chunar, in the fame direction. 
 
 On the 27lh of Auguft, Lieutenant Polhill 
 arrived with fix companies of fepoys belonging 
 to the Nabob Vizer's body guard, ftationed at 
 Allahabad. He was ordered to encamp on the 
 oppofite bank of the river, for the purpofe of 
 keeping our communication open with the fhore. 
 On the 2 gth, he attacked and defeated a con- 
 fiderable body of troops, under the command of 
 a principal chief, named Shaub Cawn, who was 
 flationed at a fmall fort and town, called Seeker, 
 within fight of Chunar. The advantages gained 
 by this fucceis were the removal of that part of 
 enemy, and the acquifition of a confiderable 
 booty in grain, which had been the object of tho 
 enterprize* 
 
 On the gd of September, Major Popliarri de- 
 tached Captain Blair, with his battalion, and 
 two companies of his own grenadiers, to furprize 
 the camp at Pateeta. They marched at three in 
 the morning, and arrived at the ground by day- 
 light, but found it abandoned, and the enemy 
 waiting for them in complete order, at about a 
 mile beyond it. A bloody action enfued, in 
 which the enemy, as might be expected from 
 
 men
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 men flufhed with recent fuccefles, fought with a 
 defperate intrepidity. Our fepoys began tof 
 break into difordef , when by a well-timed and 
 fuccefsful attack of the enemy's guns by th 
 two companies of grenadiers, headed by Lieu- 
 tenants Fallon and Birrell, the fortune of the 
 day turned in our favour, and the field was left 
 in our pofTeffion, with four guns and four tum- 
 brils. One of the guns, its carriage being 
 broken, was (piked and left. The other three, 
 with one of the tumbrils, loaded with as much 
 ammunition as it could carty, were brought 
 away. The other three tumbrils, with tw< 
 hundred maunds of loofe powder, were blown 
 up. About 1500 round mot of different weight, 
 and moftly hammered, were found, and left in a. 
 Village adjacent. 
 
 Our lofs in the action, was very great : We 
 had 48 men killed, and 85 wounded. That of 
 the enemy was unknown, but mull have been 
 confiderable. Their guns were well ferved, and 
 it was from their execution that we principally 
 fufFered. It was remarkable that they had all 
 the apparatus of our artillery, fuch as port 
 fifes, tubes, chain and quilted grape fliot, -&c. 
 equal, or nearly equal, to the production of an 
 European laboratory. Samples of each kind 
 will be fent to the Board. Their artillery did 
 
 not
 
 ( 7 > 
 
 hot anfwer to the quality of the (lores. Ooe 
 gun was of modern call, and with its carriage, 
 which was not bad, faid to have been made at 
 Ramnngur. The others were of a very old caft 
 and conflrutlion, and their carriages bad and 
 much worn. This was the general character of 
 all the ordnance taken in the coarfe of the 
 war. 
 
 Dearly as this viclory was purchafed, with the 
 (expenditure of one-fourth of the party, it was 
 yet a victory, afcertained and acknowledged,, 
 and had its due effecl of imprefling the enemy 
 with difcouragement, and our own men with 
 confidence ; and it was an carried of our future 
 fuccefs in the public opinion, which is, at all 
 times, of high importance to our political influ- 
 ence, and was efpecially fo at this, in which the 
 minds of all men were fufpended, for the de- 
 cifioh of the part which they were to take, 
 either in the immediate conteft, or in their own 
 condudt as dependent on it. 
 
 I muft not omit in this place, an inPiarice of 
 vengeance which marks the fanguinary character 
 of Cheit Sing, and too ftrongly proves, that if 
 the other exceffes committed by his people, 
 were not authorized by his exprefs order, they 
 
 were
 
 . 
 
 were perpetrated under the influence of his ex- 
 ample, and the knowledge of his inclination. 
 
 Fourteen men of the corps of Rangers, had 
 been left fick at Mirzapoor, when the remainder 
 of Major Popham's detachment marched under 
 the command of Captain Mayaffre to Ramna- 
 gur. They were made prifoners and fent to 
 Lutteefpoor. They arrived there on the $d of 
 September, about the fame time that news was 
 received of Captain Blair's aflion at Pateeta, 
 which happened on that morning. What pro- 
 vocation they gave, or whether any, is not 
 Jmown. It is fiirmifed, but I know not the au- 
 thority, that one of thefe unhappy men expref- 
 fed a joy on hearing that our arms had been fuc r 
 cefsful. They were all butchered on the fpot, 
 and almoft in the immediate prefence of the 
 Rajah, except one man, who made a fhift to 
 crawl with a mangled body to the neighbouring 
 woods, where he fubfifted for a few days ; re- 
 turned to the fort, received mercy, and is ftill 
 living and in our camp. The particulars of 
 this maffacre have been lince verified with fome 
 uneflential variations from my relation of it, in; 
 an affidavit of the furvivor, which will be an?
 
 ( 7? ) 
 
 On the loth of September, at about feven iij 
 the morning, Major Crabb's detachment appear- 
 ed on the oppofite (hore. It confided of the 
 corps already relatec}. It had proceeded as far as 
 lilahabad by water, but been much retarded in 
 its courfe by ftrong and adverfe winds ; on which 
 account, the courfe of the river alfo winding 
 very much between lilahabad and Chunar, Ma- 
 jor Crabb had prudently difembarked the men 
 and ftores, and marched them by the high road, 
 remanding the boats to Cawnpoor, whither, in- 
 deed, their return would have been imprali r 
 cable, had they pafled the boundary- of this 
 Ze,midarry. 
 
 Major Roberts, with his regiment, and a laclc 
 pf rupees in filver, arrived on the 13th of Sep- 
 tember from Lucknow, to which place, as I 
 have before related, he had been ordered to re- 
 pair for the guard of my perfon, in my intended 
 viflt to that capital. A further fupply of fifty 
 thoufand rupees was a few days after received 
 
 fvom the Nabob's Aumil of lilahabad. 
 
 ; ' 
 
 The money was immediately diftiibuted among 
 all the troops in equal proportions ; and by fatis- 
 fying their wants, facilitated Major Popham's 
 preparatives for the commencement of active 
 operations. 
 
 I have
 
 ( 73 ) 
 
 I have a pleafure in teftifying that, diftrefted at 
 the fepoys had been for the want of money, 
 they had never manifefted the leaft fymptom of 
 difcontent. I had frequent!/ vifited the camp, 
 and pa{Ted the lines each time in review. Once, 
 and only once, I heard one or two voices of 
 complaint, but neither clamorous nor difref- 
 peclful. 
 
 On the nth, the Nabob Vizier arrived at hii 
 encampment, which had been formed on the op- 
 pofite fliore. I chofe to make him the firft vifit, 
 which was performed on the fame morning, and 
 was returned by him on the next. 
 
 Hyder Beg, the Nabob's fecond Minifter, ar- 
 rived at the fame time. He had been deputed 
 early to meet me at Benares, and had arrived 
 there about two days after my departure from it. 
 Jnftead of following me to Chunar, he had fuf- 
 fered himfelf to be detained by Lalla Bucherauge, 
 the Shroff, who had promifed to accompany him 
 with a fupply of money. In the mean time, at 
 fudden and great fwell of the river rendered the 
 Burna Nulla, behind which he was encamped, 
 impaffable. The Rajah's people, at the fame 
 time, carried away all the boats; and after a 
 long and fruitlefs negotiation with them for an un- 
 molefted paflage, which he did not think it pru 
 dent to attempt at the hazard of an oppoGtion, he 
 
 L at
 
 ( 74 ) 
 
 at length did attempt it, and met none. His 
 indecifion on this occafion, furnimed ground for 
 various fuppofitions ; but I knew, and had af- 
 furances from a pefon in my fuite, who had taken 
 refuge with him and acquired his confidence, and 
 on whofe authority I could implicitly rely, that 
 they were wholly devoid of foundation. I had 
 a pleating and incontrovertible evidence of his 
 fidelity, foon after the conclufion of our troubles, 
 in a letter which Captain Blair picked up at 
 Luttsefpoor, and which I fhall add to the appen- 
 dix ; not merely as a juftification of that Minif- 
 ter, but as a relief to the dry and unentertaining 
 materials with which it is aflbciated, if it {hall 
 convey the fame opinion of the good fenfe of the 
 writer to other minds, as it has .done to mine. 
 
 On the 1 5th, Lieutenant Polhil eroded and 
 joined Major Popham's camp. The whole de- 
 tachment now confilted of the following ftrength, 
 viz. 
 
 1 company of European grenadiers, commanded by Captain 
 
 Grant. 
 
 I ditto ditto light infantry ditto Capt. Harrifon. 
 
 I ditto French Rangers ditto Lieut. Wade. 
 
 30 European artillery men ditto Capt. Hill. 
 
 I regiment of fepoys the yth ditto Major Crabb. 
 
 I ditto - - - - i pth ditto Major Balfour. 
 
 l ditto - 30th ditto Major Roberts. 
 
 I ditto - 35th ditto Major Popham. 
 
 j battalion, the iftof the 6th regiment ditto Captain Blair. 
 6 companies of the Nabob's bodyguards ditto Lieut, Polhill 
 
 The
 
 -..' < H ) 
 
 The following is a catalogue of Chelt Singfs 
 whole force, which has been iince delivered to me 
 by one of his principal officers ; and as it made a 
 part of the affidavit, I admit it and credit it as 
 genuine. It is certainly not exageratecl. 
 
 LIST of the eftablifhed forces in the fervice of Cheit Sing^ 
 Cavalry, Sepoys, Matchlock men, &c. &c. 
 
 Cavalry - 1700 
 
 Seleft troops or body guards, horfe and foot 700 
 
 Sepoys 1150 
 
 Matchlock men 1800 
 
 Attached to Bullum Dafs, horfe 300, foot 500 800 
 With Shujan Sing, cavalry and infantry, 500 
 
 with two guns, Sepoys and artillery men, 340 840 
 
 With Munnear Sing, cavalry and infantry 700 
 
 Total eftablimed troops - 7690 
 
 Troops entertained after the arrival of Cheit 
 
 Sing, at Luteefpore 
 Firft, entertained at Luteefpore, Matchlock and 
 
 Sword men 2606 
 Second, Nujjeeb Sword men, from Lucknow 1000 
 
 Total 
 
 Troops afTembled from different places,- horfe 
 
 and foot, with Jugger Deave Sing 500 
 Matchlock men arrived with Bukht Sing, by or- 
 
 der, from tlie Rajah 1200 
 
 With Gomaun Sing, fent for by the Rajah', 
 
 Matchlock men 500 
 
 From the Fowjdar of Biddevi arrived, Match- 
 
 lock meh * idoo 
 
 Raje Foots, of the tribe of Rugbunfe, from 
 
 Kurraukut 3000 
 
 L 2 Arrived
 
 Arrived with Dullun Sing, Foujdar ofMuku- 
 
 run, Badfhahpoor Matchlocks 150(3 
 Cavalry andinfantry,[arrived with Ruzza Cooli 
 
 Khan from Mirzapoor 300 
 
 Rajepoots collected from Agorec and Purwah, 
 
 by Dia Lutchoo 500 
 
 Of the tribe or cau of Kammaur, collected by 
 
 Shujan Sing icoo 
 
 Sword and Matchlock men with Ramjeewa\vm 2000 
 
 Total troops in the fervice of Cheit Sing 2219^ 
 
 To which are to be added hufbandmen and 
 adventurers, who took up arms voluntarily, 
 making the foregoing number amount to near 
 forty thoufand. 
 
 Thefe forces were divided between Lutteef- 
 poor, Pateetah, and Ramnagur. The beft re- 
 puted of them were at Pateetah, and the great 
 Mafs compofmg the laft corps, with a part of the 
 others, at Lutteefpoor with the Rajah, who had 
 fixed his refidence at that place fince his flight 
 from She wallah Gaut. 
 
 Before I proceed, it may not be improper ttf 
 Hate the refource on which he, not very unreafon- 
 ably, depended for lengthening the war, if not 
 for fuccefs in the courfe of it. 
 
 Firfl, his fortrefles; of which there are many, 
 and fome of confiderable extent and ftrength, 
 creeled in various parts of the Zemidarry. Of 
 
 thefe
 
 t 77 ) 
 
 thefe the two principal are Bidjeygur and Luteef- 
 poor. Ramnagur fcarcely deferves to be named 
 with them, and Pateetah has been rendered con- 
 fiderable, only by its having heen a capital 
 (cene of oppofition and of our victories. 
 
 Bidjeygur is a fort ere&ed on the folid rock* 
 of a hill riling to the height of 745 perpendicu- 
 lar feet from the level ground. It lies about 
 fifty miles in a fouth-eaft dire&ion from Chunar. 
 It was the depofitory of all his and his father's 
 treafures. 
 
 Luteefpoor is a large fort built with Hone, 
 and furrounded by hills, and either from neglect 
 or defign, obftrutied from diftant view by trees 
 and thick fhrubs furrounding it. It lies about 14 
 miles eaftward from Chunar. 
 
 Pateetah is a very large town, furrounded by 
 a rampart of earth, extending to a great diftance 
 beyoad it to the bills adjoining. The fort itfelf 
 is a fmall fquare houfe of ftone, itfelf fortified 
 with four round towers, and enclofed with a high 
 rampart, and a ditch, which is in moft parts 
 broad and deep. Its greateil advantage againft 
 an enemy, to whom ^elay was defeat, was, that 
 it was invifible to its affiailants, 
 
 Ramnagur has been defcribed already. The 
 other forts, whatever their confequence under * 
 
 different
 
 different train of fuccefles might have been, a'rf? 
 Of none to the events of this narrative* 
 
 His next great refource was his wealth, on 
 which he looked, and thought himfclf invincible, 
 an expreffion which I borrow from one of the 
 meanneft of his dependants. It is credibly af- 
 firmed, that he inherited from his father, Bul- 
 \vant Sing, a complete crore of rupees, to which 
 it is believed that he made confiderabfe additions. 
 
 The diftrefies of our government, and ihs 
 power and number of its enemies, may alfo be 
 reckoned, though negative, yet amongft his re- 
 fources. The reft were delufory, which the falfs 
 and violent counfels of his brother, Shujan Sing, 
 and his buxey Saddanund, impofed on his inex- 
 perience, and the pliancy and aptitude of his dif- 
 pofition. 
 
 It would break the attention, and perplex the 
 thread of the narrative, to relate every diflinft 
 event in its exact order of time. I have there- 
 fore in the minuter points, endeavoured rather to 
 arrange them according to their relation to the 
 greater, or to find a place for them in the vacant 
 intervals and paufes of it. It may be proper in 
 this place to mention, that during the time of in- 
 ation, which fu'cceded to my arrival at Chunar, 
 I received feveral letters from Cheit Sing, befides- 
 
 letters
 
 ( 79 ) 
 
 letters from Mr. Barnet, and one from Confcoo 
 ,Baboo, who were both his prifoners at Luteef- 
 poor, which were written by his order. Thefe 
 were all alike in fubftance, containing acknow- 
 ledgments and profeflions of his fubmiffion to 
 my authority, affertions of his own innocence, 
 charging the maffacre of Shewallah to the Chob- 
 dar, whofe infults proyoked the refentment of his 
 fervants, whom he could not reftrain; and 
 claim a merit from his having in the three paft 
 actions been the fuffering part, though fuccefs- 
 ful, and in none the aggreffor; adding general 
 .offers of accommodation, and in the letters writ- 
 ten by his order, a pompous difplay of his inex- 
 hauftible wealth, the multitude and bravery of 
 his forces, and the devoted affection and fidelity of 
 all his fubjefts. I refufed to anfwer them, letting 
 him know that they were written with too much 
 prefumption, in the flyle of equality, and with 
 inapplicable profeflions, which were no better 
 than none. Some of thefe letters will appear in 
 the appendix. The reft were loft. 
 
 It had been intended to begin our operations 
 with the attack of Ramnagur; partly becaufe it 
 had been the fcene of our firft difgrace, and 
 principally becaufe the repofleffion of the capital, 
 which would follow the capture of Ramnagur, 
 would, it was thought, redeem our credit with 
 Jhe public, arid be deemed equivalent in the 
 
 diftant
 
 ( 8o ) 
 
 diftant reports of it, to the complete recovery of 
 our authority over the country ; as the exiftence 
 of a fugitive chief in the wilds and mountains 
 would be little regarded, when he was expelled 
 from the capital of his government, and the feat 
 of his colle6tions. For this purpofe, battering 
 cannon and mortars were ordered to Major 
 Popham's camp, and every other preparative 
 made for a fiege. This caufed the delay of fome 
 days. In the mean time, a man named Bundoo 
 Cawn, a native and inhabitant of the town of 
 Chunar, gave information that, as the Rajah's 
 force was principally collected at Lutteefpoor 
 and Pateetah, and was daily accumulating, it 
 would become exceedingly difficult to diflodge 
 him, if he was allowed to gain too great flrength, 
 there, by a procefs of detailed and conlecutive 
 operations-, that the approaches both to Patee- 
 tah and Luteefpoor were ftrongly guarded, and 
 efpecially thofe of Luteefpoor, which he defcrib- 
 ed as unaflailable, but with a great and certain 
 lofs, on this fide, the only road to it lying 
 through Pateetah -, and even if carried, untenable 
 from the flrength of the pafs behind it, of which 
 the enemy would keep pofleffion in defiance of 
 all our efforts, and againft any fuperiority of 
 numbers. This pafs takes its name from the 
 adjacent village of Suckroot. He advifed a di- 
 vided plan of attack to be executed at the fame 
 point of time ; one on the fort' of Pateetah, the 
 
 other
 
 other on the pafs of Suckroot; of which our for* 
 ces coming on it by furprize, it being unguarded 
 and eafier of accefs from above, might eafily ob- 
 tain pofTeffion, and by that means gain the fame 
 advantage over the ganifofi of Luteefpoor, aS 
 that would have over us, if we firft took poflef- 
 fion of the fort; with the command of every 
 road of communication, if, which he did not 
 doubt, we fucceeded agaihft Patee.tah. He offer- 
 ed to conduct the party which (hould be deftined 
 on the fervice againft the pafs of Suckroot, by A 
 road unfrequented and Unknown, which he de- 
 fcribed with a minute, and, as it has fiflce ap- 
 peared, correct detail. The confidence with 
 which he fpoke, and the cdnliftency of his affer- 
 tions and reafonings upon them, acquired a great 
 additional ftrength from his former recent con- 
 duct. He had accompanied Captain Blair iri 
 both actions of RamnagUr and Pateeta, and had 
 been very ferviceable to that officer by his know- 
 ledge of the ground, and by his advice in the 1 
 application of it* His fervice on both occafions 
 had been gratuitous, nor did he profefs any mo- 
 tive for that which he now offered, but the inte* 
 reft and fafety of a large family which depended 
 ton our fuccefs. 
 
 Major Popham at bnce (aw the propriety of 
 his advice, and adopted it. The evening of the 
 
 M
 
 ( 82 ) 
 
 J5th, was appointed for the firft execution of thft 
 plan. In the mean time, it was concealed with 
 the moft profound fecrecy. As a fecuiity for 
 the fidelity and fleadinefs of Bundoo Cawn, he 
 had a promife of a jagheer in perpetuity for 
 himfelf and family, if the enterprize fucceeded. 
 This engagement has been fince amply perform- 
 ed. Major Popham formed his army into two 
 divifions, one deflined for the more diftant en- 
 terprize, and commanded by Major Crabb. It 
 confided of the 7th regiment, Major Crabb's ; 
 the ift battalion of the 6th regiment ; Lieutenant 
 Polhill's fix companies of the Nabob's body 
 guard ; four fix-pounders, and a five and half- 
 inch howitz. Thefe corps were told off, and be- 
 gan their march about eleven that night. Major 
 Popham began his march with the other divifion 
 at about three o'clock in the morning to Pa- 
 teetahi 
 
 On his arrival there he found the works milch 
 ftrongcr, and the approach more hazardous, 
 than he had expected from the defcription 
 which had been given of the place. He applied 
 for the two battering cannon and the mortars 
 which had been originally intended for the at- 
 tack of Ramnagur, and remanded on the change 
 of the plan. They were fent, but made no im- 
 preffion ; and he refolved, on the encouragement 
 
 of
 
 of a five days experience, and from the fear of a 
 delay operating againft the other part of his plan, 
 to attempt a ftorm. This was ordered and exe- 
 cuted on the morning of the 2Oth, with an in- 
 flant and compleat fuccefs. Major Roberts com- 
 manded the ftorming party. The enemy made 
 a flight ftand at the outer entrenchment, and fled 
 through the fort, our men following without 
 oppofition. A flight attack was made at this 
 time on our camp, but repelled with fome lofs 
 on the part of the enemy, and none on ours. 
 We loft during the fiege eleven men killed, be- 
 fides ten wounded. 
 
 On the fame morning, Major Crabb having 
 conducted his divifion through almoft impracti- 
 cable ways, arrived at a village called Lora, 
 which lies about two miles from the pafs. Here 
 he found a body of men with three guns pofted 
 to oppofe him. They made a firm ftand, but 
 were defeated with a confiderable lofs. Ours 
 was twelve men of every denomination killed, 
 and twenty-two wounded. The enemy fled 
 through the pafs to Lutteefpoor. Our detach- 
 ment followed to the head of the pafs, and there 
 encamped for the remainder of the day. 
 
 The news of thefe concurrent fuccefles being 
 conveyed to the Rajah, at the fame inftant of 
 
 M 2 time,
 
 time, alarmed him exceedingly for his own per* 
 fonal fafety, His fears were excited with a more 
 forcible impreflion by the furprife of the advance 
 of fo great a force from a quarter where he had 
 not expected any. With his face turned towards 
 Chunar, and his whole Attention and that of his 
 people directed to the movements which were 
 made on that fide, they had no fufpicion of any 
 defign being formed behind them. The firft in- 
 telligence which was received of Major Crabb's 
 party, defcribed it as confiding of the followers 
 of Ooflkun Sing, and only three companies of 
 our Sepoys , the Hircarrahs who conveyed the 
 news, poffibly rniftaking the advanced guard for 
 the whole force, and reporting it accordingly ; 
 nor was the real (trength of the party known, 
 even by that which was detached to oppofe it, 
 until the inftant of the action. This circumftance 
 was related at the time, and has been fince con- 
 firmed to me by an officer, named M) her, who 
 commanded a fmall body of the Rajah's fepoys, 
 and the guns iu the action. No defign could be 
 more judicioufly planned, or more happily exe- 
 cuted. -Even the impediments and diiappoint- 
 ments which attended it, ferved but to promote 
 the coincidence of the final movements of its 
 operation, with fo v. ell- timed an efFeft, that the 
 difference of time which paffed between the engage- 
 ment at Lora and ^he cpnqueft of Pateetah, was 
 
 little
 
 little more than that which would be required by 
 the difference of the diftances of each from 
 Lutteefpoor, for the news of each fuccefs to 
 reach Lutteefpoor at the fame inftant. 
 
 Cheit Sing mftantly prepared for flight. Hi s 
 road to Bidjeygur, which was his lall refuge, 
 lay through the pafs, which he durft not attempt. 
 He left Lutteefpoor about three or four in the 
 afternoon ; and making a circuit over the hills, 
 gained the high road at the diftance of fome 
 miles beyond the pafs, and proceeded with a few 
 followers to the neighbourhood of Bidjeyour. 
 Some others followed and rejoined him. The 
 reft left without orders, ftayed but to plunder 
 the place, and evacuated it. The Gawnsr Wai- 
 
 A O 
 
 lahs, or militia, compofed of the hufbandmen, 
 who had been fummoned to attend him, all fled 
 to their own homes. So rapid was the report 
 of this event in its communication, and fo de- 
 cifive in its effects, that the fort of SutteelTgur, 
 which lies about feven- or eight miles to the 
 northward of Lutteefpoor, and the palace of 
 Ramnagur, were evacuated on the fame evening; 
 and the allegiance of the whole country reftored 
 as completely in the courfe of a fexv hours 
 from a ftate of univerfal revolt, to its proper 
 channel, as if it had never departed from it. 
 
 On
 
 ( 20 ) 
 
 On the next morning, the 21 ft, Major Crabb 
 marched through the pafs to Luteefpoor, and 
 found it abandoned. 
 
 On the fame day, Major Mofes Crawford, 
 with the 28th regiment of Sepoys, arrived from 
 Dinapoor, and joined the detachment. 
 
 Major Balfqur was detached on the morning 
 of the 22d to Ramnagur, of which he took 
 quiet poJIeflion. No one remained to oppofe 
 him. 
 
 Being defirous of returning without lofs of 
 time to Benares, and the prefence of the Nabob 
 Vizier being more urgently required for the 
 quiet of his country, we parted en the 25th, 
 with every expreffion pf mutual gnd rea.1 fatis- 
 fa6lion 
 
 On the next morning I arrived at Ramnagur, 
 and on the 28th returned to my old quarters at 
 Mahdoodafs's Garden at Benares. 
 
 To quiet the minds of the people, proclama- 
 tions were, ifiiied, offering pardon to all who 
 fhpuld peaceably return to their obedience, ex- 
 cepting the peribns of Cheit Sing, and his bro- 
 ther
 
 ( 87 ) 
 
 ther Shujan Sing, whom their late rebellious con 5 - 
 duct, and their rancour manifefted to our nation 
 in the deliberate murder of our foldiers, and even 
 defencelefs paflengers, who had the misfortue to 
 fall into their hands, had precluded from every 
 title to lenity. Among the unhappy fuffercrs to 
 whom the above exception alluded, was a perfon 
 of the name of Hooker, who had -followed the 
 occupation of a dealer in European wares to our 
 camps, and had ventured to pafs in his budgerow; 
 a little after the unhappy affair of Shewallah, 
 near Ramnagur, where he was feized, and un- 
 armed as he was, and pleading the innocence of his 
 profefikm, murdered in cold blood, Shujan Sing 
 had the command at that time in Ramnagur. 
 Two foldiers alfo, of Major Crabb's detachment, 
 having wandered from the line, were taken and 
 murdered at Gopee Gunge. For this reafon that 
 town was excepted in the proclamation, and has 
 fince been deftroyed. 
 
 My firft care, after my return to Benares, 
 to determine the fucceffion to the Zemidarry and 
 Rauge, vacated by the forfeiture of Cheit Sing. 
 The right of the Company to the difpofal of it 
 certainly had not fuffered by the paft events. The 
 territory had been wholly loft to their dominion, 
 and wholly conquered by their arms : yet the reft
 
 ( 88 ) 
 
 of the family, who formerly pofTefTed it, had not 
 merited by any aft of theirs, to be involved in the 
 punifhment of a man who had been equally their 
 enemy, and whom they had regarded as the 
 ufurper of their more legal rights ; nor perhaps, 
 would it have been prudent to have put the fub- 
 miflion of the people to the teft of a new fpecies 
 of dominion. I therefore refolved, in viriue of 
 the full powers which I poflfeffed from the Board 
 for that purpofe, to beftow it on the next lineal 
 heir. This was Bauboo Mehipnarain. He was 
 the grandfon of Rajah Buhvunt Sing, by a 
 daughter married to Bauboo Doorgbijey Sing. 
 The widow of Bulwunt Sing, named Ranny Goo- 
 laub Koower, was flill living and in an extreme 
 old age. By the Hindoo law the might claim the 
 inheritance. Her daughter alfo, the wife of 
 Doorgbijey Sing, might aflert the like pretenfion. 
 Had it become a matter of conteft, I had refolved 
 to leave it to the decifion of the whole body of 
 the Pundits of Benares ; but this reference was 
 unneceflary. Doorgbijey Sing yielded up the pre- 
 tenfion of his wife, and the old Ranny her own, 
 by a writing fealed with her nnrne, and acknow- 
 ledged in the prefence of a confidential perfoti 
 whom I deputed to her for that purpofe, declar- 
 ing it to be her wiih and requefr, that the Rauje 
 might be conferred en her grandfon, Mehipnarain. 
 He was accordingly inverted and proclaimed on 
 
 the
 
 the 30th of September. His father, Bauboo 
 Doorgbijey Sing, was at the fame time inverted 
 with the office of Naib, and is in effe& the folc 
 a&ing manager. He is about thirty-five years of 
 age, his fon nineteen, 
 
 I have thought it proper to eftablifh a diftincT: 
 and independent magiftracy for the town of 
 Benares. Alice Ibrahim Cawn, the perfon chofen 
 for this charge, was duly in vetted with it on 
 the 2pth of October. 
 
 On the 5th of November I concluded the fet- 
 tlement of the revenue which was to be paid by 
 Rajah Mehipnarain, being 33,33*33358 for 
 the current year, and a perpetual rent of 
 40,00,000 rupees for the future. 
 
 It has been already mentioned, that foon after 
 my flight to Chunar, Colonel Muir advifed me 
 of overtures made by Mahdajee Sindia for a 
 feparate peace. I fent to Colonel Muir creden- 
 tials and inftruftions ; and on the 13th of Octo- 
 ber a treaty was concluded with Mahdajee Sin- 
 dia. To confirm and improve the advantages 
 obtained by it, I deputed Mr. Anderfon to Mah- 
 dajee Sindia, and at the fame time fent Mr. 
 Chapman, with Bifiumber Pundit on a fimilar 
 commiffion to Moodajee Boofla, the Rajah of 
 Berar. 
 
 N On
 
 ( 90 ) 
 
 On the 8th of October, Major Naylor, with 
 the 23d regiment, having been detached to the 
 relief of Lieutenant-colonel tjannay, arrived on 
 the northern banks of the Dewar, defeated a 
 large force which had aflembled round Colonel 
 Hannay, and entirely difperfed them. The re- 
 turn of the Nabob foon after effectually reftored 
 the quiet of the country. 
 
 About the fame time a regiment of fepoys, under 
 the command of Major Lucas, defeated and drove 
 Futty Shaw from the diftrift pf Sircar Saurun: 
 
 After having gained poffeffion of Lutteefpoor, 
 Major Popham loft po time in profecuting his 
 march to Bidjeygwe. Cheit Sing did not wait 
 his approach, but fled, taking with him as much 
 treafure as his elephants and camels could carry, 
 which has been reported to me to have confined 
 of one lac}c of mohrs, and fifteen or fixteen of 
 filver, befides jewels to an unknown amount. 
 His wife, a woman of an amiable character, his 
 *npther. Fauna, and all the other women of his 
 family, and the furvjvors of the family of his 
 father Bulwunt Sing, who were connected with 
 his, were left in the fort of Bidjeygur. He took 
 the route of Rewa, and from thence proceeded 
 to Panna, the capital of Boondelcund, paying 
 and plundered as he pafied. He was by the lalt 
 Advices in that country, the Rajah prof effing in 
 
 jiis
 
 ( 9' ) 
 
 jiis letters to me a refolution to withdraw his pro- 
 tection from him, and fecretly favouring him. 
 
 The fortrefs of Bidjeygur, furrendered by capi- 
 tulation on the icth of November, yielding to 
 Major Popham the peculiar credit of having fur- 
 mounted all the obftacles which nature and art 
 has oppofed to the conqueft of two of the. for- 
 trefles of Hindoftan, which had been before uni- 
 verfally deemed impregnable* 
 
 I have now brought my narrative to its proper 
 conclufion, at that point in which all the move- 
 ments which form the fubject of it, and all their 
 objefts appear to have attained their full and 
 Complete termination. I regret the length to 
 which it has been drawn, and fear that it will 
 appear unreafonable to thofe who may confider it 
 a point of duty to give it a thorough perufal and 
 who will fcarce fail to reflect, that it contains in 
 effect the hiftory of but one month. To myfelf 
 the reflection affords a different fenfation when 
 applied to the multitude of events, and their 
 magnitude comprized within fo fhort an interval 
 of my public life. I have aimed at brevity, both 
 in the felection of facts and in the narration of 
 them ; having omitted every circumftance which, 
 though engaging a portion of my attention at the 
 time, had no connection with the general train of 
 events, or influence on the character by which 
 N 2 they
 
 ( 92 ) 
 
 they are difcriminated from the ordinary courfe 
 of affairs. For the fatisfaction of fuch as fhall 
 have more patience or leifure to look into them, 
 I have added as an appendix, copies of all the 
 material papers which have a relation to the nar- 
 rative, but which would have encreafed the bulk 
 of it, and difturbed the attention, if inferted in 
 the body of it. 
 
 I have alfo added attestations of all the prin- 
 cipal fafts and events, fworn before the Chief 
 Juftice, to whofe advice I am obliged for having 
 fuggefted it. It did not ftrike my mind that mat- 
 ters of fuch notoriety here would require fomc 
 more authentic verification of them at home than 
 the recital of the man, whofe reputation is fo im- 
 mediately concerned as mine is, in the judgment 
 which my fuperiors, and which the public at large 
 will have a right to form upon it. I am fenfible 
 of the wifdom of the precaution, and forry that it 
 was not earlier intimated, that I might have had 
 time to have collected a larger fund of evidence, 
 although I have reafon to be fatisfied with the 
 weight of that which I have obtained. Let it be 
 alfo remembered, that this relation itfelf has been 
 written under the force of an obligation, as bind- 
 ing as that of an oath adminiftered and taken in 
 all its legal forms.
 
 ( 93 ) 
 
 Whatever judgment may be palled on my par- 
 ticular conduct, I am yet happy that it has prov- 
 ed the means of calling forth the inherent virtue 
 of my countrymen, and difplaying to all the 
 powers arid people of India both the national cha- 
 racter and the national conftitution, by fuch effects 
 as have been unrecorded in their hiftories, and 
 are fcarce conceivable by their habit of thinking. 
 
 The fuddennefs of our calamities, the diftance 
 of afliftance, the privation of every prefent re- 
 fource ; the manifeft intereft which animated and 
 impelled every corps and every individual to the 
 fupport of the common caufe ; and the rapidity 
 with which they mfhed to repel the common 
 danger, are facts of univerfal obfervation ; and 
 will contribute more effectually to the permanency 
 of the Britifh influence and dominion, than the 
 moft fplendid victories obtained over adverfawes 
 of the higheft reputation; becaufe it (hews the 
 harmony which unites all the parts of our govern- 
 ment, and their augmented ftrength under <he 
 comprcffion of external violence; and will be re- 
 membered as a moft finking example, which 
 every man concerned in its operations will apply 
 to his own interefls and feelings ; that its greatefy 
 and moft fuccel^ful exertions have arifen out of 
 the moft defperate emergencies, and have fallen 
 in every fuch inftance with the moft dreadful ven- 
 geance on the heads of its aggrefibrs. ; 
 
 For
 
 ( 94 ) 
 
 For the fenfe which I have entertained of the 
 particular conduft of the officers who have diftin- 
 guiihed thefhfelves in the late fervice, I cannoi 
 exprefs myfclf in ftronger terms that thole of the 
 following extract of my letter to the Board, dated 
 the 29th of September, and copy of one dated 
 the 7th of O6lobei\ 
 
 Extract of a letter, from the Governor-general t 
 the Board, dated 2 gth September, 1781. 
 
 " I have forborne any particular comments 
 " m this place, refciving them, where they 
 " will be more properly introduced, for my 
 " detailed narrative. Yet I cannot fupprefs 
 *' without a violence to my own feelings the 
 " teflimony which is due, efpecially from me, 
 <f tb the unexampled zeal and public fpirit of all 
 " our ofBcers, and the wonderful activity with 
 *' which thefe qualities were difplayed on the 
 " late occafion. I have already acknowledged 
 " the early exertions which were made by Colonel 
 " Blair, during my former fhort and . calami - 
 ' c ous refidence at Benares- Of Major Popham 
 I cannot fay fufficient. to exprefs my fenfe of 
 ' his fervices. Though my letters were every 
 * xvhere intercepted, Colonel Morgan, with a 
 decifion and folicitude that reflecl equal credit 
 ' upon his character, detached Major Crabb, 
 "with his party, to my affi fiance on the firff 
 
 " and
 
 ( 95 ) 
 
 tc and inflant rumour of my fituation. Colonel 
 " Sir John Gumming, with the like alacrity, 
 ** obeyed the orders for his march to Cawnpoor ; 
 " as did Lieutenant Colonel Ahmuty, in theim- 
 *' mediate difpatch of Major Crawford, and the 
 " troops of cavalry. The fame fpirit animated 
 " every officer of every corps, and infilled itfelf 
 " into the men under their command with an ef- 
 " fe6l fo far exceeding the common occurrences 
 " of human affairs, that in the complete fpace 
 " of one month, this great and valuable Province, 
 *' which had been fuddenly and wholly loft, was 
 
 " in fubftance wholly recovered to the Britifh 
 
 ' 
 *' empire. 
 
 " I am, &c." 
 
 Copy of a letter from the Governor-General to 
 the Board, dated the yth of October. 
 
 " I have had frequent occafion to exprefs, in 
 ; '^public orders, the higheft approbation of the 
 * *'<* zeal, fpirit, and good conduft exerted by all the 
 " officers and troops in all the late operations for 
 " reducing the rebellious Zemidarry to obedience. 
 * k Several of the officers 'have merited and receiv- 
 f* ed particular thanks by name, and it would 
 ee give me the greateft fatisfaftion to diftinguifh 
 (e and reward each individual in proportion to his 
 " ftation and fervices: But as no government is 
 *- c poilefljbd of the means of fuch diffufive re- 
 
 " compence,
 
 ( 96 ) 
 
 ** compence, it mult be unavoidably confined to 
 ct thofe whofe elevated rank, or peculiar fitua- 
 " tion, affords them opportunities of laying ira- 
 * l mediate claim to the more honorary or bene- 
 ** ficial teftimonies of public gratitude. But 
 " fuch teftimonies, whilft they are in pofleffion 
 " of perfons of fuperior rank, give hopes to, 
 " and excite the emulation of thofe alfo who are 
 ** in the inferior ; and thus, by well-timed and 
 " judicious rewards, the profperity of the flate 
 ** and the intprefts of its fervants are united. 
 
 I 
 
 te It is on this principle that I requeft permif- 
 4i {ion to folicit the confideration of the Board, 
 *' for an honourable recom pence to the two ofli- 
 " cers who have been firft in rank, and moft 
 " confpicuous in fervices, during the commo- 
 ct tions in this diftricl;. 
 
 " Lieutenant-Colonel Blair, who commanded 
 " at Chunargur, from the day of the fatal cata- 
 " ftrophe in this town, manifefted a generous 
 " zeal for the public interefls, and for my fafeiy, 
 " above all confidera tions for his own. Every 
 " requifition which I made to him was inflanfly 
 " complied with, and he fent me a reinforcement 
 '" of a battalion of Sepoys, at a time when he 
 " had the ftrongefl grounds to believe, that an 
 !t attack would be made on his own garrifpn, 
 if tvhich it was incapable of iudaining. 
 
 "It
 
 ( 97 ) 
 
 '* It is perhaps fcarce lefis meritoriotte in Cola-* 
 *' nel Blair to have not only fubmitted without 
 " repining to the preference of any inferior ofrl- 
 " cer to a command of fuch importance within 
 " the limits of his own, but to have affifted and 
 " co-operated with that officer with as much ala- 
 " cirity, as if the fuccefs was to have redounded 
 " to his own honour* 
 
 " This is riot the firft occafion on which the 
 *' attention of the Board has been called to the 
 " diftinguifhed merit and fervices of Major Pop- 
 " ham. They have been again moft happily ex- 
 " erted in his prefent command for the fafety 
 " and interefts of the company in a very perilous 
 " lituation. I have been in a manner eye wit- 
 " nefs of them. I wifh to exprefs and to fhew 
 " my fenfe of them, but I want language for 
 " the firft, and means for the latter. 
 
 u As from the knowledge which I have of the 
 " characters of Lieutenant-Colonel Blair and 
 " Major Popham, I am certain that the moft 
 *' honourable reward will be to them the moft 
 " acceptable one. I beg leave to propofe, that 
 " they be promoted by Brevet to the rank 1m- 
 " mediately above that which they at prefent re- 
 u fpeflively hold ; that is, Lieutenant-Colonel 
 *[ Blair to the rank of Colonel, and Major Pop- 
 O " ham
 
 ( $8 ) 
 
 " ham to the rank of Lieutenant-Colond 
 " This preferment, wh'lft it is an honourable 
 <l diftinction to thefe officers, cannot be deemed 
 " an injury to their feniors ; as their promotion 
 " will not be thereby retarded: They may be al- 
 ** ways employed on feparate fervices, and their 
 " rank xvill not affected when they rife in the re- 
 tf gular courfe of fucceffion. 
 
 * e The Company owe fo much to the emrnenfi 
 * c fervices -of Major Popham, that I may think it 
 *' incumbent upon me at a future period, to re- 
 <c commend him to their further confederation. 
 <c Whilft I beftoivr the juft tribute of praife due 
 "to thofe.. officers who acted upon the fpot, I 
 *' fhould be guilty of. an unpardonable negleci 
 *' and even injuftice, if I omitted to exprcfs my 
 " fenfe of equal approbation of the conduct of 
 ** Others more remote. 
 
 " Colonel Morgan on tl;c flrlt intelligencf* 
 * l which reached him of my fituation, and with- 
 * l out waiting for official information or authority, 
 * 6 in the true fpirit of an able and zealous officer, 
 <c detached a very coniiderable portion of his 
 c< brigade, and all the fupplies of provifions 
 *' which he could procure. 
 
 " Sir
 
 " Sir John Cumming likewife moved with the 
 * utmoft diligence and alacrity on receiving an 
 ** order to occupy the flation of Cawnpoor, in 
 ' the room of the fecond brigade. He marched 
 ** with his whole force in fifteen hours after re- 
 " ceiving the orders, and reached Cawnpoor in 
 ft four days, himfelf, officers, and troops, cheat* 
 *' fully making their utmofl efforts in the common 
 " caufe, 
 
 <c Such have been the fpirited and judicious 
 *' exertions of our officers and troops in fupport 
 * c of the Company's moft valuable rights and 
 .'* poflfeffions, of the dignity of their government, 
 *' and of the honour and fafety of their chief 
 " magiftrate ; a conduct: which manifefts the 
 ** flrongeft attachment and affection on their parts, 
 *' and implies an obfezvance of juftice and regard 
 ^ c to the profperity and happinefs of thofe who 
 *' are placed under our authority, on ours; 
 * 6 Thefe are circumftances which will always af- 
 t( ford me the moft pleafing reflections, notwith- 
 " ftanding the calamities which have produced 
 f c them. 
 
 " I have the honour to be,&c. 
 (Signed) " WAR REN HASTINGS,* 
 
 Chunar, \Ji * December, 17.81. 
 
 Q i TRANS-
 
 T R A N S L A T I O N of the Sunnud granted 
 to Rajah Cheit Sing, for the Zemidarry of 
 Gauzipore, Benares, &c. 
 
 Be it known to the Mutfedies in office, prefent 
 and to come, Cannoongoes Muchudums, Ryatts, 
 cultivators, to all the inhabitants and people refi- 
 dent and belonging to Sircar Benares, Gazypore, 
 and Chundara, in the foubah of Illahabad, That 
 wheareas by virtue of a treaty with the Nabob 
 Affoph ul Dowlah, concluded on the 2Oth Rubby 
 ul Owal, 1189, Hegeree, or 2ift May, i/75> 
 the Government and Sovereignty of the Sircars 
 abovementioned, has been ceded to the Honourable 
 Eaft-india Company, from the 4th of Jummacldy 
 ul Owal 1189 Hejeree, or 4th July, 1775, the 
 faid Eaft-india Company therefore, in virtue of 
 the rights thereby obtained, do confirm unto 
 Rajah Cheit Sing, the Zemidarry, Aumeeny, and 
 Poujedarry of the faid Sircars agreeably to the 
 Zemmell, together with the Cutwallus of Juanpore 
 and Benares, and the Minn of Benares, from the 
 fajd date. Whatever gold and filver fhall be 
 coined in the Mint, the faid Rajah fhall coin con- 
 formably to his Mutchulka. He is not to be, 
 in the fmalleft particular, remifs in the obfervation 
 apd execution of the feveral duties incumbent on 
 him he is to behave with moderation and kind- 
 pefs to the Ryatts and people, to promote the 
 
 cultivation
 
 ( 101 ) 
 
 cultivation and encreafe of inhabitants and pro- 
 duce of the lands ; expelling thieves, nightly af- 
 faulters and robbers, and fo effectually punifhing 
 the difturbers of the peace, that no trace of 
 them may be feen; and he is to pay a tribute 
 of 23,40,249 Benares mutchuldar rupees, or 
 2266180 Calcutta ficcas, annually to the Com- 
 pany's Treafury ; mould he receive orders to pay 
 the above revenue at Benares, he (hall, in that 
 cafe, pay the fum of 23,40,249 Benares mut- 
 chuldar rupees, each rupee to weigh ten maQia, 
 and to contain two ruttee and two chowls of 
 alloy, and no more; fhould the weight be lefs, or 
 the alloy be more, he ihal} make up the deficiency; 
 whenever the money fhall not be wanted at Be- 
 nares, he is to remit the annual amount of 
 236^180 of ficca rupees punctually agreeable to 
 his Kids, and by monthly payments at Calcutta. 
 In confideration of which, he (hall- be allowed a 
 deduction of two per cent, amounting in all to 
 ficca repees 44,4,34 14 5 account of Hindown-t 
 ny or Exchange, which being deduced, the net 
 amount is 22,21,745 17 ficca rupees of Calcutta, 
 which he is to pay at that place. After the fettle- 
 ment of accounts, at the end of the year, he fhall, 
 in the cuQomary manner, receive credit for his 
 payments, and he is by no means to collect the 
 prohibited abwab of the durgah of his Majefty. 
 fhis Sunnud being granted, is to remaid in force, 
 
 and
 
 ( 102 ) 
 
 and all former funnuds to become null and void ; 
 you the Mutfeddies and perfons abovementioned, 
 are to regard the faid Rajah, as truly and lawfully 
 poflefled of the Zemidany, Aumuny, and 
 Poujedarry, of the above Sircars, and to acknow- 
 ledge his authority in the feveral acls appertaining 
 thereunto. Know that we have iffued the mod 
 ftricl: and pofitive commands, and obey them ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Written on the 25th of Suffer, l/th Sun, of 
 ?5th of April, 1776. 
 
 (Signed) By the Governor-General and Council, 
 
 The Zimmeen. 
 
 The office of the Zemindarry of Sircar Be* 
 nares, Gazypore, Chundara, the Cuttwally, the 
 duties and the mint in the Sobah of Illahabad, have 
 been conferred upon the great Chief Rajah Cheil; 
 Sing Behadre, alfo the Aumuny and Fpujedarry. 
 
 Copy of a Pottah granted to Chiet Sing. 
 
 The Pottah containing the underwritten ftipu-? 
 latipns is granted unto Rajah Chiet Sing Bahadre. 
 
 Sircar Benares, Gazeypore, Chunar, and the 
 rnahals of Sfrcar of Juanpore, comprehending the
 
 ( I0 3 ) 
 
 tnahal and duties, Havily, Mahomed, Abaub, Be- 
 iiares, the Khaus Daums in Purgunna Bhadurry, 
 Talook of Sunkeramoxv in Purgunna Chunar, 
 Suklefgurra, Bijcepore, Sircar Gauzypore Pur- 
 gunnah Sekunderpore Khered Shady Abaud 
 Patna Serreinga, including the Cutwally duties of 
 Juanpore and Benares, the mint of Benares, the 
 mokumy, yatifaub and ftores, weighing both 
 rnaul and duties, and the Duanny, Duftore, ex- 
 cepting the narcar of half the Jagheer of Bhadurry ^ 
 the exempted Jagheers of Ayma which have been 
 inferted for a length of time in the accounts as 
 deductions, all the articles pf the Taheed are 
 afettled upon you from the 4th of Jumaudy ul 
 Awaul 1189, Hijeree, or the 4th of July, 1775> 
 Englilh, at a flipulation per annum of 2340249 
 Mahidar Benares rupees, not fhort of the weight 
 of 10 moflia each, and not containing a greater 
 portion of alloy than two rattees, and two beringe, 
 agreeably to your Mutchulka and Cabuleat. This 
 JTum you will therefore pay, but. Should it not 
 fuit the convenience of the company to receive it 
 at Benares, you are to pay it in Calcutta in ficca 
 rupees of Calcutta, amounting in which fpecie to 
 22,66,180 ficca rupees, the amount of the liin- 
 dooawn or exchange, allowed you at the rate of 
 2 per cent, is rupees 44434,14,5, which bieing 
 deduded, the net fum will be 22,21,745,1,15 
 cea rupees of Calcutta. This you are to pay 
 
 ' without
 
 without the leaft deduction or depreciation what* 
 ever, in the courfe of each year by monthly pay- 
 ments, agreeably to your feparate keftbundy. 
 This you are to pay without any allowance for 
 fubundy, you will remit the money to Calcutta 
 without fail, conformably to the faid kiftbuncly. 
 
 Kubboolyat, or agreement executed by Rajah 
 Cheit Sing, for the Zemidarry of Benares, &c. 
 
 Whereas a treaty has been concluded betweefi 
 the Englifh Eaft India Company, and the Nabob 
 AfToph ul Dowlah Chea Cawn Behadur, Huz- 
 zubber Jung Nazim of the Soubah of Allahabad, 
 under date the 2oth of Rubbee ul Awal 1189', 
 Hijcree, or the 2ift of May, 1775, Chriftian, 
 whereby the fovereignty of the Sircars, Benares, 
 Gauzeypore, Chunar, &c. hath been ceded to the. 
 Englifh Eaft India Company from the 4th cf 
 Jamady ul Awal 1189, Hijeree, or the 4th of 
 July 1775, Chriftian, and the Company having 
 granted the Zemidarry, the Aumuny and Touje- 
 darry of the aforefaid Sircars, together with the 
 Cutwallies of Benares and Juanpore, &c. and the 
 mint of Benares unto me from the above date, I 
 do hereby voluntarily confent and agree under 
 nry.Jiand, that whatever coins fhall be ftruck iri 
 the faid mint, fhall be conformably to a feparate 
 obligation, which I have executed under date the
 
 *5th of Zihiza, in the i/th year of the reign, and 
 delivered to the Goveinment for the Company. 
 It (hall be my duty to do every thing that may 
 be needful and ufual for the intereft and fecurity 
 of the country, to provide for the welfare of the 
 inhabitants to be attentive to the encreafe of 
 cultivation and . improvement of the revenue, to 
 ufe my endeavours in fuch manner to expel rob- 
 bers and affaffins, and to punifli offenders of 
 every kind, that not a trace of them may be left, 
 and will pay the annual revenue of Government, 
 being at Benares, mutchuldar rupees of Benares 
 2340249, each rupee to weigh no lefs than ten 
 mafia, and to contain no more alloy than two 
 ruttas and two chowl, any deficiency of the 
 flandard to be made good. If the Government 
 {hall not have occafion to receive the fame at 
 
 Benares, I will, in fuch cafe, pay it at Calcutta 
 annually, by monthly payments, according to 
 
 Kiftbundy, and conformably to the Tuzul Zill, 
 or particulars in the margin, the fum being Cal- 
 cutta ficca rupees 22,66,180, including Nuzzeran- 
 na, &c. but declu&ing on account of Hoondyan, 
 or exchange, a premium of two per cent, which 
 premium of two per cent, upon the whole fum, 
 being ficca rupees 44434,14,5, I will accordingly 
 deduft frc m remitting the remainder to the Com- 
 pany's Treafury at Calcutta, fo that, after the de- 
 duction of Exchange, I (hall pay net, and with- 
 P out
 
 ( io6 > 
 
 out further deduction into the Treafury of 
 Calcutta, the fum of Calcutta ficca rupees 
 22,21,745115 at the end of each year. After 
 payment of the fame, and obferving the condi- 
 tions agreed upon, I mail receive a releafe or dif- 
 charge in full, wherefore I have written the agree- 
 ment to be adhered to accordingly. 
 
 In the margin follows a lift, dated 25th Suffer, 
 i yth of the monthly instalments Sun, correfpond- 
 ing with the 1 5th April, 1776, Chriftain. 
 
 Signed by the Rajah. 
 
 Seal of 
 the Rajah. 
 
 A true Copy, (Signed) E. HAY, 
 
 Sub-Secretary to the Hon. the 
 Governor and Council. 
 
 Extract from the Secret Proceedings of the Hon. 
 the Governor-General and Council, on the 
 gthjuly, J7 7 8. 
 
 Refolved That Rajah Cheit Sing be required 
 in form, to contribute his mare of the burthen of 
 the prefent war, by the eftablimment of three 
 regular battalions of fepoys, to be raifecl and 
 maintained at his expence, and the Governor- 
 general is requefled to write to him to that effeft. 
 
 Copy
 
 Copy of a letter from Rajah Cheit Sing, received 
 the ^oth July, 1778. 
 
 I have been honoured by the receipt of your 
 gracious letter, communicating the intelligence of 
 a war being broke out between the Courts of 
 Great Britain and France, and defiring me to 
 take on myfelf a (hare of the burden of expence 
 ' my patron I am the fervant of the Sircar I 
 will write you more fully hereafter on all occa- 
 iions I am hopeful of your Highnefs's favour and 
 jfupport. 
 
 Extract from the fecret proceedings of the Ho- 
 nourable Governor-General and Council, on 
 the 26th Auguft, 
 
 Refolved, That the Commander in Chief be 
 requefted to give orders to Major Camac, or the 
 officer in command of his detachment for the 
 inarch of two battalions of fepoys to Benares, at 
 the requifition of Mr. Thomas Graham, the refi* 
 dent there, and to remain at that place for fur- 
 ther orders. 
 
 P 2 Refolved,
 
 .o8 ) 
 
 Refolved, that the following letter be written 
 to Mr. Graham : 
 
 To Mr. THOMAS GRAHAM, President at 
 Benares. 
 
 Si R, 
 
 We have received your letters of the i6th 
 inftant, acquainting us that Rajah Cheit Sing had 
 declined to pay the five lacks of rupees which we 
 required of him, as his proportion of the expen- 
 ces of the war for the prefent year. 
 
 Having judged it necefTary to make this claim, 
 which was fuggefted to us by the urgency of the 
 cafe, we cannot admit of any plea which the 
 Rajah may urge to exempt him from it ; orders 
 have therefore been fent to Major Camac, or the 
 officer in command of his detachment, to march 
 to Benares, immediately on your requisition* 
 with two battalions of fepoys, and to wait our 
 further orders at that place. We have thought 
 this ftep neceffary, for the purpofe of compelling 
 the Rajah to pay the quota required of him in 
 cafe of neceflity ; and we defire that you repeat 
 your demand, and infift on his compliance. If 
 the Rajah ftill continue to object to your claim 
 and refufe payment, you are to require the officer 
 
 in
 
 in command of the detachment, to march im- 
 mediately in conformity to your orders, and ad- 
 vife us of your proceedings. We hope, however, 
 that you will not be reduced to proceed to this 
 extremity, as it would oblige us to encreafe our 
 demands on the Rajah, by exacting from him the 
 whole expence of the detachment, from the day 
 of its march, in addition to our original claim. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 
 Copy of a letter from Rajah Cheit Sing, re- 
 ceived the 27 th Augu ft, 1779. 
 
 I have been honoured with your letter, calling 
 on me for the payment of five lacks of rupees, 
 on account of the expence of the war for the pre- 
 fent year, and underftand its contents. 
 
 My fituation is well known to you, and I af- 
 iure you, without referve, that I have no ability 
 left, nor is there any mode of relief for me but in 
 your favour. I am fully confident that it is 
 your defire, who are my mailer, to fupport me 
 your fervant; and latl year you directed Shick 
 Ally Nucky, that I fliould by any means, by 
 clifpofing of my effects, or by borrowing, make 
 this one payment, and I fhould riot be called on 
 
 in
 
 in future, and that you would take very means 
 for my advantage and fuppport. 
 
 I accordingly put in practice every method in 
 my power, and by loans made good the requifi- 
 tion. Ic is now abfolutely out of my power to 
 raife the fum required, and I am therefore hope- 
 ful that you will be kindly pleafed to excufe me 
 the five lacks now demanded, and that nothing 
 may be demanded of me beyond the amount 
 expreffed in the Pottah, which through your fa- 
 vour I obtained from the honourable Englifh 
 Company. > 
 
 This Raja and Zemidarry, and my dignity, are 
 the gifts of your Highnefs. I have judged it ne- 
 ceflary to reprefent to you my inability and help- 
 lefs ft ate. 
 
 Copy of a letter from Raja Cheit Sing, received 
 2ift Auguft, 1780. 
 
 1 have been honoured by your orders, direct- 
 ing me to pay five lacks of Sicca Machuldar ru- 
 pees to Mr. Fowke, of the war which ft ill con- 
 tinues ; and although my diftreffed fituation mufl 
 be known to you from other quarters, notwith- 
 flanding I have been afraid to reprefent it to you 
 jnvfdf, that I have fold my houfe and borrowed 
 
 furns
 
 ( III ) 
 
 fums of money, from which I am not yet releaf- 
 ed ; yet, in obedience to your orders, I have 
 paid one lack of rupees out of the five lacks, 
 to Mr. Fowke, ^ind mould pay the other four in 
 three months. I requeft you will fend directions 
 to that gentleman to allow me that time, and it 
 fliall be punctually paid at the end of that term; 
 you yourfelf muft be convinced, that I have no 
 abilities or refources left. 
 
 Extra6t from the public proceedings from the 
 26th of October, 1780. 
 
 Copy of a letter to General Giles Stibbert, Com- 
 mander in Chief, &c. 
 
 Having had late occafion to be much diflatis- 
 fied with the conduct of the Rajah of Benares 
 towards this government, in withholding the 
 payment of the amount due from him, as hi* 
 fubfidy: we think it neceflary to dire6l and do 
 direct you to iffue orders to the commanding 
 officers of the battalions at the ftations neareft to 
 Benares, to march immediately to that place, 
 and wait fuch further orders as may hereafter be 
 tranfmitted to them. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 
 Extract
 
 Extract from the fecret proceedings of th<5 
 Honourable Governor-General and Council, 
 on the 2d of November, 1780. 
 
 Agreed, That the Governor-General be re- 
 fcuefted to write to the Nabob Vizier, recom- 
 mending to him to require from Fyzoola Cawn, 
 ihe quota of troops flipulated by treaty, to be 
 furnilhed by the latter for his fervice, being 5000 
 liorfe, to be put under the immediate command 
 of Lieutenant-Colonel Mu:r, commanding at 
 Futtighur. 
 
 Agreed alfo that the Governor-General be re- 
 
 o 
 
 quelled to write to the Rajah of Benares, requiring 
 him to furnifh fuch part of the cavalry entertained 
 in his fervice, as he can fpare for the fervice of this 
 government, and to inform him what number he 
 can fupply ; that a letter be written to Mr. Francis 
 Fowke, directing him to make the fame requifition 
 of the Rajah, and at the fame time to obviate any 
 jealoufy which the Rajah may conceive; that this 
 may be converted to a permanent itnpofition upon 
 Kim, by arTuring him that the board will require the 
 lervices of thefe forces no longer than while the 
 prefent war Ia(ls 5 after which they will be re- 
 turned.
 
 N. B. The Appendix to the Narrative contains, 
 among ft other papers of great importance, the depojition* 
 qffeveral Gentlemen in the Company's Service,, and of 
 many very rejpeftabk natives of Indojlan, which -will l& 
 printed entire in tfie Appendix hereafter. For the pre~ 
 fent, however, I have abbreviated many of them, as 
 they will tend to prove to every impartial reader, that the 
 rebellion ofCheit Sing was premeditated Mr. Ha/lings'* 
 journey to Benares accelerated the revolt of the Rajah. 
 
 Affidavit of Major Eaton, commanding at 
 Buxar. 
 
 
 Letter from Major Eaton to Thomas Graham, 
 Efq. Refident at Benares, dated the 23d of May^ 
 *779> complaining of the difaffecled conduct of 
 Rajah -Chert Sing and his officers, and of enorr 
 fnities committed by the latter. 
 
 Letter from Major Eaton to Francis Fowke,' 
 Efq. Refident at Benares, upon the fame fubjeft, 
 dated 3d of November, 1780. 
 
 Mr. Fowke's anfvver to Major Eaton, 
 that he had no hope of obtaining redrels, datedi 
 November, 1780. 
 
 Letter
 
 ( "4 ) 
 
 Letter from Major Eaton to Francis Fowke, 
 Efq. dated ijth of November, 1780, reprefenting 
 the aflault made by the Zemidar of Beerpcor ort 
 Enfign Baflet, and the general enormities of the 
 Zemidars of the jurisdiction of Rajah Cheic Sing. 
 
 Letters from Major Eaton- to the Supreme 
 Council, on the fame fubjeft. 
 
 Major Palmer*s affidavit of the declared inten- 
 tions of the Governor-General towards Cheit 
 Sing, 
 
 Atteftation of David Anderfon, Efq. to the 
 fame effect. 
 
 Affidavit of Moonfhy Gore Perfaud His im- 
 prifonment and fufferings Ladders made for the 
 attack of the Governor- General's quarters. 
 
 Affidavit of Hurryram Pundit Forces which 
 attended L heit Sing to Buxar. 
 
 Affidavit of Moonfhy Patnimul Proclamation 
 at Benares againfl protection of Englifh gentlemen, 
 on paip of death, and forfeiture of property. 
 
 Affidavit of Moonfhy Gore Perfaud, the fame 
 in fubflance as the foregoing. 
 
 Affidavit
 
 ( "6 ) 
 
 Affidavit of Doond Sing, commandant At* 
 tempts of the Rajah's brother to feduce him from 
 the Company's fervice in February, 1781. 
 
 Various affidavits of the infurre6lions in Go* 
 rookpoor* 
 
 Solemn declaration of Ranny Golaub Koower, 
 widow of Bui want Sing- Preparations made at 
 Ramnagur for attacking the Governor-General in 
 his quarters DifafFe&ion of Cheit Sing. 
 
 Affidavit of Gudrauge Sing, Killidar of Ram- 
 nagur Murder of Mr. Hooker Defign to attack 
 the Governor-General's quarters. 
 
 Affidavit of Plunder Sing, adjutant at Buxar-^ 
 Attempts of the Rajah's brother to feduce the 
 fepoys of the garrifon Infolence of the Zemidar 
 Force attendant on the Rajah at Buxar Orders 
 to reduce the fort of Buxar AfTault made on 
 Enfign Baflet, and other gentlemen, at Beerpoor. 
 
 Affidavit of Sheck Mahmud, commandant in 
 Cheit Sing's fervice Lift of forces which attended 
 the Rajah to Buxar Maflacre at Shewalla De- 
 figns to attack the Governor-General's quarters at 
 Benares Lift of forces in the fervice of Rajah 
 Cheit Sing. 
 
 Various
 
 Various affidavits of the maflacre at Shewalla; 
 
 Perwannah from Rajah. Cheit Sing to Dadjoa 
 Sing, to join him and cut off the Englifh. 
 
 To ditto to join Futteh Shaw* 
 
 Affidavits of Nathaniel Middleton, Efq. Re- 
 ports of Perwannah's ifTued by Cheit Sing, com*^ 
 manding the detraction of the Englifh, and letters 
 to the Nabob's Zemidars inciting them to rebel- 
 Fidelity and attachment of the Nabob Vizier - 
 Murders at GofTel Gunge The Minifters of the 
 Vizier's Mother encourage the difaffe'ctioh, and 
 affift the levying of troops at Fyzabad for Cheit 
 Sing. 
 
 Affidavit of Lieutenant Colonel Harrnay, cora- 
 inanding a corps of fepoys in the Nabob Vizier's 
 fervice Hoftile practices of the Begums at Fyza- 
 bad Troops levied there publicly for Cheit Sing, 
 with the encouragement of the eunuchs of both 
 the Begums Actual departure of 1000 levies 
 Remonflrance made to the Bow Begum by the 
 deponent without effect Attack of Captain Gof- 
 don by Shumihui Cawn, the Begum's Aumil 
 General difaffection of Gorookpoor and all the 
 country lying South of Fyzabad, fomented by the 
 
 Agents
 
 Agents of Cheit Sing, and by the money furnifhed 
 by him. 
 
 Affidavit of Major John Macdonald, command- 
 ing a battalion of fepoys in the Vizier's fervice -- 
 Infurreftions of Gorookpoor excited by Cheit 
 Sing, and encouraged by the Begums at Fyzabad 
 The rebellion of Cheit Sing preconcerted* 
 
 Affidavit of Captain David Williams, com- 
 manding a battalion of fepoys in the Vizier's fer* 
 vice Infurreftions of Gorookpoor, and mutiny 
 of his own fepoys. 
 
 
 Affidavit of Captain John Gordon, command- 
 ing a corps of fepoys in the Nabob Vizier's fer- 
 vice Hoftile a6ls of Shumlhire Cawn, Aumil of 
 the Vizier's mother, attributed to the Begum* 
 
 Second affidavit of Lieut. Colonel Hannay * 
 Plan concerted by the Begums to detain him at 
 Fyzabad, and to feduce from him his followers. 
 
 Affidavit of Juan Henere Moordelai, private 
 of the company of Chafleurs, relating the circurn* 
 fiances of the im* . {facre of his comrades at Lut- 
 leefpoor. 
 
 T*
 
 ( "8 ) 
 
 To the Honourable WARREN HASTINGS, 
 Governor-General, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 \Vhen I had lafl the honour of feeing you, 1 
 more than once urged my reafons for thinking, 
 that the rebellion of Rajah Cheit Sing was but a 
 part of a larger and more extenfive plan, which 
 was by good fortune of your arrival prematurely 
 brought forward before all the parties to it were 
 united and properly prepared for aftion. In 
 fupport of this belief, and to prove that I am far 
 from being (ingle in the efpoufal of it, I beg leave 
 to trouble you with fome extracts from the letters 
 I received from Colonel Hannay, written from 
 the time of the firft breaking out of the rebc'Hon. 
 to my return to Lucknow. His fituatiori for ob- 
 taining the knowledge he imparts, his experience, 
 and his judgment to guide what he advances, mud 
 make his fentiments of weight and authority. 
 
 In his letter of the 8th of September, from 
 Fayzabad, fcarcely ten clays after he had fet about 
 obeying the Nabob Vizier's orders to march with 
 his force to your afliftance, he writes " that the 
 " whole country on the Eaft fide of the Gogra 
 " was in arms and rebellion. His own troops 
 " deferting, and the fingle companies fcaice able 
 
 " to
 
 9 
 
 f * to join other detachments : the forts of Gur- 
 ce ruckpore, Bilma, and Dumreagunge taken 
 ** from the Aumils by the Zemidars ; and that 
 " even Hircurrackes cannot pafs ; fo that all com* 
 " munication of intelligence from his other de- 
 * { tachments, under Major M'Donald, Captain 
 " Williams, and Lieutenant Gordon, was cut off 
 fc and at an end." He adds, " This town (Fay- 
 " zabad) has more the appearance of belonging 
 " to Cheit Sing than the Vizier. The Begums 
 *' have placed guards to prevent any of my peo- 
 " pie going to the Buzar in it. Within thefe 
 " four days Shaak Chaan, with near one thoufand 
 " horfe and foot, has marched from hence to 
 " Benares (they were raifed here) and I muft 
 " confefs, that for my own part, I have no doubt 
 *' but Juwar Ally Cawn, and Behar Ally Khan, 
 " through their agents, have ilirred up all the 
 " disturbances which extend from hence to Powey 
 tf and Azimgur. I have fent Hoolafs Roy to the 
 i: Begum to enquire into the reafon of my people 
 " being prevented from going into the town, 
 fi Cheit Sing's being fuffered to raife troops here, 
 " and why her fervants attempted to prevent my 
 " getting boats to tranfport the Company's guns 
 *' and horfe from Amora; I have alfo defired fhe 
 *' will give orders for fejzing the family of Shaak 
 " Chaan (abovementioned) and when Hoolafs 
 [ l Roy returns, I will write you her anfwer. In 
 
 " JChyrabad
 
 " Kyrabad Sylack, and all the country on the Weft 
 ' of the Gogra, between Fyzabad and Kyrabad, 
 " the Aumils are flying before the Gongwars, and 
 " cannon firing at all hours. Cheit Sing has fent 
 tl money to Futty Shaw, Ghinoo Roy, Ajeftmull, 
 " Z-alim Sing, and all the refractory Rajahs, to 
 " enable them to raife men. I this moment re- 
 te ceived Gordon's account of the lofs of his de- 
 " tachment, which puts my march to join you, 
 *' out of the queftion. It happened by the vil- 
 * lainy of the Fouzdar of Tanda Shumfheer 
 " Khan, a Cheelah of Bahar Ally Khan, who 
 " Burned his guns upon the detachment, and an 
 " unfordable nullah in front and many thoufands 
 " of rajepoots, who had fought them all the way 
 " from Chowra Ghaut, made the fepoys defpair. 
 " Zalim Sing, and Putty Puu.1 Siqg mea.n to at- 
 " tack McDonald to-morrow, with two thoufand 
 " one hundred men. Behar Ally Khan deferves 
 *' death ; as the lofs of Gordon's detachment can 
 *' only be imputed to him his Cheelah would 
 *' never have afted fo damning a part without 
 * { orders from him. Jewar Ally Khan, in the 
 " Choke of Fyzabad, afks every man who bears 
 *' the appearance of a foldier, why he goes not to 
 " Cheit Sipg for fervice I mention thefe circum- 
 ' fiances tjiat you may mention them to Mr. 
 ' Haflings and the Nabob, and the neceffary
 
 ** fteps be immediately taken, to prevent what 
 " delay will render a very ferious matter. A few 
 <c days more will lead the ferment which is her6 
 " to Lucknow, If the Nabob infifts upon my 
 " proceeding, I muft bring every body with me, 
 " for whoever is left behind will be facrificed." 
 
 On the 7th September, Capt. Williams writes, 
 ** Upon my arrival here, I found that part of 
 " Futty Shaw's, Ghunoo Roy's, and Ajeftmull'S 
 " people had croffed to Manjowlay. They have 
 " been urged to this flep by Cheit, who has fup- 
 <{ plied them with a confiderable fum of money, 
 " and promifed them great fums, if they will put 
 " the whole country into confufion five thou- 
 " fand men are on the oppofite fide of the river, 
 " ready to croft. Futty Shaw has written to all 
 " his adherents to be in arms. Saudit Ally and 
 " the Begums are concerned deeply in the late 
 " bufinefs." In a fubfequent letter, received 
 immediately after the above, but without date, 
 Colonel Hannay fays, " I have before told you 
 *' how violently the Begum's people inflame the 
 " prefent difturbance ; and, in addition to this, 
 " the principal Zemidars and Rajahs have all 
 " certificates under the feal of Cheit Sing, that he 
 " will fupply them with whatever money they 
 " may require for fubfi fling all the troops they 
 ' can raife. In a very Ihort time, I apprehend 
 R <f the
 
 11 the greateft part of the Nabob's dominions will 
 " be in the ft ate we ate in here ; and it is the 
 " general belief of every man in this fart o/ the coun- 
 " try, that the condutt I have related, is a concerted 
 " plan for the extirpation of the Englifh. What 
 " may be the fituation of the reft of the Nabob's 
 " dominions I know not ; but it is moft certain, 
 " that from Gooda to Manjee, and from Fyzabad 
 " to the Benares diftrift, and acrofs from the 
 * c Gogra to the Ganges, the country is in the ut- 
 " moft ferment. Should the prefent difturbances 
 " proceed from a plan of policy, it will be con- 
 * f cealed from you as much as poifible, and there- 
 " fore I take all poffible means of communicating 
 " to you what I really know to be fac~l I know 
 *'' not whether the Dawks pafs freely from you to 
 *' Lucknow ; but, if they do not, and no meafure 
 * c is immediately taken to bring about order, and 
 " draw the troops together, vve may be deprived 
 " of all poffible means of aflifting one another, 
 " and the army loft by detached regiments : wtf, 
 '-' have no communication with Bengal, and the 
 " troops on this fide Benares are at prefent too 
 " much feparated to yield one another timely 
 * { affiftance. I hope to God a fufficient force is 
 " ordered for the reduclion of Cheit Sing, for 
 * ( the people who are daily fcnt to him. horfe. and foot, 
 ^ from Fyzabad> and the feat of rebellion I have 
 " before named is wry great." 
 
 In
 
 In his next of the I3th, he fays, " That it is 
 " irapoffible, in the general infurre&ion which 
 " now reigns almoft univerfally, impoffible for 
 " me to get the force together the Nabob de- 
 " manded, or to force my way to you with a 
 *' lefs. The grealeft anarchy prevails the pre- 
 <f lent infurre&ion is faid, and believed to be, 
 " with an intention to expel the Englifh. I am, 
 " compelled to give up all the country below 
 *' Goonda be upon your guard againft the 
 ** Vizier, for there are many circumftances to 
 ** make me believe he means to efpoufe the 
 '* caufe of Cheit Sing , the Begums have almojl 
 (t them/elves recruited for him." In his next letter 
 of the i8th he fays, " If you meet with a check 
 " at Benares, every man in the country is ready 
 " to fall upon your fcattered parties." " The Mate 
 " of the Vizier's dominions is in general beyond 
 ' ' defcription ! The infurreclion is not partial, 
 " but generally fpread throughout the whole, tho* 
 " it rages moft violently in the Mahls of Sultan- 
 " pore, the Mahls from Fyzabad tq the Benares 
 * ; - country, the Mahis on this laft fide of the Go- 
 " gra and in Koonry, Khyrabad, andSyluck; and 
 " if I may truft to the information I have receiv- 
 '' ed, it is already begun, and will foon rage as 
 *' violently in the Shajehanpone, Rohilcund, Kora, 
 " and the Doaub. I have already and repeatedly 
 " informed you of the difpofitions of thofe in 
 R 2 !' Fyzabad,
 
 ( I2 4 
 
 " Fyzabad, whichhas in facl; been one of the great 
 " fources of the infurre&ion, and the place of all 
 " others in the Vizier's dominions which has fup- 
 " plied Cheit Sing with the greateft number of 
 " troops. The old Begum does, in the mod open 
 t( and violent manner, fupport Cheit Sing's rebel- 
 '* lion and the infurreclion ; and the Nabob's mo- 
 f( ther's accurfed eunuchs, are not lefs induftrious 
 <e than thofe of the Burra Begum. Capital ex- 
 <c amples made of Jewar Ally Khan, and Behur 
 " Ally Khan, would, I am perfuaded, have the 
 " very beft effect." On the 2oth, he fays, after re- 
 flating his own imminent danger, " I have already 
 " written you fo fully my reafons of being con- 
 " vicled of the treachery practifed at Fyzabad, 
 *' and which I am afraid extends to your camp, 
 " that I need to fay no more on the fubjecT:, and 
 " again mentions the general infurreclions." The 
 truth of thefe pofitions I found moft fully proved 
 upon my return, and obferved, in particular, 
 that the moft vigorous efforts were limited to the 
 Jageerdars, among whom the Begums, Fyzullah 
 Khan, and Lutterfut Ally Khan, diflingui(h- 
 cd themfeives. However, the Nabob's return, 
 the victories gained by the troops with you in the 
 total reduction of Cheit Sing's country, and 
 the march of the two regiments from Cawn- 
 pore to our affifiance here, have unitedly con- 
 tributed to restore matters nearly to their ufua.1 
 
 trarj-
 
 ( 125 ) 
 
 tranquility. The example moft neceflfary to be 
 made of the two a6live and turbulent Eunuchs, 
 mentioned by Colonel Hannay, remains yet to 
 be done, as well as of a villain now in confine- 
 ment, who had aflembled 5000 Gong wars for the 
 avowed purpofe of refcuing two principal ftate 
 prifoners from their confinement with the Nabob; 
 and it is univerfally believed to make an attempt 
 upon the Treafury, for which he had fixed the 
 day of the Duflarah, but was moft happily de- 
 teclted, feized only a day before by the vigilance 
 of the Cutwal, and the facl; proved by papers 
 found in his houfe ; unlefs fpirits of this fort be 
 controuled, the worft of confequences may be 
 expeded from the negelcl;, mould, which God 
 Divert, any frelh opportunities occur. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with refpeft, Sir, 
 Your moft obedient 
 
 (Copy) 
 
 A true copy, figned E. Hay, Sub-Secretary to 
 he Honourable Governor-General and Council. 
 
 the ijth Ofto&er, 1781. 
 
 Minute
 
 ( 126 ) 
 
 Minute of Meff. WH-ELER and MACPHERSOK. 
 
 The Board having already paffed their opinion 
 in terms of the fulleft approbation upon the 
 Governor-General's conduft, and managemenf, 
 in the fuppreflion of the rebellion of Cheit Sing, 
 and the regulation of the Province and City of 
 Benares, they think it unnecefTary to repeat their 
 opinion of thofe meafures. 
 
 They cannot, at the fame time, but remark 
 that the explanations which the Governor^General 
 has given in fome parts of his proceedings, during 
 his firft difcuffions with Cheit Sing, and fubfequent 
 to the convulfion, are rather an open avowal of 
 the motives that actuated his mind, than the 
 guarded reprefentations of a public officer, Hating 
 to his employers the meafures which an extra- 
 ordinary fituation influenced, di&ated, andjufti* 
 fied. 
 
 To a liberal and candid tribunal, fuch was the 
 natural and certainly the wifeft appeal. The 
 generofity and juftice of a Britifti tribunal looks 
 more to the real motives and zeal of their agent, 
 than to the preconcerted artifice of his conduct, 
 or the legal difcriminations of his defence. Even' 
 where a public meafure is unfuccefsful, the re- 
 
 fponfibility
 
 ( "7 ) 
 
 Tponfibility rifqued by the agent, if rifqued upon 
 public principles, is frequently his juftification, 
 and, in many eafes, entitles him to applaufe. 
 
 In thefe diftant dominions, if the ruling fervant? 
 of the State attend more to thofe rules and forms 
 which protect from refponfibility, than to an ardent 
 purfuit of the public intereft under every private 
 rifque, the hands of administration may fecure 
 themfelves againft condemnation, even though the 
 country Chould be loft" through their mifmanage- 
 ment. 
 
 Jt was not by avoiding perfonal refponfibility, 
 that the fervants of the public eftabliflied the 
 Britiih influence in Afia, nor is it by fuch cold 
 precautions that our power is to be maintained, 
 ^fpecially at an hour of general hoflility againft 
 Us. The Board are led into thefe obfervations, 
 from an ingenuous confideration of the difficulties 
 in which the Governor-General found himfelf in- 
 volved at Benares, and a conviction of the motives 
 under which he acted. The firft were furmounted 
 with ability and fortitude; the latter they moft fin- 
 cerely believe do him real honour. Eafy would be 
 the tafk to approve the fuppreflion of the rebellion, 
 and to (land difconnected with any refponfibility, 
 by juftifying thofe acts which certainly precipitated 
 the llorm ffom the cloud in which it had gathered. 
 
 Acts,
 
 A&s, which judges at a diftance, judges tinop- 
 prefied with the natural embarraffments of this 
 government, may with great fpecioufnefs of ar 
 gument condemn. But the Board wiQi not, they 
 cannot permit themfelves to proceed fo diiin- 
 genuoufly or guardedly. They are at the fame 
 time aware that in a rigid inveftigation of the 
 whole of this bufinefs, the'following queftions will 
 be afked : 
 
 1ft. Where were the Governor-General's par- 
 ticular inuructions for fuch extraordinary demands 
 upon Cheit Sing ? 
 
 ad. Why was that Chief put in arrefl, when 
 he offered to make every conceffion ? 
 
 gdly. Whether there was not a compact be- 
 tween him and the Company which fpecified thaB 
 he was only to pay them a certain annual tribute? 
 
 Subfequent to the mafTacre of our troops, and 
 the events that followed, no queftions will be 
 aQced. In anfwer to the firft queftion, the Board 
 think the Governor-General was fully authorized 
 by the general tenor of his inftru&ions. 
 
 The Governor- General having a deciding voff, 
 could have written out and approved more par- 
 ticular
 
 ( 1*9 ) 
 
 ticular inftru&ions. There was a delicacy in th 
 mode he preferred, and it compofed a greater re- 
 fponfibility. 
 
 In regard to the fecond queftion, it is evident 
 from Cheit Sing's anfwers, and preparations, and 
 the whole tenor of his conduct before, and at the 
 time, that nothing but arreft could have convinced 
 him of the Governor- General's determination. 
 
 That the arreft was fiotr intended to proceed 
 further than the payment of a proper fine to the 
 Company, who flood in the place of his fovereign 
 and benefactor, is evinced by the Governor* 
 General's Anfwer to Cheit Sing after his con* 
 finement. 
 
 Had a total revolution in the adminiftration of 
 the Zemidarry been intended, the arreft muft 
 have been affefted with more force and greater 
 marks of feverity. 
 
 That the officers who went to execute this fef- 
 vice, were convinced that no meafure of deter- 
 mined feverity was intended againft Cheit Sing, 
 appears from that unfortunate want of precau- 
 tion which coft them and their followers their 
 lives. 
 
 S The
 
 ( 133 ) 
 
 In this converfation, which was private, thef 
 JRajah and Saadat Alii, were faid to have talked 
 of Hyder Ally's viftory over Colonel Bailie's de- 
 tachment, to have agreed, that they ought to 
 feize this opportunity of confulting their own in- 
 terefts, and to have determined to watch the fuc- 
 cefs of Hyder's arms. Some days after this con- 
 yerfation was faid to have happened, I was in- 
 formed by the fame perfon, that the Rajah had 
 received a meflage from one of the Begums at 
 Fyzabad, (I think it was from Shujah ul Dow- 
 lah's widow) advifing him not to comply with 
 the demands of government, and encouraging 
 him to expel fupport in cafe of his refitting. 
 This alfo I believe I communicated to Mr. 
 Markham ; but not being perfectly certain, I now 
 think it my duty to remove the poffibility of your 
 remaining unacquainted with a circumftance which 
 may not be unconnected with the prefent conduct 
 of the Rajah. 
 
 With great refpeft, Sir, 
 
 . 
 
 Your obliged and obedient fervant, 
 (Signed) FRANCIS BALFOUR, 
 
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