Reflections on the Government of Indostan; With a Short Sketch of the History of Bengal, from MDCCXXXVIIII to MDCCLVI; And an Accovnt of the English a (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1770 edition. Excerpt: ...Soubah. For this purpose, some time was pasted in previous ceremonies; and, on our parts, great willingness shown to accede to the neutrality, conditionally that they should unite with us against the Soubah; but some doubts being started, whether, being subordinate to Pondicherry, they had power to bind their superiors, they returned to consult their principals. In the mean time, an expedition was sent against Houghly, under the conduct of Major Kilpatrick, with the King's troops, volunteers, grenadiers, and two companies of Seapoys, supported by the Bridgwater, and mann'd boats of the squadron. The enemy were very numerous, having six thousand men in the fort and in an adjacent camp. They stood the assault, which was very bloody to them, with little loss on our side. The fort and city were plundered, and as many of the magnificent houses destroyed, as the short time The account given of us by the Houghly fugitives and Monichchund, had made such an impression on him, that he would gladly have consented to our return on our former footing; but it hurt his pride, to think of having satisfaction forced from him by merchants: However, he continued his march, determined to fight, or negotiate, as opportunity gave him advantage. The probability of a war with France, Which would require our whole force on the coast of Coromandel, the uncertainty of an action, especially if the French should join him, but, above all, a great part of our force not being yet arrived, inclined us to wish for honourable peace. At all events, every day gained was an advantage; we were destitute of draught and carriage oxen, and many other things absolutely necessary, before we could take the field. A tamp was formed on a plain about two miles to the northward of...