their operations; but the French, a more formidable enemy, had only recently lost their Indian possessions, and he looked forward to more imminent danger from their designs, especially if by their means the resistance, then only threatened in America, became successful: for that America, he observes, will sooner or latter become independent, there can be no question[214]: an observation which, in 1772, when both the Government and the nation looked upon any resistance to be made by the Americans as futile, evinced no common sagacity. To examine the various plans which he furnished, both in India and Europe, for the improvement of the Company's affairs and establishments, as well as for the conduct of their external relations, though to one who traced the progress of Indian policy it might be no unimportant employment, would occupy more time than could be afforded in a Memoir like this. The materials are sufficiently ample. Lord Clive, even when on the worst terms with the managing servants of the Company, uniformly felt a strong attachment and warm gratitude to the body itself, to which his early feelings had bound him; and he was always ready to pour out his knowledge for its benefit. It was a subject in which he was at home, and he felt a laudable pleasure in the hopes of benefiting his early patrons, and the nations he had conquered and ruled, by the matured fruits of his observation and experience. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 168: Dated 9th May, 1771.] [Footnote 169: This was on the illumination in consequence of the release from the Tower of the Lord Mayor and Alderman Oliver, who had been committed to custody for imprisoning a Serjeant-at-arms of the House of Commons.] [Footnote 170: Then Secretary of State.] [Footnote 171: 12th May.] [Footnote 172: This was when a rupture was expected between the Courts of St. James's and Versailles.] [Footnote 173: Dated 7th January, 1772.] [Footnote 174: 21st January, 1772.] [Footnote 175: Almon's Debates, for 1772, p. 360.; Annual Register, 1772.] [Footnote 176: A native trader, and agent.] [Footnote 177: Lord Clive's speech is given in Almon's Debates, and was published separately.] [Footnote 178: Almon's Debates.] [Footnote 179: 13th April.] [Footnote 180: 10th June.] [Footnote 181: 15th June.] [Footnote 182: Walcot, 20th September, 1772.] [Footnote 183: Letter to Mr. Strachey, dated Walcot, 7th November, 1772.] [Footnote 184: The Parliament had been summoned to meet before the Christmas holidays, for the despatch of business.] [Footnote 185: An abstract of it may be found in the Historical View of Plans for the Government of British India, Lond. 1793, 4to., pp. 55-70.] [Footnote 186: Seventh Report of the Committee of Secresy, 1773, pp. 51, 52. The historical articles of the Annual Register for 1772 and 1773 are ably written, and show a great acquaintance with Indian affairs and the feelings of parties. Mill's History gives a good abstract of these proceedings.]