m UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES r TRAVELS I N EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA; DESCRIBING CHARACTERS, CUSTOMS, MANNERS, LAWS, and PRODUCTIONS of NATURE and ART : CONTAINING Various REMARKS on the POLITICAL and COMMERCIAL INTERESTS o F GREAT BRITAIN: And delineating, in particular, A NEW SYSTEM For the Government and Improvement of the BRITISH SETTLEMENTS in the EAST INDIES: Begun in the YEAR 1777, and finifticd in 1781. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. L: .- ___ [ __ y LONDON: PRINTED FOR j. MURRAY, N. 32, FLEET-STREET. MDCCLXXXII. CONTENTS O F T H B SECOND VOLUME, LETTER XLIII. Page i. Objetfs 'which jirjl Jlrike a Stranger ** on his Arrival in India. *Siege of Tan- nab Fort, in the I/land of Salfette. Ragonaut-Row Expedition in his Fa-" vour. Elephants. The Country of the Marrattas. AJiatic Fumes and Perfumes* -^fhe different Nations in the Prejldency of Bombay deferred. The Natives' of the Malabar Coaft defcribed their Marriages. Balladieres. Parallel be- A 2 tween iv CONTENTS. tween the Penlnfula of Hindoftan and that of Italy. Opinion of the Hindoos concern- ing Europeans. Different Cuftoms, Man- ners t and Notions of the Hindoos. A BritiJJj Officer marries a Gentoo Woman of Rank. LETTER XLIV. P. 73. T^he wife Policy of treating the Natives of India with Humanity and Juftice. Of the Tenure of Territorial Property in Hin- doftan. LETTER XLV. P. 83. Various Inftitutions propofedfor the Settlement of Affairs in Eritifi Hindoftan. LETTER XLVL P. 102. A Summary of the new Arrangements that are necejjary to a wife and political Efta- in Hindoftan* LET- CONTENTS. LETTER XL VII. P. 117. Hints for the Improvement of the Eaft India- Commerce* LETTER XLV*IL P. 123. Improvement propofcd in the Co^flion of the Company's Revenues. Strictures on the Subordinate Councils in India on Re- venue Chiefs and Collectors on Con- traitors on Writers. A new Regula- tion propofed with regard to Writers and another with refpeft to keeping Records t Accounts, and Books. Characters of di- vers of the Cvmpany s junior Servants. LETTER XLIX, P. 135. Obfervations on the Indian Trade in the Ara- bian and Perjian Seas on the free Trade of the Eaft Indies. LET- vi CONTENTS* LETTER L.-rP. 142. Impolicy of allowing greater Privileges tz Foreigners refidlng in India, than to Bri- tift-born Subjects Treachery and Ingra- titude of Foreigners thus indulged. LETTER LI.P. 161. Depopulation of the Carnatic. The Nabob cruelly treated by the Company's Servants Impolicy of fuch a Conduct. Settlement of SucceJJion to the Nabobjhip. LETTER LIL P. 173. A Plan for new modelling the Government and Town of Calcutta. Good Policy of feparating the Seats of Government from thofe of Tradewhere to Jix the Seat o/. the Britift Government in India. LETTER LIIL P. 186. Strictures on the Supreme Court of Judica- ture in Bengal. Story of Nundocomar. LET- CONTENTS. vii LETTER LIV. P. 199. ^be Governor General's Favourites and Par- tizans provided for at the Expence of the Company. Iniquitous Contracts. Di/- trefs of the Nabob of Oude. LETTER LV.P. 214. A Day, as it is commonly f pent by an Eng- lijhman, in Bengal. LETTER LVL P. 220. Character of Mr. H -- gs Q f Mr. F - s~ofSirEeC - -e. LETTER LVII.-P. Rohilla War. LETTER LVIII. p. 259 . Country, Government, Manners, R*. ^r: U es f and military Strength cf the Mar. rattas. - The Rife and Progrefs of the Marratta War. LET- via CONTENTS. LETTER LIX. P. 271. he fame Subject continued* LETTER LX.~ P, 283. 'The fame Subject continued. LETTER LXL P. 296. Moderation and good Senfe of the Marratta Regency. LETTER LXIL P. 306. March of an Army from Bengal acrofs the Peninfula of Hindoftan its Sufferings. Negotiation with Moodajee-BooJla, Ra- jah of Berar. Death and Character of Mr. El t. Colonel Le ie lingers in the Capital of the Country of Diamonds. LETTER LXIIL P. 315. L ie dies t and is fucceeded in the Command of the Army by Colonel G rd. Moodajee- C N T E N T & ix w Moodajee- Boo/la offers his Mediation for effecting a 'Reconciliation between bis Countrymen and the Englijh. LETTER LXIV. P. 321, Progrefs of tie Detachment under Colonel Grd. LETTER LXV. p. 327. fnterejling Letter from the Rajah of Beraf to the Governor General of Bengal. LETTER LXVI.?. 352. Account of the State of Eng/t/h Affairs in India in the Beginning of 1780. Pre- dictions* LETTER LXVII. P. 361. Voyage from Bengal to Madras* LETTER LXVIII. P. 368. Arguments by which the native Powers of India endeavour to excite a Combination VOL. II. b again/I X CONTENTS. again/I the Englifo. Probability that juch a Combination is in Faff formed. LETTER LXIX. P. 377. Voyage from Madras to the Cape of Good LETTER LXX. P. 389, Madagafca'r. LETTER LXXL P. 401, St. Helena. LETTER LXXIL P. 407. Voyage from St. Helena to Dublin. I/land of Afcenfion. the Severities of three Winters encountered in one Tear. Irifi Hofpitality and Patriotifm. 1'be noble Profpetfs of the Irifo Nation. A P P E N- CONTENTS. xi A P P E N D I X [A]. P. 424. Containing Calculations to demon/Irate the prefent declining State of the Commerce and Power of Holland. A P P E N D I X [B]. P. 432. Containing Obfervations on Mr. Smit&s " Nature and Caufes of t Joe Wealth cf " Nations" APPENDIX [Cj. P. 480. Containing Rcafohings in the Secret Depart- ment concerning the Governor Generals Proportion for a Reply to a Letter from Mr. Purling, Rejident at the Court of //>-' Nabob of Qitde. ERRATA. ERRATA in Vol. II. 4*ge 67. in the note, after tiyder Ally's capital read tfth Bcdnut+fr*> vince. 117. lines 17 and 19. dele the words for t bat of China and win& that country. Iig. line 4. for .For.' Liuis read Port L(/u:t. 554. in die note, line is. !or rtafonably read ffafsnably. 157. line 14. for capitulant fubje&s read capitutant frijoncrs. 174. line 9. before the words United Provinces infert Seven: iSz. line 3. for up read z^n. Ditto, line 15. dele civil before the void power. 461. line i. for -winding read indirefl. Ditto, line io. before i!ie v/orAfoitereignty infert "virtual. 277. line zo. for Jjland of Bafleen, read Promontory of Bafleen. 278. line 14. between The and circumftancet infert apfartnt. izSS. in the note, for A cofs read Two cofs. 360. line 18. for Bamtutta read Earabulm, 367. line z. the fume. 411. line 16. for which read ivbom, 415. line 22. for MtLbwrn read Skibbereen. 417. line 8. for Skibbcrtin read Skibbereen, 456. line 44 for 439 recul446. TRAVELS I N EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. LETTER XLIIL To J M , Efq. London. Calcutta, Nov. 10, 1779. TH E enclofed letter, which I have juil received from a gentleman who has been for feveral years in the military fer- vice of the Company, may perhaps afford you fome entertainment. Bombay, 7th O&ober 1779. I HAD been informed, that you was fent back, in a ftate of captivity, to VOL. II, B France, 2 TRAVELS ; France. By what accident or what mi- racle did you effect your deliverance r Or is it true, that you was in the hands of the French ? And if it is, why did you commit yourfelf to their cuftody } Ex- plain, my friend, thefe myfteries. You are defirous to know how it fares with me r but feem to fuppofe that I am indifferent to your fortune. You write a very fliort letter to me, and in return you require " a very long one, containing myhiftory, and obfervations on this country and its inhabitants." If I comply with your re- quell:, remember that it is on condition of doing me a like favour, by giving me a narrative of your life, from the moment of our feparation in America. THE means by which I obtained a commiilion in the Company's fervice, the obftacles I was forced" to encounter before I accomplifhed it, with other circurnftances, will furnifh matter for converfation when we meet. I mail only mention, in general, that die channel through which I obtained my - EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 3 fny commiffion, was very different from that through which I expected it. We fee but a fhort way into futurity : we mark out different walks of life in our own ima- gination s ? and enter upon them with alacrity, in hopes of a profperous journey : but before we have advanced far in'thefe paths, oppofing mountains obftru<5l our way, and we are ready to fink down into defpair. But no fooner do we recover from our aftonifhment, and look around us, than faft by the foot of that very mountain which interrupts our progrefs, we difcover fome opening, either to the right or left, through which we may pur- fue the journey of life, in paths not marked out by our own fancies, but by the hand of nature and providence. I LANDED at Bombay in January 1773. I need not mention to you, that on arriving in any town in India, a flranger is flruck with the complexions, drefs, and fub- miilive deportment of the natives. A nod, a hint from a perfon in the fervice of the B 2 Company^ 4 TRAVELS/* Company, they confider as equal to the mofl pofitive command. As to your fervants, they watch every movement of your body, and penetrate the rifing defires of your taart from your looks and geftures, ever eager to prevent your wants, and to anticipate your very wimes. The conve- niency I derived from all this fervile attendance, did not compenfate for the uneafinefs I felt, when I reflected on the dependent ilate of the people of Afia. THE circumflance which next drew my attention, was the extreme indolence of the inhabitants of this country. A perfon of condition is furrounded by multitudes of fervants, each of whom has his parti- cular department. He is drefTed, carried about, and put to bed, like an infant. It was fome time before I could reconcile my mind to the idea of being borne in a palan- quin on men's fhoulders : for, befides that I thought that an office unworthy die dignity of any human creature, it con- ftantly recalled to my imagination the 10 manner EUROPE, Asi A, and AFRI c A. 5 manner in which the dead are carried in our country. A bookfeller, who is a Moor, very politely invited me to lie, whenever I pleafed, in his mop, where I might hear all the news, and where there would be always a pillow at my fervice. BUT the operation of climate foon con- formed me to the cuftoms of this country, which I found very natural and convenient. I had palled near a year in Bombay, in a manner, I muil confefs, that did by no means tend to prepare me for the hard- fhips of war, when our company were called, along with others, to the liege of Tannab Fort, in the ifland of Salfette. Our army confifted of 700 Europeans, and 2000 fepoys : the whole under the command of Brigadier General Gordon. A battery was opened againft the frrong fortrefs of < Tan72ab, which played for fome days with- out any effect. Captain Campbell, with other young officers, in a council of war, recommended an attack on Fort Tannah by florm. General Gordon, who was averfe B 3 to 6 TRAVELS in to this meafure, and who infifted on fir ft beating down the fort, or at leafl making a breach in the wall by the artillery, being limited by his inftructions, was forced to yield tq the importunities of thofe who advifed an aflault. Accordingly 200 hey- mah * were appointed to fill up a part of the ditch which furroundcd the wall of the fortrefs, with fand-bags; a work in which they were to be affiflep! by the foldiers ; while 1 20 grenadiers were to cover this dangerous operation. The heym.ils and a company of foot fet out with their bags pf fand, and prefented a fair mark to the guns of the fort, which played on thofe miferable porters with dreadful fuccefs. The heymals, as foon as they heard the balls from the fort finging about their Curs, and faw a few of their companions dropping by their fides, thiew down their burthens and fled. This had a ftrange effed: on pur foldiers, who were flatipned at fome diflance, and who were * people who carry burdens. fpe&ators EURO'PE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 7 Spectators of this fcene : when they law the poor heymals throwing down their bags and running, they burft into immode- rate fits of laughter. The foldiers who were appointed to affift the heymals in carrying fond-bags, perfevered in their perilous journey, but were moft of them either killed or wounded : a few bags were thrown into the ditch, but they were only a drop in the bucket. As to the grena- diers who covered this manreuvre, out of one hundred and twenty, only fifty-fix re- mained fit for duty. Thus ended a fcheme, the wildeft that could poflibly be con- ceived. Indeed it was concerted at a late hour, and in circumftances not the moft favourable to cool reflection. IN order to draw the attention of the fort from the main battery, 100 Europeans with field pieces, and 100 fepoys, were Rationed within three hundred yards of the fort, on the weft fide. The field- pieces were pointed through a milk-bufli B 4 hedge. TRAVELS In hedge. The Marrattas made an attempt to attack our troops in flank, during the darknefs of the night, but were eafily repulfed. On this occafion, two Marrattas intoxicated with bang, (a decoction of a feed fomewhat like hemp-feed) advanced within an hundred yards of our lines, under a heavy fire, brandiming their fwords, and making figns, by waving-with their hands, for their companions to fol- low them. They were both killed; and prefently fame horfcmen had the courage to make an effort, but in vain, to carry off their dead bodies. This they think of great importance; for after the body is burned, the devil can have no longer any power over it. The Marratta warriors wear, all of them, girdles or belts round their waifts. The horfemen have a hook, which they iqftantly dart between thofe belts and the dead bodies of their friends, with the greateft dexterity, and therewith carry them off from the field of battle. That the two Marrattas I have now men- tioned EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 9 tioned were in liquor, was evident from the quantities of bang that flowed from their mouths after they were killed. THE Marratta horfe had for feme time been in the practice of crofiing the chan- nel, which divides the iiland of Salfette from the continent, and carrying off the treafure from the mint. With a view to check this practice, the general employed Captain Ferrers divillon, under the di- rection of engineer Nugent, to erect a one-gun battery near the mint. While the r^en were at work at this battery, centinels were of courfe ftationed at a certain port near the channel, to watch the motions of the enemy. One evening, about twilight, a buffalo happened to ad- vance towards the centinel's (ration : the niftling made by the animal moving through fhrubs, and the fallen leaves of trees, reprefented to the affrighted imagination of the centinel, the Marrattas approaching in all the terrors of fire and Daughter. He iiifhmtly fired his muiket, whereby jo TRAVELS w* whereby an alarm was communicated to the party that were carrying on the one- gun hattery. This party was that evening commanded by Lieutenant S s : on hearing the alarm the coolies * ran, guard- ing their heads with their bafkets. The foldiers followed the example of the coolies, and Lieutenant S -s arrived at the camp as foon as any cooly or foldier under his command. " What !" faid Captain Ferrers, my appre- henfions of danger were confiderably over- come. I was never fo overpowered by fear, but that I would have obeyed the dilates of duty and honour. The day after Fort Tannah was taken, prefented a mocking fpedacle of fwarms of crows, kites, and vultures, devouring the unburied bodies that lay in heaps towards the eaftern gate, and in different places around the walls* In the midfl of this fcene of horror, the numerous fartd-bags that ftrewed the way of the heymals when they fled before the guns of the fort, recalled to the foldiers minds fome ludicrous ideas, which they indulged in preference to thofe fentiments of humanity and companion which fo. many objects obtruded on their minds. HAVING EUROPE, ASIA, end AFRICA, ij HAVING remained upwards of three years and an half in the ifland of Salfette, I returned to Bombay in 1777 : here I faw the infamous parricide Ragonaut-Row, commonly called Ragoba ; who, afpiring to the Marratta throne, had imbrued his hands in the blood of his nephew, en-i trufted to his care by his brother; who had feized at once the perfon of the young Marratta prince, and the reins of govern- ment. This man's name was Nana-Row. He exercifed the power of the fovereign, or Ram-Rajab, with the title of Pai/biEa^ and in this office it was the ambition of Ragoba to fucceed him. But a general deteftation of his crimes exalted a com- petitor to the regency, and chafed the par- ricide from his country. He fought and found an afylum in BOMBAY, where his intrigues, and, as is faid, the remains of his wealth which he found means to fave when he fled from Poonab, gained him not only a favourable reception, but determined the Company's fervants to make an effort to place him at the head of the adminiflra- 5 tion i6 TRAVELS in tion of Poonah. This man, on review and field days, ufed to walk in the front of the lines, on which occasions he received the common military compliments. His perfon is tall and {lender - } his countenance rather auftere, but expreffive, and not without dignity. He is very fuperftitious. I have been in company with Ragoba : lie is artful, infinuating, and, as has ap- peared from his condud:, extremely de- ceitful. His turban and his arms were always loaded with jewels. He had a fon with him in the ifland of Bombay, a youth of about fourteen years of age, one of the handibmeft figures I ever faw. in any part of the world. Ragoba is exceflively fond of this boy ; he has frequently faid, that if he could fee his fon in pofTerTion of the regency, to which he made pretenfions hitnfelf, he would die in peace. Ragoba, befides troops of his own, fepoys, raifed, when he was at Bombay, a company of Armenians, Portuguefe, Germans, Danes, Dutch, Engliih, &c. thefe he called his Cbrijium company. He boafted much of their EUROPE, ASIA, ana, AFRICA, i-f their valour and difcipline, and placed, or pretended to place, great confidence in their attachment to his perfon. This prince, or at leaft this pretender to fovereignty, had an infinite number of attendants. He lived in a magnificent ftile, and was very munificent to the officers of his Chriftian company. You have doubtlefs received at Calcutta, particular accounts of the ftrange and un- fuccefsful expedition that was undertaken, under the conduct of field-deputies and military commanders, to conduct Ragonaut Row to Poonah. It is a ftrange humour that merchants have, of fubjecting their generals to the controul of field-deputies this is the jealous policy of the Dutch : this is the policy of the Englim Eafl- India Company. I fuppofe the artful and de- ceitful fpirit of traffickers, is too cunning to entruft the command of their armies folely in the hands of military men. I have nothing to object to the wary po- licy of merchants ; but if they cannot VOL. II, C truft i8 TRAVELS / truft to the fidelity of military com- manders, they mould never intermeddle with military affairs 5 and inftead of fight- ing for an extension of commerce, endea- vour to improve their trade by the ex- cellency and the cheapnefs of their com- modities. Deliberation and execution can- not go hand in hand : the former muft precede the latter. It is abfurd to invefl men who are not foldiers, with powers in- compatible with military fervice, and that fubordination and promptitude of action, which alone can enfure fuccefs in any warlike enterprize. " WE fet out, about 4000 ftrong, on this expedition towards the end of 1778, with an enormous quantity of cattle and bag- gage, which was by no means neceffary to our fubfiftence, and which greatly retarded our progrefs. In Ragobas divifion of the army, which marched in the van, were a number of huge elephants, with their caftles mounted on their backs, for the ufe of his wives and of his officers : on one of the EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 19 the largeft rode Ragoba himfelf. The ele- phants walk feemingly with a flow pace, but neverthelefs they make great progrefs, making very long fteps. This circumftance of the length of their fteps, accounts for that rolling motion, of which perfons mounted on their backs are fenfible, and which they compare to the motion of a fhip. Thefe animals, for the moft part, outwalked the infantry, and were generally advanced to a conliderable diftance before the reft of the army. Their enormous weight imprinted their footfteps ib deeply in the wet and foft foil, that our foldiers were incommoded by them in a diftreffing manner : for the holes that were made by their feet, being prefently filled up with water or mire, could not be readily diftin- guimed from the furrounding furface; into thele pits our men frequently plunged, to the entertainment indeed of their companions, but their own fad mo- leftation. During the whole march, there was a never-ceafing volley of curfes poured forth on Ragoba's elephants. C * THE 20 T R A V E L S in THE caflles that are fixed on the backs of elephants by a kind of harnefs under their belly like the girth of a faddle, re- femble tents : each of them will contain eight or ten perfons. In the time of battle, thefe tents are thrown open, by pulling aiide the curtains, at four different places, whence the people within throw darts, moot arrows, or ufe mufquetry. In the mean time, the creature that fupports them rages with the fury of war, and is impa- tient to be in the midft of the enemy. If by chance the contending armies mould elofe together, which feldom happens, the elephant, by means of a chain which he wields with his trunk, makes dreadful havock among his enemies with that wea- pon. I have been told wonderful ftories in this country, of the fagacity of this ani- mal. I (hall not take the prefent occafion of reciting them. Do you recollect a tale of an elephant at Grand Cairo? A taylor was working on a ground-floor with his window open, when an elephant laid his trunk on his board, amidft his work. The taylor EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 21 taylor pricked the elephant's trunk with his needle, whereupon the indignant ani- mal went away, and fwallowed an enor- mous quantity of water, which, after re- turning, he difgorged on the poor taylor. I believed this ilory when I was a boy j I difcredited it when I grew older j and now I confefs, I think it not in the leaft in- credible. Thus a certain degree of expe- rience leads to fcepticifm j but a greater, difpofes the mind to pay a due regard to teftimony. But I return to our expedition in favour of the murderer Ragoba. Our army was furrounded and defeated near Poonah. We were forced to cry out to the generous Marrattas, " we are only poor diftrefled merchants, do with us whatever you pleafe." * That nation did not take advantage of our miferable lituation, but only required that we mould adhere to former treaties. WHILE we lay encamped on the fields of Tulicanoony Ragonaut Row, who had a * Mr. Farmer's fpeech to the Marratta chiefs. C 3 camp 22 TRAVELS in camp of his own feparate from ours, fent notice to Mr. C c, the grand field de- puty who controlled all matters in this glorious expedition, that he had difcovered three men in his camp, who, as hefufpefted, had a defign on his life ; he defired to know how he might be permitted to difpofe of them. Mr. C c returned for anfwer, that he was at liberty to difpofe of them as he mould think proper. Whereupon Rago- ba punifhed one of thefe miferable crea- tures with the lofs of his eyes ; another, with that of his tongue ; and the third, he deprived of both his legs by amputa- tion. The laft unhappy fufferer foon died, through lofs of blood. The tyrant afligned fome fanciful reafons wky ne of thefe vidims mould be deprived of the power of fpeech ; another, of that of walk- ing -, and a third, of the fenfe of fight. I NEED not inform you, though you have not been a very long time in India, that draughts and carriages in this coun- try are performed , for the moft part, by bullocks. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 23 bullocks. In war, the number of bul- locks neceffary to an army is incredible. It frequently happened,, that the balls of the enemy facrificed a buffalo, or a bullock. Such accidents, which were nor unfre- quent, wene matter of joy to the men, who, while they carried off the carcafes, .would obferve, with great wifdom, that it is a bad wind that blows good to no- body. I HAVE frequently wondered in what manner the Marrattas, who inhabited a mountainous country, came to be fuch expert horfemen as they were generally allowed to be ; and how they ever thought of maintaining fuch numbers of horfe- troops : for, from all that I had read or heard, it was the inhabitants of plains, and not of hills, that brought into the field of battle any confiderable num- ber of cavalry. But this matter feemed no longer a myftery, after I became better acquainted with the geography of Hin- doflan. It is, perhaps, a fingular appear- C 4 ance V E L S n ance in the natural hiftory of the world, that the vaft ridge of mountains, which extending from Cape Comorin to the Eaft India Company's northern Ci rears, fepa- rate the Coromandel coaft from that of Malabar, do not gradually culminate, as they recede from the level of the ocean, but rife on either coaft abruptly to their greateft height, and form a ftupendous bafis to a vaft plain ftretching along their tops. They do not, like all other ranges of hills, referable the roof of a modern houfe, but form a terrace, undoubtedly the nobleft in the world. On this plain the Marrattas breed and train up their horfes. In the northern countries of Europe, the foil is commonly the more fertile the lower its fituation -, becaufe in elevated fituations, the air becomes too cold for vegetation. But in this climate, elevation of fituation is rather favourable to every vegetable production ; and the Marratta plains are as fruitful and verdant jas any in the kingdom of "Bengal, WHEN EUROPE, ASIA, rfW AFRICA. 25 WHEN I fay, that the chain of moun- tains that divide Hindoftan, fupport an immenfe plain, I do not mean to fpeak with geometrical exadlnefs : beautiful eminences every where arife in it, but thefe bear no proportion to the level fpace which they diverfify. Thefe eminences are covered with mango and other trees, which are green all the year. I have often walked abroad in the morning in a Batta field, after the grain was cut down, in order to enjoy the fragrance of the newly- fhorn herbs. The ferenity of the iky, the genial warmth of the climate, the fpicy odours that were diffufed around me, af- forded a pleafure unknown in the climates of Europe, and ftrongly difpofed to a fpecies of enjoyment flill more volup- tuous. THE luxury of fumes and perfumes, is no where cultivated but in Afia. Your fmoakers of tobacco in Europe and Ame- rica, are yet to be taught the art of fmoak- jng. In India, the fmoakers, (that is, every 26 TRAVELS//* human creature) form a pipe of the leaves of a tree that is of an oleaginous and aromatic nature; and having mixed the tobacco with various fpiees, light this pipe, which burns at the fame time with its con- tents, and contributes its mare to give to the fpirits the moft agreeable and the moft gen- tle elevation, which terminates in thatftate, which I know not how to defcribe fo well as in the words of Horace Dulcifopore Ian- guides. Some of thofe who refine on the art of fmoaking, have a cocoa-nut-mell placed on a fland or tripod, and half filled with water. At the furface of the water, a hole is bored, in which Is inferted the end of a cryftal pipe, which is very long, and wreathed in many folds in the middle. An aperture is made in the upper end of the cocoa-nut-mell, in which is introduced the end of a funnel, which communicates with, or is rather a prolongation of, a pan or cenfer, wherein the tobacco is burned with various aromatics. The fumes of this compound are cooled, and rendered extremely pleafant, by the water; with which EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 27 which I have been told they alfo mix icrne ingredients which I cannot defcribe. I KNOW not any place in the world, where there is a greater medley of different nations than there is in the preiidency of Bombay. This region being conveniently iituated, not only for commerce by fea with all maritime nations, but alfo for communication by land, with the Perfian empire; part of which having been con- quered by Timur-Begy is now a part of the Mogul empire. Here, befides Europeans of all countries, you meet with Turks, Perfians, Arabians, Armenians, a mixed race, the vileft of their fpecies, defcended from the Portuguefe, and the outcafts from the Gentoo religion, &c. The Turks that refort to this place on account of trade, are like the reft of their countrymen, flateiy, grave, and referved; and honeil in their dealings, rhough mtrckan& The Perfians are more gay, lively, and conver- fible : but I would truft lefs to their ho- nefty in matters of trade, thaa I would to the 2 8 . TRAVELS in the faturnine Turks. The Arabians are all life and fire, and when they treat with you on any fubjedt, will make you a fine oration in flowing numbers, and a mufical cadence ; but they are the moft dimoneft of all. The Armenians are generally hand- fome in their features, mild in their tem- pers, and in their nature kind and bene- ficent. They are a kind of Chriftians, and an honour to that fed:. The Turks and Perfians are, for the moft part, {lout- bodied men -, but the Arabians are of a fmaller ftature, and flender : yet thefe laft are accounted the beft foldiers. I have been a witnefs to their agility, and I am told their courage is equal to their activity. I faw a kind of war pantomime between three Perfians and three Arabs : they naturally fought in pairs. The Perfians kept their ground, and warded off the blows that were aimed at them in the beft manner they could. The Arabians, on the contrary, when a ftroke was aimed at them, fprung up in the air to an in- credible height, and inftantly made an attack EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 29* attack on their antagonifts. In the mean time, both Perfians and Arabs were linging, or rather muttering fome fen- tences, which I did not underftand. The PerfianSj. I was told, were finging the ex- ploits of SHAH-NADIR, and the Arabs were invoking the afliftance of their pro- phet. THERE is a race of mortals in this country, that they call Cafres, that are flaves to every other tribe. They have black woolly hair, and came originally from Cafraya, in the fouth promontory of Africa. I converfe fometimes with thefe poor devils, for I think that the opinions and fentiments of all men, however ab- jecl: their ftate, deferve attention. They tell me, that the Moor mans are better matters than the Chriftlan mans. They are fenfible of their inferiority in education, at Jeaft, if not in nature, to Moors, Hin- doos, and Chriftians ; and feem contented with their fituation. They are fo habit* tuated to flavery, that I am perfuaded they have 30 TRAVELS/* have loft all delire of freedom ; and that they are happier in the fervice of a good mafter, who is their protester and their God, than they would be in a ftate of in- dependence : in the fame manner that a dog would leave the greateft abundance of food m a defert, and joyfully perform with his owner, even though he mould fome- times beat him, a long and tedious journey, fubjected to the pain of hunger and of thirft. THE natives of this country are more Him, and generally of a fhorter flature, than Europeans. It is a curious fight, to fee their children running about naked, and fpeaking by the time they are half a year old. I was aftonimed to be faluted by thefe little figures, who, after giving me thzja/am, putting their hands to their foreheads, and bowing to the very ground, would afk for fomething : for all the chil- dren of the lower cafts, are great beggars ; and they go ftark naked until they are nearly arrived at the age of puberty v Their men- 2 tal EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 31 tal faculties, as well as their bodily powers, arrive much fooner at maturity than thofe of Europeans do : yet, it is not true, as is commonly believed, that they fooner decay. Eaftern luxury, which affects novelty only in the zenana* feeks for new wives, and foon difcards the old: but many fine wo- men are deferted in this manner , and in general, the women of thirty or forty in this country, are as well favoured as women of that age are in Europe. A native of India, who confiders a woman merely as an inftrument of pleafure, would be in- finitely furprifed at the condefcenfion of a good hale man of fixty, walking with a wife upwards of fifty, hanging on his arm. CHILDREN are all taught reading and arithmetic in the open air. They learn to dirtinguim the letters, and the figures they ufe in their arithmetic (which, I have been told, is a kind of Algebra) by forming them with their own hands, either in the fand or on boards. MARRIAGES 32 TRAVELS / , MARRIAGES are contracted by boys and girls, and confummated as foon as they arrive at puberty j that is, when the men are thirteen years of age, and the women nine or ten. The marriage ceremony is performed three times ; once when the couple are mere infants ; a fecond time, when the gentleman may be about eight or nine years old, and the lady five or lix ; and the third and laft time, at the age I have already fpecified. Be- tween the firfl and fecond marriage cere- monies, the young couple are allowed to fee one another : they run about and play together as other children do ; and knowing they are deftined for each other, commonly conceive, even at that early period, a mutual affection. But after the fecond time of marriage, they are feparated from each other j the bride, efpecially if me be a perfon cf con- dition, being fhut up in the women's apartment until the happy day of the third and laft ceremony, when the prieft fprinkles on the bride and bridegroom abundance EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 33 abundance of rice, as an emblem of fruit* fulnefs. THESE early contracts are undoubtedly well calculated to infpire the parties with a mutual and lafting affection. The earlieft part of life is in every country the hap- pieft ; and every object is pleafing that recalls to the imagination that blefled period. The ductile minds of the in- fant lovers are eafily twined into one; and the happieft time of their life is aflbciated with the fweet remembrance of their early connection. It is not fo with your brides and bridegrooms of thirty, forty, and fifty : they have had previous attachments; the beft part of life is paft before their union, perhaps before they ever faw each other. I HAD once the honour to be prefent at the wedding of a PER SEE of good condition. Of this I mall give you a minute defcription. Important matters you will find in the wri- VoL.II. D tings in 34 TRAVELS tings of grave hiftorians j what I fhall re- late, will be fuch trifling circumftances as are below the notice of thofe perfonages, but which, neverthelefs, curioiity might wifh to know. IN Hindoftan, the expence of cloaths is almoft nothing \ and that of food, firing, and lodging, to the natives I mean, very trifling. The Hindoos are not addicted to any expenfive vices, their paflions and defires being gentle and moderate. Yet they are frugal and induftrious, and as eager to amafs riches as any of the natives of Europe. A Jew, a Dutchman, or a Scotch pedlar, is not more attentive to pro- fit and lofs. What is the reafon of this ? They are lovers of fplendor and magni- ficence in every thing, but particularly in what relates to their women. It is in their harams, but efpecially on occafion of their marriages, that they pour forth the collected treafures of many induftrious years, THE EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 3^ THE Perfee at whofe wedding I was a gueft, many weeks before-hand, fent in- vitations to his numerous friends and ac- quaintance, to afiemble at the fixed time, at a fpacious hall ere&ed for the occafiori in a beautiful field. It was the dry feafon^ when the air was conftantly mild and ferene, and the whole vegetable world breathed a delightful fragrance. The hall was formed by bamboos, conne&ed to- gether, as is ufual in that country, and covered with cloth. It was a medium between' an houfe and a tent, being lefs folid than the former, but more fubftan- tial than the latter. Here the company aflembled after the heat of the day was over, to the number of feveral hundreds. After a rich repaft, which was ferved with great regularity, we fet out to meet the bride, meflengers having arrived at the hall, to announce her approach. The young Perfee was mounted on a camel richly ca- parifoned, him felf adorned with a multi-* tude of jewels, and highly perfumed. A number of (laves walked by the fide of the D 2 camel, 36 TRAVELS/* camel, holding an umbrella over the head of their matter, while others fanned his face. The company had, as ufual, their palanquins. In the mean time we were entertained by a band of mufic, confirming of pipers, blowing very loud on the great pipe with their mouths, and playing with their fingers on another ; trumpeters, and a kind of drummers, beating on what they call tarn tarns. The mufic was dreadfully loud, but to my ear not very pleafant. There was- only one tune ; nor did I ever hear another during thefe fix years I have been in India. We arrived at a village, where we were met by the bride, attended by an infinite number of female acquain- tance, her near male relations, and a crowd of fervants. A gentleman's carriage in the fervice of the Company was borrowed for the bride. It was an open phaeton, drawn in flow procefiion,, by four beautiful Ara- bian horfes. The practice of borrowing Englifh equipages,, on matrimonial occa- fions, is very common -, and they are always lent with great good-humour. As to the red EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 37 reft of the ladies, fbme rode on camels, fome in carriages drawn by fpotted buffa- loes and bullocks, whofe horns were tipt with filver, and their heads adorned with flowers bound by ribbands *. The bride was a tall and comely young creature j her long black hair falling down over her moulders, and then turned up in wreaths, elegantly adorned with embroidered ribbands and precious ftones. It was at that moment, when her hufband gave her the falam, in a modeft and refpedlful manner, and at a frnall diftance, when me flood up in the phaeton, veiled only by an umbrella, that I, who had the honour of being near the bridegroom, had a full view of his lovely bride. AT the end of the village an accident happened, which interrupted, for a fhort * This tafte is not peculiar to the Eaft : In the civil wars of France, Cajfimir, the prince palatine, carried off to Heidellerg, the plunder he had made in that kingdom, in waggons drawn by oxen, whofe horns were gilt with gold. This train was accompanied with a band of mufic. D 3 time, 357188 38 _T R A V E L S in time, the joy of the day, and filled the minds of hundreds with the moft alarming apprehenfions. The men, as well as the women, gave a loud fhriek, and ran in a diftradled manner, not knowing what they did : even the bride was for a moment deferted by thofe of her own religion and kindred, and left to the care of her Euro- pean drivers. Some unlucky wag had, on purpofe, fet fome fwine adrift, that were kept by Portuguefe families; and it was the fear of being touched by thefe odious and unclean animals, that turned, for a few minutes, a day of joy into a day of lamentation t -^It is impoilible to defcribe tfye horror that both Perfees and Gentoos exprefs at the fight of a fow. The very form of that animal is offenfive to them, and makes them mudder. It appears as loathfome to them as a toad does to an European : and you may imagine the hor- ror you would feel at the approach of a {pad of the fize of a fow. THE EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 39 THE fwine being beat back (in effe faid he ; and after naming a number of other princes, he pointed to Nadir Scha, and Kerim Khan the prefent emperor. I can- not think that they could, either from tradition, painting, or ftatuary, have any accurate notion, if any at all, of the par- D 4 ticular 40 TRAVELS*";* ticular ftature, mape, and countenance of Cyrus. The artift mutt have been guided merely by fancy. ' VARIOUS kinds of refrefhments having been, after fhort intervals, prefented to the company, we were at lail entertained with a ball, which laffced all night. The ladies were placed by themfelves on one fide of the hall, and the gentlemen by themfelves on th$ other. The women wore their veils $ but thefe were not drawn-, fo .clofely over the face, but that we could get a -peep at their eyes and nofes. When their veils were drawn, back, in order that they might enjoy the refreih- ment of being fanned, we could difcover their necks and their fine hair. Indeed,, on occalion of weddings, the veil, as I have been aflurcd, fits more loofdy on the ladies, than at other times. There was not the leaft communication between the men and the women j no not a whifper. The men converfe.d among themfelves. 5 and EUROPE, ASIA, and- AFRICA. 41 and the women obferved a profound filence, looking ftraight forward, with inexpref- fible fweetnefs and modefiy. BUT now appears a fpe&acle which commands fiknce among the gentlemen as well as the ladies, and draws the attention of every part of the hall. A company of ftrolling. dancing girls from Surat, appear on. a platform raifed about two feet above the floor. Violins were now added to the band of mufic, and prefently the dance began. The balladieres (for that is the name by which the dancing girls are di- fKnguifhed on this fide- of Kindoftan) are- dreiTed .in the gaudieft manner that the luxuriant fancy of the eaft can conceive. Their long black hair falling over their moulders in flowing ringlets, or braided and turned up, is loaded with precious ftones, and ornamented with flowers. Their necklaces and bracelets are enrich- ed in the fame manner ; even their nofe- jewels, which at firft fight appear mock- ing to an European, have fomething pleaf- JO ing, 42 T R A V E L S in ing, after cuftom has worn off the effect of prejudice, and by a certain fymmetry, fet off all the other ornaments. Nothing can equal the care they take to preferve their breafts, as the moft ftriking mark of beauty. In order to prevent them from growing large or ill-maped, they enclofe them in cafes made of exceedingly light wood, which are joined together, and fattened with buck- les of jewels behind. Thefe cafes are fo fmooth and pliant, that they give way to the various attitudes of the body without being flattened, and without the fmalleft injury to the delicacy of the fkin. The outfide of thefe cafes is covered with a leaf of gold, and ftudded with diamonds. They take it off and put it on again with fingular facility. This covering of the breaft con- ceals not from the amorous eye, palpita- tions, heavings, various tender emotions, nor aught that can contribute to excite de- fire : while at the fame time it leaves fome- thing for the fpe&ator to guefs *. The balladieres The D fs of K n, then Mifs Ch h, ap- jseared, in the reign of th [late king, in a drefs which difcovered EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 43 balladieres imagine that they heighten the beauty of their complexion, and the im- preflion of their countenances, by tracing black circles round their eyes, with a hair bodkin dipped in the powder of antimony. On their ankles, befides jewels, they wear bells, which they think have a good effect ; but which, I confefs, I do not ad- mire. THE balladieres > it muft be obferved, are not all of the fame rank or condi- tion. It is only the higher ranks among them, who, I have been told, are confe- crated to the ufe of the Bramins, the firft caft in this fuperftitious country, that can afford to have a load of diamonds. Nor do the balladieres of this clafs flroll through the country. But if the com- mon dancing girls are not ufually adorn- ed with diamonds, they have other pre- cious ftones and ornaments that flrike difcovered fo great a part of her charms, that his faid, ihe left nutbing to guefs* 2 with 44 TRAVELS/* with equal etFecl. In every other refpecl, their drefs refembks that of the balladieres cf the rft rank. V/HEN theie girls dance, they do not hop, cut, aad ikip like our aclreffes in Europe; the iift their feet high. Their dances would not be faltered, it muft be owned, in an aflembly of Eu- topean ladies. They exprefs, by mute action,- all the raptures and extravagancies o-the paffion.pf love, when in deep re- tirement, concealed from every prying eye," the happy 1 i ng , afide al 1 reftraint, yie impulfe :hs moft ardent defire of nature. Nor i ate action the whole of this fcene. girls accompany their wanton attitudes witH'Iafcivio. , until, overcome by r^. ' -i.1 the power of imagination, anci the ftrengtli of perfumes, their voices die 'away, and they become motionlefs ; which is the con- cliiiibn of this opera, fhall I call it, or pantomime? The ball lafled until morn- ing. Refrefliments were prefected to the company EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 45 company at hort intervals d^ing the night. The bride was accompanied to the he ufe of her hufband only by her neareil: relations. The Hindoo Jadies were in like manner taken care of by their hu&ands or kindred. As to the balladieres, they were cfcorted home by Europeans. in every other relpecl, die Hindoos love to excefs. I was curious to know what were the common topics of conversation among this people ; for they are very fociable, meeting together fre- quently at each other's doors, and fmoak- ing all day long. Upon inquiry, I found they were ever talking about their wives $ their age, their qualities, their numbers, and their profpeds of getting new ones, 6cc. The barbarous nations in Ame- rica talk of hunting and war ; in England, the people talk on" politics ; in Scotland, of religion ; in France, of the grand mo- narque ; in Hindoftan, the conftant theme ve and marriage. There are ieveral analogies, which occur to my imagiBatioa at 46 TRAVELS * at the rftoment of writing this, between! the peninfula of Hindoftan and that .of Italy ; which I mall commit to paper with- out examining them. The Hindoos were once a flouriming and powerful people ; and their knowledge, religion, and laws, fpread over many countries of Afia. In like manner, the knowledge, the religion, the laws of Rome, enlightened and blefTed the nations of Europe : But, in procefs of time, the Roman empire was over-run, and broken into many independent flates, by irruptions of northern barbarians. Such was alfo the fate of the Hindoo empire, which was conquered [and torn in pieces by the Mogul Tartars. The flates of Italy at this day are only nominal fove- reignties, being dependent on the empe- ror, France, and Spain. In like manner, the princes of Hindoftan have long de- pended on the protection of one or other of the powers of Europe. The Italians of the prefent time, are an unwarlike, ef- feminate, and indolent people, delighting only in love and mufic. This is alfo ex- adly EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 4.7 a&ly the character of the modern Hindoos. Other refemblances might be traced be- tween thefe nations : but on the fubje& of refemblances, one is apt to grow fanciful; therefore I proceed not any further on this topic. I HAVE endeavoured, at various times, to lead the natives of this country into a free converfation on Europeans, and their ty- ranny ; but I found them very referved. They often complained of the infolence of the common foldiers. The warrior caft in Europe, they fay, muft be very bad mans. I once overheard a converfation be- tween a Moor who kept a mop in Bom- bay and one of our corporals. The cor- poral afked the price of ;fome cheefe ; the Moor demanded a rupee (half a crown) a pound; the corporal, after a torrent of abufive language mixed with threatenings, fwore that he could purchafe better cheefe in Europe for four pence. " Well, mailer," jTaid the cheefemonger, " I fuppofe very ' few in this country will hinder you from " going 48 TRAVELS/;* '" going to Europe to buy it." This was the flrongeft inlinuation of the diflike in which Europeans are held here, that I ever heard from any of the natives of Hin- doftan. I overheard at another time, a converfation between a Moor and one of our men, on the fubjeft of religion. After a good deal of difputation, in the courfe of which the Chriftian loft his temper, and poured forth the greateft curfes on Mahomet and all his followers; the dif- ciple of the great prophet, with great calm- nefs, replied, " Mafter, why do Chriftians curfe Mahomet ? we Mahometans never curfe Jcfus Chrift." The foldier, provoked beyond meafure at this comparifon, would certainly have knocked the Moor down, if his paflion had not found vent in a very feafonable * volley of imprecations. IN * Although fwearing be a heinous fin, yet does it fome- times prevent other fins, if not more criminal, yet more grievous in their nature. A choleric gentleman in the north of England, the proprietor of a coal mine, ufed to curfe his colliers on occafions, which afforded him prefent re- lief from the detracting fury o-f anger. But as he was a great EUROPE, ASIA, ^WArkicA. 49 IN Bombay, where people of fo many different nations are collected together, there is a kind of language, which is com- pofed of the moft common words of the languages of each nation, and of natural figns. Converfation is carried on, in a great meafure, by gefticulation, pointing, and various diftortions of countenance. This affords to a ftranger a ludicrous fpectacle. The Hindoos fpeak in a very loud tone of voice, infomuch that it ap- peared difagreeable to me, before cuftom, that reconciles us to every thing, render- ed it familiar : Yet their voices are not harm, but naturally fweet and melodious,, The men mave their heads, but all the Women wear their hair long. The Jews and Perfees wear long beards : but the Gentoos, whofe religion prefcribes clean- linefs of peifon, mave their heads, leav- great ft am merer, he had not curfes always at reran-. in which cafe he was wont to beat them. Wherefore, when the poor colliers faw him ready to burft with rage and unable to fpeak, they would nov/and then fay, " O t if your honour could get up an oath or two ! " VOL. II, E ing 50 TRAVELS/// ing only a fmall tuft on the crown, their beards, arm-pits, &c. &c. The trade of a potter is an excellent one in this coun- try ; for the Gentoos never ufe the fame pot or plate twice ; that would be pollu- tion ; but as to plates, their place is ge- nerally fupplied by the broad and tough leaves of banyan trees ; and they ufe no fpoons. Ladles they have, made of the fhell of the cocoa-nut, with which they ferve up their rice, which is commonly mixed with ghee, (a kind of half-made butter, which they keep frefh in leather bottles for years, without fait) and fpices, which make it a very favoury and nourifli- ing food. This they eat, not with knives and forks, but with their fingers. The carnivorous appetites of Europeans mock them ; for, the warrior-caft excepted, the Gentoos eat no flefh meat. Certain other cafts are allowed to eat fim. Of the Eng- Hfh particularly, they fay, making their heads, " Ah ! Englifhmans eat every thing, fight every thing." INDEED, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. i INDEED, I muft fay, that I was difguft- ed myfelf at the practice, fo common among Europeans as well as Moors, of eating fnakes and frogs. The frog of this country is as large as a chicken. It makes a loud croaking noife in the tanks and fields in the evenings. This fupplies the place of the melody of European birds. The frogs are fed with great care after they are caught. I am told by the frog-eaterSj that they are moft delicate food. I take their word for it. The late General Wedderburne was fo fond of frogs, that he kept a frog-catcher, as gentlemen in Europe keep fowlers. THERE is a kind of ferpents, capable of being tamed, which become domef- tics in families, and which undoubt- edly have a fenfibility to the charms of mulic j for, at the found of a violin, they raife their heads, and move their bodies in concord to the mufical notes. When you ftroke their beautiful backs, they fecm fenfible of the carefs, their E 2 necks 52 T R A V E L S in necks and heads moving more brifkly to the mufic, and their eyes fparkling with encreafed luftre. It was, doubtlefs, in al- lufion to this fpeciesof ferpents, that Solo- mon ftigmatized the deaf adder, that would not be charmed by the voice of the charmer, fiould be charm everfo wifely. I HAVE never yet, either by reading or converfation, obtained any fatisfaclory ac- count of the origin of thofe ideas of pol- lution, and fmgular antipathies and abhor- rences, which prove fo great torments to the Hindoos. Different writers have at- tempted to trace them back to the arts of priefts and politicians. But prieftcraft and policy do not infpire mankind with new defires and averlions. They may fanclify and confirm prejudices already entertained; they may improve and heighten them, and ufe them as engines for their own purpofes ; but I apprehend they feldom fhidy to cre- ate them. However the fuperftructure may be the effect of art, the foundation is laid in nature. It is political wifdom, perhaps, EUROPE, ASIA, ^^AFRICA. 53 perhaps *, to punifh unnatural crimes > and in fad: they are punifhed : but does the punifhment of fuch crimes originate in views of policy ? It is a natural abhor- rence that firft impels men to punifh them : in the fame manner that a fchool- boy is urged by a natural antipathy to kill thofe odious reptiles that offend his eye in his wandering excurfions in woods and .fields. Eun^cans are conscious of many antipathies, which it is impoflible to trace to any fource of fuperftition or policy : the Afiatics, in like manner, have theirs; with this difference, that they are at once more violent and more numerous. There feems to be a greater irritability in their nerves ; they are more forcibly ftruck by every object. THE manner of drinking among the Gentoos is remarkable. They religiouf- * The prefident Montefquieu is of opinion, that the pu- niftiment of unnatural crimes is by no means neceflary. Nature will maintain her own rights vvithouf the inter- vention of the magiftrate. E 3 } X 54 TRAVELS** ,ly avoid touching the veflel that contains the liquor with their lips, and pour it into their mouths, holding the bottle, or other vefTel, at leaft at a foot's diftance. Their idea is, that they would be polluted by ftagnating water. They will drink from a pump, or of any running ftream, but not out of a pool. THE Hindoos preferve the Afiatic cuf- tom, of which we read in the bible, of threfhing out their corn by the treading of oxen. A pole is fixed in the ground, in the upper end of which is fet a pivot, which ferves as an axis for a wheel, or rather a wooden frame, which is turned round by the oxen, and which confines their fteps to the threming-floor. The grain is lhaken from the huiks and the ftraw by the beating of their feet and legs. A couple of oxen will threfh two or three hundred bumels of rice a day. There have been various attempts in Eu- rope to contrive a machine for threfhing corn, the moil laborious and expenfive operation EUROPE, ASIA, and A? RICA. 55 operation in hufbandry. Might not our farmers for once take a hint from the Afiatics, and try the method of threming by means of oxen ? The threfh ing-floor is formed by fpreading on the furface of a fpot of level ground, a pafte compofed of water, earth, and cow-dung. This ope- ration is performed by the women. THERE is not a more precious fub- ftance in the eyes of the Gentoos, than cow-dung. It is not perhaps known in Europe, that cow-dung is an infallible prefervative againft the deftrudlive effetfts of all kinds of vermin. It is for this rea- fon, that it is ufed in forming threfhing- floors. It is for the fame reafon, that it is ufed as plaifter to the houfes, which are overlaid with this fubftance, mixed with water and a very little earth, both without and within. A layer of this com- pofition being fpread on the walls, and fufficient time being allowed for it to dry, a fecond ftratum is added, for the purpofe of filling up any chinks that may be oc- cafioned by exceflive drought. A fmooth E 4 and 56 TRAVELS in and folid pafte being thus formed, it is white-warned with a very fine and white lime made of oyfter-mells. Thefe white walls are variegated without as well as within, by the figures of different animals,, efpecially elephants. But I have not yet fully defcribed the great importance of cow-dung *. It is not only a necefTary article both in agriculture and architecture, but alfo in religion. The pollution that js occafionally conveyed to their houfes by the contact of Cbriftians, the Gentoos wafh way by the precious ointment of cow- dung. The pagodas in the ifland of Sal- fette, having been ufed by our foldiers as lodging -places, during the war with the Marrattas, were confidered as defiled, and wholly abandoned until they had un- * When a Perfee prince and a Brahmin were lately in England, Mr. Burke, with his ufual generofity and public fpirit, recommended to the Eaft India Company to pro- vide a handfome lodging for them fomewhere in theparifh of St. James's. But had that gentleman been aware of the reverence in which cow-dung is held in India, he would not have, fixed upon any part of the parim of ST. | A VIES as a proper refidence for thofe Grangers, but on Wt iT-Sjf/TH FIELD. dergonc EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 57 dergone a purification by cow-dung. It is not a little humiliating to a profeffor of Chriftianity, that he ihould be confidered by the aiiticnt and numerous feel: of the Gentoos, as a piece of animated fubftance infinitely more loathfome and odious than, the excrement of a buffalo or a bullock. THE Gentoos are undoubtedly grofs idolaters. What are the doctrines of their priefts, I know not : they worfhip figures of men with elephants heads, and a variety of other images. The human figures which are the objects of their devotion, have many hands, and are enormoufly cor- pulent. They alfo worfhip different ani- mals : I have feen in their temples live bullocks. It occurred to me, that thefe were going to be facrificed to their god or gods j but I was foon given to under- hand, that they were gods themfelves. THE Perfians of this country, as is ge- nerally known, pay divine adoration tojire, (but not in a fenielefs and idolatrous man- ner; 58 TRAVELS /# ner ; for I have been a/lured by very re- fpe&able characters among the Perfees, that they worfhip fire only as an emblem of the Divinity, and as his chief agent in the fyftem of the univerfe. They never extinguifh fire. They will ftand for hours by their lamps, putting up their prayers to God, with folded hands, and their eyes turned towards Heaven with great marks of devotion. They utter ejaculatory prayers all day long, and conftantly mix bufinefs, and even common converfation, with de- votion. THEY have a fuperftitious veneration for cocks and for dogs. They breed great numbers of dogs at their own houfes, and feed them regularly twice every day with rice and ghee. To all dogs, whether their own or not, they are very hofpitable. Wherever they fee a dog, they prefently call him, and offer him food. If you walk abroad with a dog in any of the Perfee villages, you prefently hear jo ! jo ! at every turn -, every body ftriving to be EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 59 be the firft to entertain your dog. Dogs are alfo facred in all the Turkifh domi- nions *. The dogs on the ifland of Bom- bay, a few years ago, were many of them In the year 1743, the dogs at Conftantinople had multiplied fo exceedingly, that they became an intoler- able burthen to the inhabitants, who were obliged to feed them, left being ravenous through hunger, they fliould attack their cattle or even their children, as has fome- times been the cafe. This became fo ferious a matter, that it was taken into confideration by the Divan. That council was in the greateft perplexity, not knowing ho* to redrefs the grievance complained of by the Conftantino- politans, confidently with the do&rines of their religion, which exprefsly prohibits its votaries from taking away the life of a dog. The Divan was at laft relieved from their embarrafTment by the ingenuity of the Grand- Vizir. That minifter obferved, that though the holy prophet had forbidden all MufTulmen to kill a dog, he had not however forbidden them to tranfport them from one place to an- other. He therefore, with the hearty approbation of the Divan, banifhed the dogs of the Turkifti capital to a defert ifland in the Archipelago. Several /hips were loaded with thofe paflengers, who were fet on more in great fafety, and who foon died miferably of hunger. The crew of an Englifh fhip, that failed in the night of the fecond day after the debarkation of the dogs, faft by the ifle on which they were landed, were ftruck with hor- ror at their yelling, the caufe of which they learnt when they came to Conftantinople. mad: 60 TRAVELS/; in mad : whereupon an order was given by the governor, for killing all dogs without exception. This order being known, the Perfees were greatly alarmed, met toge- ther, and entered into a folemn league and covenant in defence of their dogs, and threatened to protect their lives at the rifque of their own. It was therefore thought prudent, not to inlift on the exe- cution of the decree that had been iffued againfl thofe faithful and affectionate do- meftics. JHow difficult it is to diftinguifh the fentiments of nature, from the prejudices of education ! Moft nations with whom we are acquainted, are careful to bury their dead, and confider it as a kind of misfortune to their departed friends, if by any accident their inanimate bodies mould not be honoured by a decent inter- ment. That very circumftance, however, which, in the opinion of Homer, an4 thofe to whom he addrefled the Iliad* ag- gravated the hard fate of thole heroes who fell EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 61 fell in the Trojan war, whofe unburied limbs were devoured by hungry dogs and ravenous vultures : that very circumftance, fo full of horror to a Grecian mind, would have appeared to a Perfian, matter of the greateft confolation. For the Perfees ex- pofe the bodies of their dead to birds of prey, as the laft good office that friend- /hip can perform to the deceafed. They erect for this purpofe fabrics about ten feet high, over the walls of which they fix an iron grate, whereon they place the dead. Thefe buildings are very like kilns, fave that they want roofs. Crows, kites, and vultures, quickly devour the flefh ; and the bones, after being bleached for many years, are at laft pulverifed, and drop gra- dually into the cavity of the building, thus making way for new carcafes. I PREFER to this, the manner in which the Gentoos difpofe of their dead. They burn their bodies with fandal-wood and other aromatics. A very worthy gentleman of my acquaintance, Captain W ft, is fo much delighted with this practice, that he has 62 TRAVELS/)/ has given orders, that his body, after he is dead, mall be burnt after the Gentoo manner, with fandal-wood. The poor Fa- queirs, of whom you have heard fo often, bury their dead within their very places of habitation, which are fometimes huts, and fometimes caverns. The felf-denied Faqueirs will lie whole days and nights, covered with duft, under banyan- trees, confeffing their fins, and expiating them by repentance, fupported only by a bottle of water arid a little gram, or parched corn, not unlike peafe, but fweeter to the tafte. This mendicant order of religious, often fupply our fatty-maurs * with provilions on their journies, when, avoided by the fuperftitious Gentoos as if they were fome noxious animals, they would be in great danger of ftarving. IT is generally known, that the practice of inoculating for the fmall-pox is com- mon in all Afiatic countries. But there is an art in Hindoiran, not yet known in * Meflengers or Pofts. Europe, EUROPE, ASIA, end AFRICA. 63 Europe, by which the women effeftually prevent any traces of the fmall-pox on the faces of their little ones. This prefervative is compofed of a falve made of certain Indian herbs, and a certain kind of oil, which they apply as foon as the pock be- gins to blacken. I am furprifed that none of the Company's furgeons have ever en- quired into the nature of this preparation : for, I prefume, if they had, they would have difcovered it ; and the fact, that the Hindoos know how to fave their fkins from the ravages of the fmall-pox, is un- doubted. I SHALL, now I have got on the fubject of Hindoo furgery, mention another ope- ration of the chirurgical kind, which I am well afTured is attended with the hap- pieft effects. When any perfon happens to be bruifed in any part of his body, by a fall, a blow, or otherwife, thofe who are neareft to him, prefently ftrip off the greater part of his cloaths, and with the palms of their hands gently rub the afflict- 3 cd 64 TRAVELS & cd part, and proceeding from that fpot, rub over, with greater force, the whole of the body. This good office is generally performed by the women, who are indeed the furgeons and phyficians of this coun- try, and who handle their patients with all the eafy addrefs of the mofl experienced member of the faculty in Europe. BEFORE the Hindoos rife from their beds, they ftretch themfelves, darting out their legs and arms with a fudden motion feveral times. Then they proceed to the doors of their houfes, where they fit in circles, in order to pick and to wafh their teeth. They fill their mouths repeatedly with water, and holding back their heads, make a croaking noife, like fo many frogs. Thofe of the Gentoo religion perform divers other ablutions in fecret. ALTHOUGH the Hindoos are the meek- eft people on earth, yet they fometimes quarrel with one another. Will you pleafe to attend to fo trifling a defcription as that 2 of EUROPE, ASIA, of an Hindoo fcolding-match ? Storms fornetimes difplay the nature of the foil on which they fall. The enraged parties begin with complaining of each other's injuftice; and retail a great many moral and religious maxims, which, by that in- juftice, have been violated. They enume- rate the acts of violence or of fraud, which their antagonifts have committed againft others, as well as themfelves. They un- dervalue each other's families : *- " Your fifter went on a certain day to fetch water from the well, and was embraced by a Chriftian foldier :" " Your father dying young, your mother did not mave her head, but made her elopement with a fepoy :" " From a niggardly difpofition, you violated the laws of our holy religion, by making the fame earthen pot ferve you a whole week:" And, " You got fo drunk, on one occafion, with brabtree toddy, that you not only touched the veffel with your lips, but bit it with your teeth." In this manner they kept fcolding for the fpace of fome hours : but now the contention VOL. II. F become* 66 TRAVELS in becomes fiercer, and the opprobrious terms of Cafre and Hallachore are retorted with great fury. As the laft poffible infult, they- pull off their fhoes, fpit in them, and throw them in each other's faces *. Anon,, they proceed to action, tearing each other's hair, and fmiting each other, not with their fifls, but the palms of their hands,, like women or children. After they are iufficiently fatigued by this exercife. they part, each declaring that he would have inflicted on his adverfary more fevere marks of his vengeance, if he did not confider himfelf as much polluted by touching him, as he would be by coming in contact with nfow or a Chrijlian. I NEVER beheld fo ftriking a proof of the influence of food on animal conflitu- tions, as in the battles of dogs in this * It mould be obferved, that when the Gcntoos enter their temples, or the apartments of any great man, they pull off their ihoes, and leave them at the door. As ap- pearing in your prefence without fhoes, is the greateft mark of refpeft ; fo to throw one's (hoe in his neighbour'* 'face, is the very laft mark of contempt. country. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 6*f Country. The dogs of fuch of the natives as feed them only with rice and ghee, are no more a match for the dogs that are bred by the Englim, though of the fame fpecies, than one of thefe would be a match for a lion. Our foldiers take great delight in promoting fights between their dogs and thofe of the Hindoos, which is a very cruel entertainment. IT will not furprife one, who knows thd fefolution of Hindoo women in burning with their hufbands, to be told, that there is at prefent in Bombay,- a woman, a native of Manga/ore*, who, afiuming the habit of a man, enlifted in a company of fepoys, in order to have a chance of meeting with her fweetheart, who had enlifted in our fervice in the lafl war. After having been in one or two engagements, in which me difplayed a manly courage, me found her lover, to whom fhe made herfelf known, and became his wife. The wives of the * Hyder Ally's capital, <*/& ;& /&L . F 2, heymals, 68 TRAVELS/* heymals, as well as their hufbands, follow the employment of porters, and are kept to their labour as well as the men, by the terror of a fcourge. The conflancy and heroifm of this lady, has been rewarded by an appointment to the office of over- feer of the wives of the cookes. I have feen her with her rattan in her hand, acting in the capacity of a female ferjeant. (THERE have been frequent inftances of the daughters of Moors and Perfees mar- rying, with the confent of their parents, European gentlemen ; but I do not know, that ever an European married a Gentoo. The ladies, I believe, might fometimes be prevailed on to facrifice religious preju- dices to the power of all-conquering love, if they were not restrained by the autho- rity of their parents.; Lieutenant L th, happening to walk abroad in the fuburbs of Bombay, perceived a very beautiful lady -looking from a window of a houfe, one of the walls of which almoft touched 'that of the garden in which it was en- clofed. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 69 dofed. He flopped to contemplate her charms ; which the lady perceiving, me inftantly withdrew into 'her apartments. Mr. L th kept his ground, in hopes that his charmer would appear again at the window : nor were his hopes deceived ; for, whether from curiofity, the vanity of being admired, or the dawn of a paffion fimilar to that which began to fire the lieutenant, fhs approached the window again, but without looking out, as (be had done before. Her admirer bowed refpect- fully, and endeavoured, by natural figns, to make her fenlible of the tender emotions which me had infpired. How eloquent is nature, even unaffifted by the power of fpeech ! The lady feemed to comprehend his meaning: for after darting a fhort glance, which did not exprefs either aver- fion or contempt, me fhook her head, and forthwith retired. The lieutenant, who could think on nothing but this fcene, repaired to the fame fpot next day, at the fame hour. After waiting for fome time, the lady happened again to look out at F 3 the 7 TRAVELS/* the window; and the fame mute expreffioa was renewed, which had pafled the day before, but longer continued. ALTHOUGH the Baft India Company rnake a confiderable addition to the pay of fuch officers in their fervice as under-r iland the language of the natives, Mr. L 'th, who is by no means a lover of money, had never given himfelf the trouble of acquiring it : but now, to the furprife pf all his acquaintance, he became a great ftudent, and his onty companion was Ricbardfons Perjian Dictionary. He foon acquired as much Perlian, as enabled him to exprefs in words, what he endeavoured to communicate to his angel by the lan- guage of nature. In the mean time, his vifits were regularly repeated, and the lady did not fail to give him audience. The time of meeting was changed from day to pight, whofe filent {hade is favourable at once to the fuccefs of lovers, and the de- Jicacy of their paffion. Mr. L th and his Gentoo fair one, now glowing with a mutual EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 75. mutual flame, exchanged the fentiments of their hearts, at a diftance from each other, like Pyramus and Thifbe, but met with a kinder fate : for the lady, having arrayed herfelf in her richeft robes, adorned with all her jewels, at the hoar of midnight threw herfelf, by means adapted to the delicacy of her frame, into the arms of her lover; thus bidding an eternal adieu to her father's houfe, her kindred, and religion. The father of this young woman made grievous complaints to the governor of Bombay, of the conduct of Mr L th,, who, he affirmed, had de- graded his daughter below the -rank of an Hallachore, and brought an indelible difgrace on his family. In mcrt, he prayed, that, as fome reparation to the dig- nity of his houfe, Lieutenant L th might be difmifTed from the Company's fervice. THE governor replied., that if Mr. L th had ufed either fraud or violence, in order to carry off his daughter, not only would the Company have difcarded F 4 bira 72 TRAVELS in him from their fervice, but the BritiH} laws would have inflicted feverer punifh- rnents : but fince it appeared, that what had happened was with the lady's confent, it was incompetent to him or the Britim government, to ftigmatize, in any fhape, the lieutenant's conduct. Mrs. L th has for ever loft the regard of her family 5 but that circumftance only ferves to endear her the more to the heart of an affectionate and generous hufband. ON looking back to the date when I began to write this letter, I find it has furnimed employment for my leifure hours for five days. I might give you a great ideal more of this bagatelle, but the patty- maur fets out for Calcutta to-morrow. J am, &c. &c. LETTER ASIA, CW^AFRICA. 73 LETTER XLIV. To J M -, Efq; London. Calcutta, Nov. 18, 1779. IF the Britiih nation would derive all the advantages from the foil of Hin- doftan, and the ingenuity of the natives, which they are capable of yielding, they muft refolve to treat the Hindoos, not as flaves or inferior animals, but as fellow-men, entitled to protection, liberty, and juftice. Thefe alone infpire thofe habits of induftry, which are the life of commerce. The mifery and defolation which have been oc- cafioned by tyranny and injuftice, will at laft open the eyes of oppreflbrs, and ex- pofe to their view the folly as well as the enormity of their crimes. But it is not lefs difgraceful to the Englim, than it is ^infortunate for the Hindoos, that Juftice, if 74 TRAVELS/* if fhe make her appearance at all, will .come too late; and that liberty will " not be the voluntary offering of genero- fity, but a tribute to felf-intereft, taught by long experience the pernicious confe- quences of oppreflion, even to oppreflbrs. I A PEOPLE enjoying, like the Englifh, the bleffings of liberty themfelves, mould be the laft in the world to impofe flavery on others : but the hiftory of the world fufficiently proves, that the freed govern- ments have been the fevereft mailers to their dependents ; fo little influence in public as well as in private conduct, has f that juft maxim in morality, " To do un- to others whatever, in their fituation, we fhould think reafonable in them to do to us." But, as in private life, experience evinces, that virtue. leads to happinefs, and vice to mifery ; fo, it is to be hoped, will the ruinous confequences of oppreffion, teach the governors of kingdoms the wif- dom of political juftice. The time, I liope, is not far diftant, when the natives of EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 75 of India, who have fo long languished un- der ilavery, will have reafon to aflume for their motto, *' Libertas, quae fera tamen refperit inertea." THE moft important point which the legiflature of Britain will have to fettle in Hindoftan, when they mall come to make new arrangements in that country, will be, the tenure of territorial property. Give me leave to propofe to your confideration, and through you, Sir, to the confideration of fuch of our friends as are particularly interefted in the affairs of India, the fol- lowing thoughts on this fuhjeft. ALL nations who acknowledge fubjec- tion to a fupreme head whether this fub- miflion hath been acquired by conqueft, or yielded by compact, have committed a virtual property of the whole foil of the country in reverfion, tQthe fovereign power^ to the end, that this ideal veftiture may render the actual poffeffor amenable to the cftabliflied laws of the community, and the property 76 TRAVELS' i property itfelf feudatory, and chargeable with fuch burthens and taxes, being equit- ably apportioned, as the public exigencies may require : but in every other vie,w, the real property of the foil is vefted in the poflerTor, according to the particular con- ditions on which the lands were original- ly conceded to the individual members of the community, or declared in formal compacts between the ftate and its fub- je&s. No confideration whatever mould be fufFered, directly or indirectly, to invade the fundamental laws of the constitution, provided that the prefervation of the con ft i- tution itfelf does not render certain altera- tions in thefe laws indifpenfably necefTary. I fay, diredlly or indirectly-, becaufe inno- vations acquiefced in, are converted into precedents, and precedents eftablimed in laws. The evils arifing thence cannot be remedied without violence j and the refto- ration of good order muft necefiarily be preceded by anarchy and bloodfhed; for the fovereign power gradually arTumes greater prerogatives than originally belong- ed EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 77 cd to it, and, its invafions and influence reciprocally Simulating and ftrengthening each other, tyranny feizes the reins of go- vernment, and rules with a rod of iron, until the people, reduced to extremities, are forced, in felf-defence, to affert their conftitutional and natural rights, thus blended together, which is only to be effected by the death cf the tyrant. THE Hindoo conftitution, on principles of the founder! policy, was continued un- altered even after the Mogul conqueft, and during the feveral fucceffive ftages of that government in Hindoftan. But the Mogul empire was fhaken into pieces by the bold ambition of fubordinate princes, who at once departed from their allegiance to the emperor of Delhi, and exercifed on their fubj eels the mod wanton cruelties; to which cruelties their own lives, for the moft part, fell facrifices. MIRACULOUS fuccefTes in the field, and the gratitude of the emperor, lavifhed without 7 TRAVELS ftf Without bounds or meafure, have raifed the Englidi Baft India Company to the dominion of a vaft extent of territory, and over twice the number of inhabitants Contained in Great Britain, as well as the high prerogative of being arbiters of all Hindoftan. But inftead of improving thefe advantages, they have in reality convert- ed them into difadvantages : for, intoxi- cated by a flow of profperity that they neither deferved nor were able to bear, they abandoned themfelves to the govern- ment of paffion ; fubverted the original conflitution of the country fubjeded to their power ; and perplexed it with a com- pofition of law and form, as little knowri to the Britim conflitution, as that into' which they have violently incorporated it. The immediate effect of fo fatal an error, was the depopulation of thofe flou- riming countries whence t they drew their greateft wealth. Several fertile tracts were laid wholly wafte; agriculture, manufac- tures, induftry of every kind, were every where difcountenanced; and oppreflion, in all EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA, jq all its dreadful forms, not only connived at, but encouraged. Inceflant acts of pub- lic injuftice and private outrage perpetrated with impunity, have excited all the powers of India into a confederacy againft Eng- lifli ufurpations, treachery, and breach of public faith j and taught the natives the art of war, and the ufe of arms. Arms not inferior to thofe of Europe, are now manufactured in the very heart of Hin- doftan. I OBSERVED, in a former letter, that many of the Hindoo tribes, moft or all the defcendants of Moors, and the numerous emigrants from Perfia and its borders,, are brave and cool in battle. Having the fame weapons, and being under equal difcipline, they may, doubtlefs^ become a match for their countrymen, ferving in the army of the Company. The want of European aufpices may be compenfated by numbers, perhaps by the invincible fpirit of liberty and genuine pa- triotifm. Thefe are ferious objects of confideration. 3 TRAVELS** eonfideration. An inattention to thefe things has already produced the molt alarming difad vantages in trade, and dif- appointments in revenue, and feems, in- deed, to threaten the extinction of the prefent Eafl India Company. IN order to remedy thefe evils, and avert that danger, juftice and found policy mould go hand-in-hand, to convince the people of India, that however corrupt the practices of Britim emigrants, the regular adminiibration of juftice at home was frill maintained in its full vigour ; -that how- ever. the ftreams may have contracted pol- lution in the length of their courfe, the Britim fountain was yet pure; and that the abufes in India fprung from the conceal- ed evil meafures of the Company's princi- pal fervants, an unwarranted mifapplica- tion of power, confequent mifreprefenta- tiohs of facts and circumflances, and diftance of place, which, until now, had (hut up the avenues to truth. A GEN- EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 81 A GENTLEMAN of the mofl diflinguim- ed abilities, and a trufty fervant to the Haft India Company, has devoted as much of his time and ftudy, as the avocations of duty would allow, to a thorough in- veftigation of Hindoftan tenures, and of the moft effectual means of reftoring to that paradife of nations its former fplendor. The refult of his honefl and diligent re- fearches he communicated to the Court of Directors in that eafy, fluent, and con- vincing ftrain, which characterifes him as a writer as well as a fpeaker ; for which, I have been informed, he received their warmeft acknowledgments. It is faid, that he modeftly reprobated the meafures here- tofore purfued, in general terms, fome of which, however, were pretty pointed ; and that his own plans are founded on principles of juflice and benevolence to- wards the natives, whofe rights and poli- tical conftitution he wifhes to preferve in- violate, gently tempered with fuch inno- vations only as tend to protect liberty and property, and to procure a fixed revenue VOL. II. G to 82 TRAVELS m to the Britifh nation, and a beneficial trade to the India Company. After fo able a man has reduced his obfervations on the pre- fent ftate of India to a fyftern for its future fettlement, it may appear prefumptuous in one of inferior abilities and lefs know- kdge, to enter upon the fame fubjecl. But as the paper which that gentleman fubmit- ted to his employers, and through them to government, has not yet tranfpired, I folicit his permiilion to make a few fhort obfervations on the fame matters which he- has treated ; at the fame time that I confefs the flattering pleafure I mould fee], if my ideas mould be found in general to coin- cide with thofe of Mr. Francis. In the wiean time, I am, &c. n* LETTER. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 83 LETTER XLV. To J M , Efq; London. Calcutta, Nov. 21, 1779. EVEN Mr. Haftings, while his judg- ment was directed by his innate feelings, and before the nobleft paffions of the human heart were fuperfeded by principles of a lefs honourable nature, favoured, in the ilrongefl: terms, the idea of indulging the natives of Hindoftan in the enjoyment of their original conftitution, as effential to the fecurity and prcfperity of the Company's poflellions and trade. This fyftem he recommended by the moft convincing arguments, in a letter to the Court of Directors, dated the 24th of March 1774, accompanying the tranflation G 2 of 84 TRAVELS / of the two firft fe&ions of the Gentoo laws*. IF Abjlrafl from Mr. Hajlings'i Letter. " From the labours of a people, however intelligent, whofe fludics have been confined to the narrow circle of their own religion, and the decrees founded upon its fu- perftitions ; and whofe difcuffion, in the fearch of truth, have wanted that lively aid, which it can only derive from a free exertion of the underftanding, and an cppo- fition of opinions ; a perfect fyftem of jurifprudence is not to be expected. *' Yet if it (hall be found to contain nothing hurtful to the authority of government, or to the intsrefts of fociety, and is confonant to the manners, ideas, and inclinations, of the people for whofe ufe it is intended, I prefume, that on thefe grounds, it will be preferable to any which even a fuperior wifdom could conflitute in its room. " It is from this conviction, and from an apprehenfion of the effects which a contrary opinion might produce, that I have been fo earned in tranfmitting thefe meets for your information ; as they will afford, at leaft, a proof that the ptople of this country do not require our aid tofurniflt them with a rule for their conduft, or a ftandard far their property. " I have ventured to fay thus much on a fubjeft which may poffibly appear, to have been irregularly ob- truded upon your notice, becaufe reports have a long time prevailed, and been communicated to us by the beft of private EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRI c A. 85 IF this mild and wife fyflem Hiall be adopted, it will be neceflary, in the firil place, private authority, of an intention to frame new courts and forms of judicature for the inhabitants of thefe provinces. Whatever foundation thefe reports may have in truth, or whatever may be the extent or principles of the jurifdiftion herein fuppofed, I cannot but exprefs my hope, that nothing of this kind may be finally concluded, without an opportunity being given to the members of your adm'miftration, to communicate fuch ideas as their experience may fuggeft to them ; and this I conceive to be my duty, from the con- fideration of the hurtful effects which an unadvifed fyilem might poffibly produce, to the quiet of the people, and the fecurity of your revenue." In the Sections of Gen too laws referred to by Mr. Haftings, are fome paffages which do ample juftice to the fentiments and opinions which he expreffed and recom- mended. Under the head of fecurity for debts, the prin- ciples are literally conformable to the common law of England, and ftriftly confonant to equity in Seel. III. par. 123 and 4. So par. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 14. are novel to the Englifh conftitution, but remarkably juft and equitable : the 151)1 par. diftinguifhes the very wife fpirit of their inftitutions : viz. " A man mail not accept for fecurity, a perfon totally " unknown to him j his own matter; an enemy; a pri- " foner ; a very old man ; a partner living in the " fame family ; a friend, or a pupil." G 3 Sefliom 86 TRAVELS in place, to fix a conftitutiona! head or fove- reignty over Hindoftan, as I have obferved in a former letter. Without this, no line of polity can be purfued, either with propriety or fecurity. THE feveral branches which compofe the landed revenue, fhould be reduced to a plain iyflem, and made intelligible even Seflion TV. On difcharging debts to vvhomfoever due, par. 21. it ordains that, " If a roan dies, having incurred debts by gambling or " by drinking fpirituous liquors, his fon fhall not '* difcharge them." It goes on, faying " This law " is calculated for thofe perfons in whom gaming " and the ufe of fpirituous liquors arc not accounted " a moral offence." Doubtlefs, this fhort explanation implies, that there are other more fcvere inflictions againil gaming and drinking, on perfons of the Gentoo faith. Seclion V, On perfons incapable of inheritance. This whole feftion difcovers fuch principles of morality and primitive juftice, and is in many inflances fo conformable to many tenets in the Englifh laws, that it claims the Jiigheft commendation, and is worthy of imitation in all civil focieties. 10 tO EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 87 to the fimpleft capacity. The Company's Afiatic concerns mould be freed from that confufion in which they are involved, and compriied under the feveral heads into which the rents of each diftri that the moft trifling, as well as the moft important tranfactions, are not only con- dueled, but projected by them ; and Eu- ropeans are, for the moft part, not only at the mercy, but under the infenfible do- minion of perfonSj whofe art and addrefs introduce, in their deportment, an ob- fequioufnefs and apparent fubmiilion, ex- preflive of the duty of a fervant to his maflen THE complicated connexions and fecret intercourfes between Banyans, Circars, Gomaftahs, Pycars, and Dellols, added to deep artifice, and confequent power, maintain their ufurpations on the Euro- peans, as well as on the manufacturers and VOL. II, H ryots j 98 TRAVELS & ryots > who alfo delegate to the fame agents the power of negociation. Thus they act in the two-fold capacity of feller and pur- chafer, reaping the advantages of com- miflion and fraud from both, and defignedly obftructing with peculiar acutenefs, thofe perfonal interviews which would naturally beget confidence, fo eflential to the in- terefts of both parties. THIS wiihed-for intercourfe and confi- dence, which the plan for the reception of crude and manufactured goods into public warehoufes, and inftant payment without the chargeable and fraudulent mediation of brokers, can alone promote and effectu- ate, will be the happy means alfo, of reftor- ing to goods their former qualities at the former prices, without injuring the manu- facturer or ryot ; as in lieu of the differ- ence in quality and price, they will fave a greater difference in the emoluments and advance prices ufurped by European agents, in the Nazaranas, brokerage, difcount on coins, intereft ufurioufly charged on ad- vances, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 9$ vances, fines for imaginary breaches of contract, and a lift of factitious taxes frau- dulently tramped up to impofe on the ig- norant manufacturers and ryots, whole good faith is thus cruelly abufed in clan- deftine contracts. VARIOUS are the ways which the art and ingenuity of men, aiming at the ac- quilition of riches, devife and pralim the purpofes of his appointment of commiffioner of the Company's law-fuits in the Supreme Court, by reafon of the extra-judicial proceedings of the judges, do honour to his moral character; as his clear and precife knowledge of the reve- nues, laws, and cuftoms of the Company's pofTeffions in Bengal, prove him to be one of their ablefl fervants. But his connection with Mr. H s, has imprefTed his mind with an idea, that pure defpotifm in the uncontrolled hands of an individual, is the only fyftem whereby to govern India. . MR. SHORE, Mr. Ducarell, and Mr. Anderfon, have acquired fo accurate a knowledge of the revenues of the provinces of Hindoftan, and the difpofitions, cuf-? toms, and manners of the people, that, whatever change may take place in the adminiftration, found policy and good fenfe will point out them as neceflary members. K 3 Mr. I 34 TRAVELS in Mr. Alexander, whofe, unbiafled integrity, and accurate knowledge of accounts, have juftly raifed him to the important ftation which he now occupies, of commifTary general of the army accounts, is worthy of unlimited confidence, and capable of rendering fignal fervices, particularly in any line that requires controul, and a clear knowledge of accounts. It would be in- juftice to the moft approved fidelity, to pafs over the diftinguimed abilities and unihaken integrity of Mr. Charles Grant, principal fecretary to the Board of Trade. If this gentleman errs in any thing, it is in the fternnefs of his virtue, and the nice fcrupuloufnefs of his feelings in matters of right and wrong. The only good that has been performed by that Board, has been involuntary on the part of its mem- bers, and ftands to the fple credit of the fecretary. I am, &c. BETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 135 LETTER XLIX. To J M , Efq; London. Calcutta, Dec. 3, 1779. THE Eaft India Company entertained falfe ideas concerning the trade car- ried on from their fettlements in the earl with the Arabian and Perfian feas, when they either mifled government, or feduced the minifter at the Ottoman court to obftrucl: the commerce with the Red Sea, and as much as poflible, that from Baffo- rah and Bagdat to Aleppo and Smyrna. Doubtlefs, they imagined that fuch com- merce would interfere with their fales in Europe, and with the trade of the Levant Company : but never was any apprehen- fion more groundlefs. Let the Company's fales in Leadenhall-flreet and the Cuftom- hpufe entries in London be reviewed, in K 4 order 136 T R A V E L S in order to afcertain the quantities and qua* lities of India goods exported to the Le- vant and the African fide of the Mediter- ranean ; and then compare thefe with the quantities and qualities of the goods fent from India into the gulphs. This compari- fon will fufficiently evince the Company's mjftake with regard to this fubject, and no doubt effectually correct it. France and Denmark, who nearly engrofs that part of the African trade which lies within the ftraits of Gibraltar, are capable the one by proximity, the other by conftant intercourfe, and both by the unreftrained fyftems pf their imports of underfelling the Levant Company in all India commo- dities. Therefore, unkfs the Levant Com- pany have actually occafion to monopolize all the bills of exchange negcciated in Marfeilles, Villa Franca, Genoa, Leg- horn, Venice, and the other fouthern flates, upon the northern kingdoms and trading cities of Europe (an idea repug- nant to the very inftitution of that fociety) it is not probable that the portion of trade which EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 137 which is carried on from India directly with Mccha, Judda, Suez, and Baflbrah, can feniibly affect either the meafure or the profits of the traffic of that Company. The articles of remittance to Britain, for goods exported from India into the Per- fian and Arabian feas, are bills of exchange, Venetian gold, and Spanifti and German crowns : nor is it alleuged, that returns to India are in any refpect offenMve. It there- fore becomes a political queftion, whether it will prove advantageous to Britain, that the Levant Company mall enjoy new and cxclufive privileges, which, without being of the final left advantage to the" Britifh nation in any refpecl:, embarrafs the Indian trade, and one branch of which it tends directly to foreclofe ? INDIA has been, till of late, in the uni- form practice of fending its productions into the Arabian and Perfian feas, to the value of about 350,000!. annually; the principal returns for which, were gold, filver, and other articles of merchandize, which 138 T R A V E L S in which interfered not in any material in- flanee with the trade of the Company, or with Britifh manufactures. The other returns became remittances of the acqui- fitions of individuals to Britain, and con-* fequently a real benefit to the nation. The importation of precious metals into India, is evidently effential to its profperity. Such articles as are wanted for confumption, or are indifpenfable in the improvement of manufactures, and which muft otherwife have been bought from foreigners, and paid for with a liquidation of fpccie, will operate in the fame manner with refpecl: to the country, as if the intire returns, except what is fent to Britain, were made in the precious metals only. OVER and above the advantages accruing from navigation to all commercial coun- tries, and profits upon the returns, the fales up the gulphs may reafonably be computed to yield twenty to twenty-five per cent, net profit, if the India goods are judiciously laid in. Thus an annual market EUROPE, ASIA, market will be furniftied for about half a million of pounds fterling, and a real ba- lance of trade in favour of the Englifli Company, from places, all commerce with which has ramly been difcounte- nanced and retrained by public authority. It is an object of importance to the Eaft India Company, and worthy of the fup- port of government, to revive and re-efta- blifh thofe branches of commerce upon a new and comprehensive fyftcm. Such a fyftem has, after much enquiry and re- flection, been already framed in idea -, and it is affirmed with confidence, that it might eafily be reduced to practice, that it would promote the intereft of the Company, en- rich individuals, and, on the whole, add to the profperity of the Britifli poffefiions in India. As the commerce to and from India with all parts eaftward of the Cape of Good Hope, is as free to individuals as to the Company ; it has been wholly carried on, for a confiderable time paft, by the Company's 140 TRAVELS *7z Company's fervants, individually, or on their account; and by others who ftile themfelvesyra? merchants 2^^ free mariners. The fluctuations and infecurity peculiar to any commerce which is retrained by the arbitrary will of an exclufive Company and defpotic government, are too obvious not to damp the ardour of even the hardieft fpeculators in commerce: neverthelefs, free merchants, labouring under manifold inconveniences, adventured in this hazard- ous trade; and would have fucceeded in fpite of all obftructions, but thofe which were thrown in their way by the partiality and injuftice of that very country which was ultimately to reap the benefit of their genius and induflry. EVERY poffible encouragement confid- ent with found policy, mould be freely granted to Britifh fubjects trading to the eaft of the Cape of Good Hope. Free traders fhould, however, be put under particular reftri&ions and limitations, as well in certain branches of internal privi- leges EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 141 leges and trade, as in the mode of purcha- fing country manufactures. This meafure is abfolutely necefTary, in order to prevent thofe abufes which have been fo juftly and fo loudly complained of; the debafement of the qualities, and at the fame time the encreafe of the prices, of commodities. This reftraint ought not to be murmured at, when it is confidered that free traders are exempted from general taxes, and that the charges of the civil and military go- vernment, the benefits of which they en- joy, is borne without their participation. Their navigation efpecially, mould be laid under ftrid: regulations. They mould never be allowed to trade beyond the limits of the Company's dominions with- out paffports. I am, &c. LETTER 142 T R A V E L S LETTER L. To J M -, Efq. London, Calcutta, Dec. 6, 1779. IT .is equally .unjufl and impolitic, that foreigners mould enjoy greater privi- leges and immunities than the natural fub- jects of any country - } yet Frenchmen are allowed to trade with the rnofl unbound- ed freedom, and to amafs large fortunes in the Englifh Company's dominions in India, even while their nation is at war with Britain, and while they facrifice the temporary allegiance they owe to a govern- ment which favours them with fo iingu- lar an indulgence, to the hoftile views of their native country. Swifs, Germans, Portuguefe, Armenians, and others, are exclufively indulged with fuch peculiar advantages in trade, that they quickly ac- quire EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 143 quire fortunes, with which they retire to their own countries : whereas Englifh- men, were they equally favoured, would in like manner fpeedily acquire wealth, and carry it home to enrich Great Britain. IT is evidently beneficial to any coun- try, that fojourners as well as its fettled inhabitants do live in a plentiful and ge- nerous manner 5 for thus encouragement is afforded, by a free circulation of money, to the induftry of the manufacturer, the labourer, and the hufbandman. Now the natives of Britain are diflinguifhed for a liberality, and even a profulion in their manner of living, both at home and abroad : whereas foreigners are in gene- ral as remarkable for their parfimony and mean penurioufnefs ; fo that the people among whom they acquire their fortunes, reap but little benefit from fupplying their few wants, and at laft, have the mortifica- tion of feeing Grangers carrying away great fums of hoarded money to be fpent in their own countries. 3 THE 144 TRAVELS//? THE treachery and ingratitude of fo- reigners enjoying extraordinary indul- gences under the constitution of the Eng- li/h Eaft India Company, are fo well known, and have of late been fo ftriking- ly exemplified in the conduct of Mr. Bolts, Mr. Chevalier, Mr. Somro, Mr. Pollier, Mr. Moneron, &c. that it ought not to be a matter of furprize, that the moft fecret proceedings in Calcutta and Madras, previous to the late capture of Chandernagore, and the fiege of Pondi- cherry, were known to the two French governors as quickly as the fpeed of Harcarahs could convey the information* This dangerous evil is encouraged by the wilful violation of one of the Handing orders of the Company, prohibiting the Company's fervants in India from marry- ing women of foreign birth or the Romim. faith. Two of the Council of Madras are married to French ladies, near rela- tions of governor Law, and rigid Catho- lics. A late fufpended member of the fame board is married to another lady of that EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 145 that family; and feveral other gentlemen in the fervice of that prefidency, have entered into iimilar connections : the go- vernor general, Mr. Haftings, hasfet an ex- ample of the fame kind in Bengal ; and in order to render the practice general, he con- trived to draw two of his family into foreign, connections. With great confidence may it be afTerted, that all the mifchiefs which have attended Mr. H s's adminiftra- tion in Bengal, are to be afcribed to female connection that the notice given to Mr. Chevalier, the evening preceding the cap- ture of Chandernagore * ; the very dan- * It has been induftrioufiy propagated, that M. Che- valier was in his houfe at Ghyrotty when Colonel Dow- entered it, but that he got away by the management of Madame Chevalier. Nothing is more falfe. Two con- fidential fervants of the Company, and particular fa vburites of Mr. H s, were with him upon/ecret bufi- nefs, until two o'clock that morning ; and wheti Co- lonel Dow furrounded Ghyrotty houfe, M. Chevalier was concealed in the houfe of a trufty fervant in the town of Chandernagore, three miles diftant, together with fuck papers as would, probably, iffeized by Colonel Dow, bavt brought fatal con/piracies to light. VoL.lL L gerous 146 TRAVELS in gerous leave given to the fame Governor Chevalier, after having been taken prifon- cr in Catack, to embark for France by the fhorteft route through the Red Sea * ; and a variety of other mifdemeanors, ori- ginated in, and were carried through by the fame influence. The open conduct of the Portuguefe houfe of De C o,. D s, and P n, as the agents of Mr. Bolts, in fupplying his Niccabar and other fettlements, in defiance of the Company's pofitive orders, as well as the {hare which they have had in embarrailing the Nabob * Mr. Elliot, though defervcdly a favourite with Mr, H s, aitd with all who knewhi& abilities and amiable qua- lities, was too honourable to have the fecret of M. Che- valier's mode of efcape divulged to him, elfe he would not have fo boldly hazarded his own fafety, and at laft facri- ficed his life, to the feizing of M. Chevalier's perfon. He fent him to Calcutta, as an acqaifition of the firil mag- nitude to the peace and fecurity of the English Company's pofleffions in India. But the fame motives which wrought his efcape from Ghyrotty, and the affe&ed feelings of one lady for another, procured him a fpeedy and fafe conduct to France, through the Red Sea, in a French veflel under Panifh colours, loaded for his own and Monfieur Mone- ron's account, with money and merchandize. of EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 147 of the Carnatic, are further inftances of the bad policy of extending greater privi- leges to ftrangers than to Britifh fubjects. The proflituted name of Mr. De S a, which has been fo often ufed for the pur- pofe of defrauding the government of Bri- tain, in matters relating to the king's fqua- drons in India; the plan concerted be- tween M. Bellecombe, Monfieur Moracin, and Monfieur de Larche, in cafe of the reduction of Pondicherry, for conveying political intelligence of meafures in India ; the conveniency which the houfe of M. Guinett, a French furgeon, fettled in Madras, afforded in communicating the tranfactions in Fort St. George to Pondi- cherry ; the countenance and inconsiderate indulgence granted to Moniieur Salabert, a French officer, for whom M. de la Brilliane, of Mauritius, procured intro- ductions from lady F r to her friends in Madras, and fent him, under the fanc- tion of thefe letters, actually as a fpy, in confequence of which, and the eaiy ac- cefs he had to the families of thofe mem- L 2 bers TRAVELS />z bers of council who were married to French kdies, he had the liberty of vifit- ing all the fortifications, and procured in- troductions, for the like purpofes, to Ajen- go, Tellicherry^ and Bombay *. Thefe are among the many happy effects of that partial indulgence which is fhewn in Bri- tifh Hindoftan to foreigners. Salabert re- turned to Mahe, and joined M. St. Lubin and Hyder Ally. Hence he accompanied Captain Rozell, in difguife, to Negapat- nam and Tranquebar, and at length (at the very time it was beiieged) into Pondi- cherry, whence he embarked in the Pour- voyeufe to Mauritius. THE hiftory and conduct of Moniieur Moneron is very applicable to the prefent fubject. This gentleman's name has al- ready been mentioned as the aflbciate of M. Chevalier into the Red Sea. He found lefs difficulty in procuring a paflage, * Where his defigns were fufpefted by the flirewd dif- cernment of the blunt Mr. Hornby, who ordered him to withdraw on a very fhort notice. through EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 149 through the intereft of a refugee houfe of trade in London, than a loyal Britifh fub- jec~t would in one of the Company's fliips. The fame houfe furnifhed him with mo- ney, merchandize, and credit, for which, it is probable, they are now fmarting. Being a man of addrefs and abilities, he foon became a favourite and confidant of Monfieur Chevalier; and the fame proper- ties, together with a knowledge of the Englifli language, and other ufeful qualifi- cations, rendered him a welcome and con- fidential ernifTary in Calcutta. His bro- ther was employed as a neceflary meflen- ger, under the denomination of a fupercar- go, to Pondicherry and Mauritius, in the fhip le Due de Vrilliere. He was indul- ged, in compliment to M. Chevalier, to accompany him on his parole through the Red Sea to France, and thence to furrender themfelves prifoners of war in England. He nominally chartered a large fnow, un^- der Daniiii pafTports and colours, though, in truth, fhe was his own property? L 3 he I 5 o TRAVELS/;* he loaded her with proper goods for the Suez, Judda, and Mocha markets, and with money ; and they embarked, provid- ed with the moft ample paffports, and letters of fafe conduct from the gover- nor general *. It is more than probable that he touched at Mangalore, or Choul, on the Malabar coaft, in order to confer with Hyder Ally and the Marrattas, as well as with Monfieur St. Lubin -, which may account for the veffel's not getting higher up than Judda, in the Red Sea, before the monfoon fet in from the north- ward. Here the friends parted ; M. Che- valier to purfue his Indian fchemes in Ver- failles ; and M. Moneron to return to India, more for the purpofe of making new difcoveries, and of communicating them, than for that of eftabli filing his family, or difpofing of his merchandize. Indeed, he had liquidated moft of his In- * This meafure was ftrongly oppofed by Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler in council, dian EUROPE, As i A, and AFRICA. 151 dian concerns before his departure from that country,. HE loaded his fnow back, traded at Ceylon and Negapatnam, and, with an effrontery peculiar to his countrymen, boldly entered the Houghley, and landed his cargo, which he fold openly to an Englilh merchant in Calcutta. That he might not hazard his neck in cafe of a diicovery, after taking the oaths of alle- giance, &c. he continued to pafs and re- pafs freely, throughout the Englifh, Dutch, and Danifh fettlements in Ben- gal, without demanding any protection, or qualifying as a prifoner of war. In the mean time, he learnt the hoftile difpoii- tion of all the native ftates in Hindoftan to the Englilh j the very reduced flate of the Engliih Company's finances ; and on the whole, that the prefent was a proper period for France to execute her purpofe of joining the force which lay in Mauri- tius to thofe of Hyder Alley and the Mar- < rattas. in order to regain a greater power L 4 and I5 2 TRAVELS/** and influence in India, than had ever been conceived by the moil fanguine hopes of Monfieur Dupleix. An Engliih ftranger, unconnected with the Company, had an opportunity of learning, that a {hip bought in the name of a Portuguefe merchant in Calcutta, then loading with rice and proviftons for Tranquebar on the coaft of Coromandel, in which M. Mo- neron and his family were to embark as paiTengers, was really the property of M, Moneron, as well as her cargo, and was actually deftined in a direct courfe to Mauritius, and took feveral opportunities, in private converfation, of mentioning it, firft to Mr. HafHngs's friends, and then, to fome other members of the fupreme board. After the ihip had fallen down be- low Calcutta^ in the river, M. Moneron was confined to his houfe at Chandernagore ; but although the fhip Swallow, mounting fixteen guns, and navigated with one hun- dred men, lay at Cadgerry ready to flip at a moment's warning to feize the ihip, fhe \vas fufTered quietly to pafs, and to proceecj EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. proceed to Mauritius : for upon enquiry, it was found, that fhe had not touched at Tranquebar, or any other part of that coaft. IT mould be an invariable maxim with flates at war, to treat prifoners, not only with humanity, hofpitality, and liberality, but with every porTible indulgence, con- fiftent with prudence and policy. In In- dia, this law of humanity, thus guarded and qualified, has, however, been tranfgrefTed. The Company's fervants have departed from the national chara&erifticof Englifh- men, by the exercife of parfimony and un- necefTary incivility on fome oecalions, while in others they have fhewn the moft im- prudent indulgences to the enemies of their country. The very petite mode of accom- modating Governor Chevalier, and fend- ing him home by the morteft and fa/eft route, to concert the recovery of India in, Verfailles, while Madame Chevalier was Contented to undergo the perils an4 fa- tigues TRAVELS m tigues of a long voyage, in a Danifh hip, by the Cape of Good Hope *, and the lad- M. Chevalier acquired wealth, and what is of more importance, a knowledge of the politics, cuftoms, difpofi- tions, and languages of Hindoilan, afting as a remote country agent, with extraordinary indulgences, for Eng- lift gentlemen, members of council in Calcutta. He had not been in the fervice of the French Company, or the crown, from the conqueft of Chandernagore by Adm. Watfon and.Lofd Clive ; but Governor Law difcovered his abilities and knowledge, and with a true fpirit of patriot- ifm, difcovered alfo the advantages which France might derive from them ; and M. Chevalier profiting of his own wealth, feafonably applied a portion thereof to fecond the recommendation of Governor Law ; in confequence of which, he was quickly taken into the fervice of the crown, and raifed as quickly to the fecond flation in In- dia. Anenterprizing genius, an ambitious mind, and an ardent defire to fulfil the hopes he had raifed, confpired to excite his activity, and to fupport his perfeverance. The capture of Chandernagore, by furprize, and a fimilar at- tempt cpon the houfe of Ghyrotty, did not deprive him of the means of preferving the copious materials he had collected. He was faithfully afliiled in the mode of fe- curing them and himfelf ; and a man, proverbially diiHn- guifhed for the want of perfonal addrefs, and the uniform , aukwardnefs of his perfon, attitudes, and converfation in public, to the aftonifhment of India, acquired upon this fingular cccafion, as if by inilir.cl, the tone and polite EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 155 laft-mentioned indulgence to Monfieur Moneron ; the penfions doubled oftentati- oujly to French penfioners in Chanderna- gore ; in return for which, in lefs than fix months, the penfioners doubled the rents of their houfes to fuch Britifh fub- jects as were delirous of benefiting by the falubrity of an air and fituation, fo fupe- rior to Calcutta ; the unlimited freedom given to Frenchmen, of ingrefs and egrefs to all parts indifcriminately, and confequently of communicating, with dan- gerous circumftances, the ftate of general and particular affairs in India, through the Danifh, Dutch, and Portuguefe, to the Marrattas, Hyder Alley, Mauritius, and France -, the unhandfome, and indeed un- neceflary incivility (hewn to General Belle- civility of a Frenchman. Mr. Mailings condescended to extend and rack his invention, in order to accommodate M. Chevalier, and to forward .his and the views of Prance, againft the able and wife remonftrances and pro- tefts of his colleagues in council, and unfortunately, as chief, he pofTeffed influence, and two votes. io combe ! 5 6 TRAVELS / combe at Madras, when in the (late of a prifoner of war ; the floppage of the fub- Mence ftipulated by capitulation to fome of the civil and penfioned officers in Pon- dicherry who could not even be ac- commodated fingly, far lefs with their wives, children, mothers, and fiflers, on board the Luconia fnow, and who, upon that account, would not leave them behind in mifery, but, following the feelings and dictates of nature, declined that occa- fion of going to Mauritius : thefe and other circumftances, fumciently prove the deficiency of their hofpitality in fome in- flances, and its excefs in others. But the military manoeuvre of Sir Eyre Coote, and the acquiefcence of the council of Madras, in enlifting prifoners of war, then under articles of capitulation, who were natural- born fubjects of France, into the Com- pany's fervice, was a meafure which con- demns the military knowledge of the one, and the political knowledge of the other. M. BEL- EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 157 M. BELLECOMBE, intending to pro- cure favourable conditions, lengthened his requifitions to about forty-feven articles, which, with equal efficacy, might have been comprized in a fourth part of that number. Among other fuperfluous ar- ticles, he ftipulated, that the prifoners of- war mould not be tampered with, or in- veigled to enlift in the Englifh Company's fervice. Doubtlefs, this precaution could only have had allufion to Germans, Swifs, Brabanters, and others, not natural-born fubjecis of France: it never could have.been underftood to extend to capitulani Jh^jb\ ' natives of France. The former were cer- tainly free to enlift, becaufe the act of fur- render abfolved them from the temporary allegiance they owed to France. The lat- ter could not enlift in a Britifh army, being bound by a natural and indefeafible al- legiance to the king of France. But in the conduct of General Bellecombe on this occafion, we have a ftriking proof that an unneceffary multiplication of laws defeats its own object. It was thought necefTary by 158 TRAVELS in by M. Bellecombe, to reftrain the Bri- tim from inveigling the prifoners to enlifl in their fervice, by an exprefs Stipulation. The Britifh general did not break through this engagement, when he enlifted fuch of the prifoners as had not been tampered with and inveigled j but who offered them- felves as recruits of their own accord. But flill, by enlifting French prifoners, he violated the laws of nations ; and at the fame time committed an act of deadly inhumanity, in placing thofe ignorant, de- luded people in the fituation of deferters and traitors, by which they forfeit their lives, or are fubjedteTto perpetual banim- ment from their country, friends, and fa- milies. THE preference granted to the traitors, after their arrival at Calcutta, .over re- gular European troops, as a bribe to fe- cure their attachment, implied a ftrong diftruft of their fidelity to their new matters and commanders. For that dif- truft, I confefs, I think there was great room. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 159 room. I venture to predict, that the pre- cedence given to the traitors will not be fufficient to reftrain them from commit- ting, on any favourable occafion, a fe- cond act of treachery. Perhaps their en- lifting in our fervice, was a political ma- noeuvre of France : nor was it bad po- licy to procure fuch an accefllon of ftrength and intelligence in the heart of Hindoftan. I fufpedt you will think this conjecture rather fanciful. I allow, that political re- finement is frequently a fource of error. But the political fchemes of France be- ing laid deep, it is neceffary, if we fpe- culate concerning them at all, to fpecu- late profoundly. However chimerical the fufpicions I have juft now hinted may ap- pear to fome ; to thofe well acquainted with the French nation, they will feem very natural. Even French officers would willingly enliil in our army as privates, and ferve in that character for years, if by that zeal, they could hope to recommend themfelves, by the communication of im- portant i6o TRAVELS r portant intelligence, or otherwife, to the attention of the grand monarque, or to the favour of any of his minifters. I am, &c. LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 161 LETTER LL To J M- , Efqj London* Calcutta, Dec. 9, 1779. THE Carnatic, merely by acts of oppreffion, has decreafed in popu- lation in a greater proportion than its revenues have diminifhed. The grofs re- venues of the Nabob, comprehending the Marrawah conquer!, and all other tribu- tary claims appertaining to the nabobfhip, which even in his time were not much fhort of forty-eight to fifty lacks of pa* godas, or about 2,000,000!. flerling, are at this time computed communibus annls, to run only from thirty to thirty-two lacks ; or about 1,200,000!. Some pre- tend to compute them under twenty lacks of pagodas. Thefe are melancholy re- ftaftions, the diftrefs of which is height- VoL.IL M ened i62 TRAVELS in cned by a clear knowledge that the de- population of the Carnatic, and the po- verty of the prince, have enriched the do- minions of an inveterate enemy *, and re- cruited his army with troops, regularly trained to the ufe of arms under Britiih officers in the Nabob's fervice. THE Rajafhip of Tanjore, which is in- comparably the richeft fpot between the Kiftna and Cape Comorin, and may, in other refpects, be called the key, as well as the fupport of all that extenfive tract of country, yielded, before the late unjuft revolution and violation of public faith, an annual revenue of from feventeen to twenty lacks of pagodas -, but it has been with difficulty, that ten to twelve lacks have been collected fiiice the furrender thereof to the Rajah. BY refloring thefe rich countries to their original fplendour, and efpecially by * Hyder Ally Ca\vn. bringing EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 163 bringing them to that happy degree of perfection, which nature in its bounty hath rendered them capable of attaining, what a vaft addition will not be made to the trade and fecurity, as well as to the reputation of the Britifh nation ? THERE is fcarcely a character in India fo uncandidly exhibited by partifans and adverfarfes, or a perfon whofe conduct has been fo unfairly flated, as that of the Na- bob of the Carnatic. That prince owes his greatnefs, and the very existence of his family, to the Britifh nation. Of this he has ever /hewed himfelf fenfible j and has given the mofl ample proofs of his grati- tude, not only to the Engliih Eaft India Company, but to individuals of the Eng- lifh nation. ON the other hand, it is not lefs true, that the Englifh Company owe their* grandeur and fuccefs in a great meafure to the uniform attachment, fidelity, and M 2 friendfhip 164 TRAVELS in friendmip of the Nabob ; to his treasures, to the pledged credit of his dominions in the days of their infignificancy and diftrefs, and to his judicious counfels and influence, when their own local and political know- ledge 'of India was obfcure and. fuper- ficial. The Company have constantly done jufHce to the merit of the Na- bob, by the letter and fpirit of every paper iffuing from Leadenhall-ftreet, wherein they were not milled by partial mifreprefentations. But, removed far from the field of action, and mifguided by the interefled, but fpecious reprefentations of their principal fervants abroad, the Di- re&ors condefcended to become acceflaries in fcenes of iniquity and guilt, at which their minds would have revolted. AT fome times deceived, defrauded, difhonoured, and infulted ; and at others amufed, flattered, indulged, and exalted; it is not a matter of wonder if the Nabob became fufpicious, timid, wavering, and cunning. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 165 cunning. The moral characters of men are not fo much imprefTed on them by the original hand of nature, as they are formed by circumftances and fituations. *' The Nabob of the Carnatic was naturally affable, humane, juft, generous, andfleady. But this excellent difpontion has been changed by neceffity, and a regard to felf- prefervation. It is only aftonifhing, that at an age nearer to feventy than fixty- five years, he mould continue to pofTefs fuch undaunted virtue as enables him to avert thofe dangers which are hourly ho.r vering over his head, and at the fame time preferve all the elegance of princely man- ners and addrefs, with a countenance the moft manly and graceful that the fancy of a painter can conceive. THIS prince, in the vain hope of grati- fying the infatiable and importunate avarice of the fervants of the Englifh Eaft India Company, oppreffed his people to fuch a degree, that his country became nearly M 3 depopu-. j66 TRAVELS/;* depopulated. In fuch circumftances, a regard to his own fafety co-operating with an ambition natural to Moorifh princes, he readily yielded to the gilded bait which the rapacity of Britim fubjeds held up to his view, when they perfuaded him to feize upon the country of Tanjore -, on pre^ tences as foreign to juftice, as they were dimonourable to the Engliih Company, who were guarantees of the treaty of 1762, and the friends and allies of both. Hence the Nabob's misfortunes hence he was involved in a debt of near fifty lacks of pagodas *, although he never received a juft or valuable confideration for twenty. This enormous debt has accumulated, not- withftanding that by the unnatural plunder of Tanjore, as is fuppofed, he had enriched his treafures to the value of near as much more. Thus embarraffed, continually be-r- fet with duns- and harpies, and threatened with the fcourge of borrowed power 5 his * 2,CCO,Opol, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 167- tafk- mailers and plunderers continually changing, and continually extorting the unconfcientious price of their afTumed pro- tection and fupport , a flate priibner with- in his own palace, and reftrained from re- ceiving the compliments and vifits of per- fons not intimately connected with the temporary protector, unlefs by ilealth ; why ihould it appear furprifmg that he, as well as his oppreiTors, mould adt the politician, and ufe againfl them their own deceitful weapons ? Such is his fituation," that if he had it in his power, he dares not to pay his juft debts j becaufe he dares not to feparate the real from the imaginary claims upon him; and he is totally inca- pable of paying the whole. THESE very impolitic meafures on the part of the Company's feryants, have alfo wrought upon his mind to be unjuft to his own family : an effect which in its con- fequences may prove highly prejudicial to the Company's intereft. He has two tens arrived at years of maturity. The M 4 el deft r68 TRAVELS In deleft is of a mild difpofition, fenfible, a lover of juflice, ftudious, and as candid and fin cere as we can expect him to be, if we confider his parentage and oriental educa-r tion*; but too great an attachment to his haram, has rendered him indolent, and unacquainted with bufmefs. The fecond is by nature artful, deceitful, infinuating, and treacherous , but able, active, and per- fevering in bufmefs and intrigue. The Nabob, whether through the artful iniinua- tjons of the younger, or a diftruft of the paffivenefs of the elder, or from whatever ether private caufe, has apparently with- drawn his countenance and protection from the elcjeft fon, and is wholly guided by the younger, whom he has made Ge- neraliffimo of his army, and to whom he \yifhes and intends to leave the fuccemon, of the Carnatic. This influence cf the fecoqd fon, has feduced the Nabob's heart * There is a wide difference between the manners of the Moors 'and thofe of the Hindoos : the Moors are both fubtle and ambitious ; the Hindoos candid, unaf* piring, and contented wirii their fituations in life. from EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 169 from the Englifh Company : he is, how- ever, diverted of the power of either good or evil j unlefs by fecretly intriguing at the court of Poonah and its vicinity, and by corrupting the morals and fidelity of the Company's fervants, IN the prefent ftate of India, and of the Nabob's age, the intereft of the Com- pany requires an immediate fettlement of the fucceffion to the nabobmip : becaufe, if fuch a fettlement be not made before the old prince dies, the fucceffion will be- come a fubject of contention between the eftablifhed claim of the eldefl and the hoarded treafure of the younger fon ; and the fucceffor, whichfoever of the two he be, muft give or promife crores of rupees to conciliate the countenance and protection of the Company's fervants. Four things are therefore neceflary to be done, with- out lofs of time, by the Bail India Com- pany. FIRST, 170 TRAVELS/* FIRST, to appoint commiffioners to liquidate all Britt/Jj claims upon the Na- bob, by a thorough investigation of his debts, and by appropriating a fpecific fund for the payment of fuch capital fums, and legal accumulations of interefl, as ought jn juilice and equity to be paid; and alfo, with the afliftance of agents from the Nabob and Rajah, to liquidate all money tranfac-, tions depending between thefe princes, fixing at the fame time the conditional rights of each to their po/Teffions, and their relations to each other. orft r!^,,:: *. ntv SECONDLY, to fix the lineal fucceffion to the nabobmip in the eldeft fon, agree- ably to the royal Firmaund, and the re- nunciation of the Soubah*; with a re- fpeaable * By the Mogul Firmaund, bearing date the a6th Au- guft 1765, to the Nabob, *' conftituting him Governor and Nabob of the Carnatic, and the countries dependent thereen, the reverfion and perpetuity thereof is unalien- ably granted, and fpeciftcally confirmed on the Nabob's eldeft fon Meyonulmuluck, Omdat-ul-Omrah, and their heirs EUROPE, ASIA, And AFRICA. 171 fpeftable jaghire (a peniion chargeable on lands) to the fecond fon, and the reft of the children : and to limit the fucceffion of Tanjore, after the demife of the prefent poflefTor, an-d his direcl: lineal defcendants. THIRDLY, to eftablifh a king's reft" dent upon the coaft (unlefs, upon a new fyftem, the fovereignty (hall be aflumed by the crown of Britain, and a governor appointed to act under a double commiffion from the Crown and Company) to be a check on the rapacity of the Company's govern- ment in matters immediately relating to country princes ; but on no pretext to ex- ercife any power which might in the leaffc heirs for ever." Which Firmaund was ratified by the Soubah of the Decan, and his claims to the Carnatic for ever renounced, in a folemn deed or treaty, bearing date the 23d February 1768, containing the fame exprefslimi* tations on the Nabob's eldeft fon, the Omdat-ul-Omrah. Thus any aft of the Nabob to alter the fucceffion, will operate as a direft breach and forfeiture of the royal Firmaund, and of the Warrantee of the Engli/h Company fo the Soubah, in the laft-mentioned treaty. I interfere 172 TRAVELS in interfere with the Company's trade or revenues. AND fourthly, to fecure to the Nabob every prerogative that belongs to his rank and title, and external refpect from the natives who occupy the Company's jag- Jiire lands : but to difqualify him, or any other perfon acting for him, or under his controul, from renting the jaghire lands, or any of the Circar .lands, ceded to the pompany by the royal Firmaund in 1765, -m$*0 '/x'* 1 ^^' I am, See* ". ff ~ .3 r/"5-:r.rj or W~ ,.;^ LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, rfWAFKicA. 173 LETTER LII. To J M , Efq. London. Calcutta, Dec. 13, 1779. I HAVE long flattered myfelf in vain, with the hopes of a journey to Europe over land. I find that I muft once more commit myfelf to the watery element, though my health is but little fuited to confinement on board a fhip. But I am pretty well inured to difappointments. I HAVE a few more obfervations to make on the Company's affairs in this country. If I find an opportunity of tranfmitting them to you before I fet fail myfelf, which I have fome reafon to expect, I will embrace it. If not, I fhall carry home my own letters, as teftimonies that the diftance of an hemifphere has not rendered me for- getful I 7 4 TRAVELS** getful of my friends, or unmindful of my engagements. THERE are few circumftances of a pub- lic nature that are more difreputable to the conduct of the Englifh in India, than the plan and general government of the town of Calcutta in Bengal. There is not" in the world a country, except the United Provinces, fo eminently diftin- guimed for the neatnefs, regularity, uni- formity, and cleanlinefs in its cities, towns, houfes, and inclofures, as England. It is neverthelefs a truth, that from the weftern extremity of California in America to the eaftern coaft of Japan, there is not a fpot where judgment, talte, decency, and con- veniency, are fo groflly infulted as in that fcattered and confufed chaos of houfes, huts, fheds, ftreets, lanes, alleys, windings, gutters, finks, and tanks, which, jumbled into an undiftinguifhed mafs of filth and cor- ruption, equally offenfive to human fenle and health, compofe the capital of the Eng- li(h Company's government in India. The very EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 175 very fmall portion of cleanlinefs which it enjoys, is owing to the familiar intercourfe of hungry jackals by night, and ravenous vultures, kites, and crows by day. Li like manner it is indebted to the fmokc raifed in public ftreets, in temporary huts and fheds, for any refpite it enjoys from mufquettoes, the natural production of ftagnated and putrid waters. But while the fmoke, iffuing from numberlefs places, faves the inhabitants 6f Calcutta from one evil, it fubjects them to another ; for by endeavouring to {hut it out at windows and doors, they are forced alfo to fhut out pure air at the hours of retirement, when its ufe is moft efTential to refpiration an-d health. ASSUREDLY, no people upon earth have fo much reafon to be grateful to- Provi- dence, as thofe of Calcutta, for having fo long miraculoufly preferved themfelves and their properties from thofe dreadful de- vaftations which naturally arife from a total neglect and abuie of fire. Every houfe 276 TRAVELS/)/ houfe and office feems to be propped by huts (which in the language of the coun- try are called choppers) compofed of bam- boos ; their fides, tops, and floors being covered with mats, ftraw, or long grafs* In thefe huts, formed of fuch inflammable materials, as well as in the public ftreets and vacant fpaces, fires are constantly pre- ferved, as they were of old by veftals in heathen temples. Thefe choppers are the habitations of carelefs*fervants, palanquin bearers, coolies, ^and horfes. They are alfo ufed for the purpofe of flickering carriages. To thefe choppers, or to a more fufpicious caufe, is the lofs of more than twenty-two lacks of rupees, con- fumed in one of the Company's ware- houfes on the memorable fifth of November lajly confidently attributed. The public bear thefe nuifances with wonderful pa- tience, although they are taxed to the extent of about 80,000 rupees annually, for the exprefs purpofe of eftabliihing a, police in Calcutta. This heavy tax is ap- plied, in conformity with the general maxims EUROPE, ASIA, find AFRICA. 177 maxims that direct the conduct of the Company's principal fervants, to the pur- pofe of enriching fome favoured tool> under the unmeaning denomination of rfemmadar, and the appointment of fevcral hundreds of inferior tyrants, oppreiTors, and tax-gatherers. Of the tax thus levied by authority, it is faid, that a quarter part is distributed amongft inferiors, *and the remaining three parts become the plunder of the chief, who openly licenfes nuifances -as the valuable consideration for pecuniary gratifications, formally Stipulated and re- gularly paid. As to the under-offieers of the police, they are by no means deficient in following the honourable example of the yetmnadar, by the connivance, or actual commimon of thefts> robberies, and abufes of various kinds. THE difeafe is too far advanced to be fpeedily remedied by the application of any medicine, however powerful its gene- ral efficacy. The property of individuals is too facred to be violated, and too con- VOL. II. N fiderable 178 TRAVELS*/* fiderable to be purchafed ; and the various prejudices, paffions, and opinions of men, will never freely concur in any meafure, however obvious its utility to the public. If ever the police of Calcutta be put on a proper footing, it will neither be owing to the wifdom or virtue of the Company's fervants in India : the reform mufl origi- nate in Leadenhall-ftreet, and be autho- rifed by the Britim parliament. WHATEVER plan mail be adopted for eftablifhing a proper police in Calcutta, may be carried into execution by a con- ftitutional body, confifting of the governor general, the fupreme council" of the Indies, and a certain limited number of perfons, properly qualified, and elected by the free and copy-holders of Calcutta, to reprefent them for thefe fpecial purpofes in general affembly. Thefe three eftates mould be inverted with legiflative powers, fufficient for enacting laws for refuming, felling, throwing down, re-building, repairing, lengthening, widening, cleanfing, drain- ing, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. ing, and doing every thing confident with juflice to individuals, that may be neceflary for building houfes, of making ftreetSj fquares, tanks, drains, and eftablifhing a regular police within the city and precincts of Calcutta; and alfo for arTeffingand levy- ing taxes, duties, and imports on the in- habitants thereof, for thefepurpofes. As luxury is a conftant attendant in all courts, fo the vices that arife from luxury are enemies to commerce, manufactures, and every fpecies of indufhy. It fliould there- fore become an invariable maxim in all commercial flates, to feparate the feats of government from thofe of trade. Eaflern cuftoms have conftituted pomp, parade^ and courtly flate, an efiential principle of government. Luxury therefore, in the political confutations of India, forms a part of their na,ture, or as Montefquieu would have faid, of their fpirit. It is ab- folutely rteceflary, to fecure obedience, and a regular fubordination of rank, from the prince on the throne, down to the loweil N a of i8o TRAVELS in of above twenty-feven claffes of people. It will be proper to continue, for fome time, the appearance of a practice fo con- formable to thofe ideas of fuperiority and power which prevail in the eaft, and which are therefore material to good govern- ment. BUT there is not any reafon why trade mould imitate an example of luxury, which would not only embarrafs it with intolerable charges, but which,, by cor- rupting their minds, and enervating their constitutions, would! .render traders and manufacturers debauched, ilothful, rapa- cious, and unjufr.. PERHAPS it would favour both the ad- vancement of commerce, and the fcheme of re-building, and reforming the police of Calcutta, that fome other place than that town mould be allotted for the chief feat of government. The only part of the prefent city worth preferving, is upon or near the Efplanade, which is principally occupied EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 181 occupied by the immediate members of government, and courts of juftice: the remaining parts of the town are compofed of fuch bafe materials, that they will he demolifhed in a very few years by the weather. The houfes upon and near the efplanade and grand tank, are capable of accommodating fuch a number of thofewho now relide in the noxious part of the town, as to enable the commiiiioners, after an accurate furvey, and a judicious attention to particular good houfes and ftreets, to commence in a fhort time the new mo- delling thereof, without fubjecting the in- habitants to any ffHBis inconveniences. It is notorious, that the waters which fettle in Calcutta, although lower than the river when the tide is up, may be conveyed, at a fmall expence, to the canals or nullas which communicate with th$ fait lake. THE next object of consideration fhould be, where to fix the feat of government. Doubtlefs, tha wealth and fyperior im- N 3 portance ' TRAVELS^ portance of Bengal, Bahar, and Oriffa, as well as many other advantages which they poflefs, without reckoning up^the army which is entertained and ftationed in them r and the fuperb fortrefs of Fort William, are motives abundantly fufficient to cad the fcale in their favour, if it could be fuppofed to remain for a moment in fuf- pence. It is of no importance, in the choice of the feat of government, which of thefe provinces is the moft centrical to the Britifh dominions in India, as where- foever it i, it will become the general reforty- efpecially in a country where fuch refpect is paid to ! power, and where the principles of perfonal addrefs and po- litenefs are better understood and praclifed, than in any other upon earth. Juftice and found policy confpire to point out the propriety of accommodating the remote provinces with affizes and inferior courts of juftice, to relieve the people from the grievous charges and perfonal inconve- piences with which juftice has of late years been purchafed in Calcutta. IN EUROPE, ASIA, and AF RIG A. 183 IN the choice of the object in queftion, ftricl: regard mould be had to fituation, water-communication, elevation, and air. Upon the banks of the Houghly^ from Cadgeree to Coffimbazar, there is not fo eligible a fpot as that pitched upon by the reprefentatives of the late French Baft India Company at Chandernagore, The elevation of that town is fuch, that all the rain which falls in and around it, will nearly convey itfelf, at all feafons of the year and tides, without obftruction, into the river. Its fituation is even, its air clear, dry, and falubrious. Its foil con^- tains fuch a proportion of fand, as to render it fertile by inftantly abforbing the rain. The river Houghly is navigable to Chandernagore by a third rate man of war, as the late gallant Admiral Watfon, proved in the Kent of 74 guns^^but it if not navigable for a veflel of any conlTder-!. able burthen half a league higher up: a circumflance, by the way, which may give rife to an idea of facilitating the com- N 4 munication 1 84 T R A V E L S in munication between Calcutta and Chan~ dernagore *, by a ilone or wooden bridge over the river, below Chinfura. Various advantages in point of fecurity, revenue, and conveniency, might arife from this communication, in which a draw-bridge {hould be made over one of the arches at each fide, for the pafTage cf large or mafte4 veflels, as well as fo.r occajiorial defence. THE intimate connection between the trade .of Calcutta and the navigation of the river Houghly, and its communication with the feveral rivers which are naviga- ble into the Marra^ta territories, and to the northern and eaflern extremities of Hindoftan, will naturally claim all pof- fible attention from the inhabitants of Calcutta. Wherefore, it may be thought advifeable to commit to the legiflature of that city, the guardianship of thefe navi- gations, as far as the Britifh domain doth * They are fituated on oppofite fides of the Houghly. extend. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 185 extend. Nor is it to be doubted, when pur people mall have once heartily engaged in the improvement of thefe navigations, that the force of example, manifeft advan- tage, and Britifh influence, will induce the neighbouring princes to purfue, through- out their dominions, the fame plans for the general benefit. The difficulties which the Company's adminiftration allege, in excufe for their own negligence of fo im- portant an objecl: as the improvement of the navigation of the Roughly, would doubt- lefs excite the indignation of every Eng- lifhman, if they were not fo much calcu- lated to move his ridicule. The means of overcoming thefe difficulties are afiure4- ly very eafy and -fimple. I am, &c. LETTER i85 TRAVELS in LETTER LIIL To J * M , Efq. London. Calcutta, Dec. 18, 1779. THE prefent mode of adminiliering juftice, under the fandlion of a Britifh act of parliament, in Bengal, is a fubject which calls aloud for public at- tention and fpeedy relief. This dreadful evil threatens the extinction of the Bri- tifh power and property in India. Cor- ruption hath ufurped the facred feat of juftice, and, Shielded by the power of a venal government, hath held quiet poiTef- iion of this ftation for fix lingering years, without even the veil of hypocrify to made the horrors of oppreffidn and favage vio- lence. Here, however, I might joyfully remark a fingle exception, in the foul of Sir R 1 Ch , ... rs, had Nature, ex- tending EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 187 tending to this amiable perfon her kind liberality, fortified his virtue with refolu- tion to withftand magifterial frowns and fupercilious arrogance. The mind, over- whelmfd with aconfufion of cruel, iniqui- tous, and violent decifions and executions, is incapable of arranging the various ideas that occur upon this fubjecl: of horror. On this account, however, there is the lefs caufe of regret, that the united voice of the whole people has accompanied an humble addrefs to parliament, with an authentic ftate of fads, which fufficiently paint their deplorable fituations. What mull be the tormenting feelings of thofe perfons, who recommended to their fove- reign, to invefl fuch men with the mofr. facred and important of his own preroga- tives, when they come to difcover, that the people who were intended to be made happy under a mild and fleady adminiftra- tion of impartial juitice, are labouring under the unrelenting fcourge of judicial tyrants ? LET i&8. TRAVELS m LET the prote<5tors of fueh men demon- ftrate their difappointment and concern afc their conducl, by yielding them up as fa- crifkes to that jufHce which they have fo heinoufly offended. This is tfte only atonement in their power to make to an injured people : it wJl fuffice, and the ex- ample will deter others from treading in their abominable paths-, THE memorial and ftate of fafts td which I allude, are faid to difclofe a fcene of proceedings which, by being irrefut- able, cannot fail to be redreffed, even without their being carried before parlia- ment ; unlefs the neglect of not commu^ nicating their contents to the parties com- plained of, before they were tranfmitted to Europe, mould render it neceffary to Lear the accufed in their own defence, left an ex parti decifion, however ftrong, credible, and authentic the accompany-, ing teftimonies, fhould eftablim a pre- cedent which might juftify their own mcafures j or unlefs his Majefty, in com- paffion EUROPE, ASIA* and AFRICA. 189 paflion to the fufFerings of five thoufand Britifh fubjeds, and twelve millions of Indians, mould be gracioufly pleafed to order the accufed home, to anfwer for themfelves in Weftminfler-hall. BUT the condemnation and execution of Nundocomar ; the violent imprifonment and deaths of the native judges, in the caufe of the Begum of Patna; the impolitic outrage on the perfon, zenana, houfehold gods, and property, of the Ra- jah of Coffijurah j and many other acts of notorious injuilice, cry aloud for examples of juft vengeance upon the fpot where the abominable deeds were perpetrated ; in or- der to convince all Afia, that they had neither the authority nor fanction of the Britifh government, and that, however the ftreams may be polluted, the fountain of Britim juftice is yet uucorrupted. THE mention of one circumftance may alone fuffice, to give an idea of the rapacity of the fupreme court of judicature in Bengal, and 190 TRAVELS in and of the deplorable ftate of that country^ over which it extends its iniquitous jurif- diclion. On a medium computation, it has been found, that the fees of procefles and writs ifTiiing from the fupreme court, have amounted annually to the enormous fum of four hundred and twenty-fix thou- fand pounds fterling. What muft be the entire fum which, according to this fpeci- men, is exaded by the feveral members of this arbitrary and oppreffive court ? THE ftory of Nundocomar, to which I have alluded, is briefly as follows : MAHA RAJAH NUNDOCOMAR was a prieft of the highefl order in the Bramifl caft, and a prince. His family and cafl ferved only as leading fteps to the ranks which he had long occupied in the admi- niftration of government in the fubahlhip of Bengal, Bahar, and Oriffaj his diftinguifh- ed abilities, addrefs, and knowledge, pro- cured him the unbounded confidence and direction of the Muxhadabad Durbar. His character EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 191 character for intrigue, and in private life, made him obnoxious to many; and his power naturally created jealoufy and ri- vality. What in any country, andefpeci- ally in Europe, would have been diftin- guifhed and applauded as virtue and pure patriotic zeal, was held criminal by the Company's fervants, and their native ad- herents. Hebeheld, with jealoufy and an- guim, the growing dominion of Europeans and Chriftians in Hindoflan, and the con* fequent decay of native government, in- fluence, and freedom. He faw his prince bearing a fhadow of power, fupporting a mam-court, and every day retrenching his rights and affedted prerogatives. His own intereft, doubtlefs, led the Bra- min to view thefe innovations with con- cern and difcontent, and the fame mo- tive might have Stimulated his defires to difconcert them. Whether thefe were the real caufes of fufpicion in the 'prefi- dency of Fort William, or whether the minifter of the prefent Nabob Mabaruk- ul-Dowla, was not fo lavifh of his minor . mailer's I 9 2 TRAVELS/* matter's lacks as was expelled -, it wa$ their will and pleafure to feize the perfon of the minifter of Nundocomar, to conduct him to Calcutta, and to detain him a pri- foner, under a military guard, until the arrival of the fupreme council, in October AFTER having borne marks of European defpotifm, in being punimed for imaginary delinquencies, it was imagined, that his nature thenceforward would be pliant and condefcending. His capacity and intrigue were thought ufeful qualifications to work upon General Clavering, in the capacity of banyan to the fecond in council and military commander in chief, and to fe- cond the views of the governor general, whom he was to ferve, all the while, in the character of a fpy, and as a penfioner. The plan was laid, and the Maha Rajah was willing to undertake the two-fold office of banyan and fpy. But the gene- ral had had a previous recommendation, and his promife was inviolable. 9 THE EUROPE, ASIA, ^cA. 193 THE civil chief difappointed, renounced the Bramin , who, on his part (not un- mindful of paft fufFerings, and dreading more) rinding that the miniftry of the Nabobihip of Bengal, and the diflributiori of money, became fubje&s of inveftiga- tion by the fuperior board, exhibited to that board, a ftate of fome pecuniary ap- plications, amounting to fueh direft char-* ges againft the governor general, as would have involved forfeitures of place and money* To prevent the operation of the imme- diate charge by Nundocomar, and to pre- vent fimilar atrs by other natives, became the neceiTary fubjedt of fecret deliberation* It was difcovered, that about nine years before the pafling of the Britifh ilatute law, to. conftitute a court of judicature, and to eftablim laws within the town of Calcutta, and the limited precincts of the fubordinate factories, extending only to natives in the fervice of the Company, or Xvho voluntarily chofe to fubmit any deci- VOL. II. O fioii i 9 4 TRAVELS//: fion to that jurifdiftion, Nundocomar was fufpe&ed of having, in the adjuflment of fome executerfhip committed to him by a deceafed friend of his own country and kindred, forged a name to a receipt for money. Upon this charge a warrant was iffued out againft him, though detained by force in Calcutta ; and he was committed to clofe prifon. IT is neceffary to make you acquainted with fuch of the Gentoo tenets and the Hindoo laws, as relate to the prefent caufe. The Gentoo religion injoins ablu- tion, by daily warning the whole body, and warning of hands before and after every meal ; that perfons of different cafts mall not eat together ; that the food of one caft mail not be dreffed in the fame veffel that the food of another caft has been dreffed in, nor be dreffed by any other caft ; that it mail be dreffed upon the earth ;. and that thefe ablations and refreshments ihall be performed out of the view of others, or in private. By the Hindoo 3 laws EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 195 laws and cuftoms, and particularly by rea- fon of thefe religious principles, perfons are never confined in prifon for crimes or for debts : a guard is placed over their own houfes, or over others houfes where the per- fons confined can exercife the rites, &c. in- joined by religion. Forgery is only deno- minated a fraud in any perfon, and pu- nifhed by mulcts ; but no offence what- ever is capitally criminal in a Bramin, except ftate crimes, heinous murders, and facrilege ; nor is it allowed by their laws to execute the fentence of death, but by fpill- ing the blood with the edge of a fword. Strangling is difallowed particularly ; be- caufe in the fpilling of blood, they con- ceive that crimes are expiated. Thefe being their principles of religious faith, confinements and executions which vio- late them, operate as a double punimment, and aggravate the public injury. The laws of his country were not obferved to- wards Nundocoraar ; the pretended for- gery was committed nine years before the Britifh law was enacted, and the law it- O 2 ielf 196 T R A V E L S m felf exprefsly fHpulated the fubfequent period at which the penal claufes were to have cried, viz. the firft of Auguft '774- WHEN the forgery was faid to have been committed, the civil government was conducted by the Nabob, and th* Hindoo laws adminiftered by his judges, and in his courts. The author of this forgery was the Nabob's prime minifter, and the perfon aggrieved was his fubject ; neither of them were in the fervice of the Company, or fubjedt in any ways to their jurifdiction. Nundocomar, after having exhibited charges in the fupreme council againfl the governor general, and prepar- ed to prove them, was feized for this forgery, and thrown into the common prilbn with felons and debtors, whoie company to a Gentoo was pollution ; he wanted the means of performing the ab- lutions and indifpenfable rites of his re- ligious faith and his caft, and of obferv- ing the neceffary rules of preferving life, in EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 197 In the mode of dreffing and eating his food. THE governor general refufed the com- petency of the fupreme council to take cognizance of any charges againft, or crimes imputed to him ; but it was necef- fary to remove the bold teftimony of Nundocomar, and by his example to de- ter others in future. His own, and the fup- plications of others, to the judges, in behalf of the Bramin, forfuch indulgences as were confonant to his religion, caft, and civil ftation, were difregarded. It is confidently alledged, that both witneffes and lawyers were brow-beat at the bar of this tribu- nal. Mr. W. W and Mr. J. L , two gentlemen of the moft unblemimed cha- racters, and of unmaken integrity, inca- pable of being influenced, were thought improper perfons to remain upon the cor- rected venire of the merifF, when the trial came on. Every plea againft the appli- cation of the late act of parliament, upon txpoft Ja&o principles, and various other O 3 matters, TRAVELS matters, were urged in vain. All the bench, except Sir Robert Chambers, de- clared, that he was amenable to that law, He was found guilty ; condemned to be Jaanged ; and was publicly executed within a few paces of Fort William, to the utter aftonifhment and terror of all Hindoftan. This anfwered all the purpofes of the confpirators ; the charge againft the go- vernor general dropt, and no native of India has dared to hint a cenfure againil an European member of government in Hindoftan ever fince. The trial publifhed in England, is univerfally declared, on this fide, to be fpurious and falfe. A narrative of the proceedings in council at that time, printed by order of the Court of Directors, contains many of the atro- cious abufes committed on this unhappy Prince and Bramin. I am, &c. LETTER EUROPE, , ASIA, and A FR ic A. 199 LETTER LIV. cellency has been compelled to allow tp all who have been appointed to farms ; and fome who have engaged under thefe circumftances, have, to my knowledge, made rood urgent applications to the Nabob and his minifters, to be releafed from their obligations, and allowed to re-- linquiih. their farms, which they found they could not Hold but at a certain lofs to theuifelves. ** You will foon be convinced, by undoubted teftimony and loud complaints from every quarter, of the reality of this misfortune, which has necefiarily been the means of delaying the general fettlement of the country, and of preventing my hitherto getting affignments for more than rupees 68,82,000 but how far its operation and effects preclude the Nabob from anfwering the demands upon him on public account, you will be the belt able to judge from EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 207 draught of a letter to be written to Mr. Purling, which, if agreed to, might ferve as the fubftance of one to be written on the fame fubjedt to the Nabob. from the ftatements you will obtain of his eftimated revenue.'* As it appears from the whole of this extract, that Mr, Middleton had met with obflaeles, from a reafon affigned, which no human forefight cquld prevent, I hope your ho- nourable board will not imagine I have been remifs or in- attentive. Nothing but a compulfive order from you, upon an undefined right, could obtain the collection of a rupee more than I have Tuncaws for; and nothing but a decifive and fpeedy inftru&ion from you, whe.n the time lapfed may not occafion a material lofs in the revenue, can poflibly procure the grants neceflary for the current * dilburfements from my treafury. Upon this principle it is needlefs to add, that no bill from the prefidency can poffibly be aafwered, fmce the demands on the treafury upon the prefent eftablifhments, exceed the expected income ; and the laft drafts of the honourable board, and .their order for the payment of two lacks of rupees to Captain Popham, which has been complied with, have fo effectually drained the treafury, that I have not yet been able to pay the firft brigade for Oaober. Tranjlation TRAVELS;;* To Mr. CHARLES PURLING, Repdent at the Vizier s Court. SIR, " We have received your letter of the 19th November, ftating the objections of the franjlatlon of a letter from the Vizier to the Rejident at his Court. The friendfhip between the honourable Company, Mr. Haftings, governor general, fupreme council, and myfelf, has not the leatl ftiadow of difunion Dominion, property, and honour, are but one and the fame to us. The fituation of my affairs refpefting the prefent time,, I informed Mr. Middleton of, both by writing and con-- verfation ; and I now proceed to lay the whole before you. During thefe three years pa.ft, the expence occafioned by the troops in brigade, and others commanded by European officers, has much diftrefijsd the fupport of my houfehold, infomuch that the allowance made to the feraglio and children of the deceafed Nabob, has been reduced to one fourth part of what it was ; upon which they have fub- fitted in a very diftrefled manner for thefe two years pall. The attendants, writers, fervants, &c. of my court, have received xvo pay for thefe two years j and there is at prefent BO "EUROPE, ASIA, 0dL AFRICA. 209 the Nabob to the immediate difcharge of the fums due from his government, for no part of the country that can be allotted to the payment of my father's private creditors, whofe applications are daily preffing upon me. All thefe difficulties I have for thefe three years pait ftruggled through, and found this confolation therein, that it was complying with the plea- fure of the honourable Company, and in the hope that the fupreme council would make enquiry, from impartial ferfcns, into my diftrefTed fituation. But I am now forced into a reprefentation. From the great increafe of ex- pence, the revenues were neceflarily farmed at a high rate ; and deficiencies followed yearly. The country and culti-- vation are abandoned; and this year in particular, from the cxceffive drought of the feafon, deductions of many lacks have been allowed the farmers^ who are ftill left unfatis- fied ; and I have received but juft fufficient to fupport my abfolute neceffities ; and for this reafon, many of the old Chieftains, with their troops and ufcful attendants of the court, were forced to leave it, and now there is left only a few foot and horfe for the collection of the reve- nues ; and mould the zemindars be refraftory, there is not a fufficient number to reduce them to the obedience of my collectors. The late raifed brigade at Futtygur, is not only quite ufelefs to my government, but is moreover the caufe of much lofs both in the revenues and cuftoms ; the detached body of troops under other European officers, bring no- VOL. II. P thing CIO TRAVELS in for the expences of the current year. The principle on which thefe objections are made, appears to us fo repugnant to the Nabob's engagements with the Com- pany, and with the intimate connection of his interefls and theirs, that we cannot thing but confufion to the affairs of government, and are entirely their own mailers. In this diftreffed flate of my affairs, it is juft and requi- fite, that Mr. Haftings, General Mr. Eyre Coote, and the fupreme council, mould give me relief. This year I cannot poffibly provide for the new brigade at Futty- gur, the corps of horfe, and other detached bodies of troops in my country. I hope you will confider well thefe reprefentations, and explain them in a manner you may judge proper to the governor general and fupreme coun- cil. On my part, country, property, and life, are de- voted to the will of the honourable Company, and I hope they will therefore do juftice to thefe my complaints, and prevent my falling into difirefs, by not having wherewith to fupport the necefiary expences of my houfehold. For the expence of the brigade at Cawn Pore, and other dif- burfements, 1 have given Tuncaws and orders upon my country ; the remainder of my revenue, on account of the drought, has fallen fo fhort as not to be fufficient for my necefiary expences, being deficient to the amount of fif- teen lacks, and the above provifion will bring upon me this year very great diftrefs. What can I fay more? hefitate EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 211 liefitate a moment to declare them totally inadmiflible ; and as we have no doubt of the Nabob's ability to furnim the fums abfolutely neceflary for the fervice of the year, we require you to repeat the demand in writing, to give weight and efficacy to your requifition. We have judged it ex- pedient to advife him formally by letter, of your being authorized to make it, and that we expert his ready and chearful ac- quiefcence in it. In the prefent circum- ftances of his government, and of ourSj to difband any part of the troops that we maintain for his fervice, is a meafure no lefs improper for him to fuggeft, than it would be for us to adopt. He ftands engaged to our government to maintain the Englim armies, which at his own requeft have been formed for the protec- tion of his dominions ; and it is our part, not/fof, to judge, and to determine in what manner, and at what times thefe fhall be reduced or withdrawn : but were it other- wife, this is not the time to propofe it, when we are threatened with external dan- P a gers 2i2 T R A V E L S in gers common to both, which require ra- ther an augmentation than a diminution of the means which we poffefs for repel- ling them. That this gives us caufe for themoft alarming fufpicions, fince he can- not be ignorant that the Marrattas, our enemies, and the ancient enemies of his government and family, are in arms, and a war unavoidable. That at fuch a junc- ture, a proportion for difcharging any part of his forces, cannot fail to encou- rage them to attack his dominions. That the advice of his minifters, who have in- fligated him to make it, will, we perfuade ourfelves, appear to him as infidious as it is dangerous ; and that we hope he will difmifs them from his fervice and confi- dence, as unworthy of both. We are, &c." THIS letter having been read, the go- vernor general faid I would further pro- pofe, that a copy of this letter, or fuch other as it mall be agreed to write upon this occafion, be tranfmitted to the com- mander feu ROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 213 mander in chief; and that he be requefted to aflift with his perfonal influence and ap- plication to the Nabob, to give it effedt. IT was agreed That this fubjecl: fhould lie for conlideration. THIS important fubjecl: was refumed by the governor and council on Wednef- day the I5th. I fend you a copy of their reafonings on this interefting occaiion*, which will ferve to give you a juft idea of the oppofite principles that divide the fupreme council. On the argu- ments of Mr. Haftings and Mr. Fran- cis, I mall make no comment j both thefe gentlemen polTefs the moft happy talents for writing : and if Mr. Francis ever become a member of the Houfe of Common s> I will venture to predict, that he will foon be ranked among the very firft fpeakers. I am, &c. * See Appfendix C. P 3 LETTER 2i4 T R A V E L S fe LETTER LV, To J M , Efq; London. Calcutta, Dec. 23, 1779. I A M now to fulfil my promife, to give you a particular account of the day, as it is commonly fpent by an Englifh*- man in Bengal. ABOUT the hour of feven in the morn- ing, his durvan (porter or door-keeper) opens the gate, and the viranda (gallery) is free to his circars, peons (footmen) harcarrahs (meffengers or fpies) chub- dars (a kind of conftables) huccabadars and conftimas (or toward and butler) writers and folicitors. The head-bearer and jemmadar enter the hall, and his bed -room at eight o'clock. A lady quits EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 215 quits his fide, and is conduced by a pri- vate flair-cafe, either to her own apartment, or out of the yard. The moment the matter throws his legs out of bed, the whole pofTe in waiting rum into his room, each making three falams, by bending the body and head very low, and touching the fore- head with the infide of the fingers, and the floor with the back part. He con- defcends, perhaps, to nod or cafl an eye towards the folicitors of his favour ami protection. In about half an hour after undoing and taking oft his long drawers, a clean fhirt, breeches, ftockings, and flip- pers, are put upon his body, thighs, legs, and feet, without any greater exertion on his own part, than if he was a ftatuc. The barber enters, (haves him, cuts his nails, and cleans his ears. The chillum- jee and ewer are brought by a fervant, whofe duty it is, who pours water upon his hands, to warn, his hands and face, and prefents a towel. The fuperior then walks in ftate to his breakfaiHng parlour in his waiftcoat; is feated ; the confumah P 4 makes 216 TRAVELS in makes and pours out his tea, and prefents him with a plate of bread or toad. The hair- dreffer comes behind, and "begins his operation, while the huccabadar foftly flips the upper end of the fnake or tube of the houcca * into his hand. While the hair- drefler is doing his duty, the gentleman is eating, fipping, and fmoaking by turns. By and bye, his banian prefents himfelf with humble falams, and advances fome- \vhat more forward than the other atten- dants. If any of the folicitors are of emi- nence, they are honoured with chairs. * The houcca is the machine from which the fmoke of tobacco and aromatics are inhaled, through a tube of feveral feet, or even yards in length, which is called a fnake. To (hew the deference or indulgence fhewn by ladies to the practice of fmoaking, I need bu: tranfcribe a card for the governor general and his lady's concert and fupper. Mr. and Mrs. H s prefent their compliments to Mr. , and requeft the favour of his company to a concert and upper on Thurfday next, at Mrs, Ji s's houfe in town. i ft October, 1/79. The concert to begin at eight o'clock. Mr. -r is requeiled to bring no fervants except his huccabadar. Thefc EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 217 Thefe ceremonies are continued perhaps till ten o'clock; when, attended by his cavalcade, he is conducted to his palan- quin, and preceded by eight to twelve chubdars, harcarrahs, and peons, with the infignia of their profeffions, and their livery diftinguifhed by the colour of their tur- bans and cumberbands (a long muflin belt wrapt round the waift;) they move off at a quick amble; the fet of bearers, coniifting of eight generally, relieve each other with alertnefs, and without incommoding the mafter. If he has vifits to make, his peons lead and direct the bearers ; and if bufinefs renders his PRESENCE ONLY neceflary, he mews himfelf, and purfues his other en- gagements until two o'clock, when he and his company fit down, perfectly at eafe in point .of drefs and addrefs, to a good dinner, each attended by his own fervant. And the moment the glaiTes are introduced, regardlefs of the company of ladies, the houccabadars enter, each with a houcca, and prefents the tube to his mafter, watch- ing TRAVELS in ing behind and blowing the fire the whole time. As it is expedted that they {hall re- turn to fupper, at four o'clock they begin to withdraw without ceremony, and flep into their palanquins ; fo that in a few minutes, the mafter is left to go into his bed- room, when he is inftantly undrefTed to his fhirt, and his long drawers put on ; and he lies down on his bed, where he fleeps till about feven or eight o'clock : then the former ceremony is repeated, and clean linen of every kind, as in the morning, is adminiftered -, his huccabadar prefents the tube to his hand, he is placed at the tea table, and his hair-drefTer performs his duty as before. After tea, he puts on a handfome coat, and pays vifits of cere- mony to the ladies : returns a little before ten o'clock -, fupper being ferved at ten, The company keep together till between twelve and one in the morning, preferving great fobriety and decency ; and when they depart, our hero is conducted to his bed- room, where he finds a female companion, to EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 219 to amufe him until the hour of feven or eight next morning. With no greater exertions than thefe, do the Company's Servants amafs the moft fplendid fortunes. J am, &c. P6 LETTER 220 TRAVELS fa LETTER LVL To J M -, Efq; London. Calcutta, Dec. 25, 1779* TH E prefent governor g 1 of B -1 is doubtlefs a perfon of un- common abilities. He is a fine writer, and though his perfonal addrefs is fo far from being elegant and infinuating, that it is inelegant and forbidding in the higher!; degree; yet, by a natural vigour of mind^ and an haughty boldnefs, he is fitted to ac- quire an afcendant over minds more virtu- ous and delicate, but alfo more timid and irrefolute. His fuccefs in life has con- fpired with the natural haughtinefs of his temper to render him ambitious, imperi- ous. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 221 pus, refentful, and implacable. You will be able to form fome idea of his great op- ponent, Mr. Fr s, when I tell you, that this gentleman has uniformly oppofed the meafures of the overbearing g r g 1, with the greater! firmnefs and fpirit, though, unfortunate-ly for his coun- try, not with fuccefs< ONE of the great caufes of the errone- ous conduct of Mr. H s, and of thofe who fupport his meafures, is, as I con-^ ceive, an opinion that " fear and hatred are the univerfal fprings of action in the peninfula of Hindoftan." I mall not con- trovert this opinion. The very fpirit and principle of defpotic governments is fear, which in its nature implies an hatred of its objed: : befides, the diflblution of the Mo- gul empire into an infinite number of petty dates, whofe different claims are an endlefs fource of ftrife, has contributed, in an emi- nent degree, to eftablifh the truth of that odious doctrine, But if the Hindoo princes, P 7 as 222 TRAVELS in. as well as their fubjedls,are chiefly governed by hatred and fear, it by no means follows that they may not alfo be won by gentle and mild treatment. If they are impelled in fad: in their general conduct by the fcourge of fear, does it follow that they may not, by the exercife of generofity and juftice, be drawn by the cords of love ? Let thefe oppofite principles, of love and hatred, be united in a wife fyflem of policy, the one to encourage and invite the gooo 1 , and the other to check and control! the bad. The fecurity of property will prevent prejudice and hatred from occupying goo.d minds; and the fear of juflice will deter the vicious. To govern kingdoms by a fyflem founded in hatred and fear, can ne- ver be the project of a politician whp looks beyond the prefent time, and fludies the permanency of the (late, as well as the happinefs of the fubjecl: : for, while pro- tection, liberty, andjuflice, the plentiful fources of induflry, contentment, and feli- city, endear the governors to thofe that are EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 223 are governed, and fecure the ftate at once from internal broils and foreign con- quefts ; flavery, oppreffion, and injuftice, the direful fprings of human mifery, in their very nature point to change and re^ volution. I ADMIT, and there is no doubt, that the Britifh power in India is to be preferv- ed only by a refpeft and dread of the Bri- tifh name ; neverthelefs, it (hould be an invariable maxim, to make a diftinclion. between what degree of fear the exigency of affairs may require, and what may be thought necefiary by an ambition of con- queft. IT is much to be regretted, that the juft and mild views which direct the con- dud: of MeiTrs. Fr s and W z, do Hot predominate alfo in the mind of Sir E e C e, a name which fame had placed in an honourable and confpicuous light. This gentleman accepted a feat at P 8 the 224 TRAVELS?* the fupreme council board of India, and the chief command of all the Company's troops ; diffufing hopes, as well to the na- tion as to the proprietary, that the fuc- ceflbr to Sir J n C g would follow the footfteps of a man, whofe unmakeii integrity was ftimulated by a native pride* and whofe death will ever be lamented by the friends of Britain, of jufKce, and of humanity. BUT to be grateful, by yielding returns* in kind, would feem to have been the new- adopted creed of this general, and junior member of council; and to propagate fo generous a principle, would feerri to have been the chief end of his pre- fent vifit to India. For, having an im- rnenfe fortune in porTeffion, formerly, acquired there, and no aftual pofterity to inherit it ; and having attained to the -diflinguiflied honour, title, and rank juft mentioned, at a very advanced age, and with an infirm (late of health, he could 9 have EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 225 have no other object in view, unlefs the ufual companion of age and dotage, fordid avarice, urged him to a meafure, which unhappily has tarnifhed the luftre of his former name : or that, perceiving hy in- fpiration, or by private intelligence, the plain determined purpofes of the princi- pal leading fervants in India, to fubvert the conftitution, and ruin the interefts of the Company, he conceived the happy thought, that the fooner it was effected, the better it would be for the Company's fucceflbrs, of 'whatever nation, which his helping hand would haften, while himfelf, as well as his friends, would partake of the fpoils. Perhaps, as age and infirmity are known to reduce men of firft-rate abi- lities to a fecond {late of infancy, it is more than poffible, that baubles, com- .pofed of fparkling gems and precious me- tals, may have been depofited in his cabinet, as toys to amufe him ; and being flrongly tinctured with the enthuftafm of religiofl, he may naturally think it a religions duty, VOL. II. to 226 TRAVELS / to do unto others, as they have done unto him. This rare idea muft have been deeply imprinted on his mind, when he exprefled himfelf fo elaborately in the conclufion of a minute, on the fubjeft- matter of the famous victualling contract, viz. " However, had I not thefe funda- mental principles t induce me to fupport the governor general's motion, I fhould ftill moft heartily join in it, from the long knowledge I have of the merits of the contractor, Mr. Belli." To comment on an argument and juftification fo con- fiftent with the laws of perfonalfriendfoip, and the abufe of a f acred truji, would be to arraign the capacity and underftand- ing of thofe who mall happen to fee or hear it. The whole tenor of the con- duit of this once gallant officer, creates pity and aftonimment, when it is conii- dered as an infirmity peculiar to age, and an impaired conftitution. But con- fidering it in its efFefts, our charitable feelings are compelled to yield to others, which EUROPE, ASIA, ^W AFRICA. which draw a veil over the fplendor of mili- tary atchievements, ftain the luftre of for- mer merit> and infenfibly beget contempt. THE knight militant had folemnly en- gaged, before he left Britain, to make the interefts of the Company, and the dignity of the nation, the primary objects of his iludy and care $ and to execute to the extent of his abilities, and the authority vefted in him, the orders and inftructions of his employers. At the Cape of Good Hope* on his paffage out, at Madras, and even af- ter landing in Bengal, he in the ftrongeft terms openly and frequently reprobated the conduct of Mr. Haftings, with declarations expreflive of a decided oppoiition to his*' meafures. But alas ! his refolution failed him to that extraordinary degree, that he c-ondefcended to correct minutes, already recorded, which had originally fprung from the conviction of an honeft veteran, and fervilely fubmitted to fafhion them to the ideas and views of a man who had formerly afiifted to drive hi*i out of In- 228 TRAVELS;* dia *. The firfl action in India, which diftinguimed his public conduct, has al- ready been mentioned, as a meafure con- trary to the law of nations, and a violation of a facred treaty : I mean his enlifting, and placing as his body-guard, the natural- born French capitulant foldiers, taken pri- foners at Pondicherry. His unmilitary, unjuft, and abfurd regulations of the army, confiding of about one thoufand articles, and occupying about as many fo- lios of paper, had nearly been productive of very ferious effects, at a very critical juncture ; but the palpable inconfiitencies contained in them, converted the juft dif- contents and refentments which at firft agitated the minds of fpirited officers, into pity in fome, contempt in others, and ri- dicule in all -j-. One of the objects of his Afiatic * Minutes after his arrival, concerning the mifcarriagc of the expedition from Bombay againft Poonah. f One inftance in general orders, which is literally taken from the Calcutta Gazette, will prove this allega- tion to any military gentleman* EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 229 Aiiatic expedition, appears to have been the claim and poffeffion of the lands and houfe *' Gtntral Orders ly the Commander in Chief. l( Futtygur, January 22, 1780, " The commander in chief, with the moil unfeigned pleafure, adopts this public method of juftifying the fatif- fadion he has received, during his reiidence in this truly military cantonment. The common-place language of the mere approbation of a reviewing general, bears no part in this addrefs ; the fentiments flow from a more expanded and liberal fource, the effufions of Sir Eyre Coote's feel- ings, at proving the troops at this ftation fo highly diftinguifhed and finifhed in their difcipline, and fo worthy of every encouragement within the power of their com- mander in chief to beflow on them. Matters of fadfc alone appear the ftrongeft elogium that apprpval could direft on the fubjeft ; we need only adyert to the reviews and, exercifes of this week, to afcertain the juftnefs of this aftion. Lieutenant Colonel Wilding, and the corps of officers, deferye the general's thanks for their unwearied attentions, that have placed the detachment at Futtygur in the melt confpicuous point of view. The laurel fcemed always to the right of the reviewing corps, till the fuc- ceeding day erafed every idea of dillinftion, and left the military judge undetermined where to give the preference. The general defires, that both Europeans and natives may have his fentiments of their appearance and deferts, jpade known to them in the fulleft manner ; and that their <3 3 fteadinefs TRAVELS/?? houfe of Ghyrotty, under a vague, or rather imaginary title, unfubftantiated by deed, or even oral teftimony, efficient in law or equity; which, however, was deem- ed fufRciently legal by his accommodated and accommodating colleagues, who grant- ed the pofTeflion to his fimple Ipfe dixit. To gratify, however, in more eflentia] inftances, the ruling paffion of a perfon, whofe vote at the fupreme board became highly confequential at the very impor- 'tant crifis then approaching, by the power he pofTeffed, of calling the ponderous fcale to either of the contending fides, and which would of courfe, deprive the governor general of the double vote which, he exercifed when the board, confifting only of four members, were equally di- vided ; the knight, paufing, felt his fleadinpfs and difcipline, convinces him, that whenever a&ual fervice gives them opportunity, they will amply re- pay their officers fpr their pains taken, and approve them- felvej highly difciplined troops in the fulleft extent of the word." PWJ| EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 231 own importance weighed in the flattering fcale of ambition, and fet upon it an Afi- atic value. People fcruple not (in India) to rate this newly -imported influence, at a price of enormous magnitude, under an appellation better underflood in the lan- guages of the eaft, than thofe of Europe or the weft. Public gratifications ap- peared, firft, in the advance of above twenty thoufand pounds fterling a year, in addition to fixteen thoufand pounds, to which his annual falaries and emoluments, as commander in chief of the army, and a member of the fupreme council, were re- ftridted by adl of parliament, and pofitive orders from the Company. Indeed, he {hewed more moderation in the demand made by himfelf, of fucceeding only to the emoluments of commander in chief, as enjoyed by Brigadier General Stibbert (who had no feat in council, nor eftablifhed falary affixed to the chief command) whom he had fuperfeded, than his devoting friends (hewed in his behalf. Thefe hav- 0.4 in 232 T R A- V E L S in ing the true knowledge of good and evil, of his importance, and withal, a grateful fenfe of the advantages and fecurity which they had already derived, and were yet to derive from his apoftacy, frem in their remembrance, eafily over-ruled the prin- ciples of moderation and juftice, and re- probated the unmercenary ideas of the ge- neral, by conftruing the pretended ambi- guity in the inftrudions which had ac* companied General Clavering in 1774, and Sir Eyre himfelf fince (1778) into a liberality very inconfiflent with the Com- pany's wonted moderation, and very dif- ferent from the literal interpretation of their expreffions. And Sir Eyre was humbly prayed, by his faithful friends, to accept and receive, as a mark of their gratitude and affection, -the paltry fum of 22,800 pounds annually, out of the revenues belonging to their conftituents, in addition to his eftablimed appoint- ments ; and alfo, to confent that the fecond in command, Brigadier General Sibbert EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 233 Sibbert, be gratified in the receipt of near 10,000 pounds a year, over and above his legal appointments, to which he had no other claims than the profufe liberality of the difpenfers of favours. I am, &c. LETTER 234 TRAVELS in LETTER LVII. To J M 7-, Efq; London. Calcutta, Dec. 29, 1779. IN my letter of the 2oth September, I obferved, that about a third part of the Company's territories under the prefidency of Bengal, had grown up into woods, and become the refidence of wild beafts; the human inhabitants having been forced to abandon their native country by the un- relenting hand of European rapacity and oppreffion. I am now to give you fome account of the Rohilla war, which was the chief caufe of this melancholy event. THE extenlive, fertile, and beautiful provinces called Rohilcund, are fituated, for the moft part, between the two great rivers, Ganges and Jumna, from the boun- I tfary EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 235 dary of Corah to the confines of Agra and Delhi. They alfo occupy a large diflrict of country on the north fide of the Ganges, reaching eaftward to the provinces of Oud, and north ward to uninhabited mountains. The annual revenues of thefe provinces, without oppreffion, exceeded two crores of rupees (two millions Englim) and their military eftablimment of cavalry and in- fantry was about eighty thoufand : a brave and warlike race. The body of the peo- ple were compofed of Hindoos, of ftatures, complexions, conftitutions, and difpofi- tions, infinitely fuperior to thofe of the low countries. But the fate of war fub- jected them to the abfolute dominion of a number of martial Pytan Mahommedans, under the denomination of Chiefs or Ra- jahs. As thefe were very numerous, fmglc chiefmips were not powerful -, but united, as branches fprouting from the fame (lock, and in a common caufe, they were always deemed formidable. THES* 23 6 TRAVELS in THESE people lived on good terms with the Emperor of Hindoftan, to whom they bore a loyal attachment. But the prox- imity of their fouthern provinces to the territories of the Marrattas, frequently ex- pofed them to the ravages of that warlike and predatory nation. To the depreda- tions of the Marrattas, the misfortunes of the Rohillas are juftly to be afcribed : for thefe depredations furnifhed a pre- text to the afpiring ambition and reftlefs impetuofity of Sujah-ul-Dowla, the vizier ef the empire, and Nabob of Oude, to .ufurp the dominion of a country, whofe wealth, power, and vicinity would ferve him as fleps by which to mount the impe- rial throne of Delhi; He artfully infmuated to the Rohilla chiefs, that he was delirous to enter into an alliance with them, and to aflift againft the Marrattas, as a common enemy ; but as they were to reap the chief benefit, it was proper that a fubfidy fhould be paid for the fervices which his troops were to perform on remote expeditions. Previous to this meafure, he had caufed Mahomed EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 237 Mahomed Kouli Khan, the Nabob of II- liabad and Corah,, to be bafely aflaffinated when at his religious devotion ; and then he ufurped the dominion of his country. Thus bringing his own clofe home to thofe Rohilla provinces, which were fields of plunder and rapine to flying parties of Marrattas. THE Rohilla chiefs, although they knew and fufpefted his general characler, doubt- ed not his fincerity in a meafure which evidently accommodated himfelf ; where- fore, they confented to pay Sujah-ul-Dow- ]a forty lacks of rupees, if he would fend a powerful army immediately to join their forces, in repelling, and driving the Mar- ratta marauders out of their country. The Marrattas, availing themfelves of the Vi- zier's flow movements, and of that fecurity which the promifed fuccours from the Vizier had created in the Rohilla chiefs, renewed their incurfions and depredations with redoubled fury, and with too much fuccefs. The Company's troops under the 23 g T R A V E L S m the command of Sir Robert Barker, on the part of the Vizier, only entered the Rohilla country for its defence, after all the mifchief that could be done had been irretrievably perpetrated. The Rohilla chiefs were, by this means, fo reduced in their finances, that be/ides mildly ftating the non-performance of contract by Sujah- ul-Dowla, they were obliged by neceffity to defire a refpite in the complete payment of the ftipulated fubfidy, which however they promifed to make good by periodical inftallments, and propofed to fubmit the whole matter to the arbitration of the pre- fidency of Fort William. As all over- tures were refufed, they at length yielded to the meafure of paying the whole ori- ginal fpecific fum, upon conditions fuited to the reduced ftate in which the late Marratta incuriions, and the Nabob's own dilatory conduct, had left their country. THIS was the very object of the Vizier's policy; and his ambition, treachery, and brutality, give room to fufpect and believe, that EUROPE, ASIA, are yet owing to the Company, beiides ten lacks promifed as a donation to the army, in lieu of the plunder, which he had treafured to his own ufe. IT is computed, that about five hundred thoufand induflrious hufbandmen and ar- tifts, who were alfo, for the moft part, able warriors, together with their fami- lies, were deliberately driven over the Jumna, to receive an afylum from their late enemies and .plunderers, the .Maf- rattas. 2 5 5 TRAVELS in rattas. Fyzulla Cawn was obliged t6 condition, that he fhould not entertain more than five thoufand perfons in his dominion. The latter end of 1777, Under the vagUe pretence that Fyzulla's country was flourifliing, and becoming more populous than was ftipulated by treaty, Mr. Middleton, as the Company's relidertt at Lucknow, in concert with his friends and protectors at the prefidency; without any notification to the fupreme board, or afking their confent, undertook. to delegate Mr. Daniel Barwell, as an am- bailador to the quiet, timid, Fyzulla Cawn ; who, wrapt up in a garment of innocenccj fuipeeted nothing lefs than a charge of violating the compact, or the prefence of an European ambafiador to ad- juft the imaginary violation. It is faid, that although the allegation appeared to have been without foundation the minifter found the means of procuring, by way of efcort back to Lucknow, fcveral elephants and camelSj loaded with eight to ten lacks of rupees in fpecie. The minute of Mr. Francis, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 257 Francis, upon the occafion of the gover- nor general's motion to approve the pro- ceedings, as expedient, on the 9th March 1778, is worthy of the fpace it occupies upon record. HE (Mr. Francis) calls it, " One of the grofTeft pieces of management he met with in India. Mr. Daniel Bar- " well quits his ftation at Benaras with- " out leave, and goes to Lucknow with- ft out leave ; Mr. Middleton inftantly " difcovers, that Fyzulla Cawn is carry^ " ing on fome defign prejudicial to the " intereft of the Nabob, and that the " Nabob gives caufe for fuch defigns, by " his treatment of his fubjects ; at the f * fame time, that nothing is more noto- " rious, than that the Nabob has no more " power in his own country, than he " (Mr. Francis) has. To put a flop to " thefe effects, which mutual jealouiies *' muft produce, a treaty muft be made ; " the guarantee of the Company muft be " given ; and Mr. Daniel Banvell finds VOL. II. S " himfclf 358 T R A V E L S m " himfelf very opportunely, at Lucknow, ?' ready to execute the commiflion," THE Rohilla provinces are now a bar- ren wafte, and almoft totally deferted by the inhabitants. The chiefs and their children are continued in the moft mife- rable ftate of confinement, deprived of the common neceffaries f life. LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 259 LETTER LVIIJ. To J M -, Efq. London. Calcutta, Jan. 2, 1780, ON how precarious a foundation does the Britim empire in India ftand, when one daring individual can, at his plea- fure, fubvert every principle of the Com-* pany's government, violate their moil pofi- tive orders and folemn inftruclions, con- temn their authority, and fet their power at defiance ! The principles on which the Rohilla war originated, the Court of Di- redtors unanimoufly condemned ; yet, re- gardlefs of their mod peremptory com- mands, Mr. H s plunged them in- to another, the confequences of which threaten the fubverfion of the whole Bri- tilh power, together with the property and pofTeffions of the Englim Eaft India S 2 Company 260 T R A V E L S in Company in Hindoftan. Perhaps it is too late for that Company to weigh the difgraceful and dangerous confequences of uniting conftant condemnation with con- flant impunity ; and of continuing men in ftations of the higher! truft and dignity, whom, if we may rely on the opinion they have repeatedly exprefled of their con d uft and character, they ought to think unwprthy of the Ipweft, THE territories of the Marrattas, if we except that which was lately ufurped by Hycier Ally Cawn, extend towards the fea from Travancore, near Cape Co- morin, at the fouthern extremity of the peninfula of Hindoftan, to the ri- ver Paddar, which difcharges itfelf in the gulgh of Scindy, and which divides Guzzarat from the dominions of Perfia. On the eaft, they are bounded by the Carnatic, the Company's northern Cir- cars, and the dominions of the Nizam- ul-Muluck, the Soubah of the Deccan- Bazalet-Jung : but the province of Catac ftretcheg EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 261 ftretches in a 'in ml ing courfe to the bay of Bengal. TnEMarrattaftates in theDeccan are the Only people of Hindoftan who were never effectually fubdued, and who never una- nimoufly acknowledged themfelves fiefs to the throne of Delhi. The great Aureng- zebe himfelf, unable to conquer the brave Marrattas, found it prudent, for the fal^c of peace, to yield to them tne A fove- reignty of the Deccan. They even car- ried the terror of their arms into the heart of Delhi, whence they carried off vail treafuresj and they continued their depre- dations, nrft in the country around that feat of empire^ and then in the kingdoms of Bengal, Bahar, and Orixa ; until, in eon- fideration of the ceflion of Gatac, and an annual tribute of twelve lacks of rupees, they concluded a treaty of peace with Al- verdi Cawn, who had ufurped the foubah- ihip of Bengal, in 1750. S i THEIR 162 T R A V E L S m THEIR natural faftnefies" and inaccef- fible mountains, which confpired with their native bravery to preferve the Mar- rattas from the Mogul yoke, account for their predatory habits, their neglect of agriculture, and invincible love f arms. Among this race of warriors, and among them only, that generous hofpitality both towards ftrangers and each other, which in former times fo eminently character- ized the manners of the Haft, is ftill ob- ferved with facred and even fuperftitious exaclnefs. THE Marrattas, like the other nations of Hindoftan, were originally governed by princes, diftinguimed by the title of Sou, or Ram- rajah*, whofe throne was efta- bliihed at Setterrah. United under this There were among the Hindoos other titles of fove- reignty ; as, Ranah, Rajah, &c. Subordinate charaders were known by the names of Paiflwa, Surdar, Zemindar, Polygar, &c. The titles of Vizier, Soubah, Nizam, Na- bob, Omrah, &c. were introduced by Mahoroedans. head, EukoiE> ASIA, and AFRICA. 263 liead, they were always powerful and in- vincible j but in procefs of time, each fubordinate chief afTuming the preroga- tives of an independent prince, and one link of that chain which united them> being broken; they were Separated into a number of petty ftates ; yet they {till con- tinued to yield a kind of tacit allegiance to the Ram-rajah, who had a power of afTembling the chiefs, and ordering out their troops a$ often as any public caufe required their fervice. THE Marratta revenues were originally Very . great. Before the usurpations of Hyder Ally Cawn, in the kingdom of Myfore and around it, they amounted to about feventeen millions of Britifh pounds. It is computed, that their annual revenue is equal ilill to twelve millions. THEIR military eftablimment, which is compofed of cavalry, is yet about three hundred thoufand : but thefe are not to be confidered as regulars, or permanent S 4 troops. 264 TRAVELS//* troops, but as an eftablimed militia. Irl judging of the Marratta force, we are alfo to obferve, that it is an invariable cuftom among the troops, when an expe- dition is concluded, to retire with what plunder they may have feized to their refpedtive abodes, leaving with the chiefs only what may be called their body- guards. THE Sou, or Ram-rajah, exifts now but in name. Nana-row, brother of the prefent Roganaut-row, commonly called Ragoba, feized at the fame inftant the reins of government and the perfon of the Ram-rajah : a revolution which was fa- voured by the Bramin caft of the ufurper. The government he adminiftered, under the title of Paiftiwa, or prime minifter, and the prince he confined in a fortrefs near, the metropolis Setterah* In this po- fition, the prefent young Ram-rajah and the government of the Marratta ftate con- tinue to this day. NANA- EUROPE* ASIA, and AFRICA. 26$ NAN A- ROW dying, left behind him two fons, Mada-row and Narain-row ; the firft of whom, being the eldeft, fucceed- ed him in the ufurped office of Paifhwa. lonogee-Boofla, or Bouncello, the father or immediate predeceffor of Moodage-Boofla, Rajah of Berar, was one of the pretenders to the throne of Setterah, as neareft of kin to the confined Ram-rajah -, at the fame time Roganaut-row was a pretender to the office of prime minifter, even dur- ing the life-time of his nephew, for which Mada-row kept him under con- finement. BUT the Paimwa feeling in himfelf the fymptoms of decay, and forefeeing his approaching diflblution, was moved with fraternal tendernefs towards Narain-row, his young brother and lineal fuccefTor; whofe youth and inexperience expofed him to the machinations of his crafty and intriguing uncle, though in prifon. HAD 2 66 TRAVELS in HAD Mada-row, on this occaiion, ob-* ferved the cruel policy of the eaft, he might by a hint or a nod have removed the caufe of all his fears concerning his bro- ther | but he was a man of a humane dif- pofition, and his mind was purged from all dark ideas of poifon or afTaffinatiori by the near approach of death. Divided between humanity towards his uncle, and affein Berar, which he con- veyed to his father in Poonah. Roga- naut- row inftantly determined to fecure his own EUROPE, ASIA, ^AFRICA. 269 own freedom, and the Paimwaftilp without a competitor, by one blow; as neither of the brothers had children, nor was it then known that the wife of Narain-row was pregnant. Two Soubadars of the Durbar guard he made choice of for the accom- plimment of his purpofe. Simmer-ling and Mahomet IfToufTwere qonfulted; who, after fome confideration, engaged, for two lacks of rupees, and two flrong forts for their future protection, to perform thp horrid deed. An occafion offered to at- tach a third to their plot. Tulajee, a favourite feryant, had been raifed by Na- rain-row to the command of a troop of horfe near his own perfon. That young man having committed an act of vio- lence on a Soubadar of rank and condi- tion, upon complaint thereof, Narain found it necefTary to degrade and con- line the favourite : however, upon appli- cation, he was not only releafed, but re- ftored to rank and favour ; but the dif- grace funk into his fpirit, and he fecretly menaced revenge. The confpirators aflb- ciated 270 TRAVELS. / ciated him in their de%n, and fixed the day, place, and manner of carrying it into execution. On the i8th of Augufl 1773, after the Paifhwa had withdrawn to his re- tirement as ufual in the evening, he was alarmed by an uproar and information that a body of armed men were forcing into the apartments. He inftantly fufpedted that his uncle meditated his death - t and he flew into the apartment and arms of Roganaut-row, imploring him to take the government and fpare his life. Rago- ba was melted for a moment, and he fpoke to the Soubadars : but the matter- had gone too far to be receded from with fecurity. Tulajee feized Narain-row's legs, and a fepoy difengaged his arms which embraced his uncle. Tulajee ftruck the firft blow, which was followed by Simmer-fing and Mahomet IflbufF, LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 271 LETTER LIX. To J M , Efq. London. Calcutta, Jan. 5, 1780. THE death of Narain-row was ge- nerally lamented, and the unnatural manner in which it was brought about, universally execrated by all the people. A powerful oppofition was formed, to the fucceffion of Ragoba to the office after which he afpired. The parricide was forced to flee from his country, indignant at his crimes : but he found protection in the ifland of Bombay, in coniideration of a promife of the moft flattering conceffions, which however he had as little the power as the right to perform. The afylum thus granted to Roganaut-row, incenfed the Marrattas on the one hand ; while, on the other, it amufed the Englifh with a profpecl:, 272 TRAVELS in profpect, not only of valuable territorial concemons, but of the ufual fpoils which Indian revolutions prefent to the views of fuccefsful European allies, HOSTILITIES having quickly com- menced, the marine of Bombay fuftained, with the bravery of Britifh feamen, the troops, in the reduction of the ifland.of Salfette, which was effected not without confiderable lofs to the affailants; while that of Baroach coft the life of General Wedderburn, one of the beft and braveft officers that belonged either to the Com- pany's fervice or the Britifh army. The Company felt his lofs foon thereafter, in the defeat of the Bombay army under Colonel Keating. Happily, however, by means of the eftablimed enmity between the Marrattas and Hyder-Ally Cawn ; of jealoufies and fecret enmities between the principal and leffer ftates ; and of divifions in the council of Poonah, the Marratta government was inclined to preferve the friendmip of the Company in preference tq ttJRoPE, ASIA, And AFRICA. 273 to all other connections : a difpofition in which they would have continued, if the fengliih had not afforded fupport to the unjuft pretenfions of a parricidei SUCH was the iituation of the Company with regard to the Marratta ftate, when, the new government, compofed of Mr. Haftings, General Clavering, Colonel Monfon, Mr. Barwell, and Mr. Francis^ commenced in October 1774. The newly- arrived members^ General Clavering, Co- lonel Monfon, and Mr. Francis, entered on the duty affigned to them by the Com- pany, and by their country, with alacrity: the fole object of their views being, to recover the affairs of their employers from confufion, debt, and difcredit. Thefe gentlemen, forming a majority in the fupreme council, availed themfelves of that fuperiority which the aft of parlia- ment gave them, in certain cafes, over the other prefidencies, and fent Colonel Upton to negotiate with the Marratta court an honourable peace : which was at length VOL. II. T concluded 274 TRAVELS in concluded and ratified, on the firft of March '1776. This peace is known by the title of the Poorunder Treaty, andfome- times by that of the Treaty of Poonah. BY this treaty, Salfette, Baroach, and other diftricts in the Guzzerat provinces, were ceded to the Company : they were to be paid twelve lacks of rupees at three fixed terms, to defray the charges of the war; as a fecurity for which they got poffeffion of feveral pergunnahs in mortgage; and an extent of territory of the annual value of three lacks, adjoining or near to Baroach. ON the other hand, it was ftipulated, that Roganaut-row mould be provided for according to his rank, in a private line, and withdraw immediately from Bombay ; and that no protection or aflift- ancc fliould be given to him, or any other fubjeft or fervant of the Marratta ftate who- might excite any difturbance or rebellion in that country. THIS , ASIA, and AFRICA. 275 THIS treaty was confirmed by the Court of Directors \ who ordered a Arid: ad- herence to it in the flrongeft terms. They recommended fpecial vigilance over the conduct of Ragoba, during the time he mould remain at Bombay, that he might form no plans againft what is called the miriifterial party at Poonah : and pofitively commanded, that no intervention or fcheme in his favour mould be entered into, with- out the previous confent of the fupreme council or Court of Directors. At the fame time they admitted, that common humanity warranted the protection of Ra- goba's perfon from violence* IN the mean time Roganaut-row, un- der the protection of the government of Bombay, entered into new intrigues, and fomented diffentions in the adm migration of Poonah *. UNFORTUNATELY for the happinefs of mankind, the will almoft perpetually in- * The feat of the Marratta government. T 2 fluences 276 TRAVELS in fluences the judgment, and we too eafily believe what we wifh to be true. The hiftory of all nations proves, that exiled pretenders to fovereignty are convinced, on the flighteft grounds, that the body of the people is devoted to their intereft, and ready in their caufe to take up arms. In the year 1715, the Pretender, with his ad- herents who attended him in France, were perfuaded, that nineteen perfons in Britain out of twenty, were what they called loyal fubjeds. The fame language was held in the years preceding the famous 1745 : and it is impofllble to convince the Britim government, that the loyalifts are not by far the greater! party in North America. A fimilar deception was the im- mediate caufe of the Marratta war. Ra- goba, deceived in all probability himfelf, by means of his partizans among the Ma- ratta chiefs, beguiled the eafy credulity of Mr. Moftyn refident from Bombay at the court of Poonah, into a belief, that a moft powerful party was formed in favour of Roganaut-row, who were ready to advance EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 277 advance him by force of arms to the fupreme adminiftration of government. This piece of intelligence was received with avidity, and credited without any hefitation by majorities in the prefidencies both of Bombay and Calcutta. Having determined to reinftate Ragoba on the Poonah throne, they fortify their reiblution with new arguments. The Marrattas, they afTerted, had given countenance to agents from Auftria and France. If report could be believed, formal engagements had pafTed between them and M. St. Lubin, as agent to the crown of France, the object of which, whatever it was r mutt, if attained, prove deftruclive *to the trade of the Englifh Company, and to the British influence in India. Accordingly it was ne- ceflary, by a fudden and deciiive blow, and J J ftrw/t/o/g- 9 particularly by feizing the Kl mrl of Baffeen, to curb and reduce the Marratta power, before it fliould be encreafed by the ac- eeffion of that of France. They flattered themfelves with the greater affurance of fuccefs iu favour of -Ragoba, as they ex^ T 3 pecle4 278 T R A V E L S in pedted afliftance from Hyder Ally Cawn, who profefied a friend&ip for his party. Thus the object of this projected war, was, to place at the head of the Marratta government, a man whole hands were dyed with the blood of his own kindred ; whofe treachery had rendered him an object of execration over all Afia ; and who was withal the avowed friend and partizan of Hyder Ally Cawn, an afpiring ufurper, whofe enmity to the Englifh and their allies, was as firmly rooted as his hatred of the Marrattas. THE circumftances then that incited or ^ encouraged the governor general of Ben- gal to commence a war with the Marrat- tas, were chiefly three. There was, as he conceived, a powerful party at the court of Poonah, determined to hazard their lives in fupport of Ragoba ; a ma- jority of the Marratta chiefs had entered, or were on the point of entering, into a treaty of alliance with France ; and Hyder Ally Cawn would not fail to join the i EnglUh EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 279 English in fupport of his friend Ragoba, againft his inveterate enemies. How un- fortunate was the governor, both in his fecret intelligence and his conjectures ! In all thefe points he was deceived. V/hile Mr. Haftings was haranguing at Calcutta, on the power and zeal of the partizans of Ragoba, the few adherents he had were pining in confinement at Poonah. There was not a man in the civil or military ad- miniftration of the Marratta government, cither in thought or in action, ready to efpoufe the caufe of Roganaut-row. On the contrary, the whole body of the people in every ftation, feemed unanimous in their refolution to oppofe him, and the plan he had adopted. The Marratta go- vernment (hewed at firft every poiTible dif- pofition to preferve the frisndfhip, and to maintain an alliance with the Englifh : and if they entered into any negociations with the French at laft, we may eafily trace them to their proper fource in the pro- tection that was afforded to Roganaut- row, in violation of a foleran treaty, and T 4 his T R A V E L S in his intrigues at Bombay. The Marrattas, unwilling to irritate the Englim, entered into no treaty whatever with the French ; but on the contrary, difmiffed M. St. Lubin from Poonah, where he had had partizans. This agent of France went there- fore to Hyder Ally, who had, before this repulfe of St. Lubin at Poonah, re fen ted the offers he had made to the Marrattas. The rejection of thefe offers by the Mar- ratta government, facilitated a treaty be- tween St. Lubin and Hyder, and procured for the French the ceffion of Mangalore, THE pacific difpofkion of the Marratta court, and their refufal to treat effectually with St. Lubin, will appear from the fol- lowing paffage, in a letter from the go- vernor general's friend, the Rajah of Berar: " I formerly intimated in my letters to Calcutta, the purport of what the Poonah miniilers wrote to me ; that they neither had nor would have, any friendmip or connection with the French nation 5 and the French agent came to Poonah, folely EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA, 281 folely for the purpofes of trade ; and that out of friend/hip to the Englifh, they had fent him away; that I fhould therefore write to the Nabob Amand-ul-Dowla (meaning the governor general) to be per- fectly fatisfied with refpeft to them, they being fteady to their engagements." SUCH being the flate of affairs at Poo- nah and Mangalore, the fimple exercife of juftice and fidelity to engagements, woulcj have detached the Marratta chiefs more and more from France and from Hyder Ally, and united them in a clofe connection and friendmip with the Engli/h. But a breach of public faith, and an infatiable thirft for power and unbounded dominion, fo apparent in every meafure of the Com- pany's fervants, united the difcordant Mar- ratta ftates, and jarring members in the ad-? miniftration of Poonah, Hyder Ally Cawn, the Squbah of the Decan, the Rajah of Berar, Nudjiff-Cawn, and all the leffer powers of India into a clofe aflbciation for the purpofe of refifHng the extravagant pretenfions 282 TRAVELS i pretenfions and views of the Company's adminiftration in Afia, and even reducing their power. Impelled by the fame mo- tives, they difcovered inclinations to hearken to the overtures of France^ look- ing with wifhful impatience for the day of deliverance from the iron hand of op- preffion, . LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, ^^AFRICA* 283 LETTER LX. To j *_ M 1 Efq; London. Calcutta, Jan. jo, i;8. ON the 22d November 1778, an army, amounting to 3910 men, officers in- cluded, moved from Bombay, with an im- moderate quantity of baggage, and a train of nineteen thoufand cattle, to place Ro- ganaut-row at the head of the adminiftra- tion of Poonah. The conduct of this ex- pedition was entrufted to a committee, confiftiug of Colonel Egerton, Mr. Carnac, and Mr. Moftyn. Thus the commander in chief was circumfcribed in his defigns and operations by the appointment of field deputies : a meafure, the bad effects of which have been conftantly fliewn by ex- perience. Debate and execution are in their nature incompatible. The fuccefs of military TRAVELS.** military operations depends very much upon unity of command, without which there can neither he decision nor timely execution. This maxim of war was not contradicted by any fuccefs attending the prefent expedition. The army had not got within two days march of Poonah, after having been about fifty days in their pro- grefs without any hoftile obstruction, before they were totally defeated, and reduced, by the neceflity of offering a carte blanche to the enemy, to the moft difgraceful humilia- tion. After a few days fkirmifhing, they ca- pitulated at Wargaum, on the i6th of J-anuary 1779. This mortifying intelligence was received at Calcutta in the month of February, in a literal tranflation of .a letter to the Nabob of Arcot, ffom his Vakeel at the court of Poonah. Of this letter I fend you a copy. It will exhibit a new inftance of the perfidy of Roganaut-rows the folly of placing confidence in a treach- erous character, and of allowing Ragoba to move with a feparate camp $ and ther 9 generofity, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 285 :generofity, moderation, and good fenfe of the Marrattas. Intelligence from Poonah, contained in a Letter from Row Gee, dated \%th of January 1779, to the Nabob I. I have addrefled to your Highnefs feveral letters of late, fome of which I hope are arrived : I have accounts of others having been intercepted on the road, and (hall therefore recapitulate fome of the moft important tranfaclions here. 2. THE Englim Surdars *, as I have already wrote to your Highnefs, marched Fro-m Bombay to the pafles, and fortified that of Kodtichully. Roganaut-row took pofiefTion of two forts which were in the road, and joined the Englifli army, which I hear confifted of 700 Europeans, 8 bat- talions of Sepoys, 40 pieces of cannon, fnartars, and a quantity of powder and * -Or Chiefs. military 2 86 TRAVELS in military ftores ; they had betides four lacks of rupees in money. 3. Siccaram Pundit, and Nana Furnefe, two Marratta Surdars, joined their forces, and fatisfied the difcoritented chiefs Schin- diah and Holkar, by giving them money, jaghires, and other prefents. 4. All the chiefs having met to con- fult what was to be done in the prefent flate of affairs, they all with one voice agreed, that if Roganaut-row came with his own forces alone, they mould receive him, and give him a mare of the power as formerly; but fince he came with an army of Englifh, who were of a different nation from them, and whofe- conduct in Sujah Dowla's country, the Rohilla coun* try, Bengal, and the Carnatic, they were well acquainted with, they unanimoufly determined not to receive Roganaut--row -, as otherwife, in the end, they would be obliged to forfake their religion, and be- come the Haves of Europeans. Upon this they EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 287 they exchanged oaths ; and Nehum Rpw, Apagee Pundit, and Scindiah, were fent with an army of 15,000 horfe, befides foot, to the Gaut of Tulicanoon, and were followed immediately after by Siccaram Pundit and Nana Furneze, with 40,000 horfe. 5. IT has been for fome time the fixed determination of the Englilh Surdars to give their affiftance to Roganaut-row, in replacing him at the head of the govern- ment; an army was fent from Calcutta, who made an alliance with Boofla, (Rajah of Berar) and they were greatly encouraged by the news of the furrender of Pon- dicherry. 6. MR. MOSTYN, who went from Poo- nah, made them believe, that many of the Marratta Surdars were in their in- terefl, and that as foon as their army mould arrive at the Gaut, Holkar would join them with all his forces. ' 7. THS TRAVELS^ 7. THE Englifb, trufling to this* inarched their army to the Gaut, and waited impatiently for a whole month, but no one appeared to join their ftandardi The Englifh army marched forward from the Gaut, and were fo much harraffed by the Marrattas, as not to be able to proceed more than two cofs * a day, during which time they loft a great many of their meri by the fire kept upon them by the Marrattas. When they came to Chockly, which is about fourteen cofs from the pafs, they were obliged to haltj Captain Stewart, one of their Surdars, was killed at this place. ON the 2 1 ft January, the European army arrived at Tulicanoon (feyenteen cofs from the pafs j) Mr. Carnac, fecondofBom^ bay, was with them. Siccaram fent a body of horfe to Tulicanoon, to harrafs them j twenty-five Europeans, amongft whom was an officer, and one hundred fepoys, were killed on the firft day ; the Marrattas had two hundred men killed. timf * jfc cofs Is five Engllih miles. . ON EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 289 9. ON the 2d day, the Englifh were furrounded on all fides by the Marrattas, and all fupplies of provifions cut off from them. Seeing themfelves in this fituation, they determined, if poffible, to return back by the Gaut, and confulted upon the means to effecl: it. Roganaut^row hear- ing this, fent privately to the Marratta chief, Schindiah, telling him, that if he would attack the Englifh, he would join him with his two battalions of Sepoys, and 6co horfe. The Englim, it would appear, had intelligence of this ; for, on the 1 3th of January, they fuddenly marched fecretly from Tulicanoon, taking RoganauNrow with them, and leaving their baggage and tents ftanding, under the protection of 200 Europeans, and one battalion of Sepoys, with eight pieces of cannon, to make the Marrattas believe that their whole force was at Tulicanoon. Siccaram, however, got private in- telligence of their retreat; and, with Nana Furneze, Schindiah, and Holkar, went to cut off their march. At the fame VOL. II. U time 290 T R A V E L S in time he fent a body of horfe to Tulica- noon, where the reft of the Englifh were encamped. The Marrattas, as ufual, fell upon the plunder, and a fmart engagement enfued between them and the Englim. The detachment, who had marched with Roganaut-row, but had not proceeded far, returned to the aiTiflance of thofe in their camp. A heavy cannonade was kept up by the Marrattas from midnight till four o'clock the next day; the Englim were not able to march one foot of way, and all their firing tqok no effect ; one hundred and fifty Europeans, with many of their officers, and eight hundred Se- poys, were killed. The Marrattas fur- rounded them, and kept patroles going all night, to prevent any from efcaping. On the 1 4th, the Marrattas commenced their cannonading again, fifty Europeans ancl four hundred Sepoys were killed. The Englim ceafed firing, feeing that it had no effect. In the evening of that day, - the fervant of Roganaut-row, and that of Mr. Carnac, brought a leter to Madah Row, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 291 Row, acquainting him, that they would fend a trufty perfon to confer with him upon fome matters, if leave was given. The Surdars read the letter, and fent an anfwer by the fame perfon, that they were willing to ceafe hoftilities, until a perfon was fent. They, however, took care to keep a Ariel: patrole round the Englifh camp all night. On the ifth, the Mar- ratta Surdars went to the trenches, and began firing again ; but it was not an- fwered from the Engliili camp. Soon after, Mr. Farmer (a gentleman who was fome time ago at your Highnefs's court) came from the Engliih camp, and the fire of the Marrattas immediately ceafed. The Ma- rattas fent for him into the prefence, and Mr. Farmer faid to them, " We are only merchants. When difputes prevailed with you, Roganaut-row came to us, and De- manded our protection. We thought he had a right to the government, and gart him our affiftance. Nothing but ill for- tune attends him, and we have been U % brought 29 2 TRAVELS/* brought to this miferable ftate, by keep- ing him with us. You are matters to keep him from us. We mall henceforth adhere to the treaties that have formerly taken place between us. Be pleafed to forgive what has happened.'' THE minilter anfwered, " Roganaut- row is one of us. What right could you have to interfere in our concerns with him ? We now defire you to give up Salfette and Baffin, and what other countries you have poflefTed yourfelves of ; as alfo the Circars, thofe of the Purgunnahs of Baroch, &c. which you have taken in Gu^zarat. Ad- here to the treaty made in the time of Ba- jalee Row, arid afk nothing elfe." Mr. Farmer heard this anfwer, and returned to his camp. While this negociation was carrying on, 15,000 Marratta horfe were fent againft forne out-pofts where the Eng~ lifh had entrenched themfelves, and fet fire to them, putting every one they met with to death. They did the fame at the fort of EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 293 of Choul, where the English had fortified. I heard all this from Nana Furneze; whether it be true or falfe, I am not certain. ON the 6th at noon, Mr. Farmer re- turned, and told Schindiah that he had brought a blank paper, figned and fealed, which the Marratta chiefs might fill up as they pleafed. Schindiah told the mi- nifters, that although they had it in their power to make any demands they pleafed, it would not be advifeable to do it at this time. " For our making large demands, Would only fow refentment in their hearts, and we had better demand only what is neceflary. Let Roganaut-row be with us, and the treaty between us and the Englifh will be adhered to. Let Salfette and the Purgunnah in Guzzarats, &c. be given back to us. Let the Bengal army return back. For the reft, let us act with them, as it is ftipulated in the treaty with Bajalee Row; let the jewels mortgaged by Ro- ll 3 ganaut- 2 9 4 T R A V E L S in ganaut-row be reftored, and nothing de- manded for them. Let all thefe articles be wrote out on the paper which they have fent." Which was accordingly done. " It is likewife conditioned, that till this treaty is returned, figned and fealed by the governor of the Council and Select Committee, under the Company's feal, and till Salfette and the other countries be given up, the nephew of Captain Stewart and Mr. Farmer friall remain in the Mar- ratta camp as hoftages for the due per- formance of the articles of this treaty." THE Englifh foldiers who have efcaped with their lives, farted for three days, and are now in a miferable condition. The Europeans and Sepoys have all grounded their arms. On the i7th the treaty was fent to the Marratta camp. The articles were written in Perfian, Marratta, and Englim, fealed with the Company's feal, and figned by Mr. Carnac and feven offi- cers. After this the Marratta Surdars fent them EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. them victuals, whieh they needed much. The English marched out, efcorted by 2000 Marratta horje ; but Roganaut-row, not finding a lucky hour, did not go to the Marratta camp, but will go after twelve o'clock to-morrow*" U 4. LETTER 9 6 T R A V E L S in LETTER LXI. To J M- , Efq; London. - Calcutta, Jan. 14, 1780. IN my laft I laid before you finking proofs of the moderation and good fenfe of the Marratta regency, on an oc- cafion the moft tempting that could be imagined to revenge and ambition. I wifti now to imprefs the ideas that thofe proofs have made on your mind, by two letters from Siccaram Pundit, minifter of the Marratta fovereignty, to Mr. Haftings, in his capacity of governor general. There are many who write letters to extenuate the crimes and difplay the virtues of the Company's leading fervants : let me do juftice to thofe whom they have chofen to make their enemies. Copy EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 297 Copy of a letter from SICCARAM PUNDIT, Prime-miniJIer of the Poonah Government, to Governor General HASTINGS. Re- ceived in Bengal the jth of December 1778. " AT the time when fome of the Com- pany's chiefs were engaged in difputes and hoftilities with the chiefs of this government, actuated by a wifh to pro- mote the good and happinefs of mankind in general, which fuffered by thofe trou- bles, you interpofed your friendly media- tion to remove the caufes of complaint, and to put a flop to them j and deputed Colonel Upton for this purpofe, to the pre- fence of my matter Scriminuft Row, Row Pundit Pinkham, Pifhaw Saib. " AT the time of the ratification of peace, I objected to there being no perfon of rank and credit prefent on the part of the governor of Bombay; to which the Colo- nel made anfwer, " That the governor and fupreme council of Calcutta were inverted with 298 TRAVELS/* with authority over all fettlements of th$ English Company, and that their ads were binding on the chiefs of all the Eng- lifh fettlements." On the faith of this declaration, I made peace between this government and the Company's chiefs, and concluded a treaty ; but the governor of Bombay has, in every inftance of his con- duct fmce, excited troubles and commo- tions, in violation of the ties of friend- fhip ; and notwithstanding your exprefs orders to expel Roganaut-row from the Company's dominions* and to fettle all points between the two ftates, in confor- mity to the treaty, he has performed no- thing thereof. And an envoy from the king of France arriving here with a letter, inte- refted perfons, and inventors of falfehoods, conceiving this a lucky opportunity to obtain credit to their lying reports, with- out examination or reflection, reprefented it in the manner beft calculated to anfwer their malicious purpofes. " I CALt EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 299 " I CALL God to witnefs, that out of re- gard to the friendfhip and alliance of the Company and the Englifh chiefs, I dif- mifTed the faid envoy, without negociat- ing, or even converfing with him. I have lately heard, that fome of your people have hoftilely pofTefTed themfelves of the fort of Calpee, which belongs to this go- vernment. This meafure is widely re- moved from the faith of the folemn treaty executed by the Englifh. " WHEN the governor of Bombay, in former times, put on the mafk of friend- fhip for the purpofes of deceit, and aided the enemies of this government ; regarding you, Sir, as fuperior to all other chiefs, I made peace and friendship with you ; and thefe are the fruits produced by this friendfhip. " You write, that the maintaining of friendfhip and ftricl: union between our refpe&ive ftates, is your refolve. Is it in effecT: for the prefervation of friendfhip that 3 oo TRAVELS;^ that you trouble the dominions of this? government ? Such a mode of conduct is- inconMent with the maxims and mea- fures of high and illuftrious chiefs. It- is mutually incumbent on us to preferve inviolate the terms of the treaty. Should any deviation arife therein, they are effects of the will and difpenfation of God." From the fame. Received in Calcutta the 1 2th December 1778. " I HAVE been favoured with your let- ter under date the 22d Tremadee AfTamee (i7th July) on the fubject of the prefer- vation and increafe of the friendmip be- tween the two ftates; and intimating that it is your firft refolve to maintain every ar- ticle of the treaty, fo long as it is adhered to by the Paifhwa ; that the troops have been fent folely for the reinforcement of the fettlement of Bombay ; and that the com- manding officer had ftridl: injunctions to obferve fuch a conduct in every refpect, as is confident with the friendfhip fubfift- EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 301 ing; that the feveral letters you have lately received from this quarter, meaning from me, contain a declaration to maintain the treaty of friendmip between us 5 yet that my having hitherto evaded to grant pafles for the march of the troops through the government dominions, caufes you great aftonimment. That if I irill refufe to comply therewith, you are remedilefs, and the blame will fall on me. This letter, containing the above, and other particu- lars, which I (hall notice before I con- clude, reached me on the 4th of Shabann (28 th Augufl) and afforded me great plea- fure. " IT is univerfally allowed, that there is nothing in the world more excellent than friendship and harmony, which are bleffings to mankind in general. The maintenance of every article of the treaty, is equally incumbent on both parties. It is not ftipulated in any article of the treaty, that either party may fend forces through dominions of the other, without confulting T R A V E L S in confulting him beforehand, and caufc trouble and diftrefs to the people. -To what rule of friendship can be attributed the Rationing of garrifons in the forts, and making collections in the country of the other party. What has happened \ is then agreeable to Englijh faith. In proof of this aflertion, be it obferved, that Colonel Leflie, the commanding officer of the de* tachment, has kept with him Roganaut- row's Vakeel, and, in conjunction with him, collects money from the dominions of the government, by intimidating its fubjedts. This being the cafe, what be- comes of your affurances before recited, that the treaty mould be fcrupuloufly ad- hered to on your parts, fo long as it was maintained by my mafter ? or what de- gree of credit can be given thereto ? " FROM time immemorial, no forces of the maritime European nations have marched by land through the dominions of the government ; but the route of all the trading and European nations has been by EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 303 by the ocean. Nor is it ftipulated in the treaty, that the Englifli detachments (hall have a pafTage through the government territories. Reflect maturely on this, and then determine, on whofe fide the blame rcfts. That fuch unlooked - for adts, mould proceed from you, is a matter of the higheft aftonifhment; to think that mighty and powerful chiefs mould aft in direct oppofition to the faith of their en- gagements. You are pleafed to write, that if the prefidency of Bombay mall ftill continue to require the troops, you. can in no cafe agree to recall them. The matter is briefly thus : The king of England, and the Englifh Company, have placed confidence in the fupreme council of Calcutta, and inverted it with autho- rity over all the other fettlements. The ats of the council of Calcutta are binding on the government of all the Company's fettlements. Having given this aflurance, he propofed the form of a treaty, fuch as the critical fituation of the times rendered necefTary. You tranfmitted a treaty con- formably 304 TRAVELS in formably thereto, under the feal of the Englifh Company. It was from the be- ginning, the earner! wim of the govern- ment of Bombay, that no friendly con- nection mould be eftablifhed between the two ftates, and they have been, ever fmce, ftriving to overfet it. And notwithftand- ing the concluiion of the treaty, they kept Ragoba, with them. How then was it to be expected, that they mould recall their troops, which were difturbing the peace of the government's dominions ? It even appears, to a conviction, that they perfuaded Ragoba to the meafures he has purfued. How then does the fupreme authority of the council of Calcutta from the king of England, appear, fince the chiefs of the different fettlements do not regard engagements made by you as binding on them, but make no fcruple to break them : and you, Sir, paying no regard to your own acts, take your mea- fures on the reprefentations of the govern- ment of Bombay. This is indeed aflo- nifhing to the higheft degree ! " IT EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 305* " IT is the didate of found policy, that you withdraw your troops to your own territory. This will be a convincing proof of the fmcerity of your friendmip, and will fpread the fame of your good faith throughout the univerfe. " FROM the commencement of the go- vernment of the family of the Paifhwa, they have entered into treaties with many of the chiefs of the eaft and weft, and have never before experienced fuch a want of faith from any one ; nor ever, td the prefent time, deviated from their en- gagements, or been wanting to the duties' of friendship and alliance : the blame reftf with you/' VOL. II. X LETTER 306 TRAVELS ** LETTER LX1L To J M *-, Eiq. London. Calcutta, Jan. 18, 1780* \\7HILE one army was marching V from Bombay, to place Ragoba at the head of the administration of Poonah, another was moving from Bengal, to raife to the fame diftinguifhed Nation Moodajee- Sqofla, Rajah of Berar. You ftart at this r as being incredible ; nevertheleis, it is a fad, as you will be convinced by the fol- lowing narrative. ON the 23d of February, Mr. Haftings prefcnted a letter from Bombay, repre- fcnting the favourable circumftances at the court of Poonah, and other particu- lars, tending to induce the Englifh to fup- port EtJROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 307 port the pretenfions of Roganaut-row to the office of Paifhwa. On this letter he founded a motion to march a detachment over land to fupport the army of Bombay. The governor's double vote, together with that of Mr. Barwell, having over-ruled the fingle votes of their opponents, it was re- folved, that for this purpofe a detachment fhould be fent under the command of Colo- nel Matthew Leflie, confifting of one hun- dred and three officers, fix thoufandfix hun- dred and twenty-four troops, nineteen thou- fand feven hundred and twenty-nine fer- vants, and twelve thoufand buzars or mar- ket-people. An army only of fix thoufand feyen hundred and twenty-feven troops, and a fuit of thirty-one thoufand feven hun- dred and twenty-nine fervants and fullers, was ordered to traverfe an unexplored country of immenfe extent *, abounding in faftneffes, interfered by defiles and navigable rives, and inhabited by a war- Fifteen hundred miles. X 2 like 308 TRAVELS in like and hoftile people. This detach- ment began their march in the month of May. IT was now the wet feafon, and tor- rents of rain overflowed the country, de- ftroying the roads, and making even fmall rivers and brooks impafiable. The effect of the heat was fatally experienced by the troops and their numerous attendants, on the firft day's march from Calpee : for ei- ther through the ignorance of their con- ductors, or the obftinacy of the command- er, they moved out of the right courfe ; and through fatigue and want of water, between three and four hundred perfons died raving mad. Captain Crawfurd, one of the beft men and braveft officers in India, died in that ftate, of two hours illnefs. Colonel Parker, Major Fullarton, Captain Afli, Captain Showers, and about ten fubalterns, happily recovered from dan- gerous illnefles. THE EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 309 THE army having crofTed the Jumna, notwithstanding the fierce oppofition of the Marratta States adjoining to that river, and proceeded into the very heart of an hoflile country, its recall from which would be conftrued into a difgraceful re- treat, the governor general did not think it necefTary any longer to difguife his real object in this expedition. The fame army, which originally was deftined to fupport the preteniions of Ragoba, is now to be made the instrument of placing Moodajee- Boofla at the head of the Marratta empire, as well in oppofition to Roganaut-row, as his adverfaries ; and the Company is to join with that prince in invading the do- minions of their own ally, the Nizam of the Deccan. And yet Mr. Haftings, in the month of December laft, declared, that this Moodajee-Boofla, who was then dangeroufly ill, and expecled to die, was not the real Rajah of Berar, nor the pre- tender to the Marratta imperial throne; but the Naib, or deputy Rajah of Berar, during the minority of the real prince. X 3 I* 3io TRAVELS in IN confequence of this change in the deftination of the expedition, Colonel Leflie was ordered to take his route through Berar, inftead of purfuing his journey di- reftly through Malva. At the beginning of a French war, and at a time when all India beheld the Company's growing power with jealoufy and with dread, in- ftead of providing for the fecurity of Bengal, or any other of our poffeflions in the eaft, the governor general difpatches Mr. Elliot with powers and inftrudlions to enter into a treaty of alliance, offenfive and defenfive, with the Rajah of Berar. By this treaty, Roganaut-row was to be fet afide, and Moodajee-Boofla to be placed at the head of the Marratta em- pire, and to be fupported in his preten- fions again ft the Company's ally, the Sou- bah of the Deccan, the richeft prince in Hindoftan. Mr. Elliot fet out on this embaffy; but dying on his journey, all the negociations intruded to him were of courfe fufpended. And here let me digrefs from my narrative, in order to lament EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 311 lament the too early fate of one of the moft amiable characters, and elevated ge- niufes that ever dignified humanity. All who knew him were his friends ; even Grangers, to whom report alone afforded an opportunity of admiring his talents and virtues, mourned for the death of Mr. Elliot. He fell a martyr to patriotifm and fidelity to the Eaft India Company. Af- flicted with a diforder peculiar to the eafl, which originates in bilious obftructions, and the cure of which requires a copious application of mercury, his duty prevail- ing over every other confederation ; he un- dertook a long and fatiguing journey, in the rainy feafon, without a poffibility of enjoying fuch accommodations as might be fuitable to his ftate of health. After leaving the Company's territories, he dif- covered, that Governor Chevalier, who had fecretly efcaped from Chandernagore, was purfuing the fame route before him. Knowing the ambitious defigns of that man, and the accurate knowledge he had acquired of the politics of India, he X 4 ftrained 312 T R A V E L S in drained every nerve to feize his perfon t dreading that his liberty and arrival in France might be attended with the worft confequences to the Company's affairs, and the views of Great Britain. He pufhed on- ward by forced journies, ftill tracing and approaching M. Chevalier. Unfortunate- ly, juft when he had the chafe in view, his progrefs was obftruded by a fudden over- flow of the waters of one of the large ri- vers of Catac. Regardlefs of the flate of his health, and the medicines he had taken, by an extraordinary exertion of activity and ftrength, he encountered the rapid ftream, and fwam acrofs the river with a few of his attendants and fepoys. He found M. Chevalier at the metropolis of Catac : and, although efcorted only by a few fepoys, he claimed the perfon of Go- vernor Chevalier with fuch fenfible argu- ments and manly eloquence, that the Rajah furrendered him. As Mr. Elliot had but a fmall efcort, and the longeft and moft dangerous part 3 of EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. pf his journey was yet to be performed, he could not, without facrificing the objeft of his commiffion, return a guard to con- duct M. Chevalier and his companion M. Moneron to Calcutta ; wherefore he engaged their paroles in writing, to fur- render themfelves prifoners of war, within a limited time, to the governor general. M. Chevalier and M. Moneron perform- ed their engagements. Mr. Elliot pur- fued his route to Berar; but died a few- days thereafter. CHATTERPORE, the capital of Bundle- cund, the country of diamonds, is fituated near the weftern confines of that pro- vince. Its diftance from Calcutta may be computed at twenty days journey for a native courier. Here Colonel Leflie had lain near three months, committing in the country around many hoftilities and depredations. A letter from this officer was laid before the fupreme council upon the 1 9th of October, wherein he ftated the caufes which retarded his march; and accounts T R A V E L S in accounts for his not having been hereto-* fore more explicit in his communications fa the board, by faying, that he had fur- niihed Mr. Haftings, at his own fpecial defire, with a particular journal of occur- rences, and therefore had trufted to him for fuch explanations as the board might re- ijuire. The Colonel, notwithflanding his delays and depredations, exprefTed not the leaft apprehenfion of Mr. Haflings's re- fentment, or of any effects it could pro- duce -, but, on the contrary, he fet him at open defiance in plain terms, and refufed to hold private' correfpondence with him any longer. LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 315 LETTER LXIII. T J M , Efq; London. c Calcutta, Jan. 21, 1780. OLONEL LESLIE died at Chat- terpore on the 3d of October 1778. He was fucceeded in the chief command pf the detachment by Colonel Goddard; who received a charge to renew the nego- ciation with Moodajee-Boofla, on the prin- ciples of Mr. Elliot's inftructions, with full power to conclude a treaty. THE power that had been delegated on the 1 5th of October, to the prefidency of Bombay, of commanding the march of the detachment, was revoked, and Colonel Goddard was to be directed only by orders from the fupreme council. The gover- nor general, on the j 2th of October, had violently 316 TRAVELS i violently cenfured the prefidency of Bom- bay, for not pufhing matters to extremity againft the Marratta regency, in order to reinftate Roganaut-row in the office of Paifhwa -, he now takes a meafure incon- fiftent with the oflenfible object of the expedition, which was to co-operate with the Bombay army in favour of Ragoba. For, without a preconcerted coincidence of movements, how can two armies act for one end ? and, how can there be a co- incidence of movements, where armies are under feparate commands ? But, notwith- ilanding Mr. Haftings's warm approba- tion of the plan for raifing Ragoba to the Marratta throne, he confidered his caufe as defperate ; and even while he ap- proved the refolutions of the Bombay pre- fidency, to accompany him with an army to Poonah, he declared, that he confidered them as refolutions to do nothing : an opi- nion for which an extreme fluctuation in the councils of Bombay, had indeed given good ground. But though he entertained no hopes in the meafures of that prefi- dency EUROPE, ASIA, and AT RICA. 317 dency in favour of Ragoba, he probably trufted that they might fave at leaft his detachment; a conjecture which the event fully justified. It is certain, however, from the uniform tenor of Mr. Haftings's minutes, as well as the letters to and from the Rajah of Berar, that the real objecl: of that expedition was an alliance with the Rajah, and an embafly to folicit him to become a candidate for the fove- reignty of the Marratta empire. Yet the expedition over land was planned and re- folved on the 23d of February 1778 ; and by the lixth article of the infrruftions to the prefidency of Bombay, to treat conclufively and effectually with Roga- naut-row, bearing date the j8th of the enfuing month of March, the fupreme council were fclemnly bound to perform every condition which any fuch treaty might contain. And if violation of faith was not intended from the beginning, why was not the government of Bom- bay commanded to forbear entering into any treaty with Roganaut-row, the mo- ment TRAVELS** ment that it was refolved to enter into a 1 negociation with Moodajee-Boofla ; and to avoid all overt hoftilities againft the Mar- iettas, unlefs in felf-defence, until they fhould, be exprefily authorized by the fu- preme council^ or Court of Directors ? Or, why was it not confidentially in- truded with the defign in favour of the Rajah, and directed to contribute to its fuccefs when it was ripe for execution ? IN profecution of his views of exalting Moodajee-Boofla to the Marratta imperial throne, Mr. Raftings wrote the follow- ing letter to his prime minifler, Dewagw* Pundit, dated in Calcutta, 23d November 1778 : " In the whole of my conduct I have departed from the common line of policy, and have made advances when others in my fituation would have wait- ed for folicitations ; as the greater! advan- tages to which I can look, cannot in their nature equal thcfe to which the profpe- rous iflue of our meafures may conduct the flats of the Maha-rajah's government. But EUROPE, ASIA, .and AFRICA. 319 But I know the characters to which I ad- drefs myfelf. I truft to the approved bravery and fpirit of your chief, that he will ardently catch at the objects pre- fented to his ambition ; and to your wif- dom, of which, if fame reports truly, no minifter ever pofiefled a larger portion, that you will view their importance in too clear a light to hazard the lofs of them, by attempting to take an advantage of the defire which I have expreffed for their accomplimment. This intimation is not fo much intended for a caution to you, as for an explanation of my conduct to thofe who may be lefs able to penetrate the grounds of it." BUT Moodajee-Boofla did not catch at the objeds prefented to his ambition, with that ardor which the governor looked for 5 nor does it appear that he ever had an idea of the nature and extent of Mr. Haftings's views ; much lefs that he en- tertained any defign of waging war againft the Marratta regency and the Soubah of the Deccan, TRAVELS^ Deccan, or of entering into any engage- ments with the Company, that would lead him' into a rupture with either of thofe ftates, his neighbours. The Rajah^ tottering on the brink of the grave, wifely- preferred peace in mediocrity to the flat- tering, but uncertain allurement offered to his ambition. He undertook to vindi- cate the Paifhwa from the charge brought againft him by the Company's fervants, of maintaining a fecret connection with the French ; and offered, with great ear- neftnefs, his own mediation to effect, be- tween his countrymen and the Engliihj a jperfect reconciliation. LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 321 LETTER LXlV. To j M , Efq; London. Calcutta, Jan. 25, 1780. IN the beginning of January 1779, Co- lonel Goddard, with the detachment^ fcrofTed the Narbudda, and encamped on the fouthern banks of that river, within the territory of Berar, where he waited to be informed of the final refolution of Moodajee-Boofla. He deputed Lieutenant Weatherftone to Naig-pore, in order to prefs the Rajah to conclude the propofed treaty, and immediately to enter on the execution of it ; but without the fmalleft fuccefs. That prince declined entering into any treaty, or taking anv active part whatever, till further accounts mould ar- rive from Calcutta. As a pretext for this refufal, he pleaded the part taken by the VOL. II. Y council 322 TRAVELS in council of Bombay, in favour of Roga- naut-row, and not only recommended, but earneftly entreated the Englim to abandon that chief, and accept of terms from the minifterial party in Poonah. THE government of Berar had a thou- fand arguments to oppofe to thofe urged in favour of the plan for their affuming the dignity of Ram-rajah of Setterah ; par- ticularly, " their pledged faith, and the friendmip they had fworn to the prefent Paifhwa. Their averting their pretenfions to the fovereignty, they affirmed, would be encountered by numberlefs obftacles. A victory could not be obtained without medding much blood, and violating the moft facred engagements." The fupport afforded by the Englifh to Roganaut-row, they confidered " as highly impolitical, and predicted, that in the end it would be found to be fo. Roganaut-row, they faid, was held in univerfal abhorrence; and the prejudices in the Deccan againft that feuRopfe, ASIA, and AFRICA. 323 that chief, would not eafily, if ever, be re- removed." THESE fentiments of the Maha-rajah, and his minifters, being communicated to Governor Haftings,' very much difcon- certed and diftreiTed him. He fent a let- ter to Moodajee-Boofla, in which he la- ments rather than complains, of the diftruft entertained by the Rajah ; and declares, that had he accepted of the terms offered to him by Colonel Goddard, and con- cluded a treaty with the government of Bengal, he (Mr. Haftings) mould have held the obligation of it fuperior to that of any engagement formed by the govern- ment of Bombay ; " and mould have thought it his duty to have maintained it againft every consideration, even of the mofi valuable interefts and fafety of the Englim pofleffions intruded to his charge*. To you," continued the go- * This declaration of Mr. Haftings furpafles the bittereft accufations of his adverfaries, and e."po!es views and pur- pofes totally inconfiftent with duty and fidelity. y 2 vcrnor 324 TRAVELS / vernor general, " I had unrefervedly com- mitted all my views, partly and indiftinctly by letters, but very fully in repeated con- verfations with your Vakeel Beneram Pundit, as it would have been very im- proper to have affairs of fuch delicacy and importance committed to letters, and to the hazards to which thefe would have been expofed in a long and doubtful journey. Your caution was ftill greater, and perhaps more commendable, although I may regret the neceffity which prefcrib- cd it; for neither your letters, nor the letters of Beneram Pundit, afforded me the lead clue to judge of your fentiments or inclination refpecting the particular points of action which were to form the fubftance of our projected engagements. And although from your general profef- fions, and the warmth and fincerity with which thefe were manifeftly dictated, I had every reafon to conclude that- you ap- proved of them , yet, without forne af- furances, common prudence required, that I fhould not precipitately abandon every EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 325 every other refource, and irrevocably com- mit the honour and interefts of this go- vernment in a doubtful meafure. Pre- cautions were taken, that nothing mould be undertaken by any of the governments dependent on this, which might eventu- ally interfere with thofe actually concluded with you," THE governor's letter had no effect on Moodajee-Boofla j and Colonel Goddard, having received a letter from GENERAL Carnac and Colonel Egerton, bearing date the nth of January*, advifing him not to continue his march towards Poonah, but to proceed either to Baroach or Surat, or to remain on the borders of Berar, wifely followed their advice. He moved with his detachment from Brahmpore, on the 6th of February, and arrived at Surat about the 26th of that month, without having met with any oppofition, or fo * Whence it is evident, that thefe gentlemen di covered their miitake before the firft alion with the Marratta army. Y 3 much 326 TRAVELS i much as even feeing an enemy ; and, had the army been commanded by a man of lefs bravery and activity, this expedition might not have been fo fuccefsful. The Marrattas called in all their troops to oppofe the Bombay army -, and the treaty made with Mr. Carnac, lulled them into, a fecurity, until it was difavowed in Bom- bay j and in the mean time, Colonel God- dard prefTed his march, and efcaped. LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 327 LETTER LXV. To J M , Efq s London. . : Calcutta, Jan. 26, 1780. EUROPEAN nations falfely ima- gine, that all the delicacy of tafte and refinement of fentiment that are to be found in the world, are poffefTed by themfelves ; other nations, they confider as rude and barbarous. It is true, that a few men of enlightened understandings are ready to allow a degree of cultivation to certain Afiatic nations : but I am apt to think, that even thefe men under-rate the talents as well as the virtues of the fons of the eaft j at leaft, I have fcarcely met with any author who fpeaks on this fubjed; with any degree of enthufiairn. Every body feems willing to give a tacit confent to that vafl luperiority, in all Y 4 refpeds, TRAVELS** refpects, which European vanity and ar- rogance have aflumefl over all the reft of the world. THE following letter from the Maha- rajah Moodajee-JBoofla, to Mr. Haftings, for good fenfe, a fpirit of juftice, huma- nity, and delicacy of fentimcnt and tafte, may juftly bf compared with any of Pliny or Cicero. Copy of a letter from MOODAJEE-BOOSLA to Governor HASTINGS, dated the $th December 1778, and received the 2d Ja- nuary 1779. " YOUR friendly letter of the Ramzam, (nth October) informing me of your having received advice of the death of Mr. Elliot, in his way to Naig- pore * -, your concern at that event, and at the unavoidable fufpenfions of the ne- gotiations which that gentleman was to * The capital cf Berar, have EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 329 have conducted with me on the part of your government j and the delay in the eftablifhment of a ftridt and perpetual friendfhip between the Company's ftate and mine (concerning which you had ex- erted yourfelf fo warmly) by reafon that the prefent fituation of affairs would not admit of the delay which muft attend the deputation of another perfon from thence, without injuring the defigns in hand; but that in your conviction of my favourable difpofition, from the knowledge that my interefts and the Company's are infepa- rably connected ; and in the zeal of Be- neram Pundit, whom, during the long period he refided with you, you found fo deferving of your confidence, &c. &c : That the plan propofed, and what you have written, is to promote our common ad- vantage, not for the intereft of one party only, being convinced, that no public al- liance or private friendmip, can be firmly eftablimed without reciprocal advantages: TThat it is on thefe principles you had long 33 o TRAVELS w long ago planned an alliance with me, the time for the accomplimment of which is now come ; for you conceive it to be equally for, my intereft as for yours, our countries bordering on each other, and pur natural enemies being the fame : That, jn a .word, you required nothing but the junction of my forces with yours, by which, though each is fingly very power- ful, they will acquire a ten-fold propor- tion of ftrength : That the delay of the progrefs in the detachment intended for. Bombay, had not arifen from the oppoli- tion of an enemy, but from other caufes improper to mention; but that it wilj now fhortly arrive in my territories, and its operation be determined by my advice : That you have given directions to Colo- nel Leflie, to co-operate with the forces which I mail unite with his : That as you offer me the forces of your Circar to promote my views, you in return require the affiftance of mine to effect your pur- pofes ; with other particulars which I fully EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 331 fully underftand, reached me on the 26th Shawand (i6th November) and afforded me great pleafure. I alfo received du- plicate and triplicate of this letter. In the latter part of it you exprefs, that as you have made me acquainted with your views, it is neceflary that I alfo communicate to you, without referve, the ends which I look to for my advantage in this union : That the good faith of the Englim to every engagement they contract, fo long as it is obferved by others, is univerfally known ; and that it has been the inva- riable rule of your conduct, to fupport this character in all ads depending on you, and never to relinquim any defign of importance formed on good and judicious grounds, but to perfevere fteadily to its completion : That having thus explained to me your fentiments and views, you wait only to know mine ; and on the knowledge of thefe, you mall form your ultimate resolution.- " IT 332 T R A V E L S in " IT is equally a maxim of fincere friend- /hip and good government, fleadinefs, mag- nanimity, and forefight, that a plan, form- ed on good and judicious grounds, /hould be conducted in fuch a manner as to end happily. You defire to learn my fenti- ments and views; and deferring to form your ultimate refolutions until you had heard further from me, is the fame thing as if you had confulted ie primarily on your firfl defigns. " SINCE, after the {bridled fcrutiny and refearches into difpofitions and views of the multitude, it has been determined, on proofs of mutual fincerity and good faith, that a perpetual friendfhip and union be eftabliflied, it will, like the wall of Alexander, for the happinefs of man-* kind, continue unmaken until the end of time. " THE having caufed a tranflation to be made into Englifh of the Hindoo books, calle4 EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 333 called the Shatter and Poran, and of the hiftory of the former kings ; the ftudying thefe books, and keeping the pictures of the former kings and prefent rulers of Hind, Decan, &c. always before your eyes, and from their lifelefs fimilitude to difcover which of them were or are worthy of rule, and poflefled of good faith ; from which to determine with whom to contract: engagements, and what conduit to obferve to them refpe what anfwer can be made thereto ? " As the time requires, that a reconcilia- tion take place with the Poonah miniflers, you will confider and determine what reply (hall be given to thefe two points of which they complain ; and by what means they may be fatisfied; and communicate your refolution to me, that I may write con- formably thereto, and remove all doubts." LETTER 352 TRAVELS/)* LETTER LXVI. To J M~, Efq; London; Calcutta, Jan. 24, 1780; THE Company's concerns in Europe and in India, are now reduced to a ftate, by much too critical not to alarm every perfon whofe mind is not callous, and tainted with deliberate treachery *. THE nation, engaged in a general war in Europe and America, muft^ ere now* have contracted with the Company to con- tinue their charter, and the pofTeffion of all territorial revenues in India, in conii- deration of a gift and loan of feveral millions. * The fubftance of this letter on the fubje& of an in- tended coalition, was alfo fent to a member of govern- ment in Bengal. TH i AsiA, and AFRICA. THE Company were fully juftified, by the confident afleveration of their governor general and the fecond in fupreme council, on the loth of Auguft 1778, to conclude with certainty, that near three millions flerling are now unappropriated in their treafury in Bengal, without any reduction of the current inveitmems ; and therefore, to make thefe very important and feafoa- able concefllons to the nation. THE nation, equally confident in truth of what the Company's principal minifters abroad had aflerted, and the Di- re&ors at home believed, muft have im- plicitly trufted to that refource j and either advanced proportionably in the meafure of expence, by profecuting the war with vigour, or feafonably relaxed in taxing the people. THE meafures, obftinately and perverfely purfued in India, have confumed all the Company's treafures in Bengal ; and in fome eflablimments have increafed their VOL. iL A a debts, 354 T R A V E L S in debts, without the probable means of re- moving the caufes, or of retrieving their circumftances ; infomuch, that it is to be apprehended, the very inveftments muft be curtailed, if not wholly ftopt, inftead of making an extraordinary remittance of three millions to Britain, to anfwer the Company's engagements to the nation. THE weight of this difappointment win embarrafs government, and operate as a double tax upon the nation, already de- preffed in means, and in credit : The mi- nifter will throw it upon the Company ; the Company will juftify themfelves by the bafenefs and treachery of their prin- cipal fervants abroad ; the nation will ac- cufe the Directors, as acceflaries in the guilt of their fervants, whom they might have removed, as their malverfations had repeatedly been communicated to them ; the Directors will retort upon adminiflra- tion, by recurring to the cenfures, which they had freely thrown from time to time upon the majority of their principal fer- vants 5 EUROPE, ASIA, vants; and alledging that, under the fecrct influence and protection of minifterial power, the delinquents were not only kept jn their Rations, but encouraged in con- temptuous difobedience, and a continua- tion of abufes. THE nation will view it in its trut light; it will become a fubject of im- fr peachment ; the perfidious authors will be abandoned to their fate. A bill of pains and penalties will pafs unanimoufly, becaufe no minifter will dare to fupport fo bad a caufe ; private property will be fe- , queftered, and the offending perfon ar-> refted- THE chief author of thefe great evils fees the approaching event with dreadful alarm ; he dreads again the apoftacy of Sir E C e ; again he beholds all the powers in India roufed, and united to op- pofe the unabating ambition of a foreign people, under the guidance of men, who VOL. II. A a 2 have TRAVELS in have proved the'mfelves ftrangers equally to public and private faith, and to the purity and facrednefs of folemn engage- ments. He fears the premature arrival of French auxiliaries, to incorporate with, and to direcl: the offended native ftates. He knows that all the . powers in India have. loft confidence in himfelf, and that pacific overtures are therefore needlefs. He defires, now, to leffen the odium againft himfelf, and to elude a part of the public cenfure, by afToeiating his opponents in all his pernicious meafures, by a late coa- lition. He wiihes alfo to afTociate theni in fupport of his foul, deftrudlive, ana illegal contrads in the mifcondu<5t and enormous depredations of the late refident at Oude. And he dreads that old prac- ticesi even antecedent to the prefent go- vernment, will burft out into judgment againft him. Craft, fubtilty, temporizing, and felf-poffeffion, are peculiar to a thirty years education under wily Rajahs, Ba- nians, and Circars in Hindoftan. He is not EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 357 not only infmcere, but premeditatcly intent on deception, the inftant that a breach of faith can gratify his refentment, becaufe he is implacable; or his purpofes, becaufe he is political ; or his power, becaufe he is imperious ; and would rather part with exiftence than with authority, or ceafe to be idolized and flattered. HE fees no alternative, but to purfue the war - y he fees, that to purfue the war, befides the chances of being worfted at all quarters, he muft flop all inveftments ; and he fees, that to flop the inveftments will be followed with the immediate bank- ruptcy of the Company in Europe. Nay, he muft fee, that fuch is the miferable ftate to which his meafures have reduced trade, that all the current year's inveftment being already in ftore, it cannot be con- verted into money ; and that money is now indifpenfably wanted to carry on the war. And his difcernment points out clearly to his view, the intire destruction of the Company's power in Bengal, Bahar, and A a 3 the 35 8 TRAVELS;;? the Vizier's provinces, if the manufa&qrejis are thrown idle, and confequently forced to emigrate for bread. IN this critical dilemma, Jie calls artfully for relief from thofe, whofe arguments againft his own perfidious meafures he had heretofore treated, fo contemptuoufly, as not to deign anfwers to them. HE knows, that to fecure fuccefs in, any overtures to Indian princes, he himfelf cannot appear as oftenfible minifter, or as contrading-party, becaufe they will place, no confidence in his promifes, engage- ments, or faith. That therefore, a new ad- miniftration, in which he bears no leading part, can alone gain accefs, even to treat. AFTER fo long, fo honourable, fo faith- ful, and fo fteady a refinance, to fave the Company, and to benefit the Britim na- tion, * however wearied with want of Alluding to Mr. Francis's con4uS. fuccefs EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 359 fuccefs and protection, to yield now, un- lefs with a firm and unalterable purpofe to fupport the fame meafures and principles, will be, to releafe the adtive aggreffor from more than a third part of his guilt; and to become not an acceflary, but a prin- cipal in all the mifchiefs and crimes he has committed. IT may be poiTible to divert Hyder Ally and the Nizam from the union with the Marratta junction. A common caufe, to oppofe a common enemy, only could have connected men whofe enmities are inherent, inveterate, and deep-rooted. A fpeedy and judicious embaiTy may effect an alliance with thefe two princes : and the Rajah of Berar is fo contiguoufly fituated, that the movement of a brigade over the Jumma, will withdravVhim from the Poonah al- liance, after the alliance is effected with Hyder Ally and the Nizam. In all, and every other refpect, it will be prudent to act only on the defenfive, until thofe con- pedions are firmly eftablimed : and then A a 4 the 360 TRAVELS/;* the Marrattas, will hearken to fuch juft and reafonable terms, as will not dishonour the Britifh name, tarnim its military fame, or weaken its influence in Alia. BEFORE matters are reduced to ex- tremities, or, that the critical fituation of the Company's affairs is publifhed, it might be expedient to open the treafures of Bengal and Madras, to receive a loan of a crore of rupees. If it cannot be efFecled at five per cent, as it might have been laft year, to give fix, feven, or even eight per cent, per annum intereft, on what mall be made payable in India -, or four per cent, payable, periodically, in Europe. I SHALL fet out from this place within a day or two, to embark in the (hip G s, now lying at the Barabuiia, near the entrance of the Houghly. My next mall be from Madras, whence we are to have convoy. 1 mail continue this correfpon- dcnce during the paffage home, from the fcveral places pf refremment. Adieu. LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 361 LETTER LXVII. , Efq, in Calcutta, On board the Ship G , Madras Road, Feb. 23, 1780. SINCERITY, my dear Sir, is too k5 firmly implanted, both by nature and habit, in my conftitution, not to command an implicit obfervance of fuch promifes as are alfo the fpontaneous ofF- fpring of efteem and friendship. I am willing to believe, that your motives in aiking, were as candid as mine in pro- mifing to converfe with you from the feveral places of refreshment. I DO not know what orders were given to the Captains R and H , about keeping company (although one was de- tained 362 T R A V E L S in tained a whole fortnight, for the avowed purpofe of fecurity to t5oth, by which the fair feafon for a fafe and c^ick-paiTage to JVIadras was loft;) .but they parted and loft fight of each other the fecond night, as if by mutual inclination, and by previous compact. Calms retarded our progrefs ; fo that our paffage hither was tedioufly pro- traded from the 6th to this day. The want of accommodations to fit or lie, and farlefs to write (for I am now writing up- on one knee over the other) added to the unceafing noife of eighteen children of aU complexions, who are, for $he moft part, under no kind of government, are circuin- ftances which have proved fo exceedingly un- pleafant, apd oppoilte to my deiire of retire - ment, that if I cannot be relieved fromfome of thefe local inconveniences, I muft endea- vour to procure an accommodation in fome other fhip at Madras, better fitted to all my views, and more confonant to the in- dulgences which I have ever been accuf- tomed to enjoy at fea, even when a pri- foner.- Nor can I, with an exertion of 7 ASIA, and APR ic A. pains, perfuade myfeif to admire the ge- nerality of our aged fociety. We have f however, fome mild, agreeable, and fen- fjble ladies, who, to the other pleafing advantages to be derived from their con^ verfations and difpoiitions, add the parti- cular tendency of checking a ipecics of entertainment, which has ever proved pe- culiarly difgufling an$ naufeous to me, and to which, othenvife, I plainly perceive that the fculk of our company would be yery prone ; that is to fay, obfcerie and profane language. It has fallen to my lot to make many voyages and tours j but I never remember to have feen a company fq completely refembling what hath been Delineated in a ftage-coach in Britain, or a diligence on the continent of Eu- rope, as that of which I now compofe one. To the ladies, I have found a great acquiiition in Captain C e, who is 4 frank, honeft, intelligent man, with a proper knowledge of men and manners, ^nd a heart which does equal honour to his country and to humanity. Jf our friend 364 TRAVELS/* friend fhould ever prefide in India, I wi(h, for the fake of both, that he was his aid de camp, with rank and emolument fuitable to his merit and capacity. Major W r improves upon acquaintance by a fuperior propriety of demeanour, which a know- ledge of life gives him over others of our little community. I need not tell you who I mean ; but you will readily recoi- led a wifh which I had entertained, to have a certain perfon, for his own fake, of the party. Thefe ideas have vanifhed, and I can fee nothing now in that vifion- ary fuperficies, but felf-conceit, felf-love, drivelling repetitions of wit, infincerity, and a chara&er approaching to mifanthro- py. Thus we find, my good friend, how difficult, and how improper it is to judge of men, from early, or even \&\.z appearances. Men hackneyed in deceit and diffimula~ tion, who have power to poflefs them- felves, can long conceal the cloven hoof, when they find it necelTary to carry their ends by hypocrify. I have often had oc- cafion to make an obfervation, frem expc-r rience, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 365 rience, that men having finiftcr views, difguife themfelves with too much art to be eafily detected j and that a combination of ambitious criminals, are not only impe- netrable, but irrefiftible, by means of mutual fupport and encouragement in the greatefl enormities. Vices, which at firfl might have ftruck them with horror, be- come at length, by infenfible degrees, not only familiar to themfelves, but infufe their contagious influence to all their depen- dents, until every fenfe of honour and virtue is abforbed in avarice, and her con- comitant pafiions. This digrefllon has infenfibly led to a fubjecl, which has in- cefiantly occupied my thoughts. By frefti difcoveries, in. confequence of new re- fearches, and by probing the cancerous ul- cer which Jias contaminated the infectious air of Bengal, I have difcovered addition- al caufes of difguft, as well as of ferious apprehenfions of damnable, dark defigns to circumvent their opponents to their iniquitous practices, into a participation of the very meafure,s which they had fo I honourably 366 TRAVELS & : honourably and faithfully ptirfued ; and confequently, of their own guilt; as the moil effectual means of efcaping the pu- m'mment fo juftly due to the enormity of their own crimes. What greater curfecan thejuftice of Providence denounce on cri- minals, than an ambition to acquire that kind of reputation in life, which the keen teftimony of their own confciehces con- tinually belies ? This muft be the tor- mented ftate of a fet of men, who now practife deceit m Calcutta with envenom- ed art, to wound the fpotlefs reputation of the only guiltlefs members of the fupreme adrniniilration of India, in the hope of reducing them, in rclpect to guilt, to a level with themfelves j becaufe they now begin to believe, that the application of eaftern riches will not be able to protect them from the juftice of a much- injured nation, and deluded conftituents. I wifli 1 could, with equal eafe ns I write, con- vey fome recent ideas of an incredible- magnitude, which j under all local incon- veniences, I have curforily committed, as EUROPE, As:*, and AFRICA. 367 as memorandums, to paper, fince I left the Barrabufla. I only dread, that a co- alition will tarnifh the glory infeparable from honour, juftice, and virtue. I CANNOT avoid f& exprefs my hearty defire to know in what degree, upon what conditions, and to what purpofes, the fo much (by me.) dreaded coalition has taken place. Indeed, it may be proper and ufeful to keep friends truly advifed, as well to guard againit mifreprcfentations of the general fyftem, as to be able to re- fute allegations of particular or perfonal natures. LETTER 368 TRAVELS^ n LETTER LXVIIL '* To i -, Efq. in Calcutta, Madras, March 28, 1780; TH E day after my arrival here, I ufed the freedom of conveying, inaccu- rately, fome ideas which occurred on the paflage from Bengal hither. Having an invincible attachment to my country ; conceiving the moft fanguine ideas of the unbounded advantages which the produc- tions of Hindoftan are capable of yield* ing, in return for the protection of Britain^; and expecting to return with that kind of fupport which may enable me to ac- complim my views with honour to my- felf, and benefit to the Company, to the nation, and to the natives 5 I am moved by a natural impulfe to dwell upon a fub- EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 369 ject, which may appear foreign to my ftation and character. MUCH information and knowledge of India politics, acquired by inveftigations in Europe, and confirmed by local evi- dence in foreign eftablimments, and in Calcutta, have directed my lateft thoughts to future events, which have prefented themfelves to my view, big with evils to the Britim empire in Hindoftan. I had been but a few weeks in India, when the vapour with which the partiality of my moft familiar connections in Europe had obfcured my underftanding, was reluctant- ly difpelled. I foon beheld, not only the errors into which mifreprefentations, and confequent prejudices, infenfibly ledftatef- men to defeat the objects which they wifhed to attain, and to ruin the faireft hopes of a nation, by that dreadful com- bination of native princes, which the im- perious law of nature dictated as the only refuge from flavery, and the only means of preferving their religious tenets and cuf- VoL.II. Bb tom's TRAVELS in toms from the infatiable grafp of wild ambition and fordid avarice, and from the wanton fcourge of relentlefs oppreflion and injuftice. Driven to defpair, which often infpires refolutions big with hope, the native powers of India refolved to oppofe., refift, and by a united blow to annihi- late the faithlefs authors of violated en- gagements, the unprovoked difturbers of the peace of Alia ; and whofe fuccefTes had raifed in their brains, the frantic idea of omnipotence and univerfal monarchy. This is the fubftance of what thofe powers inculcate, to excite a general com- motion againft the Englifh. They have fucceeded but too well. Inftead of vene- rating the Englifh, they now execrate them : inftead of being folicited as allies, the Englifli now folicit in vain : inftead of receiving bribes, bribes are now offered to petty rajahs to mediate for the Eng- lim. And yet the authors of thefe calami- ties, moft unaccountably and prepofterouf- ly, continue perverfely to purfue the fame hoflile iniquitous meafures, and by every 7 poflible EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 371 poflible means endeavour to incenfe the greater powers, and to cement the com- binations already formed againft the Eng- lifh Company and nation. Thefe things frequently occupied my thoughts, and as often prompted me to communi- cate what I dreaded would be the confe- quence, in the hope, that through you* they might contribute to confirm the ho- nourable ftand made by your friends Meffrs. F and W , who, I be- lieve, fee matters through the fame medi- um that I do. .THE return of Mr. George Gray to Madras, from an embaffy with which he was charged to Hyder Alii Cawn, with a variety of other circumftances, do furfi- ciently prove, that a native compact, of a very general extent, is concluded under the aufpices of four powerful ftates, the Marrattas, Hyder Alii Cawn, the Nizam of the Deccan, and NudjirT Cawn, re- prefenting the Emperor and himfelf ) that it i$ no longer meant to be concealed ; B b 2 that 372 TRAVELS fit that perfons of oppofiteand inveterate prin^ ciples, have thus aftonifhingly drawn to- gether, and linked the chain of union ; that the deflrudtive florin is gathering faft, and ready to burft on the heads of a de- luded and devoted people, who are inca- pable of enjoying felicity with temper and moderation. However, the means perhaps might yet be found, in a fpeedy and judi- cious application from the fupreme board to one or other of the chief conductors of public affairs in Poonah or Seringapat- nam, to refcue the Britifh reputation in Afia from perdition. You have heard me often- predict, tbat the game was loft irretrievably, unlefs the men and meafures now in power in India were fpeedily and exemplarily changed ; to fhew to the natives, that neither the Court of Directors, nor the adminifrra- tors of Britain, were the authors, or even abettors of the unwarranted proceedings of the Company's principal fervants abroad. If that doth not happen quick- EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 373 ly and effectually, Hyder will claim and obtain the obfervance of his late treaty with France $ he will avail himfelf of the fcattered ftate of the Company's troops, the reduction of the Nabob's army, and the impoverimed ftate of his finances and country, to revenge the infraction of the treaty of 1769' in 1770, and the hoftility commenced by the Compay in \jb&'. and he will wreak his vengeance with redou- bled fury on the Nabob, to whom he very properly imputes the whole of this con- duft, equally iinjuft and unprovoked. This he never would have dared to at- tempt, if the Company's arms had not been engaged againft the Marrattas, and had not the Marratta overtures to all the native ftates fucceeded in forming the de- fired combination. THE chief of this prefidency has at length declared in council, his fixed pur- pofe of withdrawing, as the means to fave his life ; the bilious attack being more frequent and more dangerous. He B b 3 has 374 TRAVELS m has a competent portion of enemies here, many of whom are fo, not from principle, but difappointment, which they have not temper to conceal. If all that his foes impute to his ambition and avarice be true, he has judged wifely and politically in withdrawing j becaufe, in the prefent diffracted ftate of the Britifh nation, his prefenoe may be materially ufeful to fecure his acquifitions, fmce it is more than pro- bable, that a parliamentary difquifition may extend as well to the adminiftration of Madras as that of Bengal; although the confequences and effects of the former are but as a mole-hill, compared to the moun- tain of enormities of the latter. Contrarily to every opinion which I have ever heard, I cannot but think that nature has been extremely liberal in endowing this chief with very powerful faculties ; and that, if the charge of abufe in refpect to the natives were not juft, he had capacity and firmnefs to do a great deal of good. ^ have fpoken with freedom and candour to. his fucceflbr, recommending a line of conduct EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 375 conduct the moil likely to co-operate with the views of your friends, confc- quently the true intereils and fecurity of the Company and the Britiih nation ; and as the means of removing any unjuft fufpicions that may have been entertained of himfelf, in carrying on an illegal trade with the French. He has determined not to improve his fortune, during the period of his power, by any means but by the flrict legal emoluments of his flation. Sir Hector Munro preferves his name and hands as immaculate and fair as you wiih the perfon to do, for whom you entertain the moil friendly fentiments. I have ventured to infmuate to him and Mr. Whitehill, that Hyder having confidence in Sir Hector's integrity, knowing that he does not pay court at the Chepauk Durbar, and knowing alfo, that Mr. W is not devoted to that palace, he will receive over- tures for an accommodation and alliance through them, fooner than through any other; but that the minifterial plenipo- tentiary muil be a perfon not known to 3 b 4 favour 37 6 TRAVELS/;? favour the Nabob ; and that the affiftant and interpreter mould be Mcoda-Kiftna : That all thefe meafures may be fecretly recommended, as a neceflary political ma- noeuvre, to the old Nabob. Forgive this dry fubjedl ; it mews a defire to con- verfe familiarly with you, even at a diflance, and I cannot devife any other, though I know that it is one which you underftand better than I do. Adieu. P. S. OUR day of departure is fixed for the 3d of April. I hope it will hold, foj- I am impatient to be gone. LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 377 LETTER LXIX. T9 J- M , Efq; London. ' Cape of Good Hope, Sept. 25, 1780. I LEFT but two letters in Madras, to be forwarded over the ifthmus of Suez to Europe, and one of them was for you. I EMBARKED on the evening of the 6th of April at Madras; and next day the fleet, confifting of four Indiamen under the convoy of three line of battle mips, failed for Europe. The fenior captain B acting as commodore, under a diftinguifli- ing pendant, feemed watchful of his charge; but whether he was guided by his inftrudtions or by wrong information, after having crofled the equator, he fleer- ed a courfe fo far to the eaftward of what !, experience TRAVELS in experience and common reafon had efta- bliGied, that to this fimple miftake all the procraftinations and lofs of feamen during the reft of the paifage is to be imputed *. The time wafted in regaining what we had thug loft, would have carried us in^- to the Cape of Good Hope, and we mould probably have avoided the ftorm which difabled the Rippon's main-maft, In- $ead of making, or at leaft approaching within ten or twenty leagues of the foutlv fide of the ifland of Roderigue (by fome called Diego Rays) our erroneous courfe led us about five degrees to the fouth- eaft of it -, fo that before we made the ifland of Madagafcar, the crew of the, Afia man of war, who had been then fcbout fix years in conftant fervice in Ame- * There fhould be an underftanding between the Ad- miralty and the Company, concerning the routes of con- yoys, both out and home; to be founded on the experience which the Company's navigators have had in thefe eaftern, feas, and contained in their private inffruftions from the Admiralty to their fea commanders going to prefide in |ndia. rica, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. rica, Europe, and Afia, were laid up, and dying faft, of the fea-fcurvy, in fpite of the judicious and humane exertions of Captain Vandeput to fave them, by the ufe of his own frefh provifions and liquors, keeping the {hip aired, frem- ening their water by air-pumps, and by every other adl which his feelings as ^ man, and a find: obfervance of duty in his ftation, could dictate. Sir Thomas Rumbpld was not wanting on his part, by fending bountiful fuppljes of wines, and frefh provifions from his own table, to them, from the fhip in which he was. paiTenger. When the fleet came to anchor in St. Auguftin's bay on the J5th June, the Afia had not a fufficient ftrength to manage her fails ; and the Rippon and BelliQe had near half their companies either dead or fick in their hammocks. THE evening of the I3th, failing along the fouth-end of Madagafcar, we had a narrow efcape from lofing the fleet upon, $e Star-bank-, but Captain Vandeput, by a fortunate 3 go TRAVELS in fortunate fignal from the Afia, difcovered the pofition in which we were, which at length, by good fortune, operated (though after eight at night) upon the commodore, to tack and fland upon the other cpurfe - y the only fhip that had not obferved the night fignal, although the windwardmpft and the beft-failing fhip Belonging to the Company, with a fixed fteady gale, and with every poffible exer- tion, was found to be in a critical fttua-t tion the next morning, and required the exercife pf ikill and firmnefs in the feaman- fhip, and trimming her fails. A few days thereafter, we were joined, in St. Au- guftin's bay, by four of the Company's }iomeward-bound China fliips, and in a few days more by a fifth, which had fprung a leak. Thpfe feamen belpnging to his Majefty's fliips, whofe diforder had not already feized the vitals, foon recovered ; the dry feafon, and refremments, together with the afliduous attention qf the captains and furgeons, produced rapid effects. Se- yeral little difficulties occurred in the ne- gociations EUR CPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 381 gociations with the king and the people, which might have been attended with ma- nifeft inconveniences hereafter; but the good fenfe and addrefs of Captain Vande- put and Captain Blanket, eafily removed every obftrudion. Thefe gentlemen, upon true political principles, did not limit their viev/s to the prefent occafion ; but always had in their eye the means of removing unfavourable impreffions from the minds of the natives, in order to fe- cure fuccours and good treatment to fuck British mips as mould, fir.gly or in fleets, hereafter have occafion to call for them. AFTER much lingering, and wafting time, the fleet, now confifting of twelve large mips, took leave of Madagafcar, to the inexpreffiblejoyof all the paflcngers, on the 28th July, having been then fix weeks at anchor in St. Auguftin's bay. We proceed- ed with a fair wind, but were a good deal delayed by the flow failing of the Morfs and Norfolk, whofe commanders endea- voured, by a prefled fail, to keep up, but they 382 TRAVELS m they could not get to windward : Captain Elliot of the Morfe mewed evident fu- periority in his profeffion, and confirmed his general reputation of an artiftj but he was unfortunate in difplaying his fkill on a veflel which baffled his endeavours. Nor had he and the Norfolk fair play; for on the evening of the 4th Auguft, they were a great diftance to leeward, nor could they approach the fleet : the courfe and wind would have admitted of the fleet's bearing away one or two points towards them j but by fome un- accountable conceit, at fix o'clock in the dufk of the evening^ without a fig- nal being made, when thofe mips could not perceive the change, the commodore hauled his wind, and thofe who were near him did the fame, thus enlarging the diftance from the leeward mips, and deftroying every probable hope of their joining the fleet again. Accordingly, they could not be feen from the top-gallant matt-head the next morning. The Rip- pon was ordered to back her courfe, to look EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 383 look out for mips that muft now have been many leagues to leeward of her, inftead of fleering to the fouth-weft, the courfe in which they might have been intercepted, and reunited to the fleet. V/e made the land of Africa that evening, Cape Natal bearing north-weft of us, diftanced by little more than the width of Natal bay. Here again wo were thrown cut of our right courfe by the falfe judgment, or fears, or perverfe- nefs of our conductor. It has of late years been well underflood by experienced navigators, that there is lefs rifle of en- countering the florms peculiar to thofs feas, and that there is little danger of a lee- more, by keeping the land of Africa clofe on board, from Cape Natal to the Cape of Good Hope -, and that a flrong current fetting to the fouth-weft, generally fa- vours navigation. But, unfortunately, without the preparative of a fignal, on the evening of the 7th, the fleet flood eut to fea, whereby the Afia, whofe- ftation it was to bring. up the rear, did not perceive" T R A V E L S In perceive the motion, and by that means loft the fleet jbutwhich the active prudence and vigilance of Captain" Vandeput remedied, and happily joined the fleet the next even- ing. Although the commodore had beert cautioned on this head, by all the com- manders of the Company's mips, who even communicated their journals to him, yet he perfevered in flanding out to fea, until we entered into the tempefluous latitude; and on the 1 1 th we encountered a very fmarfi ftorm. The ftorm continuing, on the morn- ing of the 1 3th we found ourfelves un- der the protection of the Afia only ; the Bellifle and Rippon, together with the Company's /hip Talbot, being quite out of fight. And as the fea was more dread- ful than the tempefr, we were not with- out apprehenfions for the Eellifle, as by her form me laboured exceedingly in the water, and fome of her feams had been filled up with fmall hawfers. The florm abated on the 1 5th: on the 21 ft we were re- joined by the Morfe and Norfolk : on the 23d we were alfo rejoined by the Rippon, carrying , ASIA, and AFRICA. 385 carrying all the fail me could on the mi- zen and fore-mafts, having fprung her main-maft in the ftorm : and the next day made Cape la Guilla's, and coafted it, until we were joined, on the 25th, by the Bellifle and Talbot, under Penguin ifland, at the entrance of Table bay, where we anchored in the courfe of that night and next morning. THE well-timed and judicioufly ap- plied addrefs, and fuperior good fenfe of Captain Vandeput and Captain Blanket, extricated the King's mips and the Com- pany's, from difficulties into which the conduct of the commodore had precipi- tated them -, having indifpenfable occafion for mafts, fpars, iron-work, cordage, and provifions, to qualify them for the re- maining part of the voyage. CON TR ARIL Y to the uniform ufage of all admirals, commodores, and captains of the Britiih navy, touching for refrefh- ment at the Cape of Good Hope, fmce VOL. II. C c the 3 86 TRAVELS & the commencement of the Englim trade to India, although their inftru&ions were filent upon the fubjedt, Captain Barber declined to falute the citadel, where the colours of the Seven United Provinces were flying ; he declined to pay a com- plimentary vifit to the governor ; demand- ed fupplies in a peremptory {tile, mena- cing to obtain them by force, if not freely granted ; refufed obedience to the revenue laws of the country, in the examination of packages landed from his own (hip ; made his demands by writing in the Englim lan- guage, and refufed to receive the anfwer, becaufe the direction of a letter, bearing the Dutch Eaft India Company's armorial imprefiion, was in the language of the peo- ' pie, the Dutch, and returned it unopened to the council-board whence it was fent, actually granting the fupplies he had defired j and he burnt a proteft which was officially delivered to him, without reading it. Even the private mediation of Captain Yandeput and Captain Blanket, doth not take away from the merit which the go- vernor EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 387 vernor and council have difplayed in the great portion of moderation and con- fideration fhewn, in accommodating both the King's mips and the Company's with every necefTafy which they had occafion for, notwithftanding the public arid pri- vate infults which had been lavifhed upon them. Nor did their condefcenfion appear to have proceeded from motives of fear, as their conduct throughout was fpirited; Jteady, and juft, and wifely and generoufly applying the meafure to the man, and not the country which he reprefented by mere chance, not choice. THE difcontents which prevailed at the Cape, between the people and the govern- ment, when I was here before, I found, on my return, had broke out into difaffection, and a refractorinefs bordering on hoftili- ties. The people, fuffering under the ini- quitous and relentlefs oppreffion of the Company's government and tyranny, foli- cited redrefs by reprefentations, and by C c 2 deputies, 3 38 T R A V E L S in deputies, in vain ; and at length openly deputed fome of the principal perfons to lay the enormities and exactions open to the States General, for redrefs ; and to be en- franchifed from the fervitude extorted by the Company's government. AFTER unneceiTary procrafti nations, n- gleds, and delays, the iignal for weigh- ing at laft was difplayed on board the Bellifle, on the i2th Odlober ; and the fleet having been joined at the Cape by the Company's fhip the Ceres, failed that day out of Table bay, with a fair ffceady gale; and arrived at St. Helena on the 29th Odlober, where we found the Hannibal, Captain Caldwell, of fifty guns, and the Prothee, Captain Buckner, of fixty-four guns, and the Company's fhip Hawke, from Bombay. The accompanying letter will furnim you with my obfervations on the ifland and natives of Madagafcan, LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, ^//AFRICA. 389 LETTER LXX. To J M , Efq. London. Cape of Good Hope, OS. j, 1780. TH E Ifland of Madagafcar needs no defcription, as it is well known to have been .efteemed the fecond largeft ifland in the world, before the difcoveries made by the late able and ingenious navi- gator Captain Cooke, that New Holland* 6cc. were iflands. It lies under the lati- tude of 12 to 26* South, and between the 43 and 51 longitude, Eaft from London. THE force of prejudice, even when founded upon the fabulous conceptions of illiterate and incurious feamen; and for the moft part upon the catch-penny voyages andfufferings, hatched in the brain of a garret compofer, of pirates and buc- caneers, have overcome reafon and juftice, C c 3 in 390 T R A V E L S /a in imputing to the aborigine inhabitants of countries remote from Europe, fero- cioufnefs, barbarity, ignorance, ftupidity, jrreligion, and a complication of im- moralities. Thefe ideas are in truth rank and unjuft prejudices. The oppofite qua- lities belong more naturally to moft of the remote nations, which are, by Europeans denominated favage. The natives of Ma- dagafcar, and the Hottentots of the Cape of Good Hope, have been confidered as poflerTing no one quality to diftinguifh them, except in figure and articulation, from the brute creation ; and thofe of Madagafcar as ferocious tygers. THE French are the only nation of Europe, who have attempted to make efta- blifhments on the ifland of Madagafcar. They fet out on their Eaft-India fyftem by attempting it ; but after feverai years inde- fatigable perfeverance and expence, the climate aided the (ready refinance of the natives to deftroy many thoufand French fubjeds, and they gave up the contefl. About EUROPE, ASIA, WAFRICA. 391 About the year 1770, Count Benowfki, a Polifh nobleman, of a bold and enterprifing genius, having eicaped from the exile to which he was fent by the Emprefs of Ruilia to Siberia, travelled thence to Kamfcatcka, and there built a kind of veffel, in which he committed himfelf, and a few defperate companions, fleering along the coaft until they arrived at Canton river in China, whence he took a paffage to the French iflands ; and informed himfelf of many particulars re- lative to the natives &c. of Madagafcar ; and, following the natural bent of his own eccentric difpofition for achievement and enterprize, when he came to France, he laid a plan before government, for reviving the idea of an eflablimment in Madagaf- car. He was attended to; and was im- powered to raife a regiment to confift of 300 men, compofed of all European na- tions and religions, and to be uniformed and accoutred according to his own mind. He chofe the Ruffian livery, green, and the fame kind of arms. He completed his C c 4 corps, 392 T R A V E L S in corps, was tranfported to Mauritius, and thence embarked for Fort Dauphin in Ma-, dagafcar, to the command of the garrifoa and fettlement; having prevailed on a coniiderable number of civil fettlers to follow his fortunes. He treated with the natives, who confented to the forming of a fettlement at a bay near the fea fide, but profcribed his intrufions into the country. He had a ftockaded fort and garrifon built, and huts to lodge his peo- ple, ftores, and provifions in. The inha- bitants never molefted him while he kept within the limits they had fet to his do*- rninion, and to the letter of their treaty. But the Count wanting to make roads into the country, they immediately oppofed his progrefs, and hoftilities commenced. This eftablimment having been injudicioufly formed on a low marfhy ground, or near it, his troops and fettlers were dying fail; discontents and murmurs fprung up among themfeives ; complaints were fent to Mau- ritius, the fupreme government; bickerings arofc between the fupreme chiefs of the iflands EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 393 iilands and him ; an appeal was made to the Court of Paris 3 and leave was given to the Count to come home. When he arrived in France, his conduct was difapproved ; and altho' he was not profeffedly difmifled from the ferviceand ftationsheheld, his reception and treatment were tantamount thereto. It is faid, that he has had addrefs fmce to re- commend himfelf into a refpedtable mili- tary ftation in the fervice of the Emperor Df Germany. In October 1778, there were but four officers remaining in the iiland, and three under confinement for military offences ; and about fifty privates and non-commirlioned officers. All the fettlers were dead. Thus ended the efta- blimment, and the natives were inveterately hoftile, even to private traders from the iflands 5 a circumftance very injurious, as they were fupplied with rice and horned cattle, on reafonable terms, and in abun- dance, from St. Mary's, Foul-point, and St. Antongil, large bays, which are oppo- fite to the iflands. The run down from Jtourbon or Mauritius, to either of thele places, 394 TRAVELS/* places, is from two to five days -, but the return is more tedious, by reafon of the trade wind and currents, which oblige them to ftretch far to the northward or fouthward, to be able to fetch the iflands. OUR fleet anchored in Auguftine Bay on the I4th and 151?! of June. The na- tives foon came on board, and began a traffic with a judgment matured by expe- rience. Their ingenuity is far below the medium in every mechanical art ; but they are fufficiently knowing in bartering : fine bullocks as any in the world, meep, goats, dunghill fowls, Guinea fowls, milk, and fuch vegetables as they raife in the proper feafons j for powder, balls, flints, mufkets, and fpirituous liquors, which are the ftaple of their commerce. On theN.N.E. and S. S. E. fides, they cul- tivate great quantities of an excellent rice, and have plantains, yams, limes, lemons, oranges, tamarinds, &c. in plenty. The largeft and cleareft cryftals of rock-falt in the world, are in the bowels of the earth i in, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 395 in this ifland. Their bays abound with fim, excellent in their kinds, together with moft forts of mell-fifh upon and under the rocks, and on the rivers. There is a wide field in the woods of this coun- try, for naturalifts to difplay their facul- ties upon. The ifland is divided, it is faid by the inhabitants, into feven diftinct kingdoms, each governed by its own king, who enjoys his authority and title by in- heritance. Thefe princes commit hoftili- ties in proper form -, but it confifts in plundering and carrying off the horned cattle, and the prifoners are fold to the French and Dutch traders as flaves. The men are of the middle fize, clean made, agile, and active ; they are bold and brave to a high degree, not able to brook an infult, even from the higheft fuperior, which is not inftantly refented, either with the mufket or the lance. They are dexte- rous at throwing the lance; it is with a dart of the lance, from a confiderable dif- tance, that they kill their bullocks, which produces the mofl infbn'taneous death I ever TRAVELS/)? ever beheld,- the dart enters near the {houlder, and the beaft drops down in a moment. They are fond of ipirituous liquors, and are apt to be riotous when drunk. They are a fteady, judicious, penetrating people, and jealous of liberty ; but in general they are not faithful to their engagements, fo that it will be imprudent to advance before-hand, unlefs it be the ufual prefents to the king, and other chiefs. They proftitute their women to Grangers, and often impofe inferior ones as prin- cefTes, to enhance the premium. But the French on the Eaft fide, engage with the chiefs and princes for their daughters, by a weekly or monthly contract, during which time, they are not only diligent and at- tentive in preparing food, and in the household affairs, but faithful in pre- venting any harm to them, or im- pofitions in their dealings with other natives. They are much troubled with the venereal diftemper, which doubt- lefs was introduced by Europeans; but they have found a psrfedt and eafy cure by {implex EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. fimples. For the moft part they appear to be defcendant of the Caffres on the fouth-eafl of Africa, by their woolly hair, features, and complexions. There is a trad of country in the north-weft quarter, the inhabitants of which are defcended from the Arabs; and although that nation is almoft continually at war with fome of its neighbours, it is more than probable that their connection has extended to render the features of many lefs flat ; but it is re- markable, that notwithftanding the fre- quent intercourfe of their women with Europeans, I never faw a Mulatto or MeftifF upon, or from Madagafcar. J fufpecl: that fuch progeny are not fufFered to exift, from a political jealoufy. I NEVER could learn that there are any wild ferocious beafts in this ifland. There are alligators in all the rivers. They have a great many dogs and wild hogs. There are feveral fpecies of wild ducks and geefe in the ifland, which are not to be met with elfewhere ; they are large and 9 Beautiful. 39 3 TRAVELS/)/ beautiful. I do not think that it is necef- fary to wifh for an European eftablifhment on this ifland j becaufe, by eftabliming prudent regulations, to be obligatory on the captains of mips, every want may be fupplied, at a price and in a manner infi- nitely more eafy and defirabie than if an European fettlement was made upon it. Garden vegetables, fuch as cabbages, tur- nips, carrots, and the like, is all that they have not to fupply ; and a little pains would bring them into the practice of raifing thefe alfo. Good treatment, and a ftridt obfervance of engagements on the part of Europeans, would foon infpire the natives with a fimilar difpofition and conduct -- As I had been reduced to the lovveft fiate, and confined to my cabin for fix weeks, by a bilious complaint, and inca- pable of digefting any folid food, I had every reafon to apprehend, that I mould leave my bones at Madagafcar. I found, however, a fpeedy and effectual remedy on this EUROPE, ASIA, WAFRICA. 399 this ifland: A ftream of mineral water ifTues, at low water, out of a folid rock in the bay of St. Auguftine, about one hun- dred yards north of the Tent Rock: at firft, it produces a kind of dizzinefs like Bath water ; but in lefs than a week, it effectu- ally removed all bilious obfrruclions. I ufed it all the way to the Cape of Good Hope, with continued effect : with a vigorous appetite I could dine upon the fteak of a bullock that had been killed that fame morning, without feeling any inconveniences from indigeftion. Beeves are excellent, weighing from five to eight hundred weight each, and the meat deli- cate, tender, and well -flavoured. Their fheep have broad tails, like thofe of Africa, and are as large. The hofpitality of this people, is a mark of their humane difpofi- tion. A young gentleman went aftiore with one of them, the day after our arrival, in the canoe of the natives -, but the evening- breeze and the ftrong current of the tide, preventing their return, the man conduct- ed him to his houfe. One of the princes of 400 TRAVELS in of the country, and a guardian to the mi- nor king of Baba, vilited the ftrangerj and fupped with them, inviting him to his own houfe : a Guinea fowl was killed, and drefTed after their manner, for his fupper : the hoft and his wife lay upon the ground, and the flranger was made to fleep upon their own bed. We met with various other inftances of a natural hofpita- lity. And it was eafily perceived, that they could diftinguith between perfons who deferved refpect, from thofe who did not, in their conduct, and fele&ion of the captains of the men of war from each other. LETTER EUR OPE> ASIA, and AFRICA. 401 LETTER LXXI. To J M , Efq; London. St. Helena, Nov. 5, 1780. YOU will be fo unreafonable, I fup- pofe, as to require a defcription of a place, which the unjuft partiality of perfons in the Eaft India Company's fer- vice, have reprefented as a perfect para- dife. On general topics, I would be ready to yield to the opinions of the mul- titude j but upon this occafion, fatisfied and confirmed in the propriety of my own fentiments, I cannot fubfcribe to repre- fentations which are contradicted by all human faculties, and by common fenfe. THE iiland of St. Helena, which ap- pears to have arifcn above the furface of the great Atlantic ocean, by an erup- VOL. II. D d tion, 402 TRAVELS/* tion, or convulfion of nature, in the lati- tude of 1 6 degrees fouth, and 6 of weft longitude from London, is compofed of one entire rock of a circular figure, and meafures about twenty-four miles in cir- cumference. That the whole ifland has undergone a conflagration, is beyond a doubt; the interior mafs of folid rock mews, that it has yielded to the force of fire, and has been difTolved ; in which waving figure, after the fire was extin- guifhed, the horizontal veins or ftrata re- mained hardened, as glafs, when on the verge of becoming liquid, bends by heat to its own weight, and retains that form if the fire is withdrawn, and even lofes its lucid quality. The parts neareft the furface referable the ordinary lava emit- ted from volcanos ; the ftrata of mould or loam, which were burnt to ames, in many places retain the original appearance and colour of afhes ; and thofe of clay re- tain their ftations with the firinefs of burnt bricks in the firft or fecond ftrata. The eminences, if placed upon a continent or large EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 403 large ifland, would bear the name of hills; but upon fo circumfcribed a bafe as St. He- lena, they claim that of mountains. There is fcarce a flat of a dozen acres in the ifland; and for the moft part, it has been difficult to find a plain extenlive enough to build a houfe and offices upon. The thin fur- face or foil upon the rocks, is loofe and light ; but of a kind and vegetative quality, if bleft with feafonable mowers, and aided with a little manure, of which they have plenty upon the ifland in a very rich marie, both white and blue : I do not find that the inhabitants have difco- vered the ufe of it ; I perceived it on the high road, and put two pieces in my pocket, to examine the quality on my return to town ; and when I mentioned its excellence, it did feem as if they un- derftood me not. There is now but one fpring remaining* from which mips can be fupplied with water; and even that is fo infignificant, that they are obliged to colledt a body of the water in a large re- fer voir, to await the arrival of the Com- D d 2 pany's 4 04 TRAVELS^ pany's mips. There are but two places where it is poflible to land ; they are at oppofite fides of the ifland, and both are mofl powerfully fortified ; that to wind- ward is too dangerous a navigation to be hazarded by any fhips ; and the other to leeward, which is at the metropolis, would prove a dangerous undertaking, not only from a number of batteries moft judicioufly and fkilfully arranged, but from the difficulty of fecuring anchorage upon the bank, which is narrow, and near to the fhore; becaufe the current being ftrong, if the anchor is dropt upon or near the edge of it, the fhip will drive, and fall to leeward in an inflant, fo as to render it a laborious and tedious bufinefs to regain the ifland. Exclufive of the inha- bitants, which, comprehending all fexes, ages, and complexions, may be two thou- fand four hundred (chiefly flaves) there are from five to fix hundred regular troops, maintained by the Company; and as they even fend, in the annual flore-fhip, mofl of the neceflaries of life from Eu- rope, EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 405 rope, if they are not brought at the Com- pany's expence from India, China, and the Cape, its annual charges, for feveral years laft paft, may be computed, on an ave- rage, at thirty thoufand pounds j while at the fame time it yields no benefit to the Company, or to their navigation, except as a place of rendezvous. Of late years, the ifland has been fo fubjecl: to continual droughts, that it has not been able to yield any refrefhing fuccours to the mipping; even the water is become fcanty. The cattle have perifhed of famine, and the gardens fcarcely produce vegetable food for the inhabitants. In fhort, it cannot ever be an objed: of conquer! for the enemies of Britain, unlefs in a war with Holland. The temporary conquer! of it by the Dutch would diftrefs the Britifh commerce. And if the troops and people of St. Helena were fituated upon any fertile fpot upon the continent, the Company's mips would benefit by the change, and the fettlers- would enjoy the fweets of their induftry. I cannot but imagine, that by explofions D d 3 with 406 TRAVELS/;/ with powder, /undermining the rocks where the main fpring rifes, the concuffion would probably divert the current of the water, and in that cafe, the ifland would not be habitable. At prefent, it appears to be a ufelefs incumbrance to the Com- pany, and a perpetual prifon, threatening lingering death by famine to the inhabi-* tants, I EMBARKED laft evening, and the fig- rial for weighing is now hgiiled. LETTER EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 407 LETTER LXXII. To J ,. M , Efq; London. Publin, Jan. 29, 1781. IT O O K leave of you on the 5th No- vember, in the road of St. Helena, with the fignal for failing difplayed on board his Majefty's Ihip Belliile, with eleven of the Company's mips, efcorted by five capital mips of war. To give you a comprehenlive idea of the whole pafTage, without defcending to particulars, as a pafTenger, it may be deemed fufficient for me to fay, that chance, not condutt y hath brought this valuable fleet in fafety to a Britifh port. It is the duty of the Company's imme- diate fervants to lay their journals, toge- ther with their opinions, before their D d 4 employers. in 408 T R A V E L S employers, not with a view of remedy- ing the part, but to guard againfl future error and mifconduft. ON the 1 2th day of November, we failed clofe to the ifland, or rather the cinder mountain, of Afcenfion, fo famous for the falutary refremment it affords in the proper feafon, to voyagers, by an abundance of turtle, which are efleemed fuperior in flavour and fize to any others, and for the quantities of fifh and birds which it furnifhes in profufion. It yields no other fupply , for want of foil, it is incapable of throwing up grafs ; nor is there any ftream of water upon it that I know of, although I have been informed by a French gentleman, that at a confi- derable diftance inland from the common, landing-bay, he faw a very pretty fpring, whence a flream of pure water flowed, WE were fortunate in carrying a fair wind along with us into foundings, near the entrance of the Englifh channel, on the EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 409 the fixth day of the prefent year. But alas ! a fucceeding calm terminated in a contrary wind on the fame evening, which induced us to direct our courfe for Ire- land, without any effort to ftrctch into the channel. By mistaking even this plain courfe, although the wind was favourable for any port in Ireland, we fleered fo wide of the right mark, that the next morn- ing we could not ftand up for the Shan- non, nor for Corke; but pufhed in to the little harbour of Crookhaven, near Cape Clear, upon the yth inflant. Thus I arrived in the Britifh dominions, after fuffrring the feveritits of three winters in one year ; one in January in Ben; al ; an- other after croffing the line, in Auguft, at the Cape of Good Hope ; and a third jn December laft, after recromng the line, at the entrance of the channel. THE hofpitality of the gentlemen of this nation having long been proverbial, I anticipated the pleafures which, in my hurried excurfion, I was to enjoy ; but defcription 4 io TRAVELS w defcription hath fallen fhort of the hof- pitality, liberality, and humanity, to which I can now bear testimony. I en- joyed a happy introduction to that un<- common civility, characterise of the people of condition in Ireland, by means of the favourable opinion, and virtuous confidence, of two amiable fellow-paiTen- gers, who had entrufted to my endeavours on this journey, a charge, in the care of themfelves and their children. The gen- teel appearance and deportment of both, and the fupeiior fenfe, addrefs, and con^ verfation of one, would have proved irre^ fiftible inducements, in a country lefs diftinguimed for polite affiduity to oblige the fair fex than thir, to beftovv on thefe ladies every mark of refpect and attention ; but it would be unjuft to infmuate even this confideration, as a motive for actions which, I am fure, originated in nature. HAVING lefs influence to procure a boat to Crookhaven, than the fmallnefs of the village and the numbers to be accommodated EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 411 accommodated in it, rendered necefTa- ry ; it was late before a country convey- ance did me that favour at the price of a dollar. After diving into feveral mean houfes, chance directed my fteps to the fecond houfe in the place. Sir T. R. having been the firfl to land, fecured the befl quarters for himfelf and fami- ly, with the furveyor of the cuftoms. I made my wifhes known to the wife of the deputy furveyor, whofe hufband was abfent on cuftom-houfe fervice in Corke. She confented to accommodate myfelf and an old gentleman, but declared againft ladies, who (fhe faid) were not to be oleaf- V -g+JhWJ. ed : I allured her, that the ladies gliiHi I would have the honour to introduce into her houfe, were fo amiable and affable, that they would compel her to change her opinion of her own fex. She, however, perfifted in her negative. The clergyman of the village, who boarded and lodged in the houfe, a truly good man, being pre- fent, with his landlady's daughter, I made my 4 i2 TRAVELS in my addrefles alternately to the daughter and mother, and attacked the reverend old clergyman, in a ftyle adapted to his holy function, and interefted both his feelings and the felf-importance of the daughter in my fuit; until, after long pleadings and rejoinders, the good lady agreed to receive my fair fellow-paiTengers : and in a few days, me did them the juftice to tell me re- peatedly, that me never again would judge fo injurioufly of ftrangers, becaufe her prefent lodgers were too good, even better than I had reprefented them. The honc.fl clergyman, who was as full of goodnefs as he was of learning, was alfo full of expref- fions^of efteem and fatisfaction; and took leave with the tenderer! refpedl, when a chaife arrived from Corke, on the i4th, at the oppolite fide of the bay, to receive the two ladies and their four children. MY miftaken liberality to the poftillion, was productive of ferious alarms, and might have terminated in a melancholy 2 cataftrophe. EUROPE, ASIA, ^AFRICA. 413 cataftrophe. He had negleded his horfes, but not himfelf -, for, being overcome with liquor, he was incapable of conduct- ing them. There were many fteep pafTes in the firft ftage, and the firft one led by a precipice which hung fufpended, many paces perpendicularly, over the fea. When he came to this fpot, the famifhed, fa- tigued horfes, were unable to ' draw the carriage, and the poftillion, under the in- fluence of liquor, inilead of coaxing them jip, beat and pumed them, until, in the very middle of the bank', they gave way. Apprehenfive of danger, I rode clofe be- hind the carriage, when happily, on the turn of the eft- wheel, it was ftopt by the hind-quarter of my horfe; I feized the other wheel with my hand, and by chance dex- terity, not ftrength, gave it a turn which gave a footing to the carriage, and eafe to the yielding horfes ; and by that means, the whole wer-5 laved from precipitating into the fea. I held my horfe to fuftain the wheel, and the weight of the carnage, until 4 i4 T R A V E L S in until I could alight, and was able to lodge a pretty large ftone under each wheel, and then, letting go my horfe, I run to the upper fide of the chaife, and, without much ceremony, pulled out the affrighted ladies and the four children. Thus fecure and happy, I took out the reftiff horfe, and without the ufe of a whip, coaxed one horfe only to pull up the empty chaife. After a fhort refpite, the ladies and children refumed their fla* tions in the carriage ; but had not gone far, when the drunken poftillion again run the chaife into a deep gutter on the fide of an eminence, and nearly overfet it. After difengaging my companions a fecond time, and calling the aid of about a fcore of country peafants, we again got to a level road. The ladies entreated me to return, and I urged to pafs on, becaufe we were near to the houfe of the reverend Dr. Townfend, where I would venture to introduce them, though I had only had the pleafure of being once in his com- pany. EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 415 pany. After walking until they were out of breath, I prevailed on them to go into the chaife; but upon condition that I fhould not feparate myfelf from its fide ; the drunken poftillion having pofitively refufed to let me drive the chaife, and to ride my horfe. In this pofition we encountered a private chaife and four horfes. I was determined to accoil thofe who were in it, for relief to my fellow-travellers, when happily I beheld the worthy old gentleman, Dr. Townf- end. I went up to him, and without ceremony, after felicitating my company, I told him my fituation. He threatened our poftillion in his magifrerial capacity ; and upon exprefs condition that we mould go to his houfe and pafs the night, he detached his principal fervant and beft pair of horfes from his own chaife, har- nefled them to urfrfggffiefad a gentleman (Mr. Jermyn of Milll'iriiTrn) to conduct us to his houfe, and introduce us to his lady, promifing to follow us in half an hour ; thus conferring a twofold obligation on 4 i6 TRAVELS / on us, fo as we mould not feel the weight of either. My amiable fellow-travellers, with uplifted eyes and hands, enjoyed the fweet relief, and bleft the liberal and hof- pitable mind of the Doctor, and his bro- ther, a commiflioner of the cufcoms, who accompanied him in the chaife, and who fhewed an equal defire to accommodate us. We arrived at the Doctor's houfe, and were firft received by a moil agreeable young gentleman, Mr. Robertfon, the Doctor's nephew, who was alfo in orders. An excellent cold dinner, and choice li- quors, were fet before us, together with a chearful fire, and a bountiful welcome. Mrs. Townfend foon appeared -, and al- though infirm, difcovered a genteel mien and converfation, and was ajuft reprefen- iation of an hofpitable and focial huiband. The Doctor and his niece returned with- in the promifed time, and three hearty genteel neigh boms toon joined us. After an elegant fupper, a chearful glafs, and the efience of jollity, at two o'clock in the morning we feparated into our re- fpective EUROPE, ASIA, ^J^/AFRICA. 417 fpe&ive apartments ; and after breakfaft next morning, we parted from a family whofe goodnefs will ever remain imprint- ed on our minds. I enjoyed the praifes that had been liberally beftowed on my fair fellow-travellers, by every perfon. WE experienced the moft polite hofpi- tality at Skibbertin, from Mr. Jermyn, where Mrs. Wright (the colleger's lady, and the fifter of Dr. Townfend) .came in perfon to Mr. Jermyn's, to invite us to her houfe. We proceeded, without fur- ther interruption, except from the officers of xciie,toCorke. There the mayor, Mr. Carleton, and his lady and nephew, (hewed us every mark of attention. The fecond day we proceeded on our journey for Dublin, young Mr. Carleton having pre- vioufly written to his houfe, to have lodg- ings ready for our reception. IT was apleafing furprife to me, to find throughout the road, accommodations and entertainment which would be thought refpedlable on the principal roads of E VOL. II. E e 4 iB TRAVELS fc land. The country appeared deflitute of that cultivation which distinguishes the regions of freedom. Although it is a for the moft part, of a turfy or peat qua- lity, yet it is capable of high improve- ment, particularly by draining ; and I doubt not, but a few years, under the happy ftate of freedom which they now enjoy, and which they ^fiould have had long before, will exhibit the happy effects of this bleffing, by adding largely to the wealth, commerce, power, and popula- tion of the Britim nation. Then we mall fee difplayed the tranfcendent virtues which are infeparable from political liberty : the civilization, induftry, and ingenuity of the common people, who are as yet more rude and impofing, than any Indian, American, or African nation I have ever had occafion to fee; and a flouriming change on the face of a coun- try, capable of receiving every improve- ment which hufbandry, arts, and canals can produce. A very diftinguifhing proof of this opinion occurred upon the road. The 3 evening EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 419 evening of the fccond day after our depar- ture from Corke,Iwas all at once fo fenfibly flruck with the inclofures by walls, fences, and ditches, the fubftantial neat farm- houfes and offices, and the lefs indigent garbs, and diffufive contentment which appeared in the people, that I obferved to Mrs. M 1, the lady in whofe com- pany I had then the honour to fit, that the proprietor of the lands over which we were travelling, was a munificent and good land- lord; and that, if I could fuppofe that Lord Cahir poflefled any part of that county or province, I fhouid, from the high commendations which I had heard c/that great and generous nobleman's conduft, as a fubjed, as a matter, and as ; man, conclude that we were at thatinftant travelling through his eftate. We entered a town very foon thereafter, where plenty and tranquillity were fignalized in every objea which prefented itfelf to our view. Weftopt to breathe the horfesat a handfc inn; I called for fome cakes for the ch. E e 2 dren ' T R A V E L S /* dren, which were brought by a handfome, genteel, well-drefled landlady : I aiked ths name of the place ? She faid, " Cahir." I afked to whom the furrounding eftate belonged ? " To Lord Cahir"My fair, fenfible companion, after expreffing a fur- prife, repeated what I had faid about an hour before. The landlady poured forth his Lordfhip's praife in the grofs As I had had the honour of being a little known- to his Lordflrip, and his brother, Mr. T. Buttler, I begged the landlady to deliver a mellage to his Lordfhip, concerning a relation in the Eaft : ihe faid (he would ; but that my Lord would be very glad to fee me, or any lady or gentleman who was travelling. I had always admired the ex- alted character which my Lord Cahir wai eminent for in England, and in France; but I was at this time impreffed with fen- timents of veneration for him, and only la-* mented that he was not fo young, as to give hopes of his living as an example to others, for the benefit and happinefs of all, fpr fifty years to come. THE EUROPE, ASIA, and AY RICA. 421 THE partiality of a worthy friend having introduced me handfomely to Mr. Long- field, the member for the city of Corke, whofe mind is as independent and unin- cumbered as his fortune, as well as to the Mayor of that city ; and having had the ho- nour of being formerly known to Lord Carhampton, Sir John Blaquiere, and Sir Richard Heron; the only caufe of regret I could poffibly have in Dublin, was, that I could not pafs fix or eight weeks in it* The juft and independent principles of Mr. Longfield, and the liberal ufe to which he applied a clear annual revenue, exceed- ing 10,000 1. procured him a choice of conftituents and of friends. IT was pleafing to hear the great ora- tors and geniufes of this nation, fpeak the true language of pure patriotifin, with ar- guments and energy which are irrefiftible, and which carry convidtion to every heart. It was not the inflammatory language of men foured by difappointment. It was not an effort to remove thofe who were in, Ee 3 in 422 TRAVELS in in order to fucceed to their places ; they Were the glowing expreffions which iflued from the unaffected feelings of patriotic virtue. It is a pleafure to look forward to the field that is opening to receive the improvement and ingenuity of the moft learned men, and the greatefl geniufes in Europe. It is not to benefit Ireland only that thefe fenators ftand forth : in every word which they utter, in their martial garbs, and in their voluntary aflbciations, they breathe true loyalty to the extended Britiih empire. They are jealous of honor, and out of the way of corruption. To render them as ufeful as they are difpofed to be, they fhould receive impartial and unbounded confidence ; and they never will betray it. The public buildings, the private houfes, the new ftreets, the fquares, the finimings, the furniture, and the entertainments in Dublin, are elegantly modern. Our obli- gations to the family of Mr. Carleton of Corke, cannot be defcribed; civilities were heaped upon us by his nephews, niece, and EUROPE, ASIA, and AFRICA. 423 and Mer-in-law, in Dublin j and they afforded me an opportunity of being ac- quainted with his fon, Mr. Carleton, the folicitor-general of Ireland. But to par- ticularize the proofs of kindnefs we re- ceived among a people juftly celebrated for their hofpitality, though not an unpleafing, were an endlefs tafk. As I am to embark in the packet at one o'clock in the morn- ing, I fhall bid you adieu, until we meet in London about a week hence. Ee 4 APPEN- t 44 APPENDIX [A.] TH E original flock of the Dutch Eaft-India Company confided of 2100 mares, at 3000 florins* each : they afterwards encreafed the num- ber of fhares to 2 1 30, without advancing the ftock proportionably , fo that the original ftock of 6,300,000, florins divided into 2130 fhares, va- luing each fhare at 3000 florins, increafes the eftimation of the capital to 6,390,000 florins. Their fingular good fortune in ftepping, without lofs 'or expence, into all the Portuguefe fettle- ments and fortifications in Afia, except Goa and Damain ; the rich prizes made of *Portugueze fhips; the juftice rendered by their agents abroad to their conftituents at home ; and the enormous advantages arifing from their unconfcionable op- prefiive treaties with the princes of Java and Ceylon, together with the fuperior influence which the intire property of cinnamon, cloves, mace, nutmegs, and two-third parts of the pepper trade of India, have indifpenfably yielded to them in Afia, at one time railed the value of their ftock to 650 per cent, thus encreafing their capital of 6,300,000 to 40,950,000 florins. From this mag- Each florin of Holland, according to the par of filver, is worth 22d. fterling nearly but the courfe of exchange varies according to the fluctuations of trade, &c. nitude, APPENDIX [A.] 425 nitude, avarice, and an ill-judged feverity exercifed over their allies or dependants, and a falfe parade of dignity in Batavia, &c. exceeding that of any crowned head in Europe, have reduced their ftocle from 340 to 355 per cent. A ftill delufive and pernicious eftimation, which, by dividing the prin- cipal inftead of the profits, together with various other concurring circumftances, muft, at length, lay them proftrate, as bankrupts and delinquents, at the feet of the States General ; who will then be as little capable of fuftaining them, as of up- holding their own credit. The APPENDIX [A.] f- ^ 0000 o o o o o o o o 8 w ta rt . 8tr> ^- O O tv, Q U-, u^ N 1 1 < 1 cS N rt f^> m - c rt 1 i t O O O C O o o o o o o ^ o" o o LT *+* "^" O O 8 1 1 1 a ex, 2 | i S ONSO - ip S -d ft CO <*: N o 2 ^2 O ^00 VO ^ CO k **cj > Ij '* OS 1 8 ^ 'C "a, . 8 p u & Cl i^> to rt ** Cl rt n rt rt nj N rt e/T tJ . ? 1.* 'H ji IV. J. f" ^ d" o 6 6 o U^ LT> O O O eo N w ^- q 2 f | M O* vH *C u 1-4 ^ cLj S D 6 3 O VO 00 tr\^ 3 bo *> P J SH ^ N VQ vo "T 1 O P3 o 5 t; u ^t to *xi tX *^ 3 i rt rt rt ci rt c at ^^ . 3 ^ o o o o c O O O O O o o o o o 5 1 ^ rt o S.? H J8 5 JQ ^828 | "o 2 '- fe*l 1 -s S *^* rA e 0^ ^ "^ s ,2 & ^^^^^3 ra 5- C ^ Is- J a* M I'? .5 bo c . O 1 S li i 1 'he benefit at , JJlJI | Z & 1 a O S 1 s i 13 < 3 o *- w 4i "o **^ o If S3 a, a U || f e * td APPENDIX [A.] M | *> | > O Os N o 427 Let 428 APPENDIX [A,] Let any minifter of a commercial nation, revolve this recapitulated view of the Dutch Eaft India Company's trade in his mind, and draw all the conclufions which fuch a manufacturing nation as Britain, would derive from it, and it wiil furnifh an extenfive field for political fpeculation. It is not only prefumable, but certain, that the merchandize given in barter for many, or all of thefe goods, has borne a confiderable profit ; and that the other commodities extorted under value from the people of Ceylon and Java, and refold to very great advantage in India, will render the remittance in fpiceries to Europe the only gain and clear remittance belonging to the Company ; or that the eftablimments neceflfary (according to the Dutch fyftem) to command the monopoly of thefe commodities in Amboyna, Banda, Java, and Ceylon, being deducted out of this remittance of 7,927,500 florins, the furplus will be equal to all the other exorbitant charges appertaining to their fettlements, leaving a balance of 3,500,000 florins, which is a high eftimation of the annual profits of the Company. The Company'? capital in India, &c. comprehending their (hipping, goods, good and bad debts, provifions, ordnance, all kinds of war- like (lores and ammuni- tion, plate, and cattle, ex- clufive of territorial proper- ties, are computed not to exceed f. 47,000,000 They APPENDIX [A.] 429 Brought over 47,000,000 They owe in Europe j 11,250,000, which doubtlds bears an in- tereft of 3 per cent. per annum, or f. 393,750 They owe in Afia 7,000,000, where the intereft is ieldom un- der 10 per cent, per ann. ; or, thefe two principal debts added make - f. 700,000-' 18,250,000 28,750,000 Thefurplus 28,750,000, being a real advance out of the original gains of the Com- pany, will bear 81. 135. 5d. per cent. f. 2,406,250!. The annual grofs profit, by eftimation f. 3,500,000 Of this furplus (28,750,000) it is prefumable, and indeed confi- dently believed, that bad and doubtful debts and dead effects will confume f. 15,250,000 The real commercial or moveable effefts of the Company will there- fore be *- /. 13,500,000 The cftabliflied prime value of 2130 (hares of fhe Company's ftock, at 3000 florins each, being 6,390,000, bearing a proportion of /. 211. 5*. 4^. per 45 APPENDIX [A.] pe r cent, to their real commercial or moveable ca- pital of 1,3, 500,000 florins, which is/. 138. 14^. %d. Ihort of its current value, at/. 350 per cent, ac- cording to which they divide ; it is- therefore evi- dent, that even without referving prudential al- lowances for c'afual loiTes and charges, wars, &c. they are injudiciouily dividing a fixed proportion of their capital annually, as a real, although in fact an imaginary and delufive profit. As the flocks of public companies rile in their prices, in exact proportion to the interell that is divided, or in proportion to the equal increafe of capital and- intercity and as, in every country, the ule of money bears a certain fixed value, in propor- tion to the reputation of the fecurity , if therefore the Dutch Eaft India (lock be eftimated at /. 138. I4J. Sd. per cent, more than the intrinfic value of their capital, it mull follow, that cx- cefiive dividends alone originated, and have fup- ported that falfe, or nominal value , and conle- quently, that they have been in the bafe practice of dividing as a profit, from 4-i- to 5 per cent, annually, out of the real capital. A conduct, which, by a progreflive calculation, will confume the entire capital in about fourteen or fifteen years, without the aid of a variety of other evils and enormities, which haften that event, as well as the annihilation of the Company. The 23,000,000 florins,, faid by themfelves to have been expended in the eftablifhment of the Cape of Good Hope, of which/. 10,000,000 may moderately be Hated as an irretrievable lois j the /. 15,250,000 of doubtful and bad debts, and dead effects ; and the over- rating of their capital, -above its true eftimation, /. 2,475,000 (making together/. 27,725,000) added to the real com- mercial APPENDIX [A.] 431 mercial and moveable capital, /. 13,500,000, fully accounts for the former rife of their ori- ginal capital to 650 per cent, and at the fame inilant avows, that in proportions confidcrably lefs offenfive, than thole which have either en- hanced their expences, or reduced their profits, their dell-ruction is inevitable, if they do not wifely and fpecdily adopt the only rational means of evading ft. APPENDIX [ 43* 3 APPENDIX [B.] OBSERVATIONS on Mr. SMITH'S " Nature and Caufes of the Wealth of Na- u tions ;" on a curfory reading thereof, at the Cape of Good Hope, in Africa, April 1779. Vol. I. p. 39. MR. SMITH fays, " That labour alone, never varying in its cwn valuers alone the ulti- mate ftandard by which the value of all com- modities can at all times and places be eftimated and compared. It is their real price i money is their nominal price only. OBSERVATIONS. Since all nations have at length concurred in reducing the labour and ingenuity of men to a value, and fixed gold and filver, when ftamp- ed by authority, as the intermediate vehicle or mark of univerfal ex- change, and thence a ftandard to regulate the Value of labour, may not this be confidered as a mere commercial commodity, equally li- able to fluctuation as many APPENDIX [B.] 433 many others, according to local circumftances, the prices of the necef- faries of life, and the commercial demand ? P. 4.0. He obferves, " That college-leafts, by ftatute, are payable cne-thifd in corn, at the current market - price, or in kind. And that this third is noiv become hear double the value of what arifes from the remaining two-thirds fe- ierved in money. This (Mr. Smith calls) fink- ing the old money-rents, to a quarter- part of their oncient value," .-. it Although ancient mo- ney-rents are not more than a quarter-part of what the fame lands now rent for, yet, may it not be more properly laid to arife, not from finking the old money-rents , but,from evident caufes, increafing the value of corn, and the necefia- ries of life, the confe- quence of arts and im- provements, .and parti- cularly of luxury ? The iticreale of luxury having increafed the wants of land- holders, they have propoftiona- bly exacted greater rents; and theieexadtions have obliged tenai ts and fub- tcnants to advance, in an equal degree, the prices of their commo- dities -, which, lalling heavy oh the common neceffaries of labourers, have advanced, in the lame proportion, the JFf >r:ce 4.H APPENDIX [B.] price of labour. Thus money might have retain- ed its original weight, quality, intrinfic value,, and currency \ but ihe fluctuation of the necef- faries of life hath claim- ed a larger quantity thereof, to keep pace with the labours of the hufbandman, and artifl. But, may there, not have been a coincidence, the one decreasing in its value, as the other in- creafed in demand, and both from natural and unconnected caufcs ? 5. He iayV " That the money price of labour is higher in Vnerica than in Bri- i,";, 1 ;, and provifions cheaper -, yet, that the real price of labour is alib higher in America ; its real price, the real command of the necef- faries and conveniences of life, 'which it con- veys, muft be ftill high- er in a greater propor- tion." This, I conceive, with fubmifTion, to be a kind of contradiction of his former princi- ples, as well as of the immediate affertion. If provifions are cheap- er, cloathing only can be underftood to be dearer ; yet linen and woollen drapery, im- ported from Britain, have been retailed in America for lefs than in Britain. The low value of land, the en- couragement, presented to APPENDIX [B.] 435 to fettlers, and a natural love of freedom and in- dependence, are the pro- bable caufesofthe high price of labour in Ame- rica. . 86. He fays, One would wifli to *' That population in believe, that this is an Britain and Europe, erroneous computation, doubles only in 500 Britain, freed from war, years." emigration, the pernici- ous extenfion of the city o^d^o ^ \' of London, and mono- ^^oii'^S^^ polies of farms, its po- cf-^JS 1 ^ E ii ~ T! pulation would increafe c ^ w l$---5 in near the fame pro- i: | ~S *g, '^ w -u portion as in America. g ^'-g te>"^"_c cS rt Throughout thole ftates H-_^ ^ t^ ^ jj ^f in Europe where the ,^.2 u ^^^^ Romilh faith prevails^ j'"o -^ "S . ^ K ^2 p.^[ '.-r-afcs by j= jc 3.5 " S D thecyidentconfcquehjccs .|_od>,^ii^| O f impolitic conltitu- !'- ^ ?"S ^ -5 ' tions, and the want of maaufaiftures, by the rigour of religious te- nets, and by wars. In . - the aior.hern kingdoms, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway^ where indui- try, peace, navigation, and commerce are en- couraged, without the advantages of coloniza- F f 2 43* APPENDIX IB.] tion, population in- creafes rapidly, not- withilanding the intem- perature of climate and iterility of foil. P. 20 r. He attri- butes " the want of ftrength and form in -the labouring people in Scotland, compared with the fame clafs in England, to the diffe- rence of bread food, or, between oaten - bread and wheatcn- bread." Should it not rather be imputed to the quan- tity of animal or flefh- food, and ftrong beer, which Englifh labour- ers eat and drink plen- tifully, and the Scots but fparingly, or very feldom ? P. 202. He fays, " That as it is difficult to preferve potatoes, the fear of not being able to fell them before they rot, is the chief obitacle to their ever becoming the principal vegetable food of all the different ranks of people." Query. Whether by kiln-drying, pota- toes would not keep long, without either rot- ting or lofing their nu- tritive quality ? Or, might they not be ground to meal or flour, and preferved by hard packing ? P. 244. He fays, " That the nominal Turn which conftitutes the market - price of lue which the govern tvery commodity, is ment of every country nscefiarily fees This is an afiertion againft practice and ex- perience. It is the va- APPENDIX [B.] 437 nccefiarily regulated, not fo much by the quan- tity of filver, which, according to the ftand- ard, ought to be contain- ed in it, as by that which, it is found by experience, aftually is contained in it. fets upon its current coin, and the propor- tion thereof to the ex- change with other coun- tries, operating in the way of commerce, that constitutes its price : for example, in Hol- land, the filver and cop- per coins current by tale and authority, are not intrinfically worth three fourth parts of their current value ; yet with that bale inferior com- pofition, a bill of ex- change upon London is bought, with which guineas are command- ed, worth tv/cnty-one fhillings on any ex- change or in any mint in Europe. Mr. Smith would feer.i, in my humble opinion, to treat the real and nominal prices or' labour, and of cur- rent coins, through- out, too philofophical- ly -, which, in reality, the fubjects will no: admit of. Philolbphy had very little 1. in their efUolifhment. Commerce was a more aclivc agent. The va- F f 1 ,-40 to 175!, Britain exported S,o..o,, -56 quarters and one Milhcl of all forts of grain, for which a bounty was paid of L 1,514,962. i-js.^d. This is an 'mportant Tubject to the (late. A nice calculation, found- ed upon true principles^ isrequifite, to determine the propriety or impro- priety of a meafure which hath cunfumed fo much of the public wealth, and might prove dangerous, in certain events, to the exiftence of the nation. The converfion of corn land into meadows, may have been attended with two national evils, by creating a Icjing ba- lance againft it in trade, APPENDIX [B.J trade *, and confum- ing the public reve- nues ; and particularly, by railing the prices of the ejfential neceflaries of lite upon labourers, manufacturers, and the poor, and by that means enabling foreign ftates to fupply them- felves and their neigh- bours, by underfelling Britain in thofe com- modities which former- ly produced the chief articles in the balance of trade. Doubtlefs, the e- normous export and bounty mentioned by Mr. Smith, mint na- turally have advanced the prices of grain at home, to the detriment of tifcful commerce, and the increafe of the na- tional debt ; becaufe it is a fact, that, notwith- ilanding thefe cccafwnal exports, the imports have, of late years, been confiderably great- * A balance agalnft the trade of a nation may, in fome local circumltances, be confidered as a gaining balance, when it is ntceffary, without indulging luxury, and procured for l?fs than it can be manufactured at home. fif ?.E, IV IX [B.f. er than the exports, \vithour bringing back a penny in duties, in lieu of the bouncy paid on exportation *. The v/ifdom of parliament fhould devife expedients to encourage hu(ban- dry, without granting a bounty on the exporta- tion of corn, and with- out the monopoly of farms ; then the ma- nufactures of Britain would refume their fta- tions in the markets of Europe, as their qua- lities have ever been, and continue acknow- ledged to be fupenor to thofe of all other countries E. 269. Mr. Smith Wnrtner it has or alledges, " That filver has not, or mall here- fias increased in irs va- after, either mcreale or the prefent lue, imce century le in its quantity or value, as a cominer- * It has been computed with certainty, that the balance paid by Britain tor corn imported, afcer deducting the value 0f exportation, flood thus ; In 1771, - 105,200 1772, - 84,400 1774, aad confiderably more in 1775, 5 6 1,022,230 cial 444 APPENDIX [B.] cial commodity, eflen- tial alfo to the gratifi- cation of luxury and pomp, will make no al- teration necefiary in the nominal values of filver coins current by autho- rity in the feveral king- doms and dates of Eu- rope, while it is confi- dered and ufed merely as the vehicle of exchange in commerce, with- out any direct or criti- cal retrofpection to its quality or intrinfic va- lue. If filver or gold in bullion, either rifes or falls in its commer- cial price, a greater or letter quantity of alloy will be compounded in the current coins, with- out varying in any jn- itance the currency thereof, in the country where it is damped by legiflative authority. Doubtlefs, a nation la- bouring under discredit by a heavy load of pub- lic debt, may juftify the calling in the cur- rent coins, and recoin- ing with a greater pro- portion of alioy, by of feignorage, to reduce "A P'P E N D I X.[B.]. reduce it to an equality with coins of the neigh- bouring dates ; and by that means, reduce the public debt ; while it will fecure the national coin within itlelf, with- out affecting either its political or commercial credit. In France, the ieignorage is eight per cent, on gold coins, befides that the ftand- ard, which is twenty- one carats, three quar- ters, is a quarter of a ca- rat worlc than Englifh fterling. By reducing the gold now in circulation in theBntiih dominions, to the circulating (land- ard of French gold coin?, it will yield about one million and a half ittr- ling to the treaiury. P. 272.- Mr. Smith fays, " That it is Icarce in the power of human induftry to multiply game and fifla." If Mr. Smith had vi- fued the royal domains of France, and thofe of the princes of the blood royal, he would have perceived, that buman pca-fr, by the fimple exercife of poli- tical defpotifm only^ can increafe and muL 440 APPEND LX [B.]' . I ( . P. 300, He alledges, " That the increafe of the quantity of gold srjd /liver in Europe, and the increafe of its ma- nufactures and agricul- ture, are two events, which, though they hfcve happened nearly about the fame time, yet, . have arifen from different caiifes* end have fcav.ce any natural connexion with one ano- ther." tiply game ; and that wild birds will refort to, and admirably in- creafe, in a greater pro- portion than dunghill fowls, and become e- qually tame, where meltef and fecurity is. yielded to them from human violence and in^ vafion. Though the aboli- tion of the feudal fyf- tem originated in Eu- rope at the fame period of time that chance ef- fected the difcovery of the American mines, it is, neverthelefs, equally true, that the increafe of the quantity of gold and filver, which were, long before that period, the intermediate mark of exchange whereby to afcert'ain the prices and values of all com- modities, was partly the -caivie of the im- proving progrefs in ma- nufactures and agriciil- turei without which no adequate compenlation could be made by other nations, either to en- couKage miners, or to obtain A P P E N D I X IB.] 447 obtain the valuable me- tals from thofe nations who had the fole pof- lefiion and monopoly of them, as the means of giving value to any larger quantity than was before necefiary in the then im perfect ft ate of commerce. I conceive it to be a fixed princi- ple, in judging of the laws of commerce, than the improvement of manufactures and agri- culture are not only inseparable in their own natures, but actually de- pendent on each other ; and that their united influence is the true fource of wealth and population, and the fprings of commercial adion. Another prin- ciple* in affixing an ai- tinity between the in- rreale of precious me- tals, and of manufac- tures and agriculture, is, that the quantity of fpecies in circulation, muft bear a certain pro- portion to the manu- factured commodities, and thefe commodities ::> the fuccefs or im- provements APPENDIX ;[BJ provements in agficul- tare -, and that the fu- perfluous metals, by means of thefe improve- ments^ have become allb articles of manufacture, whereby their values arc enhanced. In fupport of this al- legation, Mr. Smith in- ftanccs Poland, " where the feudal lyftem ftill continues, which, not- withftanding the in- creaie of precious me- tals, continues as beg- garly as before." Doubtlefs, the unhappy fyflem of its ariftocrati- cal government, ope- rates as a mill-ftc'ne,, perpetually weighing down and oppreffing the great body of the people, or ell below the rank of nobility, and dilcouraging induflry and the arts. Yet it Ihould alfo be conlider- ed, that Poland is fo Ikuatedj as to be un- fortunately removed out of the line of commerce. It wants freedom^ with- out which neither com- merce oragnculture can flourish : and its having been APPENDIX [B.] 449 been fo often the wretched feat of ambi- tious wars, has inter- rupted agriculture, and occafioned depopula- tion. Mr. Smith fays, " That the value of the metals is lower in Spain and Portugal^ than in any other part of Europe, becaufe they come into all other parts loaded with a freight, infurance, and the expence of fmug- gling." I ihink this is an erroneous mode of judging and calculat- ing, proceeding from Mr. Smith's not having accurately confidered the nature of the com- merce of Spain -, which makes the precious metals fcarctr^ and in reality dearer, in thofe countries, than in other parts of Europe ; fincc the fame quantity of metals is capable of procuring leis of the necefTaries and convc- niencies of life in their dominions, than any where elfe ; as thofe countries receive all VOL. Ifc GS 45 o APPENDIX [B.] their fupplies, even to the necefTaries of life, from other ftates, and the very mines are car- ried on by means of the manufactures of other nations. Do not thefe goods, therefore, come loaded with hea- vier charges of freight, infu ranee, duty, com- miflions, and other charges, than bullion ; which, by taking up lefs fpace, pays lefs freight; by being lefs liable to receive da- mage, is infu red cheap- er ; and freed from a lift of other charges, to which every other mer- chandize is incident ?- and, as alrnoft all the merchandize, and even the (hipping which pro- duce and tranfport the metals, are the produc- tion of other nations, to whom the metals are re-exported in the qua- lity of manufactured merchandize, leavinglit- tle more than the du- ties and commiflion in the nations to which the mines belong ? Their poverty originated in the APPENDIX [B.] 45 i the decay of induftry* with the difcovery of the mines * ; which, by creating a nominal in- fluence and falfe idea of wealth to the people, rendered them, at firft by fuccefies, and fince by habit, proud, indo- lent, and totally negli- gent of agriculture and manufactures, whereby the population of Spain has, in that fpace of time, funk from four- teen millions to feven and a half; and Portugal has dwindled from above three millions to one and three quarters. P. 308 and 309. In jfupport of his opinions concerning the diffe- rence in the values of labour and money, he qu'otes the high prices of fuperfine broadcloths formerly,comparedwith the prefent. & See the pafiagss. Arts have arrived to a greater degree of per- fection fince, and lux- ury has proportionably increafed. The fame cloths, made of the fame materia-ls, are now ma- nufactured, by means of new inventions in every part of the prcgrds, at * Query. Whether Britain is not likely to fall by the luxury which originated in the wealth and power acquir by her great fuccefies ?-and Holland al 452 APPENDIX [B.] a much cheaper rate ; the very materials are now bought for a lefs nominal price, by means of foreign com- merce and domeftic im- provements ; but, as a hundred perfons now ufe cloths of that qua- lity, for one that ufed them in former times, the increafe of the de- mand increafes the pro- fit, although the price be considerably lefs. P. 330, &c. Mr. Smith's definition of the dhi- Jionofftock) is ingenious and judicious. The idea is new, and exceedingly proper for the ftudy of perfons in "private life, and mould be well un- derftood by perfons in the admin itlration of pub- lic affairs, and by legiflators. P. 396. He fays, I have already ob- * 4 That the paper-cur- ferved, that the nominal rency of North Ameri- value of coins in any ca was made payable country, or of that pub- only after feveral years, lie emiffion which fup- withont intereft : That plies the place of gold therefore it was a vio- and filver, will not bear lent injuflice, and a ty- to be treated philofo- rannfcal regulation, to phically ; becaufe even force it in payment, the gold and filver coins when are. APPENDIX [B.] 453 when the intereft of the colony was fix per cent, per annum, and only due in fifteen years, creating a lofs to the holder of fixty per cent : That one hundred pounds fterling was oc- cafionally confidered as equivalent, in fome of the colonies, to one hun- dred and thirty pounds, in others, to eleven thoufand pounds cur- rency : That this dif- ference in the value arifes from the differ- ence in the quantity of paper emitted in the different colonies, and in the diftance and pro- bability of its final dif- charge and redemp- tion." are, in every country, founded upon a difcre- tionary eftimation, guid- ed fometimes by the force of laws, and at other times by the vo- luntary agreement and pleafure of merchants. Notes circulating un- der the fanftion and fe- curity of government, and to continue in cir- culation for a limited term, in which it is computed that the pub- lic will be able to ex- tinguifh its debt by the redemption of paper with aftual money ; and that the fum in circu- lation is limited to the amount of the debt ; if the credit of govern- ment be good for that amount, there can be no inconvenience to the individuals, and it Ihould pafs as current as metal coins. By cuftom, and by tale, a half Johannes of Portu- gal, worth in England but thirty-fix (hillings, when of full weight, is current in fome of the American colonies, af- ter repeated clippings, at G g 3 iixtv- 454 APPENDIX [B.J fixty-fix ihillings cur- rency, when . 100 fler- ling is rated at . 160 currency -, which is rat- ing the gold at twenty- three one-third more than the current ex- change for bills upon England. And yet, as it pafles current, with- out the compulfion of any law, and only by the voluntary agreement and the pleafure of mer- chants, who are willing to receive it at that rate, in payment for Britifh and other goods, it is not deemed an injuftice or tyranny, although the fecurity is not fo good as that of govern- ment, and 'although it produces no intereft, but on the contrary lofes daily in its real value by wear. Spa- nifh dollars are like- wife rated in the fame exact proportion above the current courle of exchange. Mr. Smith has not (I apprehend) truly inveitigated the nature and caufes of colony - exchange, and their fluctuations. In the APPENDIX [B,] 45, the Weft India iflands, where no paper has ever been emitted, and, for the moft part, gold and filver coins of Portugal and Spain circulate in payment, the exchange varies from 125 to 175 per cent, in favour of Britifh fterling, anc the par of filver and gold is proportionably the fame through* >ut, bear- ing above 20 per cent, more than bills. In the French iflands, the ex- change upon France is 1 50 currency per ,. \ oo Tournois ; yet the value of gold and filver iscon- Itant at 183-^ per *oo Tournois. Thefe in- ftances may fuffice to ihew, that the emif- fion of paper money on government fecurity, is neither unjuft nor ty- rannical, provided that there is not more thrown into the circulation than is requifite to maintain its commerce, and to fupply the necefiary in- tercourfe of the colony within itfelf. P g 4 This 45* APPENDIX [B.] P. 431. He fays, * That intereft has funk in Europe, fince and by reafon of the difcovery of the filver and gold mines in Arnerica." This afTertion has a direct retrofpection to what has been invefti- gated (page^) " con- cerning the increafe of gold and filver in Eu- rope, and the increafe of manufactures and a- gricukure, though hap- pening at the fame time, having had, neverthe- lefs, no natural con- nection, and arifing from very different caufes." Jn like manner, the fame mode of reafon- ing may juftify the re- duction of intereft for the ufe of money, as the principal, if not the fole caufe, fince the progrefiive improve- ments in ufeful arts and fciences have, by equal progrefiions, expanded the intellectual faculties of men. As the arts of improvement and of commerce, have ap- proached to perfection, fo the prices of goods, and the labour bellowed on them, became lefs ; and as the arts became general, the profits be- came fo alfo, and in confequence lefs ; there- fore APPENDIX [B.] 457 fore the ufe cf money iunk in the fame pro- portion. Thus it -will be found ; and Mr. Smith acknowledges, that in new colonies, or upon any new under- taking, the value of money is higher, as well as the rate of intereft, and diminifhes in pro- portion to the improve- ment j and that in com- mercial dates, and ftatei far advanced in im- provements, the intereft is always lower than in thofe where there is lefs commerce and fewer manufactures, or which are, in general, very far back in the know- kdge and property of the ufeful arts. Thus the rates of intereft have been governed more by the improvements made in manufactures, trade, and navigation, than by the difcovcry of mines ; becauie the active in- vention of mankind would have fubftituted fome other metals, as the univerfal mark of exchange, to which time, 4|S APPENDIX [B.] time, ufe, and autho- rity, would have given the fame importance and {lability, that are now given to filver and gold. Mr. Smith explains himfelf afterwards, in oppofition to the opi- nions of Locke, Law, and Montefquieu, who aflerted, " that inte- reft funk by reafon of the increafe of gold and filver only," and he fays, " that the profits of flock are in proportion as the adlual fpecies in a country is to the ca- pital employed ; and that the common pro- portion between capital and profit would there- fore be the fame ; and confequently the com- mon intereft of mo- ney." This is declar- ing an effefl without a caufe : but furely, if the borrower did not obtain a greater profit than what he was ob- liged to give for the ufe of money, together with the bare value of his labour, the eftima- tion APPENDIX [B.] 459 tion of ufe is over-rate^, becaufe the borrower gets only a bare fub- fiftence, without any reafonable confideration for rifques, cafuaJties, and genius ; therefore the rate of interelt fhould, and muft, al- ways be lower than the exact proportion be- tween the capital and the profit. <& Whether it be that the fubje&s are lefs in- tricate, and better adapted therefore to my con- ception, or that they are more familiar to my knowledge and ideas, in the fublequent reading of this laborious performance ; or that Mr. Smith draws the latter conclufions from facts and ex- perience, and therefore ceafes to treat them phi- lofophically, I know not : but henceforward, his obfervations appear more clear and diftin6t to my comprehenfion, tending to elucidate the minds of adminiftration, and instructing them to view the real ftate of the nation through a true perfpective, and to difclofe the means of reftoring the whole to its original vigour and texture. Vol. I. p. 479. Mr. Upon a general prin- Smithfays, "Thatyeo- ciple, Mr. Smith's ob- manry is regarded as an fervations are juft. Con- inferior rank of people ftitutional liberty ever throughout encourages 466 APPENDIX [B.I throughout Europej and that they are moft re- fpefted in Britain. That in the republican go- vernments of Holland, and Berne in Switzer- land, the farmers are faid to be not inferior to thofe in England." encourages agriculture, as well as manufactures and trade. In England, farming is not only en- couraged mechanically in thofe who profefs it, but it has of late years become a branch of li- beral fcience, and the practice thereof famion- able among the firft rank of commoners. It is very much re- fpefbed and carefied in hs general and mechanical capacity. Mr. Smith might have afcribedfelf- importance, eafe, and ikill, with greater pro- priety to the farmers of the Auftrian Nether- lands, and to ibme dr- ftrifts of French Fland- ers, than to thofe of Holland and Switzer- land ; though probably the diftances at which thofe provinces are hap- pily placed from the over-bearing vices, ty- ranny, and ambitious emulation of their re- fpective courts*, toge- ther with the remnant Vienna and Paris. feeds APPENDIX [B.] 461 feeds of their own ori- ginal conftitutions *, may have as yet pre- ferved them from the wretchednefs of their fellow-fubje&s. Vol. I. p. 495. Mr. Smith has afierted with equal confidence and judgment, and it is an in- controvertible truth, " That commerce and manu- fafture gradually introduced order and good govern- ment^ and with them the liberty and fecurity of in- dividuals, among the inhabitants of the country who had before lived in a continual (late of war with their neighbours, and of fcrvile dependency upon their fuperiors. This, though it has been the leaft obferved, is by far the moft important of all their P. 509. He fays, " That a merchant is not necejfarily the citizen of any particular country." This remark is as pithy and juft, as it is liberal, under the idea of a general merchant, and the facred reputation, honor, and commercial credit, which formerly belonged to a profeflion, which contributed more than any other to civilize re- mote nations, and eftablifh a univerfal fociability. But the term merchant hath fubmitted to abufes fince. Vol. II. p. 2. He fays, " That it is a popular notion, which fuppofes wealth to confift in gold * The Flemiffi. and 462 APPENDIX [B. j and filver fpecies, arifing from the double func- tion of money as the inftrument of commerce and the meafure of value." This is a very fenfible ob- fervation, and a true one : and on the fame prin- ciple, in the 2oth page, he fays, " That bullion is the money of the great mercantile republic." Vol. II. p. 43. He fays, " That to prohibit,- ly a perpetual law, the importation of foreign corn and cattle, is in reality to enact, that the population and induftry of the country fhall at no time exceed what the rude produce of its own foil can maintain." If Holland, Venice, Genoa, the Hanfe-towns^ and other free governments, were to adopt fuch a maxim, their declenfion would be rapid indeed. Mr. Smith's remark is fojuft, that it were happy for the British empire if every minifter and legifla- tor would fubmit to make it an unalterable part of his political creed, and remember it before he aflents to the paffing of any perpetual law what- ever, as the effects of all general laws are dedu- cible from the principles of induftry and popu- lation. Vol. II. p; 48 and 49. He fays, with great juftice, " That taxes upon the neceffaries of life y have nearly the fame effect upon the circumftances of the people, as a poor foil and a bad climate , provifions being thereby rendered dearer, in the fame manner as if it required extraordinary la- bour and expence to raife them. When taxes are grown to a certain height, they are a curfe equal to the APPENDIX [B.] 463 the barrennefs of the earth, and the inclemency of the 7 i * J heavens. P. 51. He fays, '' That to judge whe- ther -retaliations by one nation, for reftraining the importation of its goods or manufactures in another, are likely to produce a repeal of the reftraints, does not, per- haps, belong fo much to the fcience of a le- giflator, whofe delibera- tions ought to be go- verned by general prin- ciples, which are always the fame, as to the fkill of that infidious and craf- ty animal, vulgarly called a ftatefman or "politician, ivhofe counfels are di- recJed by the momentary fuSt nations of affairs" However juft Mr. Smith's diftinftion may be, in afcertaining the feparate duties of a mi- nifter and legiflator, in matters of trade, it neverthelefs belongs to the legiflator to be informed, as well of the particular principles which actua^e the mi- nifter on any particular fubject, as to under- ftand the general prin- ciples of commerce, and the diftributive relation of the manufactures of one nation to another. A particular knowledge of manufactures, and a general knowledge of trade, together wich the univerfal and relative principles of navigation, are rhe equal, and fhould be the indiipenfable pro- vinces of both ftatefman and legiflator. This fub- ject is more immediately applicableto therivality between Britain and France, than any other countries 464 APPENDIX [B.] countries in Europe. The balance of trade is the pivot upon which the rivalfhip turns. ^-A queilion will naturally arife upon this fubject, whether a treaty of commerce with France, upon limited, but li- beral grounds, would not prove more effec- tual in removing thofe retaliating reftraints, re- ciprocally, than any other mode whatever, with peculiar ad vantages in favour of Britain. Britain chiefly imports wines from France ; its other imports confift of luxuries. Thefe are commodities which cor- rupted gouts and minds. have, by habit, rendered indifpenfable in the firft and fecond clafles of the nation, . and will con- tinue, therefore, to b74o 9 i T * r gold is worth ) The ftandardof) 3i| carats is ^671 o 10 worth - - 3 Jjefs than pure 1 ,- Q , gold,permark| 6 9 8 3rr The ftandard^ mark is coin- ed into 30 .Louis d'ors, equal to 720 Iivres, which is worfe than ilandard - - "8 7 ST'T times uncertain returns for Britifh manufa&ures from the colonies in America, and the quick and frequent returns from the European foreign markets, the latter may not ena- ble the manufacturers to underfell the manufactures of other countries, with furer and greater advantages to themfelves an -4 the nation ? Thus 48 19 2 APPENDIX [B.] 47 ! Thus coined gold is worfe than fine, per mark 1 1 8 Which will be found to be a- bout 327. ftcr- ling per mark, ounce; of infe- 4 __ rior Itandard by i carat; and the Englifh fland- ard is valued at 3 17 io per oz. making -- ~- a difference of per 02. - 02 ii Eight per cent. fignorage in France on 8o/. is 06 6 r ' ? J carat in the ftandard is, - o o nj The whole differ- ence per 02. /.op 7* nearly : which, proportion- ed to the guineas andLouis d'ors coiuained refpeftive- ly in an ounce, conltitutes a difference in the value of a guinea above aLouis- d'or of zs. J. Vol. II. p. 206. He fays, " That Virginia and Maryland lent to theBritifli marketabove 96,000 hogfheads of to- bacco , whereof about 14,000 was faid to be can fumed in Britain." It is a pity that Mr. Smith did not Ihew the public advantages reap- ed from this fingle branch of the American trade. Each hogfhead may be rated at 7 /. 10 j. neat, or the whole at 72O,Ooo/t fterling; H h 4. whereof APPENDIX [B.] whereof the Britifl} coniumption was but . 105,000* the remain- ing . 615,000 created a balance of trade in favour of Britain ; be*- fides thar, by employ- ing at lead 3^0 capital ;(hips, it gave bread and encouragement to up- wards of five thoufand ieamen. The duties on the 14,000 hogfheads confumed in Britain, p r oduced a revenue, at . 26. i j. per hogihead, of . 364,700, be fides fome fractional parts of thefubfidies, which were retained at exportation, of the duties paid on importation. The whole of thefe fums, as alfo an increafe of debts by way of loans, were returned to America in Britifh manufactures and India goods from Bri- tain. The debts owing by the colonifts, in Bri- tain, and the quantities of bullion annually re- mitted from the colo- jriies to Britain, confti- {ute the fmalleft part of $he balance in favour of" {he trade of Britain with APPENDIX [B.] 475 with her colonies ; the mod important object hath been, the happy advantages of not be- ing fubjugatcd toother nations, for the rich and indifpenfable com- modities with whith the colonies fupply the Britilh market. P. 226. Mr. Smith fays, " That the af- femblies can never be mana d, lo as to levy upon their conftituents a revenue fufficient, not only to maintain, at all times, their own civil and military eftablifh- ment, but to pay their proper proportion of the expcnce of the general government of the Bri- tifh empire, j ferns not at all probable." It mould be firft de- termined by Mr. Smith, whether the Americans mould pay all their own civil and military eftablifhment, together alfo with a proportion of the whole expences of the general empire ; or, under what quan- tum he means to define the proper proportion of the^nWexpence. But in the form in which the meaning at prelent appears, it feems to be an idea founded only on conjecture. The people of America having paf- fions like other men, after long and fruitlefs humble fupplications, have 474 APPENDIX [B.] have become, in their turn, callous, as well as turbulent, refracto- ry, and vindictive ; in- finitely more fo than was natural to their conftitutions, and their diftinguimed loyalty and attachment to the mo- ther ftate j which proves, that no people are more dangerous than thofe who preferve a phlegmatic character, when driven to defpera- tion, and their refent- ments are raifed ; nor a more dreadful and im- placable enemy than an enraged friend j and it equally proves, that numberlefs political er- rors, when once adopt- ed, become, unhappi- ly, fixed principles. But the people of America, being lenfible, reafonable, and open to conviction, may eafily be made to behold the happy ftate in which they once were, as fub- jects to the crown of Britain, and the mife- ries which independence will entail, inevitably, on themfelvcs and their pofterity \ APPENDIX [B.1 475 poftcrity; and they will, consequently, adopt the happy medium of con- tr'hming, in a reafon- ablc proportion, to the exigencies of the general empire, for general fc- curicy, as general fub- jeds of the fame great Hate. P. 237. He fays, cc That it is alledged the Spanifli and Portu- guefe colonies confume three millions flerling a year, in the article of linen alone, from Ger- many, Holland, Flan- ders, and France." This allegation cor- roborates what I have already remarked, con- cerning the value of precious metals in the mine- pofiefiing coun- tries, (p. 449): but it alfo feems incredible ; it be- ing more than a pro- bable proportion of the rich commodities, of every kind, imported into Europe from the Spanifh and Portu colonies. It mould likewife be computed in this dtimate, that the galleons from South America to the Philip- pine iflands bring back rich cargoes of fine cot- tons , that the Portu- guefe fhips from India fell 476 A P P E N t> IIX [B.] fell cottons on the coaft of Brazil , that the Dutch, French, and Englifh traders in the Weft Indies, fupply the Spanifh main with linen and cotton cloths , that vaft quantities of fuper- fine woollen cloths and filks are annually im- ported from Europe and Afia for the confump- tion of thefe American colonies ; and that, af- ter all, the whole ex- port of bullion feldom exceeds the value of fix millions fterling in any one year. P. 248 and 249. Mr. Smith fays, " That the Cape of Good Hope, and Batavia, are at pre- fent the moft confider- able European colonies in Africa or the Eaft Indies, being peculiarly fortunate in their fitua- tion , that their fitua- tions have enabled them to furmonnt all the ob- ftacles which the op- preflive genius of an txclufive Company may have Mr. Smith has truft- ed to a falfe informa- tion, in the idea of lu- periority which he has afcribed to thefe two Dutch fettlements. The opprefflve genius of an exclufive Com- pany, hath wholly ob- ftrufted the growth of public and private opu- lence, and of induftry, at the Cape of Good Hope, where nature hath bountifully furnifh- ed APPENDIX [B.] 477 have occafionally op- pofed to their growth, and, in Batavia, the ad- ditional difadvantage of perhaps the mod un- wholefcms climate in the world;" ed the means of mak- ing it a moft delight- ful and flouriming co- lony. Batavia is alfo cramped by the fame evil genius ; and the natives, the Chinefe emigrants, and Malays, are rendered difaffected by the fcourges of wan- ton and impolitic ty- ranny and opprefllon. Even the unhealthful- nefs of Batavia, is an evil of Dutch inven- tion, becaufe they can- not exift out of water ; and they have intro- duced unnecefiary ca- nals into the town, the ftagnation of which is the chief caufe of the mortality that hath de- populated the place, and contributed greatly to the bankruptcy of the .Dutch Eaft ledia Company. Mr Smith's obfervations in pages 236, and in 252 253 &c. vol. ii. on the mercantile govern, ment and orders of the Engliih Company to their fervants in India, claim attention , and on t ture government and influence in the halt anc Weft Indies, are juft and prophetic. Chap. 47 S APPENDIX [B.] Chap. II. Book V. upon the duties and excife, is, probably, the moft ingenious and perfect difquifi- tion and conclufion on that fubject, that has yet ap- peared in print. Great and many advantages may be derived from a juft and fteady application of the principles which are deducible from the ob- jects laid down by Mr. Smith, as political im- Erovements on the national finances and trade. i page 518, his obfervations on the falaries and perquTfites of officers employed in collecting tax- es, duties, and excife, call for the fpeedy at- tention of parliament. The perquifites of office are more grievous than the tax levied, in as much as they are arbitrary and oppreffive ; bur, in many inftances, greater than the impoft col- lected i and are, moreover, the means of frequently defrauding the revenue by connivances. In the 4igth page, he dates " the ordinary re- venues of Britain, for the current expence, interell of public debts, and for finking a part of the debt, above ten millions , whereof the land-tax quota is near two millions, or one-fifth part." By this mode of eftimating the land-tax, the grofs landed revenue of Great Britain does not ex- ceed ten millions a year. The rent referved is always fuppofed to be no more than one-third part of the grofs production of the land ; and it is alfo conjectured, that when the land-tax is at four millings, the proprietors, on an average throughout the kingdom, pay no more than two Ihillings in the pound of the prefent .value of referved rents. At that rate, therefore, the real neat produce to the proprietors will amount to twenty millions, and the grofs or entire produc- tion to fixty millions. Of this fixty millions in grofs, only one-fixth part pays the tax out of the pockets of the land proprietors -, and the re- maining APPENDIX |B.] 479 maining five-fixths is paid by the confumers ; to wit, labourers, mechanics, manufacturers, and merchants. Thus, out of the two millions land- tax, part of the ten millions general tax y the landed property, in the firft tn/lance, pays but the thirtieth part of the whole , the remaining twenty-nine thirtieths falling upon commerce and agriculture, or rather upon induftry and ingenuity, even when' the land-tax is at the-higheft that has ever yet been affeffed. APPENDIX [ 480 APPENDIX [C.] SECRET DEPARTMENT. Confultation, Wednefday^ ifth December 1779. READ again the Governor General's propo- fition for a reply to Mr. Purling's letter, en- tered in the laft confultation. Mr. Wheeler.- Although I have little or no concern in the transactions, that have reduced the Nabob of Oude to the neceffity of reprefenting his prefent diftrefies to this board, and highly dif- approve of the principles on which they were go- verned -, I fubmit to the necefiUy of concurring in the prefent motion. Mr. Francis. If indifpenfable neceffity alone had been pleaded in defence of the meafure pro- pofed in the governor's motion, I mould have con- tented myfelf with enquiring how far the plea might in fact be well founded. It fuppofes an ex- tremity, to which no general reafon can be oppof- cd. If fuch * cafe exiits at prefent, we may lament the APPENDIX [C.] 4 2! the fteps that have reduced our government to a fituation, in which we are compelled to renounce the principles of juftice and good faith, or to incur the hazard of ruin. But we mud yield to fafls, by which the claims of right are too often fuper- feded. Jmvft defire it to be undcrjloo^ that it is on this ground alone, / acquiefie in the fubjiancc of this motion. Many things are faid in fupport of it, to which I do not aficnt. Some of them, 1 think, are very unfit to be urged tD the Nabob. / have not been long enough in the habits cf domi- tiion^ to fee any thing offenftve or alarming in the demand made by an independent prince, to be re- lieved from the burthen of maintaining a foreign army, which t it is notorious, have devoured his reve- nues and his country, under colour of defending it. On what principles do we profcfs to aft towards our neigbours and allies, when a demand appa- rently fo reafonable, is conllrued into a grievous injury or offence ? He tells us, he is no longer able to pay our troops, and defires they may be with- drawn. It is faid, that the principle on which his objections are marie, is repugnant with his en- gagement with the Company. I wiih toffee his engagement Hated, if it.exills. With refpect to the regular brigade, the treaty of Fyzabad fixes the fubfidy he is to pay for it, icbile it is Rationed luith him j and the Court of Directors, in their letter of the i th of December yn^ approve of their keeping a Jbngade in the lervice of the Soubah of Oude, prodded it be done with the foe confent of the Soubah , but by no means without //.Concerning this part of the army, however, there is at prc- lent no depute, fince the Vizier does not dehre to have it recalled. His demand goes lolely to t temporary brigade, and independent battalions un- der Major Haanay and Cup'ain O(borne. 1 he VOL. II. 1 * forn:er ' 4 S2 APPENDIX [C.] former, he fays, is not only quite ufelefs to the government, but is the caufe of much lofs, both in the revenues and cuftoms ; the latter, he aflerts, bring nothing but confufion to the af- fairs of government, and are entirely their own mafters. If this reprefentation were not ftrictly true, as I am convinced it is, it would not affect the right and juftice of his demand. The queftion is, Have we a right to keep an army in his country againft his will, and whether he be able to pay them or not ? The Governor fays, "It is our part, and not bis, to judge and determine in what manner, and at what time, thefe troops mall be re- duced or withdrawn." I believe there is no pre- cedent of a treaty of fubfidy formed on fuch a principle. The ftate that could fubmit to it, muft by the fame act renounce its own political exift- ence. In the inftance before us, the fad: is, that when the temporary brigade was formed out of the Vizier's troops, he was exprelsly affured by the Governor General, " that the expence of it mould remain a fixed charge to him, for fo long a time as hejhould require the corps for bisfervice" The ob- fervations which the Court of Directors them- fclves have made on this part of the tranfadtion,, are fo exaclly in point, and defcribe the prefent cafe with fo much precifion, that I (hall infert their own wprds, as much better and ftronger, than any thing I could fay on the fubject. '* If by this propofition it is intended to leave the Vizier at liberty to difeharge the troops at his pleafure, we think fuch a ftipulation dangerous, and likely to operate to our very great inconveni- ence , and if more be meant than is exprefled, and you intend to exert your influence, firft to induce rhe Vizier to acquiefce in your propolal, and after- wards APPENDIX [C.I 483 wards to compel him to keep the troops in his pay during your pleafure, your intentions are unjuft, and a correfpondent conduct would reflect great diflionour on the Company." The motion fuppofes, not only a neceflky of our compelling him to keep thole troops in his pay, but that we ourfelves {hould be the collectors of the revenue which is to pay them, which, as things are now managed, is nearly equivalent to putting the country under military execution. Thus one necejjity produces another, and will continue to do fff, as long as the Indian flat es po/fifs any thing that can tempt our avarice, or gratify our ambition, or until we ourfelves are taught by experience, that there is fome felf-wifdom in doing juftice to others. The fyftem which has created our prefent necef- fities * does not belong to me, though I am com- pelled to participate in the meafures which they have rendered unavoidable. Governor General. I fcarce know in what light to regard this minute. It confifts folcly of objec- tions to the queftion, except the conclulion, which is an acquiefcence in it. If the meafures which I have recommended be unjuft, if it be contrary to the orders of the Court of Directors, and to the principles of public faith, no conlideration (hould compel us to perfevere in it; but other expedients {hould be fuggefted, if any others can be deviled, or we ought implicitly to yield to the Nabob's demand, efpecially if it be, as Mr. Francis ftates it, " apparently lo reafonable, and fupportcd by right andjuftice." To the aflertion, that the fyftem whicf .created our prefent necefiiries does not belong to * Alluding to the Marratta war. I i 2 M r 4 S4 APPENDIX [C.] Mr. Francis, I muft beg leave to reply, that it belongs to the admin i ft ration of this government, which formed the exifting treaty with the Nabob Afoph-ul-Dowla, and created a new military efta- blifhment for the defence of thofe parts of his dominions, which were interdicted to our troops by the pofitive orders of the Company. Neither Mr. Barwell nor myfelf were efficient parts of that ad- miniftradon. Mr. Francis was ; and therefore, in my underftanding of it, the fyftem which has created our prelent neceffities does fpecially, and, with relation to the prefent board, exclufively, be- long to him. The treaty which was concluded with the Nabob Sujah Dowla, placed him on the moft reipectable footing, as the fovereign of an in- dependent ftate, and left all his rights untouched, with a provifion for their fecurity againft eventual encroachments upon them ; and the duration of his alliance with the Company depended yet more upon the reciprocal and equal advantages which it held out to both pardes, than on the formality of a written compact. This treaty was broken at his death, and a new one, conftructed on far dif- ferent principles, was made with his fon and fuc- eeflbr, by which the latter eventually and necefla- rily became a vafial of the Company, and their interefts bound by fuch ftrong and intricate ties, as muft render it dangerous at any time to fepa- rate them, and fatal to both at fuch a time as this. It would lead me into too wide adifcuflion,to bring proofs of this, by a deduction of all the effects which have been fuccefiivcly derived from this treaty -, nor, in this place, is it necefiary. The treaty itfelf is in the hands of the public. Its confequences were forefeen from the commence- ment of it , and on this occafion, I mail be con- tent to rely on the general opinion of the world for APPENDIX [C] 485 for its fanction of my own. With refpect to the troops appropriated co the defence of the new-ac- quired dominions of the Nabob of Oude, chefe were railed at the exprels felicitation of the pre- fent Nabob, and by a voce of the late adminiilra- tion, in which I had not, as I have before de- clared, an effective voice, nor any other concern, but in the charge of their firft form, and nominal dependency. Their Jubilance is itill the fame. They were originally engrafted on our own con- ftitution, and became at once fo intimately united with it, as to implicate it in all the dangers incident to the defects of their firft formation. They have now no frparate or diftinct exiftence, and may be. faid properly to confill of our whole military efta- blifhmenr, with the exception only of our Euro- pean infantry. They cannot be withdrawn with- out impofing on the Company the additional bur- then of their expence, or dijbanding of nine batta- lions of difcipliwd Sepoys, and three regiments of borfe, at a time when our aftualftrengtb is confejfedly unequal to all the pojjible exigencies of the extenjive do- minions, which depend on us for their protection * ; and when we mould not only lole their fervices, but muft expect to fee them become the molt ac- tive and dangerous inftruments in the hands of our enemies. In repeating Mr. Francis's ailer- tion, I do not mean to deduce all the neccfllties which attend the prelent itate of our connection with the Nabob of Oude, as effects from any fyl- tem, but only the nccefiity of maintaining the m- * And yet Mr. Haftings has invariably ptirfued plans of rxtending conquelh, and wailing tae Company's funds, by an increafe of the military eltabliflimenr, from about fix hundred thoufand pounds to about two millions of ling- liih pounds annually. I i 2 fiuencc 4 S6 APPENDIX [C] fiucnce and force which we pofiefs in his country. Thedifordcrs of his ftate, and the diffipation or" his revenues, are the effects of his own conduct j which have failed, not ib much from the ufual ef- fects of incapacity, as from the deteftable choice which he has made of the minifters of his power, and the participation of his confidence. I forbear to expatiate further on his character. It is fufEcient hat I am underftood by the members of this board, who muft know the truth of my allufions. As no period was ftipulated for the continuance of the temporary brigade, or of the troops which are to fupply their place in his fervice, nor any mode piefcribed for withdrawing them ; the time and mode of withdrawing them muft be guid- ed by fuch rules, as the neceffity and the common interests of both parties fhall dictate. Thefe, either he muft prefcribe, or ourfelves, if we cannot agree upon them. In fuch a divifion^ tb$ ftrongeft tnuft decide. This confequence is inevi- table ; and I truft that in our decifion, we fnall be warranted by the ftricteft principles of juftice, of public faith, and of the obligations required by the obligation in which we (land to the Nabob. If we abandon him, or, which would be equiva- lent to it, if we withdraw the actual defences of his dominions, his ruin muft be the confequence, and ours may be drawn after it. No one will af- firm, that he is capable of defending them by his own ftrength, or of providing resources for their defence from his own abilities. I fee many defects in our political fyftcm, and efpecially that part of it which appertains to the Nabob of Oude ; but this government wants the prefent means of correcting them, nor dare I fug- geit them. Perhaps expedients may be found, for affording the Nabob a gradual relief from the bur- then APPENDIX [C.] 487 then of which he fo heavily complains, and it mall be my endeavour to leek out, and to recom- mend, thofe means of relief. But thefe muft be gradually applied, and their complete effect may be diftant ; and this I conceive is all that he can claim of right. At his folicitation, for the pur- pofe of his convenience, and for the fiipport of his interefls, thefe troops were raifed. He has no right to require us to dilband them to our own hurt, and immediately. I, for my own part, do not attribute the demand to any conviction im- prefled on the Nabob's mind, by the necefiity of his affairs, but to the knowledge which his ad- vifers have acquired of the weaknefs and divi- fions of our own government. This is a powerful motive with me, however inclined I might be, upon any other occafion, to yield to fome part of his demands, to give them an abfolute and unconditional refufal upon the prefent, and even to bring to punifhment, if my influence can pro- duce that effect, thofe incendiaries who have en- deavoured to make themfclves the inilruments of clivilion between us. Mr. Francis. I have acquiefced in the fub- ftance of the motion, on the grounds of imme- diate neceffity ; and I have combated fome of the principles on which it is fupported. This diftinction is a clear one. The fyftem of meafures to which the conclu- fion of my former minute alludes, is that general one which has created our prefent neccflities, and which I have uniformly oppofed ; the Marratta war is a principal part of it. The eftablifhment of the temporary brigade in the Company's lervice, was voted about the middle of the year 1777, againft the opinion of J 1 i 4 Sir 4 83 APPENDIX [C,] Sir John Claveripg and inyfelf. The corps com- .nanded by Major Hannay and Captain Gfborne, are of a ttill later date. Whether thole ads were a necefiary and una- voidable confequence of our lending the Nabob a number of Britith officers to difcipline his own troops, ftill continuing under his own authority, is a queftion on which enough has been faid already. When the meaiure was propofed here, it had the concurrence of the Governor General's voice. With refpect to the treaty of Fyzabad, I believe it to be the general opinion of the world, that it was a very advantageous one to the % Company* The Governor General himfelf has hitherto de- clared it fo in terms, and the Court of Directors have approved of it highly. In what manner it made the Nabob a valla! of this government, I cannot comprehend. I have nothing to do with the Vizier's private life or charafter. He may, or may not, be guilty of the vices imputed to him. The fpirit of party is apt to paint all characters in extremes : bur I do know, that in this refpect, nothing could be more atrocious than the character of his brother Saudut Ally ; yet it did not prevent his being perfectly well received in Calcutta. For my own parr, I have no wifh to be acquainted with either of them. As to the defence of the Vizier's dominions, and the ruin which would enlue if our troops were withdrawn, I mall only fay, that I know of no enemies he has, but thofe which his actual con- nections with us may have created. Governor General. I have faid, and repeat, that the eftablilhrnent of the temporary brigade, was but a continuation or the former meafure, though APPENDIX [C.] 4 S 9 though differently modified. As to the corps commanded by Major Hannay and Captain Of- borne, it would be immaterial to me, whether they were retained or not. I have no wifh to continue them ; but when they are made the parts of fuch a demand, I will not feparate them in the reply, which J advife to be made to him. They might be of the greateft utility. The Nabob renders them ufelefs, and defeats the purpofes of their appointment, and then propofes their abolition. I well remember, that my aflent was given to the general propoGtion for difbanding the licen- tious and expenfive multitude, which compofed the Nabob's army, and fubftituting a corps dif* ciplined and commanded by Britifh officers in its ftead -, but I had no fhare in the formation of this corps, nor did I approve of it. Many mea- fures pafled at that time, of which I did not ap- prove, although I did not think it neceflary, nor confiftent with my public duty, to make an ef- fectual oppofition to them, and to impede the courfe of thofe affairs, which I was not allowed to conduct. The fenfe which I have now cx- prefled of the treaty of Fyzabad, is fuch as I have always entertained of it. As I do not know the paffage to which Mr. Francis alludes as a contradiction of this opinion, I cannot fay whe- ther it will or will not admit of that conclufion ; although I will readily admit, and muft admit, the advantages which the Company immediately derived from the treaty. Mr. Francis was furely not aware of the injury which he did me, in afcribing to the fpirit of party the character which I gave of Afoph-ul-Dowla. He himfelf knows it to be true. He has had as authentic means of knowing it as I have ; and it is 49 o APPENDIX [C.] is one of thofe notorieties which fuperfede the ner ceffity of any evidence. Why his character Ihould be con trailed with 'that of his brother Saudut Ally, I know not , the fubject did not require it. I was forced to the allufion which I made, by the imputation which appeared to me to be caft upon this government, of having caufed the evils which prevail in the government of the Nabob of Oude ; which J could only anfwer by afcribing them to their real caufe, the character and conduct of the Nabob of Oude. Mr. Francis miflakes, if he fuppofes that I am hurt by any reflection that may- be caft on Saudut Ally ; or that I fhall ftand forth in his vindication : I have heard the fame imputations caft on Saudut Ally, with fome others , which, becaufe they had relation to the peace of this town, I made a ftrict and formal enquiry into them, and found them to be totally falle. Thefe charges may be true ; but let them be admitted, What reference has his character to the prefent queftion ? Were his vices, in a ten-fold degree, greater than they are, they have not affected nor influenced the difficulties to which our debates have alluded. Nor, whate- ver may be the character f his brother, {ball I ever draw any conclufion from it, by which the obligation of our engagements to him may be affected. Mr. Francis. The opinion of the Governor General, concerning the treaty of Fyzabad, is re- corded on the i4th of September 1775, in the following words : As, however, the treaty which has been con- cluded is very advantageous to the Company, it is my \vifh that it may be confi\ned by the ho- nourable Court > but I take the liberty of recom- mending, APPENDIX [C.] 49I mending, that your orders may be fuch, as may tend to conciliate the mind of the Nabob, and to remove the apprehenfion of any future en- croachments on his dominions." Governor General. I mall let the opinion which Mr. Francis has quoted, pafs without a comment. I find it to be a part of a letter ad- drefTed by me fmgly, to the Court of Directors, and I do not believe that any perfon who reads it with a candid attention, will find it inconfift- ent with my prefent opinion. I defire that the whole paragraph may be added, after the quota- tion made of it by Mr. Francis. viz. ' You will receive, in our proceedings of the 6th g of June, a copy of the new treaty which has been concluded with the Nabob Albph-ul-Dowla. You are already acquainted with my opinion, that our engagements with the late Vizier * were equally binding upon us in regard to his fuc- ceffor j and, confequently, that we could not with juftice make any further demands upon him j and you will find by our confutations, 4 That this was fo ftrongly the idea of the Nabob Afoph-ul-Dowla, that for Ibme time he feemed refolved, rather to difpenle with the af- fiftance of our army, than to fubmit to new terms. Although, therefore, upon more mature confideration of his inability to maintain himfelf without our fupport, the necefiity of his affairs has obliged him to acquiefce, I doubt not but he is at heart diflatisfied at the meafures which have been taken ; and the exprels limitation of the prefent engagement to his life, will naturally en- courage an opinion, that upon his death we fhall * Alluding to the treaty of Benaras, in September 1773. make 492 APPENDIX [C.] make (till further demands. As, however, the treaty which has been concluded is very advantage- ous to the Company, it is my wifh that it may be confirmed by your honourable Court ; but I take the liberty of recommending, that your orders may be fuch as may tend to conciliate the mind of the Nabob, and to remove the apprehenfion of any future encroachments on his dominions. For thefe purpofes, I fubmit the propriety of your giving peremptory inftruftions to your ad- mi niftration in Bengal, to be particularly atten- tive to fupport and bei'riepd him ; to maintain him In the pojj'ejfion of the Rohilla country , without making the demands upon him, to which you arc entitled by tbs * *jth article , and that, in cafe of his death, the prefent treaty mail be confirmed with his fuccef- ibr : and to make known thefe orders to the Na- bob. I recommend this with the greater confidence, as it is fo entirely confident with the tenor of your former commands, and particularly the fecond para- graph of your inftruftions to the commijjioners, of the ith of September 1769, wherein you direct them to make known to the powers in India, that it is by no means the intention of the Company to encroach upon their neighbours ; but that they are determined to con- fine their views to the revenue of Bengal, and thtir prefent poffejjions *." To maintain the Nabob in the poffeffion, feems necefTary indeed to enable him to make his ftipulated payments to the Company ; and I am perfuaded, that the know- ledge of our refolution to do fo, will alone be fufficient to effect the purpole, as no power of * Yet, how generally and openly has Mr. Haftings difo- bcyed the very commands which he thus pointedly quotes and refers back, for their future government. Hindoftan APPENDIX [C.] 4 oj Hindoftan will in that cafe venture to invade it. Mr. Barwell.- I confefs I do not underftand how an acquiefcence can be given to the Governor General's motion, and the principle en which it is made denied. Such an acquiefcence doth, in fact, afiert all that is advanced in the letter pro- poled to be written to our refident, and to be urged to the Nabob, to be falfe, and yet to au- thorife the falfity. The propofed letter ailerts, that he ftands engaged to our government to maintain the Englifh armies, that have been form- ed for the protection of his dominions : and that it is our part, not his^ to determine in what manner, and at what time, thefe lhall be reduced or withdrawn , that this right is in our govern- ment ; and that the Nabob cannot difmifs any part of our troops without our leave, I affirm, upon the very principle on which we undertook the defence of his dominions, at his own requeft. A principle underftood at that time by Mr. Francis, and acquiefced in by every other mem- ber of the Council. The fubject was introduced to us by the following letter from Mr. Briftow. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Briftow, recorded in Confutation the zgth of November 1775. " I addrefied the honourable Board on the 6"t!i inftant , fince which the Nabob having maturely weighed the bad confequences which will inevi- tably enfue, if order be not introduced into his army, he requefts of me to apply to the ho- nourable Board for their; afliftance in effecting this very important meafure. ! c The 494 APPENDIX [C] The mode he particularly points out, is tti the favour of the honourable Board to fur- nifh him with Englifh officers to fix battalions of Sepoys, as well as for the cbrps of artillery and cavalry in proportion ; which would at all times be a fufficient cheque on his other troops, and ferve to ftrengthen his government. He has not mentioned his defire for any particular arrange- ment of this corps, which he fubmits entirely to the confideration of the Board, and engages to have the pay regularly difcharged. u The honourable Board are beft able to judge of the expediency of this meafure ; I humbly con- ceive, it would be greatly to the advantage of the Company, as a very confiderable force would be hereby obtained -, for although this corps is to be paid by the Nabob, and maintained for the fup- port of his government, yet it may be fubordinate to the honourable Board, whenever they may pleafe to make it fo ; at the fame time, that order and regularity will be thus introduced, the Na- bob will be difabled from forming projects to the detriment of the Company ; and, in cafe of acci- dents, the fuccefiion will be eafily fecured in the line the honourable Board may judge the moft advifeable for the peace of Hindoftan, which, of all other points, is the moft material, as an ambi- tious and ill-ditpofed prince in the poflefTion of thefe Soubas (collecting above three crocres of rupees a year, and maintaining a hundred thou- land fighting men) might prove dangerous to the Company's exiftence." Conformably to the foregoing letter, the Board's refolutions were difpatched to Mr. Briftow, as follows. Extract APPENDIX [C] 495 Extract of a Letter to Mr. Briftow, in Confulta- tion the 29th of November, 1775. 6 We have received your letter of the 7th inft. At prefent we have only to fignify our approba- tion in general, of the fyftem you have propofed for curbing the refractory fpirit of the Nabob's troops, and introducing regularity in his army, by the appointment of Britim officers. In a few days we fhall confider the fubject, and form fuch arrangements as may be neceflary for this pur- pofe, which we fliall immediately communicate to you, together with cur fentiments upon the plan of regulations propofed by Murtiza Cawn, which we have ordered to be tra^flated.*' By this we adopted, what Mr. Briftow recom- mended, and referved to ourfclves the future ar- rangements that might be propofed for fuch troops. The fubject was again taken up in confutation on the i4th December 1775; and General Cla- vering, agreeably to this principle, delivered him- felf in the following words : " I beg leave to offer my opinion, that the af- fiftance to be given to the Nabob of Oude, fhould be ftriclly confined to his requeft ; that is to fay, to fix battalions of infantry, and to a proportion of cavalry and artillery agreeably to this requifi- tion. I take the liberty to offer my idea on the formation of fuch a body of troops as he feems to require. That the infantry confift of 4,200 men, divided into fix battalions, each to confilt of 700 men, and two battalions to form one regi- ment ; the regiments to be commanded by cap- tains, and the battalions by lieutenants, aided by a cadet, as an adjutant and quarter-mafter ; and that, as the Company now polTcfs a great number of 4 g5 APPENDIX [Cj of fupernumerary black officers, that a proper proportion of them be allowed to each battalion. I think that one Company of artillery, confiding of 100 men, will be 'fufficient for one regiment, and to be attached to it, commanded by a lieu- tenant. According to this plan, there will be re- quired three captains to command the three regi- mentsj fix lieutenants to command the fix bat- talions, and fix cadets to be quarter-mailers and adjutants, and three lieutenants for the artillery. The cavalry, I think, mould confift of fix regi- ments of 600 men each, divided into fix troops and three fquadrons , this body will then confift of 3,600 men. I would recommend that each regimcat be commanded by a captain, and each fquadron by a lieutenant appointed to command two troops, which will then confift of 100 men each ; and that an enfign be appointed to act as adjutant and quarter- mailer to each regiment. The whole corps, amounting to 8,100 men, will be, I conceive, fully fufficient for the defence of the Douab and the Rohilla country for the pre- fent, and will be as many as the Nabob will find funds to pay. If any member of this board ihall think that this corps is too great, or too little, it may be eafily reduced or augmented by the fame proportions." " Agreed to the plan propofed by General Clavering, for regulating the troops of the Nabob Afoph-ul Dowla, by the appointment of Englifh officers to his army, and to recommend to him the reduction propofed by the Governor General." The recommendation of the Governor General is, that he be defired to'difmifs a great part of the ufelefs rabble which he now keeps in his pay -, and ftill to fhew this principle more ilrongly in- fluencing the board, General Clavering follows the refolution, APPENDIX fC.] 497 refolution, by recommending in addition, that the Nabob be alfo advifed to employ Englim officers upon the lame fyftem, to command his body- guard, and any increafed number of forces that he may find it neceflary to take into his fervice beyond the propofed eft a bli foment. Thefe re- folutions are followed by another on the iSth of December 1775, in thefe words, " Refolved alfo, that this board refer ves to itfelf the right of re- calling the whole or any part of thefe officers al- lotted to the Nabob's fervice, whenever ir may be thought neceflary." When this mcafurc took place, the government of Oude was in the utmoft diftralion, owing to thecaufcs that are enumerated in the reprefentations received at that time. The queftion fimply now is, whether we (hall allow the Nabob to revert to a fyftem which was at- tended with fuch pernicious effects, as to rifk the overthrow of his government; or, whether we mall adhere to the policy that influenced us to hep forth, and to take charge of the military force of his country? The Nabob's ability to pay the Eng- lifh eftablifhments I cannot queftion, while I have before me the letter of Mr. Briftow, which ftates 1 his revenue at three crores of rupees, and the efti- mated demand upon him by the Company, asftated by our refident, amounts only to 136,12,188:12 ; and this fum is not a yearly rent charge, but in- cludes articles that ought to have been p:nd by the Nabob, fo long fince as in the refhiency of Mr. Briftow at his court, viz. The balance of the debt due to the Company, 20,60,688: i :y ; the donation to the army, tea lacks ; and the private debts contracted with the officers of his army in that period, 7,59,109. Thefe, taken from the grofs VOL. II. K k amount, 49 8 APPENDIX [C.I amount, would reduce the current demand of the year to 97,92,471:10 rupees. I regard the forces paid by the Nabob of Oude as part of a large military eftablimmenr, totally independent upon the Company. Policy will neither allow us to reduce our own ftrength, nor to increafe, independent of it, that of a prince who, with fuch a revenue as he pofieffes, might become a formidable enemy. As the dif- t relies of the Sou bah of Oude compel led him to put the military force of the country into the hands of our government, without any ftipulation what- ever, or any refervation of right in himfelf to re- fume it into his own hands, it would be a breach of the duty we owe to the nation, to yield up fo great a portion of its real ftrength. I therefore moft heartily concur in the Governor General's motion ; and, without any referve, adopt all the reafoning on which he made and defended it. Mr. Francis. Mr. Briftow's letter, I prefume, contains the belt reafons that occured to him in fupport of the meafure, and fuch as he thought moil likely to recommend it to our approbation. But neither doth he any where fuppofe, that the Vizier was bound to maintain the corps under Britiih officers as long as * - UiJ