EARL CORNWALLIS TO THE RIGHT HON. HENRY DUNDAS.

DEAR SIR,

[Private.]

Calcutta, Dec. 28, 1786.

We have been so unfortunate as to lose our overland packet, which was cut off by the wild Arabs; some straggling letters however, written about the middle of July, have found their way to us. In these we read of dissensions between the Board of Control and Court of Directors; the subject of the quarrel is said to be the exclusion of the interference of the latter, in matters relative to the debts of the Nabob of Arcot. I trust you will have approved of my discouraging Campbell's plan of taking that load on the shoulders of the Company, which I think are not able to bear such a weight of iniquity.

I have in the most decided terms declared that this Government will take no concern about the private creditors of the Vizier, and I hope you will be as firm on this subject. I expect Hyder Beg in the course of next month, when I shall have a difficult game to play; but I think fairness, honesty, and firmness, will be a match for cunning, corruption, and timidity.

The war between Tippoo and the Marattas seems to go on without any material advantage on either side.

You will see by my letters to the Court of Directors, that I have undone one of the acts of my military predecessor, by restoring the tent allowance to the army, though on so reduced a plan as to make a very considerable saving. In this instance I have been so peculiarly fortunate as to unite popularity and economy, for the officers are exceedingly well satisfied, and the Company will gain above six thousand pounds a year. Some Lucknow jobs shall soon suffer the same fate; and after my saying this, if you and Mr. Pitt were not frequently in the habit of bestowing panegyrick where it is very ill-deserved, you would be surprised at seeing my name to a flaming paragraph in praise of the General. The worst is, that this will not be the last of that species of composition which I shall be forced to sign this winter, as I understand that the late GovernorGeneral certainly goes home in the Berrington,' although he has not yet communicated it to me. After the departures of this

1 Lord Cornwallis, Dec. 20, gave an allowance to the officers of the six Sepoy brigades, varying, according to rank, from 50 to 150 Sonnaut rupees a-month, for which they were to provide in cantonments, as well as in the field, camp equipage and carriage, as well as certain attendants in camp. The commanding

officers of regiments were made responsible for this equipage, &c., being always ready for the field. On the other hand a large number of camp attendants were dismissed, and on the whole there was a balance in favour of Government.

year, I will move a resolution that we shall leave off this ridiculous practice, and let the public judge of us by our actions.

Mr. Shore is better, and has made up his mind to stay in the country; I have the satisfaction of hearing from Madras that Sir A. Campbell's health is perfectly re-established. I find that it would by no means suit my friend Davies' to go upon the bench. I trust you will not send out Sir Elijah Impey.2 All parties and descriptions of men agree about him.

Believe me, &c.,

CORNWALLIS.

P.S. Since writing the above, I have received a letter from Malet, which I transmit to the Secret Committee. Nana seems to have received our declaration as patiently as could be expected.

GENTLEMEN,

EARL CORNWALLIS TO THE SECRET COMMITTEE.

[Secret.]

Fort William, Dec. 28, 1786.

I have the honour to enclose the copy of a letter from Mr. Malet, giving an account of the conference between him and Nana Furnaveze, upon the communication of the resolution of this Government, to observe a strict neutrality in the present war between Tippoo Sultan and the Maratta State.

It is in substance nearly as I expected, for it would not be supposed that the Minister would acquiesce in a disappointment without some remark and remonstrance. The laws of our country and regard to the faith of treaties demanded this declaration; and every day that it was protracted, could only furnish fresh grounds to support the Minister's charge of duplicity against us.

1 He was

Advocate-General for several years, and was succeeded by Mr. (afterwards Sir Wm.) Burroughes.

2 Sir Elijah Impey, b. June 13, 1732, d. Oct. 1, 1809; m. Jan. 18, 1768, Mary, dau. of Sir John Reade, Bart. Appointed Chief

I have, &c.,

CORNWALLIS.

Justice in Calcutta, July, 1773, and recalled by a vote of the House of Commons, May, 1782. His connexion with Hastings, and his Indian career, are well known. M.P. for New Romney from Nov. 1790 to May, 1796.

CHAPTER IX.

Corruption among Company's servants Arrangement with the Nabob of Oude · Communications with Maratha Princes-Jealousies between Company's and King's troops - The Tanjore succession-European Politics - Affairs in England-False economy of Court of Directors Contrast between Company's Native and European troops.

In the early part of 1787, the attention of Lord Cornwallis was principally directed to the peculation of which the Company's servants had been guilty, and to the gross corruption which prevailed everywhere, especially at Lucknow and Benares. The frauds were chiefly in the purchase of silk, and it was alleged that the contracters for supplying the Company's investments with that article, were in collusion with some of the members of the Board of Revenue, to which office contractors had in several instances been promoted. On competition being invited, the prices fell nearly 30 per cent.; and the Directors, convinced that extensive guilt existed, ordered prosecutions to be instituted against the seven of their servants who appeared to be the most culpable. It was not till Lord Cornwallis had himself visited the Upper Provinces, that he became thoroughly cognizant of the extent of these delinquencies, and of the excessive corruption prevalent among the Europeans, when removed from the immediate supervision of Government. Some details will be found in the following pages.

The arrangement with the Nabob of Oude was brought to a close in the spring of this year. Lord Cornwallis (April 15, 1787) addressed a letter to him, stating that he was prepared to reduce the tribute from 74 to 50 lacs, provided it was punctually paid; but he would not withdraw the British troops from Futtyghur. He urged, in very peremptory terms, a large reduction of the native troops, and insisted upon the payment of considerable pensions to various persons, relations of the Vizier and others, to whom the Company had extended their protection. If these conditions were faithfully fulfilled, Lord Cornwallis promised that the Resident should not interfere in the internal affairs of the State. Though the nominal reduction was large, the Company in fact lost

nothing, as the larger sum had never been paid. A similar settlement was made with Mobarick ud Dowlah.

The succession to Tanjore was decided in favour of Ameer Sing then in possession; but upon information subsequently obtained, and strengthened by the strong representations of the celebrated missionary, the Rev. C. F. Schwartz,' the decision was reconsidered.2

The more the investigation into the conflicting rights of the Government, the Zemindars, and the Ryots was prosecuted, and the advantage of making a permanent land settlement was considered, the greater were the difficulties which presented themselves, and the whole question was therefore postponed for another year. The demand on the Nizam for the cession of the Guntoor Circars, shared the same fate, as it was felt, that if the demand were enforced while the Nizam was engaged in hostilities with Tippoo, it might materially influence the fate of the war.

The amalgamation of the Company's with the King's army, was again discussed. Lord Cornwallis entertained doubts how far this scheme could be advantageously carried out, and ultimately it was abandoned. Several despatches to and from London and Calcutta passed on this subject, as well as with reference to officers, who had had long furloughs in England, returning to India with their old position in the service, to which Lord Cornwallis strongly objected.

Towards the close of the year, great apprehension was entertained that Tippoo intended to make war upon the English, and Lord Cornwallis, in order to be prepared for such an emergency, ordered some troops to be levied, and ships to be fitted up as transports. But Tippoo only attacked a fortress belonging to the Marathas.

These alarms led to communications between the British and the Maratha Princes, especially the Peshwa, with a view of ascertaining how far they were inclined to renew the war with Tippoo, and various inducements were held out, to encourage them to enter into a confederacy for this object, should it become necessary. This proceeding was considered the more advisable, as the Marathas had felt much aggrieved, when Lord Cornwallis, departing from the policy of his predecessor, had declined, while at peace with Tippoo, to afford any aid to his enemies.

1 Christian Frederick Schwartz, b. Oct. 26, 1726, in Sonnerburgh, in the New Marck, d. Feb. 13, 1798; unmarried. No missionary ever acquired the influence which he did, mainly by the judgment, temper, and moderation he always displayed. He was indefatigable

in his endeavours to promote Christianity, but his exertions did not produce much fruit.

2 See despatch to Mr. Dundas, March 5, 1787, and several to the Governor of Fort St. George, and to the Court of Directors in 1793.

The ignorance of the Government at Calcutta of the power of the various Maratha States, their connection with each other, and even of the manners and customs of the people, is a striking proof how little general knowledge of Hindustan was then possessed by Europeans. Lord Cornwallis, when directing Mr. Forster' to proceed to the Court of Moodajee Bhonsla, especially requests him to obtain information on all such points, as, in regard at least to some of the States, he was in total ignorance about them.

SIR,

EARL CORNWALLIS TO GEORGE FORSTER, Esq., LUCKNOW.

Calcutta, Jan. 5, 1787.

I have received your letters of the 22nd and 27th ultimo, the answers to which are nearly anticipated in my letter of the 29th. I can only add that I am determined to maintain the most pacific system, and that although I shall be extremely desirous to be well informed about everything that passes amongst our neighbours, you must carefully avoid any steps that could occasion a doubt of my sincerity. This will be a rule for your conduct in keeping up a communication with the Seiks; I wish to live on friendly terms with them, but whilst Scindia commits no breach of his treaty with us, they must have no encouragement to hope that we will form any political connexion with them. I am perfectly sensible of the defenceless state of Rohilchund, and I shall soon think of means for its better security. But if in the mean time the Seiks should invade it, I shall be at some pains to make them cautious in future, of giving us that kind of provocative.

You will see from what I have said, how delicate it would be to interfere concerning the Seik vakeel at Lucknow. I have however, desired Colonel Harpur2 by this post, to recommend him to Rajah Ticket Roy,3 for the attentions usually paid to persons in his situation.

Whilst I wish on all occasions to avoid needless expense, I have no objection to pay well for information which is really useful; for common purposes therefore I recommend economy, but I have that confidence in your good intentions and honour, to

1 George Forster, d. Feb. 1791, at Nagpore. He was an admirable Oriental scholar, and travelled, in the disguise of a native, from Bombay to Europe overland, and was never, detected but once, and then only when he took off his turban and exposed his shaven head: the formation of the skull excited suspicion.

2 Colonel Gabriel Harpur, Bengal establish

ment, resigned the Company's service Feb. 2, 1788.

3 Raja Ticket Roy, Finance Minister to the Nabob of Oude, under Hyder Beg Khan, at whose death in 1792 he was placed at the head of that department. Removed when Vizier Ally was deposed, and sent to Patna, where he died.