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
"On the 19th of October he left Calcutta; and in place of his going to his
Fort at Hooghley, he took up his residence at Cajah Wazeed's garden, about
half 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 '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determined they should not, as the Nabob had not withdrawn his orders to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
consequences 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 up, and that they were enlisting troops under every denomination,
at Chinsura, Cossimbazar, and Patna, and this plainly with connivance of
the Nabob.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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