The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 2 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of PowisMalcolm, John
History
The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 2 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of Powis
Malcolm, John
Clive, Robert Clive, Baron, 1725-1774; India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947
A curious and minute account of the progressive steps taken in effecting
this revolution is given in a letter to Clive (dated the 3d December,
1760,) from Mr. Lushington, who held the situation of linguist to the
army, and who was an eye-witness of the incidents he describes. After
detailing Mr. Vansittart's visit to Moorshedabad accompanied by a
hundred and eighty Europeans, six hundred sepoys, and four pieces of
cannon, that force might be used in case Meer Jaffier should refuse to
comply with his demands, and mentioning that he had delivered to the
Nabob three letters explanatory of his intentions, to which he waited a
final answer, Mr. Lushington proceeds:—"We waited all the next day; but
no answer coming, the Governor thought it proper not to lose any time,
and therefore ordered Colonel Caillaud to go by water with his
detachment, so early that he might surround the palace at daybreak;
sending at the same time a letter, acquainting the Nabob that he had
sent the Colonel to settle those affairs which he had conferred with him
about, and to which he had promised to give an answer, but none was
brought. The Nabob sent word to the Colonel he would give no answer
until the troops returned to Moraudbaug, as he never expected such
treatment from the English. Some few conferences were afterwards held by
Mr. Hastings and myself with several of the Nabob's ministers; but as
nothing could be agreed on I was sent back to Moraudbaug, to give an
account of our proceedings to the Governor, and to have his final order
whether we should storm the palace in case the Nabob refused to comply.
He answered he wished not to spill the blood of a man whom he raised to
such dignities, but that the affair must be finished before sunset. With
this I returned; and found, to my great surprise, Cossim Ali Khan's
standards, and the nobits[c] beating in his name. Colonel Caillaud now
told me that the Nabob had sent out the seals to his son-in-law, and
offered to resign the government if the English would be security for
his life. This was immediately agreed to, and a meeting was held between
the Colonel and the Nabob, who made the following speech, as well as I
can remember:—'The English placed me on the musnud; you may depose me if
you please. You have thought proper to break your engagements. I would
not mine. Had I such designs I could have raised twenty thousand men,
and fought you if I pleased. My son, the Chuta Nabob (Meeran),
forewarned me of all this. I desire you will either send me to Sabut
Jung (Lord Clive), for he will do me justice, or let me go to Mecca; if
not, let me go to Calcutta; for I will not stay in this place. You will,
I suppose, let me have my women and children; therefore, let me have
budgerows and be carried immediately to Moraudbaug.' The Governor saw
him soon after this, and he made much the same speech to him, adding, he
could be nowhere safe but under the English protection."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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