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Cornell University Library DA 25.M2P16

Report on the Palk manuscripts in the po

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The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library.

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HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.

REPORT

ON THE

PALK MUSCEIPTS

IN THE Possession of Mbs. Bannatyne, OF Haldon, Devon.

LONDON : PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, To be purchased through any Bookseller or directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses ! iMPEBiAi House, Kingswat, London, W.0.2, and 28, Abingdon Stbeet, liONDON, S.W.I. ; 37, Peteb Street, Manchester ; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff ; 23, Forth Street, Edinburgh ; or from E. PONSONBY, Ltd., 118, Grafton Street, Dublin.

1922.

Price 12s. 6d. Net.

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN,

HISTOEICAL MANUSCEIPTS COMMISSION.

REPORT

ON THE

PALK MANUSCEIPTS

IN THE Possession of Mrs. Bannatyne, OF Haldon, Devon.

LONDON : PUBLISHED BY HIS MA.TESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. To be purchased through any Bookseller or directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses ; Imperial House, Kingswat, London, W.C.2, and 28, Abinodon Street, London, S.W.I. ; 37, Peter Street, Manchester ; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff ; 23, Forth Street, Edinburgh ; or froni E. PONSONBY, I/td., 116, Grafton Street, Dublin.

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CONTENTS.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . ■ iii

List of Calendared Documents . . . . . . Ixviii

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . • • 1

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . ■ • 421

This report has been prepared for the Commissioners, at the suggestion and with the co-operation of the India Office, by Colonel H. D. Love, R.E. (retired), who has also compiled the index.

It is suggested that for reference purposes it be numbered 74.

m

THE PALK MANUSCRIPTS

IN THE POSSESSION OF MrS. BANNATYNE

OF Haldon, Devon.

The Palk Manuscripts in the possession of Mrs. Bannatyne consist mainly of letters addressed to Sir Robert Palk from the time when he relinquished the governorship of Madras in 1767 down to the end of 1786. They were written by all sorts and conditions of people — governors, councillors, native princes, naval and military officers, civil servants, native officials and private persons. The majority of the communications were sent from Fort St. George, Madras, but some are from other parts of the Southern Presidency, some from Bengal, and a few from Bombay. Written as they were in stirring times, most of them before the publication of Indian newspapers was begun, they are full of political and military intelligence, which is imparted free from the restrictions and reservations imposed on official correspondence with the Court of Directors. After his return to England Palk aided several of his relations and the sons of many friends to begin life in India by advancing money to them and furnishing them with recommendations. All these correspond with him, give their early impressions of the country, and keep him informed of local events. The Palk Papers thus supply many details of social life in India, regarding which official documents are naturally silent. The collection contains certain letters from Palk himself, most of which were addressed to his friend William Martin Goodlad, one of the Secretaries to the Government of Madras. On Goodlad's death these com- munications were returned to their author, and were preserved by him. There are a few papers anterior to 1767, the most important of which is a letter of 1755 from Colonel Stringer Lawrence, embodying a narrative of his campaigns against the French.

After the elimination of a number of business papers, such as Bills of Exchange and Respondentia Bonds, there remain 470 documents, the contents of which are described in sub- sequent pages of this report. From 1767 to 1776 the corres- pondence is copious. It diminishes in volume between 1777 and 1780, and from 1781 to 1783 there is scarcely an Indian letter. In 1784 the tide flows again, but at the end of 1786 the correspondence terminates abruptly. That letters were written and received during the period of scarcity is undoubted, though their ultimate fate is unknown. Part of the original collection found its way in 1894 to the British Museum., where it is preserved in four volumes {Additional MSS. 34,685 — 88).

IV

The first of these volumes contains business documents of no importance ; the second comprises Indian letters to Palk of 1768 and 1769 with a few of later date down to 1774 ; the third consists of duplicates of despatches from the Court of Directors to the Government of Madras between 1762 and 1765 ; and the fourth of copies of official letters from Fort St. George to the Court from 1763 to 1767. The chief interest hes in the second volume. Sundry letters from Robert Palk are to be found in the Warren Hastings correspondence preserved in the British Museum {Addl. MSS. 29,132— 94).(i'

Some knowledge of Palk's singular career is indispensable for a thorough comprehension of the documents in Mrs. Bannatyne's collection. The following brief sketch embraces those members of his family who are mentioned in the correspondence.

Robert Palk came of yeoman stock established at Ashburton, Devon. The family homestead was Lower Headborough, the first farm out of Ashburton on the road to Buckland-in-the-Moor, and within half a mile of the town. In 1679 Walter Palk, of Ashburton, left the reversion of his lands to his nephew Walter (b. 1659), son of Thomas Palk.'^' This second Walter was succeeded by his eldest son Walter (b. 1686), his other children being Jonathan, Thomas and Grace. The third Walter married Frances Abraham at Buckland-in-the-Moor, and had three children, Walter {b. 1714), Robert {b. 1717), the subject of this notice, and Grace. The fourth Walter married in succession Thomasine Widdicombe, of Priestaford, Ashburton, her sister Mary Widdicombe, and Mary Mugford, by all of whom he had children. His brother Robert, afterwards Governor of Madras, married Anne Vansittart, to whom reference will be made later, and his sister Grace became the wife of Richard Welland. Two of the Welland boys, nephews of Robert Palk, served in India. Among the numerous offspring of the fourth Walter were Walter {b. 1742), afterwards M.P. for Ashburton ; Robert (b. 1744), who joined the Bengal civil service ; Thomas (b. dr.

(1) The Warren Hastings Correspondence contains 23 letters (excluding duplicates) from Robert Palk, viz : —

Add. MSS. 29132 Letters dated 23 June, 1769 ; 23 Mar., 1770 ; 9 April, 1771. ■ 29133 ,, ,, 7 Ap., 1772 ; 8 Feb. f.nd 8 Ap., 1773.

29134 „ „ 22 Mar., 1774.

29135 „ „ 25 Dec, 1774.

29136 „ „ 4/21 Feb., 12 Ap., 19 Nov., 12 Dec. and 13 Dec., 177,5.

29138 „ „ 21 Dec, 24 Dec. and 28 Dec, 1776.

29140 „ „ 1 Mav, 1778.

29144 „ ,, 27 Mar., 1780.

29145 „ „ 20 Ap., 1780. 29149 „ ,, 30 May, 1781.

29154 „ ,, 26 June, 1782.

29155 „ „ 1 July, 1782. 29193 „ „ N.D. [cir. Nov., 1773].

All the above letters are to Hastings, excepting that of the 26th June 1782 which is addressed to Major Scott, Hastings's agent in England. The final volume (Add. MSS. 29,103) contains also an undated letter from Robert Palk, jun. to William Aldersey regarding the arrest of Nandkumar.

(2) Devonshire Wills, C. Worthy, 1896.

1750), who came to Madras a cadet, but was later transferred to the civil service ; Grace, who married Nicholas Tripe ol' Ashburton ; and Jonathan, vicar of Ilsington. Mention is made also of two brothers, Lieut. Thomas Palk and Ensign John Palk of the Madras army, who appear to have been grandsons of one of Sir Robert Palk's uncles. They died together while campaigning in the Northern Circars. Other Indian connections of Sir Robert were Thomas Abraham, a Bengal civil servant, who was a member of his mother's family, and several of the Vansittarts, his wife's relations.

It is said that Robert Palk was born at Ambrooke, in the parish of Ipplepen, which was the property of the Neyle family, but the statement needs verification. Certain it is that he was baptized at the Old Mission House, Ashburton, on the 16th December, 1717. He received his early education at Ashburton Grammar School, a very ancient foundation, matriculated at Wadham College, Oxford, in 1736, and graduated three years later. After being ordained deacon the Rev. Robert Palk was appointed a naval chaplain, and in 1747 he accompanied Boscawen's expedition to the East Indies as chaplain to the Admiral. He arrived at Fort St. David in July, 1748, and was present at the unsuccessful siege of Pondicherry. In November news reached India of the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, but though hostilities ceased, the fleet remained on the Coast. At the beginning of the following year an incident occurred which determined Palk's future career. The Rev. Francis Fordyce, the Company's chaplain at Fort St. David, a notoriously quarrelsome and ill-tempered nian, publicly insulted Robert Clive, and blows were exchanged between them in the streets of Cuddalore. An enquiry was held by the Governor and Council with the result that Fordyce was suspended as being " a meddling mischievous person." Palk was invited to enter the Company's service as chaplain pending the approval of the Directors, and the Admiral consented to his transfer. This " very worthy and able Divine " assumed his new duties on the 1st April, 1749.

Meanwhile the Directors sent out the Rev. George Swynfen as a second chaplain for the Coast, and though they approved of Palk's appointment, decided that their own nominee should be the senior. In October, 1750, the fleet sailed for Bombay en route for England, and Palk accompanied it with the intention of formally resigning His Majesty's service and obtaining a regular engagement from the Company. On reaching Bombay in March, 1751, he heard of Swynfen's death, and returned at once to Fort St. David, where he was reinstated. Fort St. George, which had been in the possession of the French from 1746, was restored in 1749, and in April, 1752, the seat of Government was transferred from Fort St. David to Madras, Palk accompanying the President and Council thither. In December, 1751, the Directors, having heard of Palk's departure

VI

in the preceding year, but not of his return, nominated two chaplains for the Coast, the Rev. Samuel Staveley and the Rev. Thomas Colefax. The arrival of these gentlemen in June, 1752, left no vacancy for Palk. The Madras Government, however, quickly found another place for him. The Consul- tation Book for August contains the following : —

" The account of the army in camp having been kept in an irregular manner, which creates confusion, 'tis agreed that the Rev. Robert Palk be appointed Paymaster and Commissary in the Field at the rate of 10s. a day salary and Rs. 5 a day batta."

At this juncture Colefax died, and Palk continued to perform clerical duties intermjttently in addition to his special work. That work brought him into intimate relations with Major Stringer I.awrence, who commanded the army operating against the French in the southern districts. On two occasions, in April, 1753, and May, 1 754, Palk was sent to the Court of Tanjore, where he successfully negotiated with the Raja for aid in troops and money ; and in January, 1754, he was deputed with Henry Vansittart to meet the French commissaries at Sadras and arrange a suspension of hostilities. No agreement was then effected, but at the end of the year Palk and Vansittart went to Pondicherry and returned with a provisional treaty of peace. The Government of Madras were so well satisfied with Palk's political work that they presented him with a diamond ring of the value of 1,000 pagodas.

At this period Robert Orme, the future historian of the war with the French in India, was a member of the Fort St. George Council. The following extract from a confidential letter, dated 26th October, 1755, addressed by him to John Payne, one of the Directors, throws light on Palk's character and duties : —

" Mr. Palk, a gentleman left in India by Mr. Boscawen and made chaplain at St. David, was, at the time I left India,'i' in high favour with Mr. Saunders : '2' he was one of his family. It is long since this gentleman had thrown aside the learning of ancient or Christian books to study the tempers of mankind, in which he is indeed a great proficient, and as great a one in adapting himself to them, I must say, with decency. His character as a clergyman admitted him to the conciliation of disputes, and where he did not succeed, his intentions were rewarded with the graceful name of a Peace Maker. I had pcrceiv'd various instances of his address in the management of persons at variance with another, and suppressed what was my rising sentiment in favour of the general one. Mr. Palk was chose by Mr. Saunders to go to camp, under the name of a Commissary design'd to retrench expences, but with the real view of softning and managing Colonel Lawrence's warm and

(1) In 1753, «lien Ormc visited England in company with Clive.

(2) Thoijiiis Saundcr!^, Piesidcnt and Governor, fli-st at Fort St. David and after- wards at Fort St. George, from Sept., 1750, to Jan., 1755.

Vll

sudden temper in the contests then subsisting between him and Mr. Saunders. How well he fulfill'd this commission I would willingly throw a veil over, but the facts are known to all, and do not seem disaA'owed by himself. He received from Colonel Lawrence most beneficial employs in the camp, and by his means in other services, which have, in the time of my voyage, set him independant in the world, with at least 10,doOL from two he came with into India. And from a month after his arrival in camp, Mr. Saunders receixed no further tokens of his attention or respect. Colonel Lawrence became all in all with Mr. Palk.

" The influence which I have above described Mr. Palk to have over the greatest part of the community of which he is the pastor shone forth eminently now in their notions of the Governor. Mr. Palk blamed him : all the world did so too. Mr. Palk gave witness to a more than heroick character in Colonel Lawrence : he became immediately a hero of the first order." 'i)

Lawrence and Palk met Nawab Muhammad Ali at Arcot in August, 1755, and attended him at his triumphal entry into his capital. In the preceding February the Directors had nominated a Select Committee of eight members at Fort St. George to communicate with their own Secret Committee on military and political topics, and they settled that the first vacancy should be filled by the Rev. Robert Palk. An opening occurred at once by the death of Colonel Caroline Scott, Engineer General, and Palk occupied it in September. In December, however, the Court Avith accustomed vacillation decreed that he should confine himself to Church work and be posted to Fort St. David. On receipt of these instructions in 1756, Palk announced his intention of leaving for England, but asked for time to wind up his affairs. With the sanction of Mr. Pigot's Government he remained at Fort St. George until August, 1 758, exercising his various functions as chaplain, paymaster of the forces and member of the Select Committee.

In company with Orme, Palk sailed in the Grantham, India- man. The ship was captured by the French, who landed the passengers at the Cape and released them on parole. Palk reached England in 1759, bearing letters from the Nawab of Arcot to the King and the Company. His personality, ability and address produced such an effect on the Directors that they penned the following lines in their despatch of the 15th February, 1760 : —

" We have fixed upon Mr. Robert Palk to succeed Mr. Pigot in the Government whenever it shall become vacant by the resignation or decease of that gentleman, being fully convinced his ability and experience will be of great service to the Company both before and after his succession to the Government, especially as affairs are at present circumstanced."

(1) Orme MSB., vol. 28, preserved in the India Office.

vin

On the 14th November, 1760, arms were granted to " Robert Palk of Headborough in the County of Devon," '" and in the following February he married Anne, daughter of Arthur Vansittart of Shottesbrook Park, Berks., and sister of his old friend and former colleague Henr}^ Vansittart, who had mean- while become Governor of Bengal. Palk sailed in March, 1761, with Major-General Stringer Lawrence as a fellow-passenger, arrived at Madras in October, and took his seat as Third of ("ouncil Avith the duties of Export Warehousekeeper. On the resignation of Governor Pigot on the 14th November, 1763, Palk assumed the office of President, occupying the Chair until the 25th January, 1767. His administration was popular and comparatively peaceful, the chief events being the suppres- sion in 1764 of Yusuf Khan's rebellion in Madura, and the occupation of the Circars, followed by the Treaty of Hyderabad, in 1766. Clive had obtained from the Mogul in 1765 a free gift to the Company of the live coast districts north of the Kistna which were known as the Northern Circars. They were ruled by Nizam Ali, Subahdar of the Deccan, who had granted one of them, the Guntur Circar, to his brother Basalat Jang. Brig.- General John Caillaud, Lawrence's successor, took possession of the districts without serious opposition in 1766. The Nizam was naturall}^ aggrieved at his deprivation of territory, and prepared to invade the Carnatic. Palk, a man of peace, deemed it prudent to placate him, and Caillaud negotiated a settlement at Hyderabad. By the Treaty of the 12th November, 1766, the Madras Government agreed to pay an annual rent of eight lakhs of rupees for the Circars, to leave Basalat Jang in possession of Guntur for the term of his life, and to afford aid to the Nizam, in the settlement of his own affairs. This last vague condition led, after Palk's departure, to war with Haidar Ali.

Palk resigned the Chair to Charles Bourchier in January, 1767, and sailed for England in the Lord Camden, accompanied by his wife and' two children, Anne (Nancy) born in 1764, and Lawrence, so named after Palk's friend the General, born early in 1766. The ex-Governor reached England on the 13th July, 1767, and was well received by both the King and the Court of Directors'^' (No. 38). His long residence in India had enabled him to acquire more than a competence. While placing the interests of his employers first, Palk had not entirely neglected his own. The fortune with which he retired was not all derived from his official emoluments. As Paymaster of the Army and the holder of a bullock-contract granted him by Clive, he had had early opportunities of making money, and those oppor- tunities increased with his advancement in the service. He was interested in private trade, a practice which was recognized by the Company. The custom of the time permitted the surrep-

(1) Polwhele's History of Devonshire, 1793 and 1797.

(2) British Museum, Addl. MSS., 34,685, Robert. Palk to " Jimmy " [James Bourchier], dated — Nov., 1767.

IX

titious receipt of presents by all public servants who could command them. Talk admits in one of his letters that he accepted gifts of money from prospective renters of lands, but he takes credit to himself for never having solicited a present. The Nawab had much to gain from a Governor, and though Palk resisted pressure to attack Tanjore, he rendered valuah)le aid at Madura, and Muhammad Ali probably attested his gratitude in the usual manner. The conclusion of treaties * furnished other facilities. According to John Andrews, a senior civil servant who was deputed in January, 1769, to arrange terms w'ith Haidar, Palk received from the Nizam a lakh of pagodas and Caillaud Pags. 60,000 for negotiating the Treaty of Hyderabad of 1766.<i)

After visiting his relations in Devonshire Palk took a house in Spring Gardens, and entered Parliament as member for Ashburton. In 1769 he purchased the Haldon estate near Exeter. The house had been built by Sir George Chudleigh about 1720. After his death in 1738 the property passed in succession to Sir John Chichester, Mrs. Basset, Mr. John Jones and Mr. William Webber.'^' A friend writing to Palk in December, 1769, congratulates him on the cheapness of his purchase, and mentions that Mr. Webber had given Mr. Jones 11,500/. for it.'^' Palk made many improvements ; laid down floors of Indian redwood, planted trees in the park, and gradually acquired adjacent land. A daughter Catherine (Kitty) was born to the Palks on New Year's day, 1768, and another, named Emelia, in 1774. Both died during adolescence.

Though he never joined the Company's Directorate, Robert Palk exercised influence on Indian affairs through Laurence Sulivan and other friends. When not following the pursuits of a country gentleman at Haldon he resided in London, where he occupied a house in Park Place, St. James's, moving in 1775 to Bruton Street. He re-entered Parliament in 1774 and represented Ashburton until 1787. His friend Stringer Lawrence was his frequent, if not permanent, guest until the General died in London in 1775. Lawrence was buried in the church of Dunchideock by Haldon, which contains a monument to his memory. Palk commemorated him by erecting a turreted and battlemented tower, triangular in plan, on the summit of Haldon Hill, and within the park. It is known as the Belvidere. The principal room on the lowest of its three floors contains a marble statue of Lawrence, and mural tablets are inscribed with a recital in English, Latin and Persian of his military exploits. It was at Haldon House that a conference took place in September, 1776, between Robert Palk, George Vansittart, General Caillaud, Mr. Pechell and Colonel Macleane to discuss

(1) British Museum, Addl. MSS., 34,686, Charles Bourchier to Robert Palk, dated 10th March, 1769.

(2) Polwhele's History of Devonshire, which contains a full-page engraving of the mansion.

(a) British Museum, Addl. MSS., 34,680.

the conditions to be obtained from Lord North as the price of resignation by Hastings of the office of Governor General.

On the 19th June, 1782, Robert Palk was created a baronet. His only son Lawrence, after leaving Oxford, travelled on the Continent. Some of the son's letters written in the course of the tour have been preserved. During his absence from England in 1786 his eldest sister Anne became the wife of Sir Bourchier Wrey, Bt., and the youngest, Emeha, died. Lady Palk expired in 1,788 at the age of 50. Her husband survived her ten years. Sir Robert was buried in Dunchideock church, 'i> but the remains were removed many 5'ears later to a vault outside the building. A simple tablet near the monument to Stringer Lawrence records the names of himself and eight members of his family.

The documents in Mrs. Bannatyne's collection are calendared at the end of this report. The earliest (No. 1) is an autograph letter from Colonel Stringer Lawrence to Admiral Charles Watson, Commander-in-Chief of the East India squadron, dated Fort St. George, 8th October, 1755, embodying Lawrence's " Narrative " of his campaigns of 1752-1754.. The letter, which is bound in book form, contains 221 quarto pages of manuscript. Admiral Watson, who had brought out Adlercron's Regiment, the 39th Foot, in 1754, was at Madras on the date of the letter, and he sailed two days later for Bombay on a mission to suppress the pirates of the Malabar coast and destroy the stronghold at Gheriah or Viziadrug of their chief Angria. The narrative was perhaps handed to the Admiral by Lawrence to relieve the tedium of the voyage. Other MS. copies of the account exist, one in the King's Library of the British Museum, <2* and one in the Orme collection at the India Office. '^i The narrative was edited and pubhshed by R. O. Cambridge in his Account of the War in India, and, as tliat work is accessible, it is unnecessary to do more than indicate the principal variations between Mrs. Bannatvne's MS. and the printed account {Vide No. 1 in the Calendar "of MSS.)

Stringer Lawrence, the " Father of the Indian Army," was born in 1698, and became an Ensign in Clayton's Regiment, now the West Yorks. After twenty years' service, during which he was actively engaged in Spain and Flanders and in the Highland rising of 1745, he retired as Captain, joined the East India Company, and at the age of 49 embarked for Madras in February, 1747, to be Major of the Fort St. George garrison. Madras having been captured by the French in 1746, Lawrence landed, after a voyage of eleven months, at Fort St. David

(1) The church contains a monument to one of Sir Robert Palk's pi'cclecessors in the Government of Madras, Aaron Baker, of Bowhay, who died in 1683. Baker entered the Company's service as Factor in 1633, and after being President at Bantam in Java from 1640, was transferred with the seat of government in 1652 to Fort St. George, where he ruled until 1655. His house at Bowhay, near Dimchideock, is still standing.

(2) Brit. Mu8. MS. 195, attributed to Captain John CaiUaud.

(3) Orme MSS., vol. 13.

XI

where he was given a seat in Council. He reorganized and disciplined the seven independent European companies, framed a code of military law, and formed the body of native peons into companies of sepoys. On the arrival of Boscawen's expedition he commanded the Company's troops in the attack on Pondicherry, when he was taken prisoner. Released at the suspension of hostilities, he was one of the Commissaries appointed to receive Fort St. George from the French, and on the transfer of the Presidency to Madras he became Deputy Governor of Fort St. David. In 1750 Lawrence resigned and went to Eng- land, but the Directors induced him to return immediately as Commander-in-Chief of all the Company's forces in India.

Landing at Madras in Rlarch, 1752, Lawrence took command of the army proceeding to relieve Trichinopoly, where Muham- mad Ali, the claimant supported bj'^ the British for the possession of the Carnatic, was besieged by the French and their nominee Chanda Sahib. Marathas, Mysoreans and Tanjoreans took part in the conflict on one side or the other. The relief was accom- plished, and within two months d'Auteuil had surrendered to Clive at Valikonda, and Law to Lawrence at Srirangam. Chanda Sahib fell into the hands of the Tanjoreans and was executed. Further fighting took place near Pondicherry, de Kerjean being defeated at Bahour. From April to November, 1753, Lawrence and his lieutenants. Major James Killpatrick and Captain John Caillaud, were engaged in numerous actions in the vicinity of Trichinopoly. At the battles of the Golden Rock the French suffered defeat on three occasions. After ineffectual negotiations for peace in January, 1754, the struggle was renewed around Trichinopoly with varying fortime until October, when a suspension of arms was agreed to. Peace followed at the end of the year ; Dupleix was recalled, and Lawrence received a commission as I/ieut. -Colonel from the King and a sword of honour from the Company. Orme thus writes of Lawrence in a confidential letter to Payne of 1755 : —

" Lawrence in his military command must have everything dependant on his own will, or that will which, infused into him by others, he is taught to think his own. He is accessible, sadly accessible, from the side of his vanity, which indulges itself in frequent and honorable commemoration of his exploits. Every designing man under him had the recommendation of himself in his own power by his behaviour to his General. No^v amongst these some good, some very indifferent, got ascendancy' over the old gentleman. These, all these, must be served and promoted without restriction. The contempt which Lawrence always expressed for lucrative ^'iews he verified in his own conduct, altho' he saw not into other men, when his favourites, acting from no other motives. His resolves are always violently hurried on."*^' ■ On the cessation of hostilities Lawrence was superseded by

(1) Orme MSS., vol. 28, Orme to Payne, 26th Oct., 1755.

xu

his senior, Colonel John Adlercron, a newly arrived King's officer, who remained in India three years. In 1757 war again broke out between France and England. Lally captured Fort St. David in 1758, and at the end of the year advanced on Madras. Lawrence took charge of the defences and successfully resisted a siege of upwards of two months. In April, 1759, he ^'isited England for the recovery of his health, but returned in 1761 in company with Palk, and took his seat as Second of Council with the rank of Major-General. From this time his duties were administrative until his retirement in April, 1766. He received a pension from the Company, an annuity from Clive, and an annual grant from the Nawab of the Carnatic. At his death in 1775 the Company erected a monument to his memory in Westminster Abbey bearing the legend, " Discipline established, fortresses protected, French and Indian armies defeated, and peace concluded in the Carnatic." A portrait of Lawrence in company with Nawab Mvihammad Ali hangs in the Banqueting Hall of Government House, Madras. A later picture by Gainsborough is in the National Portrait Gallery.

Other early documents preserved by Sir Robert Palk include a lively letter (No. 2) from John Pye, one of the Navy agents ; an order from the Crown (No. 4) based on the Treaty of Paris of 1763 ; an apphcation (No. 5) in Latin from a Portuguese missionary, and letters (No. 6) from the Nawab of the Carnatic to the King and the Company.

On Palk's departure from India in January, 1767, the regular stream of letters begins. The ex-Governor's principal corres- pondents during Charles Bourchier's administration were the new President himself, and his brother James Bourchier, a prominent civil servant ; Colonel John Call, Chief Engineer and member of Council, who was also a Field Deputy in the first Mysore war ; William Martin Goodlad, the Civil Secretary, a regular correspondent until his death in 1773 ; John Maxwell Stone, the Secretary in the Military and Political Department ; Nawab Walajah of the Carnatic ; Nicholas Morse, who was Governor when Madras capitulated to the French in 1746, but had since become head of a house of agency ; Josias Du Pre, a member of the Council and Bourchier's successor ; Chokappa Chetti, one of the Company's Merchants for the annual " Investment " in the manufacture of cotton fabrics for export ; John Pybus, who had been a volunteer with Clive in the capture and subsequent defence of Arcot in 1751 ; George Smith, a free- merchant ; Henry Brooke, a civil servant, who later had a share in the deposition of Lord Pigot ; Thomas Palk, nephew of the late Governor and a cadet of 1768, who saw active service in Mysore but was afterwards transferred to the civil branch ; Captain Thomas Madge, commanding a battalion of native infantry in the Northern Circars, and Lieut. Thomas Palk, a subaltern of Madge's corps and a distant cousin of Robert Palk. Bengal news is communicated by George Vansittart and Robert

XUl

Palk, jun., the ex-Governor's brother-in-law and nephew respectively. As time passes other Indian correspondents, such as Warren Hastings, Alexander Wynch, Gilbert Ironside, James Rennell, Henry Vansittart, jun., etc., come forward, while letters from Laurence Sulivan in England throw light on the character of a man who long exercised a potent influence over the affairs of the East India Company.

Bourchier's administration was mainly occupied with the Mysore war. His first letter to Palk deals, however, with a domestic event. Mrs. Palk's brother George Vansittart and Robert Palk, jun., both Bengal civil servants, had come down from Calcutta to bid farewell to their departing relations. There had arrived from England a little earlier a Miss Sarah Stonhouse, daughter of the Rev. Sir James Stonhouse, who was successively physician, clerk in holy orders, and baronet. The young lady was a distant connection of Mrs. Palk and George Vansittart, whose mother was Martha, daughter of Sir John Stonhouse, an earlier baronet. The attractions of Miss Sarah were considerable, and .James Bourchier, George Vansittart and the younger Robert Palk all aspired to her hand. Vansittart proved to be the successful suitor, and he went back to Bengal an engaged man. James Bourchier was grievously disappointed, and Robert Palk consoled himself at a later date with the lady's younger sister I,ucia. Charles Bourchier, who deemed Sarah artificial, writes (No. 21) a full account of the episode, apprehen- sive that the elder Palk will not be well pleased with the Vansittart-Stonhouse match.

The Mysore war is generally attributed to the Treaty of Hyderabad, though Palk contests this view. The article relating to British assistance for the Nizam was well understood to imply military support against Haidar AH. The Marathas were pre- pared to attack Mysore, and although no fornial agreement with them subsisted, the three powers acted as confederates. The Marathas under the Peshwa Madhu Rao were first in the field and gained some success in the northern part of Haidar's dominions. A British force assembled under Colonel Joseph Smith, who was directed to unite with the Hyderabad army commanded by Nizam Ali in person, and attack Bangalore from the north-east. Haidar quickly sticceeded in buying off the Marathas, and in inducing the Nizam to change sides. The situation was thus completely altered. Instead of being one of three confederates acting against Mysore, the British found themselves alone against two allied powers. Haidar and the Nizam entered the Carnatic'in August, 1767, and battles were fought at Changama and Trinomalai in which the British were victorious. Detached bodies of hostile cavalry, however, plundered the country, and one of them under Tipu made a raid on Madras itself in September. In December the Nizam's dominions were threatened on the east by a British force from the Circars under Colonel Simon Hart, It was joined by a

XIV

detachment from Bengal under Colonel Joseph Peach, who took command. The approach of this body to Hyderabad so alarmed the Nizam that he sent his minister and commander-in-chief, Rukn-ud-daula, to Madras to sue for peace. A treaty was signed on the 23rd February, 1768, by which the Nizam paid an indemnity, while the annual tribute for the Circars was reduced in amount.

Haidar then remained the only enemy. The British army was formed in two divisions ; one under Colonel Joseph Smith, a capable officer, was established at Kolar, while the other under Colonel John Wood acted in the Baramahal. Smith's operations were hampered by the interference of the Field Deputies, John Call and George Mackay, but Wood was successful in reducing fort after fort. On marching to rejoin Smith in Mysore Wood fought a severe action at Mulbagal, in which both sides sustained heavy losses. Bourchier summoned Smith to Council, and Wood, who took command, displayed incapacity and met with a reverse near Hosur. He was recalled in December, 1768, and was subsequently tried by court-martial. Haidar penetrated into the Baramahal and rapidly recovered his forts from the scattered detachments left in them. Both sides, however, desired peace ; Haidar through fear of the Marathas, and because he dared not meet Smith in pitched battle ; the Madras Government because of the ruinous cost of the war. Negotiations took place early in 1769 without result. Haidar then entered the Carnatic, which he laid waste with fire and sword. Smith, who had resumed command in February, 1769, pursued him, but through want of cavalry, was unable to bring him to action. By forced marches Haidar reached St. Thomas's Mount, eight miles from Madras, and intimated his willingness to negotiate, provided Smith, who was close behind him, was ordered to halt. Josias Du Pre, the second member of Council, met Haidar at the Mount, and a treaty was signed on the 3rd April. The common asser- tion is that the enemy dictated peace at the gates of Madras, though the only dictation was the naming of the envoy. Bourchier, it is true, feared for the safety of the Black Town, but Haidar was far more afraid of attack by Smith, and if the latter had been permitted to advance, the usurper would certainly have decamped after doing as much damage as possible. The terms of peace were moderate ; a defensive alliance between the British and Mysore, and mutual restoration of conquests and prisoners. Haidar refused to recognize Walajah as a party to the treaty, nor would the Nawab assent to its terms.

The above outline will elucidate the descriptions and allusions contained in the letters of the period. In a draft letter (No. 40) addressed to Mr. S. — probably Thomas Saunders, who was Deputy Chairman in 1767 — Robert Palk contends that the war originated, not in the Treaty of Hyderabad, but in the inveterate hatred which Haidar bore towards Muhammad Ali, and his consequent enmity to the British as the Nawab's supporters. His hostility was disclosed by his correspondence with the rebel

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•Yusuf Khan, which fell into English hands after the capture of Madura in 1764 ; by his sowing disaffection among the poligars ot linnevelly; and by his overtures to the Nizam in 1765, when the latter was unfriendly to Fort St. George. Haidar was at that time flushed with successes over the Marathas, and he repelled the advances which Palk made. The Governor resohed to obtain the alliance of the Nizam, and the treaty of 1766 was arranged, which gave to the Company the peaceable possession ot the Circars, It was then expected that a combined expedition would quickly secure the passes into the Carnatic and confine Haidar to Mysore. The scheme eventually developed, however, into a design for his complete overthrow.

An important letter (No. 19) from Colonel John Call deals with the opening phases of the war and the movements of the troops of the three allies. Call considers the Nizam's action half-hearted, and he justly apprehends that both the Deccan ruler and the Marathas may come to terms with the Mysore usurper. He thinks that a binding agreement to prosecute the war to a successful termination should be made between the allies, and he encloses a review of the situation with the terms of a draft treaty framed by himself. He places no reliance on the Marathas, and contemplates cooperation with Bengal against them as soon as Haidar shall have been overthrown. He goes on to narrate the measures taken by Government for the suppression of the insurgent poligars in Madura and Tinnevelly, and discusses arrangements for the payment of the Nawab's debt to his private creditors. In a subsequent letter (No. 25) Call refers to the irresolution of Nizam Ali and the successful progress of the Marathas. Further letters from Call, dated 7th August, 1768, and 26th June, 1769, will be found in British Museum, Addl. MSS., 34.,686.

Letters from John M. Stone (No. 29) and John Pybus (No. 30) describe the progress of operations. Tipu's raid on Madras is mentioned (No. 35) by a native correspondent. Captain Thomas Madge, who accompanied Colonel Hart's expedition from the Circars, gives an account (No. 42) of the capture of Khammamett, the arrival of Colonel Peach from Bengal, the advance to Warangal and the submission of Nizam Ali. Lieut. Thomas Palk, who was with Madge, refers (No. 59) to Colonel Wood's successes in the Baramahal and his action with Haidar at Mulbagal on the 4th October, 1768. He also alludes to the tragic end of Captain Michael Gee, Colonel Smith's aide-de-camp. About this time Lieut. Palk's cousin and namesake, Thomas Palk,'i> arrived from England. An account of his voyage is given in a letter (No. 49) to his uncle Robert Palk, who was at first unsuccessful in obtaining a writership for him. Tom Palk was permitted to join Colonel Smith's division of the army at Kolar, and was placed under the care of Captain Hector Mackay.

(1) This Thomas Palk will, in accordance with his uncle's practice, be hence- forward designated Tom Palk to distinguish him from his cousin.

XVI

He relates (No. 55) his experiences with zest, and mourns the death of his mentor, who was killed during Colonel Wood's unsuccessful assault of the hill fort of Mulbagal on the night of the 3rd October. Nicholas Morse laments (No. 61) the heavy- cost of the war. He thinks it possible that Haidar may be driven to apply to his late enemies the Marathas for aid, but trusts that " those locusts may not appear in the Carnatic." Haidar's troops, however, required no assistance in ravaging the land, and W. M. Goodlad draws (No. 69) a melancholy picture of its condition ; "all the country to the southward entirely laid waste ; not an hutt or inhabitant to be seen for sixty miles together, so terrible have been, and still are, the devastations of the enemy's horse." Haidar's unexpected appearance at the Mount and the consequent terms of peace are commented on by Madge (No. 71), Du Pre (No. 73),<i> Goodlad (No. 79), and more fully by Governor Bourchier (No. 78).

News from Bengal is supplied by George Vansittart, Resident at Midnapur, and Robert Palk, jun. In April, 1767, they allude (Nos. 23 and 27) to Ahmad Shah Abdali's victory over the Sikhs, and his advance, on Delhi with a large army of Afghans. It is expected that he will be joined by the Nawab Vizier of Oudh, Shuja-ud-daula, and that the Emperor, Shah Alam, will be dethroned. These conjectures were not realized. A British force moved towards Allahabad, and Shah Abdali retired. By the end of the following year the English were again on good terms with the Vizier, who consented to a reduction of his army. Robert Palk, jun., who had entered the service in 1763, found himself in trouble five years later. Appointed paymaster for barrack construction at Cossimbazar, he followed the practice of his predecessor in overcharging the Company for materials purchased, and when an investigation was ordered, was rash enough to destroy his accounts. He was consequently suspended pending the decision of the Company. Supported by Governor Verelst'^' and aided by his uncle in England, he was reinstated in 1770, when Government appointed him to the Revenue Council at Patna (No. 101). The Directors considered his nomination unsuitable (No. 136), and by their command Palk was removed from Patna in 1772 ; but the order was revoked, and he was restored in the following year (No. 220). Meanwhile, on the 12th June, 1770, he had married at Calcutta Lucia Stonhouse, daughter of the Rev. Sir James Stonhouse and sister of Mrs. George Vansittart (No. 101). A son was born in 1771 (No. 158), but Mrs. Palk died on the 22nd June, 1772, aged 25 years. 'Her tomb in the South Park

(1) In a letter to Orme of the 10th Juno, 1769, Bu PriJ expresses his views more at length, ascribing the British failure to absence of cavalry, and consequent inability to bring Haidar to action (Orme MSS., vol. 30). Du Pr4 might have added to. the causes insufficiency of transport and interference by the Field Deputies with the military command.

(2) Bril. Mus. Addl. MSS., 34,688. Harry Verelst to Eobert Palk, sen. 21st Sept., 1768.

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Street Burial Ground,*" Calcutta, bears an epitaph containing live stanzas, one of which runs : —

" The tender pity she would oft betray

Shall be with interest at her shrine returned ; Connubial love connubial tears repay,

And Lucia loved shall still be Lucia mourned."

About a year after his return to England Governor Palk received a claim from one Rayalu Pant, otherwise called Rajah Pandit, late Reiiter of the lands and villages of San Thom^ by Madras and of Devikota in the Tanjore country, for the refund of money gifts made by him, on the ground that his contract had been annulled. Palk writes .(No. 70) to his friend Goodlad, admitting that he received substantial though unsolicited presents from the claimant. He consents to repay a sum proportional to the unexpired part of the Renter's term of con- tract, and asks Goodlad to arrange the matter secretly in conjunction with Muttukrishna Mudali, his former dubash. Palk also wrote to Governor Bourchier, who replies (No. 78) that " Rajahpundit is an infamous rascal, and is so much in debt to the Nabob that he is now under confinement." The affair was finally settled by Goodlad in 1771 (No. 140).

Captain Madge, on his return to the Circars after the war, writes (No. 71) regarding the shortcomings of a cadet named Smerdon, in whom Palk was interested. Smerdon, contrary to his own inclination, was sent to India by his father, who not only allowed his son to sail penniless, but failed even to supply him with the clothing necessary for the voyage. Madge aided him on his arrival at Madras and afterwards in the Circars, but he proved to be temperamentally unfitted for the service, and was permitted to resign it. His " elopement from Madras " is subsequently recorded (No. 86). Lieut. Thomas Palk was joined in the Circars in 1771 by his younger brother John, who gives an account (No. 124) of his voyage and first experiences of India. On landing at Madras he was met by his cousin Tom Palk, " who behaved very kind and genteel " to him. Imme- diately after Ensign John Palk's arrival Madge received orders to march against the rebellious hill-chief of Totapilh (No. 129). His detachment attained its object,, but on its return march 18 out of the 20 Europeans accompanying it were struck down by the pernicious fever for which the Rampa hills are notorious, and only 8 recovered. The two young Palks fell victims to the malady, and their commander's constitution was broken (No. 139). Major Madge took part in the siege of Tanjore in 1773, but died at Madras shortly afterwards (Nos. 216, 227).

Robert Palk was eventually successful in obtaining a writer- ship for his nephew Tom Palk. The latter, who had been commissioned Ensign, found a military life to his taste, and he did well during the campaign. He hesitated about renouncing

(1) In his original City of Dreadful Night, descriptive of certain aspects of Calcutta, Mr. Kipling has a chapter " Concerning Lucia," which mentions her " stately tomb " in the South Park Cemetery. The account o£ the City of Dreadful Night in Mr. Kipling's collected works relates to Lahore.

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" the sword for the quiJl," but ultimately signed covenants in June, 1769. Tom Palk was placed under Goodlad in the Secretary's office, and endeavoured to supplement his monthly salary of 8 pagodas and 23 fanams by embarking in private trade. His uncle made him an allowance, but he soon became involved in debt. Though Governor Bourchier describes him (No. 78) as " a sedate, sensible youth," his early career hardly justifies the encomium.

Disgusted at his want of success in the war with Haidar, and conscious of the displeasure of the Directors, Bourchier resolved (No. 78) to retire in. January, 1770. Handing over charge to Du Pre on the 31st, he sailed in the Britannia in com- pany with his brother James and Colonel John Call. Bourchier received a better reception from the Court than he anticipated (No. 119). The brothers, who had accumiilated a joint fortune of about £60,000 (No. 78), arrived in England in time to see their father Richard Bourchier, sometime Governor of Bombay, just before his death. Fifteen years earlier Orme had characterized Charles Bourchier as "a young man who had strength enough to stand on his own judgment : would not willingly do the wrong thing : but the superiour genius of Mr. Palk had enthralled him so much to the dictates of his under- standing, that the will of the pastor became infallibly that of the disciple." d)

In supplement to the letters of 1767 to 1769 in Mrs. Bannatyne's collection the following selected documents from the British Museum series of Palk Papers should be read : —

Add. MSS., 34,685.

1767, Nov. — Robert Palk to Jimmy [James Bourchier],

from London. N.D. [cir. 1768, Feb.] Robert Palk to Charles Bourchier, Nicholas

Morse, and John Call, from London. Add. MSS., 34,686.

1768, Feb. 8th Nicholas Morse to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. „ May 11th Charles Bourchier to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. ,, Aug. 7th John Call to Robert Palk,

from Camp, near Bangalore. „ Aug. 8th Alexander Wynch to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. „ Sept. 14th Wilham Aldersey to Robert Palk,

from Cossimbazar. „ Sept. 21st Harry Verelst to Robert Palk,

from Fort William, Calcutta. „ „ „ George Dodwell to Robert Palk,

from Bengal.

(1) Orme MSS., vol. 28, Bobert Ovme to John Payne, 26th Oct., 1755,

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17(58, Sept. 23rd Claud Russell to Robert Palk,

from Calcutta. „ Oct. 22nd Alexander Wynch to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. „ Nov. 4th Chokappa Chetti to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. „ Nov. 27th Anthony Goodlad to Robert Palk,

from Fort William, Calcutta. 1769, Feb. 19th Charles Boiirchier to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. „ Feb. 24th Alexander Wynch, to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. „ Mar. 5th William Wynch to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. ,, Mar. 10th Charles Bourchier to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. [1769] Mar. 22nd EmeHa Vansittart, sen., to Robert Palk,

from Bath. 1769, June 26th WiUiam Wynch to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. ,, „ Rajah Pant to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. „ ,, Chokappa Chetti to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. „ „ John Call to Robert Palk,

from Madras. „ June 28th Shamier Sultan to Robert Palk,

from Fort St. George, Madras. [1769] Oct. 16th Henry Vansittart, sen., to Robert Palk,

from Madeira.

Josias Du Pre, who had entered the civil service in 1752, was Secretary during Lally's siege of Fort St. George, of which he was the official diarist. He visited England in 1764, and returned to Madras in 1768 as Second of Council with succession to Bourchier. His governorship lasted for three uneasy years, during two of which he had the advantage of the co-operation of Warren Hastings. After a distinguished service of fourteen years in Bengal Hastings had, in 1764, accompanied Henry Vansittart to England, and although he desired re-employment, it was not until 1769 that he was appointed to Madras. He arrived at Fort St. George in September, and sat as Third of Council with the duties of Export Warehousekeeper. On Bourchier's departure he became Second Member. He recast the system of ' Tji vestment,' and took an active part in the proceedings of the Board of Police. In 1771 Hastings was nominated to succeed John Cartier as Governor of Bengal, and he sailed for Calcutta in February, 1772.

Impressed by the magnitude of recent territorial acquisitions in India, and by the Company's assumption of sovereignty over them, the Ministry in England determined on intervention in

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Indian affairs. The Directors, justly alarmed for their powers, resolved to anticipate reforms, and to this end appointed Henry Vansittart, Luke Scrafton and Colonel Francis Forde as Com- missioners ; a selection which commended itself to Hastings (No. 88), who expected that Vansittart would ultimately be reappointed Governor of Bengal. The Commissioners sailed from Portsmouth in September, 1769, in the frigate Aurora, left the Cape about the 24th December, and were never again heard of. The ship is believed to have been wrecked off the north coast of Madagascar. As time passed without news of her, the letters from India from April, 1770, onwards breathe anxiety, and when a;t last hope was given up, the loss of Vansittart Avas keenly felt by his father-in-law Nicholas Morse and brother-in-law Robert Palk (Nos. 103, 134). The first step taken by the Ministry in pursuance of their object was the despatch of Sir John Lindsay, a young Admiral of thirty-three, as Naval Commander-in-Chief in India and Plenipotentiary at the Court of Nawab Walajah, with power to treat with other native rulers. Sir John arrived at Madras in July, 1770, and presented his credentials to an astonished Council, who had received no intimation of his powers. He demanded inspection of the consultation books, which was refused, attached himself to the Nawab, and assumed an authority which the Government declined to recognize (No. 117). General Eyre Coote came out in the same month as Commander-in-Chief in India. He claimed the right to issue orders to the Madras army without submitting them to Government, and maintained that his position was superior to that of the Governor, who held the Company's commission as Commander-in-Chief at Fort St. George. The Council deciding against Coote, he refused to serve, and left for Europe via Basra (No. 118). Du Pre writes to Palk (No. 108), " The Company abuse us like pick-pockets, send over a military officer to quarrel with and tyrannise over us and throw us into confusion. The Government send Sir John Lindsay to threaten and awe us, to wrest all our actions into crimes, and to support the Nabob (perverse enough before) against all our measures ; and then, if misfortunes happen, we must bear the whole. I tell you, my friend, the Company's affairs never were in so dangerous a way. We are surrounded with enemys, and the most dangerous are neither Hyder, the Morattas, the Soubah or the French." Hastings remarks (No. Ill) that " General Coote is returning to England in disgust because we will not acknowledge his supremacy. Sir J. L. stays because (as I suppose) his Excellency [the Nawab] acknowledges his sup- remacy. Appeals will be made by both to their respective constituents, and all the powers of the Company and of the Crown called upon to punish us for disobedience, contumacy and rebellion." Goodlad considers the situation critical (No. 118) ; the Nawab thwarting the Council, " a Government spy picking holes in their coat on every occasion, and the

XXI

Commander of the army bellowing out vengeance because he cannot be supreme."

In January, 1770, Haidar Ali was again attacked by the Peshwa Madhu Rao. Hastings thinks (No. 88) that if a com- promise is effected between them, they may combine to invade the Carnatic. The Marathas demanded British aid, and Haidar claimed it under the treaty of 1769 (No. 91) ; but Du Pre, while amusing both parties with expectations, resolved to maintain neutrality (Nos. 94, 96). The Secretaries, Stone and Goodlad, doubtless reflecting the views of the Council, contend (Nos. 117, 118) that if the British are compelled to intervene, they ought to help Haidar, as he constitutes a barrier against Maratha aggression in Southern India. In May, 1770, Madhu Rao returned to Poona sick, leaving Trimbak Rao in command of the army in Mysore. Haidar sustained a severe reverse near Seringapatam in the following March and narrowly escaped capture. Nawab Walajah, supported by the Plenipotentiary, urged alliance with the Peshwa. Du Pre, however, remained firm in his neutrality (Nos. 155, 157). When the Marathas actually crossed the Carnatic border the Governor prepared for resistance ; but the Nawab intervened, and by a small payment induced them to withdraw (No. 159). Stone says (No. 163) that Walajah and the Marathas were secretly acting in collusion, and that the latter had promised the Baramahal and Seringa- patam to the former if Haidar were overthrown with British help. In June, 1772, a treaty was concluded between Haidar and the Peshwa by which the Marathas received 60 lakhs of rupees'!' (No. 175), and obtained a cession of territory including Sira and Kolar. The Nawab's frontiers then became conter- minous with the Maratha dominions along the line of the passes into the Carnatic.

Colonel John Wood was tried by court-martial towards the end of 1769 on various charges relating to misappropriation of stores captured in Coimbatore, and to his conduct in the field during the war with Haidar. The court acquitted him of all the charges, but the Government set aside the finding as being contrary to the evidence, and dismissed Wood from the service. Hastings, writing to Palk (No. 88), expresses the hope that the Directors will approve the action of Government, and that Laurence Sulivan, who is a relation of Wood, will give personal attention to the voluminous proceedings in the case. Goodlad quotes reasons (No. 91) for the dismissal, and regrets that they were not made public. Ultimately the Directors upheld the finding of the court-martial, and Wood's acquittal was confirmed (Nos. 140, 153).

Laurence Sulivan, an intimate friend of Robert Palk, played for thirty years a prominent part in the affairs and management of the East India Company. Entering the Bombay civil service as Factor in 1741, he returned to England on account of

(1) WUks (History of Mysoor) says 35 lakha.

XX] 1

ill-health in 1752. Three years later he was elected a Director, and between that time and his death in 1786 he repeatedly served as either Chairman or Deputy Chairman. Whenever the rules required his withdrawal from the Direction he knew no rest until he had secured re-election. The qualification for a vote was the possession of 5001. of India stock. The proprietor of a larger amount could increase his voting power only by splitting his holding into blocks of 500L stock, and assigning them to friends on condition of their voting to his order. Such votes were termed " split votes." Sulivan, being out of the Direction in 1767, requested Palk, who had just returned to England, to ask his friends (No. 41) for votes in SuHvan's favour. The effort was unsuccessful, and in the following year Sulivan combined with Henry Vansittart to purchase India stock (No. 97). Both were chosen for the Direction in 1769 ; but owing to a heavy fall in the value of the stock they found them- selves financially embarrassed. Vansittart hoped to restore his fortunes by proceeding once more to India as one of the three Commissioners. His death by the wreck of the Aurora revealed the extent of his losses (No. 103), but even before these were known, Sulivan had been compelled to ask for Palk's good offices with the creditors. In 1772 Sulivan discloses (Nos. 169, 170, 171) his ruined condition, states his liabilities to Vansittart's estate and to Palk, and resolves to return, if possible, to India. Expectations that he would be selected to succeed Du Pre at Fort St. George were disappointed. Sulivan, who had previously been M.P. for Taunton, sat for Ashburton from 1768 until 1774, when he withdrew (Nos. 242, 246) in favour of Palk. In 1774 he suggests that Palk should join with others in taking up a mortgage on Sir George Colebrooke's estates in Grenada (No. 243). Palk declines (No. 244), giving reasons which reflect on Colebrooke's previous transactions with him. In the following year Sulivan is still canvassing for votes for the Direction (No. 248).

Stephen Sulivan, the impecunious son of an impecunious father, applies to Palk (No. 189) about 1772 for a loan of 500Z., but is too proud to give a reason for his request. The object may have been aid for his father, for the latter writes (No. 169) in the same year : — " We live now principally upon my son's income, the good youth hardly allowing himself lOOZ. a year." In 1774, however, Stephen Suhvan asks Palk (Nos. 238, 239, 240) for 200L or 300L on the ground that his father is not able to supply him with what is necessary for his support. He fears that he may yet be compelled to seek fortune in India. Four years later he entered the civil service as Secretary at Madras (No. 339), whence he was transferred by Hastings to Bengal.

To return to the correspondence of 1770 : — In the Northern Presidency Governor Harry Verelst had given place to John Cartier (No. 84). Kasim Ali Khan, the deposed Nawab of Bengal, assumed a threatening attitude early in 1770, and

XXIU

Shuja-ud-daula, Nawab Vizier ol Oudh, was expected to join him (No. 92). Revenue Councils were established at Murshid- abad and Patna for Bengal and Bihar respectively, George Vansittart and Robert Palk, jun., being appointed to the latter (No. 100). From September tlie letters from India make frequent allusion to the terrible famine raging in those provinces. Robert Palk, jun., says (No. 101) that many hundreds of thousands had died of starvation, while Goodlad communicates the intelligence (No. 118) that the loss of life was estimated at upwards of two millions, and that in Calcutta itself " the dead were still laying in heaps about the streets." In March, 1771, Kasim Ali was reported to be north of Delhi with a force of Patans and Rohillas, prepared to join the Marathas, who under Mahadaji Sindia had lately occupied the capital (No. 133). Six months later the Emperor Shah Alam abandoned the British for the Marathas, and received Delhi from the latter (No. 142). Under their tute- lage he gained a ^•ictory over the Rohillas in February, 1772. The Vizier, who was hostile to the Marathas, was on the Rohilla frontier, and a British brigade from Patna was ready to support him (No. 168).

A letter from Captain James Rennell, the Surveyor General (No. 145), describes that officer's progress on the survey of Bengal. Rennell entered the Navy in 1756 at the age of fourteen, and the Company's service in 1763, when he was employed in trans- porting troops by sea from Madras to Tondi for the siege of Madura. On that occasion he surveyed Palk Strait, so named after the Governor, and in the following year he was appointed Surveyor General and commissioned in the Bengal Engineers. He became Captain in 1767 and Major in 1775. His first map of Bengal was carried home by Clive in 1767. In November, 1771, Captain Rennell announces that the field work of his General Survey of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, including marine work on the coasts and islands of the Bay, is almost complete. He expects that his map, in about 50 folio sheets, will be ready early in 1773. The Bengal Atlas was actually published in 1779. A brief note of 1776 from Major Rennell (No. 266) relates to domestic events and conditions.

Turning again to the Southern Presidency, we learn that early in 1771 the Raja of Tanjore, influenced by the Marathas, of whose race he was, attacked the Marawar of Ramnad and pene- trated to his capital. The Marawar owed allegiance to the Nawab, and both Walajah and Sir John Lindsay urged reprisals on Tanjore. Goodlad says (Nos. 133, 140) that, though by the treaty of 1762 with the Raja the Company was bound to support the Nawab, yet the moment was unsuitable for taking action. There was risk of a Maratha invasion of the Carnatic, and moreover Fazil Beg Khan, the Nizam's bakhshi, was threatening the Circars. The Nawab, the Plenipotentiary, the Raja, the the Marathas and Fazil Beg were all sources of uneasiness to the Madras Government. " Du Pre, though indefatigable, is almost

XXIV

harassed to death ; Hastings knows not which way to turn himself, and the Secretaries have not a moment that they dare call their own." Fortified, however, by the opinion of the Directors that the Raja ought to contribute to the cost of the late war, the Council eventually supported the Nawab in his demands, and provided an auxiliary force under General Joseph Smith, which was to act under Walajah's orders (No. 142). The fort of Vallam was reduced in September, 1771, and siege was laid to Tanjore. By the end of October a practicable breach had been made, but on the eve of assault Walajah accepted peace on payment by the Raja of an indemnity and arrears of tribute (Nos. 155, 157). The Nawab's motives for granting such moderate terms were obscure. Goodlad attributes them (No. 159) to fear of the Marathas and jealousy of the Company.

The presence of the King's Plenipotentiary had the worst effect on the Nawab. Walajah neglected the Company, to whom he owed his position as ruler of the Carnatic, and relied solely on the Crown. Proud and ambitious, he hoped to attain independence (No. 118). Lindsay, after a year of strained relations with Du Pre, sailed in July, 1771, and was succeeded in September by Admiral Sir Robert Harland, who possessed the same powers as his predecessor (No. 142). Stone writes (No. 163) that Harland's instructions are to give effect to the Treaty of Paris of 1763, and to receive and transmit complaints from the Nawab. By a strained construction of Article 11 of the treaty the Nawab is deemed an ally of the Crown, and as such is entitled to the King's support and protection. Stone points out that Walajah's undoubted subordination to both the Mogul and his deputy the Nizam are thus ignored. When Du Pre refused to join the Marathas against Haidar Harland threatened to engage the Crown in an alliance with the Peshwa, and enquired whether the Company would in that case assist with troops. Being met with an uncompromising negative, he altered his tone — the result, as was surmised, of orders from the Ministry (No. 165). Goodlad writes (No. 167) that no confidence sub- sists between the Nawab and the Council, and that conditions" are hopeless as long as a Minister of the Crown is retained. The Nawab, he says, has sent home many complaints. " Is it possible to live on terms with a man who is known to endeavour all in his power to thus stab in the dark ? " Harland sailed with the squadron for Bombay in October, 1772, omitting to take leave of the Governor, and consequently receiving no salute (No. 188). He finally left India in July, 1774.

The Nawab's indebtedness to both the Company and private creditors is a frequent topic of the letters from Fort St. George, In 1767 the private debt, which appears to have amounted to about 23 lakhs of pagodas, was consolidated (No. 28). The majority of the Europeans in the Madras Presidency, from members of the Government downwards, were creditors, as well as many persons in Bengal; but the senior officials

XXV

voluntarily renounced priority of claim in favour of the Company. Governor Bourchier remarks in 1769 (No. 78) that Walajah then owed the Company Pags. 27 lakhs, more than half of which was for war expenditure ; but he had engaged to clear off 25 lakhs by the middle of 1771 (No. 85). The interests of the pr^v^ate creditors were represented in England by a Committee, of which General Richard Smith was the leading member (No. 91). A striking instance of usurious interest is cited by Goodlad (No. 118), but the ordinary rate before consolidation appears to have been 20 per cent. (No. 22), which was afterwards reduced to 10 per cent. The Select Committee decided that the Company's claims should have priority, and in 1771 Goodlad states (No. 140) that the Nawab's public dues having been discharged, the private creditors may shortly expect a dividend. Walajah however was recklessly extravagant, and it was not long before he was again overwhelmed with debt.

News from home is communicated by Robert Palk, who announces in December, 1770 (No. 119) that England is pre- paring for war with Spain, though there is hope that hostilities may yet be averted. He characterizes the idea of conquering Mysore as a " wild plan," and regrets that Bourchier lent himself to it. In the following year Palk writes (No. 134) that Hastings has been proposed as Governor of Bengal, but Rumbold is a powerful rival. In 1772 he intimates (Nos. 153, 166) that, while the Ministry do not aim at displacing the Company, they desire to see affairs in India better managed, and will move Parliament to regulate them. Informations regarding alleged frauds have been laid by the brothers Johnstone against Clive and others. Clive spoke for two hours in the House of Commons in vindication of his conduct, and he was followed by Rumbold, Carnac and Coote, the last of whom animadverted on the exces- sive cost of the army in India. Palk considers that the Directors base their actions on motives of self-interest, and asserts that they are " all such -ignoramus's that they understand little or nothing of the affairs abroad." He mentions that Laurence Sulivan is a candidate for the Governorship of Madras in succession to Du Pre.

Warren Hastings sailed from Madras on the 2nd February, 1772, carrying with him John Stewart (or Stuart), who had just arrived from England as Secretary to the Bengal Government. Hastings succeeded Cartier on the 13th April. In September he writes (No. 174) to Laurence Sulivan from Cossimbazar, enumerating his first reforms ; the appointments made to the household of the minor Nawab of Bengal, and the reduction of that prince's stipend ; the employment of Nandkumar to break the power of Muhammad Raza Khan, who as Naib Diwan had virtually ruled Bengal for seven years ; the commencement of a revenue settlement ; the formation of a plan for the better administration of justice, and the adoption of Calcutta as the seat of the Diwani and the capital of the province. " The

XXVI

principles of all our measures have been to establish the new system which the Directors have adopted ; to break the influence of the former Administration ; to avail ourselves of the present minority'!' to establish the line of the Company's power, and habituate the people and the Nabob to their sove- reignty, and to make it acceptable to the former by an attention to their ease and by a mild and equal plan of Government. Hastings complains, however, that his constitutional powers as President are too circumscribed He hopes to avoid being drawn into war. The Nawab Vizier of Oudh has sought British aid against the Marathas, but it will be afforded for his defence only, not for aggression. The Marathas have with- drawn from Rohilkhand, and are operating against the Jats. The Emperor Shah Alam is at Delhi " in union, that is, in subjection to the Marrattas."

Two months later Hastings writes to Palk (No. 185), expressing regret that the Directors should pay any attention to the scur- rilous writings of William Bolts and Alexander Dow regarding Bengal administration, and that Parliament should contemplate making laws for India, seeing that the House is ignorant of the customs of the country. He mentions the arrest of Muhammad Raza Khan, whose influence he hopes to eradicate. Muhammad Raza had been seized in August and taken to Calcutta. He and Shatab Rai, Naib Diwan of Bihar, were suspected of malver- sation of the revenue. Both were in due course honourably acquitted, but the Company having assumed the Diwani, their offices were abolished.

Among the Palk papers is also a detailed memorandum (No. 190) of the reforms introduced by Hastings during 1772.

Colonel Gilbert Ironside, who as a subaltern had commanded the escort on the occasion of Hastings's mission to Patna in 1762, is another of Palk's Bengal correspondents. Descended from two Bishops of Bristol of the same name, and son of a banker. Ironside was a soldier of education and ability who obtained rapid promotion. Palk had asked him (No. 135) to procure a copy of the Code of Muhammadan Law, perhaps for the use of the home authorities, who proposed to frame a code for India. From the library of NaAvab Muhammad Raza Khan Ironside secured (No. 168) the Digests of the Arabian Canon and Civil Laws, which he caused to be transcribed and sent to Palk (No. 186). He expresses appreciation of Hastings's reforms, and says that the Governor is surmounting all difficulties. Mrs. Ironside joined her husband from England in 1773, and the Colonel notes (No. 226) the restoration of Robert Palk, jun., to his seat on the Board of Revenue at Patna, " which is looked upon to be a certain and considerable fortune in the space of a few years." The younger Robert is not himself so sanguine. He alludes (No. 227) to Hastings's large economies, and says hat the opium trade hitherto in the hands of the civil servants

(i) The minority of the Nawab oH Bengal.

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at Patna having been claimed for the Corhpany, nothing now remains to the service but salt and European goods. He hopes nevertheless to be able to return to England by 1780.

Henry Vansittart, jun., eldest son of Governor Vansittart, sailed from England in 1771 as a Writer on the Bengal establish- ment. He gives an account of his voyage (Nos. 138, 141, 147, 152) to his uncle Robert Palk. Within a month of his arrival at Calcutta he left for Madras to visit his grandfather Nicholas Morse (No. 162), the voyage occupying 25 days. Morse's death on the 28th May, 1772, the result of an accident, cut short Vansittart's stay, Chokappa Chetti says (No. 179) that Morse was " a father and friend to all the people in Madras." Return- ing to Bengal, young Vansittart went to Patna to visit his uncle George (No. 172), and it was not until March, 1773, that he began work as a Writer (No. 202). During the interval, however, he became so proficient in Persian that he earned Hastings's commendation (No. 210) for translating at sight a History of the Sanyasis. These wandering bands of robbers, posing as religious mendicants, roved northern India inhoxdes of several thousands, committing grievous depredations. In March, 1773, no less than five battalions of sepoys were operating against them.

In the course of 1773 Emelia, daughter of Governor Vansittart, arrived from England to stay with her uncle George, who had now become a member of the Bengal Council. Robert Palk, jun., writes (No. 220) that, owing to her early introduction into society in England, she regards us in Calcutta as " contemptible beings;" nevertheless, " she is upon the whole a very worthy good young woman." In January, 1774, he informs his uncle (No. 227) that Mr. Petre has been tried for the murder of Mr. Rochford and acquitted. No mention of the trial has been traced in the records, but the fatality was probably the outcome of a duel between two yoimg writers, John Petre and George Rochford. Petre offered himself to Emelia Vansittart, who, fortified by her uncle George's disapproval, refused him. A httle later she became the wife of Edward Parry* ') of the Bengal civil service, and the union proved a happy one (No. 252).

Tom Palk, who had visited Trichiriopoly with General Joseph Smith in 1771, sends an account (No. 158) of the disastrous powder explosion which occurred at that station on the 14th February, 1772. He complains that, excepting Mr. Morse, none of his uncle's friends has shown him any attention. Later in the year he sailed for Calcutta to visit his half-brother Robert (No. 184). In January, 1773, he writes (No. 191) that he is much enjoying himself " as this happens to be the season for all sorts of diversions, of which we have little or none on the Coast." Always inclined to rely on interest rather than on his own exertions, he is soon grumbling that his brother, who spends 4,000Z. to 5,000Z. a year, does not do more to help him.

(1) Brii. Mus., Addl. MSS., 34,680, George Vunsittavt to Bobert Piilk, 27th Marcli, 1774,

XXVlll

While still at Calcutta Tom Palk was appointed, to Masulipatam (No. 207), and Major Madge offered to unite with Robert Palk, jun., in advancing a substantial sum to enable the young man to embark on private trade. In January, 1774, the younger Robert writes to his uncle (No. 227), " My brother is at Masuli- patam, and much pains I have taken to correct his errors and advise him to the best of my judgement ; but whether it will be of service to him or not I can't determine. I have said and done all in my power, and added 4,000 Rs. within these few days to 12,000 which he has already had and, I fear, spent. I have little expectation of seeing my money again. It will, however, be some satisfaction to me if it saves him from ruin . . . He is yet young enough to reform." Before this letter reached its destination Governor Palk had administered a severe casti- gation (No. 224) to the idle and extravagant young man. " I cannot observe," he says, " in your letters or your conduct one generous sentiment which can give me a prospect of your future success and well doing." He alludes to his honest and worthy though not opulent ancestors, and states that the allow- ance he made to his nephew was ample had the latter chosen to live in the Fort. It may hence be concluded that the young Writer had indulged himself with a residence in the White Town in preference to the stuffy quarters in the Fort Square, for he could scarcely aspire to a country house in the suburbs of Madras. This letter produced a suspension of communication between uncle and nephew which appears to have lasted several years. Eventually a reconciliation was effected. Marriage wrought reform, and Tom Palk saved money, brought up a family and retired on a competence.

At the instance of Nawab Walajah an expedition commanded by General Joseph Smith was organized in 1772 against the two Marawars. At Ramnad great treasure was seized (Nos. 175, 176). Kalaiyarkoil, a scene of lamentable slaughter through miscarriage of orders, was captured by Colonel Abraham Bonjour. The troops were subsequently employed in reducing the poligars of Madura and Tinnevelly. In August General Smith resigned the command of the army to Colonel Sir Robert Fletcher (No. 179). Fletcher had originally been entertained locally in 1757 as a monthly Writer at Madras, but was trans- ferred to the army, in which his promotion was rapid. He served as Brigade Major in the Manila expedition of 1762, and was subsequently moved to Bengal. In 1766, when Lieut. Colonel commanding a brigade, he joined the mutinous com- bination of officers which was suppressed by Clive. Tried and cashiered, he returned to England and entered Parliament. His influence enabled him to procure reinstatement, and he arrived at Madras in 1772 with the rank of Colonel. Tom Palk writes (No. 191), " My beloved friend, General Smith " goes home, and " the command of the troops has devolved on Sir Robert Fletcher, who is vmiversally despised, the court martial

XXIX

business having laid a stain on his principles that will never be forgot or washed out. Consequently I have not the least intimacy with him." Fletcher proved a thorn in Du Pre's flesh. His obstructiveness in Council became so exasperating that he was ordered to Trichinopoly (No. 196). He claimed to resume his seat in Parliament, and his return to England was sanctioned, provided he first joined his new station. Passing through Cuddalore on his way south, he induced the Chief, James Daniell, to represent his cause (No. 193) to Robert Palk, and secure the latter's interest with the Directors . On Fletcher's relief from command Joseph Smith consented to postpone his own departure and resume duty in place of " the Chevalier " (No. 198).

In October, 1772, Du Pre intimated to Palk (No. 182) his intention of resigning in the following January, as his " con- stitution is quite worn out." The rest of his stay was embittered by disputes in Council, and at the final meeting before he sailed George Mackay was suspended for maliciously laying an infor- mation against Edward Stracey (No. 196). Du Pre embarked on the 1st February, 1773, in the Nassau, leaving Alexander Wjmch in the Chair. Three months earlier J. M. Stone, who had been promoted to Council, had written to Palk (No. 181) suggesting that Wynch's Government would be strengthened if W. M. Goodlad also were admitted. Before Stone's letter reached its destination, Goodlad was dead. Attacked by hepatic disease, he was operated on by Dr. Gilbert Pasley and advised to go to Europe. A relapse occurred, however, and Goodlad expired of septix;semia on the 24th January, universally lamented. Tom Palk opines (No. 201) that Goodlad's fortune wiir prove to be limited, as " he was a great lover of claret and every thing that was good." William Petrie, who succeeded Stone as Secretary in the Military and Political Department, informs Palk (No. 196) that Goodlad's affairs are involved owing to his association in private trade with James Johnson, account- ant to the Nawab. Until his death Goodlad was one of Palk's most frequent correspondents. His two brothers, Anthony and Richard, the latter of whom had recently arrived in India, were Bengal civil servants, and the elder henceforth assumed the duty of maintaining communication with their friend and patron (No. 203). He reports in due course (No. 215) that Petrie has done well in the settlement of Martin's affairs, and that there will probably be enough money to discharge the liabilities. This expectation proved too sanguine. Thirteen years later it was estimated (No. 469) that while the bond creditors would be paid in full, the book creditors would receive only 60 per cent. of their dues.

. The Resident in Ganjam, Edward Cotsford, furnishes a sketch (No. 183) of affairs in his district from the time of Palk's depar- ture down to 1772. Cotsford entered the Madras Engineers in 1758, and served in the Manila expedition and at the two sieges

XXX

of Madura. In 1766 he was selected by Palk to be Resident in the newly ^acquired territory of Ganjam, and three years later he relinquished the military for the civil service. In March, 1767, during Captain Cotsford's temporary absence, Narayan Deo, Zemindar of Kimedi, seized part of the Chicacole Cirear. Colonel Joseph Peach, commanding the Bengal force sent to threaten Hyderabad during the first Mysore war, was employed against this turbulent chief, who was defeated and driven out of the country. Cotsford returned to Ganjam early in 1768, accompanied by a detachment of troops. He states that the Zemindars have now (1772) been brought to some degree of order at the cost of 450 casualties to his own force of 16 com- panies. A fort is in course of construction, and the net revenue of the district is Ij lakhs of rupees. Most of the Zemindars are under the authority of a powerful chief named Sitaram Raz ; but this system, though necessary at one time, is now undesirable, as each zemindar ought to be directly responsible to the Resident. A year later Cotsford anticipates (No. 217) that Ganjam will become the granary of Madras.

Alexander Wynch, who became provisional Governor on Du Pre's departure, had had long experience of the Company's service. Entertained locally in 1734, he was brought on the civil list in 1740. He was a member of Pigot's Council from 1755, and was officiating as Deputy Governor of Fort St. David when that place capitulated to Lally in 1758. He subsequently resigned the service and sailed for England. In 1768 he was re-employed, and served as Chief at Masulipatam. The prin- cipal event of his governorship, which lasted from February, 1773, until the arrival of Lord Pigot in December, 1775, was the conquest of the province of Tanjore, an operation which had far-reaching consequences. Walajah's pretext for attack was the non-payment of tribute by the Raja. The Government, supported by Harland, sent a contingent under General Joseph Smith to assist the Nawab. British and Carnatic troops laid siege to the fort and city of Tanjore in August, 1773, and the place was taken on the 17th September. It was made over to the Nawab, who imprisoned the Raja and occupied the province. The fort of Vallam, a few miles from the capital, was garrisoned by the Company's troops. Before his deposition the Raja had granted the sea port of Nagore to the Dutch, and Walajah claimed British help in recovering it. Edward Cotsford states (No. 217) that the Dutcli evacuated the territory under protest, but collected troops from Ceylon and assumed a threatening attitude. He comments on the reprehejisible system adopted at Tanjore by the Nawab of bargaining with a committee of British officers for money to be paid them in lieu of plunder, and considers that the plan strikes at the root of discipline'. There are rumours, he says, that the officers mav refuse to fight the Dutch on the ground that such service is not covered by their agreement with the Nawab,

XXXI

Towards the end of 1773 Hastings mentions (No. 223) his negotiations with the Nawab Vizier, which terminated in the Treaty of Benares. By this instrument the districts of Kora and Allahabad, which Clive had assigned in 1765 to the titular Emperor, were, in consequence of Shah Alam's rupture with the British and attachment to the Marathas, taken back and ceded to the Vizier. Shuja-ud-daula agreed to pay 50 lakhs of rupees into Hastings's exhausted treasury, while the Company engaged to furnish him with military aid against the Rohillas. Anthony Goodlad alludes (No. 215) to the treaty, and refers Palk for details to George Vansittart, who was with Hastings at the time of its execution. Goodlad says that the differences , in England between the Ministry and the Directors arouse anxiety in India, and considers that Hastings deserves more ample support in his reforms. Robert Palk, jun., writes in January, 1774 (No. 227) that the Vizier has already paid 20 lakhs of the stipulated sum. He enumerates Hastings's new revenue regulations, whereby Provincial Councils replace Col- lectors, and Revenue Courts are established. Members of the Councils are forbidden to engage in private trade, but are granted a substantial allowance in lieu. Military officers are prohibited from dealing with landholders or revenue officials. He reports that General Sir Robert Barker, who had exercised great influence over the Nawab Vizier, has left India, and that the army command has devolved on General Chapman, an elderly officer whose chief aim is to recoup his gambling losses. It is expected that Chapman will be bought out of the service by his juniors, and that General Alexander Champion will succeed him.

In February the same correspondent reports (Nos. 233, 234) that the Jats have yielded Agra to the combined forces of the Emperor, under Najaf Khan, and the Nawab Vizier. Hastings's stipulation that the British troops within the confines of Oudh shall be paid by Shuja-ud-daula is said to have been unfavourably criticized : it is called " hiring the troops to the country powers." Economies are being effected in all directions. A post is about to be established for the whole country, a charge of two annas per hundred miles being fixed for each letter of minimum weight. This plan will save the Company two lakhs of rupees annually, the cost of the existing dales. Some two years later the advantages of the Suez route for mails to and from England become apparent. John d 'Fries reports from Madras in 1776 (No. 299) that private letters for Hastings of the 20th May from London and 3rd June from Marseilles were delivered in Calcutta on the 15th August. He advocates the appointment of a Company's agent" at Cairo to forward communications to Suez, where a small vessel from Bombay or Bengal should be always kept in readiness for the passage to India. In his view a quarterly service might thus be maintained at small cost.

Among Robert Palk's native correspondents at Fort St.

C]

xxxu

George are Chokappa Chetti and Muttukrishna Mudali. The former, a Company's Merchant of long standing, was thrown out of employ by the change in the system of Investment which Hastings introduced when Export Warehousekeeper. Under his plan gomastas in the weaving villages replaced the Company's Merchants. Chokappa continued, however, to hold the contract for the exclusive supply of arrack and toddy (Nos. 194, 204). Muttukrishna, who had held the office of Company's Interpreter from 1749, attended Palk and Vansittart on their mission to Sadras in 1754, and detected the forgery which Dupleix attempted to impose on the Commissioners. Chokappa frequently gives news of French proceedings. In 1773 and 1774 he reports (Nos. 219, 230) activity on the fortifications, and states that Jean Law as Governor and Commander-in- Chief, aided by a Supervisor sent from France, rules Pondi- cherry for the King independently of a Council.

On the 18th November, 1772, died the Peshwa Madhu Rao. He was succeeded by his brother Narayan Rao, whose uncle Raghunath Rao, commonly called Raghoba, became commander of the army (No. 194). The new Peshwa was murdered in the following August at the instigation of Raghoba, who aimed at the government. The Ministers, however, supported an infant said to be a posthumous son of Narayan. The dissensions which ensued gave Haidar an opportunity of recovering lost territory. In November, 1773, he reduced Malabar, while Tipu secured the northern districts around Sira. Chokappa writes in February, 1774 (No. 230) that Raghoba, after threatening Hyderabad with a large force, had settled with the Nizam, and is now engaged in making terms with Haidar at Sira. It is expected that the Marathas will invade the Carnatic in order to compel the restoration of Tanjore to the Raja, reclaim the Marawa country and Arni for themselves, and obtain from the Nawab arrears of chaut. Muttukrishna Mudali writes to the same effect (No. 232), and adds that Walajah is already nego- tiating with Raghoba, while alarm prevails in the Carnatic. Fears subsided as soon as it became known that the prospect of civil war had compelled the withdrawal of Raghoba's troops (No. 235). The Raja of Tanjore, still a prisoner, then lost all hope of liberation.

In 1773 the Regulating Act was passed by the Home Govern- ment. Under this Act Hastings became Governor General in Council with certain controlling powers over Madras and Rombay. His Council was reduced to four members, three of whom, General Sir John Clavering, Colonel the Hon. George Monson, and Phihp Francis, were sent out from England, while the fourth, Richard Barwell, was' a member of the old Council. Robert Palk, writing to Walajah about March, 1774, (No. 237), informs him that the three new members, who are on the point of saiKng, will visit the Nawab at Madras on their way. Palk conveys a message from General Lawrence, whose

XXXlll

health is failing, and adds, " I still endeavour to keep up his spirits and make his hfe comfortable as formerly, and we often recount the many happy days we have passed with your High- ness in the field, in garrison and at the Mount." The Regulating Act also constituted a Supreme Court of Judicature to administer English law at Fort William, with Sir Elijah Impey as Chief Justice. Clavering, Monson and Francis were escorted up the Hugh by Sir Edward Hughes, commanding the East India squadron (No. 284), and they landed at Calcutta on the 19th October, 1774. They at once adopted an attitude of hostility to Hastings, who could rely for support on Barwell only. As the Act gave the Governor General no power to outvote his Council, Hastings was constantly thwarted, and the Government measures adopted down to the time of Monson's death in 1777 may generally be attributed to the triune majority. They denounced the Treaties of Allahabad and Benares, and dis- approved of the Rohilla war, which, undertaken to support the Vizier against the Marathas, terminated in 1774. In January, 1775, Shuja-ud-daula died and was succeeded by his son Asaf- ud-daula, who was required to cede to the Company his sovereign rights over the territory of Benares.

Public knowledge of the dissensions in the Council induced the production of charges against Hastings. Maharaja Nandkumar accused him of fraud, and Joseph and Francis Fowke of corruption. Hastings prosecuted his accusers for conspiracy, but while proceedings were pending Nandkumar was arrested on a charge of forgery at the instance of a private person, and was tried and executed. A side-light is thrown on the situation in Council by a letter from Colonel Ironside of 1776 (No. 268). Charges, which the accused characterizes as " frivolous and insignificant," had been made against the Colonel and brought to the notice of the Board. Hastings and Clavering, as re- presenting their respective parties, both expressed themselves ready to acquiesce in Ironside's justification, but neither would make the first advance through fear of being charged with partiality. Ironside having previously acted as Hastings's Secretary, while Mrs. Ironside's brother, Roger Roberts,' i' was Clavering's Persian Translator. Eventually the matter was referred to the Directors. John d'Fries writes (No. 252, 256) that " Bengal is over run with informers' accusations . . . Nothing is done but from the spirit of party." D'Fries, an assistant in Nicholas Morse's house of agency, carried on the business after his chief's death. At a later date he was joined by Thomas Pelling, a free-merchant of long standing, and the firm became known as Pelling & de Fries. Both partners frequently corresponded with Robert Palk, whom they re- presented in Madras. Mrs. Morse, who had gone to England to join her daughter Mrs. Vansittart, could not readily adapt herself to new conditions of life after her long residence in Madras (No. 265). Married in 1730, she had endured De la (1) errand mentions Captain Koberts as aide-de-camp to Clavering.

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Bourdonnais' bombardment of Fort St. George in 1746, courageously refusing a permit to leave which was offered to her as the wife of the Governor. Prior to Lally's siege of Madras in 1758 Mrs. Morse and Mrs. Vansittart were sent by sea to Sadras for safety. That Dutch settlement had just then been seized by the French, and the ladies landed to find themselves prisoners.

In connection with the period 1771 to 1774 the followmg selection from the Palk papers in the British Museum should be consulted : —

Addl. MSS., 34,686.

1771, April 22nd John Call to Robert Palk,

from Whiteford, Cornwall.

1772, Sept. 7th Warren Hastings to Robert Palk,

from Cossimbazar.

1773, Nov. 15th Warren Hastings to Robert Palk,

from Fort William, Calcutta.

1774, Jan. 17th George Vansittart to Robert Palk,

from Calcutta.

1774, Mar. 21st Warren Hastings to Robert Palk,

from Fort WiUiam, Calcutta.

1774, Mar. 27th George Vansittart to Robert Palk,

from Calcutta.

The dissensions in the Supreme Council were imitated at Fort St. George. Nawab Walajah designed to make his favourite son Amir-ul-Umara ruler of Tanjore (No. 250). Wynch and the majority of Council opposed the proposition, which was sup- ported by General Smith, J. M. Stone and Samuel Johnson, and the matter was referred to Bengal. Chokappa notifies the return to Madras in 1775 of Sir Robert Fletcher, and the steady purchase by the Nawab of substantial houses in the Fort. He -mentions tJhe publication of kn order forbidding acceptance by the Company's civil and military servants of gifts from natives under penalty of fine and deportation, and remarks that " if this is the case, the Madrass gentlemen in the Company's service will find great difficulty in getting a fortune after they disburse their own private expences." He also reports a storm at Surat which wrecked nine large ships and forty small vessels, and alludes to fighting by land and sea between the Company's forces and the Marathas.

These hostilities were due to the action of the Bombay Government in espousing the cause of Raghoba against the Ministerial party at Poona. The price of aid was to be the cession of Bassein and Salsette, and an agreement known as the Treaty of Surat was concluded with Raghoba to that effect in 1775. The island of Salsette was occupied by a force under Colonel Robert Gordon at the end of 1774, and three months later Colonel Keating was sent with troops to support Raghoba in his march from Baroda to Poona. The Supreme Council, which had not been consulted, ordered the recall of Keating, sent

XXXV

Colonel John Upton to Poona to negotiate with the confederacy of chiefs, and obtained a suspension of arms. Colonel Gordon, writing to Palk in 1775, describes (No. 255) the position of affairs. Comments on the action of the Bombay Government are made by d'Fries (Nos. 252, 256). He remarks that Salsette is " the grainery of Bombay," and considers the occasion favourable for dividing and therefore weakening the Maratha power. Meanwhile civil war continued. Muttukrishna Mudali writes (No. 262) that the internecine strife is advantageous to the Nizam, who has recovered lost territory, as well as to minor chiefs, who have escaped payment of chaut. Basalat Jang, the Nizam's brother, who had been required by the Supreme Government to disband a substantial body of French troops in his service (No. 256), sent his army, including the French detachment, to besiege Bellary, where a Hindu tributary was aiming at independence. This poligar appealed for help to Haidar, who swooped down on Bellary, routed Basalat Jang, continued the siege on his own account and compelled the surrender of the unfortunate poligar (No. 263). Haidar then attacked Gooty (No. 278), and forced its chief, the celebrated Morari Rao, who made a gallant defence, to capitulate. Morari Rao was imprisoned, and died in confinement.

From 1775 Robert Palk has a new correspondent, though an old friend, in Commander George Baker, late of the Company's marine service. Baker, who was born in 1721 at Tor Mohun (now called Torre, near Torquay), first came to India in 1743. Like Palk, he was with Boscawen at Pondicherry, and he after- wards did good service during Lally's siege of Fort St. George. He was rewarded by Pigot in 1762 with the post of Master Attendant or controller of shipping at Madras. Nine years later, when in England, Baker contracted with the Company to supply water to the Fort and shipping from a source north of Black Town, and he duly carried out the project. Reynold Adams, who was Master Attendant when Baker arrived in 1772, feared that the water scheme would interfere with his own perquisites (No. 177). To recoup himself he asked for Palk's aid in procuring a contract for the exclusive supply of betel, tobacco and bhang (No. 229). He was the tenant of Palk's house in the White Town, and from time to time propitiated his landlord with the gift of a pipe of madeira. In 1775 he sent (No. 261) " a hogshead of old Goa arrack, said to be the best ever brought to Madras ... It was got of the dispersed Fathers of the Inquisition." Tom Palk coveted the house, and vainly tried to induce his uncle to evict Adams (No. 191).

George Baker reports progress (No. 260) on the Madras forti- fications. It is remarkable that there are but few allusions in the Palk letters to the final reform and completion of Fort St. George. This extensive and costly work was carried out by the Chief Engineer, Colonel Patrick Ross, between 1770 and 1788. After mentioning that dissensions in Council continue,

XXXVl

and that Governor Wynch fails to inspire respect, Baker announces the arrival of Palk's nephew Richard Welland, a naval cadet of the Salisbury, flagship of Sir Edward Hughes. The Salisbury has been lately at Masulipatam to fetch some Company's merchandize, and since her return Welland has not been ashore, " for the Commadore pays close attention to the manner in which all his young gentlemen spend their time." Welland himself, a son of Governor Palk's sister Grace, writes to his uncle (No. 259) of his visit to Masuhpatam, where Tom Palk " behaved very kind to me and gave me some books." He says that both Baker and Adams often invite him ashore, and adds, " I think hats is very dear in India." Sir Edward Hughes, who had succeeded Harland in command of the squad- ron, sailed for the Malabar coast in October, 1775, and in the following January writes (No. 269) that he has come to Bombay to refit, and " assist if I can in the treaty making at Poonah." He tells Palk that Welland " grows a very smart young man."

Colonel Upton's negotiations with the Ministerial party terminated in the Treaty of Purandhar, by which Raghoba was thrown over, Salsette and Broach were ceded to the Company, while other British conquests reverted to the Marathas. In March, 1776, Sir Edward HugJies sums up the position thus (No. 284) : " Ragobah has been able to get little security and no share in the government : in short the Presidency of Bombay made a treaty with him to support his attempt, which that of Fort William disapproved and sent a deputy to make peace, which was concluded and signed at Poonah the 1st of this instant." Edmund Veale Lane, a Bombay civil servant of 1767 whom Palk had befriended, was now at Tannah in Salsette after serving as Judge Advocate with Colonel Gordon. He writes (No. 290) of " the dishonorable and wretched treaty concluded by the Supreme Council's Plenipo with the Ministerial party of the Marrattas, by which we have violated the national honor, and made our faith justly doubted by every prince in India." Lane foresees further trouble, as Haidar is aggressive and the Maratha chiefs are disunited. A. claimant for the Peshwaship, who pretends to be Siidaba, cousin of Raghoba, is in the field with a considerable force, and in Lane's opinion he may succeed, whether an impostor or not, in overthrowing the Ministers. The pretender gained in fact important successes in the Konkan, and " very near wrested the government " from the Ministerial party (No. 313). Lane considers that, but for these successes, the cessions required by the treaty would never have been made. The real Sudaba or Sudasheo Rao was a nephew of the Peshwa Baji Rao. He was missing, believed killed, after the battle of Panipat in 1761, when the Marathas were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali. Some years later a person representing himself to be Sudaba was imprisoned as an impostor. Escaping in April, 1776, this man secured a large following of believers, and even received some countenance

XXXVll

from the Bombay Government. Successful at first, he was eventually defeated and dehvered to the Ministers, by whom he was executed.

Lieut. J. Snelling, who had been started in life by Robert Palk, writes from Vizagapatam (No. 267) that he is laid up with a severe attack of malarial fever after an expedition in the adjacent hills. He has lately been transferred to a battalion commanded by Captain Mathews, and he represents that officer as " the most warlike genius in India, and the most enter- prizing man that ever drew sword in this part of the country . . . What a pleasure and satisfaction it is for a young fellow like myself to be under a man so renowned for every particular of the military art ! " Richard Mathews, when in command of a native battaUon in the first Mysore war, had captured the hill fort of Mulbagal by a bold and clever stratagem. His operations during the second Mysore war, when he commanded the troops in Malabar will be mentioned later. Snelling has been advised to go south for the sake of his health, but he fears the greater expense " from the number of pleasures to be met with there, such as plays, horse racing, cock-fighting ; in short almost all those expensive amusements you have in England." In the Circars he can live on his pay " very genteelly." Snelling's health was seriously undermined, and he died at Madras in 1778 (No. 327).

The Directors appointed (No. 274) a Committee of Circuit, consisting of five members, to tour the Circars and the Company's Jagvr, and report on the administration of those districts. At this juncture John Whitehill resigned the chief ship of Masulipatam, and George Baker observes (No. 277) that " the busy world say he chose not to stay till the new Committee came their rounds." Writing on the 23rd February, 1776, Baker mentions (No. 281) that Whitehill and John Sulivan will sail from Pondicherry for Europe in the Ajax, and he adds, " A Mrs. Draper of Bombay (who is a niece of Mr. Whitehill's) accompanyes them : they all set out for Pondicherry to-morrow." This lady was Sterne's " Eliza." Her father. May Sclater, went to India in 1736, married Miss Whitehill and settled at Anjengo, where Eliza was born in 1744. She married Daniel Draper of the Bombay civil service, and in 1765, during a visit to England, met Laurence Sterne. Correspondence ensued, which was afterwards pub- lished. She was his " Bramine " ; he her " mild, generous and good Yorick." Mrs. Draper sailed for India in 1767 to rejoin her husband. About six years later she eloped from Bombay in a ship commanded by Sir John Clarke,*^* and went to her uncle Thomas Whitehill, a Bombay civil servant. She sub- sequently joined his brother John Whitehill at Masulipatam, and accompanied him in 1776 to England, where she died two years afterwards at the age of thirty-four. Baker further announces that the Hillsborough, with George Vansittart and

(1) An allusion to Sir John Clarke is made in No. 260.

XXXVlll

his wife on board, left Madras for England on the 16th February, and was not out of sight until the 20th. The ship pursued a leisurely course to St. Helena, where the Vansittarts became the guests of Daniel Corneille, the Lieutenant-Governor. Corneille writes to Palk (No. 286) regarding them, and adds, " The good example you have set me of four little ones I am endeavouring . to follow. My present family consist of two boys and one girl, besides one upon the stocks that will make his or her appearance in three months ; after which, having followed your example, I aspire to no further wish of greater perfection."

The difficulty of making private remittances to England is complained of in many letters. The rates for Company's bills being generally unfavourable, remittances were often made by sending home diamonds (Nos. 16, 20, 48, 68, 80, etc.). George Vansittart and Robert Palk, jun., purchased a ship, loaded her with opium, and sent her to trade in the Eastern Archipelago and China with the view of remitting the proceeds from Batavia and Canton (No. 213) ; but the venture proved unsuccessful. When diamonds were not procurable recourse was had to specie. D'Fries says in 1775 (No. 256), " The exportation of the specie continues with us to a greater degree than ever. It is reckoned that in the course of this present year six lacks of pagodas have been exported to China and Europe — a melancholy and very alarming circumstance, for it must drain the country, and that very soon if continued." A little later Chokappa writes (No. 270), " Several gentlemen in the place, for want of a way of remitting their fortune to England by bills, sends it in gold and Star pagodas on every ship that goes from hence, which impoverish[es] the place very much."

The American war is noticed by d'Fries early in 1776 (No. 276). " The unlucky turn that the American business has taken has filled us with much serious reflection. We anxioiisly wait to hear from England. God send that matters may have been made up." Allusion to the war is also made by Sir E. Hughes (No. 303).

The long expected arrival of Lord Pigot, which took place on the 9th December, 1775, opened a strange chapter in the history of Madras. The Governor elect was accompanied by Claud Russell and Alexander Dalrymple, two members of his Council of ten. Pigot was no stranger to the Southern Presidency, the government of which he had administered from 1755 to 1763. A grateful population was not oblivious of his successful defence of Fort St. George against the French, nor of the subsequent British capture of Pondicherry. George Baker describes (No. 263) the enthusiastic reception of the new Governor and the ceremonial observed on his assumption of office. Pigot was charged by the Directors with orders to effect the restoration of the Tanjore province to the Raja (No. 274). Sir Edward Hughes wrote from Bombay (No. 284), " I am told Lord Pigot brings regulations respecting Tanjour, but am afraid not very

XXXIX

pleasing to the pool- Nabob, who certainly merits every attention from the English, being in my opinion their most sincere fri«nd in this country." Pigot was considerate to the Nawab, and after nearly two months spent in argument Walajah consented to release the Raja and receive a British garrison in Tanjore city. The province he could not be prevailed on to rehnquish, as he said that the two expeditions for its conquest had cost him three crores of rupees (No. 276). Colonel Humphrey Harper marched from Trichinopoly and took possession of the city fort. Meanwhile the Nawab made representations to the Directors through Colonel Lauchlan Macleane, his agent in England (Nos. 245, 275). Macleane had retired from tlie Bengal Army as Major in 1766, but was re-appointed through the influence of Sir George Colebrooke (No. 169), who was Chairman of Directors in 1772. He returned to India as Commissary General, Bengal, with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. In 1774 Hastings selected him to serve as his representative in England, and Macleane accepted a commission to act for Walajah at the same time.

While Pigot was arguing with Walajah, John Macpherson, a former representative of the Nawab, intervened. Macpherson had come to India in 1767, at the age of 22, as the purser of a Company's ship. He ingratiated himself with the Nawab, and was by him appointed his agent in England. Macpherson approached the King's Ministers, and the nomination of Sir John Lindsay as Plenipotentiary is believed to have been partly due to his advocacy. For himself he secured a Writership at Madras from the Directors. Early in 1776 he was paying surreptitious midnight visits to the Nawab (No. 270) to claim recognition of his former services. Walajah, disillusioned by the orders respecting Tanjore, handed Macpherson's memorial to Lord Pigot. The young civil servant was summoned before the Council, and was dismissed the service for conduct pre- judicial to the Company in the past (No. 277). Macpherson returned to England in 1777 and entered Parliament. In 1781 he was reinstated by the Directors, and sent to Bengal as a member of the Supreme Council. On Hastings's resigna- tion in 1785 Macpherson became provisional Governor General, and he was created a baronet in the following year.

Further pressure by Lord Pigot failed to persuade the Nawab to reinstate the Raja, and produced only friction. Duly authorized by the Council, Pigot went down to Tanjore with a retinue, and on the 11th April restored the province to its former ruler (No. 288). Chokappa, who accompanied the party, describes (No. 289) the treatment of the Raja during his confine- ment, and gives a graphic account of the ceremony of reinstate- ment. Chokappa then went on to Trichinopoly, and learned that the Marawars of Ramnad and Sivaganga were detained prisoners there by the Nawab. While at Tanjore Lord Pigot' required the Nawab's manager to produce accounts of the

xl

revenues of the province. The manager fled, and Pigot caused him to be pursued into Carnatic territory and arrested. This action gave great umbrage to the Nawab.

As security for loans from private persons Walajah had granted tanhas or assignments of the revenues of Tanjore to the extent of about 16 lakhs of pagodas. The creditors held a lien on the grain crop, which at the time of Lord Pigot's visit was partly cut. Directly Tanjore was restored, the Raja, supported by British troops, seized the grain (Nos. 288, 289). On Pigot's return to Madras a difference arose in Council as to liability for payment of the tankas. The majority were in favour of satisfaction by the Raja, while the minority, which included the Governor, held that the Raja was not concerned with assign- ments made by the Nawab. Walajah declined to pay unless ordered by the Company to do so. He professed fear of violence from Lord Pigot, and applied to Sir Edward Hughes for protection (No. 288). The breach between Governor and Nawab yawned wide. In June, 1776, Walajah writes to Palk (No. 287) that it is evidently " his Lordship's intention to distress and disgrace me, and he has seized every opportunity of injuring my affairs and of hurting my honor and authority " ; and the writer goes on to hint that Pigot has private interests to serve by his action.

The principal creditors were Paul Benfield, the Hon. Edward Monckton, George Smith and Reynold Adams, but all Madras was interested. Monckton, a civil servant, had lately married Pigot's daughter Sophia. Benfield came out to Madras in 1764 as Civil Architect and Engineer, and was employed on the works of Fort St. George with the rank of lieutenant, though his name was also borne on the civil list. In 1769 he resigned his appoint- ment of Engineer to become contractor for the erection of a rampart 3J miles in length for the defence of Black Town. Dismissed the service in 1770 for factious conduct, he was reinstated, but was suspended for disobedience in 1772. He subsequently contracted for new works at Fort St. George, and was engaged on them until 1776. Out of the profits of his contracts he lent large sums to the Nawab. Chokappa writes in 1774 (No. 230), " Mr. Benfield is Banker and Soukar to his Highness the Nabob : all drafts and bills for the payment of the kists to the Company are sent to him, and he discharges it."

For three months following Pigot's return from Tanjore disputes continued in Council. Benfield was supported by George Stratton, Sir Robert Fletcher, Henry Brooke, Charles Floyer, Archdale Palmer, Francis Jourdan and George Mackay ; while the minority consisted of Lord Pigot, Claud Russell, Alexander Dalrymple and J. M. Stone. The crisis came in August. All the letters of the period are full of the events which followed. The best accounts are those by George Baker (No. 293) and John d'Fries (No. 310). The point immediately

xli

at issue was the representation of British interests at Tanjore. Russell had been nominated Resident, but the Majority proposed to cancel the appointment, send Russell on tour with the Com- mittee of Circuit, and despatch Colonel James Stuart to command the troops in the province and incidentally recover the Nawab's assignments from the Raja. Orders for Stuart were drawn up, but the President refused to sign them unless Russell also went as Resident to watch over the Raja's interests. On the 23rd August the Majority directed the Secretary, Richard Joseph Sulivan, to sign the orders on behalf of the President. Sulivan required a written instruction, which was accordingly drafted and passed round for signature. After Stratton and Brooke had signed, Pigot intercepted the paper, charged the two signatories with inciting the Secretary to do an unlawful act, and moved their suspension. Sir Robert Fletcher being absent through sickness, the motion was carried.

The Majority assembled the same evening at Benfield's house, where, according to Chokappa (No. 295), they consulted with Macpherson, Benfield and the Nawab's two sons. They met again early next morning at Fletcher's residence, resolved that the suspensions were illegal, and determined to assume the powers of Government. They sent out notices to that effect. On the same daj', the 23rd, Lord Pigot summoned to the Board Richard Lathoni, Chief of Cuddalore, who had come up to join the Committee of Circuit, and the Minority thus augmented suspended the remaining members of the Majority, ordered Fletcher into arrest, and offered the command of the army to ■Stuart. On Saturday, the 24th, Stuart breakfasted with Lord Pigot, and the Council sat intermittently throughout the day at the Fort House. When they rose the Governor invited Stuart to supper at the Company's Gardens and offered him a seat in his chaise. They started after dark, Pigot himself driving a pair of spirited horses. The road lay across the Island through a double avenue of banyan trees. When the carriage was midway between the bridges two officers, Lieut-Colonel Edington, Adjutant-General, and Captain Lysaght, stepped into the road and signed to it to stop. They were supported by an armed party of sepoys concealed in the shadow of the trees. Lord Pigot reined in. I/ysaght shouted, " You are my prisoner," and Stuart ordered the Governor to get out. Pigot was hustled into a closed carriage belonging to Benfield, which was waiting at the spot. Lysaght, pistol in hand, followed ; an orderly sergeant mounted behind, and the carriage with drawn blinds was driven rapidly to the Mount, where Lord Pigot was delivered into the custody of Major Matthew Home, commanding the Artillery.

Stuart, who had framed the whole plan in collusion with Fletcher, returned from the scene of arrest to the Fort House, where the Majority were already assembled. All slept in the Council Chamber that night. On the morning of Sunday the

xlii

25th, having suspended Russell, Dalrymple, Stone and Lathom, they summoned the civil and military servants and the inhabitants to hear a proclamation announcing their assumption of Government Avith George Stratton as President. The military officers had already received their orders from Stuart, Among the civil servants there was some hesitation, and 38 of them ultimately refused to acknowledge the new Government (No. 297). On the 27th at midnight Colonel Edington presented himself at the Mount with an order to Major Home for the removal of Lord Pigot to an unspecified place of detention. Pigot refused to go, and when Home summoned the garrison troops the ex-Governor harangued them to siich effect that they tacitly refused to exercise force. Edington returned to Madras, his mission unfulfilled. Mean- while Russell, who was with Lord Pigot, hurried to Sir Edward Hughes at San Thome to demand his protection, and Hughes left his bed for the Fort. The Majority refused to yield the person of Lord Pigot to the Admiral, but engaged that no further attempt should be made to remove his lordship from the Mount. Hughes himself says (No. 303) that, both parties having appealed to him for support, he determined to afford it to the section which possessed power to carry on the government.

The Nawab protests (No. 301) entire innocence of complicity in Lord Pigot's arrest, and assures Palk of his own unalterable attachment to the Compaiiy. In a subsequent letter (No. 308) he recalls his disapproval of the Treaty with Tanjore of 1762, and says that Pigot at that time forced him to sign the instru- ment. George Smith, although a ton/ca-holder on Tanjore revenues for about Pags. 30,000, denounces (No. 297) the revolution, and asserts that the charges against Pigot of des- potism, venality and attempts to subvert the constitution are unfounded. D'Fries, who mentions the sudden death of another tanka-holdev, Reynold Adams, reports (No. 299) that the revolution has affected the Compan3''s prestige with the natives. He believes that the Nawab's selection of Madras as his place of residence, though tending to develop intrigue, is on the whole advantageous, since he can be better watched Avhcn under the eye of Government, while his presence has undoubtedly conduced to the prosperity of the capital, the population of which has increased by one-third during the last ten years. Sir Edward Hughes is of opinion (No. 303) that the Tanjore province ought to be held by the Nawab, a British garrison occupying the city. He thinks that the orders for rendition would not haAe been issued if Colonel Macleane had reached England earlier, ; and he regrets that no written treaty has ever been concluded between the Company and the Nawab.

Charles Floyer, a member of the Majority, explains (No. 302) the motives of his-action in the revolution, and conjures up a farrago of surmises. He holds that Lord Pigot intended to extract a large sum from the Raja as the reward of rendition,

xliii

and fears that Benfield's unsupported charges of venality will prove to be only too true. He draws dark inferences from the nomination of Russell to Tanjore, seeing that the prospective Resident is about to marry Leonora Pigot. He points out that the suspension of Stratton and Brooke would make Russell Second of Council, and suggests that Pigot contemplated resignation of the Government to his son-in-law. He makes the point that the revolution was bloodless, and contends that it would certainly have been otherwise if the Majority had limited themselves to suspending the Governor instead of arresting him. Benfield went to Tanjore (No. 307) to press his claims on the Raja and secure proofs of Lord Pigot's venality. He came back unsatisfied on both heads.

The Supreme Government, which had already expressed disapproval of Pigot's attitude towards the Nawab and of his action in Tanjore, especially in regard to the arrest of the Nawab's manager (No. 293), determined to support the Majority as the legal Government. Their decision reached Madras early in October, and the Swallow, sloop of war, was at once des- patched to Suez with full reports of the revolution. Dalrymple carried a packet from Lord Pigot, and Colonel Capper one from the Nawab. D'Fries considers (No. 310) that the Company should strictly define the powers of the President in relation to those of a majority of the Council, and issue explicit orders as to intervention by military officers in civil disputes. In a subsequent letter (No. 812) he mentions Colonel Monson's death, whereby Hastings obtains a majority in the Supreme Council and is once more free to act. Sir Robert Fletcher, who has been ill for months with phthisis, is about to embark for the Cape, but there is little prospect of his recovery. The prognostication was fulfilled, for Fletcher died at Mauritius in December before reaching his destination. Baker assigns causes for the revolution (No. 311), and observes that Pigot failed to maintain a good understanding with Bengal, while members of the Majority corresponded privately with Clavering's party.

In 1777 a partial break occurs in the Palk correspondence, only four Indian letters of that year having been preserved. Sir Edward Hughes announces (No. 315) that a proposal to send Lord Pigot to England has been negatived, and says that the Directors' orders on the reports of the revolution are anxiously awaited. He states that Major General Bellecombe arrived in January as Governor of Pondicherry, and that M. Law is disgusted at being superseded. " Our friend Captain Baker " is engaged in carrying a pipe line through the surf to supply water to shipping. Chokappa writes (No. 314) that Bombay refuses to recognize Stratton as Governor of Madras. Baker observes (No. 316) that " Mr. Macpherson, a gentleman well known (and in some degree distinguished here, though of little standing in the Company's service)," is leaving for England

xliv

to support, it is understood, the cause of the Nawab. Tom Palk writes (No. 317) to announce his marriage to Catharine, daughter of Thomas Felling of the firm of Felling & de Fries. " With respect to her accompli[sh]ments it would be absurd in me to sound forth, but I must do her that justice to say that they are such as no man would make the least objection to."

During the interval which elapsed before the next letter of the collection was written several notable events occurred. After an attack of illness brought on by chill following violent exercise Lord Figot was brought from the Mount to the Garden House, where, in spite of attention from Drs. Fasley and Anderson, he expired on the 11th May, 1777. An inquest was held by the Coroner, George Andrew Ram. The jury, of which George Smith was foreman, brought in a verdict of wilful murder against Stratton and the rest of the Majority, and also against Stuatt, Edington, Lysaght and Home. The verdict was delivered in July, but not published until September. Meanwhile, on the 31st August, John Whitehill arrived from England via Suez after a passage of only 79 days, bearing a despatch from the Directors, dated 11th June, addressed to " Lord Figot, our Fresident and Governor of Fort St. George," Thomas Rumbold, Major General Hector Munro, John Whitehill, Charles Smith, Samuel Johnson, Feter Ferring and others. The Court denounced the subversion of the Government by the Majority, and ordered the reinstatement of Lord Figot, which was, however, to be followed by his return to England by the first ship. His successor, Thomas Rumbold, was to be aided by a Council of only five members as named above. Stratton and the Majority were suspended and summoned home, as was Benfield, while Stuart was suspended for local enquiry into his conduct.

Confronted with the news of Lord Pigot's death, Whitehill found himself the senior member of the new Government and the only Councillor present at Madras. He summoned the two senior civil servants at the Fresidency, Anthony Sadleir and Quintin Crauford, to assist him, and communicated the Directors' despatch to Stratton and the Majority, who at once submitted to the Court's orders. Whitehill assumed office as provisional Governor, and Smith, Johnson and Ferring joined him from their out-stations. On the 24th September the Coroner delivered the inquest A-erdict, and the accused were committed for trial at Quarter Sessions. Advice was asked of the Supreme Court, and pending its receipt the trial pro- ceeded. In due course Chief Justice Impey and the Judges delivered the opinion that the inquest afforded insufficient evidence for indictment. The proceedings were accordingly quashed. Stratton, Brooke, Floyer and Mackay were dealt with in England and fined 1,000Z. each. Stuart remained under suspension until December 1780, when he was tried by court- martial for mutiny in arresting Lord Figot. Of this charge he was acquitted on the ground that the seizure was made outside

xlv

the limits of the Fort, and therefore beyond the sphere of the Governor's miUtary command.

The years 1778 and 1779 are covered by only sixteen letters. Baker writes (Nos. 320, 322) that Russell, Stone, Stratton and Brooke have already left for England, Russell marrying Leonora Pigot the day before embarkation. He reports progress on the fortifications of the east front of Fort St. George, and announces that Tom Palk, lately nominated Paymaster at Chingleput, has lost the appointment through the reinstatement of the civil servants who were suspended by Stratton. Tom Palk eventually received a similar post at Trichinopoly, and became a prosperous man. Baker attributes to Wynch certain modifications made in the original contract for water supply. " Mr. Wynch has done me an irreparable injury ... I wish not to live for any other thing so much as to confront that man in a Court of Justice or in a General Court of Proprietors."

Thomas Rumbold and Major-General Hector Munro arrived at Madras on the 8th February, 1778 (No. 322), when the former took charge from Whitehill. Like Robert Clive, John Caillaud, Robert Barker, Richard Smith, John Carnac, Robert Fletcher and John Macpherson, Rumbold furnished an instance of a man trained in Madras, who after transfer to Bengal, rose to high position in the service. Originally appointed to Fort St. George as a Writer in 1752, Rumbold was shortly afterwards commissioned in the army. After serving under Lawrence in the Trichinopoly campaigns, he accompanied Clive to Calcutta, and was wounded at Plassey. Reverting to the civil list, he continued to serve in Bengal, and sat in Council for three years until 1769, when he returned to England and entered Parliament. He was a Director of the Company from 1772 until he was appointed Governor of Madras. Hector Munro came to India in 1761 as Major of the 89th Foot, and in 1764, when commanding the troops at Patna in succession to Carnac, defeated the combined forces of Mir Kasim and the Nawab Vizier at the decisive battle of Buxar. He then returned home, and did not see India again until he came out in 1778 to command the Madras army. Sir Eyre Coote arrived at the end of the same year to be once more Commander-in-Chief in India.

Colonel Ironside, writing from Calcutta in March, 1778 (No. 324), fears supersession by officers from home, and asks for Palk's interest to procure him promotion to brigadier by brevet, with succession to Brig. -General Giles Stibbert. He encloses for Palk's perusal papers relating to General Clavering's attempted usurpation of the Government in 1777. Hastings had entrusted to his agent. Colonel Macleane, a letter of resig- nation, which was to be presented to the Directors only under certain conditions. A despatch from England, which reached Calcutta in June, disclosed the tender by Macleane of the letter, and the appointment by the Directors of Edward Wheler to fill a vacancy in the Council, Clavering immediately assumed the

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Government, summoned Francis to sit in Council with him, and required Hastings to give up charge. JIastings consulted the Judges, who declared Clavering's act to be illegal. The Council then resolved that the General had by his proceeding vacated his seat. Further appeals to the Judges by Clavering and Francis elicited an opinion favourable to the General on this point, and the Council rescinded their resolution.

Clavering's death shortly afterwards is reported by Henry Vansittart, jun., (No. 325), who expresses the view that the Supreme Court is assuming authority which overrides the Governor General's powers. He mentions the intrigues of the French with the Marathas, and the intended despatch of a force from Bengal to Bombay. A person calling himself the Chevalier St. Lubin was the French agent at Poona. This adventured was formerly attached as an intelligence officer to the British Field Deputies in the first Mysore war, but was discredited. In May, 1777, he appeared at Poona as a genuine representative of the King of France, bearing letters and gifts for the Peshwa. On promise of French aid Nana Farnavis, the principal Maratha Minister, granted St. Lubin the use of the port of Chaul, where he hoisted French colours (No. 322). Jealousy of Nana Farnavis had led to the formation of a Maratha party pledged to restore Raghoba to power. The Bombay Government supported the party, and Hastings, disliking Colonel Upton's treaty, agreed to assist. An expedition under Colonel Leslie, who was soon superseded by Colonel Thomas Goddard, started in 1778 to march across India to Poona or the coast with the ostensible object of protecting Bombay from French aggression. The Bombay Government co-operated by despatching a force towards Poona under Colonel Charles Egerton, whom they hampered with Field Deputies. Whe.n nearing Poona in January, 1779, Egerton was svirrounded by the enemy and compelled to surrender. An agreement, known as the Con- vention of Wargaon, was made between the Marathas and the Field Deputies, by which Raghoba was to be given up, and all British conquests made subsequent to 1765 were to be restored. This convention was disavowed by the Bombay Government. Meanwhile Goddard, who had diverted his course from Poona, arrived at Surat in February. There he was joined by a contingent irom Madras (No. 336). Raghoba, who had fallen into the hands of Mahadaji Sindia, escaped from custody in June, 1779, and reached Goddard at Surat.

In March, 1778, war had broken out between England and France, and in July Fort St. George received instructions from home to attack Pondicherry. Edward Cotsford, returning to Madras in August after a visit to England, and ignorant of the state of war, relates (No. 329) how his ship was chased by the enemy for 20 miles until she fell in with the squadron under Sir Edward Vernon, who had relieved Hughes in the preceding year. Siege operations were begun at the end of August under the

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direction of Major William Stevens, the acting Chief Engineer, and on the 17th October, when the assault was about to be dehvered, General Bellecombe, the Governor, capitulated (No. 331). Chokappa quotes (Nos. 330, 332) the terms of sur- render, and the arrangements for the disposal of the prisoners. Among the British killed were Major Stevens, Captain Augustus De Morgan, and Ensign George Baker, the last being the son of Palk's friend of the same name. Despatches were immediately carried home by Captain William Rumbold, son of the Governor. Munro was knighted and Thomas Rumbold created a baronet. The Pondicherry fortifications were demolished during 1779.

The French settlement of Mah^, near Tellicherrv, was reduced in March, 1779, by an expedition from Madras under Colonel Brathwaite. The operation gave umbrage to Haidar, who received his military stores through that port. Notwithstanding the failure of the British to fulfil the terms of the Mount treaty of 1769, Haidar had proposed alliance in 1771, and again after the conquest of Tanjore in 1773, but his advances, owing to Walajah's implacable enmity, were repelled. In 1775 he definitely ranged himself with the French, and four years later announced that he would join them in defending Mahe. In November, 1779, nine passengers from England via Suez, including two ladies (No. 337), were seized by Haidar from a Danish ship at Calicut, and seven of them were sent to Seringa- patam.d' Mr. George Gray, formerly of the Bengal civil service, was despatched from Madras to Haidar's capital to procure their release and promote an alliance with Mysore. The prisoners were liberated before Gray's arrival, but the envoy was informed that his proposals came too late.

Basalat Jang continuing to recruit the French force in his service, Rumbold opened direct negotiations with him. Basalat agreed in 1779 to dismiss the force and transfer Guntiir to the British, provided the Company would protect his dominions and send a force at once to his capital, Adoni. This agreement, involving a breach of the treaty of 1768, incensed the Nizam. Basalat's French contingent went over to the ruler of the Deccan and eventually to Haidar Ali. A force under Colonel Humphrey Harper was ordered to Adoni from the Circars. Its route lay through territories ruled by Haidar, but permission to pass was not sought in advance. Harper found the road barred, and he fell back. The attempt to penetrate his country gave Haidar an additional grievance. Meanwhile Rumbold rented Guntiir to Walajah (No. 335), and sent .John Hollond to Hyderabad to claim the abolition of the tribute payable for the Circars. This proposal exasperated Nizam Ali, who saw the treaty of 1768 flouted in all its terms. Hollond reported the situation to Hastings, and was directed to withdraw the demand. Rumbold suspended Hollond for disobedience, but the Bengal Council

(1) The other two, Mr. and Mrs. Pay, were detained at Calicut, and released after three months' captivity. {Original Letters from India, Mrs. Pay, 1817.)

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reinstated him with credentials from themselves. Sir Thomas Rumbold, having thus embroiled himself with Haidar, the Nizam and the Supreme Government at the very time when war subsisted with the powerful Maratha state, announced that his health necessitated his immediate return to England. He sailed in April, 1780, delivering charge of the Government to the senior Councillor, John Whitehill.

Some events of Rumbold's administration are mentioned in the few Madras letters of the period. Philip Stowey, who was sent out by the Directors in 1778 as Civil Architect, writes (No. 331) of plans for the enlargement of Admiralty House in the Fort. He has been consulted about the palace at Chepauk which Walajah is building " in the Moorish stile," but fears that the Nawab " has gone too far to be prevailed on to alter it." D'Fries (Nos. 333, 334, 336) alludes to the death of Colonel Macleane in England, and of Mahfuz Khan, the Nawab's elder brother, in India. He states that Walajah's finances are seriously embarrassed, and that his numerous European creditors in India and England cannot obtain payment of interest on their loans. The Madras Treasury is depleted owing to the heavy cost of the fortifications, and Haidar's attitude is suspicious. Fearing trouble. Felling & de Fries counsel Palk to limit his interests in the East. " We think your property will be safer nearer you than at a distance. India is a country of revolution, and we think we shall always be subject to it." Edward Cotsford writes in 1778 (No. 329) of the " small abilities of the present Governor and Council," and complains that his own authority is prejudiced by Rumbold's summoning to Madras the Zemindars of the Circars. A year later Tom Palk says (No. 335) that the Zemindars were called up to be squeezed, and that they have in their turn squeezed the ryots relentlessly. Corruption is rampant in Madras, and gaming prevalent. " The Guntoor Circar the Nabob is to have, or has it. The Jaghire in December last was advertized to be lett, but it did not take place because of course the Nabob paid handsomely for it.<i) . . . Never was a man so universally disliked " as Sir Thomas, who is not even courteous to his friends. Tom Palk dined recently with the Governor, who sat down to a rubber with Hall Plumer, a civil servant, and two subalterns. Directly play began dinner was announced, and 60 guests were kept waiting until the game was finished. In January, 1780, the same correspondent writes (No. 337) lamenting the continuance of his uncle's displeasure. Nothing has come of Rumbold's promises of employment. " I do, Sir, assure you that a King of France was never so absolute as he is here. Everything he proposes is carried without the least opposition." The Company is rapidly going to ruin. Sir Edward Hughes has just arrived with a squadron to relieve Sir Edward Vernon, who goes

(1) The Nawab rented the Jagir and Poonamallee for 3 J lakhs of pagodas per annum.

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home in an Indiaman. Colonel Goddard has taken the field against the Marathas. D'Fries, adverting to Rumbold's im- pending departure and Whitehill's succession, says (No. 338), " I hope nothing will happen to require the exertion of extra- ordinary abilities, for I believe they will not be found in our Council." The Marathas have seized Captains Banks and Bonnevaux while these officers were on their way from England via Basra with despatches. Stephen Sulivan, who came out to Madras about 1778 as Secretary and Persian Translator, informs Palk (No. 339) that his health is as good " as when I partook of red mullets with you in Devonshire." He finds the emoluments of the secretaryship insufficient to meet the high cost of living at the Presidency, and has asked his father to obtain for him a seat in Council or the post of Resident at Tanjore. He thinks that Laurence Sulivan is wrong in his favourable estimate of Walajah's character. He himself con- siders the Nawab artful, ambitious and ungrateful, and says that Macpherson will have difficulty in proving him otherwise. About this time Robert Palk must have relaxed his displeasure with his nephew, for George Baker writes in February, 1780 (No. 340), that Tom Palk " is made happy by your kind remem- Ijrance of him." Baker sends his letter by a private hand via Suez, but fears it may fail to reach its destination, as " it is very doubtfull whether (after what has past) an Englishman may be suffered to pass unmolested through Egypt with a packet." He adds that Sir Edward Hughes " is the same good man as ever," and that Palk's nephew, Richard Welland, who is " a charming youth, modest, manly and discreet," has been commissioned a lieutenant.

As has been noticed, the letters in the Palk collection from the beginning of 1777 are few in number. Between February, 1780, and February, 1784, only a single communication from India is found. The hiatus is unfortunate, as many notable events occurred in the interval, particularly in Madras. Since the blank period coincides with the duration of the second Mysore war, the surmise is hazarded that the letters of the time may have been handed to some historian or other interested person, who failed to return them. The following outline of events will serve to transport the reader across the gap without giving him too severe a jolt.

The escape of Raghoba from the clutches of Mahadaji Sindia and his junction with Goddard prompted the Marathas to propose alliance with Haidar and the Nizam, and a powerful confederacy was formed, which had for its object the expulsion of the English from India. Haidar was to attack Fort St. George through the Carnatic; Nizam AH to invade the Circars; Mudaji of Berar to enter Bengal ; Sindia and Holkar were to dispose of Colonel Goddard, while the Poona Ministers dealt with Bombay. Goddard, however, proved too strong for bis adversaries ; Major Popham took by assault Sindia's rock

1

fortress of Gwalior, deemed impregnable ; Hastings converted the Raja of Berar from a foe to a friend, and detached Nizam Ah from the confederacy by ordering the restoration of Guntur to Basalat Jang. There remained the implacable Haidar. Whitehill and his Council, blind to portents and deaf to warnings, took no measures of security. On the 20th July, 1780, Haidar issued from the pass of Changama with 90,000 men. An advanced party seized Porto Novo : another raided San Thome and the suburbs of the capital. For 50 miles round Madras and 1.5 round Vellore the country was devastated. The British army assembled at Conjeveram under Sir Hector Munro, who directed Colonel William Baillie to join him with a force from Guntur. When near Conjeveram Baillie was intercepted by Tipu at Polilur, and his detachment was annihilated. Munro retreated to Madras harassed by the enemy. Stephen Sulivan was deputed to Bengal to entreat help. Hastings immediately sent Eyre Coote to take command at Madras, and a force was despatched under Colonel Thomas Deane Pearse to march down to the Carnatic through Ganjam. Coote reached Fort St. George on the 5th November, bearing orders for the suspension of Whitehill for disobedience in failing to restore Guntiir ; and Charles Smith, the senior Councillor, , became provisional Governor.

Coote took the field in January, 1781, relieved Wandewash, which had been gallantly defended by Lieut. William Flint, and on the 1st July defeated Haidar in a pitched battle at Porto Novo. Early in August he was joined by Pearse's Bengal contingent, and on the 15th he worsted the enemy at Polilur, the scene of BaiUie's disaster. After a further success at Shohngarh he relieved Vellore, defended by Colonel Ross Lang. Lord Macartney, who arrived as Governor of Madras on the 22nd June, 1781, brought news of war between England and Holland. Munro, with the co-operation of Hughes's squadron, took Negapatam in October. The other Dutch settlements on the coast, Tuticorin, Sadras, Pulicat and Bimlipatam, were also captured. The Dutch port of Trincomalee in Ceylon was taken by Hughes early in 1782, but was surrendered to a French naval force six months later. In January, 1782, Eyre Coote had an apoplectic seizure, but continued to command. Shortly afterwards Colonel Brathwaite sustained a severe reverse in Tanjore. A French fleet under Admiral Suffren appeared on the coast, and was repeatedly, though indecisively, engaged by Hughes. Bombay troops operated in Malabar, and Haidar was preparing to evacuate the Carnatic when the landing in March of a substantial French force at Porto Novo induced him to change his plans. Cuddalore surrendered to Tipu and the French in April. Suffren earned lasting obloquy by delivering to Haidar at Cuddalore in June the British crews of his prizes.

The cost of the war drained the Company's treasuries in the

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three Pi-esidencies. In 1781 Walajah sent his Diwan, accom- panied by Richard SuHvan, to Calcutta, where an agreement was concluded on the 2nd April by which the Nawab assigned the whole of his revenues to the Company for the period of the war. At a later date Macartney objected to relinquish the assignment, and on this and other grounds there was friction between him and Hastings. Chaif Sing, tributary Raja - of B.enares, refusing to aid with supplies, Hastings visited his capital in August, 1781, and after a rising in which the Governor General narrowly escaped with his life, deposed the Raja. Hastings next effected a settlement with the young Nawab of Oudh. On the death of Shuja-ud-daula in 1775, his son Asaf-ud-daula had succeeded as ruler, but the old man's treasure was seized by his mother and widow, the Begams of Oudh, whose claims were recognized by the majority in the Bengal Council. In September, 1781, Hastings reversed their decision, compelled the Begams to make restitution, and thus enabled Asaf-ud-daula to discharge his debt to the Company.

On the 17th May, 1782, Hastings concluded with Sindia, as the representative of the Maratha federation, the Treaty of Salbai, by which the possession of Salsette was guaranteed to the English, Raghoba was pensioned, and the son of Narayan Rao was acknowledged as Peshwa. Haidar had now no friends but the French. Munro resigned and sailed for England. Coote, worn out, returned to Bengal in September. The command devolved on General James Stuart, who had lost a leg at the second battle of Polilur. In December Haidar died of carbuncle at Chittoor.

Meanwhile Bombay had rendered help. In January, 1782, Major Abington won success at Tellicherry, and Colonel Humber- stone, after reducing Calicut, inflicted a further defeat on the Mysore forces in April. Towards the end of the year General Richard Mathews, formerly of the Madras army but now commanding in Malabar, took Honavar and marched to Bednur, which he occupied without resistance in January, 1783. Manga- lore fell to the British a little later. These successes brought Tipu from Coromandel to Malabar. Bednur, which he besieged with his whole army, surrendered on the 3rd May. The garrison, in breach of terms, was sent to Seringapatam, where Mathews died in confinement. Tipu then in\'ested Mangalore, which was defended by Colonel John Campbell of the 42nd Highlanders. Sir Eyre Coote arrived once more at Madras on the 24th April, 1783, but succumbed to illness three days later. Stuart unsuccessfully attacked Bussy at Cuddalore in June, but hostilities with the French ceased on the 2nd July after news had been received of the conclusion of peace in Europe. The British commander, who had shown insubordination to the Madras Government, was dismissed the Company's service, and on his attempting to give orders to the King's troops, was arrested by Macartney and forcibly deported. This proceeding prompted

lii

Amir-ul-Umara's mot, " Once General Stuart catch one Lord, now one Lord catch General Stuart." The command of the Madras army then devolved on General Ross Lang, a Company's officer. Colonel William Fullarton operated successfully against Tipu's possessions in Dindigul and Coimbatore, and at length the Mysore ruler consented to negotiate for peace. The Com- missioners, Anthony Sadleir, George Staunton and John Hudleston, left Madras in November, 1783, but their passq,ge through Mysore was artfully checked until Mangalore was starved into surrender in the following January after a gallant defence by Campbell for nine months against Tipu's main army. On arriving at their destination the Commissioners found three gibbets erected opposite their respective tents. They were loaded with contumely, but at length, on the 11th March, 1784, the Treaty of Mangalore was signed, which provided for the release of captives and mutual restitution of conquests. The survivors of the prisoners at Seringapatam and other places, to the number of about 1,150 British and 3,000 sepoys, were restored.

From 1784 the series of Indian letters to Sir Robert Palk, who had been created a baronet in 1782, recommences. There is however an isolated letter of 1783 (No. 343) from Henry Preston, a Bengal cadet and one of Palk's many proteges, who landed at Madras after a voyage of only 4 months and 10 days. He mentions the death of Haidar Ali and of Sir Eyre Coote, as well as a recent naval engagement between Hughes and Suffren. Besides this communication there is a batch of documents relating to the homeward voyage of Robert Palk, jun., his death during the passage, and the difficulties encounted in delivering his effects to his relations in England. These papers deserve notice as illustrating the conditions of travel of the period.

Robert Palk, jun., after suffering several seizures of an epileptic character, was advised by the Calcutta doctors to go to England. Passage was taken for him in the Surprise, commander David Asquith, a country vessel owned by Colonel Watson of Calcutta, and bound for Limerick with a packet for the Company. Dr. Adam Burt was specially, engaged by Government to attend the sick man during the voyage. The ship carried only one other passenger, Major John McGowan, who had accompanied Colonel Pearse's Bengal contingent to Madras and served at the second battle of Polilur. The Surprise sailed from Calcutta early in April, 1783. Dr. Burt supphes (No. 342) Palk's medical case, and records a diary of events, symptoms and treatment until the death of his patient on the 20th May. The deceased's " bureau and escritoire " were opened by the captain in the presence of Dr. Burt and Major McGowan, and an inventory was made of the money and jewellery found therein. Captain Asquith, however, removed all papers.

liii.

, On the 10th September the Surjjrise anchored in'the Port of Limerick, 20 miles below the town. Dr. Burt, ignorant of Sir Robert Palk's name and address, wrote a letter to his own agents, Messrs. Webster of Leadenhall Street, reporting the occurrences of the voyage for the information of the relatives of the deceased (No. 344). He alludes to the impropriety of Captain Asquith's conduct, especially in regard to the abstraction of papers, mentions that two servants of Robert Palk, a European and a Bengali, are on board, and proposes to remain at Limerick until he receives instructions how to act. At the same time Dr. Burt entrusted to Major McGowan, who intended to seek out Palk's relations, a memorandum (No. 345) for their infor- mation, together with an inventory of effects. In the former he mentions that Robert Palk, notwithstanding that he had paid Rs. 10,000 for his passage, was constrained by the captain, after the ship had sailed, to promise a further sum of Rs. 1,500 for the passage of the doctor. Burt advises that any claim made for this sum should be resisted, because he, at the captain's request, attended the sick of the ship's company and thus became entitled to free passage. Dr. Burt adds that the captain and officers throughout the voyage subsisted exclusively on the stores brought on board by the two passengers, and especially on Palk's ample supplies. The list of those stores comprises 122 chests containing provisions in great variety, wines, spirits and cigars, with a moderate quantity of plate, saddlery, clothing and books. His live stock embraced 30 sheep, 10 hogs, 5 deer, 12 turkeys, 26 geese, 80 ducks and 220 fowls. An inventory of the money and jewellery found in the bureau is also given.

About the same time Captain Asquith wrote (No. 346) to Sir Robert Palk in Bruton Street, reporting his nephew's death, the particulars of which are to be communicated verbally by the chief mate, John Nimmo, who carries the Company's packet to liOndon. Asquith also alludes to the promise of payment of Rs. 1,500 for Burt's passage. After hearing from Sir Robert Dr. Burt writes early in October (No. 348) explaining Asquith's solicitude about the deceased's papers. Asquith had lately commanded a vessel chartered from Bengal to Madras and insured with Robert Palk and others. For private reasons the captain took Piis ship down to Trincomalee, where she was captured and condemned as a prize, the loss falling on the owners. After possessing himself of Palk's papers on board the Surprise Asquith hinted' that a claim against the underwriters might be revived. Burt reports that all the effects are now in security, and adds that the captain threatened to flog Palk's European servant for refusing to relinquish his original list of stores.

The papers and valuables were ultimately'^ handed to Dr. Burt (No. 351). The agent for the ship refused to carry the baggage round to London, and the doctor, after making formal protest, landed the cases, 32 in number, and delivered them sealed to Sexton Baylie, the Surveyor of Customs. Burt was

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assisted by Captain Sober Hall, of Limerick, who was known to Sir Robert. Hall suggested (No. 352) that Palk should obtain an order from the Treasury to the Commissioners of Customs to allow the cases to be reshipped on another vessel for London without examination. The day following the deposit of the baggage Burt found most of the seals broken. Baylie, declaring that he would open everything, went off to DubUn to lay an information before the Commissioners based on statements made by the ship's agents regarding the contents of the cases (No. 357). The doctor engaged a local attorney, Henry McMahon, to watch Palk's interest, and himself posted to London. Sir Robert being absent, probably in Devonshire, Burt left the papers and valuables at his house in Bruton Street on the 31st October, with a report of progress.

Meanwhile Baylie, on his return from Dublin, made a seizure of the effects. McMahon ascertained that the Seizing Note, though filed on the 3rd November, was dated 15th October, so as to ensure the lapse of the legal interval for making a claim before Sir Robert could submit one. McMahon himself tendered a claim, which was rejected, and he then petitioned the Com- missioners. He suggests that Sir Robert should approach Mr. Pery, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and a connection of Baylie's, who might curb the Surveyor's pestilent activities (Nos. 358, 361). Time was granted by the Com- missioners, and Sober Hall remarks (No. 363), " Thus far is Mr. Bailie disappointed, who flattered himself with the notion of accelerating matters so as to have the goods condemned and sold before there would be either a claim or tryal." The Surveyor, however, " broke open every chest and package belonging to Mr. Palk, rummaged and tossed the whole of his effects " (No. 365). Dr. Burt in London made an affidavit before the Lord Mayor of the circumstances under which the goods were landed and delivered to Baylie (No. 366). The Surprise sailed for London early in November, carrying Palk's Indian servant.

Not until the middle of Jaiiuary were the effects released and sent to Dublin in charge of the European servant, William Young (No. 369). George Maunsell, the Collector of Limerick, writes to Sir Robert (No. 370) that he has settled Baylie's account for 40Z., accepting a bill drawn by Young on Thomas Maunsell of Dublin. The last named will forward the goods to London. Thomas Maunsell, who had been in 1757 an agent for the army in Bengal and was a friend of Sir Robert's, reports early in February that William Young was, during his journey from Limerick, " taken up on a suspicion of being a highway man " and brought before a magistrate. Young stated in examination that he had drawn a bill for 40/. on Thomas Maunsell. The magistrate, Luke Flood, wrote for confirmation to Maunsell, who by good fortune was staying weatherbound in the vicinity. Young was in due course discharged, " but lost his pistols by

Iv

the villainy of the people." The weapons were eventually recovered. By the middle of February Maunsell obtained an order for the effects, which had been deposited in the Dublin Custom House, to be shipped for London in charge of William Young.

Indian letters to Sir Robert Palk from the termination of the second Mysore war down to the end of 1786 have been preserved. The principal correspondents are, in the Southern Presidency, Tom Palk, Pelling & de Fries, George Baker and the faithful Chokappa ; and in Bengal, Henry Vansittart, jun., Thomas Abraham and Abraham Well and.

W^riting in February, 1784, Tom Palk, who is now Paymaster at Trichinopoly, states (No. 372) that after the restoration to Tipu of Palghat, a strong place captured by Colonel Fullarton in the preceding November, the garrison was attacked by a tributary poligar and sustained considerable loss. In September Chokappa alludes (No. 378) to the conchision of peace, and the return of the Commissioners from Mangalore ; while George Baker announces (No. 377) that the final settlement with Tipu has been completed by his delivery of the forts of Satgarh and Ambur in return for Dindigul. Colonel Pearse's contingent, with which Captain John Kennaway is serving, is in Ganjam on its march back to Bengal. Cuddalore and Trincomalee are still held by the French, while the British retain Pondicherry. The delay in transfer was due to a contention by the French that their cession of Trincomalee was to be only formal, pending its immediate restoration to the Dutch. This view was disputed, and the matter was referred to the home authorities. Baker adds that money is scarce in Madras, and that the pay of both civil and military servants is in arrear. Reform in the system of government is greatly needed. " God send that that which may be adopted may be perfect in proportion to the great length of time that has been bestowed on the investigation of the subject." John Sulivan, Resident at Tanjore, who is about to retire, is said to have made a large fortune by providing stores for the army during the war. Baker alludes also to Hastings's tour in the provinces to settle the affairs of Oudh. At Lucknow the Governor General met the Mogul's eldest son, who had escaped thither from Delhi to entreat British assistance for his father. The aid which Hastings was disposed to give was vetoed by the Council.

Chokappa reports (No. 378) that Lord Macartney is in dis- agreement with the Supreme Government regarding the Nawab's affairs, and on bad terms with Walajah himself ; " but his Lordship is very honest and do[es] not receive any present nor allowance from any body." The Nawab complains bitterly (No. 379) of the Governor's attitude, declaring that " Lord Macartney has brought utter ruin upon all the affairs of his employers." Large sums from Carnatic revenues have, he asserts, been dissipated, for particulars of which Sir Robert Palk

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is referred to James Macpherson, who had become Walajah's agent in England on the nomination of his cousin John Macpherson to the Supreme Council. The Nawab has a special grievance about the transfer of certain territory to the French. The recent treaty between England and France provided that the village lands of Villenour and Bahour should be ceded to Pondicherry. Walajah unwillingly assented, but is aggrieved that the actual transfer was made by the Governor without any recognition of the Nawab's ownership. Macartney, he says, claimed sovereign rights, but even Bussy, an enemy, declined to accept the Governor's contention.

Early in 1784 Tom Palk's eldest son Tom was sent home to the care of Sir Robert, the sum of Pags. 500 being paid for his passage (No. 372). In October his mother hopes (No. 381) that he has safely arrived. She would like a portrait of him sent out. The next child, Catharine, aged four, will go to England by the next opportunity. When the time comes for Robert, the youngest, to follow, he will, she trusts, be accompanied by his parents. She refers to " the loss of our valuable brother " in the Surprise. Her letter occupied a year in transit owing to delay in despatch of the ship Pigot. Tom Palk writes at the same time (No. 382) that the Supreme Council do not entirely approve of the Treaty of Mangalore, because the Nawab is not a party to it, and they have desired the Madras Select Committee to negotiate for a revision. The present Government of Fort St. George, he says, " gives general dissatisfaction and disgust."

George Baker reports (Nos. 883, 388) the existence of a mutinous spirit in the army due to non-issue of arrears of pay and threatened withdrawal of batta. The pay of the Company's troops was in fact twelve months behind time. Batta, drawn by both King's and Company's forces, was to cease in part from the 1st October, 1784, and wholly three months later. In September the 36th Regiment took up arms, but submitted after a ringleader had been blown from a gun. In January, 1785, the 52nd Foot mutinied at Poonamallee. Baker considers that but for the suspension of the obnoxious orders regarding batta a general mutiny would have occurred. The bulk of the army was at Arcot under Brig-General Matthew Home. The King's officers having complained of the Commandant's privilege of selling arrack to the troops, it was ruled that future supplies should be made by contract ; and Home was trans- ferred to the Southern command. At a meeting of the Select Committee in September, 1784, a personal dispute arose between the Governor and Anthony Sadleir. Sadleir challenged Macartney, and a duel with pistols. ensued, in which Macartney was wounded, though not severely. Baker adds that Thomas Abraham, a connection of Sir Robert Palk, has arrived at Madras on his way to Bengal. His ship " has been remarkably healthy, haveing not buryed a man since she left England."

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The same corriespondent writes in January that a copy of Pitt's India Bill has been received. Lord Macartney waits to hear that the bill has been passed before deciding to depart or not, but he keeps a vessel ready. Baker mentions the sudden death at Pondicherry of the Marquis de Bussy, which occurred on the 7th January. " A sniall American ship (the first belonging to the United States) from Phyladelphia arrived at Pondicherry on the 26th of last month. The Captain and supracargoe have been here, and are just gone back to that place."

Orders were received from the Supreme Government in January, 1785, for the mutual rendition, as between the British, French and Dutch, of places taken during the war, and Charles Floyer was appointed English Commissary for the transfer. Pondicherry and Cuddalore were restored at once (No. 389). Pelling & de Fries report in June (No. 400) that Trincomalee has been delivered to the Dutch, who, however, have not yet taken possession of their coast factories owing to their war with the Malays. The Dutch power is considered to be on the decline. The French are limiting themselves to commerce, keep only a small garrison at Pondicherry and make no attempt to reconstruct the defences.

The deplorable effects of the war are noticed by several correspondents. George Baker writes in October, 1784 (No. 383), that the Carnatic is desolated, depopulated, uncultivated and depri\'ed of its manufactures, while its stock of cattle is exhausted. Tom Palk says in the following May (No. 399) that " from the Colleroon to Arcot the country is almost laid waste from the want of inhabitants to cultivate." The cost of the war fell heavily on all the Presidencies. In Madras the Govern- ment could not meet the salaries of their civil servants or the . pay of the army. The troops were mutinous. Money was scarce and credit low. William Wynch writes early in 1785 (No. 390), "It is now with the greatest difficulty even a trifling loan can be obtained from a black man." Arrears of salary are paid in bills, which are at 50 per cent, discount, yet Lord Macartney draws his full stipend in coin. " Nothing but the most disagreeable circumstances have attended us lately, duels, dissensions in Council, and mutiny among the King's troops." Pelling & de Fries report in June (No. 400) that the Company's debt in India is upwards of seven millions sterling, to clear which not less than fifteen years of peace are needed. The Company's bonds stand in Madras at 40 per cent, discount, in Bengal at 25 per cent., and in Bombay, where no interest has been paid for four years, at 70 jper cent. Tom Palk alludes (No. 401) to the distressed condition of the sepoys at Trichin- opoly : " BeUeve me. Sir, I have seen the native troops perishing in the streets, selhng their children for a rupee, and it is not a month ago that they were begging about the canton- ments almost in the same condition."

Iviii

In Bengal salaries were ruthlessly cut down. Abraham Welland writes in December, 1785 (No. 407), that Richard Kennaway's monthly income is reduced from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 500, while his own modest stipend has been diminished by Rs. 400. Many civil servants have resigned ; some to reside at the foreign settlements of Serampore, Chinsurah and Chander- nagore, where living is cheap ; others to return to Europe. The commander of one Indiaman has received no less than a lakh and a half of rupees for passenger fares alone. Welland adds that a petition to the House of Commons is being drawn up at Calcutta protesting against certain clauses of the India Act of 1784. A year earlier the same correspondent was discoursing (No. 380) to his uncle Sir Robert on the minimum number of indispensable servants. " How very much times are altered since you was in India, when a person was satisfied with one or two servants ! I can assure you a Writer in Bengal can not now exist under an establishment of less than thirty. The goodness of Mr. Hastings to the black people has lain us under this imposition."

Henry Vansittart, jun., alludes in December, 1784 (No. 386), to his marriage in the preceding year to Catherine Powney, and the birth of a son. Hastings, who returned from tour to find that he had " had the misfortune to lose his only friend in Council, Mr. Wheler," has announced his approaching departure from India. Vansittart & Kennaway ask (No. 387) for instruc- tions regarding the estate of Robert Palk, jun. The only property remaining in India is a house in Calcutta worth Rs. 50,000 and some Company's bonds. Palk's legacy of 2,000Z. to his brother Tom is set off by the latter's debt of practically equal amount. Their relatives, however, subsequently consented to annul this debt, as well as one incurred by Abraham Welland to extricate his brother Richard from difficulties due to extrava- gance (Nos. 414, 452). Rawson Hart Boddam, Governor of Bombay, writes in March, 1785 (No. 394), about a debt to Sir Robert Palk from the estate of the late E. V. Lane. He deplores the departure of Hastings, and observes that the recent reduction of the Council to a Governor, two civilians and the Commander-in-Chief affects the prospects of the senior servants in Bombay, who would retire if they could. He adds that " the late rapid progress and success that has attended Mahadjee Sindia in now being possessed of the whole power at the Court of Dilly . . . forebodes no very favourable prospects from so able and enterprizing a genius."

Major John Shortt writes to Sir Robert from Madras (No. 391) that his promotion has been stopped for some reason which he is unable to ehcit. " I cannot charge myself with any thing more than being too hospitable heretofore, which, as' it has proved prejudicial to my interest, I will in future study to correct". Sitaram Pandit, revenue accountant of Vizagapatam, draws attention (No. 392) to the persistent oppression of the

lix

landholders of the Chieacole Circar by the powerful and truculent Zemindar Sitaram Raz, and encloses copies of petitions which had been submitted to Rumbold, Macartney and Hastings. Captain Francis Swain Ward, a well known Indian artist, furnishes Richard Kennaway (No. 396) with a receipt for subscription to the publication of his Views of Hindoo Temples, Buildings, etc. ; while a painter of greater distinction, Ozias Humphry, writes in May, 1785, from the Cape, on his way to India, bemoaning the retirement of Hastings, the death of Wheler, and the departure of Sir John D'Oyly, to all of whom he carried letters, and entreating Sir Robert Palk to recommend him to the succeeding Governor General (No. 397).

In May, 1785, orders were received from home directing the surrender of Walajah's assignment in consideration of an annual payment by him of Pags. 12 lakhs on account of his debt to the Company and private creditors and Pags. 4 lakhs towards current charges (No. 403). Pelling & de Fries give credit to Colonel John Call (No. 400) for his efforts on behalf of the creditors. Lord Macartney was so dissatisfied with the Court's orders that he sailed for Bengal on the 4th June, resigning from Vizagapatam on the 8th. Pending the arrival of his successor, the Chair was occupied by Alexander Davidson, who had Sir John Bailing, Commander-in-Chief, and James Daniell as his Councillors. General Robert Sloper, Commander-in-Chief in India, also had a seat in Council during his stay in Madras. Pelling & de Fries say that Macartney's departure was accele- rated by his reluctance to associate with Amir-ul-Umara, who was managing the Nawab's affairs. A despatch nominating Lord Macartney Governor General reached Madras on the 16th July and was forwarded at once to Calcutta, but he declined the appointment and sailed for England on the 10th August (No. 403). John Macpherson accordingly remained in control of the Supreme Government. Abraham Welland remarks of Macpherson (No. 409) that " his abilities are no ways suited to it, nor indeed are any of his coadjutors, particularly Mr. Stables, whose head is too thick ever to cut a conspicuous figure." The Madras Government, before surrendering the assignment, demanded security from the Nawab for the payment of the stipulated 16 lakhs of pagodas. This he was unable to furnish (No. 403), but by January, 1786, he was faithfully executing his contract (No. 412). Pelling & de Fries say that " the distresses of individuals from not having received any part of the Nabob's debt for so long a space of time are great, and affect the trade and welfare of the Settlement." The Government continued to be in financial difficulty ; arrears of army pay were still outstanding. Company's bonds stood at a heavy discount, and no funds were available for the Investment. The writers add that James Daniell, who is retiring, will be replaced in Council by Charles Floyer. Daniell was nominated by the Directors to succeed the next Governor, but he sailed the day before the news reached Madras (No. 422).

Ix

Not long after the conclusion of the Treaty of Mangalore there were rumours of approaching trouble between Tipu on one side and the Marathas and Nizam on the other (No. 383). Tipu set up a claim to Bijapur in the Nizam's dominions, while the Marathas, who hoped for British aid (No. 403), pressed for arrears of tribute from Mysore. Pelhng & de Fries, writing in January, 1786 (No. 412), say that Madras has had no trading intercourse with Mysore since the peace, the passes from the Carnatic being jealously guarded by Tipu. A report of the Sultan's death (Nos. 412, 430), sedulously spread by himself, was commonly credited, and Macpherson even despatched an envoy to the supposed new ruler. Tom Palk says in March (No. 431), " The Nizam and Marattoes have actually taken the field with a view of attacking Tippoo, who is not dead as was the general belief for two months . . . From hence you may infer that we keep ourselves exceedingly ignorant of what passes beyond even the walls of Madras ... I cannot penetrate Tippoo's real design by feigning himself dead and keeping the gates of Seringapatam shut for so long a time, which we know beyond a doubt to have happened." Felling & de Fries write (No. 432), " Storms brewing around us. A formidable army of the Marattas . . . together with the Nizam's army have crossed the Kistna and invaded Tippoo's country . . . Tippoo has a very considerable force, but from his tyrannical disposition don't stand so well in the affection of his subjects as_ old Hyder did, whose political abilities were infinitely superior." The same correspondents mention in June (No. 441) that the Nizam had returned to Hyderabad, though his army remained to co-operate with the Marathas (No. 456). Instead of directly facing his enemies, Tipu made a diversion by devastating the district of Adoni, which had passed to the Nizam on the death of his brother Basalat Jang. Desperately defended by Muhabat Jang, son of Basalat, Adoni fort was relieved by the confederates at the end of June, but was immediately evacuated (No. 460). Operations were then transferred to the north of the Tuhga- bhadra, and continued till the close of the year (Nos. 467, 469). Tipu was generally successful, but he nevertheless negotiated with Holkar for peace, and a treaty was concluded in January, 1787.

Davidson continued to occupy the Madras Chair pending the appointment of a permanent successor to Macartney. Tom Palk writes (No. 422), " Lord M. is certainly very culpable in leaving the Chair to so weak and indolent a man as fills it at present, that never was capable of conducting even his own domestick affairs." And (No. 431), " Every one is dissatisfied, and looking out with the most painful anxiety [for] the speedy arrival of Governor Campbell." Pelling & de Fries say (No. 432), " We want much an able Governor : our present administration is but a feeble one." Major-General Sir Archi- bald Campbell, an oificer of the Royal Engineers, who had been

Ixi

Chief Engineer of Bengal, had served in North America and had been Governor of Jamaica, arrived on the 6th April, 1786, and assumed charge of the Madras Government. A few months later he was also appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Coast army (No. 460), whereupon Sir John Calling returned to England. A change was also made in Bengal, where Macpherson's rule was no more acceptable to Thomas Abraham than was David- son's in Madras to Thomas Palk. Abraham writes (No. 425), " I see everything still goes by interest notwithstanding the late Act of Parhament. I can convince you of this no better than by telling you that the greatest part of the many appointments that have been given away lately have been given to Scotch- men." And (No. 434), " It is a Scotch Government, and very few but Scotchmen get any thing." Lord Cornwallis arrived at Madras on the 22nd August, 1786, and a few days later sailed for Calcutta (Nos. 456, 460), where he relieved Macpherson on the 12th September (No. 461).

Henry Vansittart, jun., and Richard Kennaway, as administra- tors of the Indian estate of Robert Palk, jun., bring to notice the case of Simeon Droz, a Bengal civil servant, who was indebted to the estate (No. 419). Droz gave Palk a bond for Rs. 9,000 for the purchase from him of " a Filature or building for winding silk, in the neighbourhood of Cossimbuzar," but he failed to receive possession because " Mr. Palk, holding a contract for raw silk under another name with the Board of Trade, continued to employ the Filature in the provision of his silk." Before he sailed Palk sold the property to another person, but the administrators, having no power to cancel Droz's bond, which was found among the deceased's papers, refer the matter to Sir Robert. Droz went home at this time, and on arrival wrote to his friend General Caillaud (No. 453), asking him to represent his case. Vansittart announces in August (No. 455) that the estate is about to be wound up, and that he himself intends to return to England. Six weeks later he was dead, a victim to climate (No. 464).

During 1786 the financial situation improved steadily. Bengal assisted the other Presidencies with money (No. 409), and under- took to pay the King's troops in Madras (No. 432). The arrears due to the Company's forces, however, continued unpaid, and credit remained low, Government securities being discounted at 35 to 40 per cent. Permission was then granted by the Directors for the liquidation of bonds to the extent of Rs. 6 crores, say, six millions sterling, by bills on England at rates of exchange to be settled by the Supreme Government (No. 425). The rate fixed for Madras was only 7s. per pagoda (No. 461), which Felling & de Fries consider will be unacceptable. The measure helped, however, to restore credit (No. 441). A small bank estabhshed by Hastings in Calcutta in 1773 had been abolished by Clavering's party, but in 1786 proposals were made for a " General Bank of India " with a capital of Rs. 20 lakhs

Ixii

in 100 shares, of which 75 were to be allotted to Bengal, 15 to Madras and 10 to Bombay (No. 434). Felling & de Fries write frequently from Madras to report that Walajah is paying the kists or instalments of his annual subsidy of 16 lakhs of pagodas with surprising regularity, though the Government is less prompt in discharging the share due to the private creditors (No. 441, etc.). A settlement with the creditors was made in December, 1786, half in cash and half in bills on Masulipatam (No. 469).

Thomas Felling writes to Sir Robert Falk in 1786 (No. 433) on behalf of two of his grandsons, who, on the death of their father, Captain Thomas Gibson, were admitted by Hastings " Minor Cadets on the Bengal Establishment." When very young they were sent to England, but were required to present themselves in India at the age of 14 or be struck off the list of cadets. The boys are now 16 and 15, and Felling represents that it" would be ruinous to their education to bring them out before 1788, when he wishes them to enter the Bengal Army. George Baker mentions (No. 430) the settlement of a dispute about the site of a new British cantonment at Sheveram, between Conjeveram and Chingleput, which encroached on the Nawab's territory. Davidson, Sir .John Dalling, the Nawab and his son Amir-ul- Umara met at the spot, an exchange of land was effected, and the cantonment received the name of Walajabad. The barracks were abandoned in 1860 as unhealthy. . Chokappa records (No. 460) the formation by Sir Archibald Campbell of Boards of Re^'enue and Trade, each consisting of a president and three members. The Committee of Circuit continues to function.

Tom Falk had sent his eldest son Tom home in February, 1784, but it was not until August, 1785 (No. 401), that he was able to acknowledge the receipt of news of the little boy's arrival at Haldon House, and of Sir Robert's intention of establishing him at the school of Ottery St. Mary. Thither young Tom duly went, and among the papers in the collection is hi.s. first school bill (No. 405). His father, to whom another son was born in 1785 (No. 433), prospered at Trichinopoly, and remitted substantial sums to England (No. 442). In September, 1786, he writes (No. 457) that he has about 10,000Z. at his credit, besides Company's paper for Fags. 60,000. He hopes to go home in January, 1788, but " fortunes are not to be made so rapidly as before the war. Feople in my situation have never made them by their employs, but by loans of money to the country at, as you know, an high interest ; but it is no longer safe to do it on any terms ; and the Nabob, since the restitution of the assignment, has not practised that good old custom." Considering " my having been 12 years without any employ, and finding myself much in debt on my coming here, you will not think I have been idle." Tom Falk proposed to send his children Catharine and Robert to England in January, 1787, under the care of his wife's sister Mrs. Lang. The family,

Ixiii

accompanied by Ensign William Preston, started for Madras m November (No. 465), but when within 80 miles of their destmation were disappointed to learn that General Ross Lang had changed his mmd and would not sail that season (No. 468) Ihe children probably went home with their parents a vear later. In 1788 Tom Palk acquired the estate of Butterford in the parish of North Huish, near Totnes.'D

With the year 1786 the Indian correspondence ceases abruptly There remain a few letters written to Sir Robert by friends in England, and a number relating to a continental tour made by his son Lawrence Palk. These will be briefly noticed The Rev. J. Bradford writes from Ideford (No. 443) on behalf of his eldest son, for whom he desires a clerkship in a public office or a bank.^^ He had intended the boy to embark in trade, but finds that " the premiums they expect in any reputable shop are not less than four or five hundred pounds," a sum which is beyond his means. The Rev. Samuel Badcock, nonconformist minister of South Molton, who was a frequent contributor to literary magazines, corresponded with Sir Robert Palk about a proposed history of the County of Devon, which he undertook to prepare. He received from Sir Robert and catalogued a collection of MSS. bearing on the subject (No. 420), and consulted documents obtained from various sources, especially from the Coffin Library at Portledge near Bideford (No. 449). He resolved in 1786 to resign his office and enter the Estabhshed Church (No. 462), and he was duly ordained. The county history, which Sir Robert appears to have financed (No. 470), was uncompleted at the time of Badcock's death in 1788.

Sir Robert Palk's children were four in number. The two

elder, Anne and Lawrence, were born in India and brought home

when very young by their parents. Catherine and Emelia

were born in England in 1768 and 1774, and died at the ages

of 14 and 12 respectively. Lawrence Palk appears, judging

from allusions in the correspondence, to have been educated

at Oxford. In 1785, when he was 19 years old, his father

determined to send him abroad to " supply the want of study

at home, and to teach him to be a good citizen " (No. 447).

A Swiss gentleman named D'lvernois was chosen to accompany

and advise the young man, and to regulate his expenditure.

From an account rendered in March, 1786 (No. 429), it appears

that the tour began in July, 1785, and that a Mr. Beeke

(probably the Rev. Henry Beeke, Fellow of Oriel) travelled

with Lawrence and D'lvernois to Switzerland, visiting Neuchatel

St. Gall, Constance and Berne. Beeke then returned to England,

while the other two established themselves for the winter at

Neuchatel, whence both corresponded frequently with Sir

Robert Palk, D'lvernois writing always in French. The earliest

letter preserved is of December, 1785 (No. 406), in which

(1) History of Devonshire, Lysons, 1822.

Ixiv

Lawrence expresses pleasure at his eldest sister's engagement to Sir Bourchier Wrey, reports his own progress in the French language, and alludes to indisposition following dental treat- ment. Six weeks later D'lvernois gives details (Nq. 415) of the singular operation performed on Lawrence by an itinerant dentist, by which, after two overcrowded teeth had been extracted, one of them was cut to shape and replaced. D'lvernois hints (No. 408) that his charge finds life at Neuchatel too comfortable, and that his association with a Mr. Spencer, who is staying in the same house as themselves, distracts his attention from his studies. Sir Robert is therefore urged to direct an early move to Germany, and to provide recommenda- tions for the Courts of Dresden, Berlin and Vienna. Spencer returned to England in February, 1786, his friend accompanying him as far as Besangon (No. 417). Lawrence showed unwilling- ness to leave Neuchatel, where he received much attention from the residents and made many friends. Early in March he writes to his father (No. 427), lamenting his sister Emelia's illness. Regarding himself he says, evidently in reply to an admonition, " I willingly promise that I never will propose to any lady to whom either you or my mother object ; and your goodness to me upon every occasion makes me flatter myself that you would not wish to oblige me to make choice of one that I do not approve. Your fortune is certainly of your own acquiring, and I would not wish to have the least share of it if you have the least reason to imagine I do not deserve it."

After a farewell ball given by Lawrence to Neuchatel society in acknowledgment of hospitality received, D'lvernois, whose sisters came over from Geneva to attend it, announces (No. 429) that a move to Vienna will be possible early in April. He considers that by the time Lawrence retxu-ns to England he will be able to speak French " if not like Mr. Spencer without accent, at any rate sufficiently well for an ambassador, the standard generally aimed at by young Englishmen." In April Lawrence Palk writes from Constance (No. 43.5), whence they are about to start for Munich en route to Vienna. He alludes to his sister's marriage to Sir Bourchier Wrey, which took place on the 14th March, and expresses regret at leaving Neuchatel, where he had met Colonel Abraham Bonjour, an old acquaintance of Sir Robert's, and had received kindness from the sister of the late Colonel Des Plans. Des Plans died at Madras in 1772, leaving his property to his widow and two daughters, with remainder to his sister. The daughters died, and the widow married again. On her death in 1776, her second husband took possession, and his claim was confirmed by the Mayor's Court. The sister hopes that Sir Robert may be able to represent her case to the authorities in India, and Lawrence encloses a copy of Des Plans' will with an explanatory memorandum. He goes on to mention the existence of a

Ixv

colony of Genevans established at Constance, engaged in the industries of watchmaking and enamelling. " The tyranny of the aristocrats ever since the late revolution, and the means they employ to oppress the natives have rendered Geneva disgusting to its inhabitants." The Emperor encourages the colonists, granting them not only religious freedom but actual autonomy.

Not until the travellers reach Vienna does D'lvernoisi divulge the real cause of Lawrence Palk's reluctance to quit Neuchatel after his protracted stay of six months (No. 436). The youth had become enamoured of a young lady who was both esteemed and attractive. She returned his affection, and her parents offered encouragement. The final interviews were of a heart- rending character, but Lawrence resisted the temptation to make any promise. D'lvernois says that his own previous silence on the subject was due to fear of alarming Sir Robert unnecessarily ; but the father probably had some inkling of what was in progress, as he appears to have delivered to his son in February a homily on marriage.

By the beginning of June Lawrence finds Vienna dull (Nos. 437, 438), the Emperor having gone to Luxembourg, and the nobles retired to their country properties. He frequently visits Prince Kaunitz, "the Oracle of Vienna," whom he admires and appreciates as a great politician, and he has been received by the Countess of Thun and by the Russian Ambassador. The travellers then make an excursion into Hungary, visiting the seat of Prince Esterhazy and appreciating the Belvidere in his gardens " as being entirely different from the German taste, who admires nothing but what is entirely covered with gilding and awkward ornaments." They went on to Presburg, " an ugly, ill-built town," whose castle was occupied by 600 young men preparing for the church. Here it was that the late Empress, Maria Theresa, presented her infant son, the present Emperor Joseph II., to the Hungarians, who swore to defend him. " Little did they think that the child would one day prove their greatest opjwessor." After a few days' stay with the Countess de Friez at Feslau, near Vienna (No. 439), the travellers started for Berlin towards the end of June, halting at Leipzig to visit the seat of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau.

At Berlin, where they had an introduction to the British Ambassador, Lord Dalrymple, afterwards Earl of Stair, they find that the King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, is in poor health and unable to see strangers (No. 444). He remains at Potsdam with a chosen party of his generals (No. 446). Lawrence and his mentor were presented to the Queen and princes, and dined with the Crown Prince at Potsdam (No. 447). Towards the end of August the King was seriously ill and unable to move without assistance. His demise may give rise to trouble, for " the Emperour has his eyes continually fixed on

Ixvi

Silesia, keeps his troups in readiness, and waits only for that event to attempt the conquest of that province which has been so unjustly ravished from him." The Prussian forces are strong, but unless the new king increases their pay " it is feared that nearly half his arrny will desert upon the first breaking out of a war."

Quitting Berlin, the travellers proceeded at the end of July to BruAswick and Hanover. At the former place they were received by the Duchess, sister of George III (No. 448), and at the latter dined with the Duke of York (No. 451). At Gottingen they were presented to the princes, with whom they supped. There they encountered some of Lawrence's Oxford friends, and met Sir Isaac Heard, Garter King of Arms, who brought news of Sir Robert Palk. On arriving at Wesel on the 20th August (No. 454) they heard of the death of Frederick the Great on the 17th and the accession of the Crown Prince as Frederick William II. " Notwithstanding the trouble and confusion this event cannot fail of producing in every part of the Prussian. territories, it seems here to be the general opinion that the Emperour, actuall^r in Transylvania and far removed from the frontiers of Silesia, will not strike a blow in attempting to regain this part of the possessions anciently belonging to his family." At Wesel Lawrence received alarming accounts of the health of his mother and youngest sister. At his father's request, however, he determined to continue his tour through Holland and then return to England, relinquishing the original intention of making a prolonged stay in Paris.

His final letter is written from the Hague on the 8th September, 1786 (No. 458). The British Minister, Sir James Harris, afterwards Earl of Malmesbury, to whom he has a letter of recommendation, is much occupied with " the Prince of Orange's affairs, which seem to grow every day worse and worse, insomuch that a civil war appears now to be almost inevitable." The States have this day resolved to deprive their ruler of the Stadtholdership. The Prince is supported only by Guelderland, being opposed by six provinces with forces five times larger than his own. His brother-in-law of Prussia has sent the Count de Goertz to endeavour to effect a reconciliation. Lawrence refers to news of a declaration of war by Russia on Turkey, and to a rumour that Gibraltar has been sold to the Empress for two miUions sterling. This report he hopes is true, " as it has been sufficiently proved that this fortress is of no real use to us, but on the contrary puts us to a much greater expence than we can at present afford." He has been greatly struck by the prosperous condition of Holland as contrasted with the miserable deserts of Westphalia, and by the wonderful neatness and cleanhness of the Dutch homes. He and D'lvernois propose to move to Brussels in a few days by way of Rotterdam and Breda. He is glad to hear of his mother's improved health, but notes that no allusion is made to his sister in his father's

Ixvii

last letter. In point of fact Emelia passed away on the 14th August, and the intelligence was doubtless withheld purposely from her brother.

The picture of Lawrence Palk presented by these letters from himself and D'lvernois is one of a shy and sensitive youth of transparently open character, who is amiable and considerate, a dutiful son, an affectionate brother and a general favourite. His mother died in 1788, and his father ten years later, when Lawrence Palk succeeded to the baronetcy and the Haldon estates.

The editor cannot conclude this report on the Palk letters without acknowledging the liberality of their owner, Mrs. Bannatyne, in placing the documents at his disposal and affording the most ample facilities for their examination and study. He has received invaluable help in his work from Sir Murray Hammick, K.C.S.I., CLE., and Mr. William Foster, CLE. The former has kindly examined that part of the original collection which is now preserved in the Manuscripts Department of the British Museum, and has consulted many printed books ; while the latter has not only communicated a store of information from the records of the India Office and from his own wide knowledge of the subjects discussed, but has read and criticized the proof sheets of this work. The editor is indebted also to Mr. John S. Amery for particulars of the Palk family, to Mr. Demetrius C Boulger for notes on the Marathas, to Mr. Stephen Wheeler for information concerning sundry Anglo-Indian notables, to Mr. Hugh R. Vibart for research in the British Museum, and to the Rev. Frank Penny's History of the Church in Madras for details of the ecclesiastical portion of Sir Robert Palk's career.

Henry Davison Love,

Colonel, R.E., retired.

Ixix

LIST

OF

CALENDAKED DOCUMENTS.

					Serial
	Date.	From	At	To	No.
1755	Oct. 8	Col. Stringer Lawrence	Fort St. George ...	Admiral Charles . . . Watson	1
1758	Feb. 5	John Pye	Bombay	—	2
1760	Nov. 10	William Fergusson	Ayr	Robert Palk	3
1763	Mar. 16	Lord Egremont	Court of St. James's	Maj. Gen. Lawrence, &c. Robert Palk	4
1765	Sep. 27	Fra. Salvator a Sanctis	San Thorn 6	5
1766	April 3	Nawab Walajah	—	„	6
„	Oct. 18	Memorandum of Miles run by ship Pacific		7
„	Dec. 4	Robert James ...	India House	Maj. Gen. Lawrence	8
,,	,, 18	Henry Moore ...	Ship Osterley	Robert Palk	9
1767	Jan. 25	Robert Palk	Ship Lord Camden	William M. Goodlad	10
,,	., 25	Ensign J. Carpenter . .	Trichinopoly	Robert Palk	11
,,	Feb. 15	George Vansittart	Madras	11 ■ • ■	12
,,	,, 19	Robert Palk, jun.	Port St. George . .	,, ...	13
,,	Mar. 3	Chokappa Chetti	,,	,,	14
„	„ 12	Mary Powney ...	11	,,	15
,,	„ 15	Muperala Kistnaiya, &c	„	„	16
,,	,. 16	George Vansittart	Calcutta	,,	17
,,	., 16	Rebecca Casamaijor ..	Fort St. George . . .	„	18
,,	„ 19	Colonel John Call	Madras	,,	19
J,	„ 21	J)	,, ... ■ . ■		20
,,	„ 22	Charles Bourchier	Fort St. George • . .	„	21
J,	„ 22	WiUiam M. Goodlad ...		,)	22
,j	April 3	George Vansittart	Midnapur ...	Anne Palk	28
„	„ 3	Chokappa Chetti	Port St. George • • .	Robert Palk	24
jj	6	Colonel John Call	Madras	„	25
,,	„ 7	George Puruell. . .	Fort St. George . . .	.,	26
^,	,. 7	Robert Palk, jun.	Port William	,,	27
	., 11	James Johnson	Fort St. George . . .	,,	28
1^	„ 15	John M. Stone	I » ■ ' *	,.	29
,,	„ 15	John Pybus	St. Thorn a,s's Mount	„	30
J,	„ 18	Henry Brooke ...	Fort St. George . . .	„	31
„	„ 16	William M. Goodlad ...	,,	..	32
,,	Oct. 30	George Smith ...	„	.,	33
,^	Nov. 4	John Calland		,,	34
^^	„ 4	Muperala Kistnaiya, &c.	.>	,.	35
	„ 5	Nawab Walajah	„	Maj. Gen. Lawrence	36
	5	Prince Amir-ul-Umara	,,		37
"	„ 15	Robert Palk	Spring Gardens, London	Wilham M. Goodlad	38
N.D.			Editor Mmning ...	39
				Chronicle
		Robert Palk	—	Mr. S.	40
	j»	Laurence Sulivan	_	Robert Palk	41

Ixx

			Serial
Date.	From	At	To	No.
1768, Feb. 20	Oapt. Thomas Madge . . .	Khammamett	Robert Palk	42
„ Mar. 1	Robert Palk	—	WiUiam M. Goodlad	43
„ 28	William Aldersey	Port William	Robert Palk	44
„ Apl. 25	John Oalland	Port St. George • . .	,,	45
.. 28	T. Orton	Vellore ...	„	46
„ May 2	James Bourchier	Madras	..	47
„ 7	George Smith	Fort St. George ...	..	48
7	Tom Palk	OS Cape of Good Hope	,,	49
7	Rev. John Thomas	Port St. George ...	.,	50
„ 10	Ramakistna	II ■ ■ ■	,)	51
„ 12	William M. Goodlad ...	II •■ ' * * '	.,	52
„ 19	Laurence Sulivan	Great Ormond St.	II	53
„ Sept. 6	George Vansittart	Midnapur ...	II	54
„ 30	Tom Palk	Camp near Kolar	II	55
„ Oct. 4	Kitoria Sloper ...	Cuddalore	II	56
., 9	Jane Morse	. Port St. George • . .	II	57
., 16	Capt. Thomas Madge -. •	. Samulkota	>>	58
„ 24	Lieut. Thomas Palk • ■ ■	II ■ • •	II • • •	59
„ 27	G eorge PurneU ...	. Fort St. George . . .	,,	60
.. —	Nicholas Morse			61
1768, Nov. 1	Robert Palk	. London	William M. Goodlad	62
„ 22		,,		63
„ Dec. 5	,.	,,	,,	64
1769, Jan. 5	George Vansittart	. On the road to Midnapur	Robert Palk	65
,, Feb. 28	Nicholas Morse	. Port St. George ...	,,	66
,. 28	Certificate of President and Council, Port St	. George	67
„ Mar. 9	Bamakistua	. Port St. George . . .	Robert Palk	68
„ 11	WUliam M. Goodlad ..	,,	,, ...	69
,. 17	Robert Palk '	. London	William M. Goodlad	70
,, May 16	Capt. Thomas Madge • •	. EUore	Robert Palk	71
,, June 1	Jane Morse	. Port St. George . . .	,, ...	72
„ 15	Josias Du Pr6	II ■ * *	,,	78
,. 26	Nicholas Morse	1, • • '		74
„ 27	John M. Stone	■	„	75
„ 28	Nicholas Morse		„	76
., 28	Ramakistna		„	77
„ 29	Charles Bourchier .,		„	78
.. 30	William M. Goodlad ..	II	„	79
„ Nov. 3	Abraham de Paiba	. London	„	80
„ 5	Robert Palk	,, ... . . .	William M. Goodlad	81
„ 19	Sir Robert Barker	. Calcutta ...	Robert Palk	82
„ Dec. 3	George Vansittart	,,	.,	83
„ 22	Robert Palk, jun.	,,	,,	84
N.D.	Estimate of Charges of	Coast Army, &c.		85
1770, Jan. 12	Lieut. Thomas Palk . .	. Kondapalli	Robert P.alk	86
., 23	Robert Palk	. Spring Gardens . . .	His attorneys	87
.. 29	Warren Hastings	. Fort St. George . . .	Robert Palk	88
„ 31	Tom Palk	•		89
„ Feb. 5	,,	,,	„	90
.. 6	WilUam M. Goodlad ..	•		91
,. 25	Robert Palk, jun.	. Ingerlee (Hijili) ...		92
„ Mar. 15	Robert Palk	. London	. WilUam M. Goodlad	93

ixxi

Date. 1770, April 3 7 .; 8 N.D. 1770, June 16 ,, Aug. 9 „ Sept. 5 „ 8 „ 16 „ 19 „ 30 „ Oct. 1 1 1 „ 4 9 ,. 12 ,. 12 „ 12 „ 12 „ 12 .. 12 „ 12 „ 12 „ 12/l.S ,, Dec. 7 ., 13 1771, Jan. i „ 21 „ 22 „ Feb. 2 5

8

8

.. 26

„ Mar. 14

„ 23

., 25

., 26

„ April 2

„ .., 10 „ 17 „ May 22 ,, June 15 „ July 21 „ Oct. 3

„ 4/1* „ Nov. 2

,. 5 „ „ 12

,. 25

.. 29

From Warren Hastings

William M. Goodlad Laurence Sulivan Robert Palk ... C. Bazett George Vansittart Robert Palk, ]un. Alexander Wynch Jane Morse Nicholas Morse William Jackson Lieut. Thomas Palk Chokappa Chetti Josias Du Pr^ ... Tom Palk Warren Hastings

Reynold Adams Nawab Walajah Henry Brooke . . . Nicholas Morse Robert D. Mvmro John M. Stone WiUiam M. Goodlad Robert Palk . . .

Robert Palk . . . Reynold Adams Tom Palk Ensign John Palk Chokappa Chetti William M. Goodlad Tom Palk

Lieut. Thomas Palk Robert Palk ... Chokappa Chetti Kasturi & Kesava WiUiam M. Goodlad Robert Palk . . .

At Fort St. George

St. Helena Calcutta . . .

Masulipatam Fort St. George

Madras Kondapalli Port St. George

Madras

Fort St. George

Madras

Port St. George

London Haldon House Fort St. George

Samulkota Fort St. George

Ship Vansittart

Ragapatam

London

Fort St. George

To Robert Palk

WiUiam M. Goodlad Robert Palk

William M. Goodlad

Mrs. Goodlad Robert Palk

John M. Stone, Robert Palk

&c.

WiUiam M. Goodlad Robert Palk

.. London Colonel GUbert Ironside Fort WiUiam Paragraph of General Letter from Court of Directors

Robert Palk — ••. Nawab Walajah

Henry Vansittart, jun. Madeira Robert Palk

Capt. Thomas Madge .. . EUore WiUiam M. Goodlad ... Port St. George ... Henry Vansittart, jun. Cape of Good Hope „

WUliam M. Goodlad ... Fort St. George ...

Maj. Thomas FitzGerald AngeMUe

Capt. James RenneU ... Bengal ... ... „

WiUiam Aldersey . . . Calcutta ... „

Henry Vansittart, jun. At Sea, Indian

Ocean . . Chilton Lodge, „

Berks.

Dec. 2 Lastitia Ironside

Serial No.

,. 94

,. 05

.. 06

.. 97

98

09

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

138

139

140

141

142

143

144

145

146

147

148

Ixxii

Date.

1771, Dec. 2

.. 17

1772, Jan. 25

„ 29

„ Feb. 2

„ 20

„ 25

., 27

., 28

>, ,. 28

,. 28

„ 29

„ Mar. 20

„ AprU 2

„ 4

., 4

.. 4

„ 13

„ 13

„ May 27

N.D.

N.D.

1772, Aug. 28 „ Sept. 2

.. 7

„ ,,27/Oct.

„ Sep. 30

„ Oct. 2

., 3

.. 10

., 10

., 15

.. 15

„ 15

„ Nov. 10

„ 11

„ 11

.. 11

„ Dec. 1

N.D.

N.D.

1773, Jan. 11 ,, N.D.

„ Jan. 28

„ 28

'., ,. 31

„ .. 31

„ Feb. 1

., 1

.. 5

., 10

,. 30

\_8ic\

„ Mar. 1

.. 2

From Robert Palk ... Edmund V. Lane John Crichtou ... Henry Vansittart, jvm. Robert Palk ... Anthony Goodlad Josias Du Pr6 Reynold Adams Chokappa Chetti Tom Palk .William M. Goodlad .

Henry Vansittart, jun John M. Stone Reynold Adams WiUiam M. Goodlad . Robert Palk ... William M. Goodlad . Colonel Gilbert Ironside Laurence Sulivan

Henry Vansittart, jun. Ensign J. Snelling Warren Hastings 2 William M. Goodlad John M. Stone Reynold Adams William M. Goodlad . Chokappa Chetti

John M. Stone Josias Du Pr6 ... Edward Cotsford Tom Palk Warren Hastings Colonel Gilbert Ironside Henry Griffiths Tom Palk Stephen Sulivan

At Haldon House Bombay . . . Canton Bengal Park Place Port William Fort St. George

Madras Park Place Madras Port William Queen Square

Queen Square

Bengal

Jelmur, Ganjam

Cossimbazar

Madras

Port St. George

Madras Calcutta . . . Port WiUiam

Calcutta . . .

To

William M. Goodlad Robert Palk

William M. Goodlad Robert Palk

Serial

;No.

WiUiam M. Goodlad Robert Palk

Laurence Sulivan Robert Palk

Charles Bourchier . Robert Palk

Robert Palk

Essex Court, ,,

Temple Memorandum of Reforms effected by W. Hastings

Tom Palk

Anthony Goodlad James DanieU ... Chokappa Chetti Venkataramaiya, &c. WiUiam Petrie Nawab Walajah George Smith ...

Tom Palk

Roger DarvaU TomPaUi

Henry Vansittart, jun. Anthony Goodlad

Calcutta . . .

Cuddalore

Port St. George

Madras

Port St. George

Chepauk . . .

Port St. George

Calcutta

Fort Marlborough

Calcutta . . .

Fort WiUiam

Maj. Gen; Lawrence Robert PaUi:

Ixxiii

Bate.	rrom	At	To	Serial No.
1773, Mar. 10	Chokappa Chetti	. Port St. George ..	. Robert Palk	.. 204
„ 13	George Smith	• ■		.. 205
„ u	Muttukrishna Mudali			.. 206
.. 22	TomPalk	.. Calcutta		.. 207
., 28	Letter of Attorney from Robert Palk, jun.		208
„ AprH 1	Henry Vansittart, jun.	Calcutta	. Robert Palk	.. 209
.. 3	Warren Hastings	. Port William		.. 210
„ May U	Eleanor Adams	. Tavistock		.. 211
„ July 7/22	Beynold Adams	. Port St. George ..		.. 212
„ Oct. 9	George Vansittart	. Calcutta	. His attorneys	.. 213
., 13	James DanieU	. Fort St. George ..	. Robert Palk	.. 214
., 20	Anthony Goodlad	. Purnea		.. 215
,. 25	Reynold Adams	. Fort St. George . .	'.,	.. 216
„ 29	Edward Cotstord	. Madras	• >>	.. 217
„ „ 29	John d'Fries	. Port St. George ..		.. 218
„ 29	Chokappa Chetti	•		.. 219
„ Nov. 3	Robert Palk, jun.	. Calcutta ...		.. 220
„ 10	Henry Griffiths			.. 221
„ 11	Henry Vansittart, jun.			,. 222
„ 14	Warren Hastings	. Port William	■	. 223
N.D.	Robert Palk	—	. TomPalk	. 224
1774, Jan. 1	George Vansittart	. Calcutta	. Robert Palk	,. 225
„ 15	Colonel Gilbert Ironside The Grove, Port		. 226
		WilUam
„ 16	Robert Palk, jun.	. Patna	..	. 227
., 20	Frederick Griffiths	. Calcutta ...	•	. 228
„ Feb. 2	Reynold Adams	. Port St. George . . .	,,	. 229
„ 4	Chokappa Chetti	„	„	. 230
„ 6	John d'Pries	■		. 231
„ 12	Muttukrishna MudaU	„	„	. 232
„ 23	Robert Palk, jun.	. Patna	„	. 233
„ Mar. 11	,,	,, "...	„	. ■234
., 15	Muttukrishna MudaU	Fort St. George . . .	„	. 235
„ 18	Joseph Price	. Calcutta ...	„	. 236
N.D.	Robert Palk	—	Nawab Walajah . .	. 237
1774, AprU 3	Stephen Sulivan	. Paper Buildings, Temple