Clive had, on many occasions, stated his sentiments very freely to the Nabob, both in regard to the character of his son, and the persons by whom that Prince was surrounded, particularly his Dewan Rajah Bullub. The following extract from a letter to Mr. Hastings, dated 21st of September, 1759, will show how decided he was in his opinions upon this subject:—"What you write me," he observes, "about the young Nabob, does not at all surprise me; it was what I always expected. Meer Jaffier's days of folly are without number, and he had, long before this, slept with his ancestors, if the dread of our power and resentment had not been his only security. Sooner or later, I am persuaded, that worthless young dog will attempt his father's overthrow. How often have I advised the old fool against putting too much power into the hands of his nearest relations. Tell him, from me, that Rajah Bullub is an aspiring, ambitious villain; and, if he does not get him removed from his son's presence, he will push him to some violent and unnatural resolution." Footnote 83: The letters of Scrafton, Hastings, and Sykes, afford abundant evidence to the truth of the fact, that Meer Jaffier was personally attached to Clive. Footnote 84: Letter from Mr. Hastings to Clive, 17th of August, 1759. Footnote 85: Muttaseddie means a "clerk;" but the plural term, as here employed, describes all the subordinate civil officers of the government. Footnote 86: This letter is dated the 20th of August, 1759. Clive had written to Mr. Pigot a few days before upon the same subject. Footnote 87: 11th of November, 1757. Footnote 88: Holwell's Narrative, p. 156. Footnote 89: 29th of December, 1758. Footnote 90: Id. Footnote 91: The grounds of Clive's strong support of Mr. Sulivan appear to have been entirely public. Among other friends, he wrote (29th of December, 1758) to his agent, Mr. Belchier, on this subject:— "As I have," he observes, "great designs in view for the advantage of the Company, I must request you will give all your interest, and that of your friends, in favour of Mr. Sulivan, who, I am persuaded, will pursue vigorous measures, now become absolutely necessary." Footnote 92: Holwell's Narrative, p. 170. Footnote 93: The application is here limited to the government of Bengal. Footnote 94: Clive's prediction of the result of affairs in the Carnatic proved, as has been shown, true to the very letter. Footnote 95: Although, in point of composition, the despatches of the Indian authorities, both at home and abroad, at this early period of our political administration, will not bear comparison with those of a later date, they exhibit a degree of simplicity and plainness which is both interesting and amusing. Footnote 96: