((ft 
 
LORD CLIVE'S 
 RIGHT HAND MAN 
 
8 
 
 M I 
 5 
 
 "I ' '. 
 
 
LORD CLIVE'S 
 RIGHT HAND MAN 
 
 A MEMOIR OF 
 COLONEL FRANCIS FORDE 
 
 BY 
 
 COLONEL LIONEL FORDE 
 
 LATE ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY 
 
 LONDON 
 JAMES NISBET &r CO., LTD. 
 
 22 BERNERS STREET 
 IQIO 
 
" The foundation of our Empire was laid, 
 and its subsequent aggrandisement effected 
 by an handful of men surrounded by hostile 
 myriads. " 
 
 "A constellation of extraordinary characters, 
 amongst whom stood prominent Clive, 
 Lawrence, Forde and Coote, appeared in 
 the earlier periods of the extension of our 
 Asiatic dominions, as if decreed by fate, to 
 erect the British Standard in the East." 
 East India Military Calendar. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PREFACE t . vii 
 
 INTRODUCTION xi 
 
 CHAPTER I. Expedition to Nellore .... i 
 
 CHAPTER II. Outbreak of hostilities with the 
 
 French 14 
 
 CHAPTER III. Appointment of Forde to the chief 
 
 military command in Bengal. . 29 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Expedition to the Northern Cir- 
 
 cars 38 
 
 CHAPTER V. The battle of Condore . ... 50 
 
 CHAPTER VI. Operations after Condore ... 70 
 
 CHAPTER VII. Masulipatam 80 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. Siege and capture of Masulipatam 90 
 
 CHAPTER IX. Events after the capture of Mas- 
 ulipatam 105 
 
 CHAPTER X. Disputes between the English and 
 
 Dutch 117 
 
 CHAPTER XI. Outbreak of hostilities with the 
 
 Dutch. The battle of Badara . 130 
 
 513959 
 
vi CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER XII. The supersession of Forde by 
 
 Eyre Coote 143 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. Appointment of a Commission of 
 Supervisors. Death of Colonel 
 Forde 157 
 
 PLATE. The Fort of Masulipatam. 
 
 APPENDICES , . . 173 
 
 INDEX . 221 
 
PREFACE 
 
 I was first tempted to write this Memoir as 
 a matter of family interest and as a means of 
 employing my spare time, during the long 
 hours of a tropical summer. 
 
 In the valuable library of the Royal Artillery 
 Mess at St. Thomas's Mount, Madras, I found 
 most of the authorities whom I have quoted. 
 
 The Madras Government has also most 
 courteously assisted me to a great extent, in 
 causing to have copied several hitherto un- 
 published letters written by Colonel Forde, and 
 which letters are deposited in the record room 
 of Fort St. George. I have also received a 
 large amount of help from the India Office of 
 whose records I have made very free use. 
 
 A work of this nature does not admit of 
 much originality and, in my case, the lack of 
 it is an advantage. Where so many indepen- 
 dent and more qualified authorities have given 
 their opinions regarding the acts and character 
 
viii PREFACE 
 
 of the subject of this Memoir, it would be out 
 of place to offer any of mine. 
 
 For these reasons, I feel no hesitation in 
 confessing that I have made prodigal use of all 
 the available works to my hand ; particularly 
 so in the case of Orme's Military Transactions 
 of the British in Indostan, which is the standard 
 history of those times, and Malcolm's Memoir 
 of Robert, Lord Clive. These two works have 
 been largely used by me, as being most reliable. 
 
 Orme was a Member of Council at Madras 
 in Clive 's time and wrote his history as events 
 occurred. Sir John Malcolm had access to the 
 whole of dive's public and private correspon- 
 dence. 
 
 My first aim in writing this narrative did 
 not go beyond publishing a book of extremely 
 modest dimensions, for private circulation only; 
 but by dint of looking through every available 
 work and document, which narrated events of 
 those times, I have, I trust, compiled a small 
 book which may be of some little interest to 
 those who have not made a regular study of 
 the period, when England was fighting France 
 and Holland for supremacy in Hindustan. 
 
 Owing to the fact of Colonel Forde's brilli- 
 ant but short career being little known to the 
 
PREFACE ix 
 
 general reader, there is a chance of my being 
 in a position to bring to light fragments of 
 history, which are only known to students of 
 those years in which the foundation of our 
 Indian empire was in an embryonic stage. 
 
 With these remarks, I shall conclude by 
 hoping that, should this Memoir prove to 
 be of any interest to those who may condescend 
 to read it, it may be the means of whetting 
 their appetite for a deeper study of the intensely 
 interesting history of those times, which at 
 first saw their countrymen, simple merchants 
 at a few factories on the coast, rise to be the 
 governing race of Southern India. 
 
 L. F. 
 
 Wimbledon. 1910. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 September 1754 was memorable in the 
 annals of India, as being the date on which the 
 first King's Regiment landed in that country. 
 This regiment, under the command of Lieuten- 
 ant Colonel Adlercron, was H.M's 39th Foot, 
 now styled the first battalion Dorsetshire 
 Regiment, and which bears the motto Primus 
 in Indis, in commemoration of the event. 
 
 Forde,at that time a captain in the Regiment, 
 was the second son of Matthew Forde of 
 Seaforde, Co. Down, M.P. for Downpatrick 
 in the Irish House of Commons, by Anne, 
 daughter of William Brownlow of Lurgan. 
 He was promoted Major on i jth November 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Adlercron, being, what 
 was termed in those days, a King's officer, 
 took precedence above any officer of the same 
 rank, belonging to the East India Company's 
 forces, whatever his length of service might 
 
xii INTRODUCTION 
 
 be, and by this order, which had been specially 
 issued by the Home authorities for the occasion, 
 he superseded Lieutenant Colonel Stringer 
 Lawrence in the chief military command. 
 This order eventually placed Forde in officiating 
 command of his battalion. 
 
 Affairs at this time were comparatively 
 quiescent, until war broke out with France in 
 the early part of 1757. 
 
 Beyond a few small expeditions against 
 various native chiefs, nothing of great import- 
 ance occurred for the first two and a half years 
 of the regiment's tour of service in Madras, 
 and there is no historical evidence to show 
 that it was actively engaged. 
 
 A letter 1 written by Forde, on nth October 
 1756, suggests that the regiment was quartered 
 in Fort St. George, and had probably been there 
 since its arrival in India. At the commence- 
 ment of 1757, Major Forde suddenly appears 
 in history for the first time, when he was placed 
 in command of a detachment, with the local 
 rank of Lieutenant Colonel. From this time 
 until the end of 1759, his life in India was one 
 of ceaseless activity in the field ; after which he, 
 as suddenly, disappears from public view. 
 
 1 Appendix A. 
 
INTRODUCTION xiii 
 
 His short and brilliant military career may 
 be truly described as meteoric. With one 
 exception his military actions were markedly 
 successful. His three victories have each been 
 deemed worthy of being emblazoned on the 
 colours of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, the 
 first battalion of which was then known as the 
 ist Bengal European Regiment, and afterwards 
 as H.M's loist Foot. 
 
 As regards Forde's character, there can be 
 no doubt, dive's recorded opinion of him 
 could well stand alone, without question, and, 
 although I have diligently searched every 
 available authority, I have not come across 
 a single adverse comment, either with re- 
 gard to his military capacity or his social 
 qualities. 
 
 I have been unable to discover the origin 
 of Clive's high opinion of him, or the reason 
 for appointing him to the chief military 
 command in Bengal, for Forde was not present 
 at Plassey, and, up to this time, his only recorded 
 military experience in independent command 
 was defeat. 
 
 It is, however, probable that Forde had been 
 actively engaged in some of the minor ex- 
 peditions against the several native chiefs, for 
 
xiv INTRODUCTION 
 
 Malleson, * when discussing dive's choice of 
 Forde for the Bengal Command, states that 
 " he had at hand an officer, not even second 
 to himself in capacity, on the field of battle, 
 and who had displayed coolness and ability 
 under many trying circumstances. " 
 
 On the other hand, Malcolm 2 writes, on 
 the same subject, as follows : 
 
 " The death of Major Kilpatrick, an officer 
 who had been highly distinguished, occasioned 
 a vacancy, in the command of the military at 
 Bengal. Clive recommended that the station 
 should be offered to Colonel Forde, an officer 
 of whom he entertained the highest opinion. 
 The terms in which this offer was conveyed 
 are honourable to the reputation of him to 
 whom it was made, and reflect great credit on 
 Clive's discernment ; for no opportunities had 
 been yet afforded to Colonel Forde of devel- 
 oping those talents as a soldier which soon 
 afterwards rendered him so distinguished. ' 
 
 " I have deemed it of importance to dwell 
 on these particulars. In nothing does the 
 power of genius more strikingly display itself, 
 than in the selection of persons most fit to be 
 
 1 Decisive Battles of India. 
 * Memoir of Robert, Lord 
 
INTRODUCTION xv 
 
 employed, and in the application of their 
 particular talents to the work for which they 
 are suited. " 
 
 " The personal efforts of one man can do 
 little, but aided by the power of creating and 
 employing subordinate instruments, can effect 
 everything. " 
 
 Whatever may have been his original reasons, 
 there is no doubt that dive's choice was fully 
 justified by events, and that Forde was looked 
 upon by him as his right hand man, when any 
 difficult military situation had to be faced. 
 
 The subsequent treatment of Forde by the 
 Court of Directors in England is set forth in 
 the narrative and can tell its own tale ; but 
 Clive, true to his nature, never forgot his 
 services. This was the one consolation afforded 
 to this brilliant and high minded officer, who 
 had resigned his King's commission, in order 
 to serve the East India Company. 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
 EXPEDITION TO NELLORE 
 
 '757 
 
 1 At the beginning of 1757, the Nawab 
 of Arcot 2 had demanded of his brother Najib- 
 ulla, the Governor of Nellore, a subsidy of 
 one hundred thousand Rupees above the cus- 
 tomary tribute, which the country could af- 
 ford to pay ; but Najib-ulla equivocated and 
 apologised. Ikhlas-khan, the brother of the 
 Nawab's general, marching at this time with 
 five hundred horse and other troops, to collect 
 the tributes, advanced as far as Sarvepalli, a 
 fort twelve miles south of Nellore, and pro- 
 posed an interview with Najib-ulla, who agreed 
 to the visit, giving his oath on the Koran ; 
 but requesting Ikhlas-khan to come with few 
 attendants, lest quarrels should arise between 
 
 1 This chapter, except where otherwise stated, is taken from Orme. 
 
 2 A Mahomedan Viceroy or Governor. 
 
 I 
 
2 ! : . *E X-P S 1XI : T ION 1757 
 
 them shfl^fe&'-oWhi.JThe/ visit produced no 
 change in Najib-ulla's excuse for not paying 
 the money, and Ikhlas-khan left the city in 
 the evening, without harm, but after it had 
 grown dark, his escort was attacked by an 
 ambuscade of matchlock men in the bushes 
 near the road, and one of them was killed. 
 
 The anguish which the Nawab expressed 
 at this second rebellion, rising in his family, 
 determined the Madras Presidency to comply 
 with his earnest request to punish Najib-ulla. 
 The Nawab's troops, however, were not ready 
 to march from Arcot before the ist April, 
 though the outrage happened on 2 ist February, 
 during which time Ikhlas-khan was waiting 
 for them with his detachment at Kala Hasti, 
 seventy miles south west of Nellore. 
 
 The force from Madras was only one hundred 
 Europeans, the company of fifty-six Caffres l 
 and three hundred Sepoys, with one 1 8 Pound- 
 er, three 6 Pounders, four Cohorn mortars and 
 one howitzer. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Forde of Adlercron's 
 Regiment was appointed to command the ex- 
 pedition. The Sepoys and bullocks proceeded 
 by land. The Europeans and Caffres, with 
 
 1 Natives of Madagascar. 
 
i 7 57 TO NELLORE 3 
 
 the artillery and stores, embarked on ist April 
 in a ship and a sloop, which anchored the 
 next afternoon off a salt water inlet, seven 
 miles to the north of Kistnapatam. 
 
 This town had a considerable trade and 
 from it they expected the ordinary assistance, 
 which a port is capable of giving, but the 
 inhabitants, intimidated by the threats of Najib- 
 ulla, abandoned the town on the appearance 
 of the vessels. These were employed seven 
 days in effecting the disembarkation, with two 
 masulahs 1 they had brought with them from 
 Madras. 
 
 During this interval the Sepoys and bullocks 
 arrived, but coolies 2 and more bullocks were 
 necessary, before the detachment could move 
 from Kistnapatam, and the Nawab's army 
 from Arcot was not near enough to supply 
 them before the 22nd of the month. 
 
 The next day Colonel Forde marched and, 
 on the 2 5th, joined the Nawab's army at Sarve- 
 palli. This was commanded by his brother 
 Abdul Wahab and amounted to ten thousand 
 men, of which three thousand were cavalry. 
 
 On the 27th April the army encamped 
 
 1 Surf boats used on the Madras coast. 
 
 2 A native porter or labourer. 
 
4 EXPEDITION 1757 
 
 before Nellore. This town stands about five 
 hundred yards to the south of the river Pennar, 
 extending about twelve hundred yards from 
 east to west, and six hundred yards on the 
 other sides. The walls were of mud and only 
 the gateway and a few of the towers of stone. 
 The parapet was six feet high, with many 
 port holes for small arms, made of pipes of 
 baked clay laid in the moist mud which, when 
 dry, consolidated with the mass ; the common 
 method of forming these defences in India. 
 
 The ditch had no water, and was, in many 
 parts, choked by drifts of sand. 
 
 Najib-ulla, on the approach of Abdul Wahab, 
 had gone away with fifteen hundred horse, and 
 left the city to be defended by a resolute officer, 
 with a garrison of four thousand Peons, 1 who 
 were instructed and assisted by twenty French- 
 men sent from Masulipatam. The English 
 troops encamped along the river in front of 
 the town, those of the Nawab at a distance 
 higher up. 
 
 On the agth, the 18 Pounder, with the 
 field pieces, together with the cohorns and 
 howitzer, began to fire from the mound of a 
 tank, at the distance of three hundred yards ; 
 
 1 Portuguese term for undisciplined native foot soldiers. 
 
T0 NELLORE 5 
 
 but by mistake, against the strongest part of 
 the wall, on which, in four days, they made 
 no impression. 
 
 During the night of the 2nd May, all the 
 artillery was moved to a battery erected about 
 two hundred yards nearer the wall, which, in 
 this part, was in a visibly ruinous condition. 
 The 1 8 Pounder fired briskly during the next 
 day and, by the evening, made a breach which 
 appeared praticable. 
 
 Hitherto only one man had been wounded 
 by the enemy's fire, which was chiefly from 
 small arms, with an occasional shot from their 
 artillery pieces. The next day Abdul Wahab 
 summoned the Governor, who answered with 
 civility that he could not deliver the fort to 
 anyone, without a positive order from Najib- 
 ulla whose salt he ate. It was therefore resol- 
 ved to storm the next morning ; but during 
 this interval, the garrison had been diligently 
 employed in counter-working the breach. On 
 each side they cut a broad trench through the 
 rampart and another on the ground within, 
 which joined at right angles with those from 
 the rampart and enclosed a space of some yards 
 square. These trenches were to be defended 
 by men armed with long pikes, whilst numbers 
 
6 EXPEDITION 1757 
 
 stationed, some along the ramparts, some in 
 various pits dug for the purpose, and others in 
 the adjacent houses, were to annoy the assail- 
 ants, when on the breach, with stones, arrows 
 and firearms, to which their own pikemen, 
 being entrenched breast high, would be little 
 exposed. 
 
 At sunrise on the 5th, the English troops 
 advanced to the assault. The three hundred 
 Caffres marched first, the three companies of 
 Sepoys next, the Europeans in the rear. The 
 enemy fired briskly as the line was approaching 
 and more especially from the tower on the left 
 of the breach. 
 
 Colonel Forde now ordered up a 6 Pounder 
 from the battery to keep up, at the range of 
 one hundred yards, a constant fire on the parapet 
 of this tower, more indeed with the hope of 
 intimidating than in the expectation of doing 
 harm. 
 
 The first few Caffres who got up the breach 
 were immediately stopped by the pikes, from 
 advancing either forwards or on either hand, 
 and had scarcely discharged their muskets 
 before they were all wounded, on which the 
 Sepoys, immediately behind, ran away in con- 
 fusion, and the whole body in an instant broke, 
 
1757 TO NELLORE 7 
 
 but dispersed to the right and left of the rest 
 of the line. 
 
 The Caffres, led by Ensign Elliot, took their 
 place without trepidation and, having mounted, 
 maintained their ground on the breach gallant- 
 ly, endeavouring, after they had fired, to break 
 down the pikes with their muskets and even 
 to push into the trenches ; but in vain, for in 
 a few minutes four of them were killed and 
 thirteen, with Ensign Elliot, wounded ; on 
 which the rest were called down. The Euro- 
 peans who, during this combat, had remained 
 thronged at the foot of the wall, now mounted, 
 every man as he stood nearest, without regard 
 to rank, order, or command. This assault 
 continued half an hour, during which Captain 
 Hunt was shot with an arrow. Callander, 
 and Richard Smith, and Mr. Alexander, the 
 Commissary, were bruised with stones, and 
 with them, four of the soldiers killed and 
 twenty-seven wounded on the breach, the enemy 
 still being as active as ever. 
 
 Colonel Forde, who was at the foot of the 
 breach, now ordered the retreat, which was 
 made with more hurry than became troops 
 who had hitherto behaved with so much cou- 
 rage. Every man, instead of waiting for his 
 
8 EXPEDITION 1757 
 
 officers and colours, ran as fast as he could to 
 take shelter in the battery, and all passed the 
 field piece without stopping to bring it away, 
 until Captain Richard Smith, who brought up 
 the rear, halted with a few of his own company, 
 and afterwards, with the assistance of some of 
 the Nawab's horsemen who were near, dragged 
 the field piece to the battery ; during which 
 two of his sergeants and two of the horsemen 
 were wounded. 
 
 The Nawab's army, during the assault, ap- 
 peared in several bodies against different parts 
 of the town, but their appearance nowhere 
 withdrew the attention of the garrison from the 
 defence of the breach. The vent of the 1 8 
 Pounder having become worn, it was impos- 
 sible to renew the attack until other battering 
 cannon had arrived from Madras, but Colonel 
 Forde had already been informed by the Pre- 
 sidency that the French troops were acting in 
 the field and threatened designs which might 
 render it necessary to recall his detachment. 
 
 By the 1 3th the wounded were sufficiently 
 recovered to march, and as no positive orders 
 had as yet been received from the Presidency, 
 Colonel Forde, in compliance with the repeated 
 requests of Abdul Wahab, crossed the Pennar 
 
1757 TO NELLORE 9 
 
 with the whole army in pursuit of Najib-ulla 
 who, it was said, still continued in the neigh- 
 bourhood. 
 
 On the 1 5th they halted at Sangam, a pagoda 
 of some note, thirty miles west of Nellore, 
 when they were informed that Najib-ulla had 
 quitted the country and had gone to the 
 French at Kondavir ; on which the army 
 returned to Sarvepalli, but by another road, 
 leaving Nellore to the left. 
 
 On the way, Colonel Forde received several 
 letters, signifying the increasing apprehensions 
 of the Presidency ; and on his arrival at Sarv- 
 epalli received express orders to return with 
 the utmost expedition to Madras. 
 
 The following letters relating to the failure 
 of the assault on the fort at Nellore were sent 
 to Madras. 
 
 1 James Alexander to Mr. Orme. 
 
 Camp at Nellore. 
 
 i5th May 1757. 
 Sir, 
 
 We arrived here the 27th last past and opened 
 our trenches against a part of the Town, which was 
 discovered to be the strongest after we had play'd 
 our Artillery against it to the 3rd inst. when at 
 night we moved our batteries to another Quarter 
 
 1 Orme's MSB. (India Office) Vol. 48, p. 76. 
 
io EXPEDITION 1757 
 
 and made a breach in the Walls. The 4th the 
 Colonel desired the Nabob to write the Gov r to 
 surrender, otherwise the Breach being now practica- 
 ble, he would order a General Assault and that, if 
 it proved successful every Soul in the Place should 
 be put to the Sword, to which he returned for 
 Answer, it was inconsistent with his Honour to 
 deliver up his Master's Fort and that he would stand 
 the Consequence. This morning a General Assault 
 was made, but I'm sorry to tell you that after 
 standing 45 minutes of a prodigiously hot Fire from 
 the Fort, the Blacks having deserted us we were 
 obliged to retreat with the following loss. Captain 
 Hunt wounded in the back by an arrow tho' I hope 
 not dangerously, Captain Callander in the face by a 
 Collary Pike and much bruised. 
 
 Ensign Elliot dangerously 
 
 Privates Killed 4 Wounded 2 1 
 
 Caffries 4 13 
 
 Seapoys about 50 killed and wounded. 
 
 Our Artillery ammunition is mostly expended. 
 Our great Gun become near useless as the Vent is 
 run. I think we can proceed no further in reducing 
 the Fort without more Stores, which when received 
 I make no doubt of the desir'd Success, as I assure 
 you every one in his different Station has shew'd 
 the utmost bravery. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 with great sincerity 
 Your most obedient humble servant 
 Jas Alexander. 
 
TO NELLORE n 
 
 Extract of Fort St. George Select Consulta- 
 tions the 
 
 May 1757. 
 
 Letter from Colonel Forde 
 
 Read as follows : 
 
 To the Hon'ble George Pigot Esq 
 and Select Committee. 
 Gentlemen 
 
 Last night 1 received the favour of the 3Oth 
 Ult since which we have had a most damnable Brush 
 and suffer'd considerably as you will see by the 
 inclosed List of the Killed and Wounded ; the 
 particulars are as follows. 
 
 Yesterday about noon having made the Breach 
 practicable, I desir'd Abdul Wahab Cawn to write a 
 letter to the Commander in the Fort, to let him 
 know the consequences of standing an Assault, he 
 gave for answer that he was resolved to stand it, let 
 the Consequence be what it would and accordingly 
 I made the necessary Dispositions for an Assault 
 which was begun this morning at break of day in 
 the following order. The Caffreys with Ensign 
 Elliot at their head, began the Attack and marched 
 with great resolution to the foot of the Breach, our 
 three Companies of Seapoys followed them very 
 close until they came within sixty paces of the Breach 
 and then lay down in the Ditch and could not be 
 
 1 Orme'sMSS. Vol. 61, p. 31, (India Office.) 
 
12 EXPEDITION 1757 
 
 got to advance a step further, so that our Europeans 
 were oblig'd to march over them to the Breach, 
 where joining the Caffreys, they advanced to the top 
 of it, but were so warmly received by the People in 
 the Fort with Pikes, Firelocks and Stones that it was 
 impossible for them to get over. In this situation 
 the fight was continued three quarters of an hour 
 and then the Seapoys ran away as fast as they could 
 towards our Battery. Seeing nothing could be done 
 against so gallant a Defence, I thought it high time 
 to retreat, which we did in very good order, and had 
 not a Man hurt in the Retreat. No man has ever 
 saw so brisk an Action while it lasted, and I must do 
 the Officers and Men the Justice to say that they 
 behaved with the most undaunted Resolution and 
 Bravery. In the List of the Wounded I have 
 mentioned only those who are rendered unfit for 
 present Service, but there are very few but what 
 have receiv'd small contusions with Stones or Pokes 
 with Pikes, if you think it of consequence to take 
 this Place, it will be necessary to send a greater 
 Force of Europeans, at least 200 and another 
 1 8 Pounder and some Hand Grenades. We battered 
 three days before we could make any Breach and 
 have expended 322 large Shot, all our Shells and 
 near 300 Six pound shot, we have musket ammuni- 
 tion sufficient ; the Touch hole of the Battering 
 Piece is so wide, one may thrust a Thumb in it. 
 The Artillery men behaved extremely well. I have 
 no dependance on any but our own People, and they 
 are so reduced, that I shall attempt very little till I 
 
1757 TO NELLORE 13 
 
 have the Pleasure of knowing whether you will think 
 proper to send a Reinforcement. The Doctor 
 desires to have more Medecines sent him. 
 
 I have the honour to be 
 
 Gentlemen 
 Your most obedient humble Servant 
 
 Francis Forde. 
 Camp before Nellore 
 May 5th 1757. 
 
 On the receipt of the above letter the 
 Council at Fort St. George agreed that no 
 reinforcements could be sent, but that if 
 Colonel Forde could effect nothing with the 
 troops he had with him, he must embark the 
 1 8 Pounder with his heavy baggage on board 
 the Cuddalore sloop and return to Madras. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES 
 WITH THE FRENCH 
 
 '757 
 
 1 On the 1 5th May, intelligence of the 
 French army marching from Ariyaliir to 
 Trichinopoly was brought to Madras. The 
 importance of Trichinopoly and conviction of 
 the danger to which it was exposed, now 
 superseded the reluctance of the Madras 
 Presidency to encounter the French troops, 
 until they knew what reinforcements they 
 might expect from Bengal and Europe. They 
 therefore resolved to enter French territories ; 
 but as the troops from Nellore had not yet 
 arrived, those in Madras waiting for them, the 
 English did not take the field until the 26th, 
 when they marched under the command of 
 Colonel Adlercron. 
 
 By various delays arising from attention to 
 
 1 This chapter is taken from Orme. 
 
i 7 57 HOSTILITIES 15 
 
 European methods of warfare, they did not 
 reach Chingleput until the 3ist, although the 
 distance was only thirty miles. Two days 
 after came the welcome news that Trichino- 
 poly had been relieved. 
 
 As the Army was abroad, the Presidency 
 determined to employ it in the attack of 
 Wandiwash, but waiting for the troops under 
 Colonel Forde from Nellore and those of the 
 Nawab from Arcot, Colonel Adlercron still 
 advanced slowly, arriving before Wandiwash 
 on the 5th June. 
 
 On the gth June, l Forde with his detach- 
 ment joined Adlercron at his camp within five 
 miles of Wandiwash. 
 
 The attack on Wandiwash failed, on which 
 Colonel Adlercron resolved to quit it, but set 
 fire to the Pettah 2 before leaving. 
 
 On the nth, the army arrived at Uttiran- 
 merur. By this time the Presidency were 
 tired of the expense of a campaign which had 
 produced so little effect, and their present 
 propensity to caution, as well as parsimony, 
 was increased by unexpected intelligence that 
 the French had seized the Company's fac- 
 
 1 Orme's MSS. Vol. 6. p. 53. (India Office). 
 
 2 Extra-mural suburb, or town adjacent to a fortress. 
 
16 OUTBREAK OF 1757 
 
 tories in the province of Rajahmundry. 
 
 Vizagapatam was taken by Mons. Bussy in 
 June and the French obtained entire possession 
 of the coast from Ganjam to Masulipatam. 
 
 In this cloudy hour, the Presidency inju- 
 diciously ordered Colonel Adlercron to return 
 immediately to Madras with the army, 
 although a part of the French troops had 
 arrived and were encamped under the walls of 
 Wandiwash. 
 
 They were commanded by Saubinet, an 
 officer of enterprise, who no sooner saw the 
 English army retreating from Uttiranmeriir, 
 than he advanced and took possession of this 
 place ; and as soon as he had heard that they 
 had re-passed Chingleput, on their way to 
 Madras, detached early on the morning of the 
 1 5th two hundred Europeans and five hundred 
 Sepoys with two field pieces to retaliate on 
 Conjeveram in revenge for the burning of the 
 Pettah at Wandiwash. 
 
 Conjeveram was the largest open town in 
 the Carnatic, and the most populous ; it was 
 also noted for the reputation of its Pagoda. 
 
 There were, at this time, in the Pagoda, 
 two companies of Sepoys under the command 
 of Sergeant Lambertson. The French troops 
 
1757 HOSTILITIES 17 
 
 arrived at noon and, contrary to their expecta- 
 tion, were assailed by the fire of musketry 
 from each side of the street, which obliged 
 them to beat up the houses as the line advan- 
 ced, while the English Sepoys, who knew 
 their ground, continually escaped from one 
 shelter to another, renewing their fire until 
 they retreated into the Pagoda. 
 
 The enemy, exasperated, then advanced 
 against the gateway, where the Sergeant was 
 ready to receive them again, placing his 
 Sepoys, some on scaffolding along the walls, 
 and others among the open masonry of the 
 vast tower over the gateway. 
 
 The two field pieces were of little service 
 to dislodge them from such defences, and the 
 Sergeant had obstructed the porch with large 
 trees, laid with their branches outwards. 
 
 On this resistance, Saubinet thought it 
 prudent not to persist, for his time was limited; 
 he therefore marched to a distant quarter of 
 the town, whence detachments were sent to 
 collect whatever plunder could be conveniently 
 carried away. In the evening they set fire to 
 the town ; at midnight they marched away, 
 and the next day arrived at Uttiranmerur. 
 
 The terror spread by this incursion was of 
 
i.8 OUTBREAK OF 1757 
 
 much more detriment than the mischief done 
 at Conjeveram, for all the inhabitants of the 
 open and fertile country along the Palar 
 abandoned their labours and occupations. 
 
 The Presidency of Madras sensible of and 
 vexed at their error, immediately ordered the 
 army to march back and recross the Palar. 
 
 The army marched from St. Thomas's Mount 
 on the i gth. The French, on their approach, 
 retired from Uttiranmenir to Wandiwash and 
 entrenched themselves strongly within half a 
 mile of the eastern side of the fort, summoning 
 reinforcements from all their garrisons in rear. 
 The English likewise waiting for detachments 
 and the Nawab's cavalry from Arcot, did not 
 advance from Uttiranmeriir until the 2 gth, 
 when an uncommon sickness broke out in the 
 camp, men being suddenly seized and dying 
 in twelve hours, and as many died as recovered. 1 
 The mortality continued for four days, but 
 the camp being moved on the fifth, five 
 miles beyond Uttiranmeriir, fewer men were 
 seized, and in two days the sickness entirely 
 ceased. 
 
 On the nth July, the English encamped 
 within sight of the enemy, whose Hussars 
 
 1 Evidently cholera. 
 
1757 HOSTILITIES 19 
 
 hovered about, but did not come near enough 
 to receive any harm. 
 
 By this time, the strength of the two armies 
 was nearly equal. The French had eight 
 hundred Europeans, of which one hundred 
 were Hussars, and fifteen hundred Sepoys ; 
 the English seven hundred Europeans, two 
 thousand Sepoys, but no horse, excepting a 
 few troopers to act as scouts. 
 
 On the 1 6th, five hundred of the Nawab's 
 horse arrived from Arcot, and the next morn- 
 ing, three hundred of them, with five com- 
 panies of Sepoys, advanced towards the enemy's 
 camp, followed by one hundred Europeans 
 with a field piece. At the same time, the 
 whole line formed up ready to fight a general 
 action, if the enemy would give the opportu- 
 nity. The enemy, however, recalled their 
 advanced posts into the entrenchments and 
 only sent out their Hussars, who ventured 
 nothing. This trial convinced Colonel Law- 
 rence, who had joined the army at St. Thomas's 
 Mount, that nothing but advantageous cir- 
 cumstances could bring the French to action, 
 and enough having been done to convince the 
 country that the former retreat had not been 
 in consequence of fear, he thought it best to 
 
20 OUTBREAK OF 1757 
 
 put an end to the expense of the campaign. 
 
 The army marched away on the 2 6th 
 and the enemy made no attempt to harass 
 them. On the 28th, the English arrived at 
 Conjeveram where five hundred Europeans 
 with fifteen hundred Sepoys remained in can- 
 tonments under the command of Colonel 
 Forde. The remainder returned to the gar- 
 risons and stations, whence they had been 
 drawn. 
 
 Thus ended this campaign, in which the 
 whole force, that Madras and Pondicherry 
 could bring into the field, remained forty days 
 within a few hours march of each other and 
 separated without a man being wounded on 
 either side. Nevertheless, both were right, 
 according to their different views and circum- 
 stances, in refraining from action. 
 
 During August, orders came from England 
 recalling Colonel Adlercron and his regiment, 
 but according to permission from the War 
 Office, most of the men enlisted in the Com- 
 pany's service, and there being no conveyance 
 to take away the rest, no alteration ensued in 
 the strength of the army. 
 
 The officers who remained in India after 
 the departure of the regiment were Captain 
 
1757 HOSTILITIES 21 
 
 John Carnac, Ensigns Joseph Adnett and 
 Martin Yorke. All these officers joined the 
 Bengal army with a step in rank. 
 
 As soon as the English had settled them- 
 selves in cantonments at Conjeveram, the 
 French commenced to ravage the country. 
 A detachment immediately took possession 
 of Uttiranmeriir, a much larger one with two 
 field pieces marched into the district of Chit- 
 tapet, where they were surprised and beaten 
 by two hundred Sepoys and five hundred horse 
 from the fort. This routed body, being re- 
 inforced, divided into two, one of which ap- 
 proached to within five miles of Arcot and 
 the other to within ten miles of Conjeveram. 
 These incursions were, however, so sudden 
 and transitory, that no attempt was made by 
 our troops to repel them. 
 
 One hundred Sepoys were sent from Arcot 
 to assist Chittapet. 
 
 These August alarms were now succeeded 
 by one of more consequence. 
 
 Of the three feasts which are annually 
 celebrated at Tirupati, that which falls at the 
 beginning of September is held in much 
 higher devotion than either of the other two, 
 and more money is collected in proportion 
 
22 OUTBREAK OF 1757 
 
 as the number of pilgrims is much greater. 
 
 At the commencement of June, Najib-ulla, 
 the rebel governor of Nellore, returned from 
 Masulipatam, accompanied by eighty French 
 soldiers, and remained quiet until now, when 
 he took the field. He marched suddenly with 
 his whole force and sat down before the fort 
 at Cuddapore, within twelve miles of Tirupati, 
 which belonged to the Nawab. This act left 
 no doubt of his intention to collect the revenue 
 resulting from the approaching feast, which 
 had for some years been assigned to the Com- 
 pany. On the first news of this danger, the 
 Presidency ordered a detachment of one hun- 
 dred Europeans, with two field pieces and three 
 hundred Sepoys to march expeditiously from 
 Conjeveram, under the command of Captain 
 Polier. This expedition started on the 
 ist September. On the 6th, four of the Com- 
 pany's ships from England anchored in the 
 Madras roads. The Triton, a frigate of twenty 
 guns, belonging to the Company and command- 
 ed by Commodore James, had been cruising off 
 Pondicherry, in order to intercept any of the 
 enemy's vessels, or to give any intelligence to 
 all English ships which they might come across. 
 
 These four ships had brought out some 
 
i 7 57 HOSTILITIES 23 
 
 recruits from England, who were to be landed 
 as soon as possible at Fort St, David (Cud- 
 dalore), some of that garrison having been 
 taken to serve in expeditions elsewhere. Our 
 cruisers discovered these four Indiamen and 
 joined them between Pondicherry and Fort 
 St. David, and took on board all the recruits, 
 who numbered two hundred. It was not, 
 however, until ten o'clock at night on the 7th 
 that they anchored off Fort St. David. 
 
 At dawn on the 8th, these cruisers dis- 
 covered eleven ships at anchor at not more 
 than three miles distance. The cruisers im- 
 mediately got under weigh and were soon 
 convinced that the strangers, although showing 
 English colours, were French ships. Never- 
 theless Commodore James resolved to disem- 
 bark the recruits in the Revenge., sending as 
 many as the three ships' boats could carry to 
 the outside of the surf, where they were re- 
 ceived and landed by masulah boats, which ply 
 between the shore and edge of the surf. 
 
 The three ships' boats returning, took the 
 rest of the recruits, but before they could 
 reach the ships again, the foremost of the 
 enemy's squadron had come so near, that it 
 was necessary to fly, and leave the boats. 
 
24 OUTBREAK OF 1757 
 
 The Triton, not being a good sailer, had not 
 dared to delay, but proceeded on her way, 
 with the recruits on board, when she was soon 
 joined by the Revenge. These two cruisers 
 were pursued up to Pondicherry, and when 
 free, hailed one another. It was then agreed 
 that the Revenge should proceed immediately 
 with the intelligence to Bengal and the Triton 
 to Madras, where she anchored early the next 
 morning. 
 
 The Council at Fort St. George was imme- 
 diately summoned. All the writers of the 
 Settlement were not adequate to issue all the 
 orders and advices which it became necessary 
 to send. The main body of the army, under 
 Colonel Forde at Conjeveram, was ordered to 
 come to Madras, the detachment with Polier 
 recalled from Tirupati : Caillaud with the 
 Europeans to return from Madura to Trichi- 
 nopoly. Instructions were sent to the English 
 garrisons at Karanguli, Chingleput and Arcot, 
 and intelligence of the danger to every other 
 fort in the country subject to the Nawab. 
 The Council also sent advices to Bengal, to 
 Bombay and to all the factories on the Malabar 
 coast. A vessel was sent to cruise off Ceylon, 
 to gain intelligence of the ships, daily expected 
 
1757 HOSTILITIES 25 
 
 from England. Another was sent to anchor 
 off Covelong, twenty miles to the south of 
 Madras, in order that she might signal the 
 first appearance of the French squadron, now 
 at Pondicherry. 
 
 Several anxious days were passed in ex- 
 pectation that the French ships would bear 
 down from Pondicherry and capture the ships 
 from China, which were then anchored off 
 Madras. Several days more, before even an 
 imperfect account could be obtained as to 
 the French ships, and the force which they 
 had brought. 
 
 The squadron consisted of four ships of 
 60 guns, two of 50, three of 36, 30 and 22, 
 and two of 1 6 guns, with a bomb-ketch ; in 
 all twelve vessels, most of which sailed from 
 France at the end of December, but having 
 been separated by a gale, did not arrive at 
 Mauritius until the 25th of June. 
 
 They brought from France the Regiment 
 of Lorrain, with fifty of the King's Artillery ; 
 the whole under the command of the Marquis 
 de Soupires. They sailed on the istjuly to 
 the Isle of Bourbon, where they took on board 
 Monsieur Bouvet, who was appointed to 
 conduct the squadron to India ; he was the 
 
26 OUTBREAK OF 1757 
 
 Governor of this island and one of the ablest 
 navigators belonging to France. 
 
 On the 1 5th they arrived at Madagascar, 
 where they remained the rest of the month, 
 taking in provisions ; thence they sailed on 
 the ist August and, on the gth September, 
 landed at Pondicherry nine hundred and eighty 
 three men of the Regiment of Lorrain, of 
 which sixty three were sick, fifty artillerymen 
 and sixty volunteers from Bourbon. In addi- 
 tion to these, there were on board twenty 
 pieces of battering cannon, some mortars and 
 a great number of bombs and balls. 
 
 When these ships, as before mentioned, 
 were anchored in the roads at Fort St. David, 
 the Council at that place fancied they were 
 English men of war, with some of the Com- 
 pany's ships expected from England, and under 
 this delusion sent one of the agents in a masulah 
 to compliment the admiral and to deliver a 
 letter from the Council at Fort St. George, in 
 which the admiral was requested to cruise off 
 Ceylon in order to encounter or intercept the 
 enemy's ships and to protect the English 
 shipping in those parts. It was confidently 
 expected that Admiral Watson with the ships 
 under his command would arrive from Bengal 
 
i 7 57 HOSTILITIES 27 
 
 by the middle of September, when every 
 success might be expected from the junction 
 of the two squadrons and even Pondicherry 
 itself brought to risque. 
 
 The Agent did not perceive the mistake 
 until it was too late to escape, but had time to 
 conceal, as he thought, the letter between two 
 planks of the seat. He was received on board 
 with civility and, with the masulah, taken on 
 to Pondicherry. 
 
 The Marquis de Soupires, on arrival at 
 Pondicherry, summoned a mixed Council of 
 the military, the marine, and civil government, 
 at which he proposed that the ships and 
 troops should immediately invest and blockade 
 Fort St. David, but the letter from Madras to 
 the English Admiral had been discovered in 
 the masulah, and raised so much consternation 
 in the French squadron and great apprehen- 
 sion that they would see, at any hour, a force 
 bearing down upon them superior to their 
 own, that Monsieur Bouvet declared he had 
 done enough in landing the troops, and should 
 sail immediately back to the Islands. No 
 arguments could change his resolution, nor 
 would he wait to disembark the artillery and 
 heavy ammunition, because they served as part 
 
28 HOSTILITIES 1757 
 
 of the ballast in the different ships, which it 
 would require fifteen days to shift and reinstate 
 in a condition making them seaworthy. 
 
 The sudden departure of the French ships 
 diminished in some degree the apprehension 
 raised by their arrival. The army at Conje- 
 veram under Colonel Forde was ordered to 
 encamp on the plain near Madras, the detach- 
 ment under Polier to march back to Tirupati, 
 until the feast at that place was over, and 
 Caillaud was permitted to keep before Madura, 
 in case there was any chance of capturing that 
 place. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 APPOINTMENT OF FORDE 
 
 TO THE CHIEF MILITARY COMMAND 
 
 IN BENGAL 
 
 1758 
 
 At the commencement of 1758, Forde, on 
 the invitation of the Select Committee at Cal- 
 cutta, was appointed by Clive to the command 
 of the troops in Bengal, in place of Major 
 James Kilpatrick, who had died from fever on 
 the 1 5th October 1757. * 
 
 The sphere of dive's selection was limited, 
 and there are in his private letters, of this 
 period, continued complaints of his being 
 forced, from want of aid, to make personal 
 efforts injurious to his health, which had 
 never been good and which he now represents 
 as declining from the effects of a nervous 
 complaint, to which he had been subject from 
 his youth. 2 
 
 1 Bengal Public Consultations, India Office, Vol. 29, p. 371. 
 
 2 Robert, Lord dive, Malcolm. 
 
30 MILITARY COMMAND 1758 
 
 The letter inviting Forde to take up the 
 command in Bengal was dated i4th Novem- 
 ber 1757, and again on 24th January 1758, 
 the Select Committee at Calcutta wrote to 
 that at Fort St. George proposing that, should 
 Forde have set out for England in consequence 
 of the order recalling Adlercron's Regiment, or 
 should he for other reasons decline the appoint- 
 ment, Captain Caillaud should be appointed. 
 
 The outcome of this correspondence (Ap- 
 pendix B) was that Forde accepted the chief 
 command at Bengal, on condition that he 
 would be given the sum of five thousand 
 pounds in cash by way of compensation for 
 quitting His Majesty's Service, and that he 
 would also receive all the honours, pay and 
 emoluments hitherto appertaining to the post. 
 
 The reasons which Forde gave for making 
 these demands were that he incurred the risk 
 of His Majesty's displeasure by not returning 
 with his regiment, that his acceptance would 
 entail the resignation of the King's commission 
 and of his future prospects in the British 
 Service, which were considerable, and that, in 
 justice to his family, he could not be expected 
 to take these risks without being certain of a 
 fair amount of compensation. 
 
1758 IN BENGAL 31 
 
 This letter (Appendix C) was dated 3rd 
 February 1758, and discussed by the Bengal 
 Select Committee on 23rd February, by which 
 time Forde himself had arrived in Calcutta on 
 a ship called the Sally. 
 
 The result of the deliberation, by the Select 
 Committee at Calcutta, on the above letter, 
 was to the effect that they could not assent to 
 proposals of such a kind, being contrary to 
 precedent, at the same time recognising the 
 disadvantages accruing to Forde by remaining 
 in India. They therefore replied to him in 
 the following terms : * 
 
 " Agreed we reply to Colonel Forde's letter 
 conformable to these sentiments, but at the same 
 time that we acquaint him it was not possible in 
 Europe to foresee the present circumstances of the 
 Company's affairs in India when His Majesty 
 thought fit to recall the Regiment under Colonel 
 Adlercron, and as the Crown had a particular regard 
 to the interests and welfare of our Employers, we 
 are inclined to think his stay at our request in such 
 an Exigency would not displease His Majesty nor 
 lose him the Rank he bore in His Majesty's Service 
 if properly represented by our Hon'ble Masters 
 which we shall command to be done in the strongest 
 terms, and that he may be assured of the Rank, 
 
 1 Bengal Committee Consultations, India Office, Range A, Vol. 2, p. 42. 
 
32 MILITARY COMMAND 1758 
 
 Honors, Emoluments and Allowances as our Major 
 in case he thinks proper to remain in the Company's 
 Service. " 
 
 On the other hand, a minority consisting 
 of Messrs. Mannigham, Boddam and Pearkes, 
 were of opinion that, as Colonel Forde, by 
 being obliged to resign His Majesty's commis- 
 sion, would relinquish any chance of active 
 service in Europe, and as the Company were 
 in great need of the services of an able officer 
 to succeed Colonel Clive, Colonel Forde's 
 terms should be complied with as being 
 reasonable and as being but a small equivalent 
 for his prospects which he was giving up by 
 entering the Company's service. (Appendix D). 
 
 To this reply, Forde sent the following 
 letter 1 dated Calcutta, 25th February 1758. 
 
 " As the Europe Ship is so shortly to be des- 
 patched, I have no time to lose in demanding the 
 favor of you to receive into your cash the money 
 remaining in your hands, on account of the Govern- 
 ment, amounting to about one hundred and twenty 
 thousand Arcot Rupees and to give me Bills for the 
 same. " 
 
 " Yourselves, Gentlemen, must be sensible that I 
 cannot answer leaving behind me any of the 
 Publick Money and, as The Government has upon 
 
 1 Bengal Public Consultations, India Office, Vol. 30, p. 195. 
 
1758 IN BENGAL 33 
 
 every Occasion shewed the utmost readiness to assist 
 you, I have no doubt that you will with equal 
 readiness comply with the Request I have now the 
 honour to make you, in the name of the King, my 
 
 Master. 
 
 I am 
 
 Gentlemen 
 
 Your most obedient humble Servant 
 Fran 8 Forde. " 
 
 He also wrote to Clive on the ist March 
 1758 informing him of his intention to leave 
 India consequent on the refusal of the Select 
 Committee at Calcutta to grant his request for 
 5000 compensation. The letter is worded 
 as follows : 1 
 
 " I received a letter under date the I4th Novem- 
 ber 1757 from the Committee of this Place request- 
 ing my Presence here, and the Gentlemen of the 
 Committee of Fort St. George, to whom I commu- 
 nicated the Letter having been pleased to second 
 very strongly their request, I took the first oppor- 
 tunity that offered on the Coast of proceeding hither, 
 where 1 arrived on the 2ist ulto. " 
 
 " From the pressing manner in which these 
 Gentlemen wrote to me, I had no doubt that they 
 would very readily give me some equivalent to 
 compensate for quitting my Rank and Pretensions 
 in His Majesty's Service, and flattered myself that 
 
 1 Ortne's MSS. (India Office), vol. 292, p. 141. 
 
34-MILITARY COMMAND 1758 
 
 the sum of ^5000 which I demanded would have 
 been deemed reasonable and without any hesitation 
 have been complied with. Considering the extra- 
 ordinary risque I run, I was bound in justice to my 
 Family to secure something for them in case of 
 accident to myself. The Council have however 
 thought proper to refuse my Services on the Terms 
 I required, alledging that they cannot answer the 
 making such a Bargain to their Masters. I have 
 therefore determined to take my passage to Europe 
 upon the Elizabeth and am sorry the time is too 
 short for me to be favor'd with your commands. " 
 " I most heartily wish you, Sir, a continuation of 
 your Success and a happy and speedy return to your 
 Country, there to enjoy the fruits of your Victo- 
 ries and the publick Applause, which you are so 
 justly entitled to for the many and eminent Services 
 you have done in these parts. " 
 
 This letter had the effect of Clive giving 
 an order to his Attorneys to pay to Colonel 
 Forde the sum of 2500 down, and of the 
 Select Committee at Calcutta granting the 
 remaining moiety out of public funds (Appen- 
 dix E). 
 
 Forde thereupon accepted the Command in 
 Bengal and was given his seat on the Board as 
 the third member of Council. This appoint- 
 ment was dated 6th March (Appendix F), and 
 of course subject to the approval of the Court 
 
1758 IN BENGAL 35 
 
 of Directors of the East India Company in 
 London. 
 
 It appears however from a letter (Appen- 
 dix G), which Forde wrote to Clive on the 
 agth March, that the latter had made an offer 
 to increase the amount of compensation which 
 Forde had demanded, and which offer was 
 refused by Forde on the ground that, as he 
 had already stated he would be satisfied with 
 5000 and no less, it would be equally unrea- 
 sonable for him to receive more. 
 
 At this time Forde appears to have taken 
 up his quarters at Kasim Bazar and to have 
 afterwards moved to Sydabad, from which 
 places a good deal of correspondence seems to 
 have taken place between him and Clive, 
 partly on official and partly on private 
 affairs. 
 
 One of these letters (Appendix H) is given, 
 not as being of any particular interest to this 
 Memoir, but as having been written by the 
 subject of it. 
 
 No event of any importance occurred 
 between March 6th, when Forde accepted 
 the Command in Bengal, until Clive was 
 appointed and accepted the office of Governor 
 and President of the Council at Fort William 
 
36 MILITARY COMMAND 1758 
 
 on 2 6th June, 1 on which Forde wrote to Clive 
 as follows : 
 
 " Sir " 
 
 " This day 1 received your Favor of the 24th and 
 do most heartily congratulate myself and every 
 other Person in Bengal on your Resolution of taking 
 the Government. I also return my sincere Thanks 
 to my Brethren of the Council for consulting the 
 Publick Good so much as to make you an offer of 
 it. I don't know anything cou'd have happened at 
 present to give me so much real Satisfaction as this 
 Event. " 
 
 " I assure you there was nothing in the conduct 
 of the Captains that gave me any disgust, they all 
 either had or pretended to have Business to transact 
 at Calcutta, which required their Presence, and as I 
 had four duty Captains here, I thought I cou'd 
 spare them for a while. I am extremely oblig'd to 
 you for the kind Regard you have always shewn for 
 my Interest and much more so for the favorable 
 Opinion you entertain for my Capacity as an Officer, 
 which I shall always endeavour to maintain ; and 
 when the Officer who commands the Troops is 
 supported by the Governor, I think Military Affairs 
 must goe right. " 
 
 " I intirely agree with you in the necessity there 
 is of incorporating the Forces and am very glad you 
 propose doing it immediately. We have now about 
 seven hundred Europeans exclusive of Sergeants 
 
 1 Bengal Public Consultations, (India Office,) Vol. 30. 
 
1758 IN BENGAL 37 
 
 and Corporals. What do you think of adding three 
 hundred Topasses l to them and making two Battal- 
 ions. If you will give me leave to pay my respects 
 to you in Person for two or three days, we may pick 
 out some Orders proper to be given out as Standing 
 Orders. I have some by me out of which we may 
 extract, what are proper for this Country, and we 
 may talk over some other Matters relating to the 
 Service. I am told the Hardwicke has brought out 
 a Great Supply of Military Stores, they are much 
 
 wanted indeed. " 
 
 " I am Sir 
 Your most obedient humble Servant 
 
 Fran'Forde." 2 
 Sydabad. 
 June 2yth 1758. 
 
 1 Half caste Portuguese who wear topees or European hats. 
 
 2 Ormis MSS. (India Office), Vol. 292, p. 157. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 EXPEDITION TO THE NORTHERN 
 CIRCARS 
 
 1758 
 
 Intelligence of the fall of Fort St. David 
 arrived on the 2gth June, and there was now 
 no doubt of Monsieur Lally's intention of 
 besieging Fort St. George, as soon as the 
 North East Monsoon would compel the 
 English squadron to leave Madras. 
 
 On the 4th July letters were received from 
 Ananda Raz Gajpati, Rajah of Vizianagram, 
 who being dissatisfied with the arrangements 
 made by Monsieur Bussy had waited an op- 
 portunity to take his revenge. This occurred 
 soon after Monsieur Bussy 's departure, he 
 having been recalled by Monsieur Lally to the 
 Carnatic. 
 
 Ananda Raz now marched from Vizianagram 
 and retook Vizagapatam from the French, of 
 which he sent news, at the same time offering 
 
1758 NORTHERN CIRCARS 39 
 
 the place to the Presidency of Madras, request- 
 ing them to send a large detachment which he 
 intended to join with his own forces, and 
 take the four Provinces which the French had 
 obtained from the Subahdar l of the Deccan. 
 
 Finding, however, that no troops could be 
 spared from the Carnatic, he now made the 
 same proposal to the Presidency of Bengal, 
 where the project seemed delusive and chimer- 
 ical to everyone but Clive. However, nothing 
 could be settled before September, when ships 
 would be able to sail from the Hugli and, by 
 that time, Monsieur Lally's intentions might 
 declare themselves. 
 
 More letters were received in August from 
 Ananda Raz, giving news of quarrels between 
 Monsieur Bussy and Nizam Ali at Aurangabad. 
 Ananda Raz repeated more earnestly and with 
 greater confidence his request for a body of 
 troops to drive the French out of the Ceded 
 Provinces, and now proposed as equally feas- 
 ible, the reduction of Masulipatam. Letters 
 to the same purpose were sent, at the same 
 time, to Mr. Bristol, who had been the Agent 
 at Cuttack. He had visited Ananda Raz and 
 been well received by him. 
 
 1 Hindu term for Viceroy. 
 
40 EXPEDITION TO THE 1758 
 
 A few days after this, intelligence had 
 arrived from Madras of an engagement, which 
 had taken place on the 3rd August, between 
 the squadrons ; at the same time recording the 
 opinion that the French ships had been so 
 much disabled as to compel them to return to 
 their islands to refit ; that the French army was 
 before Tanjore, and that Mons. Bussy was on his 
 march from Hyderabad to Masulipatam,\vhence 
 he was to effect a junction with Mons. Lally. 
 
 This measure was taken to indicate Mons. 
 Lally 's intention of exerting his whole strength 
 in the Carnatic, and that there was no ap- 
 prehension of any attempt against Bengal. 
 For this reason, it was expected that Bengal 
 would send a considerable force, in order to 
 enable Madras to stand the brunt of the 
 impending conflict which must ensue. 
 
 No one doubted that Madras would be 
 besieged when the North East Monsoon set 
 in, unless reinforcements could arrive before, 
 but Clive did not entertain the surmise that it 
 could be taken whilst it had provisions. 
 Troops were known to be on their way from 
 England, and if the ships carrying them were 
 unable to make Madras this year, they would 
 probably arrive early next year. 
 
1758 NORTHERN CIRCARS 41 
 
 It was, however, deemed necessary to alter 
 the inequality between the English and French 
 forces on the Coromandel coast. The prefer- 
 ence which each of the Company's Presiden- 
 cies was naturally inclined to give to its own 
 safety, suggested apprehension that Madras 
 would, whatever might be the necessity of 
 Bengal, detain on their own service any troops 
 that might be sent to their assistance. 
 
 In consequence of these conclusions, it was 
 determined not to send a body of troops to 
 Madras, but to employ all that could with 
 prudence be spared, in concert with Ananda 
 Raz, against the French in the Ceded Provin- 
 ces, the country usually known by the name of 
 the Northern Circars. This would either 
 bring about a division of the French troops in 
 the Carnatic or, if this precaution were neg- 
 lected, would deprive them of all their posses- 
 sions, which they had acquired from the 
 Subahdar of the Deccan. 
 
 Should any danger, during the expedition, 
 threaten Bengal, the troops were only to obey 
 the orders of Calcutta. 
 
 The conduct of the expedition was com- 
 mitted to Colonel Forde, who appointed Mr. 
 William Smith as his secretary. Mr. George 
 
42 EXPEDITION TO THE 1758 
 
 Grey was sent to Cuttack to gain intelligence, 
 and Mr. John Johnstone was despatched in 
 the Mermaid sloop, to make the necessary 
 preparations, in concert with Ananda Raz at 
 Vizagapatam. 
 
 The force allotted to the expedition was 
 five hundred Europeans, including the artillery, 
 two thousand Sepoys and one hundred Lascars. l 
 The artillery was composed of six field pieces, 
 brass 6 pounders, six 24 pounders, a howitzer 
 and an 8 inch mortar. Eighty thousand 
 rupees and four thousand gold mohurs, equi- 
 valent to sixty thousand rupees, composed the 
 military chest, for immediate expenses. 
 
 The forces embarked on three of the Com- 
 pany's ships, lately arrived from Europe ; the 
 Thames^ a private ship of seven hundred tons 
 and two pilot sloops. The Thames also carried 
 a great quantity of provisions intended for 
 Madras, whither she was to proceed as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 On account of altercations in the Council, 
 for the measure was too vigorous to be accep- 
 table to all of them, and by delays in equip- 
 ping the forces, the vessels were detained in 
 the Hughli until the beginning of October. 
 
 1 Followers of a lashkar or army. 
 
1758 NORTHERN CIRCARS 43 
 
 Their departure 1 left the English force in 
 Bengal barely equal to what they carried away. 
 
 Clive was censured by many as hazarding 
 the territories of Bengal by despatching this 
 expedition, but all his private letters show that 
 he was very sanguine in anticipation of that 
 brilliant success which was the result of this 
 measure. After expressing, in a private letter 2 
 to Mr. Drake Senr. dated 3Oth December 1758, 
 his hope of expelling, by the operation of this 
 detachment, the French from Golconda, and 
 aiding the Presidency of Fort St. George, he 
 concludes in the following words : " Suc- 
 cess is in the hands of the Almighty, but I 
 own I entertain the most sanguine expectations 
 from the late armament. " 
 
 Mons. Bussy, when recalled to the Deccan, 
 had left a small body of men under his succes- 
 sor, the Marquis de Conflans, in the Northern 
 Circars, and Ananda Raz, no longer overawed 
 by the presence of a French force, and desiring 
 to throw off his dependence upon that nation, 
 courted the alliance of the British Govern- 
 ment. Clive appears, at this period, to have 
 
 1 This was the first occasion on which Bengal Sepoys were sent on 
 active service by sea. 
 
 2 Robert, Lord Cli<ve, Malcolm. 
 
44 EXPEDITION TO THE 1758 
 
 been well informed of the situation of parties 
 at the Court of the Subahdar of the Deccan. 
 He had received an overture from Ali Khan, 
 Nizam of Hyderabad, who, prompted by his 
 hostility to Bussy, solicited the aid of the 
 English. In his answer to this letter, dated 
 27th July 1758, Clive gives that Prince every 
 assurance of friendship, and about two months 
 afterwards, I7th September 1758, he informs 
 him of his having sent Colonel Forde into the 
 Circars, to retake settlements in the Subahdar's 
 dominions, from which the English had been 
 expelled by the French ; and requests Nizam 
 Ali Khan to aid him and to obtain the assis- 
 tance of his brother the Subahdar in accom- 
 plishing that just object. 
 
 To Ananda Raz Gajpati, Rajah of Viziana- 
 gram, Clive wrote (7th July and I7th Sep- 
 tember 1758), in terms calculated to conciliate 
 his continued friendship ; he congratulated 
 him on the advantage he had gained over the 
 French and desired him to consult with 
 Colonel Forde on the operations necessary to 
 expel that nation from the Northern Circars. 
 He also stated his expectation of the Rajah 
 benefitting so much by the aid of the force 
 that he would contribute to its expenses. It 
 
1758 NORTHERN CIRCARS 45 
 
 was a serious error to repose such confidence 
 on this sort of supply. It failed ; and its 
 failure caused great delays and nearly defeated 
 the whole object of the expedition. 
 
 Clive appears to have dispatched treasure 
 for this corps the moment he learned that 
 none was likely to be recovered, either from 
 Ananda Raz or the revenues of the country ; 
 but the activity of the French Corps of Ob- 
 servation prevented, for some period, Colonel 
 Forde from receiving the benefit of this supply. 
 
 Whilst the collected forces of both nations 
 in the Madras Presidency were awaiting the 
 impending conflict, each were equally soli- 
 citous concerning the success of the armament 
 sent from Bengal into the Northern Provinces. 
 
 Mr. Johnstone, who had been sent from 
 Calcutta to concert preparations with the 
 Rajah of Vizianagram, arrived on the 
 1 2th September at Vizagapatam, of which the 
 Rajah's officers there put him in possession 
 as the Company's representative. The Rajah 
 himself was encamped with his forces at Kasim- 
 kota, a fort twenty miles to the west of Viza- 
 gapatam and fifteen miles inland from the sea. 
 His letters to Mr. Johnstone expressed much 
 satisfaction that the English troops were 
 
46 EXPEDITION TO THE 1758 
 
 coming, but signified his intention not to fur- 
 nish any money towards the expenses. 
 
 As stated before, the Expedition was delayed 
 in the Hugli until the beginning of October. 
 The delay, in the first instance, was caused by 
 the prevalence of bad weather and afterwards, 
 according to letters written by Forde to Clive 
 (Appendix J), by the inability or unwillingness 
 of the pilots to take the ships down the river. 
 
 On the 3rd October, Clive wrote to Forde 
 (Appendix K) informing him of a rumour 
 that a French 74 gun ship had put into Ma- 
 sulipatam, but had since sailed for the Islands. 
 Clive considered it possible that the French 
 had obtained news of the projected expedition 
 and that there was, in consequence, a proba- 
 bility that Forde's ships might be intercepted. 
 He therefore warned Forde to take proper 
 precautions in case the surmise should prove 
 true. 
 
 To this letter Forde replied on the 5th 
 (Appendix J [2]) assuring Clive of the falsity 
 of the rumour. That he had spoken with 
 several ships and they all agreed that the 
 French had quitted the Coast, and that no 
 ships had either been seen or heard of cruising 
 to the northward. 
 
1758 NORTHERN CIRCARS 47 
 
 On the 6th October Forde wrote l saying 
 the ships were then at anchor below Ingalee 
 and that he hoped by the evening of the 7th 
 he would drop the pilots ; this, however, did 
 not occur until 8 a.m. on the gth, when he 
 reported the weather fine though the wind was 
 not fair. 2 
 
 From a journal 3 kept by the Captain of the 
 Hardwicke, on which ship Forde sailed, the 
 Expedition experienced light and pleasant 
 winds and anchored at Vizagapatam at 4 p.m. 
 on the 2oth. The same evening, Forde landed 
 under a salute of fifteen guns, two of the 
 Company's ships were sent back to Bengal but 
 the Hardwicke and two sloops remained. 
 
 The troops moved from Vizagapatam on 
 the ist November and, on the 3rd, joined the 
 Rajah's army at Kasimkota, whence it was 
 determined to march to Rajahmundry, where 
 the Marquis de Conflans had collected the 
 French troops from all parts. They were 
 already advancing to attack the Rajah, but on 
 hearing that the English troops were moving 
 to join him, they halted and encamped. 
 
 1 Orme's MSS. (India Office), vol. 292, p. 169. 
 
 2 Ibid., vol. 292, p. 173. 
 
 3 Ibid., Vol. 63, p. i. 
 
48 EXPEDITION TO THE 1758 
 
 Mr. Johnstone had despatched the sloop, in 
 which he came, with an account to Madras of 
 his reception at Vizagapatam, on receipt of 
 which, that Presidency immediately sent away 
 Mr. Andrews, with several assistants to re- 
 establish the factory under their own authori- 
 ty. They also sent Captain Alexander Cal- 
 lander,an officer on the Madras Establishment, 
 to act as Colonel Forde's second in command. 
 The vessel which brought them arrived at 
 Vizagapatam on the aist November, when 
 Andrews with Callander immediately went to 
 the camp, which by long halts and short 
 marches had not yet got further than thirty 
 miles beyond Kasimkota. Various excuses 
 were made by the Rajah in extenuation of this 
 delay, but the real cause was his repugnance 
 to furnish the money which Colonel Forde 
 demanded, at which the latter was not a 
 little offended by his evasive behaviour. 
 Mr. Andrews, who had for a long time been 
 personally known to the Rajah, adjusted their 
 differences by a treaty, which stipulated " that 
 all plunder should be equally divided ; that all 
 the countries which might be conquered should 
 be delivered to the Rajah, who was to collect 
 the revenue ; but that the seaports and towns 
 
1758 NORTHERN CIRCARS 49 
 
 at the mouth of the rivers should belong to 
 the Company, with the revenue of the Districts 
 annexed to them ; that no treaty for the 
 disposal or restitution, whether of the Rajah's 
 or of the English possessions, should be made 
 without the consent of both parties ; that the 
 Rajah should supply fifty thousand rupees a 
 month for the expenses of the army, and six 
 thousand to commence from their arrival at 
 Vizagapatam for the particular expenses of the 
 officers. " (Appendix L.) 
 
 He held out also other proposals of a future 
 alliance which he had not yet authority to 
 ratify. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 THE BATTLE OF CONDORE l 
 1758 
 
 The united forces, which moved in earnest 
 on the 3rd December, came in sight of the 
 enemy encamped in a strong position, forty 
 miles north east of Rajahmundry and twelve 
 miles from Samulkota. This position com- 
 manded the high road near a village called 
 Galapul, and was in sight of a fort called 
 Peddipur. 
 
 The French force under the command of 
 the Marquis de Conflans consisted of five 
 hundred European infantry, many more pieces 
 of artillery than they could use at once, a great 
 number of local troops, of whom five hundred 
 were horse, and six thousand Sepoys. 
 
 Of the English force from Bengal, only 
 
 1 Description given in a letter from Martin Yorke to Orme. 
 Orme's MSS. (India Office), Vol. 72, p. 22. 
 
1758 BATTLE OF CONDORE 51 
 
 about thirty Europeans and a few Sepoys were 
 wanting. These had been left sick at Vizaga- 
 patam, so that there were in the field four 
 hundred and seventy Europeans and nineteen 
 hundred Sepoys. The Rajah of Vizianagram 
 had five hundred indifferent horse and five 
 thousand foot ; some with ancient firearms, the 
 rest with pikes and bows ; but he had collected 
 forty Europeans, who managed four field 
 pieces, under the command of Mr. Bristol, 
 besides which his own troops had some useless 
 cannon. 
 
 On the 6th, the English and the Rajah's 
 army advanced and took possession of a village 
 called Chambal, within four miles of the 
 enemy. Each deemed the position of the 
 other too strong to be attacked, on which 
 Colonel Forde, as the only means by which he 
 could tempt the enemy to leave their position, 
 resolved to march round and regain the road 
 to Rajahmundry in their rear, by passing under 
 the hills to their left, where the enemy could 
 not derive much advantage from their horsemen. 
 
 The Rajah approved, and on the 7th at 
 four in the morning, the English troops were 
 in motion, but those of the Rajah, with their 
 usual indolence, were not ready to march. 
 
52 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 Near the foot of the hills, about three miles 
 to the right of the village of Chambal, was 
 another called Condore, to gain which, the 
 English troops filed from the right, and were 
 on the march, when at daybreak they heard a 
 heavy cannonade in the direction of the Rajah's 
 camp. This was from six guns which the 
 Marquis de Conflans, ignorant of Colonel 
 Forde's march, had sent on during the night, 
 under the guidance of an intelligent deserter, 
 who had noticed a spot from which the artil- 
 lery could fire on the camp. 
 
 The Marquis de Conflans was following up 
 to support them with his whole army and the 
 remainder of his field pieces. 
 
 The Rajah sent message after message, on 
 which the English troops returned to his relief; 
 his own, however, were removing themselves 
 as fast as they could. They eventually joined 
 the English in much confusion and marched 
 out with them to the village of Condore, where 
 all arrived at eight o'clock. 
 
 The enemy continued the fire from their 
 artillery at long range, as long as any of the 
 English or Rajah's troops remained within 
 probable reach. 
 
 When arrived at Condore, the army was 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 53 
 
 just as far as before from the French camp at 
 Galapul, but with more favourable ground 
 between them, with a village midway which 
 would afford a strong advanced post. 
 
 The Marquis de Conflans imagined that the 
 English troops had marched from their camp 
 in order to take possession of this village and, 
 under this idea, he crossed the plain to prevent 
 it. He succeeded in his wish unopposed, for 
 Colonel Forde remained halted at Condore, so 
 that he might regulate his future movements 
 by those of the enemy. The Marquis de 
 Conflans imputed this inaction to a conscious- 
 ness of inferiority, and now imagined that the 
 English intended to march back to Chambal, 
 to prevent which he formed his line, and 
 advanced in much haste and disorder. 
 
 The French battalion of Europeans was in 
 the centre, with thirteen field pieces divided 
 on their flanks, the five hundred horse were on 
 their left, three thousand Sepoys formed the 
 right wing, and the same number the left ; 
 with each wing were five or six pieces of 
 cumbrous cannon. 
 
 The English army drew up with the Euro- 
 peans in the centre, the six field pieces divided 
 on their flanks, and eighteen hundred Sepoys 
 
54 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 equally divided on the wings. Colonel Forde 
 placed no reliance on the Rajah's infantry and 
 horse, so ordered them to keep aloof. All 
 this rabble kept in rear, but the Europeans 
 under Bristol, who worked four field pieces 
 belonging to the Rajah, advanced and took up 
 their position alongside the artillery on the left 
 of the English battalion. The line, having 
 had time, were in exact order and had advanced 
 a mile beyond Condore, under a heavy fire 
 from the enemy 's guns. 
 
 At length, the impetuosity of the enemy's 
 advance, outmarching their cannon, obliged 
 the English line to halt for action. It so 
 happened that the whole of the European 
 battalion * stopped near and opposite to a field 
 of Indian corn which, being a tall crop, entirely 
 intercepted them from the view of the enemy. 
 The Sepoys, however, were fully exposed on 
 the plain. This circumstance prompted Forde 
 to resort to stratagem. 
 
 The Sepoy battalion, besides the regimental 
 colour, had several small banners for each 
 company and were clothed in red jackets, which 
 they were wearing for the first time. Colonel 
 
 1 i st. Bengal European Regiment, now the ist. Battalion Royal 
 Munster Fusiliers. 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 55 
 
 Forde ordered this battalion to furl their 
 colours and let them lie on the ground during 
 the action. 
 
 The Sepoys and horse on the enemy's wings 
 greatly outstretched those of the English, and 
 came on in a curve to gain their flanks. The 
 French battalion in the centre, instead of 
 advancing parallel to where they might have 
 judged the centre of the English line to be, 
 inclined obliquely to the right, which brought 
 them beyond the field of Indian corn, and 
 opposite to the Sepoys on the left wing, whom 
 from the absence of their usual banners, and 
 wearing red jackets, they at first took to be the 
 English battalion. Respecting them as such, 
 they halted to dress their ranks before they 
 engaged, and then advancing began to fire 
 volleys, but at the distance of two hundred 
 yards. 
 
 Nevertheless, this was sufficient ; for the 
 Sepoys seeing themselves attacked in the open 
 by Europeans in front, and the horse and the 
 masses of the enemy's Sepoys gaining their 
 rear or coming down on their flanks, scarcely 
 preserved courage to deliver their fire, hurried, 
 scattered and without command, when they 
 immediately broke and ran away to shelter 
 
56 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 themselves in the village of Chambal, being 
 pursued by the enemy's horse. 
 
 This success was greater than the enemy 
 expected, and several platoons of the French 
 battalion were setting off to pursue them also, 
 when they saw a line of men with shouldered 
 arms marching fast and firm from behind the 
 Indian corn, across their path, to occupy the 
 ground which the Sepoys had abandoned. 
 
 Colonel Forde had been with the Sepoys 
 before their flight, encouraging them to be 
 resolute, but saw by the usual symptoms that 
 they would not stand the shock. This pre- 
 pared him for the judicious movement, which 
 was now being performed with so much stead- 
 iness and spirit. Captain Joseph Adnett, 
 commanding on the left, led the line, and as 
 soon as the last files had cleared the corn, the 
 word was given, when the whole halted and 
 faced towards the enemy. This movement 
 was quickly executed, for the foremost man 
 had not more than three hundred yards to 
 march, the field pieces being left behind. 
 
 During this short interval, the French 
 battalion were endeavouring with much bustle 
 to get into order again, for some of their 
 platoons had advanced a considerable distance 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 57 
 
 in front of the others ; the fire of the English 
 line therefore commenced before they were 
 ready. It was delivered by divisions, that is, 
 the whole battalion divided into five, and 
 commenced from that under Captain Adnett 
 on the left. This was within pistol shot and 
 brought down half of the enemy's grenadiers. 
 The fire continued, and before the time came 
 round for Adnett's division to repeat their fire, 
 the whole of the enemy's line was in confusion 
 and turned about, running fast to regain their 
 guns which had been left half a mile in rear. 
 
 The ardour of the English battalion was so 
 keen to pursue that Colonel Forde thought it 
 best to indulge it, although not certain of the 
 success of the Sepoys on the right, but conclu- 
 ded that the enemy's Sepoys, who were to 
 attack them, would not continue long when 
 they saw their European battalion completely 
 routed. 
 
 The order was given for the battalion to 
 march in divisions, the left leading. Nothing 
 could repress their eagerness. All marched 
 too fast to keep their ranks, excepting the 
 fourth division under Captain Martin Yorke 
 who, in order to have a reserve handy in case 
 his battalion were broken by their impetuosity, 
 
58 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 obliged his men to keep together and march 
 steadily. 
 
 The French battalion rallied on reaching 
 their guns. Their artillery commenced firing 
 as soon as the ground was clear of their own 
 troops, and killed some men ; this only spurred 
 on the English battalion to come to close 
 quarters. Captain Adnett now fell mortally 
 wounded, but his men, rushing on, drove the 
 enemy from their guns, and the remainder 
 coming on with the same spirit caused the 
 French battalion to abandon the field. 
 
 The Sepoys and horse of the enemy's right 
 wing were in their turn panic-stricken when 
 they saw the rout of their French battalion. 
 They all turned and retreated together to the 
 camp. 
 
 The enemy's left wing of Sepoys behaved 
 better and advanced against those of the 
 English, but the latter, encouraged by the 
 assistance of their field pieces on their right, 
 by the ardour of the Europeans and by the 
 spirit of their own commander, Captain Ran- 
 furly Knox, maintained their ground, facing 
 and firing in various directions behind the 
 banks of the rice fields, in which they were 
 drawn up. 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 59 
 
 The enemy's left wing nevertheless conti- 
 nued to fire at long range, until they saw their 
 European battalion abandoning the guns and 
 the Sepoys and horse of the right wing retiring 
 with them to camp, when they also went off. 
 
 Captain Knox then advanced with his own 
 Sepoys to join the European battalion. He 
 brought up with him the six field pieces and 
 had collected most of the fugitives of the left 
 wing. Messages were continually sent to the 
 Rajah to advance, but he and his troops could 
 not be prevailed upon to leave the shelter of a 
 large tank, at this time dry, in which they, and 
 himself in the midst of them, had remained 
 cowering from the commencement of the action. 
 
 As soon as the Sepoys had come up and all 
 the necessary dispositions were made, which 
 took an hour, Colonel Forde advanced to 
 attack the enemy's camp, but in order not to 
 delay the march, left the field pieces to follow. 
 A deep hollow way ran along the edge of the 
 camp, behind which appeared a considerable 
 number of Europeans drawn up as if they 
 intended to defend it, and several shots were 
 fired from heavy cannon commanding the 
 approach. 
 
 Just as the English troops came near and 
 
60 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 the first division of the Europeans were about 
 to deliver their fire, the guns were abandoned, 
 on which all the enemy turned about and 
 retreated in the utmost confusion ; but as the 
 English battalion was close on their heels, 
 many threw down their arms and surrendered. 
 The Marquis de Conflans had previously sent 
 away four of the smallest field pieces and the 
 money of the military chest on two camels. 
 The spoil of the field and camp was thirty 
 pieces of cannon, most of which were brass, 
 fifty tumbrils and other carriages laden with 
 ammunition, seven mortars from thirteen to 
 eight inch calibre, and a large number of shell ; 
 one thousand draught bullocks, and all the 
 tents of the French battalion. Three of their 
 officers were killed on the field and three died 
 of their wounds the same evening ; seventy of 
 their rank and file were killed or mortally 
 wounded ; six officers and fifty rank and file 
 were taken prisoners and the same number of 
 wounded were supposed to have escaped. 
 
 Of the English battalion, Captain Adnett 
 and fifteen rank and file were killed, Mr. Mac- 
 guire, the paymaster, and Mr. Johnstone, the 
 Commissary, who had joined the Grenadiers, 
 two officers and twenty rank and file were 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 61 
 
 wounded. The Sepoys had one hundred 
 killed and a greater number wounded. 
 
 " Thus ended the battle of Condore *, one of 
 the most brilliant actions on military record, 
 which, however, is generally little known or 
 mentioned. ' The Marquis de Conflans, 
 changing horses, arrived at Rajahmundry at 
 full gallop before midnight, to which place 
 most of the enemy retreated. 
 
 No honorary distinction for this engagement 
 was given until, by Fort St. George Govern- 
 ment General Order dated lath March 1841, 
 the Madras Government authorised, under 
 some misapprehension, the 1st Madras Euro- 
 pean Regiment, now the io2nd Royal Dublin 
 Fusiliers, of which not a man, except Captain 
 Callander, was present at the action, to inscribe 
 the word Condore on its colours. 
 
 The distinction has since been placed on 
 the colours of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, 
 the only corps now existing which is, as 
 representing the ist Bengal European Regiment, 
 entitled to wear it. 
 
 At this time, both battalions of the Madras 
 European Regiment were besieged in Fort 
 St. George. 
 
 1 History of the Bengal Army, Broorac. 
 
62 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 The extract from the above quoted order is 
 as follows : " Condore where it greatly 
 distinguished itself under Colonel Forde in 
 December 1758." 
 
 The Madras Government must have con- 
 fused this battle with a small action in which 
 Clive, then a captain, was engaged, at a place 
 of the same name near Tanjore in 1751, but 
 the wording of the above Order precludes any 
 possibility of this action, which was no more 
 than a skirmish, having been meant. l 
 
 Ananda Raz had so small an idea of the 
 importance of immediately pressing the French, 
 that he did not arrive at Rajahmundry, where 
 Colonel Forde, with his troops, was awaiting 
 him, until the i6th, ten days after the battle, 
 although the distance was only forty miles. 
 
 Ananda Raz had promised to make the first 
 payment, as stipulated in the treaty, as soon as 
 he was put in possession of the fort at Rajah- 
 mundry and, placing confidence in his words, 
 Colonel Forde had lent him twenty thousand 
 rupees before he marched with the English 
 from Kasimkota. This sum, with a supply to 
 
 1 History of the Bengal Army, Broome. 
 
 This is commented on and acknowledged as correct by Wilson in 
 the History of the Madras Army. 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 63 
 
 the factory at Vizagapatam, and the expenses 
 connected with the operations in the field, had 
 absorbed all the money which had been sent 
 from Bengal. Colonel Forde had nothing but 
 the Rajah's promises with which to pay the 
 troops for the month of December. Still 
 relying on these promises, he crossed the God- 
 averi on the 23rd, hoping to arrive in front 
 of Masulipatam before the French had recov- 
 ered from the stunning blow of the defeat. 
 
 The Rajah neither followed nor sent any 
 money and, as it would have been vain to have 
 attempted even the march without both, 
 Colonel Forde, with much vexation and 
 resentment, recrossed the river with all the 
 troops on the 26th. 
 
 The Rajah imagined they were returning to 
 punish him, and, in his fright, fled immedia- 
 tely to the hills which skirt the province, 
 about twenty miles to the north of Rajah- 
 mundry. 
 
 Colonel Forde, for the sake of easier com- 
 munication with Vizagapatam, encamped at 
 Peddapore, a fort ten miles to the west of 
 Condore, and not to be confounded with the 
 village near which the battle had been fought. 
 
 On the 23rd, the ship Thames^ laden with 
 
64 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 all kinds of provisions, arrived off Madras. 
 She brought the news of Colonel Forde's 
 victory, and the Captain sent the following 
 account of it in a letter addressed to the 
 Governor of the Presidency : l 
 
 To the Hon'ble George Pigot Esq. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the pleasure to congratulate you on the 
 Success of our Arms in Golconda, Colonel Forde 
 engaged the French Army the 7th Instant which 
 he intirely routed, and took thirty five pieces of 
 Cannon, all their Camp Baggage and Stores, both 
 Publick and Private, their Number consisted of five 
 hundred Europeans, four thousand Seapoys and a 
 large Country Force, of them only one hundred and 
 fifty of the French escaped. Our Loss is very 
 inconsiderable, Captain Adnet killed, Donneland, 
 Johnstone, M c Gwire, Moranweek 2 Wounded and 
 about thirty Private Men. This Action is the more 
 Glorious as our Force amounting to no more than 
 Four hundred and fourteen Europeans and Eighteen 
 hundred Seapoys and no Assistance from our Allay'd 
 Rajah. I left Vizag on the 2oth Instant. I have 
 on board Provisions for your Garrison, a list of 
 which I have inclosed. Likewise 100 Bales of 
 Company's Cloth from Mr. Andrews. 
 
 1 Public Sundry Book (Fort St. George), p. 236. 
 
 * Lieutenants Moran and Wick. See Forde's letter. 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 65 
 
 Should you be pleased to send off Boats for the 
 Cargo, I beg you'll order the same boats to bring off 
 Ballast. I am in great Distress for an Anchor and 
 Cable, having lost two at Vizag. I therefore request 
 the favour you'll send one off as soon as possible and 
 as soon as the wind will permit, I will Anchor as 
 you direct. 
 
 I am with due Respect &c &c. 
 H. Wedderburn. 
 
 Ship Thames 
 
 23rd. December 1758. 
 
 On receipt of this letter, the Governor and 
 Council of Fort St. George passed a Resolu- 
 tion l that Colonel Forde's victory be celebra- 
 ted by firing twenty one guns, pointed upon 
 the enemy's quarters, from the northern basti- 
 ons and that a feu de joie be fired by the infan- 
 try of the whole garrison drawn up in the 
 covered way. 
 
 This resolution was carried out by order 2 of 
 Colonel Stringer Lawrence, then in military 
 command of the besieged garrison. 
 
 Immediately after the repulse of the 
 French, Colonel Forde wrote to Mr. Andrews 
 as follows : 3 
 
 1 Appendix M. (i). 
 
 2 Appendix M. (2). 
 
 3 Public Sundries (Fort St. George), Vol. xiii. p. 324. 
 
66 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 " I have the pleasure to inform you that I engaged 
 the French this Morning at Ten of the Clock and 
 that I have gained a Compleat Victory. I cannot 
 inform you of the Particulars exactly of the Slain, as 
 I pursued them three miles over the field of Battle 
 to their Tents which I am now in possession of. 
 We have six Officers Prisoners and Fifty Men, and 
 at least Twenty five Pieces of Cannon and hope in 
 three or four Days more to give a better account of 
 them, as I intend to pursue them with all Diligence 
 to Rajahmundry or where ever they go. If the 
 Rajah and his People had not behaved so dastardly 
 as they did, there would not have been a Single Man 
 escaped. Please to send Copys of this to Madras 
 and Bengal as I am so much fatigued that I cannot 
 possible write any more at present. In a few days 
 time I shall write more fully. " 
 
 " 1 am &c &c Francis Forde. 
 
 " Captain Adnutt is killed. 
 
 Captain Donnellan, Lieutenant Wick, Moran and 
 Mr. Johnstone Wounded. 
 
 Mr. MGuire received a Contusion on his breast 
 by a Musket Ball. 
 
 Send away Captains Wedderburn and Lewis 
 immediately. " 
 
 On the iith December, Colonel Forde in 
 writing from Rajahmundry, gives Mr. Andrews 
 a fuller account of the action. * 
 
 1 Public Sundries (Fort St. George), Vol. xiii. p. 325. 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 67 
 
 " This moment I received your favor of the 6th 
 and am much obliged to you for the care you have 
 taken in my Affairs, for which I shall always retain a 
 grateful remembrance. " 
 
 " The Action of the yth has been attended with 
 as much Success as our most sanguine Friends could 
 have expected ; Yesterday at Daybreak, my Seapoys 
 got to the River side, just time enough to seize all 
 the Bullocks, fifteen Europeans and a great Quantity 
 of Publick, as well as Private Stores. A Boat load 
 of Men had put off and our People fired at them for 
 half an Hour and must certainly have killed num- 
 bers of them ; upon our firing they abandoned four 
 Guns and a 13 inch Mortar, they had got at the 
 other side of the River, so that they have not saved 
 either Gun, Mortar or Ammunition belonging to 
 their whole Army, by all Accounts there have not 
 more than One hundred and fifty French pass'd the 
 River their Army consisted of Five Hundred 
 Europeans, the Day of the Battle and Five thousand 
 Seapoys with Europe Arms, besides Horse and 
 Country Troops : and ours about Four hundred and 
 thirty Europeans Officers included and eighteen 
 hundred Seapoys besides the Rajah's People. The 
 Rajah himself is the greatest Poltroon I ever saw 
 and the greatest fool also, neither he nor one of his 
 People (except Bristol alone) stood about five 
 minutes after the Cannonading began, they got into 
 a large Tank in our Rear, but when they saw us 
 pursuing the French and that we had beat them 
 away from their Guns, they began to venture out 
 
68 THE BATTLE 1758 
 
 but all I could say or do not one of their Horse or 
 Foot would pursue the Enemy, one foot faster than 
 we advanced, if they had not been worse than 
 Cooleys we must have taken every man of the 
 French Army. He would not march with us the 
 next day but stai'd to bury his dead, and I have not 
 seen him nor any of his people since ; he is near 
 Peddapore and writes me word that he must wait 
 there till Nanader Row comes to pay him homage, 
 otherwise he must fight him. " 
 
 " If Samson is not yet gone order him away 
 immediately with or without the Sloops and turn 
 Mr. Hilliard out of his Sloop and put in the person 
 you mention in your letter." 
 
 On receipt of Forde's letter to Mr. Andrews, 
 written immediately after the action, the Ben- 
 gal Select Committee agreed (on the 1 5th 
 January 1759) to "dispatch a sloop to Forde 
 and to return him thanks for his great bravery 
 and conduct in the late action ; " that " if he 
 be so fortunate as to take Masulipatam, he 
 destroy it immediately, unless, being on the 
 spot and a much better judge, he thinks it 
 necessary to keep it intire. " The Resolution 1 
 goes on to say that, should Forde be successful 
 in driving the French out of the Deccan, he 
 should proceed with his troops to Madras 
 
 1 Bengal Committee Consultations, (India Office), Range A. Vol. ii. p. i. 
 
1758 OF CONDORE 69 
 
 should he be needed, at the same time inform- 
 ing Fort St. George that the troops must be 
 sent back should Bengal require them, as they 
 could only with difficulty be spared. 
 
 Bombay was also informed of Colonel 
 Forde's victory and recommended to follow 
 the example of Bengal in assisting Madras to 
 drive the French out of India. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 OPERATIONS AFTER CONDORE 
 
 '759 
 
 The commencement of 1759 found Colonel 
 Forde at Peddapore, to which place Mr. 
 Andrews had sent him twenty thousand rupees 
 from Vizagapatam. 
 
 On the 3rd January Forde wrote to the 
 Hon'ble George Pigot and to the Council at 
 Fort St. George in the following terms: l 
 " Gentlemen 
 
 Your favour of the iyth ultimo I received this 
 Day and have forwarded a Copy of it by Sea and 
 another by Land to the Committee at Calcutta from 
 which I every Day expect Orders relating to your 
 Representation of the 4th November. 1 have not 
 heard a word from Bengal since I set out on this 
 Expedition and fear much the Communication by 
 Land is stopp'd by Narrandieu a Rajah near Sitta- 
 cool, two of [your Letters of the 4th November I 
 
 1 Public Sundries (Fort St. George), Vol. xiii. pp. 343, 344. 
 
1759 AFTER CONDORE 71 
 
 dispatched by Land and one by Sea by Captain 
 Lowes : a few Days ago the accompanying Letter 
 from Colonel Clive to Mr. Pigot was brought me by 
 the Hircarrahs l who say they have been four months 
 prisoners with Narrandieu. " 
 
 " I most heartily congratulate you on the success- 
 ful Sally made the I4th which will certainly con- 
 vince Mr. Lally he is not to expect children's play." 
 
 On the 1 3th Mr. Andrews came to the 
 camp at Peddapore, whence he went into the 
 hills and met the Rajah on the I5th. The 
 Rajah's fears of the Colonel, and aversion to 
 furnish any money, continued as strong as ever, 
 insomuch that he seemed no longer solicitous 
 about the success of the expedition. His 
 conduct was all the more perplexing, because 
 the news that the French were besieging 
 Madras had stopped the English credit in 
 these provinces, which the Rajah's name alone 
 could immediately restore. If his troops were 
 not available, others must be hired, for which 
 no money could be found. 
 
 This dilemma induced Mr. Andrews to 
 alter the treaty he had made before, and to 
 agree " that whatsoever sums the Rajah might 
 furnish, should be considered as a loan ; and 
 
 1 Harkrfras. Messengers, emissaries or spies. 
 
72 OPERATIONS 1759 
 
 that the revenues of all the countries which 
 might be reduced on the other side of the 
 Godaveri, excepting such as belonged to the 
 French, either by establishment or grant in 
 propriety, should be equally divided between 
 him and the English. " 
 
 Having made these conditions, Mr. Andrews 
 brought the Rajah back to the camp on the 
 1 8th. It was then agreed to march on to 
 Masulipatam, but it took seven days more to 
 effect the necessary business with the Shroffs, 
 (Bankers) resulting in a payment of six thou- 
 sand rupees in cash and bills at ten days for 
 another sixty thousand. 
 
 Forde had every reason to be dissatisfied 
 with the lack of support he was suffering from 
 in the way of money and men (Appendix N), 
 which greatly crippled his power of turning 
 his late victory to greater effect. 
 
 On the 25th he wrote to Clive 1 in these 
 words : 
 
 " Your favour of the 24th ultimo by Captain 
 Baker I received and hope you will have it in your 
 power to send me the reinforcements therein 
 mentioned. " 
 
 " For want of money 1 have lost a glorious Oppor- 
 
 1 Orme's MSS. (India Office), Vol. 292, p. 179. 
 
i 7 59 AFTER CONDORE 73 
 
 tunity of Destroying the French in these Parts, they 
 begin now to recover a little from their Consterna- 
 tion and are venturing out of Masulipatam with a 
 few Men and some Guns to gather in the Rents. 
 The Marquis de Conflans is still continued in the 
 Command but whether he will try the other bout or 
 not, time will shew, he is determined not to be taken 
 Prisoner unless by a Greyhound for he supped at 
 Rajahmundry the night of the engagement which is 
 at least fifty miles from the field of action. I have 
 sent a great parcel of his Letters under cover to 
 Carnac, they will be very pretty reading for him and 
 Mrs. Clive and open a Scene of Politicks to Carnac 
 which perhaps he is at present a stranger to. " 
 
 " If I had money and arms I could get men 
 (Seapoys) enough, but not so good as my own, but 
 (at least) as good as any in the Country ; this Expe- 
 dition is a child of your own, therefore take care it 
 lacks nothing, which may be necessary for its main- 
 tenance and education. " 
 
 At length the armies marched from Pedda- 
 pore on the 2 8th, after fifty days had been 
 wasted. If only the first twenty days after 
 Condore had been usefully employed, the 
 whole purpose of the expedition would have 
 been accomplished. It was now much more 
 difficult to carry out, as the enemy had gained 
 a large amount of time in which to get them- 
 selves together. The delay, moreover, was by 
 
74 OPERATIONS 1759 
 
 no means necessary, for the Rajah might just 
 as easily have done in the first instance what 
 he unwillingly did later on. The expedition 
 had been undertaken, trusting in his promises 
 and the earnestness of his solicitations. 
 
 The English army arrived at Ellore on the 
 6th February, but to prevent another quarrel, 
 Colonel Forde was obliged to let the Rajah 
 march as he wished and he therefore utilised 
 this permission by scattering his troops right 
 and left in order to levy contributions. The 
 Rajah, however, promised to rejoin him soon 
 at Ellore. 
 
 Ellore is situated fifty miles south west of 
 Rajahmundry and nearly forty miles north of 
 Masulipatam. It is the capital of a small 
 province, and one of the four obtained from 
 Salabat Jang by Monsieur Bussy. It had been 
 very little known to the English and never 
 frequented by them since they withdrew their 
 factory from Masulipatam in the preceding 
 century. The town is extensive and in the 
 middle of it was a very large fort, in which 
 the French used to keep a garrison mostly of 
 black troops ; but the Marquis de Conflans 
 had taken them away with him, as he was 
 passing on to Masulipatam, where he had 
 
1759 AFTER CONDORE 75 
 
 determined to make his stand. The long 
 delay of the English troops in following him 
 seemed to have inspired him with a little reso- 
 lution, for with some of the troops which had 
 joined him after the defeat at Condore and the 
 garrisons of Ellore and Rajahmundry, he form- 
 ed a body of two hundred Europeans with 
 four field pieces and two thousand Sepoys, 
 which he called his Army of Observation. 
 This force, however, did not venture within 
 less than thirty miles of Ellore, and kept 
 moving to the west of Masulipatam, collecting 
 or extorting tributes. 
 
 Colonel Forde, whilst waiting for the Rajah 
 and his troops, detached Captain Knox with 
 the first battalion of Sepoys to reduce the 
 French factory at Narsipur, where, by this 
 time, the garrison, by the arrival of stragglers,, 
 was augmented by one hundred Europeans and 
 between three hundred and four hundred 
 Sepoys. Narsipur stands twenty miles to the 
 south east of Ellore. 
 
 Letters had been previously sent to the 
 Zemindar * of the District, threatening the 
 destruction of his property if he gave the 
 French any assistance, but offering him an 
 
 1 A large landowner. 
 
76 OPERATIONS 1759 
 
 alliance if he would join the English army 
 with his troops. The Zemindar met Captain 
 Knox on the road and cheerfully accepted the 
 terms. The French troops, having relied on 
 his assistance, marched away as soon as they 
 saw his defection, leaving in the factory some 
 cannon and marine stores and, in the river, 
 several boats and vessels. They, however, 
 sunk what ammunition they could not take 
 away. 
 
 The English, leaving a few men under the 
 care of the Zemindar's officers, to take care of 
 these stores, returned to Ellore, at which place, 
 on the 1 8th, the Rajah arrived with all his 
 troops, as did also the Zemindar, the day after, 
 with fifteen hundred foot. Although so much 
 time had already been lost, the Rajah was not 
 yet ready to proceed, in consequence of which 
 the army was detained at Ellore until the 
 1st March. 
 
 The Marquis de Conflans, after his defeat at 
 Condore, had written letters to Salabat Jang 
 earnestly requesting him to march with his 
 army from Hyderabad to Masulipatam, for 
 both forces being united could not fail to bring 
 about the destruction of the English. To this 
 request, Salabat Jang at first demurred, but 
 
i 7 59 AFTER CONDORE 77 
 
 most of his officers being in favour of it, 
 advised him to do so. His brother Basalat 
 Jang concurred, and marched with his forces 
 from Adoni whilst Salabat Jang was advancing 
 from Hyderabad. 
 
 These combined armies, which numbered 
 fifteen thousand horse and twenty thousand 
 foot, joined near the Kistna. Neither their 
 approach, nor the probability of them assist- 
 ing the French, debarred Colonel Forde from 
 his purpose of acting against Masulipatam. 
 
 It is now easy to see to what danger Colonel 
 Forde was exposed. The garrison of Masuli- 
 patam exceeded his force, the Corps of Obser- 
 vation equalled it, and an overwhelming native 
 army was advancing from the interior, while 
 his only support consisted of the undisciplined 
 levies of the reluctant Rajah of Vizianagram, 
 who plundered the surrounding country in 
 spite of all the remonstrances made by Colonel 
 Forde. Ash Wednesday, the 28th February, 
 saw him still at Ellore and on the following 
 day, perhaps with the courage of despair, he 
 set out across the dry bed of the Kolar Lake 
 towards Masulipatam. 
 
 This Lake, five miles to the south of Ellore, 
 was in those days forty seven miles in length 
 
7 8 OPERATIONS 1759 
 
 from east to west and fourteen miles in breadth 
 from north to south. From the beginning of 
 the rains in July until the end of September 
 the whole is covered with water, with the 
 exception of about sixty or seventy small islets, 
 on which the inhabitants remain, but during 
 the rest of the year, the whole is dry and 
 passable and, in many places, highly cultivated. 
 
 The army marched across the lake and on 
 the 3rd March encamped near a small fort cal- 
 led Kankal, in which the French had left a 
 Sergeant with thirteen Europeans and two 
 companies of Sepoys. 
 
 Captain Macleane with six companies of 
 Sepoys was sent to attack and, if necessary, 
 escalade the fort. The garrison had the day 
 before received assurances from Monsieur de 
 Rocher, the commander of the Army of 
 Observation, that he would come to their 
 assistance on the 2 8th, relying on which they 
 manned the walls and prepared to make a 
 resolute defence. The assailants were not 
 provided with any cannon, but twice made a 
 rush to the gate of the fort and tried to break 
 it open with crowbars, and twice were driven 
 back with heavy loss by the musketry fire 
 from the walls. After the second repulse, 
 
1759 AFTER CONDORE 79 
 
 Captain Macleane sent back to camp for two 
 guns. These arrived during the evening, 
 when the gate was blown open ; whereupon 
 his Sepoys entered and put to death all those 
 Sepoys they met. They, however, did not 
 kill the fourteen Frenchmen, for they prudent- 
 ly hid themselves until order was restored 
 and then surrendered. 
 
 A few hours after this, a native brought 
 intelligence that a party of forty Europeans 
 with some Sepoys from the Army of Obser- 
 vation had arrived within a few miles, on 
 hearing which Captain Macleane marched out 
 to attack them, but they, on hearing that the 
 fort was taken, retreated. A small garrison of 
 Sepoys with a few Europeans were left to 
 garrison the fort, and the army marched on 
 towards Masulipatam, in sight of which they 
 arrived on the 6th. 
 
 On this day, news was received that the 
 French army under Monsieur Lally had raised 
 the siege of Madras. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 MASULIPATAM 
 
 '759 
 
 The fort of Masulipatam stood a mile and 
 a half from the sea, on the edge of a sound 
 formed partly by an inlet of the sea, partly by 
 drains from the adjacent ground, and still more 
 by a stream which the river Kistna sent off 
 about fifteen miles to the south west and which 
 fell into the upper part of the sound, very near 
 the fort. The sound had sometimes three 
 fathoms and at others only three feet of water. 
 Opposite to the fort it was five hundred yards 
 in breadth. 
 
 The south side of the fort extended about 
 six hundred yards along the sound and eight 
 hundred yards thence to the north. Its area, 
 as well as form, would differ very little from a 
 parallelogram of these dimensions, if the eastern 
 
i 7 59 MASULIPATAM 81 
 
 side did not lie in a re-entering angle, which 
 was, however, a very obtuse one. 
 
 The ground along the sea shore for two 
 miles to the north and south of the inlet was 
 a collection of sand hills which extended about 
 half a mile inland, when they ceased on the 
 border of a morass which surrounded the fort 
 on every side, and continued to the west and 
 south for several miles. To the north and 
 north west there was no hard ground within 
 a mile of the fort, excepting a few small patches 
 of sand in the morass. To the east, the sand- 
 hills along the sea were within eight hundred 
 yards of the walls. The morass, in all direc- 
 tions, was intersected with creeks and gullies 
 which fell into the sound. 
 
 The pettah or town of Masulipatam was 
 situated a mile and a half to the north west of 
 the fort, on a plot of rising ground above the 
 morass, across which communication between 
 the town and the fort was maintained by a 
 straight causeway two thousand yards in length. 
 The town was very extensive and its ground 
 on the farther side to the north west was 
 bounded by another morass which was stopped 
 by the sand hills near the sea shore. 
 
 The only access from the fort to the town 
 
 6 
 
82 OPERATIONS 1759 
 
 was by this causeway, for both morasses were 
 miry even in the dryest season, and were so 
 now, although no rain had fallen for forty 
 days. 
 
 The Marquis de Conflans had encamped in 
 the town on account of the absence of fresh 
 water in the fort, except such as was stored in 
 cisterns. 
 
 On the approach of the English, he retired 
 along the causeway over the tidal swamp to 
 the fort, making no attempt to block the road 
 by an entrenchment or by other means. His 
 garrison consisted of five hundred Europeans 
 and two thousand Sepoys, without the Corps 
 of Observation, which he could have recalled 
 easily. 
 
 The English force consisted of three hundred 
 and fifteen Europeans and fifteen hundred 
 Sepoys, with which troops Colonel Forde 
 encamped on the sand-hills north east of the 
 fort. The Rajah's levies remained in the town. 
 
 The French, since their occupation of this 
 fort in 1751, had modernized the defences. 
 Open on the south side, which lay along an 
 inlet of the sea, on the other sides were eleven 
 strong bastions connected by mud walls faced 
 with brick, and in front of the wall was a 
 
i 7 59 AFTER CONDORE 83 
 
 palisaded berm with a wet ditch. The gate- 
 way, where the causeway from the town 
 entered the fort, was especially strong. One 
 hundred and twenty yards of the causeway was 
 converted into a caponiere, which terminated 
 in a strong ravelin, the fire from which com- 
 manded the whole length of the causeway. 
 
 The following were the names of the several 
 bastions, with the guns mounted on each, 
 commencing from the south east corner, thence 
 due north : 
 
 Francois 8 guns ; Dutch 5 guns ; St. Johns 1 8 guns j 
 
 Cameleon 10 guns ; Small Gate 8 guns ; Church-yard 8 guns ; 
 
 Great Gate 8 guns ; Ravelin 5 guns ; Pettah 6 guns ; 
 
 Engadour 8 guns ; Saline 8 guns ; St. Michael 8 guns : 
 Watergate 4 guns j 
 
 Making a total of one hundred and four 
 guns mounted on the walls. A force ten 
 times as numerous as that at Colonel Forde's 
 disposal would have been insufficient to reduce 
 the place by regular approaches, for, hitherto, 
 black troops however numerous were of no 
 account for making trenches. 
 
 Colonel Forde therefore resolved to attack 
 the fort from the sand-hills to the east, and by 
 batteries detached from each other, as little 
 was to be feared from sallies of the besieged. 
 
84 OPERATIONS 1759 
 
 This work was carried on under a constant fire 
 from the walls. 
 
 Three batteries were erected ; one in a fishing 
 village on the edge of the sea water inlet, 
 consisting of two i 8 pounders, two 24 pounders 
 and three mortars. Four hundred yards to the 
 north of this battery and nearer to the edge of 
 the same creek was another ; this consisted of 
 two 1 8 pounders and two 24 pounders ; the 
 third battery of two 1 2 pounders was equidis- 
 tant between both of these batteries and one 
 hundred yards in rear. 
 
 With these thirteen pieces, Colonel Forde 
 proposed to fire on the four bastions on the 
 eastern face of the fort, which mounted alto- 
 gether forty one guns. To bring into still 
 stronger relief the disparity between the material 
 at the disposal of the besiegers and the besieged, 
 it must be remembered that the French had 
 other guns in store, mounted ready to replace 
 any that might be disabled, while the English 
 had nothing in reserve, except the 9 pounders 
 on board the Hardivicke^ which was then lying 
 in the roads ; or the Rajah's guns, which were 
 useless. 
 
 As soon as the French had seen the position 
 of the English batteries, they raised a battery 
 
1759 AFTER CONDORE 85 
 
 of four guns on the farther shore of the inlet, 
 which took them all in flank ; but as this 
 battery was separated from the fort by the 
 whole breadth of the sound and might be 
 attacked in the night by the boats of the ships, 
 the garrison kept a strong guard on it of 
 Europeans besides Sepoys. They also stationed 
 a stronger guard in the ravelin on the causeway. 
 
 The French looked upon these preparations 
 for a siege of their fort with utter astonish- 
 ment. The raising of the siege of Fort 
 St. George, three weeks previously, had set 
 free a large number of French troops, and the 
 garrison of Masulipatam had received advices 
 of speedy reinforcements by sea from Pondi- 
 cherry. The retreat of the English was 
 blocked by the Corps of Observation, and 
 Salabat Jang's army of thirty five thousand 
 men was advancing to crush the English force, 
 which had so rashly courted destruction. 
 
 The French Army of Observation, as soon 
 as the English had passed onward from Kan- 
 kal, crossed to Ellore where there was no 
 garrison to oppose them, thence to Rajahmun- 
 dry, where the sick of Colonel Forde's army, 
 in all twenty five Europeans and forty Sepoys, 
 had been left under charge of Mr. Bristol, 
 
86 OPERATIONS 1759 
 
 who a few days before had received a large 
 sum of gold and silver, which had been sent 
 from Calcutta via Vizagapatam. 
 
 On the approach of the enemy, Bristol sent 
 away the treasure to Cocanada, a Dutch settle- 
 ment on the coast ; he ordered all those under 
 him, who were able to undergo the fatigue, to 
 proceed to Vizagapatam. 
 
 When the enemy had marched two days 
 from Rajahmundry, they gave out that their 
 intention was to take Vizianagram, the capital 
 of Ananda Raz, as well as the English fort of 
 Vizagapatam. Their main idea, however, 
 was to extort money from the natives of those 
 parts. Finding they could not collect as 
 much as they spent, they returned to join the 
 army under Salabat Jang. The daily news of 
 their movements terrified the Rajah, and no 
 persuasion could induce him to advance any 
 money. None remained in the military chest ; 
 Colonel Forde had borrowed all that the offi- 
 cers had realised from the spoils of the camp- 
 aign and had even used the prize money of 
 the troops. The inter-position of the French 
 Army of Observation precluded any hopes of 
 receiving what had been sent to Mr. Bristol. 
 
 By this time, every soldier in the army had 
 
1759 AFTER CONDORE 87 
 
 perceived the obstacles which must be sur- 
 mounted to reduce the fort, and this last 
 grievance proved too much for them. The 
 whole line of Europeans turned out on the 
 1 9th March with their arms, and threatened 
 to march away. Colonel Forde with much 
 difficulty prevailed on them to return to their 
 tents and to depute one or two to explain their 
 complaints. The deputies declared that all 
 were resolved not to do any duty, unless they 
 were immediately paid the amount of the 
 prize money already due to them, and were 
 assured of the whole booty in case Masulipa- 
 tam should be taken. 
 
 According to the Company's regulations, 
 authorized by the Crown, the troops in India 
 were only entitled to one half of what was 
 taken in the forts they reduced, the other half 
 was kept for the Company. Colonel Forde 
 promised to pay them the prize money out of 
 the very first he should receive and, as he 
 could not break through the regulations, 
 assured them he would solicit the Company, 
 by representing their hardships and services, to 
 give up their share of what might be taken in 
 Masulipatam. 
 
 These promises appeased them and they 
 
88 OPERATIONS 1759 
 
 returned to their duty with their usual ardour. 
 
 Nevertheless the batteries were not comple- 
 ted until the 25th, eighteen days after the 
 arrival of the army, during which the fort had 
 kept up a constant fire, which had, however, 
 only killed five men. 
 
 Salabat Jang, as he approached, sent forward 
 letters and messengers commanding Ananda 
 Raz and the Zemindars, who had joined the 
 English, to leave them and repair immediately 
 as vassals to his standard. On the 27th 
 advices were received in the camp that his 
 army had arrived on the Kistna, forty miles 
 from Masulipatam ; and on the same day 
 came reports that the French Army of Obser- 
 vation had retaken Rajahmundry. 
 
 The Rajah, who for some days had been 
 faltering, was now so terrified, that he marched 
 away with all his forces the same night, with- 
 out giving warning, intending to regain his 
 own country on the other side of the Goda- 
 veri. Notwithstanding the dilatoriness of his 
 former movements he, on this occasion, covered 
 sixteen miles before daybreak. Colonel Forde 
 sent messengers after him, representing the 
 absurdity of his conduct in thinking he could 
 escape from the numerous cavalry of Salabat 
 
i 7 59 AFTER CONDORE 89 
 
 Jang on the one hand and the French Army of 
 Observation on the other ; whereas by remain- 
 ing with the English troops, his retreat would 
 be assured and the reduction of Masulipatam 
 even now not impracticable. The plain good 
 sense of this advice brought him back with 
 his army. 
 
 To leave no chance untried, Colonel Forde 
 wrote to Salabat Jang assuring him that the 
 English were warring only against the French 
 factories on the Coast, and had no design on the 
 Subahdar's territories. To support these over- 
 tures, Mr. Johnstone, a Bengal civilian, was 
 sent to Salabat Jang's camp on the ist April. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF MASULIPATAM 1 
 
 '759 
 
 The three English batteries opened a hot 
 fire on the 25th March which continued until 
 the 4th April. On the 5th, the weather, which 
 had hitherto been fine, changed to a gale of 
 wind, with thunder, lightning and an immense 
 quantity of rain, which flooded the swamps 
 and made the camp still more wretched. The 
 rain ceased the next day, but news came that 
 Salabat Jang was advancing from Bezwada and 
 that the French Corps of Observation was 
 about to join him. 
 
 It was no longer possible for the English 
 army to retreat by the road they had come, as 
 the whole garrison of Masulipatam, with the 
 Army of Observation, would join that of Salabat 
 Jang in pursuit. However, the English might 
 embark, for there was no surf at Masulipatam, 
 
 1 Taken from Orme. 
 
1759 OF MASULIPATAM 91 
 
 but Colonel Forde regarded this mode of retreat 
 as an intolerable disgrace, and resolved to storm 
 the fort. 
 
 In coming to this resolution, he judged that 
 the garrison would not suspect the attempt at 
 the very time when the excess of rain had 
 rendered the approach over the morass less 
 practicable than before. He accordingly 
 ordered the fire of the batteries to be kept up 
 with double energy through the 7th, and all 
 the troops to be under arms at 10 o'clock that 
 night. This decision had also been taken 
 owing to a report having come in from the 
 artillery, on the evening of the 6th, stating 
 there was only two days' ammunition left in 
 the batteries. 
 
 " The issue had now greatly narrowed itself. 1 It 
 had become a battle to the death between two men, 
 Forde and Conflans, with every advantage on the 
 side of the latter. However greatly Forde might 
 dare, Conflans had only to remain firm to baffle him. 
 Let him but display ordinary intelligence, ordinary 
 courage, ordinary forethought, and he had him safe 
 and secure in the hollow of his hand. According to 
 every rule of war Forde, in fact, was lost. He had 
 before him a fortress which defied him, behind him 
 an army which he could not beat, his ammunition, 
 
 1 Malleson's Decisive Battles of India. 
 
92 SIEGE AND CAPTURE 1759 
 
 his supplies, his- funds were alike exhausted. Never 
 was a commander, not even Wellington before 
 Talavera, in a position so radically false. He was in 
 a trap, apparently lost. " 
 
 " If Forde had been Conflans, he had been lost 
 indeed without redemption. It is too much to say, 
 looking at the record of the men who were his con- 
 temporaries, of men such as Clive, as Eyre Coote, as 
 Caillaud, as Munro, and as Adams, that if he had 
 not been Forde, he had been lost, but this at least 
 may be asserted, that if he had not held a double 
 first class degree in the university of Nature, if he 
 had not possessed, to a supreme extent, the qualities 
 which mark men amongst their fellows and if, it 
 must in fairness be added, he had not been opposed 
 to a leader who in all qualities, soldierly or other, 
 ranked as much below the ordinary humanity of the 
 age as Forde ranked above it, he could not have 
 emerged from this crisis, in which he found himself, 
 with success or even with credit. As it was, his 
 conduct stands out a brilliant example to all men 
 beset by difficulties. He faced them with coolness, 
 he met them with a calm determination to conquer 
 them. " 
 
 Thirty men were landed from the Hardwicke 
 and this made up the number of Europeans to 
 three hundred and forty five, including the 
 artillerymen. 
 
 The fire of the three batteries had been 
 
1759 OF MASULIPATAM 93 
 
 directed against the four bastions on the east 
 face of the fort, and had ruined them all suffi- 
 ciently to enable a storming party to mount, 
 but as all four bastions had been breached, the 
 garrison do not seem to have expected an 
 attack on any one breach, and apparently made 
 no attempt to counterwork them or to make 
 any new defences. The heavy rain that had 
 fallen two days previously had made the mud 
 more impassable then before and made any 
 advance of the besiegers still more improbable. 
 The attack was to be directed against the 
 Cameleon or fourth bastion, as opposite to it 
 the sand was firmer for the march of the storm- 
 ing party. This was to consist of two 
 divisions of one hundred and seventy Euro- 
 peans each and a reserve of seven hundred 
 Sepoys. Every man was to take part in the 
 assault, and the camp was to be guarded by 
 some of the Rajah's troops. The command 
 of the first division leading the attack was 
 
 given to Captain To distract the 
 
 attention of the garrison and prevent any 
 undue reinforcement of the guard at the 
 Cameleon bastion, Colonel Forde arranged for 
 two simultaneous false attacks. The Rajah's 
 troops were to advance along the causeway, 
 
94 SIEGE AND CAPTURE 1759 
 
 and on each side of it, to attack the ravelin in 
 front of the Great Gateway. The other false 
 attack was to be made by Captain Ranfurly 
 Knox with seven hundred Sepoys, near the 
 St. Michael's bastion. 
 
 The English officers, from their camp, had 
 seen that the two bastions on the inlet, the 
 Francois and St. Michael's, were en barbette, 
 that is to say there were no embrasures, and 
 the walls were low enough for cannon to fire 
 over. Between the St. Michael's and the Saline 
 bastions, the wet ditch was not continued, 
 because at that point there was a muddy 
 quagmire which was considered to be a 
 greater obstacle than water. A few days 
 before this, Captain Martin Yorke had been 
 told by his native servant, who knew Masuli- 
 patam, that coolies employed in the fort had 
 sometimes waded across this muddy swamp. 
 Captain Yorke had mentioned this to Colonel 
 Forde, who allowed him to go with Captain 
 Knox at night to examine this approach. 
 They put on dark clothes and taking with 
 them one hundred Sepoys, who were stationed 
 in small parties behind them to cover their 
 retreat, they managed to go as far as this 
 quagmire without being noticed by the garri- 
 
i 75 9 OF MASULIPATAM 95 
 
 son, and found that the mud, though very 
 tenacious, was not more than knee deep. At 
 this point therefore, on the south west corner 
 of the fort, Captain Knox was to make a false 
 attack with seven hundred Sepoys. 
 
 All day long and after daylight failed, the 
 batteries kept up a brisk fire with the last 
 remnants of their ammunition. The troops 
 were under arms at ten o'clock, for the attack 
 was to be delivered at about midnight, because 
 it was then ebb tide and there would be only 
 three feet of water in the ditch, and also 
 because the moon would set at that hour, 
 being now seven days old. 
 
 Captain Knox moved out of camp first, for 
 his Sepoys had to cross the inlet and pass 
 round to the south west corner of the fort, and 
 as this might occupy some time, it was arran- 
 ged that the Rajah's troops and Captain 
 
 's division were to await the sound 
 
 of Captain Knox's false attack as the signal to 
 advance. The gunners continued to fire from 
 the batteries until the last moment, when they 
 quitted their guns and joined the storming 
 party. 
 
 , When the Europeans were ready to move, 
 Captain was nowhere to be found. 
 
96 SIEGE AND CAPTURE 1759 
 
 Much valuable time was lost in searching for 
 and making enquiries about the missing officer, 
 but at length Captain Fischer took command 
 and the party marched without him. They 
 advanced north for some little distance along 
 the creek, crossed the swamp immediately in 
 front of the Cameleon bastion, which they were 
 to storm. Before they came to the ditch, they 
 heard the firing of Captain Knox's false attack 
 and so made what haste they could, though, in 
 the swamp, they were up to their knees in 
 mud and, in the ditch, up to their waists in 
 mud and water. They were discovered just 
 before they reached the palisade on the berm, 
 and while the first division was occupied in 
 tearing it up, which took a few minutes, the 
 French collected on the breach and poured in 
 a heavy fire from the bastion on either side. 
 The second division of Europeans under 
 Captain Yorke thereupon wheeled to the left 
 and fired against St. Johns bastion, while the 
 Sepoys under Captain Macleane were led to 
 the right and fired against the Small Gate. 
 This diverted some of the defenders' fire from 
 Captain Fischer, but several men fell before 
 his division got across the palisade and up the 
 breach into the Cameleon bastion. Captain 
 
1759 OF MASULIPATAM 97 
 
 Yorke's division followed and Captain Fischer 
 then moved along the rampart to his right to 
 obtain possession of the Small Gate bastion. 
 An officer named Moran * discovered in the 
 Cameleon bastion a small gun with its ammuni- 
 tion and Captain Yorke ordered the gunners 
 to load and fire it along the rampart towards 
 the St. Johns bastion, while he formed up his 
 division to proceed in that direction, as soon 
 as sufficient Sepoys had climbed up the breach 
 to hold the Cameleon. 
 
 In the meantime, the Rajah's troops were 
 making their attack on the Ravelin with a 
 terrific din and clamour, which effectually 
 served its purpose of diverting the attention 
 of the garrison. 
 
 The Marquis de Conflans had remained at 
 his house in the south of the fort, near the 
 inlet. The arsenal was there, and it was there 
 that messengers knew where to find him, so 
 there he remained with the grenadier company 
 and other troops, receiving reports and issuing 
 orders. 
 
 When the sound of firing at the Cameleon 
 bastion announced a third attack, the Marquis 
 de Conflans sent off a reinforcement of Sepoys 
 
 1 One of the survivors of the Black Hole of Calcutta. 
 
 7 
 
98 SIEGE AND CAPTURE 1759 
 
 to that point. These appeared marching up 
 in the space between the rampart and the 
 buildings within the fort, at the moment when 
 Captain Yorke's division was facing south, 
 ready to move on the St. "Johns bastion, and 
 the little gun, which the artillerymen had 
 turned, commanded them. 
 
 Captain Yorke immediately called on the 
 French officer, at the head of the Sepoys, to 
 surrender, and these Sepoys laying down their 
 arms were taken into the Cameleon bastion as 
 prisoners. This route below and within the 
 ramparts seemed to Captain Yorke to be pref- 
 erable to the narrow rampart, and so his division 
 came down from the Cameleon and advanced 
 by this way, leaving only a few guards over 
 the prisoners and some gunners to work the 
 gun. 
 
 In the St. "Johns bastion were some twenty 
 Frenchmen and more Sepoys who were shel- 
 tering in the angles from the enfilade fire of the 
 small gun, and as soon as Captain Yorke's 
 division appeared under their bastion, they 
 fired down upon them, killing several and 
 wounding more, but immediately surrendered 
 and, giving up their arms, were marched to 
 the Cameleon bastion where, by this time, were 
 
1759 OF MASULIPATAM 99 
 
 Sepoys enough to hold the Cameleon and St. 
 Johns bastions. Captain Yorke's division then 
 marched on towards the Dutch bastion, and 
 here again the guard fired down upon them 
 and then surrendered. 
 
 The three bastions, the Gameleon, St. Johns 
 and the Dutch, were now held by the reserve 
 Sepoys and by some men of Captain Yorke's 
 division ; the remaining men of the division 
 were again formed up to move southward upon 
 the Francois bastion, which appeared about 
 two hundred yards in front of them, dark with 
 an ominous silence. 
 
 The men who had, with success so unex- 
 pected, obtained possession of St. John's bastion 
 and also the TDutch, shrank back from proceed- 
 ing any further, for not only was the Francois 
 bastion before them, but the street by which 
 they had advanced now widened out into the 
 open ground near the arsenal and the Marquis 
 de Conflans' headquarters, where they might 
 expect to meet opposition in force. With 
 threats and exhortations, Captain Yorke per- 
 suaded them to advance a few paces beyond the 
 T)utch bastion. There was a small brick 
 building close to the rampart which was used 
 by the garrison as a magazine. Someone 
 
ioo SIEGE AND CAPTURE 1759 
 
 noticed this and cried out " A mine ! " when 
 suddenly the whole division turned and ran 
 back the whole way to the Cameleon^ their 
 officers following calling on them to stand ; 
 Captain Yorke found himself standing alone 
 with only two native drummer boys, who kept 
 on beating the Grenadiers' march. For some 
 time he stood there, but the drums recalled no 
 one out of the darkness to his side, so he went 
 back to the Cameleon and found his men there 
 a disorderly mob, some even proposing to go 
 down the breach and out of the fort. The 
 moment was passed for expostulation. Captain 
 Yorke sprang up on the breach and said that 
 he would kill the first man who came near. 
 This gave the soldiers time to recover from 
 their panic. Among them were some veterans 
 who had served under Yorke in Adlercron's 
 regiment, and these cried " Shame ! ' and 
 volunteered to follow him again. They stepped 
 forward to the number of thirty six and with 
 them he marched off, leaving the rest to follow 
 as soon as their officers could induce them to 
 come on. 
 
 Past the St. Johns and "Dutch bastions he 
 marched and on to within a few yards of the 
 Francois, when the silence that had before so 
 
1759 OF MASULIPATA : A1 i^i 
 
 awed his men was suddenly explained. The 
 officer commanding that bastion had loaded a 
 gun with grape shot and pointed it up the 
 way the English were advancing. When they 
 were within a few yards, the gun was fired 
 with terrible effect. The two drummer boys 
 were killed, Captain Yorke had a ball through 
 each thigh and sixteen of his men were wound- 
 ed. Strange to say, the very troops, that had 
 a few minutes before fled in panic, were now 
 steady and cool. The guards posted in the 
 "Dutch and St.Johns bastions stood their ground, 
 and the survivors of Captain Yorke's party 
 took him up and carried him back to the 
 Cameleon bastion. Colonel Forde had come 
 up with the reserve and had taken command 
 in person of the Cameleon and St. Johns bas- 
 tions, so Captain Yorke's disablement did not 
 cause any fresh disorder. 
 
 While these events were taking place on the 
 eastern face of the fort, the first division under 
 Captain Fischer had proceeded to their right 
 along the rampart to the Small Gate bastion. 
 This was not in good repair and the Sepoys 
 under Macleane were attempting to climb up 
 into it from the ditch. The approach there- 
 fore of Captain Fischer along the rampart 
 
102 SIEGE AND CAPTURE 1759 
 
 disheartened the French guard, who retreated 
 to the next, or Churchyard bastion where, after 
 a desultory fire, they surrendered. 
 
 By this time the firing of Captain Knox's 
 Sepoys was diminishing as their ammunition 
 began to fail, and as the attack at the Great 
 Gate by the Rajah's troops continued with as 
 much noise as ever, many of the French troops 
 had collected on the main parade, which was 
 below the Great Gate bastion, and now streng- 
 thened the guard of that bastion, which now 
 amounted to about one hundred men. The 
 fire which they delivered on Captain Fischer's 
 division on the Churchyard bastion showed 
 their numbers, but the attacking party, noth- 
 ing daunted, rushed on and cleared the bastion ; 
 then Captain Fischer, with admirable presence 
 of mind, immediately sent down and closed the 
 Great Gate, so that all the defenders, who had 
 assembled in the ravelin on the causeway to 
 repel the Rajah's attack, were thus caught in 
 a trap. 
 
 The division was again formed up to move 
 against the next bastion, known as the Pettah^ 
 when, at this moment, suddenly appeared the 
 
 missing Captain , who placed himself 
 
 at their head as they marched off. No one 
 
i 7 59 OF MASULIPATAM 103 
 
 knew whence he came and no one ever found 
 out, for from the Pettah bastion were fired a 
 few scattered shots, and by the last that was 
 fired, Captain fell dead. 
 
 It was now one o'clock. The English held 
 seven bastions and an eighth bastion, the Pettah^ 
 was making no further defence. 
 
 The Marquis de Conflans sent an officer to 
 Colonel Forde to ask for terms, to which 
 Forde answered that he would give none, but 
 at discretion, nor even this, but would put every 
 man to the sword if all did not instantly surrender. 
 
 On the return of the officer, the Marquis de 
 Conflans sent round orders for the troops to lay 
 down their arms and to repair to his quarters 
 at the arsenal. Colonel Forde then sent word 
 to Captain Fischer to cease firing, as the 
 Marquis de Conflans had surrendered. 
 
 On the parade under the Great Gate bastion, 
 one hundred Europeans with two guns and 
 two companies of Sepoys remained watching 
 the French in the ravelin until morning broke, 
 the morning of Palm Sunday, April 8th. 
 The gate was then opened and the French 
 troops passed into the fort and became prison- 
 ers, the guard at the battery on the other 
 side of the inlet also surrendering. 
 
104 SIEGE AND CAPTURE 1759 
 
 The total number of prisoners was five hun- 
 dred French and two thousand five hundred 
 and thirty seven Sepoys. 
 
 The stores in the fort included one hundred 
 and twenty guns with ample ammunition. 
 The English loss is set forth in Colonel 
 Forde's reports 1 as under : 
 
 Europeans. Twenty one killed and sixty 
 wounded. 
 
 Seamen. One killed arid six wounded. 
 
 Sepoys. One hundred and thirty killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 1 See Appendix O. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 EVENTS AFTER THE CAPTURE OF 
 MASULIPATAM 
 
 1/59 
 
 Malcolm, in his Memoirs of Robert, Lord 
 dive, remarks on the Fall of Masulipatam as 
 follows : 
 
 "The French Commander and his garrison had, 
 from the first, treated too slightingly the efforts of 
 their besiegers. Their confidence, which was increa- 
 sed by an expected reinforcement from Pondicherry, 
 was one of the chief causes of the loss of the place. 
 Few precautionary measures appear to have been 
 taken to give combination to the points of defence, 
 and the attack, being made at night, and on so many 
 quarters, distracted those in the different works, 
 whose contradictory and exaggerated reports so 
 embarrassed the Marquis de Conflans that heiremain- 
 ed in the centre of the fort with his most select 
 men, undecided where to direct relief, till he was so 
 surrounded as to be obliged to surrender at 
 discretion. " 
 
io6 AFTER THE CAPTURE 1759 
 
 " Though these circumstances promoted the suc- 
 cess of the English, they only reflected higher 
 honour upon the British Commander and his gallant 
 soldiers. The irregularity and the extent of the 
 fortifications made Colonel Forde foresee the confu- 
 sion that must result from dividing his troops before 
 and after they entered the place. He also calculated 
 upon the confidence with which the enemy's superior 
 numbers were likely to inspire their Commander, 
 and he anticipated the success which so frequently 
 crowns those daring attempts which are made in 
 contempt of all the ordinary maxims of war. " 
 
 "The able and bold plans of their Commander 
 were admirably carried into execution by his brave 
 troops. The English soldiers by their conduct well 
 redeemed the crime of their recent mutiny. " 
 
 Monsieur Moracin, with a reinforcement of 
 five hundred men from Pondicherry, arrived a 
 few days after the place was taken. On his 
 discovering what had occurred, he sailed to 
 the northwards, where the attempt he made to 
 injure the English interests in the Vizagapatam 
 and Ganjam districts altogether failed, though 
 he continued for some period to excite consi- 
 derable alarm. 
 
 Salabat Jang was encamped within fifteen 
 miles of Masulipatam when the fort was taken. 
 He and his ministers were alike astonished at 
 
OF MASULIPATAM 107 
 
 the unexpected result of the siege, and repro- 
 aching themselves as in part the cause of the 
 misfortune of their ally, they refused to nego- 
 ciate with Colonel Forde while there appeared 
 a hope of their being joined by the troops 
 under Moracin ; finding, however, that he had 
 proceeded north, the Subahdar evinced a wish 
 to contract an alliance with the English. To 
 this he was induced by another and more 
 powerful motive. 
 
 Nizam Ali Khan had, on the receipt of 
 letters from Clive regarding Colonel Forde's 
 expedition, not only written to Clive expressing 
 his desire to co-operate against the French and 
 his wish that Colonel Forde's force should join 
 him^ but had also addressed Colonel Forde to 
 the same purport, in answer to a letter received 
 from that officer. 
 
 This correspondence with a brother, whom 
 he had just cause to dread, combined with the 
 movement of Nizam Ali in the direction of 
 Hyderabad, turned the scale of the Subahdar's 
 Court in favour of the English, and notwith- 
 standing the remonstrances of the leader of the 
 French Corps of Observation, Salabat Jang 
 concluded a treaty with Colonel Forde, by 
 which he ceded Masulipatam and eight 
 
io8 AFTER THE CAPTURE 1759 
 
 Districts in its vicinity (Appendix P). This 
 treaty was signed on I4th May 1759. * 
 
 The consequences of this expedition were 
 very important, as tending to distract the 
 enemy when besieging Madras. Including 
 prisoners and the corps under Moracin, at least 
 one thousand Europeans and nearly three thous- 
 and native troops were subtracted from Lally's 
 force by the effects of Colonel Forde's success. 
 
 By this expedition also Lally's strength was 
 materially weakened for subsequent operations, 
 and, perhaps most important of all, it destroyed 
 the French connection with Salabat Jang and 
 raised the military reputation of the English 
 in the Deccan above that of their European 
 rivals. Besides all these advantages the occu- 
 pation of the fort and dependent districts of 
 Masulipatam was of itself a valuable object. 
 This possession was annexed to the Presidency 
 of Fort St. George. 
 
 As soon as the afore-mentioned treaty was 
 signed, Colonel Forde paid a visit to Salabat 
 Jang in his camp, the results of which can best 
 be told in his own words, when writing a letter 
 to Clive and the Select Committee of Bengal 
 on 1 4th June, 1759. 
 
 1 Orme's MSS. Vol. 292, p. 203. (India Office). 
 
1759 OF MASULIPATAM 109 
 
 " I went to pay him a visit at his Camp and was 
 received with great state, and a fine title was given 
 me and proclaimed in full Durbar, with a Munzub l 
 to command six thousand Horse and the country of 
 Devarcotah to maintain me in my Honor and Dig- 
 nities ; after this Ceremony was ended we retired to 
 the inner Tent, he there asked me to march with 
 him against his brother Nizam Ali, who was marching 
 towards Hyderabad. I excused myself from com- 
 plying with this request by telling him there was no 
 such article in the Treaty and besides that, I could 
 not fight against a man who had always been an 
 enemy to the French. We had many Arguments 
 on this subject, which at last finding I was determined 
 not to assist him against Nizam Ali, he very genteely 
 revoked the Title, Munzub and Jageer 2 which he 
 had before given me and refused to return my visit 
 according to agreement. He has marched towards 
 Hyderabad in order to meet his brother, but pro- 
 bably they will compound the matter rather than 
 run the risque of a battle." 
 
 The Presidency of Madras appointed Mr. 
 Andrews with a Council to administer the 
 revenues and trade of the district lately ceded, 
 and Colonel Forde remained at Masulipatam 
 with the troops, expecting further orders from 
 Bengal. 
 
 1 Commission. 
 
 J Hereditary grant of lands. 
 
no AFTER THE CAPTURE 1759 
 
 The Government of Madras, anxious to add 
 to the army in the field, desired that Colonel 
 Forde should leave Masulipatam with a garri- 
 son of five hundred Sepoys and send his remain- 
 ing Europeans, about two hundred, to Madras. 
 This he refused to do ; stating in a letter * 
 addressed to the Governor and Council of Fort 
 St. George that, according to orders received 
 from Bengal, he was to go to Madras as soon 
 as the country was settled and that it was far 
 from being so, as long as Monsieur Moracin 
 with five hundred Europeans was in the 
 neighbourhood. Another reason he urged 
 was the usual one, lack of funds. He was 
 already in debt to the amount of one lakh of 
 rupees (Rs. 100,000) and also owed the Sepoys 
 their pay for the month of June. He there- 
 fore could not start unless he was provided 
 with two lakhs of rupees. 
 
 This want of money caused a mutiny 
 amongst the Sepoys and is related by Forde in 
 the above mentioned letter as follows : 
 
 " Yesterday morning (2nd July) the Seapoys who 
 were to mount guard (to the number of seven hun- 
 dred) mutinied and grounded their arms, saying they 
 would do no duty until they were paid their Pay and 
 
 1 Ormt's MSS. Vol. 292, p. 227. (India Office). 
 
1759 OF MASULIPATAM in 
 
 Prize Money that was due to them, as soon as I had 
 notice of this, I went directly to the Parade, seized 
 two of the Ringleaders and had them blown from a 
 gun ; this is the second Mutiny I have quelled, 
 occasioned by the want of money. I can do no 
 more than represent these things to you and if you 
 do not think proper to relieve my Necessities let the 
 Consequences lie at your Door. " 
 
 Clive approved of this, as indeed of every 
 part of Forde's conduct. Besides those public 
 thanks which, as head of the Government, he 
 gave to this able officer and his gallant troops, 
 we meet in dive's private letters with frequent 
 and strong expressions of his sense of the 
 importance of the defeat of Conflans near 
 Rajahmundry and the capture of Masulipatam. 
 He justly concluded that these achievements, 
 independent of their immediate consequences, 
 were calculated to promote our permanent 
 interests in the Deccan ; a point to which he 
 always gave great importance, and to which he 
 upbraided his friends in the Government of 
 Madras for being too inattentive. 
 
 In a private letter l to Mr. Pigot, Governor 
 of Fort St. George, dated 2ist August, 1759, 
 in which he congratulates him on the raising 
 of the siege of Fort St. George, he observes, 
 
 1 Malcolm's Memoirs of Robert, Lord Cli*ve, 
 
ii2 AFTER THE CAPTURE 1759 
 
 " I know there are many in England, especially 
 the envious, who have endeavoured to persuade 
 others as well as ourselves, that our wars in India 
 are trifling and insignificant, but our late exploits 
 will, I believe, induce another way of thinking and 
 add lustre to our quondam victories. " 
 
 " Colonel Forde may, I think, step forth and very 
 justly claim his share of the laurels gained. His 
 defeat of Conflans, with a great inferiority of num- 
 bers, was an important stroke, but his taking by 
 storm such a place as Masulipatam, with a garrison 
 within superior to the force which attacked it, is 
 what we seldom hear of in these our modern times." 
 
 " I cannot add much to what has been represented 
 to you in our general letter, only let me beg of you 
 not to neglect the affairs of the Deccan, they are of 
 great importance, and 1 know the gentlemen at 
 home think them so." 
 
 " Besides we could never be safe in Bengal, while 
 the enemy is so near at hand, and a strong squadron 
 which may give ours the slip, co-operate with them. 
 If Colonel Forde had left Masulipatam with only a 
 garrison of five hundred Sepoys and it had been 
 afterwards lost, (which I really believe would have 
 been the case,) what a load of disgrace would have 
 fallen upon us, for putting the Company to so great 
 an expense and for losing all the fruits of our eminent 
 successes in these parts." 
 
 In another letter dated 26th August, 1759, * 
 
 1 Malcolm's Memoirs of Robert, Lord Clvvt. 
 
OF MASULIPATAM 113 
 
 upon the same sufr , to his friend Mr. Van- 
 sittart, who was a Member of Council at Fort 
 St. George, Clive expresses similar sentiments ; 
 he observes : 
 
 " The news from the Coast this year has been 
 very important and interesting. The defence of 
 Madras will do much honour to our arms in India 
 and greatly heighten our reputation as soldiers in 
 these parts. I would gladly have given some of my 
 riches to share some of your reputation. I know it 
 has been a conceived opinion among the old soldiers 
 in England, that our exploits in India have been much 
 of the same nature as those of Fernandez Cortez ; 
 but your foiling such a man as Monsieur Lally and 
 two of the oldest regiments of France, will induce 
 another way of thinking and add a fresh lustre to all 
 our former victories." 
 
 " Neither do I think Colonel Forde's successes 
 fall short of those of Madras. His victory over the 
 Marquis de Conflans was but one of the many we 
 have gained over our enemies in the like circum- 
 stances, but his taking such a place as Masulipatam, 
 with a garrison within superior to the force which 
 attacked it is, 1 think, one of those extraordinary 
 actions which we seldom hear of in these modern 
 times, and must give him great honour when it 
 comes to be known at home. 1 And now I have 
 said this much, I can not help thinking there has not 
 been quite that attention bestowed on the affairs of 
 
 1 See Appendix Q. 
 
ii4 AFTER THE CAPTURE 1759 
 
 the Deccan their importance deserves. Much has 
 been risked in not sending Colonel Forde even a 
 small assistance of money, which I think might have 
 been done without greatly distressing yourselves, 
 and still much more in not providing sea conveyances 
 or timely and sufficient land escorts for the French 
 prisoners." 
 
 " This expedition was undertaken more with a 
 view to benefit the Coast 1 than Bengal, and most of 
 the Deccan forces would certainly have been at the 
 siege of Madras, if not prevented by the diversion 
 given from hence. Much, 1 fear, all our successes 
 in the Deccan would have come to nothing, if Colonel 
 Forde had complied with the late order sent him, of 
 leaving only five hundred Sepoys in Masulipatam, 
 and coming with the rest of the forces to Madras. 
 Excuse me in thinking the gentlemen in council 
 have had too much at heart the securing to them- 
 selves Colonel Forde's detachment, without sufficient- 
 ly considering the consequences ; for I can never be 
 persuaded that the addition of two hundred infantry 
 would either have lost or gained us a battle over 
 Monsieur Lally ; but the withdrawing them from 
 Masulipatam would certainly have rendered fruitless 
 all that had been done. You will be surprised at 
 hearing the French have landed upwards of five 
 hundred Europeans at Ganjam with Monsieur 
 Moracin, but it is really matter of fact and has been 
 confirmed to us by no less than forty seven deserters 
 
 1 The Madras Presidency was usually called the Coast. 
 
1759 OF MASULIPATAM 115 
 
 from thence, most of them English taken at St. 
 David's and forced into the service. By the latest 
 advices they were reduced by death and desertions 
 to four hundred. I need say no more on this 
 subject, as the Board will write very fully on this 
 and other matters of importance." 
 
 Almost immediately after the capture of 
 Masulipatam, news arrived that the Court of 
 Directors at home had refused to confirm 
 dive's nomination of Forde to the command 
 in Bengal, and that he was to be superseded by 
 Lieutenant Colonel Eyre Coote, who had just 
 then arrived at Madras in command of the 
 84th Regiment. 
 
 It appears, however, that Forde remained 
 in command of the troops at Masulipatam 
 until the I5th October, when he left that 
 place by sea for Calcutta on board the Hard- 
 wicke, l after ascertaining that Moracin had 
 been obliged, for want of supplies and on 
 account of other hardships, to leave Ganjam. 
 
 The garrison of Masulipatam, consisting of 
 three hundred of the European Regiment and 
 eight hundred Sepoys, was placed under the 
 command of Captain Fischer. 
 
 1 Bengal Select Committee Consultations, (India Office), Range A, 
 Vol. ii. 
 
n6 AFTER THE CAPTURE 1759 
 
 The result of this expedition under Colonel 
 Forde was the acquisition for England of those 
 districts on the east coast, which had formerly 
 constituted the most valuable possession of 
 France in Hindustan, and laid the foundation 
 of that predominance at the court of the 
 Nizam, which placed, some forty years later, 
 on a definite basis by the Marquis Wellesley, 
 exists at the present day. It is not too much 
 to say that the taking of Masulipatam and the 
 expulsion of the French from the Northern 
 Circars, the source whence Monsieur Bussy 
 had drawn the sinews of war, was the blow 
 from which the French never recovered. 
 
 " We 1 may therefore look upon that singularly 
 uninteresting spot, the old fort at Masulipatam, as 
 classic ground and, rising superior to the depressing 
 influences of the dismal swamp and muddy sea sur- 
 rounding it, may remember that had the issue of 
 that midnight struggle been otherwise, the tricolour 
 and not the Union Jack might now wave over 
 India. " 
 
 Manual of the Kistna District. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 DISPUTES BETWEEN 
 THE ENGLISH tf DUTCH l 
 
 1759 
 
 When Clive was exulting at the advantages 
 gained over the French in the Deccan and at 
 Madras, and congratulating himself on the 
 success which had attended his personal efforts 
 in Bengal, a new and alarming danger arose 
 from a quarter altogether unexpected. 
 
 Accounts had been received that the Dutch 
 were preparing a strong armament in Batavia, 
 and it was further added that its destination 
 was Bengal. To this report, Clive at first 
 refused his belief. Mr. Warren Hastings had 
 written to him, on the agth July, 1759, that 
 the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Jafar, was led from 
 several reasons to suspect that the Dutch were 
 in league with the sovereign of Oudh, and 
 that the armament at Batavia was meant to 
 strengthen their factory at Chinsura, but Clive 
 
 1 Malcolm's Memoirs of Robert LordClive. 
 
n8 DISPUTES BETWEEN 1759 
 
 in his answer to this letter did not give credit 
 to the surmise. " Although it will be neces- 
 sary, " he stated on the 3rd August, 1759, " to 
 be upon our guard against the Dutch, yet I 
 have reason to think that the armament fitted 
 out at Batavia is only intended to garrison 
 their settlements in Ceylon. Some intelligence 
 lately received confirms me in this opinion. " 
 
 It was not easy for Clive, or for any person, 
 to foresee such a course of measures as the 
 Dutch government in India adopted at this 
 period of profound peace between the two 
 nations in Europe. It will be therefore well, 
 before narrating what occurred, to take a short 
 review of the conduct of those in charge of the 
 Dutch factory at Chinsura, from the capture 
 of Calcutta until the period about which we 
 are now writing. 
 
 The Dutch at Chinsura had, like others, 
 suffered from Suraj-ud-Daula, who had com- 
 pelled them to pay a fine of five hundred 
 thousand rupees. This and other oppressive 
 acts made them rejoice at his downfall, l and 
 they addressed to Clive a letter of congratula- 
 tion on his success in dethroning that Prince ; 
 nevertheless they did not recognise Mir Jaffar 
 
 1 He was dethroned after Plassey and was succeeded by Mir Jaffar. 
 
i 7 59 THE ENGLISH & DUTCH 119 
 
 as Subahdar of Bengal ; the consequence was 
 so hostile a feeling in the mind of that Prince 
 that it required the continual good offices of 
 Clive to preserve terms between them. This 
 was not easy, for their not recognising him was 
 a cause of just and frequent irritation to Mir 
 Jaffar. Clive notices the subject in a letter * to 
 the Dutch Governor, Mr. Bisdom, written in 
 answer to one full of complaints : 
 
 " I am well acquainted, with your attachment to 
 the English and the service you have at all times 
 been ready to show them, but give me leave to 
 observe, Sir, that good offices have always been 
 reciprocal between the two nations ; and indeed this 
 is no more than we mutually owe each other, con- 
 sidering the close alliance and union of interests that 
 have so long subsisted between us. It gives me 
 therefore much concern that you should do me the 
 injustice to reproach me with being in any shape 
 accessory to the obstruction which the Subahdar had 
 thought proper to lay upon your trade. I have 
 indeed heard him make frequent complaints of the 
 ill behaviour of your Government towards him, and 
 was really amazed at his patience, in putting up so 
 long with indignities, which you would not have 
 ventured to offer to Mohabit Jung or Sura-ud-Daula. 
 I shall not pretend to enquire into your reasons for 
 not acknowledging Meer Jaffier in the same manner 
 
 1 2nd October, 1758. 
 
120 DISPUTES BETWEEN 1759 
 
 as the preceding Subahdars have always been, more 
 especially as you can not be ignorant that he has 
 received his sunnud 1 from the Mogul ; 2 but for my 
 own part I can not conceive how you and your 
 Council will be able to exculpate yourselves to your 
 superiors for the present stoppage of their trade, 
 since it appears evident to me that you have brought 
 it upon yourselves by your disrespect to a person of 
 his high station. " 
 
 The act which gave rise to stopping the 
 trade was one of public disrespect to the 
 Nawab, to whom the Dutch factory did not 
 even pay the compliment of a salute when he 
 passed Chinsura on his way to Calcutta. The 
 mode in which he resented this insult had its 
 full effect. The Governor and Council of 
 Chinsura made a very humble apology, which 
 was accepted, and the prohibition on their 
 commerce removed. 
 
 The chief complaints of the Dutch against 
 the English were the latter having the mono- 
 poly of saltpetre at Patna and their insisting 
 that Dutch vessels coming up the river should 
 take English pilots. To the first it was 
 answered that saltpetre had always been a 
 monopoly and that, since the English obtained 
 
 1 Commission. 
 
 * Emperor of Delhi. 
 
1759 THE ENGLISH & DUTCH 121 
 
 it, the Dutch had always bought the article 
 cheaper than they had ever done before. 
 With regard to the insisting upon no pilots 
 being employed on the river but English, it 
 was stated to be a measure forced on the Com- 
 mittee of Calcutta by considerations of safety, 
 and that, until the danger was over, they could 
 not allow those of any other nation to be 
 employed. These facts should have satisfied 
 the Dutch could the superior Government at 
 Batavia have been contented to abandon to 
 another European Power, without a struggle, 
 the political pre-eminence in India. 
 
 Calculating, however, upon the encourage- 
 ment given at the Court of Murshedabad, 
 previous to the expedition to Patna, they 
 determined to make a bold effort to establish 
 such a force at Chinsura as might enable them 
 to balance the predominating power of the 
 English in Bengal. In a paper entitled Memo- 
 rial of facts relating to the Disputes with the Dutch 
 in Bengal 1 which was sent to England by the 
 Royal George and received by the Court of 
 Directors on the loth July, 1760, the progress 
 of this serious difference between the two 
 nations, from its commencement to its conclu- 
 
 1 East Indies Home Series Miscellaneous, (India Office), Vol. 95. 
 
122 DISPUTES BETWEEN 1759 
 
 sion, is exhibited in a very clear manner and, 
 for that reason, is inserted at length. 
 
 "About the month of November, 17^8, a prevail- 
 ing party at the Nabob l Jaffier Aly Khan's Durbar, 2 
 headed by Meeran his son, had prejudiced him to 
 look with an evil and jealous eye on the power and 
 influence of the English in the provinces, and taught 
 him to think and look upon himself as a cipher 
 bearing the name of Subah only. From subsequent 
 concurrent circumstances it must have been at that 
 period, and from this cause, that we imagine a private 
 negociation was set on foot between the Nabob and 
 the Dutch, that the latter should bring a military 
 force into the provinces to join the former and 
 balance our power and sway. The Dutch, stimula- 
 ted by envy at our very advantageous situation, and 
 a sense of their own very small importance, readily 
 embraced the overture and hoped another Plassey 
 affair for themselves. " 
 
 " Actuated by these golden dreams and encour- 
 aged by the absence of our troops on the Golconda 
 expedition, the Director and his Council at Chinsura 
 forwarded remonstrances to Batavia for this purpose 
 where, by the event, it appears they had the intended 
 effect. " 
 
 " Subsequent to this private negociation was the 
 advance of the Shah Zada 3 and Governor dive's 
 
 1 Same as Nawab. 
 
 * Court or executive Government of a native state. 
 
 3 Known afterwards as the Emperor Shah Alam. 
 
1759 THE ENGLISH & DUTCH 123 
 
 march to Patna in support of the Nabob and his 
 Government, which perfectly convinced him and his 
 son of our faithfulness, affection and attachment, and 
 struck an iniquitous party at the Durbar dumb, who 
 were ever insinuating to them that the English were 
 aiming to be Subahs of the country in breach of their 
 treaty. " 
 
 " Early in August we received advice that a 
 powerful armament was fitting out and embarking 
 at Batavia, its destination not perfectly known but 
 rumoured to be for Bengal. The Governor, Clive, 
 sent early notice of this to Meer J airier, who imme- 
 diately sent a purwannah l to the Dutch Governor, a 
 copy of which he forwarded to Governor Clive, 
 demanding withal, by virtue of the treaty subsisting 
 with the English, that he should join his forces to 
 oppose and prevent any foreign troops being, brought 
 into his country. " 
 
 " About this time a Dutch ship arrived in the 
 river with European troops and Buggoses, 2 of which 
 the Governor advised the Nabob, who was much 
 embarrassed at the news. He, however, despatched 
 a second purwannah to the Dutch and ordered Omar 
 Beg Khan, Fouzdaar 3 of Hooghley, immediately to 
 join the Governor, with a body of troops, and 
 repeated his demand of our assistance, to prevent 
 the Dutch troops or ships advancing up the river. " 
 
 " To the Nabob's first purwannah the Dutch sent 
 
 1 A letter of authority from an official to a subordinate. 
 * Mercenary soldiers from the Malay Peninsula. 
 3 Military Governor of a district. 
 
124 DISPUTES BETWEEN 1759 
 
 a reply and solemn promise of obedience to his 
 orders ; to the second, they as solemnly assured him 
 the ship which was arrived came in by accident for 
 water and provisions ; that she was drove from her 
 destined port of Nagapatam by stress of weather, 
 and that she and her troops should leave the river as 
 soon as they were supplied. " 
 
 " Notwithstanding these solemn assurances from 
 the Dutch, it was judged expedient to send a detach- 
 ment of troops, joined with one of the Subah's under 
 the command of the Fouzdaar's officer, to take 
 possession of Tanna Fort and Charnoc's battery 
 opposite to it, with orders to stop and search all 
 boats and vessels that passed, without giving them 
 further molestation. Parties were likewise sent out 
 on each side of the river to prevent any foreign 
 troops advancing by land. " 
 
 " In consequence of these orders every Dutch 
 boat and budgerow 1 was brought to and those that 
 had no troops suffered to pass ; amongst others 
 Mynheer Suydland, the Dutch Master-attendant, 
 not only refused for some time being either brought 
 to or searched, but struck the commanding officer at 
 Charnoc's battery. Himself and another Dutch 
 gentleman with him were made prisoners for a few 
 hours, until an order from the Governor went down 
 for releasing them, and the budgerow, on board of 
 which were found concealed eighteen Buggoses, who 
 were conducted down by land under a guard until 
 within sight of their ship at Fulta, was released. " 
 
 1 A large house boat used for travelling. 
 
1759 THE ENGLISH & DUTCH 125 
 
 " On these transact! /e received very long 
 
 remonstrances from the gentlemen at Chinsura, to 
 which we replied that as principals we had, by the 
 custom of laws and nations, a right to search all 
 vessels whatever advancing up this river, not knowing 
 but they might introduce French troops into the 
 country and that, as auxiliaries to the Mogul, we 
 were under a necessity by solemn treaty, to join his 
 Viceroy in opposing the introduction of any European 
 or foreign troops whatever into Bengal ; and that we 
 should absolutely and religiously do our duty to the 
 utmost of our strength and power in both capacities." 
 
 " Early in October Jaffier Aly Khan arrived here 
 on a visit to the Governor. During his stay with 
 us, advice came from below of the arrival of six or 
 seven more Dutch capital ships, crammed with sol- 
 diers and buggoses. Now the Dutch mask fell off, 
 and the Nabod (conscious of having given his assent 
 to their coming and at the same time of our attach- 
 ment and his own unfaithful dealings with us) was 
 greatly confused and disconcerted. He, however, 
 seemed to make light of it ; told the Governor he 
 was going to reside three or four days at his fort of 
 Hooghley, where he would chastise the insolence 
 and disobedience of the Dutch and drive them soon 
 out of the river again. " 
 
 ' On the 1 9th October he left Calcutta and in 
 place of his going to his fort at Hooghley he took up 
 his residence at Cajah Wazeed's l garden, about half 
 
 1 Styled Fakker-u-Toojar (signifying " Glory of Merchants ") in 
 the correspondence, but commonly known as Cajar Wazeed. 
 
ia6 DISPUTES BETWEEN 1759 
 
 way between that and Chinsura ; a plain indication 
 that he had no apprehensions from the Dutch, whom 
 he received there in the most gracious manner he 
 could, more like friends and allies, than as enemies 
 to him and his country." 
 
 " In three or four days after his departure from 
 Calcutta, the Governor received a letter from him 
 wherein he informed him of c some indulgence he 
 had granted the Dutch in their trade and that they 
 had engaged to leave the river, with their ships and 
 troops, as soon as the season would permit.' The 
 season permitting their immediate departure with 
 the greatest safety and propriety, the last condition 
 in the Nabob's letter, joined to his whole behaviour, 
 convinced us that leaving the river was no part of 
 their intention but that, on the contrary, they had 
 his assent to bring up their troops if they could, 
 which Colonel Clive was determined they should not, 
 as the Nabob had not withdrawn his orders to 
 oppose them, and in this he was heartily joined by 
 his Council. Ruin to the Company, if not to the 
 country, must have been the inevitable consequence 
 of their junction with the troops they had in garrison 
 at Chinsura, which once accomplished would have 
 been, beyond all doubt, attended with a declaration 
 from the Government in their favour and as probably 
 a union between them which must have ended in 
 our destruction." 
 
 "A very few days justified our suspicions and 
 resolutions, for in place of the Dutch leaving the 
 river, we received certain intelligence of their moving 
 
i 7 59 THE ENGLISH & DUTCH 127 
 
 up, and that they were enlisting troops under every 
 denomination at Chinsura, Cossimbazar and Patna, 
 and this plainly with connivance of the Nabob. " 
 
 "Whatever may have been the joint or separate 
 views of the Dutch and Nabob against us, it is most 
 certain that they never could have had a more 
 favourable conjuncture to carry them into execution, 
 for what with the unforeseen and inevitable long 
 stay of our troops on the Golconda expedition, the 
 detention on the Coast of Coromandel of the forces 
 appointed for this settlement, and the necessity the 
 Governor was under of leaving a considerable party 
 at Patna in May last, our garrison here was incon- 
 siderable." 
 
 " Our Governor, with indefatigable dispatch, made 
 every necessary disposition to circumvent the designs 
 of our enemies. The Calcutta, Duke of Dorset and 
 Hardwicke, (the only ships we had in the river) were 
 ordered to proceed immediately to town, the detach- 
 ments at Tanna and Charnoc's were strengthened 
 and heavy cannon mounted at each, as also on two 
 faces of our new fort commanding the river. The 
 Patna party was recalled and the Militia put under 
 arms. The Governor wrote likewise to the Nabob 
 in strong and peremptory terms to send his son 
 down with his army to invest Chinsura, but the 
 politics of the Durbar, at this period, we believe, ran 
 counter, where we judge it was determined to let the 
 English and Dutch weaken and destroy one another, 
 when they would probably have attempted to reduce 
 both or join with the strongest. " 
 
128 DISPUTES BETWEEN 1759 
 
 " Soon as the Dutch thought their scheme ripe for 
 action, they sent us an immense remonstrance, reca- 
 pitulating the whole of all their former ones and 
 vowing vengeance and reprisals if we persisted in 
 searching their boats, and obstructing the advance of 
 their troops up the river. To this we replied once 
 for all, that we had given no insult to their colours 
 or attacked or touched their property or infringed 
 their privileges ; that with respect to their bringing 
 troops into Bengal, the Nabob knew best how far it 
 was incumbent on him to preserve the peace and 
 tranquillity of his country ; that their boats had been 
 stopped and searched, and the advance of their troops 
 opposed by orders from the Viceroy and under the 
 Emperor his master's colours and by his troops, that 
 they must apply therefore to him, and that we were 
 ready to interpose our friendly offices to mitigate his 
 resentment. This it 'may be thought, savoured of 
 audacity, but facts vindicated us, as the Fouzdaar 
 had neither withdrawn his troops, which consisted of 
 four or five hundred horse, nor the Nabob his orders, 
 and all that was done below was under the Govern- 
 ment's colours. Notwithstanding which, on receipt 
 of the last Dutch remonstrance, we found our senti- 
 ments a good deal embarrassed, doubting whether 
 we should stand justified to our country and employ- 
 ers in commencing hostilities against an ally of 
 England, supposing they should persist in passing 
 the batteries below, with their ships and troops. " 
 
 " In this situation we anxiously wished the next 
 hour would bring us news of a declaration of war 
 
1759 THE ENGLISH & DUTCH 129 
 
 with Holland, which we had indeed soon reason to 
 expect, by our last advices from England. Another 
 strong reason which determined us to oppose them 
 and on which subject we had been guarded against by 
 the Court of Directors, who had intimated that in 
 all likelihood the Dutch would first commence 
 hostilities against us in India. " 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES WITH THE 
 DUTCH. THE BATTLE OF BADARA 
 
 '759 
 
 "Thus circumstanced, the Dutch themselves 
 removed all our difficulties by beginning hostilities 
 below, attacking with shot and seizing seven of our 
 vessels, grain boats, etc., tearing down our colours, 
 disembarking our guns, military stores etc. from our 
 vessels to their own ships, making prisoners of the 
 captains, officers etc. They also began hostilities on 
 shore in our Purgunnahs 1 off Fulta and Riapore, 
 where they tore down our colours and burnt the 
 houses and effects of the Company's tenants in those 
 parts. Amongst the vessels they attacked and seized 
 was the Leopard Snow y Captain Barclay, whom we 
 had despatched with expresses to Admiral Cornish 
 to hasten his coming to our succour, which we judged 
 would meet him somewhere on the Arracan Coast." 
 
 " On this event we concluded, with the greatest 
 probability, that the Dutch had received intelligence 
 of a rupture between them and us in Europe, or 
 
 1 Subdivision of a district. 
 
i 7 59 HOSTILITIES 131 
 
 that they were sure of the Nabob joining them, or 
 of his standing neuter at least ; and having the 
 utmost reason to suspect the Nabob's whole conduct, 
 Governor Clive apprised him of the acts of violence 
 the Dutch had committed below, adding that as they 
 had commenced actual war against us, he should 
 judge the quarrel now subsisted between them and 
 us only, desiring he would leave chastising the 
 Dutch to us, and desist from sending either his son 
 or any part of his army to our assistance ; but that 
 if he would convince us of his sincerity and attach- 
 ment, he should directly surround their subordinates 
 and distress them in the country to the utmost." 
 
 " Hitherto we knew not whether the Dutch 
 intended to pass the batteries with their ships and 
 troops on board, or whether their intention was to 
 land the latter as high up as they could, and march 
 them overland. The Governor however made the 
 necessary dispositions against both, as far as our 
 small body of troops would permit, consisting, on 
 the whole, of about two hundred and forty Europ- 
 eans of the battalion, about eighty of the train and 
 twelve hundred Sepoys. The best troops and the 
 largest proportion of these, with many volunteers 
 drafted from the militia and part of the independent 
 company, formed into a troop of horse, were station- 
 ed at Charnoc's and Tanna under the command of 
 Captain Knox." 
 
 " Colonel Forde, on account of his ill state of 
 health and dismission from the service, had returned 
 to us a few days before these troubles, and notwith- 
 
132 THE BATTLE 1759 
 
 standing both most obligingly and readily, at the 
 Governor's request, took upon him the command of 
 the remaining troops in the garrison, which marched 
 to the northward on the I9th November, on which 
 day Mr. Holwell was ordered to take charge of Fort 
 William, with the militia, consisting of about two 
 hundred and fifty Europeans, besides some of the 
 Portuguese inhabitants ; the Governor dividing his 
 attention and presence between both divisions, those 
 at Charnoc's and those in the field. " 
 
 " The first stroke struck against the Dutch was 
 possessing ourselves of Barnagore from whence 
 Colonel Forde passed over the river with his troops 
 and four field pieces to Serampore, the Danish 
 factory, and marched towards Chandanagore ; not 
 only with the view of striking terror into Chinsura, 
 but to be ready to intercept the Dutch troops, in 
 case they should disembark and attempt to gain 
 that place by land. " 
 
 Forde, in writing to Clive from Chittapore 
 on the 22nd November l states that, having 
 embarked the artillery, tents and stores, he 
 intended to embark the troops that evening 
 and that, in order to gain intelligence of the 
 enemy's movements, he had sent four boats up 
 the river. In conclusion, he wrote : 
 
 " I believe the Mynheers are damnably at a loss 
 
 1 Ormts MSS. (India Office), Vol. 292, p. 241. 
 
1759 OF BADARA 133 
 
 how to act upon this occasion notwithstanding they 
 have a Veldt Marshal at their head. " 
 
 " During this period, the Dutch ships kept 
 advancing with their captures and prisoners and our 
 three ships in their rear, whose orders were peremp- 
 torily to pass them and station themselves above the 
 batteries, where fire boats and every other needful 
 step was taken to destroy the Dutch ships, if they 
 attempted to pass. The Dutch Commander sent 
 two orders to Commodore Wilson prohibiting his 
 passing their ships, and that if he attempted it, he 
 would fire upon him. " 
 
 " On the 2 ist November, the Dutch armament 
 came to an anchor in Sankeral Reach, whose point 
 was within range of our cannon from the batteries. 
 On the 2 3rd November they landed on the opposite 
 shore, seven hundred Europeans and about eight 
 hundred Buggoses, and dropped down with their 
 ships to Melancholy Point, the lower end of the 
 reach, being near where our ships lay ; of which 
 advice was immediately dispatched to Colonel Forde, 
 with assurance that he should be reinforced, with the 
 utmost expedition, by Captain Knox and the parties 
 at the batteries, who were accordingly recalled. " 
 
 " On the 23rd, orders were sent to our Commo- 
 dore to demand immediate restitution of our ships, 
 subjects and property, or to fight, sink, burn and 
 destroy the Dutch ships on their refusal. The next 
 day the demand was made and refused. True 
 British spirit was manifested on this occasion. Not- 
 withstanding the inequality (the Dutch having seven 
 
134 THE BATTLE 1759 
 
 to three, and four of them capital ships) we attacked 
 them, and after about two hours engagement, the 
 Dutch Commodore struck, and the rest followed the 
 example, except his second, who cut and run down 
 the river as low as Culpee, when she was stopped 
 short by the Oxford and Royal George^ who had 
 arrived two days before and had our orders to join 
 the other captains. The Dutch Commodore had 
 about thirty men killed and many wounded ; she 
 suffered the most amongst them, as did the Duke of 
 Dorset on our side, who was more immediately en- 
 gaged with her. " 
 
 "On the same day, the 24th, Colonel Forde 
 marched from the French gardens to the northward, 
 intending to encamp between Chandanagore and 
 Chinsura. In his march through the former, he was 
 attacked by the Dutch, with four pieces of cannon, 
 and the garrison from Chinsura which had marched 
 out and lodged themselves in the houses and ruins 
 of Chandanagore, at the very time the Colonel 
 entered with his troops at the southermost end. 
 However he soon dislodged them from their ambush, 
 took their cannon and pursued them with some 
 slaughter to the very barriers of Chinsura, which he 
 prepared to invest, being now joined by Captain 
 Knox and the troops from Charnoc's and Tanna 
 batteries. " 
 
 When writing to Captain Carnac (Appen- 
 dix R), the same day, Forde gives his loss in 
 this engagement to have been only two men 
 
1759 OF BADARA 135 
 
 killed and three or four wounded. The Dutch 
 ten or twelve killed and about the same number 
 wounded and prisoners, besides a good number 
 wounded that had escaped capture. He also 
 stated that, being as weak as water owing to 
 his recent illness, he would never have been 
 able to join in the pursuit had he not dismount- 
 ed a trooper and taken his horse. 
 
 From the prisoners he had taken at Chan- 
 danagore and from other sources, 1 Forde learnt 
 that same evening that the Dutch force landed 
 from the ships would certainly arrive the 
 following day (the 25th). He at once sent 
 off an express to Clive, stating that he thought 
 he had a fair prospect of destroying the enemy, 
 but that he did not like to attack the troops 
 of a European nation, not in a state of war 
 with us, without an Order in Council. Clive 
 was engaged in playing whist when this note 
 reached him. He read it and without quitting 
 the table, he wrote on the back of the note in 
 pencil, " Dear Forde, fight them immediately ; I 
 will send you the Order in Council tomorrow." 
 
 Hough in Military Events in India , Vol. i. 
 p. 20, in a footnote, gives another version of 
 this incident as follows : 
 
 1 Malleson's Lord Clive. 
 
136 THE BATTLE 1759 
 
 " When Colonel Forde reported to Clive the 
 arrival of the Dutch in the river and wrote for 
 orders, Clive was playing at cards and wrote on the 
 back of the nine of diamonds : c Fight them and I will 
 send you an Order in Council to-morrow V 
 
 Armed with this authority Forde, early in 
 the morning of the 25th, took up at Badara, 
 about midway between Chandernagore and 
 Chinsura, a position commanding the road to 
 the latter place. His right rested on the 
 village of Badara, his left on a mango grove, 
 both of which he occupied, his front was 
 covered by a broad and deep ditch. Securely 
 planted behind this his guns commanded the 
 treeless plain in front of it. It was the very 
 best position that could have been taken, for 
 whilst very defensive, it commanded all the 
 approaches. 
 
 At about ten o'clock in the morning, the 
 Dutch force, led by Colonel Roussel, a French 
 soldier of fortune, was seen advancing across 
 the plain. The engagement which followed 
 was short, bloody and decisive. 
 
 As soon as the Dutch arrived within range, 
 the four guns of the English opened fire. 
 Nothwithstanding, the gaps they made, the 
 Dutch still pressed on ; the ditch, however, 
 
1759 OF BADARA 137 
 
 the existence of which they were ignorant, 
 stopped them. The confusion which this 
 necessary halt caused to their rearmost files, 
 and the exposure of their line to a concentrated 
 fire of small arms from the English, some 
 posted in the village, some in the grove, 
 proved fatal to the Dutch. Unable to press 
 on and the greater number ignorant of the 
 cause of the stoppage, they fairly turned. 
 Forde used the first moment of wavering 
 which they displayed to launch at them his 
 English cavalry. The small number of these 
 was not, at the moment, apparent to the enemy, 
 and the charge, made at an opportune moment, 
 forced the Dutch back in disorder. 
 
 Seeing the effect produced, that the Dutch 
 were fairly broken, the cavalry of the Nawab 
 which had not responded to the invitation to 
 accompany their European comrades in the 
 first charge, dashed forward and completed the 
 defeat. No victory was ever more decisive. l 
 Of the seven hundred Europeans and eight 
 hundred Malays comprising the Dutch force, 
 one hundred and twenty of the former and 
 
 1 " Such, " writes Broome in his History of the Bengal Arnty, " was 
 the brilliant victory of Badara, marked by an extraordinary degree of 
 skill and courage and most important in its results, and yet the name 
 of the action is scarcely ever mentioned. " 
 
138 THE BATTLE 1759 
 
 two hundred of the latter were left dead on 
 the field, three hundred, in about equal propor- 
 tion of both, were wounded, whilst Colonel 
 Roussel, fourteen of his officers, three hundred 
 and fifty Dutch and two hundred Malays were 
 made prisoners. Some sixty of the former and 
 two hundred and fifty of the latter escaped, 
 and of these only fourteen eventually succeed- 
 ed in finding their way to Chinsura. 
 
 Our loss was inconsiderable. Forde in his 
 letters (Appendix S) to Clive, written on the 
 day of the fight, estimates them as being under 
 ten killed and wounded. 1 
 
 The English force on this occasion consisted 
 of two hundred and forty infantry, eighty of 
 the train (artillery) and fifty more Europeans 
 composing the troops of horse and about eight 
 hundred Sepoys. 2 
 
 " After this action, Colonel Forde returned, sat 
 down before Chinsura and wrote for further orders. 3 
 The Dutch were now as abject in their submission 
 as they had been insolent in their supposed superior- 
 ity. They wrote to Colonel Forde and likewise to 
 the Board here, requesting he would cease hostilities 
 and propose terms of amity. " 
 
 1 The account of Badara is taken from Malleson. 
 
 * For the Dutch account of this action see Appendix T. 
 
 3 Memorial of facts, 8cc. contd. 
 
1759 OF BADARA 139 
 
 " We judged we had sufficiently chastised and 
 humbled them, without taking their settlement 
 (which must have surrendered on the first sum- 
 mons) and agreed to enter on a Treaty with them. 
 Deputies were appointed and things brought to a 
 speedy and amicable conclusion. They disavowed 
 the proceedings of their ships below, acknowledged 
 themselves the aggressors, and agreed to pay costs 
 and damages, on which their ships were delivered up 
 to them. " 
 
 "Three days after the battle ofBadara, the young 
 Nabob, with about six or seven thousand horse 
 arrived and encamped within a coss 1 of Chinsura ; 
 this struck the Dutch with the deepest terror. 
 Governor Clive was wrote to, in the most suppli- 
 catory terms to interpose and not abandon them to 
 the violence of the Moors. 2 The Governor inter- 
 posed and went directly to the French gardens that 
 he might be a nearer check upon the young Nabob 
 and prevent him proceeding to extremities with 
 them. " 
 
 " His friendly interposition had its proper effect ; 
 the young Nabob received their deputies, and after 
 severe altercation, forgave them and promised ample 
 protection in their trade and privileges on the fol- 
 lowing terms : 3 That they shall never meditate 
 war, introduce or enlist troops or raise fortifications 
 in the country ; that they shall be allowed to keep 
 
 1 About if miles. 
 
 2 Moor was an ordinary term for a Mahomedan. 
 
 3 For the full text of these negociations, see Appendix U. 
 
140 THE BATTLE 1759 
 
 up one hundred and twenty five European soldiers 
 and no more, for the service of their several factories 
 at Chinsura and Patna ; that they shall forthwith send 
 their ships and remaining troops out of the country, 
 and that a breach of any one of these articles shall 
 be punished with utter expulsion. These terms 
 ratified by the Council of Hooghley, and the Nabob 
 thus satisfied for the trouble and expense of his 
 march, he broke up his camp and returned to the 
 city. " 
 
 " Thus ended an affair which, had the event been 
 different, threatened us in its consequences with utter 
 destruction ; for had the Dutch gained the same 
 advantage over us, we have now the most convincing 
 proofs to conclude that the remembrance of Am- 
 boyna 1 would have been lost in their treatment of 
 this colony. " 
 
 " Mr. Bisdom, the Dutch Governor, was in a 
 dying condition during the whole of these transac- 
 tions and opposed, jointly with Messrs. Zuydland 
 and Bacheracht, the violence of their proceedings, 
 but they were overruled by the rest of their Council, 
 led by Messrs Vernet and Schevichaven, two men of 
 desperate fortunes and violent and evil principles, 
 who, we doubt not, will pay severely for their 
 imprudence. " 
 
 There appears every reason to conclude 
 from this narrative as well as from other 
 accounts that Mir Jafar had originally given 
 
 1 Appendix V. 
 
1759 OF BADARA 141 
 
 countenance to an intrigue with the Dutch, 
 carried on through Cajar Wazeed, but there 
 can be no doubt that the conduct of Clive, on 
 the subsequent invasion of the Shah Zada, had 
 made a change in his sentiments. He readily 
 therefore gave the requisite orders to the Dutch 
 forbidding them to land any troops. 
 
 " He declared to me," Mr. Hastings writes 
 to Clive on the 4th August, 1759, " that if 
 they brought any armed force into his country, 
 he would look upon them as enemies, and 
 treat them accordingly. " 
 
 Clive, at this time, had at first no person of 
 any distinction to aid him, until Colonel Forde 
 arrived from Masulipatam. 
 
 This officer, as has been mentioned, was in 
 a bad state of health, and accounts had reached 
 Bengal that the Directors had not confirmed 
 his nomination to the chief military post in 
 that Presidency, but neither indisposition nor 
 disgust at this treatment prevented him from 
 offering his valuable services to his friend and 
 patron at this critical time, when they were 
 so much required. His skill and gallantry 
 were alike conspicuous in attacking and 
 defeating so superior a force. A more critical 
 situation than that in which Clive was placed 
 
142 THE BATTLE 1759 
 
 by the arrival of the Dutch naval and military 
 force can hardly be conceived. The respon- 
 sibility he took upon himself in determining to 
 oppose it, was great, but his mind never faltered 
 when the public welfare was in danger. 
 
 When some of his friends remonstrated 
 with him on the risk which he incurred in 
 opposing, during peace, the passage of the 
 troops of a friendly nation up the Ganges, he 
 is said to have answered that " a public man 
 may occasionally be called to act with a halter 
 round his neck. " 
 
 A very minute investigation of the whole 
 subject took place in Europe, but the Dutch 
 local government in the treaty into which 
 they entered with the English had acknow- 
 ledged themselves the aggressors, and Clive had 
 been so cautious in every step he took, that 
 his conduct could not be impugned. He 
 received, as he merited, unqualified approbation 
 for this last act of his government, which 
 terminated, as it was meant to do, all attempts 
 of the Dutch to rival the political power of 
 the English in Bengal. Their transactions 
 henceforth were solely commercial. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 THE SUPERSESSION OF FORDE BY 
 EYRE COOTE 
 
 1 759 
 
 " I, " says Malcolm in his Memoir of Robert, 
 Lord C/ive, " have before mentioned the origin 
 of dive's regard for Colonel Forde, the grounds 
 upon which he selected him for the Command 
 in Bengal, and the degree in which he deemed 
 himself indebted to him for his great and 
 brilliant achievements. " We shall also see 
 the poignant feelings with which he regarded 
 the conduct of the Court of Directors towards 
 this able and gallant officer, who, immediately 
 after the capture of Masulipatam, had the 
 mortification to find himself superseded by 
 Colonel Eyre Coote who, a year before, had 
 been his junior in Adlercron's regiment, l but 
 returning from India with fortune and reputa- 
 tion, had obtained a Colonel's commission, and 
 
 1 When Forde was promoted to Major on i3th November, 1755, 
 Coote was the junior Captain in the regiment. Army List. 
 
144 SUPERSESSION 1759 
 
 had just landed at Madras in command of the 
 84th Regiment destined for Calcutta. 
 
 In a lengthy despatch l dated 23rd March, 
 1759, the Court of Directors in appointing 
 Colonel Eyre Coote to be the Commander in 
 Chief on the Bengal Establishment states " the 
 great advantage and benefit that must arise to 
 us by connecting the King's and our own 
 forces under one Commander is obvious and 
 leaves no room to employ Colonel Forde. " 
 It goes on to say to the President and Council 
 at Fort William (Calcutta) that the conditions 
 on which Bengal appointed Forde were not at 
 all agreeable to the Court of Directors, and 
 ordered Clive and his colleagues to do nothing 
 of the kind again, but to leave the choice of 
 any future Commander in Chief in Bengal, 
 should a vacancy occur through Coote's death 
 or absence, to Colonel Stringer Lawrence, who 
 was then commanding the troops in the 
 Madras Presidency. 
 
 This despatch, which took away from Clive 
 and his Council the power of nominating their 
 own Commander in Chief, was naturally much 
 resented, and we gather from a letter, 2 written 
 
 i Bengal Despatches, (India Office), Vol. i. p. 926. 
 ' Ormis MSS. Vol. 287. (India Office). 
 
1759 OF FORDE 145 
 
 by Clive to Mr. Vansittart on the aoth August, 
 that the former was anxious to go home, and 
 in which he says that his wish is to have 
 Vansittart appointed Governor during his 
 absence, and that if he cannot prevail on the 
 Court of Directors to appoint Forde and 
 Caillaud to the chief military commands, " I 
 shall be very glad to have quitted the service." 
 
 Although Colonel Coote had evinced, on 
 the expedition to Bengal in 1757, those quali- 
 ties as an officer which subsequently made him 
 so renowned, neither his opportunities nor 
 achievements bore as yet any comparison with 
 those of Colonel Forde ; but the successes of 
 the latter were not known in England, at the 
 period of Coote's appointment. 
 
 Many therefore will deny the justice of dive's 
 complaint of the conduct of his superiors on 
 this occasion, but even these must admire that 
 warmth and decision with which he pledged 
 himself to support an officer with whom he had 
 no private friendship, except such as had been 
 formed in consequence of his public services. 
 
 The news of Colonel Coote's arrival reached 
 Clive about the same period as the account of 
 Forde's capture of Masulipatam, and of the 
 
 1 Orme's MSS. Vol. 287. (India Office.) 
 
 10 
 
146 SUPERSESSION 1759 
 
 conclusion of the treaty with the Subahdar of 
 the Deccan. Desiring, at such a moment, to 
 afford every consolation to the mind of that 
 meritorious officer, he not only stated his 
 opinion as to his superior claims to those of 
 the officer by whom he was superseded, but 
 gave him the most unqualified assurances of 
 his future support. 
 
 " I can easily conceive," he observes, in a letter 
 dated 24th August, 1759, l to Colonel Forde, "that 
 such rank and honour bestowed (I think I can say 
 without flattery) on one so much your inferior in 
 every respect, must give you much concern. I 
 assure you, it has affected me greatly and is one of 
 my principal reasons for wanting to push home with 
 the utmost expedition on the Royal George. I flatter 
 myself the request I have to make will not be denied 
 me, which is that you will stay in Bengal all next 
 year, provided Coote remains on the Coast. If 
 within that time, I do not get you a Colonel's or 
 Lieutenant Colonel's commission and an appointment 
 of Commander in Chief of all the forces in India, I 
 will from that instant decline all transactions with 
 Directors and East Indian affairs." 
 
 While dive's resentment was great at the 
 Court of Directors annulling Forde's appoint- 
 ment to Bengal, and while his attachment to 
 
 1 Memoir of Robert Lord Clvve. Malcolm. 
 
1/59 OF FORDE 147 
 
 that officer was greatly heightened by his 
 admirable conduct in destroying the Dutch, 
 there were other feelings that may have influ- 
 enced his mind. 
 
 He certainly entertained, at this period, a 
 strong prejudice against Colonel Eyre Coote, 
 which may possibly have originated from the 
 prominent manner in which that officer, when 
 only a Captain, was brought forward at Cal- 
 cutta to support the alleged rights of His 
 Majesty's service against those of the Company. 
 But we have nevertheless proofs that Clive 
 appreciated his talents from his employing him 
 on all occasions, and particularly in detaching 
 him, after the battle of Plassey, in pursuit of 
 the French Corps. But, at the same time 
 that he entertained this high opinion of his 
 military talents, he considered, from his whole 
 conduct in Bengal, that he was mercenary and 
 prone to intrigue, and consequently an unfit 
 person to be entrusted with great power on 
 such a scene. 
 
 " I (Malcolm) do not find among dive's papers 
 any specific grounds to justify this opinion ; and in 
 the absence of all such documents, we must conclude, 
 from the high reputation which Colonel Coote at- 
 tained and supported, that it was erroneous, or at all 
 
148 SUPERSESSION 1759 
 
 events, if this eminent commander evinced, in his 
 youth, any such dispositions as those of which he 
 was suspected, they were early corrected ; for though 
 he never displayed any remarkable talents as a states- 
 man, he assuredly became as qualified for the chief 
 military command in India as any person that ever 
 held that station ; and during his latter years, the 
 love and esteem in which he was held by his 
 countrymen was even exceeded by the affectionate 
 regard and attachment of the native troops, whom 
 he so often led to victory/* 
 
 " In giving this tribute to a soldier, justice must 
 be done to Clive by declaring my (Malcolm's) sincere 
 conviction (formed from the perusal of his numerous 
 letters upon the subject) that he was most sincere 
 and conscientious in the opinion he expressed and 
 upon which he acted. With such impressions on 
 his mind, he certainly thought he was doing his duty 
 to the public by his endeavour to keep Colonel Coote 
 at Madras, and he was so solicitous to effect this object 
 that he consented to the request of the Government 
 of Fort St. George, that the regiment of that officer 
 should remain for some time in the Presidency." 
 
 " He enters fully upon this subject in his corres- 
 pondence, both with Mr. Pigot and Mr. Vansittart, 
 but his letters contain merely a repetition of his 
 opinion as to Colonel Coote's unfitness for the 
 general command of the forces in Bengal, while he 
 recognises the benefit to be derived from his services 
 in the mere military operations on the Coast of 
 Coromandel. " 
 
1758 OF FORDE 149 
 
 The success of dive's efforts, on this occa- 
 sion, proved fortunate for the reputation of 
 Colonel Coote who, during the subsequent 
 year, established a high military character by 
 the battle of Wandiwash and the capture of 
 Pondicherry. 
 
 I have been compelled to enter more at 
 length upon this subject than I desired from 
 its being intimately connected with those dis- 
 putes, regarding the employment of officers in 
 India, in which Clive became involved on his 
 return to England. 
 
 Colonel Coote, when he revisited his native 
 country after the campaign of 1757, was 
 received with favor and distinction. He was 
 possessed of a small fortune, his connections 
 were respectable, and his manners and address 
 manly and agreeable. He became more prom- 
 inent from being the senior King's land officer 
 employed on the Bengal expedition, and from 
 the comparative low estimation in which the 
 Company's officers l were held at that period ; 
 his fame was advanced to detract from their 
 pretensions. He was represented as a rising 
 officer, of whom Clive was jealous, and it was 
 
 1 Although Clive held the King's commission as Lieut. Colonel, he 
 was always looked upon as a Company's officer. 
 
150 SUPERSESSION 1759 
 
 believed by many, (till contradicted several 
 years after by his own evidence), that it was 
 through Coote's advice and remonstrance that 
 the battle of Plassey was fought. 
 
 " Besides the influence and popularity which these 
 combined causes gave to this officer, he enjoyed the 
 marked favor and friendship of Lawrence Sullivan 
 the Chairman of the Court of Directors, whose 
 subsequent rupture with Clive is in a great degree 
 to be attributed to their difference in opinion with 
 regard to the respective pretensions and merits of 
 Colonels Coote and Forde." 1 
 
 dive's correspondence, at this period, 
 contains the fullest evidence that, independently 
 of other motives, one great object of his 
 return to England was the hope of being able, 
 by his personal representations and influence, 
 to obtain the adoption of measures which he 
 thought calculated to preserve India. 
 
 In bidding farewell to India, Forde wrote 
 the following letter 2 to the President and 
 Council of Fort William : 
 
 " Gentlemen " 
 
 " However disposed I was to have fulfilled the 
 remainder of my time with you and which I should 
 
 1 Memoir of Robert, Lord dive. Malcolm. 
 
 * Bengal Public Consultations, (India Office), Vol. 31, p. 868. 
 
1759 OF FORDE 151 
 
 with pleasure have executed could I have flattered 
 myself with being of the least use to your settlement, 
 I have it now no longer in my power ; the Gentlemen 
 in the Direction having thought proper to dismiss 
 me the service. I shall ever esteem it a particular ho- 
 nor to have been nominated by you to the command 
 of the troops on this establishment, arid it gives me 
 the highest satisfaction that some good success has 
 attended my zeal and endeavours for your service, 
 so that I have not been altogether an unprofitable 
 servant. " 
 
 " I have only to add that I shall ever retain the 
 most grateful sense of your favors and that I am, 
 with the most fervent wishes for your success " 
 
 " Gentlemen 
 
 Your most obliged and obedient servant 
 Francis Forde." 
 
 Calcutta 
 
 loth December 1759. 
 
 To this the President and Council sent a 
 reply, * on 1 7th December in the following 
 terms : 
 
 " It gives us real concern to find the Court of 
 Directors have not approved of our appointment of 
 you to the Majority of this settlement, that our 
 requesting you to accept of that station was founded 
 upon the opinion we had entertained of your abili- 
 
 1 Bengal Public Consultations, (India Office), Vol. 31, p. 855. 
 
152 SUPERSESSION 1760 
 
 ties as an Officer and a soldier, and that we can say 
 with pleasure you have greatly answered our expec- 
 tations, that we therefore offer you the general 
 thanks of this Board for the many great and eminent 
 services you have rendered the East India Company 
 as well as in Deccan as in Bengal itself. Services 
 which must, when they are as publickly known in 
 England as they are in the East Indies, be gratefully 
 acknowledged by the Court of Directors. That we 
 heartilly wish you a long enjoyment of health and a 
 safe return to your native country. " 
 
 It is supposed that Clive and Forde went 
 home together, when the former is known to 
 have embarked on the Royal George in February, 
 1760. The chief command in Bengal was 
 taken over by Major Caillaud, an officer who 
 already had gained great distinction by his 
 military services. Mr. Vansittart succeeded 
 to the Governorship of Bengal. 
 
 From this date, the active military career of 
 Forde ceased. He had resigned his commission 
 in the King's service in order to serve the East 
 India Company which dismissed him. Beyond 
 one or two private letters (Appendix W), which 
 are of small interest, nothing further is heard 
 of him until the occurrence of events related 
 in the next chapter. 
 
 Clive, in resigning the Governorship of 
 
1760 OF FORDE 153 
 
 Bengal, addressed the Council at Calcutta, on 
 23rd January, in these words : T 
 
 " Whatever the sentiments of the Court of Direc- 
 tors might have been in their General Letter to me 
 of 3rd March, they seem entirely to have forgot 
 them, they certainly have paid no great Compliment 
 to my Military Capacity in appointing Colonel Coote, 
 Commander in Chief of all their forces in Bengal. " 
 
 " I shall only remark that by this Appointment, I 
 suppose they meant to put it out of my Power to 
 serve the Company in that Capacity in which I am 
 undoubtedly the best qualified. " 
 
 Clive appears to have stayed in England 
 for about three and a half years, with the 
 intention of not again returning to India, for 
 in a letter dated 2/th April, 1764, to the 
 Court of Directors, in which he somewhat 
 unwillingly accepts the Governorship of Bengal, 
 instead of remaining in England, he enters 
 into a short discussion of the political, com- 
 mercial and military affairs of Bengal. 
 
 In concluding the latter subject, Clive 
 submits to the consideration of the Court his 
 ideas and opinions on the proper method of 
 raising troops in England. While paying a 
 just tribute to the high character of the Indian 
 
 1 Orme's MSS. Vol. 21, p. 57. (India Office.) 
 
154 SUPERSESSION 1764 
 
 Army, he suggests the necessity of keeping up 
 an European force of four or at least three 
 thousand men, rendered more necessary by the 
 removal of the King's troops at this time. In 
 order that due attention might be paid to the 
 selection of recruits and to ensure a proper 
 supply of efficient men, he suggests that the 
 Company should apply to His Majesty for 
 permission to maintain two battalions in 
 England of five hundred men each and, as a 
 reward for the important services of Colonels 
 Coote and Forde, he recommends that these 
 two officers should be nominated to command 
 them. 
 
 It has been well said that Clive was ever 
 warm and enthusiastic in his encomiums of those 
 who were distinguished in the service of their 
 country. They not only became entitled to 
 his notice in his official capacity, but received 
 every mark of his private regard, and his 
 utmost efforts were used to promote their 
 advancement. Many examples of this part of 
 his character have been illustrated in the case 
 of Colonel Forde, and there still remains one 
 more letter urging the great claims of this 
 distinguished officer. 
 
 It appears that in the hurry of leaving 
 
1764 OF FORDE 155 
 
 England, he forgot to include Mr. Call, the 
 Chief Engineer at Madras, in his recommen- 
 dation for a brevet commission as Colonel. 
 He wrote on the I4th October, 1764, l from 
 Rio Janeiro, to the Chairman of the Court of 
 Directors, Mr. Rous, entreating he would 
 rectify his mistake and prevent so excellent an 
 officer being hurt by neglect. In the same 
 letter he called his attention, in a very forcible 
 manner, to the merits of Colonel Forde. 
 
 " If Caillaud should not go to the Coast of 
 Coromandel, pray do not forget Colonel Forde, who 
 is a brave, meritorious and honest officer. He was 
 offered a Jaghire 1 by the Subahdar of the Deccan, 
 but declined taking it upon terms contrary to the 
 interests of the Company. Lord Clive, General 
 Lawrence and Colonel Coote have received marks 
 of the Directors' approbation and esteem ; Colonel 
 Forde has received none. The two Captains who 
 fought and took the Dutch ships in the Ganges, 
 received each a piece of plate, but Colonel Forde, 
 the conqueror of Masulipatam, who rendered the 
 Company a much greater service by the total defeat 
 of the Dutch land forces in Bengal, has not been 
 distinguished by any mark of the Company's favor." 
 
 There is every reason to suppose that Clive's 
 
 1 Memoir of Robert, Lord Clive. Malcolm. 
 
 1 Hereditary assignment of land and of its rent as an annuity. 
 
156 SUPERSESSION 1767 
 
 pertinacity in urging the claims of Fordc was 
 unsuccessful, who was however never forgotten 
 by his generous hearted patron. 
 
 Lord Clive finally embarked for England in 
 January, 1767, and landed at Portsmouth on 
 the 1 4th July, being succeeded as Governor of 
 Bengal by Mr. Henry Verelst. 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION OF 
 
 SUPERVISORS 1 
 DEATH OF COLONEL FORDE 
 
 1768 
 
 In 1768, the East India Company was in- 
 volved in a troublesome and expensive war 
 with the Nizam Hyder Ali on the Coast of 
 Coromandel. This war did not promise to 
 result in any advantage to the Company but, 
 on the contrary, was attended with the most 
 pernicious effects as regards its interests, both 
 at home and in the East Indies. By many 
 circumstances which at this time came to light, 
 it appears to have been wantonly entered into 
 by the Company's servants, to further their 
 own private purposes and rewards. The man- 
 ner in which it was conducted was shameful 
 and dishonourable to the character of the 
 nation. Field Deputies were appointed to 
 
 1 Except where otherwise stated, this chapter is taken from the 
 Annual Register, 1769, 1771. 
 
158 DEATH OF 1768 
 
 attend the army and to control and superintend 
 the conduct of the Commander in Chief. The 
 office of Field Deputy was, on this occasion, 
 created only for the purpose lof providing a 
 lucrative job for those appointed'to it. These 
 Deputies being deeply concerned in the con- 
 tracts for supplying the army, took care to 
 regulate its movements in amanner best suited 
 to their private interests or convenience. 
 
 On this account, the war has been marked 
 with a stigma which never before disgraced 
 our history. British officers -deserted the cause 
 of their country and entered into the service 
 of a native prince. Forts were given up so 
 shamefully as to give too much ground to 
 hostile critics in suggesting betrayal to the 
 enemy. 
 
 The revenues of Madras being insufficient 
 to meet the great expenses incurred, large 
 remittances were made from Bengal. 
 
 These remittances were made in a base kind 
 of gold coin, by which the Company were said 
 to have lost forty thousand-pounds. 
 
 This had the effect of stopping all trade, as 
 no silver was current in \ the country and the 
 manufacturers were at a standstill for fear of 
 the enemy. 
 
1768 COLONEL FORDE 159 
 
 It does not appear that Hyder Ali had 
 committed any act of hostility or given any 
 cause of offence which justified the war ; on 
 the contrary, he opened his ports to the Com- 
 pany's merchant ships and the Company's 
 employees had free intercourse with his do- 
 minions up to the moment of the rupture. 
 When peace was proposed, Hyder Ali willingly 
 acceded, notwithstanding the advantages he 
 had gained. 
 
 The expense, the damage done by ravaging 
 a friendly country, and the harm done to our 
 trade, were very prejudicial. The consequen- 
 ces of this ill-advised war were not confined to 
 the East Indies ; those in England took alarm. 
 India Stock fell about sixty per cent, in a few 
 days, although the Directors published des- 
 patches which proved there was no real danger, 
 and that the Company had never been in a 
 more flourishing state. 
 
 The Directors now thought it necessary to 
 take measures to stop the abuses and misman- 
 agement which had so disgraced the Com- 
 pany's rule in India. For this purpose it was 
 deemed necessary that three gentlemen of 
 reliable character and great ability and ex- 
 perience in the Company's business should be 
 
160 DEATH OF 1768 
 
 invested with extraordinary powers and sent 
 to India as Supervisors, with full authority to 
 examine into and rectify the work and proceed- 
 ings of every department ; to suspend, if 
 necessary, even the Presidents and Councils, 
 and to frame regulations adapted to the exi- 
 gencies of circumstances. 
 
 To this important trust, Mr. Vansittart, 
 Colonel Forde and Mr. Scrafton, all of whom 
 had distinguished themselves in India, were 
 appointed. 
 
 Mr. Vansittart owed his appointment to the 
 influence of Mr. Lawrence Sullivan, and the 
 two latter to that of Clive, who had been in 
 England since the I4th July, 1767. 
 
 Forde accepted the appointment in a letter, 
 addressed to Mr. P. Mitchell, dated aoth June, 
 1769 (Appendix X). Each Commissioner was 
 to receive pay at the rate of ten thousand 
 pounds yearly from the day of departure from 
 England to that of return. l 
 
 Although the reprehensible conduct of the 
 Company's employees was not disputed and the 
 necessity of some such measure was generally 
 allowed, yet the manner of it, and the powers 
 
 1 East Indies. Home Series Misc., Vol. 204. (India Office). 
 
1769 COLONEL FORDE 161 
 
 with which the Supervisors were to be entrust- 
 ed, occasioned great debates. 
 
 The friends and relations of those who were 
 already holding great appointments in India, 
 and who formed a very considerable party, 
 were of course adverse to the sending out of 
 Supervisors. Some had particular objections 
 to the gentlemen appointed, others, from prin- 
 ciple, did not think it safe to trust any body 
 of men with too much power ; every inch of 
 the ground was disputed, new objections were 
 continually started, and no resolution in con- 
 nection with this measure could pass without 
 it being first put to the ballot. 
 
 At six o'clock on the evening of the 1 2th 
 July, 1769, the following question was put: 
 " That this Court do agree with the Court of 
 Directors, that it is necessary, at this time, to 
 send out a Commission with extraordinary 
 powers to regulate their affairs in India." 
 
 Scrutineers were appointed, and at seven 
 o'clock the result of the ballot was : for the 
 question two hundred and seventy nine ; against 
 it two hundred and fifty nine. Majority 
 twenty. When the powers to be granted to 
 the Supervisors were at length settled and the 
 commission for that purpose accordingly pas- 
 
162 DEATH OF 1769 
 
 sed, some unexpected objections made by the 
 Ministry, together with an extraordinary pro- 
 posal that the Company should give to a servant 
 of the Crown a principal share in the conduct 
 of their affairs in India, occasioned fresh delay 
 and prevented, for some time, the expediting 
 of this measure. 
 
 The Directors, having considered the great 
 weight that a naval force would give to their 
 negociations with the Indian Princes, had, 
 during the course of their debate, applied to 
 Government for two ships of the line and 
 some frigates. No direct answer was given 
 to this application, but as it was known that 
 Sir John Lindley was appointed to the com- 
 mand of the ships intended for this expedition, 
 it was looked upon as tacitly complied 
 with. 
 
 The Company would at any time have been 
 entitled to the protection of Government, and 
 the large annual revenue which it now paid 
 particularly appeared to give it a right to 
 expect, not only protection, but favor. As the 
 application had been only made by the Direc- 
 tors, it was thought proper to give it more 
 weight by obtaining the sanction of a general 
 Court, and thereby become the act of the 
 
1769 COLONEL FORDE 163 
 
 whole Company. A motion to that effect was 
 accordingly put and unanimously agreed to. 
 
 Another Court was held to receive the 
 answer of Government and to put the finishing 
 touch to all measures connected with the 
 departure of the Supervisors. This Court was 
 held on the i gth August, at which a letter was 
 read from Lord Weymouth, one of the Secre- 
 taries of State, in which he said that the Com- 
 mission appointing the present Supervisors to 
 India had been taken into consideration by 
 His Majesty's servants and that it was, in their 
 opinion, in some respects illegal. That he 
 was sorry to find in an answer which he had 
 received from the Directors, respecting the 
 appointment of a naval officer with full 
 powers to adjust all maritime affairs in India, 
 that they had not totally acceded to it. He 
 therefore now begged of the Directors that 
 they would reconsider the Commission in 
 general and that the particular article of 
 granting unlimited powers to a naval officer 
 might be laid before the proprietary at large. 
 
 In consequence of this letter, a large amount 
 of correspondence between the Ministry and 
 the Directors was now laid before the proprie- 
 tors. It appeared by the powers which the 
 
1 64 DEATH OF 1769 
 
 former required to be granted to the naval 
 commanding officer, that he was in fact to 
 superintend the Supervisors, as well as the 
 Company's political affairs in India. The 
 Directors acknowledged that they were willing 
 to allow the King's naval commander a certain 
 degree of power jointly with the Governor 
 and Council of Bengal, but that there were 
 many sufficient reasons which prevented them 
 from generally acquiescing in the request ; not 
 only on account of the danger of entrusting 
 any one person with such extraordinary 
 powers, but on account of the perpetual 
 opportunity of interference which would 
 thereby be given to Government as regards the 
 Company's affairs. At the same time, they 
 informed the proprietors that the Commission 
 had already undergone the revision of counsel, 
 and had received the sanction of some of the 
 most eminent legal authorities in the Kingdom. 
 A day was then appointed for the holding of 
 another Court, to consider the subject further. 
 At this Court, which was held on the 1 5th 
 August, another letter was read from the same 
 minister and which had been received that 
 morning. In this he acquainted the Court 
 that, by the answer he had received to his last 
 
1769 COLONEL FORDE 165 
 
 communication, he imagined that they had to 
 a certain extent misunderstood him ; that it 
 had never been his idea to invest a naval officer 
 with plenipotentiary powers ; that he only 
 wanted to establish such a share in the business 
 of administration as would be good for the 
 Company ; that as his first letter, with the 
 Directors' answer, were now to be laid before 
 the proprietors at large, in order to prevent 
 any misunderstanding in the future, he recom- 
 mended the discussion only of the two following 
 points : 
 
 First : the reconsideration of the Commis- 
 sion, and secondly : the degree of authority to 
 be properly invested in a naval officer. 
 
 To the first of these he said that, as it was a 
 point on the legality of which there were 
 different opinions, among the servants of the 
 Crown and the counsel of the Company, he 
 would not pretend to speak on it, but in regard 
 to the second, as Government at the request 
 of the Company, in the eleventh article of the 
 last definite treaty of peace with France, made 
 conditions with several Princes in India, it 
 highly respected their honour, and an officer 
 of the Crown should be the principal agent in 
 all matters offensive and defensive. 
 
166 DEATH OF 1769 
 
 The designs of the Ministry were now too 
 obvious to be mistaken and too alarming not 
 to be vigorously opposed. The Directors put 
 it before the Court that this request was a 
 matter which affected the standing and safety 
 of the Company, in the highest degree, that it 
 was not therefore to be hastily decided, but 
 required the most serious deliberation and the 
 coolest discussion ; that the Court should be 
 accordingly adjourned,and sufficient time given 
 to every proprietor before the next meeting 
 to revolve the matter in his mind, to consult 
 the charters and enquire into the privileges of 
 the Company, or consider well whether any or 
 what part of their rights might be given up, 
 and that, in their concessions to Government, 
 they did not endanger their own safety. It 
 was hoped they would pay the greatest atten- 
 tion to these points, for their affairs were never 
 in a more critical situation, nor the honour of 
 the Company more deeply concerned. 
 
 A considerable time was accordingly taken 
 for the consideration of this subject and at the 
 ensuing general meeting much debated. It 
 was said that if authority was given to the 
 King's officer to interfere with the govern- 
 mental affairs of India, the power of the 
 
1769 COLONEL FORDE 167 
 
 Company in that part of the world would, 
 from that moment, be at an end. That apply- 
 ing to Government for assistance and, at the 
 same time, investing the officers of the Crown 
 with independent powers, was in effect sur- 
 rendering the Company's territorial acquisitions 
 in India to the direction of the King's minis- 
 ters, the consequences of which might be easily 
 foreseen. That whenever any contest shall 
 arise between the King's servants and those of 
 the Company, the incident must be fatal to 
 the latter ; such contests might very naturally 
 be expected to arise as had been the case on 
 many former occasions. That if the Company 
 is of itself unable to maintain the territories 
 which it has acquired, it were better to sur- 
 render the sovereignty to the powers of the 
 country upon terms advantageous to its com- 
 merce, than to be at the mercy of a minister. 
 It was shown that commerce could only 
 thrive when it had unrestrained liberty as well 
 as the most perfect security. The fatal effects 
 of ministerial interference in commercial mat- 
 ters was exemplified in the present ruinous 
 condition of the French East India Company ; 
 in the same way the great and flourishing state 
 of the Dutch trade was made to show the 
 
168 DEATH OF 1769 
 
 happy consequences that resulted from a dif- 
 ferent management. That the States General 
 were so convinced of the importance of the 
 East India trade and of the great national benefits 
 arising from it, that every territorial or other 
 acquisition of the Company in India was con- 
 sidered by that wise body as a national one. 
 That they supported this policy and risked 
 wars on its account, that however great were 
 the exigencies of the State, the Company's 
 property was held as sacred as any man's 
 private property, and that the full yearly 
 profits from their trade or revenue in India 
 were fairly divided among the proprietors even 
 when they amounted as high as seventy five 
 per cent. That in this case the Government 
 demands rose in proportion to the facility with 
 which ill judged concessions had already been 
 obtained, that the granting of an annual sum 
 which exceeded their whole dividend, without 
 a renewal of their charter or any adequate 
 consideration being given, might have been 
 deemed a sufficient gratification for the present, 
 and did not deserve to be immediately suc- 
 ceeded by an attempt which struck at their 
 very existence. 
 
 On the other hand, it was said that officers 
 
1769 COLONEL FORDE 169 
 
 bearing the King's commission would add 
 dignity to the negociations that might be set 
 on foot for establishing peace in India ; that 
 the powers of the country being sovereigns 
 themselves would more readily listen to pro- 
 positions sanctified by the name of a great 
 king, than coming only from a delegated 
 company of merchants, to whom the necessity 
 of submission could, from the nature of things, 
 be only temporary, for it was folly to suppose 
 that millions of reasonable beings would endure 
 the yoke of a handful of rapacious individuals 
 after they were in a position to unite in des- 
 troying them. That if Government did not 
 feel inclined to grant protection to the Com- 
 pany's possessions in India, these important 
 acquisitions would be lost to the nation, and 
 all the immense advantages to be gained from 
 them sacrificed to the humour of a few 
 interested and turbulent persons. That the 
 misconduct of the Company's servants in India 
 was universally allowed, and that if it had 
 admitted before of any doubt, the measure of 
 sending the Supervisors would sufficiently prove 
 it ; that nothing could prevent these enormities 
 in future so effectually as the King's maintain- 
 ing a person of rank, honour and integrity, in 
 
170 DEATH OF 1769 
 
 such a position in that part of the world, who 
 would be a sufficient check upon the rapacious 
 and exorbitant conduct of their servants ; at the 
 same time he would not only be answerable 
 for his own conduct to His Majesty, but also 
 to the nation in general. 
 
 After many debates and several proposed 
 alterations and modifications, the matter in 
 dispute resolved itself into the following 
 question, which was to be decided by 
 ballot. 
 
 " That this Court will give the officer of 
 the Crown, commanding ships of the line, a 
 share in the deliberations and resolutions of the 
 Company, merely with the object of making 
 peace and declaring war, when His Majesty's 
 forces are employed. " 
 
 This motion was rejected by a great major- 
 ity. A sort of compromise was effected by 
 giving the King's representative extraordinary 
 powers over events on the Persian Gulf only, 
 the inhabitants on the coast of that part of the 
 world having become lawless and troublesome. 
 The power of making peace and war was 
 therefore granted, by the Directors, to the 
 naval commander in the Persian Gulf, beyond 
 which his authority did not extend, and the 
 
1769 COLONEL FORDE 171 
 
 demand for ships of the line for the Bay of 
 Bengal was suspended. 
 
 Two frigates of war were, however, ordered 
 for that service, to convey the Supervisors, 
 whose powers were at length finally settled, so 
 that an end was put to this tedious course of 
 debate and altercation. 
 
 Messrs. Vansittart, Scrafton and Colonel 
 Forde left London for Portsmouth on the 
 2ist September and embarked on the Aurora 
 for India. 
 
 The vessel arrived at Madeira on the iith 
 October and at the Cape on the 6th December, 1 
 leaving on the 27th and was never heard of 
 again, having foundered at sea with all hands. 
 Search was made for her from Bombay by Sir 
 John Lindley, but without result. 
 
 Thus ended the career of Colonel Forde. 
 
 " It is not creditable to his countrymen, " says Sir 
 A. Arbuthnot, 2 " that his services should have been 
 left, as they were, entirely unrecognised. In these 
 days of decorations bestowed with a lavish hand, and 
 too often given for services of a mediocre quality, 
 an attentive student of Indian history is amazed to 
 learn that Forde was allowed to go to his grave, 
 
 1 See Appendices Y and Z. 
 * Lord dive. 
 
172 CONCLUSION 1769 
 
 without having received a decoration or honours of 
 any description. " 
 
 " In spite of this neglect, " writes Malleson, in 
 Decisive Battles of India^ " his name has descended 
 to this generation and it will descend to posterity as 
 the name of a great Englishman ; of one who nobly 
 upheld the honour of his country and who, by the 
 display of a calm and cool courage, aided most ma- 
 terially in laying the foundations of the British empire 
 in India. ' 
 
 THE END 
 
APPENDICES 
 
APPENDIX A 1 
 
 To the Hon'ble George Pigot Esq. 
 
 President and Governour &c. 
 
 Council at Fort St. George 
 
 Hon'ble Sir and Sirs 
 
 The Agent for His Majesty's Regiment under 
 the command of Colonel Adlercron having advised 
 me that he shipped and consigned to me on the 
 Doddington 5 Chests of Silver marked I. A. No 1-5 
 as appears also by the Company's Manifest by that 
 Ship, and understanding that a Chest of Silver mark'd 
 I. A. No 5 was saved from the Wreck 2 of the said 
 Ship, and is at this time deposited in your Treasury, 
 I am to request you will please to give the necessary 
 Orders for the delivery thereof to me. 
 
 I am 
 
 Hon'ble Sir and Sirs 
 Your most Obed't : humble Servant 
 
 Francis Forde 
 Fort St. George 
 nth October 1756 
 
 1 Public Consultations, Vol. Ixxxv, p. 480, Fort St. George Govern- 
 ment Records. 
 
 2 For an account see Dodslefs Annual Register, 1758. 
 
176 APPENDIX B 
 
 APPENDIX B 1 
 
 24th January 1758 
 
 Agreed to write to the Select 
 Committee at Fort St. George. 
 
 That upon the death of Major Kilpatrick, we 
 apply'd to Lieut. Colonel Forde to come to Bengal 
 and take charge of our Garrison as Major, that 
 should he have set out for England in consequence 
 of His Majesty's orders, or declines coming, we 
 request they will in either case desire Captain Caillaud 
 to make the best of his way to Calcutta and take the 
 charge of our Garrison till we hear from the Company. 
 
 22nd February 1758* 
 
 By the same vessel we rec d a letter from Col. 
 Lawrence dated I7th January recommending Captain 
 Caillaud to be nominated our Major in case Colonel 
 Forde does not meet with motives sufficient to 
 engage him to quit His Majesty's Service and remain 
 with us. 
 
 Agreed we write to Messrs. Clive and Watts and 
 transmit them the intelligence we have received from 
 the Coast and inform of the arrival of Lieut. Colonel 
 Forde on the Sally. 
 
 1 Bengal Select Committee Consultations, Range A, Vol. ii, p. 25. 
 8 Ibid., p. 36. 
 
APPENDIX C 177 
 
 Colonel Forde being arrived on the Sally and in 
 Town wrote the Committee a letter in reply to our 
 address of the I4th November to him, demanding by 
 way of compensation for quitting His Majesty's 
 Service, the sum of ,5000 in hand in case he 
 remained in the Company's employ, with all the 
 Honors, Pay and Emoluments as our Major. 
 
 Order'd 
 Colonel Forde's Letter to be enter 'd. 
 
 As the Committee do not think themselves authorised 
 to give Colonel Forde an Answer to his Proposal 
 without consulting the Council. 
 
 Agreed this Letter be laid before the Board for 
 their consideration and determination and that we 
 inform them of our having apply'd to Colonel Forde 
 to come to Bengal and take the charge of our 
 Garrison as Major, with our reasons for so doing. 
 
 APPENDIX C 1 
 
 To The Hon'ble Roger Drake Esq. 
 
 President and Governor and Members 
 
 of the Select Committee. 
 
 3rd February 1758. 
 Gentlemen 
 
 In compliance with the favour of your Request 
 signify 'd to me by your Letter of the I4th November 
 1757, the Triplicate and Quadruplicate whereof I 
 
 1 Bengal Select Committee Consultations, Range A, Vol. ii, p. 41. 
 
 12 
 
178 APPENDIX C 
 
 receiv'd, I took the first opportunity of proceeding 
 from the Coast for the Bay. 
 
 1 have much at heart, no man more, the Interest 
 of the Company and shall be extremely happy if I 
 can be instrumental in promoting the publick Service 
 in these parts ; however as I risque incurring His 
 Majesty's displeasure by remaining here and must 
 quit the Commission I at present hold in His Service, 
 with all my future Prospects, which are pretty con- 
 siderable, I cannot injustice to my Family embrace 
 your polite Offer without something certain by way 
 of Compensation, for the risque I run. I flatter 
 myself, Gentlemen, that you yourselves will think 
 me very moderate in fixing the Compensation at five 
 thousand Pounds in hand, exclusive of the Pay, 
 Emoluments and Honors annexed to the Commission 
 as your Major. 
 
 I communicated the Letter with which you favor 'd 
 me to the Gentlemen of the Select Committee at 
 Fort St. George and herewith enclose to you the 
 answer I rec'd from them on that Occasion. 
 
 I have &C &c 
 
 Francis Forde. 
 
APPENDIX D 179 
 
 APPENDIX D l 
 
 26th February 1758. 
 
 The Board then took into consideration 
 Col. Forde's letter. 
 
 Proposal of receiving the sum of 5000 in hand 
 with the pay, emoluments and honors as our Major 
 in case he remained here, when Messrs Maningham 
 and Pearkes were of opinion that as Col. Forde had 
 been apply'd to by the Select Committee to take the 
 charge of our Garrison. That as he must give up 
 His Majesty's Service in case he remains in India, in 
 the Company's employ and by that means relinquish 
 the Expeditions he might have in Europe. And 
 that we are greatly in want of an Officer of abilities 
 to succeed Colonel Clive in case he returns to the 
 Coast which at this juncture may be of infinite 
 service to the Company's affairs. They think there- 
 fore for the above reasons, that Col. Forde's terms 
 ought to be complied with, and are further of opi- 
 nion that his demand is not unreasonable and but a 
 small equivalent for the Expectations he must give 
 up by engaging in the Company's Service. 
 
 The President (Hon. Roger Drake), Messrs 
 Becher, Collet and Mackett are of opinion that 
 though Col. Forde's demand of ^5000 in hand is 
 not an equivalent for the disadvantages his engaging 
 in the Company's Service would be attended with, 
 in respect to his fortune and advancement in His 
 
 1 Bengal Public Consultations, Vol. 30, p. 183. (India Office). 
 
i8o APPENDIX E 
 
 Majesty's employ, yet it would be quite unprecedent- 
 ed in the Company's affairs to comply with those 
 terms. They are therefore of opinion Colonel 
 Forde should be informed, the Board cannot con- 
 sent to his proposal for being paid the sum of 5000 
 in hand, but that he may depend on the Pay, Emo- 
 luments and Honours of our Major in case he 
 remains here as such. 
 
 Agreed therefore we do reply to Colonel Forde's 
 Letter conformable to the Opinion of the Majority 
 of the Board. 
 
 APPENDIX E l 
 
 To Hon'ble the Select Committee 
 
 for the affairs of the Hon'ble 
 
 East India Company. 
 
 Fort William 
 
 2nd March 1758. 
 Hon'ble Sirs 
 
 You have been advised of our having apply'd to 
 Lieut. Colonel Forde to come to Bengal and take 
 the charge of our Garrison as Major of this Settle- 
 ment, Triplicate and Quadruplicate of our Letters 
 reached him at Fortf'St. George and he instantly 
 embarked on the Sally in consequence of that 
 application and arrived here a few days ago. Upon 
 
 1 Bengal Letters received, (India Office), Vol. iii, p. 707. 
 
APPENDIX E 181 
 
 his arrival he sent us a letter informing us how 
 ready he should be to serve the Company by staying 
 here, of the Disadvantages it would be attended 
 with to himself by losing the Commission and Rank 
 he bore in His Majesty's Service and requiring the 
 sum of five thousand pounds in hand as Compensa- 
 tion for that Disadvantage. 
 
 This letter we laid before the Board, the majority 
 whereof thought it would be making a contract of 
 so unprecedented a kind in the Company's affairs 
 that they could not assent to that part of Colonel 
 Forde's proposals, notwithstanding they were sensible 
 of the Disadvantage it would be to him. Messrs 
 Manningham, Pearkes and Boddam were of a differ- 
 ent opinion and thought that as the necessity of our 
 Affairs obliged us to request Colonel Forde to 
 proceed to the Bay, a compensation for his losing 
 His Majesty's Service and future prospects therein 
 ought to be made him, and that the Sum he had fixt 
 on was a very reasonable one. 
 
 We wrote Colonel Forde an answer to his proposals 
 conformable to the sentiments of the Majority of 
 the Board, but at the same time we acquainted him, 
 it was not possible in Europe to foresee the present 
 Circumstances of the Company's Affairs in India, 
 when His Majesty thought fit to recall the Regiment 
 under Colonel Adlercron, and as the Crown had 
 always shewn particular regard to the Interests and 
 Welfare of the East India Company, we were 
 inclined to think his stay at our Request in such an 
 Exigency would not displease His Majesty nor lose 
 
182 APPENDIX E 
 
 him the Rank he bore in His Service if properly 
 represented by our Hon'ble Masters which we 
 should recommend it to them to do in the strongest 
 terms. 
 
 The Rank, Honor, Emoluments and Allowances 
 was offered Colonel Forde as our Major in case he 
 thought proper to remain in the Company's Service, 
 but these terms not being accepted of, Colonel Forde 
 has determined to return to Europe on the Elizabeth 
 and we have given Captain Burdett orders to 
 accomodate him in the best manner he is able. 
 
 To the Hon'ble fcfc. &?c. ' 
 
 Fort William 
 2nd March 1758. 
 
 Hon'ble Sirs 
 
 Since closing the accompanying Letter, the Attor- 
 neys of Colonel Clive have taken upon them to 
 answer for 2500 sterling being paid Colonel Forde 
 by their Constituent in case he remains in the Com- 
 pany's Service and as the present Conjuncture is 
 extreamly critical and an Officer of Ability greatly 
 wanted in our present Situation to succeed Colonel 
 Clive in case of an Accident happening to that 
 Gentleman or he should return to the Coast, the 
 President and Mr. Beecher join with Messrs Man- 
 ningham, Pearkes and Boddam in thinking it very 
 material to keep Lieut. Colonel Forde as a Major 
 
 1 Bengal Letters Received, (India Office), vol. iii, p. 753. 
 
APPENDIX F 183 
 
 of this Garrison and assent to the remaining sum of 
 ^2500 sterling being made good out of the Com- 
 pany's Cash to make up the Compensation demanded 
 by Colonel Forde which we esteem very reasonable, 
 and we flatter ourselves, the Hon'ble the Court of 
 Directors will approve of the step we have taken to 
 secure a good Officer in such precarious times. 
 
 If Colonel Forde's stay in the Company's Service 
 at our Request was properly represented to His 
 Majesty, it might be of use to him in preserving his 
 Rank, and as we think his readiness to remain in 
 India for the Company's Interest entitles him to that 
 mark of your Favor, we beg leave to recommend it 
 to your Consideration. 
 
 APPENDIX F 1 
 
 The Attorneys of Colonel Clive having agreed to 
 pay one Moiety of the Sum demanded by Lieut. 
 Colonel Forde for engaging in the Company's Service. 
 And the President (Roger Drake) and Mr. Beecher 
 having (in consequence thereof) concurred with the 
 other Members for acquiescing to the Colonel's 
 demand. He has accepted of the Station of Major 
 of this Settlement upon condition that Bills of 
 Exchange be given on the Company for the Sum of 
 ^5000 as agreed on. 
 
 Order'd the Accountant therefore to draw up Bills 
 for that Sum. And as it is customary for the Major 
 
 1 Bengal Public Consultations, (India Office), vol. xxx, p. 200. 
 
1 84 APPENDIX G 
 
 to have a seat on the Board. Agreed Lieut. Colonel 
 Forde have a seat on the Board as Third of Council 
 on the spot. 
 
 APPENDIX G ' 
 
 Forde to Col. Clive 
 
 Cosimbazar 
 
 29th March 1758. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I return you many thanks for your polite letter of 
 the i ith with which I was favor'd last night on the 
 road between Plassey and Cosimbazar. 
 
 Accept at the same time my sincerest acknowledge- 
 ments for the obliging offer you are pleased to 
 make me, which you'll forgive me Sir if I beg leave 
 to refuse, for as I have been satisfied in the Sum 
 which I had determined to insist on for my remain- 
 ing in India viz 5000 and was resolved to take no 
 less, I think it would be equally unreasonable in me 
 to receive more ; I was quite unacquainted with the 
 promise made the Company by Mr. George Clive, 
 and as I know nothing of the Letter with which I 
 find you were pleased to honor me, nor consequently 
 of the kind concern you have shewn for my Interests 
 on this Occasion, I addressed my Demand only to 
 the Governor and Council, and have rec'd Bills from 
 them for that Sum. 
 
 I have the honor of Inclosing you herewith a 
 
 1 Orme'f MSS. (India Office)* Vol. 292, p. 145. 
 
APPENDIX H 185 
 
 return of the Company's Forces at Calcutta, which I 
 flatter'd myself with having the pleasure of delivering 
 you in person, but as you seem to think my joining 
 you in Camp to be unnecessary, I shall wait here, 
 until I hear further from you. Mr. Boddam has 
 brought up all the Arms he can meet with, and 
 continues so to do, and though they be not so good 
 as could be wished, yet they may serve in Lieu of 
 better, few of them have Bayonets, but he has 
 receiv'd Orders to get them fitted up as expeditious- 
 ly as possible. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your most obedient humble Servant 
 Fran* Forde. 
 
 APPENDIX H 1 
 
 Forde to Colonel Clive 
 
 Cosimbazar 
 April nth 1758. 
 
 Sir 
 
 Yesterday I receiv'd your Favor of the first Inst. 
 and join with you in thinking that Mr. Pigot's Letter 
 to the Nabob is a very improper one to be delivered, 
 which was the Reason that I did not intend to send 
 it to him untill I had the pleasure of talking with 
 you on that Subject, and indeed my chief inducement 
 for desiring to join the Army is to make myself 
 
 1 Orme's MSS. (India Office), vol. 292, p. 149. 
 
186 APPENDIX J 
 
 acquainted with the Nature and Policy of the Country 
 Governments, and also the part we are to act with 
 regard to the different Powers, of all which 1 shall 
 be able to form a better Judgement in one day's 
 Conversation with you and Mr. Walsh than I shou'd 
 by an intercourse of Letters in six months. 
 
 I hope before this reaches you that you will have 
 recover'd the use of your limbs, and that I shall have 
 the Pleasure of seeing you here soon in perfect 
 health. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your most Obedient Humble Servant 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 My best respects wait on Mr. Walsh. I hope he 
 is well. 
 
 APPENDIX J ' 
 Forde to Colonel Clive 
 
 Sir 
 
 This day I opened the Company's packet from 
 Fort St. George which I have sealed again and send 
 by the Master of the Brig which brought it, there 
 being no Chouky 2 boat here. Yesterday, the weather 
 being moderate I sent for the Pilots to know whether 
 we might not unmoor and fall down the river this 
 morning. They all agreed to it, but in the evening 
 
 1 Ortne's MSS. (India Office), vol. 292, p. 161. 
 * River police. 
 
APPENDIX J 187 
 
 they came and told me that they had accounts from 
 a Pilot, who came up the River in the morning, but 
 in his soundings between the Buoys he had only 
 sixteen feet water and therefore would not undertake 
 the Pilotage untill they had sounded it themselves. 
 I have sent two sloops to make the experiment. 
 They will return this evening or to-morrow morning 
 at farthest and then I hope we shall meet with no 
 more delays. For anything I know this may be a 
 piece of Chicanery of the Pilots, but whether it be 
 so or not, I could not take it upon me to force them. 
 One of the boats with Seapoys sunk alongside of the 
 Hardwicke by which we have lost about seventy stand 
 of arms, three Seapoys were drowned. We have 
 had no other accident of any consequence. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 &fc. fcfc. 
 
 Fran 6 Forde. 
 
 Kedgeree 
 October 3rd 1758. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Your favor of the 3rd inst. I have just received 
 and I believe can with certainty assure you of the 
 falsity of the Dutchman's report both as to a third 
 Engagement and a ship of Force being at Masulipa- 
 tam, he was very unwilling to bring to and obliged 
 
 1 Ortnc's MSS. (India Office), Vol. 292, p. 165. 
 
i88 APPENDIX J 
 
 us to fire seven Shots at him, and by way of Revenge 
 has raised these reports. I have spoke with several 
 ships since and they all agree that the French have 
 quitted the Coast without a third Engagement and 
 they have neither seen nor heard of any Ships 
 cruizing to the Northwards. 
 
 The Pilots at least think proper to put us in 
 motion Yesterday, the Ilchester and Thames weighed 
 but came to an anchor again at a League and a half 
 distance, and this day, the Hardwicke and Worcester 
 will follow, we have had a very tedious time of it at 
 anchor in this place ten or eleven days but I hope 
 this day we shall pass the Buoys at Cuckalee and in 
 another day or two get clear of our Pilots. By all 
 accounts Boussy has joined Lally before this time, 
 so I expect we shall not meet with much Opposition 
 at our first Landing and before the French can send 
 any Force to oppose us, I hope I shall be able to 
 make so good an Interest with the Country Govern- 
 ment that they will find a difficult piece of work in 
 getting footing there again. 
 
 I am dear Sir 
 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 Kedgeree 
 October 5th 1758. 
 
APPENDIX K 189 
 
 APPENDIX K l 
 
 To Colonel Forde 
 Dear Sir 
 
 As the Master of the Ship (who has sent 
 Mr. Bisdom the account of the total overthrow of 
 the French Squadron by ours) mentions that a 
 French seventy four gun ship had put into Mitchli- 
 patam, but since sailed from thence for the Islands, 
 I have considered it is not impossible but that the 
 enemy may have had intelligence of your Expedition, 
 and that she may have received Orders to cruize in 
 those parts, in order to intercept you. Nay, perhaps 
 the whole news which it seems was brought to 
 Mitchlipatam by a French Brigatine has been 
 designedly spread about by the French in order to 
 amuse us, and encourage us to go on with the 
 Expedition. 
 
 I think it necessary to give you this hint, that you 
 may issue out your orders to Captain Samson to 
 keep a good look out and take the proper precau- 
 tions, in case this surmise should prove true. 
 
 I am, with my hearty wishes for success to you 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Robert Clive. 
 Calcutta 
 
 3rd October 1758. 
 
 Orme's MSS. (India Office), India X. p. 2580. 
 
190 APPENDIX L 
 
 APPENDIX L 1 
 
 To 
 
 The Hon'ble George Pigot Esq 
 
 President and Governor of Fort St. George 
 
 &c Council. 
 
 Hon'ble Sir and Sirs 
 
 Permit me to embrace this first opportunity to 
 inform you of my arrival here the 2 1 st last month, 
 Colonel Forde and the Rajah were then on their 
 march towards Rajahmundrum, and had got so far 
 as Satteram, before they received the news of my 
 being here, upon which the Colonel stopp'd the 
 Camp, and desired me to join them, I did, and was 
 happy enough to adjust matters between them to 
 the satisfaction of both Parties, and I hope will 
 prove so to your Honour &c. viz 
 
 That all Plunder should be equally divided 
 
 That all Conquered Countrys should be delivered 
 to the Rajah and that he should collect the Revenues. 
 The Seaports, Rivers, with the Towns upon them, 
 and their Dependancies should be in the Possession 
 of the Company and the Revenues arising thence 
 received by them. 
 
 That no Treaty, for the disposal or Redelivery of 
 the said Countrys be entered into without consent 
 of both Parties 
 
 That the Rajah is to allow Colonel Forde fifty 
 
 1 Letters to Fort St. George, vol. xxxviii, pp. 127-129. 
 
APPENDIX M 191 
 
 thousand Rupees per month for the expence of the 
 Camp, commencing from the time they Anchored at 
 this Barr 
 
 The first Payment to be made upon our putting 
 him in possession of Rajahmundry and Monthly 
 afterwards. 
 
 That he also pay the Officers six Thousand Rupees 
 per month, in consideration of the great expence 
 they are at, the Payments to be made as before 
 
 The above preliminaries settled, I addressed him 
 for the Grants of some Countrys round about this 
 Place in favour of the Company. 
 
 Hon'ble Sir and Sirs 
 Vizagapatam sfc &c 
 
 1 4th December 1758. John Andrews. 
 
 APPENDIX M 1 
 
 (0 
 
 As it is reasonable to think that Publick Demon- 
 strations of Joy upon occasion of the Victory gained 
 by Colonel Forde might have a good effect by raising 
 the Spirits of our People and producing the contrary 
 in the Enemy, it was therefore resolved to put the 
 whole Garrison under Arms and to march them 
 into the Covered Way, which it would suppose 
 would alarm the Enemy and bring them to their 
 
 1 Public Sundry Book, Fort St. George. No 13 of 1758/9. p. 23. 
 
I9 2 APPENDIX M 
 
 front post, and so expose them the more to our 
 Shot, and then to fire twenty one Guns into differ- 
 ent parts of their Quarters and Works, and give 
 three running Fires from the Covered Way of the 
 Whole Garrison, which was executed accordingly. 
 
 Garrison Orders by Colonel Lawrence l 
 
 Fort St. George. 
 23rd December 1758. 
 
 The whole garrison to be under Arms half an 
 Hour after Four of Clock on the Grand Parade ; 
 they are to march from thence into the Covered 
 Way on the North Front to fire a Feu de Joye for 
 the great Victory our Countrymen under Colonel 
 Forde has obtained over the French Army much 
 superior in Number near Colconda. All the 
 Seapoys to mass all the Covered Way to the 
 Westward ; the Artillery to begin by firing seven 
 Guns, after which the Infantry begins on the right 
 of the Covered Way, the Seapoys to finish on the 
 left, then the Artillery to fire again and fire seven 
 guns more, the Infantry and Seapoys answer as 
 before, then the Artillery for the last Time and also 
 the Infantry and Seapoys. 
 
 The whole to be drawn two deep. They are to 
 conclude with three loud Huzzas ! All the Guards 
 on the several Ports on the North and West Fronts 
 to fall in and join in the ceremony. The Men are 
 
 1 Fort St. George Order Book, Madras Military Records. 
 
APPENDIX N 193 
 
 to draw their Balls, before they come to the Parade 
 and the Balls are to be delivered to the Quarter 
 Master. 
 
 APPENDIX N 1 
 
 Forde to Colonel Clive. 
 
 Illour 
 
 22nd February 1759. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your kind friendly letter of the 26th January I 
 have received and return you my most sincere thanks 
 for the assurances therein given of representing me 
 in the most favourable light to those great men at 
 the head of affairs in England. The beginning of 
 your second Paragraph which is thus " I would have 
 sent you more men but I think you will now have 
 no occasion for them " is so like a Paragraph from 
 Leadenhall Street, that I begin to fear you are 
 turning Director on our hands, you know very well 
 that a small command must dwindle away insensibly 
 in such a Country as this by Death and Desertion 
 not to mention the Accidents of War. At this 
 Time I have sixty Men sick atRajahmundry Hospital. 
 
 Our Friends at Madras behave most gloriously, 
 they have made a most gallant Defence and 1 hope 
 by this time they have nothing to apprehend. By 
 the last Letters I had from Mr. Brooke, Resident at 
 Pulicat, he says the Garrison is in high Spirits, that 
 
 Orme's MSS. (India Office), Vol. 292, p. 183. 
 
 13 
 
194 APPENDIX O 
 
 the Shaftsbury was arrived and the rest of Tidde- 
 mann's Squadron hourly expected, that Lally still 
 remains before the Town and still continues obsti- 
 nate, notwithstanding his great loss of Officers and 
 Men ; Captain Preston and the Nellore Subahdar 
 are near Maskelyne's Gardens, with a considerable 
 body of Seapoys. Major Caillaud is expected in a 
 day or two at the Mount with the Tan] our Horse, 
 and Abdul Nawab with a body of Country Troops is 
 near Pondicherry. This has a good appearance and 
 if Mr. Lally either gets into Madrass or makes good 
 his return to Pondicherry, I shall have a great Opi- 
 nion of his Capacity as a General, all is at Stake 
 with him. A Marchall of France or Nothing. 
 
 I am &c &c 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 APPENDIX O 1 
 
 CO 
 
 To The Hon'ble George Pigot Esq. & Council 
 of Fort St. George. 
 
 loth April 1759. 
 Gentlemen 
 
 On the night between the yth and 8th instant I 
 attacked Masulipatam and after a very sharp conflict 
 had the good fortune to get possession of it. I have 
 taken near five hundred European Prisoners, one 
 
 1 Military Consultation;, (Fort St. George), vol. x, p. 140. 
 
APPENDIX O 195 
 
 hundred of which are Officers Civilians and Ship 
 people, the remainder are Soldiers, my whole force 
 consisted of three hundred and fifteen rank and file, 
 thirty of which were volunteer seamen belonging to 
 the Hardwicke, twenty one of my people are killed 
 and sixty wounded and one seaman killed and six 
 wounded. I am of opinion this place should be 
 kept in our hands as it is by far the strongest situa- 
 tion in India. My fifteen hundred Seapoys behaved 
 very well, with one half of them I made a false 
 attack and joined the other with the Europeans at 
 the real attack, they mounted the ramparts with the 
 Europeans and behaved with great humanity after 
 they had got in. I have lost great numbers of them 
 both at the false and real attack, Captain ..... 
 is among the slain as is Mooden Beg, my Comman- 
 dant of Seapoys. I have the honour to be Gentle- 
 men, your most obedient and most humble Servant 
 
 Francis Forde. 
 APPENDIX O 1 
 
 To Colonel Clive 
 
 Masulipatam 
 
 June 1 6th 1759. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 By the last accounts from Calcutta, I find you 
 have taken the field and that you had got within six 
 
 1 Orme's MSB. (India Office), vol. 292, p. 215. 
 
196 APPENDIX O 
 
 days march of Patna, which the King's son was then 
 besieging. We are quite in the dark as to his pre- 
 tensions or by whom supported ; I flatter myself you 
 will be able by this expedition to finish what you had 
 so gloriously begun and to settle the Nabob so firmly 
 on the throne that our enemies will never be able to 
 give him any more uneasiness for the future. 
 
 You must have heard before this of our success 
 at Masulipatam of which I now give an account to 
 the Select Committee. I must allow it was a bold 
 stroke but in my opinion absolutely necessary, time 
 and circumstances considered, the Nabob Salabad 
 Jung with a large army of Seapoys and Marattas 
 had got within twenty corse (30 miles) of us and 
 was there joined by the French Army of Observa- 
 tion, consisting of two hundred Europeans and two 
 thousand Seapoys, if I had attempted to retreat they 
 would have fallen upon my rear and no doubt when 
 joined by the garrison of Masulipatam would have 
 overpowered me, therefore on weighing the circum- 
 stances I thought it better to make an attempt on 
 the town before they came too near me and accor- 
 dingly on the night between the yth and 8th, I 
 assaulted and took the Town after a smart opposi- 
 tion which lasted an hour. Captains and 
 
 Molitore were killed in the assault. I am not much 
 addicted to saying anything to the Prejudice of the 
 living and much less of the dead, yet I cannot help 
 giving you an account of the behaviour of Captain 
 
 from our first coming before Masulipatam 
 
 to the day of his death, he constantly in public and 
 
APPENDIX O 197 
 
 private opposed attacking the Town or raising any 
 batteries against it, and when the Nabob came near 
 us, he then endeavoured all in his power to persuade 
 me to retreat. I could not convince him that there 
 was very little difference in this country between a 
 retreating army and a flying one, and that I was 
 certain of losing more men in the Retreat than in 
 the Assault, besides in the latter there was at least 
 some chance in our favor, but that Retreat was 
 inevitable ruin when surrounded with such an Army 
 as the Nabob's who no doubt would declare against 
 us the moment we turned our backs ; finding I could 
 not convince him I was at last oblig'd to tell him 
 plainly I saw his intention was to raise his own 
 credit by opposing me in this affair in case we 
 miscarried, but desired he wou'd not in future talk 
 so freely in publick on this head because it might 
 intimidate the men and possibly some of the young 
 officers, this conversation happen 'd two days before 
 the assault. The evening of the yth I order'd the 
 whole camp to be under arms at 10 o'clock and 
 when everything was ready, I asked where Captain 
 
 was and sent the Adjutant to his tent to 
 
 look for him, but not finding him we marched to 
 the place appointed where we were to be joined by 
 the battery guards. We remained at the Rendez- 
 vous about an hour waiting till the false attack began 
 (which was made by Captain Knox with his battalion 
 of Seapoys and was to begin at one o'clock) and then 
 marched as fast as we could up to the middle in 
 water and mud and after some resistance got through 
 
198 APPENDIX O 
 
 the pallisade and mounted one of the Bastions and 
 drove them from one Bastion to another, in taking 
 
 the fifth Bastion Capt n was kill'd, but how 
 
 he got there, the Lord Almighty knows, for not a 
 man in our Army ever saw him from ten o'clock 
 the evening before till about one minute before he 
 was killed and then he was seen only by Fischer and 
 Stibbert, when it was reported he was killed none of 
 the Officers would believe it until they went to see 
 themselves. Next day his boy was asked whether 
 he knew where his master had been the night before, 
 who said he was in his tent when the firing began 
 and as soon as he heard it he bounc'd up and ran 
 towards the Town as fast as he cou'd, what cou'd 
 induce him to behave in such a manner is a mystery 
 to us all, some of his particular Friends say that for 
 ten or twelve days before he always declar'd he was 
 sure he would be killed in the assault and indeed 
 he had settl'd his Affairs in such a manner as made 
 everybody believe he expected it, I think it was 
 lucky for him he was kill'd for he certainly must 
 have been broke if not worse. 
 
 Messrs Donnellan, Vaughan, Bruce and Wilding 
 were appointed Agents for Prizes and being charg'd 
 with taking Bribes from the Merchants for the 
 re-delivery of their Goods, were brought to a Court 
 martial and dismissed the Service. 
 
 I am dear Sir 
 
 6fc &c 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
APPENDIX P 199 
 
 APPENDIX P 1 
 
 Treaty with the Nizam 1759 
 
 A Copy of Requests made by Colonel Forde to 
 Nawab Salabut Jung or the Viceroy of the Deckan 
 and his compliance thereto, in his own hand. 
 
 The whole of the Circar f of Masulipatam with 
 eight districts as well as the Circar of Nizampatam, 
 and the districts of Condavir and Wacalmanuer, 
 shall be given to the English Company as an enam 
 (free gift) and the sunnuds granted to them in 
 the same manner as was done to the French. 
 
 The Nawab Salabut Jung will oblige the French 
 troops which are in his Country to pass the River 
 Ganges within 15 Days ; or send them to Pondi- 
 cherry or to any other place out of the Deckan 
 Country, on the other side of the River Kistna, in 
 future he will not suffer them to have a settlement 
 in this Country on any Account whatsoever, nor 
 keep them in his service, nor assist them, nor call 
 them to his Assistance. 
 
 The Nawab will not demand or call Gajapati Raz 
 to an account for what he has collected out of the 
 Circars belonging to the French, nor for the com- 
 putation of the Revenue of his own Country, in the 
 Present Year ; but let him remain peaceable in it in 
 future, and according to the Computation of the 
 Revenue of his Country before the Time of the 
 
 1 Aitcheson's Treaties, Vol. v, p. n. 
 * Government. 
 
200 APPENDIX O 
 
 French, agreeable to the custom of his Grandfather 
 and Father, and as was then paid to the Circar, and 
 if he (the Rajah) does not agree to it, then the 
 Nawab may do what he pleases. In all cases the 
 Nawab will not assist the Enemies of the English, 
 nor give them Protection. 
 
 The English Company on their part, will not assist 
 the Nawab's Enemies, nor give them Protection. 
 
 Dated Moon Ramadam the i6th Hegira 1175 
 which is the i4th May 1759. 
 
 I swear by God and his Prophet and upon the 
 Holy Alcoran, that I with Pleasure agree to the 
 Requests, specified in this Paper and shall not deviate 
 from it even an Hair's breadth. 
 
 APPENDIX Q ' 
 
 To the Hon'ble the Court of 
 
 Directors &c &c &c 
 
 In our address by the Ilchester you were informed 
 of an expedition having been set on foot under Lieut. 
 Colonel Forde into the Deccan Country and in a 
 subsequent letter by the Worcester we transmitted to 
 you the agreeable news of a compleat Victory gained 
 by our Troops over the Army commanded by the 
 Marquis de Conflans. When the Hardwicke returned 
 
 1 Bengal Letters Received. (India Office), Vol. iv, p. 337. 
 
APPENDIX R 201 
 
 from the Southward we had the satisfaction to know 
 that Colonel Forde had carried Masulipatam by 
 storm. The Garrison consisted of upwards five 
 hundred Europeans and the Force which attacked 
 it did not exceed three hundred. An enterprize so 
 glorious must for ever reflect lustre on the British 
 Arms. The consequence of this Success has been 
 very great to our Employers, for by a Treaty 
 concluded between Sallabud Jung and Colonel Forde 
 the Company are invested with a Grant of Masuli- 
 patam and all its Districts by which Acquisition they 
 will reap the benefit of a Revenue of at least four 
 lacks of Rupees per Annum besides the advantage 
 of the exclusive Trade of that Place and the Country 
 round about. By the same Treaty the French are 
 declared Enemies to Sallabud Jung and are never to 
 be permitted to set foot in Deccan. 
 
 Robert Clive. 
 Fort William 
 29th December 1759. 
 
 APPENDIX R 
 
 Dear Carnac 
 
 I have received your two letters with the news 
 of Dutch ships surrendering and the arrival of Cail- 
 laudj of both of which I give you joy. I sincerely 
 rejoice at the arrival of Caillaud who is both willing 
 and capable of doing the Company all the service 
 
 1 Orme's MSS. vol. 292, p. 24.9, (India Office). 
 
202 APPENDIX S 
 
 can be expected from any Officer. I forgot to men- 
 tion in my letter to the Gov r and Council that we 
 have only lost two men killed and three or four 
 wounded. The Dutch have lost ten or twelve killed 
 and about the same number wounded and Prisoners, 
 besides a good number wounded that have got into 
 the Fort. I am as weak as water from my late 
 illness and shou'd never have been able to keep up, 
 had I not dismounted one of our Gentlemen Troop- 
 ers and taken his horse. 
 
 Yours sincerely 
 Fran 8 Forde 
 
 24th November 1759 
 To Captain Carnac. 
 
 APPENDIX S 1 
 
 (0 
 Forde to Colonel Clive. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 This morning about seven or eight o'clock, I met 
 with the Dutch and Malays and after a fair Engage- 
 ment put them entirely to the route and have killed 
 and taken a great number of them, not much less 
 than two hundred Europeans. They retired into 
 the woods and I have sent Seapoys and Horse after 
 them, when we appeared they grounded their Baggage 
 
 1 Ortne's MSS. (India Office), vol. 292, p. 255. 
 
APPENDIX S 203 
 
 and Napsacks very regularly and advanced about 
 three or four hundred paces very boldly from whence 
 they fired smartly near half an hour and then made 
 a fair run for it. The woods were about a mile in 
 their rear. All our People behaved very well and 
 we have not lost ten killed and wounded. Our two 
 rear Guns were not got up. 
 
 I am &c. &fc. 
 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 2 or 3 Corse l from Chinsura 
 25th Nov* 1759. 
 
 APPENDIX S 
 
 Forde to Colonel Clive * 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Since I wrote you before, I think I may add two 
 hundred more to the number of killed wounded and 
 prisoners, exclusive of Malays. Mr. Price has charge 
 of a large number of them. He will inform you 
 more particularly. 
 
 I am &?c s?c 
 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 25th November 1759. 
 
 1 A koss = about if miles. 
 
 2 Ormes MSS. (India Office), Vol. 292, p. 257. 
 
204 APPENDIX T 
 
 (3) 
 
 Forde to Colonel Clive l 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I send you with the Budgerose, Colonel Razell 
 and ten other Officers. I have not taken their 
 paroles in writing as I am much hurried and have 
 other more material Businness on my hands. I give 
 you Joy of this Day's Transaction which has been 
 more decisive than cou'd be expected. I may say 
 within Bounds that they have lost above four hundred 
 Europeans killed, wounded and prisoners and a great 
 number of Malays. You may expect a number of 
 Prisoners this night. I have the honour to be Sir 
 yours most sincerely 
 
 Fran 8 Forde 
 
 25th November 1759. 
 
 APPENDIX T 2 
 
 The account of the battle of Badara as given by 
 the Dutch East India Company. 
 
 On the 25th when the troops and other bands 
 which, on the 22nd before, were gone on shore 
 were, in their projected march, come near Chandana- 
 gore, they were there met by the English ; who, 
 according to their own account, to the number of 
 
 1 Ibid., p. 259. 
 
 * Voyage to the East Indies, Grose. Vol, 2, p. 376. 
 
APPENDIX U 205 
 
 eleven hundred and seventy, were posted very ad- 
 vantageously and provided with a numerous artillery. 
 No sooner were those troops come within cannon 
 shot but they were fired on by the English and 
 though all the people were extremely fatigued by a 
 very long march, which they were obliged to make 
 for the space of three days, yet with much bravery, 
 they stood the fire of the English, and though 
 unprovided of any artillery, marched up with a full 
 and steady pace to the enemy, but meeting in their 
 way a broad and deep ditch which they were con- 
 strained to pass to avoid being destroyed by the 
 artillery of the English, the troops in passing that 
 ditch, fell into some disorder ; the English taking 
 advantage of this circumstance, redoubled the fire of 
 their artillery and musquetry and the disorder already 
 arisen, being thereby increased caused the slaughter 
 of a part of those troops, another part was made 
 prisoners and the rest were constrained to retire. 
 
 APPENDIX U 1 
 
 ENGLISH DEMANDS WITH THE DUTCH 
 ANSWERS THERETO 
 
 ARTICLE I 
 
 The Director and Council of Chincura shall give 
 full satisfaction to the President and Council of Fort 
 William for the Insult offered to the British Flag by 
 
 1 Bengal Public Consultations, (India Office), Vol. 31, pp. 829-837. 
 
206 APPENDIX U 
 
 the Commanders of the Dutch Ships and for the 
 Detention of many of our Vessels which were seized 
 and stopped in the River, contrary to the Treatys 
 which subsist between the two Nations, and for the 
 other acts of Hostility committed by the said Ships. 
 
 Answer. The Director and Council of Chincura 
 declare that, as they have always been possessed with 
 Sentiments of Peace, the Troubles which have hap- 
 pened to disturb the good understanding between 
 the two Nations having only served to give them a 
 sensible Pain, and everything which has passed 
 below, with respect to the English Flag, and the 
 Insults committed, is without their Order and what 
 they regret, and perhaps done by the People of the 
 Ships from a Misunderstanding of their Orders, 
 with which they hope the Governor and Council 
 will be fully satisfied. 
 
 ARTICLE II 
 
 The Director and Council of Chincura shall make 
 good both to the Company and Individuals, all 
 Damage done by the Commanders of their Ships, 
 whether by their order or not, and shall immediately 
 restore all the Vessels, Stores and Effects which may 
 still be in their possession. 
 
 Answer. As the Dutch Vessels have also been 
 much damaged, the real Loss will be willingly made 
 good, but it is to be hoped the Governor and 
 
APPENDIX U 207 
 
 Council will reflect equitably on this Article, and if 
 they insist upon it, we shall endeavour to satisfy 
 them. 
 
 Done at Garhelly. Dec r ist 1759. 
 
 Richard Becher 
 
 John Cooke 
 
 John Bacheracht 
 
 J. C. Hist 
 
 DUTCH DEMANDS WITH THE ANSWERS OF THE 
 ENGLISH THERETO 
 
 ARTICLE I 
 
 That the English shall effect the Nabob's Return 
 or at least prevail on him to remain quiet in his 
 Camp, without doing us any Injury ; and that the 
 Articles of our Agreement be accepted, approved 
 and confirmed by the Nabob's Principal as far as 
 they concern him. 
 
 Answer. We have already made use of our Inte- 
 rest with the Nabob and shall continue to engage 
 him to withdraw his Arms, the Moment the Dutch 
 Government has fulfilled his Orders. The Articles 
 agreed on between the English and Dutch cannot be 
 included in the Treaty which the Government of 
 Hughley may conclude with the Nabob's Principal. 
 
 ARTICLE II 
 That what has passed during the Troubles which 
 
208 APPENDIX U 
 
 have now ceased, shall be mutually forgot, and an 
 Assurance given of a perfect Friendship, Fidelity 
 and Correspondence, being kept up between the two 
 Nations, by their respective Chiefs, without permit- 
 ting any Hostility on one Side or the Other, on any 
 Pretence whatsoever, that each shall do his utmost 
 to preserve this good Intelligence, and to contribute 
 as far as possible to the good of both without 
 assisting directly or indirectly those who would 
 prejudice either. 
 
 Answer. Approved as far as is consistent with the 
 Alliance between the Nabob and Us, and while 
 Friendship subsists between our Sovereigns in 
 Europe. 
 
 ARTICLE III 
 
 As we have neither acted by a Declaration of War, 
 nor by Commission, our Troops and Mariners can 
 not be considered as Prisoners of War, subject to a 
 Capitulation, but merely as temporary Captives, and 
 therefore ought to be set at Liberty, with all Mili- 
 tary Honours. 
 
 Answer. We don't look upon the Dutch Officers 
 and Troops as our Prisoners, but as those of the 
 Nabob, and are therefore ready to release them as 
 soon as they have concluded their Treaty with him, 
 except such as are willing to enter into our Service, 
 or who demand the Protection of the English Flag. 
 
APPENDIX U 209 
 
 ARTICLE IV 
 
 They shall leave us in the free Possession of our 
 Settlements, Commerce, Rights and Privileges. 
 
 Answer. We have never interrupted the Dutch, 
 in their just Rights and Privileges, nor ever propose 
 doing it. 
 
 ARTICLE V 
 
 That all the People, Possessions, Settlements, 
 Lands, Houses, Ships, and Vessels, belonging both 
 to the Company and Individuals, and everything 
 belonging thereto, shall be declared free, and 
 restored in Presence of the Deputies, appointed by 
 both Parties, in their proper Condition. 
 
 Answer. All the Ships and Vessels in our Possess- 
 ion shall be restored, as soon as our Demands are 
 complied with, or on an Assurance thereof, given 
 by the Director and Council of Hughley. 
 
 ARTICLE VI 
 
 These Treaty s to be exchanged with the Approba- 
 tion of the Directors of both Companys as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 Answer. Granted. 
 
 14 
 
210 APPENDIX U 
 
 ARTICLE VII 
 
 Finally the two Parties shall be reciprocal 
 Guarantees for the Execution of the Preceding 
 Articles. 
 
 Answer. We do not see any Necessity for this 
 Article. 
 
 Done at Carhelly. Dec. i. 1759. 
 John Bacheracht 
 J. C. Hist 
 
 Done at Carhelly. Dec. 3. 1759 
 Richard Becher 
 John Cooke. 
 
 COPY OF THE DUTCH PROPOSALS MADE TO THE 
 
 CHUTA NABOB, WITH THE ANSWERS, 
 
 RATIFIED THE 5TH DECEMBER 
 
 1759 
 
 ARTICLE I 
 
 That the Purchases and Sales of the Dutch Com- 
 pany be again made, in the same Manner as in 
 Former Times. 
 
 Answer. The Purchases and Sales of the Dutch 
 Company shall be carried on according to Custom, 
 excepting the Saltpetre of Azimabad, which shall be 
 
 1 This treaty was ratified by the Dutch Company at Hughli on 
 6th Dec r 1759, an d by the English Company at Calcutta on 8th 
 Dec. 1759- 
 
APPENDIX U 211 
 
 purchased by the Means of Raja Ramnarian Bahadur, 
 nor shall anyone molest them. 
 
 ARTICLE II 
 
 That Nobody cause any Obstruction in the Pro- 
 vision of Cloths etc. at the Aurungs 1 on the account 
 of the Dutch Company. 
 
 Answer. Nobody shall obstruct the Provision of 
 Cloth, etc. according to the Custom of the Aurungs, 
 nor use any violence. 
 
 ARTICLE III 
 
 That the Goods and Treasure of the Dutch Com- 
 pany be allowed to pass and re-pass with the Dutch 
 dustuck, 2 that nobody obstruct them nor any longer 
 demand illicit Customs. 
 
 Answer. The Merchandize of the Dutch Com- 
 pany shall pass and re-pass by Land or by Water, 
 free from any unprecedented impositions, nor shall 
 Anyone demand illicit Customs. 
 
 ARTICLE IV 
 
 That Payment be made by the Officers of the 
 Mint of Murshedabad of the Balance due to the 
 Dutch Company. 
 
 1 Cloth markets. 
 
 1 A free passport for goods. 
 
212 APPENDIX U 
 
 Answer. The Officers of the Mint at Murshed- 
 abad shall be made to pay whatever balance is justly 
 and truly due to the Dutch Campany. 
 
 Articles agreed on by the Dutch Company with 
 the Nabob, and ratified under the hands and seals of 
 the Dutch Directors and Council, and the seals of 
 the Company. 
 
 I. We will immediately send away the Europeans, 
 Buccasses and Tilangas, * that have been brought 
 hither in our Ships, and we will dismiss the Euro- 
 peans, Seapoys and Burgundasses 2 lately entertained. 
 
 II. We will bring no more armed Forces into the 
 Country of Bengal, nor ever make War in the 
 Country, nor erect any Fortifications, nor make any 
 Military Preparations. 
 
 III. We will entertain no more than 125 European 
 Soldiers in all our Factories, established within the 
 three Provinces. 
 
 IV. We will carry on our Trade with Peace and 
 Quietness ; and, in case (which God forbid !) our 
 business should meet with any Obstructions, Dis- 
 putes, or Oppressions, we will apply for Redress to 
 the Nazem of the Provinces. 
 
 Given the I4th day of the month Rabbic Ussane 
 of the Year 1172 or the 5th December 1759. 
 
 A. Bisdom. G. L. Vernet. R. H. Armenault. 
 
 M. Isinck. J. L. V. Schevikhaven. John Bacheracht. 
 
 S. De Hoog. J. C. Hist. O. W. Valk. 
 
 1 Sepoys from Southern India, east of the Deccan. 
 * Armed civilian retainers. 
 
APPENDIX V 213 
 
 APPENDIX V 1 
 
 Amboyna was, prior to 1619, the seat of the Dutch 
 Government in Java. During the iyth century the 
 Dutch were the foremost maritime power in the 
 world. 
 
 The massacre of Amboyna which made so deep 
 an impression on the English mind, marked the 
 climax of the Dutch hatred to us in the eastern seas. 
 After long and bitter recriminations, the Dutch 
 seized our Captain Towerson at Amboyna with nine 
 Englishmen, nine Japanese and one Portuguese 
 sailor on the iyth February, 1623. They tortured 
 the prisoners at their trial and found them guilty of 
 a conspiracy to surprise the garrison. The victims 
 were executed in the heat of passion, and their torture 
 and judicial murder led to an outburst of indignation 
 in England. 
 
 This memorable massacre forced the British Com- 
 pany to retire from the Eastern Archipelago to the 
 continent of India, and thus led to the foundation of 
 our Indian Empire. 
 
 Ultimately, Commissioners were appointed to 
 adjust the claims of the two nations, and the Dutch 
 had to pay a sum of three thousand six hundred and 
 fifteen pounds as satisfaction to the heirs of those 
 who had suffered. 
 
 Imperial Gazeteer of India, Hunter. 
 
214 APPENDIX W 
 
 APPENDIX W 1 
 
 Johnstown. 
 
 22nd October 1761. To Mr. Pitman. 
 
 Sir 
 
 Last post I was favored with your Letter of the 
 29th September, your former one must have mis- 
 carried for I never received it ; the Certificate you 
 desire from me of your Behaviour in the Dutch 
 Affair (altho' not a military Practice) is what I cannot 
 refuse in justice to you and myself, as you say it 
 may be of Service to you in soliciting your Promo- 
 tion, yet I should think it not necessary as I suppose 
 you have a Certificate from the President and 
 Council of Fort William, who I am convinced would 
 not have granted you one had there been any objec- 
 tion to your character as an Officer. I wish you 
 Success and am Sir your most obedient humble 
 Servant 
 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 Dublin. 
 
 22nd October 1761 
 
 I do hereby certifie that Lieut. Frederic Cobbe 
 Pitman of the Honble East India Company's Forces 
 served under my Command against the Dutch in 
 Bengal in November 1759 and that he behaved with 
 becoming Spirit in that Affair. 
 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 1 Miscellaneous Letters received, (India Office), 105 a. 105 b. 
 
APPENDIX W 215 
 
 To Robert James Esq. l 
 
 Johnstown near Manooth. 
 yth March 1762. 
 
 Sir 
 
 Although it may be looked on as an Act of 
 Presumption in me to offer any Opinion to your 
 Honble Board, yet in justice to Captain Knox with 
 whose merit I am thoroughly acquainted, I run the 
 Risque of being thought impertinent rather than 
 silent on this Occasion. 
 
 By a Letter I received from him I find he is 
 piqued and talks of returning to Europe in case my 
 Representations in his Favor do not meet with 
 Success, therefore in justice to him as well as regard 
 for the Interest of the Settlement and good of the 
 Service, I shall take the Liberty of saying something 
 in his behalf which I am certain will be seconded by 
 all who have any personal knowledge of the 
 Military Affairs of India for some Years past. 
 
 Had I a Command in India, Captain Knox is the 
 Man of all my Acquaintance, I would choose for 
 my second, his known gallant Behaviour on all 
 Occasions, his Activity in executing all Orders, his 
 Humanity and I will say his strength of Constitution 
 qualifie him for the Service of that Country better 
 than any Officer I know ; another very great 
 Qualification is his being respected and esteem'd by 
 the Country Powers and particularly by our own 
 
 1 Miscellaneous Letters received, (India Office), Vol. 44, p. 94 a. 
 
2i6 APPENDIX X 
 
 Seapoys who are inspired by unusual Confidence 
 when he is at their head. I would therefore 
 recommend it to the Honble Court of Directors to 
 retain him in their Service by appointing him Major, 
 which will be doing an Act of Justice, very conducive, 
 I hope, to their own Interests, as well as proper 
 Reward for an Officer of approved Merit, who has 
 distinguished himself in their Service. You will 
 oblige me by laying this before the Gentlemen in 
 the Direction, who I hope will excuse this manner 
 of addressing them, being unacquainted with the 
 Forms of the Board. 
 
 1 am &c &C 
 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 APPENDIX X 1 
 
 Johnstown 
 20th June 1769. 
 Sir, 
 
 Yesterday about noon, I received your favor of 
 the 1 4th and think myself highly honored by the 
 appointment and am fully sensible of the importance 
 of the trust which I shall endeavour to execute to 
 the utmost of my abilities. 
 
 I intend setting out from hence on Friday next 
 and hope to be in London, the latter end of next 
 week. 
 
 I am Sir &C 6?c 
 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 1 Miscellaneous Letters received, (India Office) Vol. 52, p. 198. 
 
APPENDIX Y 217 
 
 To P. Mitchell Esq. 
 The East India House 
 London. 
 
 APPENDIX Y l 
 
 To The Honble 
 
 The Court of Directors 
 of the United East India Company. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 We arrived here nth and shall sail again this 
 evening. The Stagg came in the day before Us and 
 the Hawke the same morning and they proceeded on 
 their Voyage last night. 
 
 Captain Lee does everything possible to make the 
 Voyage agreeable and the Consul here has shewn Us 
 the utmost Civility. 
 
 We have taken the Liberty to leave Directions 
 with Messrs Scott, Pringle, Cheap and Company to 
 add five Pipes of Wine of the first sort to your 
 Orders of this Season for our own Use, and to send 
 one of them in each of the five Ships, which are 
 destined to call here. 
 
 We are with respect 
 
 Gentlemen 
 
 Your most obedient humble Servants 
 Henry Van Sittart 
 
 Madeira Luke Scrafton 
 
 1 6 Oct. 1769. Fran 8 Forde. 
 
 East Indies Home Series. Misc. Vol. 204. (India Office). 
 
218 APPENDIX Z 
 
 APPENDIX Z l 
 
 Cape of Good Hope 
 the 2oth December 1769 
 
 Gentlemen 
 
 The Aurora anchored in Table Bay the 6th of this 
 month and the Stag the next day. Your Ship Thames 
 homeward bound from Madras called here in Sep- 
 tember and we learn that she carried the news of a 
 Peace made with Hyder Aly. Not having the Par- 
 ticulars we shall only at present add our Hopes that 
 the Conditions are such as may be productive of a 
 lasting Tranquillity and give us Leisure to apply our 
 principal Attention to the improvement of our Reve- 
 nues and Commerce, and the establishment of good 
 Order where it may be wanted. We enclose a List 
 of French Ships which have touch'd here since the 
 2 1st January 1767. The Men and Officers they 
 had on Board appear to have been draughts from 
 several Regiments intended to compleat their Force 
 at the Islands to four thousand Men. By the Intel- 
 ligence we can procure here their principal Object at 
 present seems to be an Establishment upon the east 
 Coast of the Island of Madagascar, the Count of 
 Mandava who was Lieutenant Colonel of the Lorrain 
 Regiment is at Port Dauphin and has the Command 
 of this new Settlement, concerning which we shall 
 take Measures upon our arrival in India, to procure 
 
 1 Miscellaneous Letters received, vol. 52, p. 303, (India Office.) 
 
APPENDIX Z 219 
 
 more perfect Intelligence and transmit to you as soon 
 as possible. We found here your Ship Duke Oj 
 Kingston of whose misfortune off St. you have 
 been already informed and of the Measures which 
 Captain Morrison took in consequence. 
 
 The Ponsborne from China arrived here the I2th 
 and affords us the Opportunity of transmitting this 
 Address. Our next will be from Madras for which 
 place we shall sail to-morrow. The Hawke sloop 
 not arriving here till the iyth will not be ready to 
 proceed with the Stag and the Aurora. By the Offi- 
 cers of the French Ship, which left Pondicherry the 
 5th October we were informed that all was quiet 
 upon the Coast at that time. We have directed 
 Mr. Day to draw upon Mr. Mitchell for 432 for 
 sundry Expences here, at Portsmouth and at Madeira 
 of which an Account shall be transmitted to you 
 from Madras. 
 
 We are with respect 
 
 Gentlemen 
 
 your most obedient and humble servants 
 
 Henry Van Sittart 
 Luke Scrafton 
 Fran 8 Forde. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Abdul Wahab, Commands Na- 
 
 wab of Arcot's Army, 3 
 Adnett, Ensign Joseph, 21 
 
 , Captain Joseph, mortally 
 wounded at Condore, 58, 66 
 
 Adoni, (District in Deccan), 
 Basalat Jang marches from, 
 
 77 
 
 Adlercron, Colonel, 39th Regi- 
 ment, xi 
 
 , Fails in attack on Wan- 
 diwash, 15 
 
 , Recalled to Madras, 16 
 
 , His Regiment ordered to 
 England, 20 
 
 Alexander, James, Commissary 
 wounded at Nellore, 7 
 
 , Report on assault of Nel- 
 lore by, 9 
 
 Ali Khan, (Nizam of Hyderabad) 
 
 Treaty with, 107, 199 
 Amboyna, Massacre of, 213 
 Ananda Raz, (Rajah of Viziana- 
 gram), Takes Vizagapatam, 38 
 
 , Proposes capture of Ma- 
 sulipatam, 39 
 
 , Treaty between, and 
 Andrews, 48, 190 
 
 , Alteration of Treaty with 
 Andrews, 71 
 
 Andrews^ John, (Madras Civi- 
 lian), sent to Vizagapatam, 48 
 
 , Makes a Treaty with 
 Ananda Raz, 48, 190 
 
 , Alters Treaty with Anan- 
 da Raz, 71 
 
 Arcot, Nawab of, Demands 
 subsidy, i 
 
 Arcot, (Town and Fort in 
 
 Madras), 2 
 
 Ariyalur, (Village in Madras), 14 
 Aurora, (Frigate), Supervisors 
 
 embark on, 171 
 
 , Touches at the Cape, 171 
 
 , Founders at Sea, 171 
 Aurungabad, (Town in Deccan) 
 
 39 
 Bacheracht, J. (Dutch official), 
 
 Signs Dutch Treaty, 140,207, 
 
 210, 212 
 Badara, (Village in Bengal), 
 
 Defeat of the Dutch at, 137, 
 
 202, 204 
 Barclay, Captain of Leopard 
 
 Snow, 130 
 Barnagore, (Dutch Settlement 
 
 in Bengal), Seized by Forde, 
 
 132 
 Basalat Jang,(Nizam's General), 
 
 Marches from Adoni, 77 
 Batavia, (Dutch Settlement in 
 
 Java), Dutch preparations in, 
 
 118 
 Battle, of Condore, 50 
 
 , of Badara, 137 
 
 , Dutch account of of 
 Badara, 204 
 
 , Naval, on the Hugli, 134 
 Becher, Richard, (Bengal Offi- 
 cial), 179, 182, 183, 207, 210 
 
 Bengal, (Presidency), Forde 
 appointed to chief command 
 in, 29, 176 
 
 , (Presidency), Clive ap- 
 pointed Governor of, 35 
 
 Bezwada, (Town in Madras), 
 
222 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Salabat Jang advances from, 
 
 90 
 Bisdom, A, (Dutch Governor), 
 
 Signs Dutch Treaty, 140,212 
 Boddam, (Member of Bengal 
 
 Select Committee), 32, 181, 
 
 185 
 
 Bouvet, Monsieur, Conducts 
 French Squadron to India, 
 
 25 
 
 , Alarm of, 27 
 
 Bristol, Company's Agent at 
 
 Cuttack, 39, 51, 85 
 Brooke, Resident at Pulicat, 
 
 193 
 
 Bruce, Captain, Tried by Court 
 Martial, 198 
 
 Burdett, Captain in command 
 of the Elizabeth, 182 
 
 Bussy, Monsieur, (French Ge- 
 neral), 38, 39 
 
 Caillaud, Captain, Ordered from 
 Madura to Trichinopoly, 24 
 
 , Major, Succeeds Forde 
 in Bengal Command, 152 
 
 Calcutta,(City in Bengal), Forde 
 arrives at, 3 1 
 
 Calcutta, (Ship of war), 127 
 
 Call, (Chief Engineer Madras), 
 Recommended to be Brevet- 
 Colonel, 155 
 
 Callander, Captain Alexander, 
 At Siege of Nellore, 7 
 
 , Appointed Forde's Second 
 in Command, 48 
 
 Carnac, Captain John, 21, 134, 
 
 20 1 
 Chambal, (Village in Madras), 
 
 5i 53. 56. 
 
 Chandanagore, (French Settle- 
 ment in Bengal), 132 
 
 , The Dutch dislodged 
 from, 134 
 
 Chittapet, (District and Town 
 in Madras), The French beaten 
 
 at, 21 
 Chingleput, (District and Town 
 
 in Madras), 15, 1 6 
 
 Cholera, Outbreak of at 
 Uttiranmerur, 18 
 
 Clive, George, 184 
 
 Clive, Colonel Robert, Appoint- 
 ed Governor of Bengal, 35 
 
 , Eulogy of Forde by, 112, 
 
 "3, H6, 155 
 
 , Views of, on Dutch pre- 
 parations, 118 
 
 , Characteristic reply of, 
 to Forde, 135, 136 
 
 , Opinion of, regarding 
 Coote, 146 
 
 , Embarks for England, 1 52 
 
 , Recommends Coote and 
 Forde to command battalions 
 in England, 154 
 
 , Succeeded by Vansittart, 
 152 
 
 , Succeeded by H. Verelst, 
 
 156 
 
 , Lands at Portsmouth, 156 
 
 , Nominates Supervisors, 160 
 Cocanada, (Dutch Settlement), 
 
 86 
 
 Collet, (Member of Bengal Se- 
 lect Committee), 179 
 
 Condore, (Village in Madras), 
 Battle of, 50 
 
 , Celebration of Victory of, 
 at Fort S fc George, 65, 191 
 
 , Forde's report on Battle 
 of, 65, 67 
 
 , Officers killed and wound- 
 ed at, 60 
 
 Conflans, M'arquis de, Defeated 
 at Condore, 59, 200 
 
 , Surrenders Masulipatam, 
 103 
 
 Conjeveram,(Townin Madras), 
 Description of, 16 
 
 , Attacked by Saubinet and 
 defended by Lambertson, 17 
 
 , Forde in Command at, 20 
 
 , Force sent from, to Tiru- 
 pati, 22 
 
 , Army at, ordered to Ma- 
 dras, 24 
 
INDEX 
 
 223 
 
 Cooke, John, (Bengal Official), 
 signs Dutch Treaty, 207, 
 210 
 
 Coote, Colonel Eyre, Supersedes 
 Forde, 115, 143. 
 
 , Reason why, superseded 
 Forde, 149 
 
 , dive's opinion of, 146 
 
 , Merits of, 148 
 
 , Recommended to com- 
 mand a battalion in England, 
 
 154 
 
 Cornish, Admiral, 130 
 Cuddalore, (Seaport in Madras), 
 
 23 
 
 Cuddapah, (Town and Fort in 
 Madras), 22 
 
 . Situation of, 22 
 Cuttack, (Town in Bengal), 
 
 Bristol agent at, 39 
 
 , Grey sent to, 42 
 Deccan, (Province in Madras), 
 
 Subahdar of, 39, 41 
 
 De Rocher, Monsieur, Com- 
 mands French Army of ob- 
 servation, 78 
 
 Doddington, (East Indiaman), 
 Wreck of the, 175 
 
 Donnelan, Captain, wounded at 
 Condore, 64, 66 
 
 , Tried by Court Martial, 
 198 
 
 Dorsetshire Regiment, Origin 
 
 of Motto of, xi 
 Drake, Hon. Roger, (Member 
 
 of Council), 43, 179, 183 
 Duke of Dorset, (Ship of War), 
 
 127, 134 
 
 Dutch, The, Warlike prepara- 
 tions of, 117 
 
 , Commence hostilities, 130 
 
 , Forde commands expe- 
 dition against, 132 
 
 , Squadron defeated in the 
 Hugh, 134 
 
 , Dislodged from Chan- 
 dan agore, 134 
 
 , Defeated at Badara, 137 
 
 , Treaty between and 
 English, 139, 205 
 
 , Account of the Battle of 
 Badara, 204 
 
 Elizabeth, (East Indiaman), 
 Captain Burdett in com- 
 mand of, 182 
 
 Elliot, Ensign, Wounded at 
 Nellore, 7 
 
 Ellore, (Town and Fort in Ma- 
 dras), Situation of, 74 
 
 Expedition, To Nellore, 2 
 
 , Under Colonel Adlercron, 
 
 15 
 
 , To Northern Circars, 41 
 
 , Results of, to Northern 
 Circars, 108, 116 
 
 Fischer, Captain, Commands 
 storming party at Masulipa- 
 tam, 96 
 
 , Presence of mind shewn 
 by, at Masulipatam, 102 
 
 Forde, Captain Francis, i 
 
 , Parentage of, xi 
 
 , Major Francis, xii 
 
 , Colonel Francis, Com- 
 mands expedition to Nellore, 
 2 
 
 , Joins Nawabs Army at 
 Sarvepalli, 3 
 
 , Repulsed at Nellore, 7 
 
 , Pursues Najib-Ulla, 9 
 
 , Recalled to Madras, 9 
 
 , Report on Assault of 
 Nellore by, n 
 
 , Stationed at Conjeveram, 
 20 
 
 , With Army ordered to 
 Madras, 24 
 
 , Appointed Commander 
 in Chief in Bengal, 29, 176 
 
 Forde, Demands compensation 
 for quitting the King's Ser- 
 vice, 30, 177, 178, 181 
 
 , Commands expedition to 
 Northern Circars, 41 
 
 , Expedition under, arrives 
 at Vizagapatam, 47 
 
224 
 
 INDEX 
 
 , Defeats M. de. Conflans 
 at Condore, 59 
 
 , Letter from, toAndrews, 
 describing Condore, 65, 67 
 
 , Europeans under, mu- 
 tiny, 87 
 
 , Critical situation of, at 
 Masulipatam, 91 
 
 , Tribute to character of, 92 
 
 , Storms and captures 
 Masulipatam, 95 
 
 , Report of, on capture of 
 Masulipatam, 104, 194, 196 
 
 , Makes Treaty with Sala- 
 bat Jang, 107 
 
 , Refuses a Jaghire, 109 
 
 , Clive's tribute to, 112,113, 
 
 146, 155 
 
 , Superseded by Coote,i 15, 
 
 H3 
 
 , Commands expedition 
 against the Dutch, 132 
 
 , Seizes Barnagore, 132 
 
 , Dislodges the Dutch from 
 Chandanagore, 134 
 
 , Characteristic reply of 
 Clive to, 135, 136 
 
 , Defeats the Dutch at 
 Badara, 137, 202 
 
 , Reason why Coote super- 
 seded, 149 
 
 , Returns to England, 152 
 
 , Succeeded by Caillaud, 
 
 152 
 
 , Recommended to com- 
 mand a battalion in England, 
 
 154 
 
 , Appointed Supervisor, 
 
 160, 216 
 
 , Embarks on Aurora fri- 
 gate, 171 
 
 , Drowned at Sea, 171 
 
 , Final eulogy of, 171 
 Fort S fc David, Fall of, 38 
 Fort S l George (Madras), Coun- 
 cil at, 13, 24, 26, 65, 70 
 
 , Victory of Condore cele- 
 brated at, 65, 191 
 
 , Siege of, raised, 79 
 Fort William, (Calcutta), Hoi- 
 well in charge of, 132 
 
 Fulta, (Village on Hugli), The 
 Dutch commence hostilities 
 off, 130 
 
 Fusiliers, Royal Dublin, In- 
 scribe " Condore " on their 
 colours, 6 1 
 
 , Royal Munster, Inscribe 
 " Condore " on their colours, 
 xiii. 6 1 
 
 Garhelly, (Town in Bengal), 
 
 Treaty with Dutch signed at, 
 
 207, 210 
 Grey, George, (Madras civilian), 
 
 Sent to Cuttack, 42 
 Hardwicke, (East Incliaman), 
 
 Samson captain of, 189 
 Hastings, Warren, Views of, 
 
 on Dutch preparations, 117 
 Hist, J. C. (Dutch Official), 
 
 Signs Dutch treaty, 207, 210, 
 
 212 
 Holwell (Bengal civilian), In 
 
 charge of Fort William, 132 
 Hoog, S. de, (Dutch official), 
 
 Signs Dutch treaty, 212 
 Hugli, (River, Bengal), Naval 
 
 engagement on, 134 
 Hunt, Captain, Wounded at 
 
 Nellore, 7 
 Hyderabad, (Native state and 
 
 city), Nizam of, solicits aid of 
 
 the English, 44 
 
 , War with Hyder Ali, 
 Nizam of, 157 
 
 Ikhlas Khan, Proposes inter- 
 view with Najib Ulla, i 
 
 , Ambuscaded, i 
 
 , At Kalahasti, 2 
 
 Isinck, M. (Dutch official), 
 Signs Dutch treaty, 212 
 
 James, Commodore, Commands 
 Triton (Frigate), 22 
 
 Johnstone, John, Commissary, 
 Sent to Vizagapatam, 42 
 
 , Arrives at Vizagapatam, 45 
 
INDEX 
 
 225 
 
 , Wounded at Condore, 60, 
 66 
 
 , Sent to Salabat Jang's 
 camp, 89 
 
 Kalahasti, (Town in Madras), 
 
 Iklas Khan at, 2 
 Kankal, (Town and fort in Ma- 
 dras), Stormed by Cap fc Mac- 
 
 leane, 78 
 Kasim Bazar, (Town in Bengal), 
 
 35, 127, 184 
 Kasim Kota, (Fort in Madras), 
 
 48, 62 
 Kilpatrick, Major James, Death 
 
 of, 29, 176 
 Kistna, (River in Madras), Army 
 
 under Salabat Jang arrives 
 
 on the, 77 
 Kistnapatam,(Town in Madras), 
 
 3 
 
 Knox, Captain Ranfurly, at 
 Condore, 58, 59 
 
 , Occupies Narsipur, 75 
 
 , At Masulipatam, 94, 197 
 
 , Forde's high opinion of, 
 
 215 
 
 Kolar, (Lake in Madras), Des- 
 cription of, 77 
 
 Kondavir, (Town in Madras), 9 
 
 Lally, Comte de, Raises Siege 
 of Madras, 79 
 
 Lambertson, Sergeant, Defence 
 of Conjeveram by, 17 
 
 Lawrence, Colonel Stringer, 
 xii, 19, 65, 144, 192 
 
 Lee, Captain, Commands the 
 Aurora Frigate, 217 
 
 Leopard Snow, (East India- 
 man), Seized by the Dutch, 
 130 
 
 Lindley, Sir John, Commodore, 
 Commands Naval expedition 
 to India, 162 
 
 , Powers of, defined, 170 
 
 , Sails with Supervisors, 
 171 
 
 Lorrain, French Regiment of, 
 Lands at Pondicherry, 25 
 
 Macguire, Paymaster, wounded 
 
 at Condore, 60, 66 
 Mackett, Member of Bengal 
 
 Select Committee, 179 
 Macleane, Captain, Storms fort 
 
 at Kankal, 78 
 
 , At Siege of Masulipatam, 
 96 
 
 Madras, (City), Army at Conje- 
 veram ordered to, 24 
 
 Madura, (Town in Madras), 
 Detachment at, returns to 
 Trichinopoly, 24 
 
 Manningham, Member of Ben- 
 gal Select Committee, 32, 
 179, 181 
 
 Masulipatam, (Town and Fort 
 in Madras), 80 
 
 , Description of Fort, 80 
 
 , Situation of Town, 81 
 
 , Mutiny of Europeans at, 
 
 87 
 
 , Critical Situation of Forde 
 at, 91 
 
 , Captain Knox to com- 
 mand false attack, 94 
 
 , Storm and capture of, 
 
 95 
 
 , Captain Fischer com- 
 mands storming party, 96 
 
 , Panic of European troops, 
 100 
 
 , Mons. de Conflans sur- 
 renders, 103 
 
 , Forde's report on capture 
 of, 104, 194, 196 
 
 Mir Jafar, (Subahdar of Ben- 
 gal), 117 
 
 Mohabit Sang, (Subahdar of 
 Bengal), 119 
 
 Moracin, Monsieur, Arrives at 
 Masulipatam, 106 
 
 Moran, Lieutenant, Wounded 
 at Condore, 64, 66 
 
 , At Masulipatam, 97 
 Murshedabad, (City in Bengal), 
 
 121 
 
 Najib Ulla, (Governor of Nel- 
 
 15 
 
226 
 
 INDEX 
 
 lore), Interviews Ikhlas Khan, 
 i 
 
 , Expedition sent to punish 
 
 2 
 
 Narsipur, (Town in Madras), 
 occupied by Captain Knox, 
 
 75 
 
 Nellore, (Town and fort in Ma- 
 dras), Force sent to, under 
 Forde, 2 
 
 , Description of fort at, 4 
 
 , Siege of, 5 
 
 , Forde repulsed at, 7 
 
 , Report on Assault of, by 
 Alexander, 9 
 
 , Total losses at, 10 
 
 , Forde' s report on assault 
 of, ii 
 
 , Officers wounded at, 7 
 Nizam of Hyderabad, Ali Khan, 
 
 Treaty with, 107, 199 
 
 , Hyder Ali, Outbreak of 
 war with, 157 
 
 Northern Circars, (District in 
 Madras), Expedition to, 41 
 
 , Strength of force des- 
 patched to, 42 
 
 , Result of expedition to, 
 108, 116 
 
 Omar Beg Khan, Fouzdaar of 
 
 Hugh", 123 
 
 Oxford, (Ship of War), 134 
 Patna, (City in Bengal), Mono- 
 poly of saltpetre at, 120 
 Pearkes, Member of Bengal 
 
 Select Committee, 32, 179, 
 
 181 
 Peddapur, (Fort in Madras), 
 
 Situation of, 63 
 
 Peddipur, (Fort in Madras), 50 
 Pigot, George, (Governor of 
 
 Madras), 11,64, 70, IIl > l &5> 
 
 194 
 Plassey, (Village in Bengal), 
 
 xiii, 147, 184 
 Polier, Captain, Commands 
 
 expedition to Tirupati, 22 
 
 , Recalled from Tirupati, 24 
 
 Pondicherry, (French Seaport, 
 Madras), French Squadron 
 arrives at, 26 
 
 , Regiment of Lorrain 
 landed at, 26 
 
 Rajahmundry, (Town and fort), 
 Seized by the French, 88 
 
 Report, On repulse at Nellore 
 by Alexander, 9 
 
 , On repulse at Nellore by 
 Forde, n 
 
 , On capture of Masulipa- 
 tam, 104, 194, 196 
 
 , On victory at Condore, 
 65,67 
 
 , On victory at Badara, 202 
 Revenge, (Frigate), 23 
 
 Rous, (Chairman Court of Dir- 
 ectors), Clive's letter to, 155 
 
 Roussel, Colonel, Commands 
 Dutch expedition, 136 
 
 , Defeated at Badara, 137, 
 204. 
 
 Royal George, (Ship of War), 
 
 121, 134, 146, 152 
 
 Salabat Jang, (Subahdar of the 
 Deccan), Advances to Masu- 
 lipatam, 77 
 
 , Army under, arrives on 
 the Kistna, 77 
 
 , Advances from Bezwada, 
 90 
 
 , Concludes a treaty with 
 Forde, 107 
 
 Samson, Captain of Hardwicke, 
 
 189 
 Samulkota, (Town in Madras), 
 
 50 
 Sangam, (Town in Madras), 
 
 Situation of, 9 
 Sarvepalli, (Fort in Madras), 
 
 Forde joins Army at, 3 
 Saubinet, (French officer), 
 
 Takes Uttiranmerur, 16 
 
 , Attacks Conjeveram, 17 
 Schevickhaven, J. L. V. (Dutch 
 
 official), Signs Dutch Treaty, 
 
 140, 212. 
 
INDEX 
 
 227 
 
 Scrafton, Luke, Appointed 
 Supervisor, 160 
 
 , Embarks on Aurora 
 Frigate, 171 
 
 , Drowned at sea, 171 
 Serampore, (Danish factory 
 
 Bengal), 132 
 
 Shah Zada, (Prince), 122 
 Siege, of Fort S fc George, raised, 
 
 79 
 
 , Masulipatam, 90 
 
 , Nellore, 5 
 
 Smith, Captain Richard, Woun- 
 ded at Nellore, 7 
 
 Smith, William, Secretary to 
 Colonel Forde, 41 
 
 Soupires, Marquis de, Lands at 
 Pondicherry, 26 
 
 S fc David, (Fort in Madras), 
 Fall of, 38 
 
 Sullivan, Lawrence, (Chairman 
 Court of Directors), 150 
 
 , Nominates Vansittart as 
 Supervisor, 160 
 
 Supervisors, Appointed by 
 Court of Directors, 160 
 
 , Legality of Commission 
 of, questioned, 163 
 
 , Embark on Aurora Frig- 
 ate, 171 
 
 , Drowned at Sea, 171 
 Suraj-Ud-Daula, (Subahdar of 
 
 Bengal), 119 
 
 Suydland, Mynheer, (Dutch 
 Master-attendant), 124, 140 
 
 Thames, (Ship), brings news of 
 Condore to Fort S* George, 
 64. 
 
 Thirty-Ninth Regiment, Arri- 
 val of, in India, xi 
 
 , Origin of motto of, xi 
 Tirupati, (Town in Madras), 
 
 Force sent to, from Conj eve- 
 ram, 22 
 
 , Captain Polier commands 
 expedition to, 22 
 
 , Detachment at, recalled 
 to Madras, 24 
 
 Towerson, (Ship's captain), Exe- 
 cuted at Amboyna, 213 
 
 Treaty, With Ananda Raz by 
 Andrews, 48, 190 
 
 , With Ananda Raz altered 
 by Andrews, 71 
 
 , Between Col. Forde and 
 Salabat Jang, 107, 199 
 
 , Between the Dutch and 
 the English, 139, 205 
 
 Trichinopoly, (Town in Ma- 
 dras), Detachment at Madu- 
 ra returns to, 24 
 
 Triton, (Frigate), Commanded 
 by Commodore James, 22 
 
 , Takes news to Madras of 
 French movements, 24 
 
 Uttiranmerur, (Town in Ma- 
 dras), captured by Saubinet, 
 16 
 
 , Outbreak of Cholera at, 
 18 
 
 , The French retire from, 
 18 
 
 Valk, O.W. (Dutch official), 
 Signs Dutch Treaty, 212 
 
 Vansittart, Henry, (Member of 
 Council Fort S* George), 113, 
 
 J 45 
 
 , Succeds Clive as Gover- 
 nor, 152 
 
 , Appointed Supervisor, 
 1 60 
 
 , Embarks on Aurora fri- 
 gate, 171 
 
 , Drowned at Sea, 171 
 Vaughan, Captain, Tried by 
 
 Court Martial, 198 
 
 Verelst, Henry, (Member of 
 Council), Succeeds Clive as 
 Governor, 156 
 
 Vernet, G. L. (Dutch official), 
 Signs Dutch treaty, 140, 212 
 
 Vizagapatam, (Town in Ma- 
 dras), Expedition under For- 
 de arrives at, 47 
 
 , Andrews sent to, 48 
 Vizianagram, Rajah of, Treaty 
 
228 
 
 INDEX 
 
 between, and Andrews, 48, 
 190 
 
 , Alteration of treaty, 71 
 Wandiwash, (Town in Madras}, 
 
 Failure of expedition against, 
 15 
 
 , Bloodless campaign 
 against, 20 
 
 Watson, Admiral, 26 
 Wedderburn, (Captain of Tha- 
 mes), 65 
 
 , Letter from, to Pigot and 
 Council, 64 
 
 Wey mouth, Lord (Secretary of 
 
 State), objects to Commission 
 
 of Supervisors, 163 
 Wick, Lieutenant, Wounded 
 
 at Condore, 64, 66 
 Wilding, Lieutenant, Tried by 
 
 Court Martial, 198 
 Yorke, Ensign Martin, Joins 
 
 Bengal army, 21 
 
 , Captain Martin, At Con- 
 dore, 57 
 
 , Panic of Europeans under, 
 at Masulipatam, 100 
 
 , Wounded at Masulipa- 
 tarn, 101 
 
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