Lewis & Clark College

with Grain and Timber is all the Country produces. But I believe Pepper is not included in the general Acceptation of the word, Grain, farther to the Southward they make Stockings & almost every Port, has a different Way of manufacturing their Goods. The Portuguese have a fortified Town to the Northward of Bombay call’d Demaun And the french before the breaking out of the War, had a Settlement on this Coast call’d Mahé. The Face of the Country for many Miles is rather flat and has a pretty appearance, but more in land there are many lofty Hills. From Cape Comorin runs a remarkable Ridge of high Mountains call’d the Gatts or Balagate Mountains, which divides this peninsula for many Degrees Northward, and alters the Seasons on either Coast; there when the Monsoon sets in on the Malabar Coast, there is fine Weather on the Coast of Coromandell, et vice versa. It is far from being an unhealthy Coast except at the Time of the Rains, when great Allowances may be made for it. . The Affair betwixt Captn. Bull and Mr Hardcastle, was enquired into at Bombay, by a Committee appointed for that Purpose, when after hearing the Evidence, they agreed that Mr Hardcastle had been culpable, and deserving his Suspension; but the length of Time he had been suspended, they imagin’d a sufficient Punishment. Wherefore he was again restor’d to his Rank, but on petitioning the Governor was permitted to go [end page 78]

home in another Ship. Mr Hardcastle’s Affair when candidly enquir’d into, will very much against him, but as he landed at Bombay when we pass’d it to go to Surat, he had an Oportunity of spreading reports before Captn. Bull return’d. And had Captn. Bull exerted himself a little more even then, & attended the Trial properly, as his Friends in vain sollicited him to do, I sincerely believe Mr Hardcastle’s suspension would have been confirm’d. Mr Warrington our 5th Mate engaged himself so far in Mr Hardcastle’s Interest, that he ran away from the ship, accompanied by a Midshipman, who were the only Two, whose Evidence appear’d in Favor of Mr Hardcastle. During our laying at Bombay our Armourer died of the Dysentery. And several of our Men ran away, so that we were obliged to get Lascars to assist us in getting the ship round to Bengal, for which Place we sail’d with a Cargo of Cotton on board, having order to touch at Madras to deliver a Packet. We had a leading Wind and made a good Run all down the Coast, till we came abreast of the Friar’s Hood on the Island of Ceylon. Where we were becalm’d four Days. Here we fell in with the Neptune Captn. Wemyss who had sail’d from Bombay twenty four Hours before us. At length a Light Breeze sprung up, and the Neptune being a good sailor left us, & got to Madras one day before us. The Night before we arriv’d at Madras being then only 4 or 5 Leagues below it, there came on a most violent squall, which however happily did us no harm. We came [end page 79]

such a Position as to prevent us from bringing our Guns to bear upon her. In this Dilemma we had one Circumstance to console ourselves with viz. the having such a Number of Soldiers on board, that would have dealt destruction to a vessel that might have attempted to board us, a Method much depended on by small Privateers The Soldiers were station’d on every Part of the Ship, and if a small vessel appear’d they conceal’d themselves, by lying flat on the Deck till within Musquet Shot, but on the Contrary if a Ship of Force superior to ourselves came in Sight, we station’d the redcoats so that they might be seen at a considerable Distance, hoisted a Man of War’s pendant, and fix’d wooden Guns, so as to make us appear like a fifty Gun Ship. Indeed we cut a very formidable Figure. We parted from the Fleet in the direct Track of the Cruizers, and for several Days after our Separation had very little Wind, and that little, foul; At last a fair and fresh Breeze sprung up, which carried us along briskly. We now daily saw a Number of Vessels, which we brought too, & most of them proved to be dutch. Here we had an Oportunity of observing the cunning & policy of those [end page 8]

to an Anchor in Madras Roads on the Morning of the 7th of September. Immediately went on Shore with our Chief Mate who had an Inflammation in his Liver ever since we left Bombay and plac’d him under the care of Dr. Pasley, a very eminent & learned Man. On our Arrival here we were inform’d that Hyder Aly had enter’d the Carnatic with 100,000, Troops well disciplin’d & come almost to the Walls of Madras Sr Hector Munro went out to drive him off, with an Army of 8000 Men, Of which Number 1000 were europeans, Orders were likewise sent for Coln. Cosby to join him with 1000 Men, Coln. Brathwaite from Pondicherry with another Detachment, & Coln. Baily with about 2400 Men & 10 Field Pieces. Which Army join’d together was imagin’d stronger than Hyder’s. Coln. Cosby & Brathwaite join’d a few Days after we arriv’d & the Accounts of Coln. Baily were impatiently expected, which arriv’d on the 14th or 15th and brot. the Melancholy News that Coln. Baily had fall’n in with Hyder within a few Miles of the grand Army. Hyder’s Army consisted of 24,000 Horse, 30,000 Foot & 1,500 Frenchmen with 20 Field Pieces. That Sr Hector Munro, heard the Firing, but would not agree to march to their Relief altho’ Tents were struck and every thing ready but contrary to the advice of those he consulted sent a Detachment of 4 Companies of the 73rd Regt. with three [end page 80]

or four Hundred Sepoys under the Command of Coln. Fletcher. . . . Baily and Fletcher with their little Army, fought desperately, and did Wonders, till two of the Tumbrels of Gunpowder blew up, which put them in a great Confusion, on which Hyder’s Horse rushing in, cut them to Pieces without Mercy. Thus was destroy’d the Flower of their Army, owing to the Obstinacy of an infatuated General; who altho’ a Man of Narrow Abilities, would not receive salutary advice when offer’d him. Fletcher was cut to Pieces, Baily taken Prisoner, & several Captains & subalterns in the King’s & Company’s Service shar’d the same Fates. . This is the greatest Advantage that ever any Country Power obtain’d over the english Troops, & will animate them beyond Measure, for they formerly deem’d us invincible. There were a great Number of French in Hyder’s Army both Officers and Private in whose Views and Interests Hyder greatly joins. Nothing now is wanting on the Coast of Coromandell to drive us from it, but a french fleet superior to ours, so as to prevent any supplies from coming to the Town on the seaside. Whilst Hyder’s numerous Army will prevent all Correspondence in the Country. The Fort itself is exceedingly Strong, impregnable by a Country Power, but they may soon starve themselves into Submission The Consequence of the Loss of Madras, would inevitably be, that of Bengal, and Bombay, [?]rif from its numerous Fortifications [end page 81]

and Troops, Bengal should remain in our Possession, The possession of the other Settlements would have it in either their Power to take our Ships and stop our Trade. Affairs in India have a bad Appearance, and what is now only apprehended will soon be realized, unless wiser Governors, and greater Generals have the conducting them. The Popular Cry loudly exclaims against Sr. H. M_nr_ They Complain not only of his Stupidity & Ignorance, but hesitate not to criminate him. They accuse him of not having the King or Company’s Interest at Heart, they interpret his sending so small a detachment against Hyder, into motives criminal and treacherous. They assent that the few proceeding Months have been solely occupied by him in purchasing european Bills and Diamonds to remit his Money. That he took the Field without Ammunition or Provisions; that when he heard Baily was departed he fled with the utmost Precipitation towards Madras, gall’d all the way by the Enemy. That he had no Intelligence himself nor would receive any from the other Officers. The wound concerning the Pondicherry Business broke out a fresh. He was again call’d Fool, & Coward, They say that at the Siege of Pondicherry, more money & Time was expend’d than would have taken four such Places, attack’d by an experienc’d [end page 82]

General. Pondicherry might have been taken in Six Days. Its Fortifications were not compleat when the english Army sat down before it. And after the Siege, instead of gaining immortal Honour as represented in England, he was laugh’d at & derided by all the Army. In short, no man can be more universally despis’d than this Man who enjoys the Favor of, and receives Honours from his King, and is robbing and ruining his Country. This Man has a Ribband given him and his Name perpetuated by a Title, at a Time when he is a disgrace to the british Annals. These are the Men to whom the Care of Nations is committed & these are the Men, who instead of guarding and defending their Fellow subjects are the first to prey upon them and accumulate a Fortune by their Ruin. . . What a Pity it is that the Government of Madras should be so continually given to Men whose sole Motives are to serve themselves; Who have no views but of accumulating Fortunes, and who feel no regret, for their horrible Oppression of Numberless Families. Strange as this may seem yet true it is, that many successive Governors (Lord Pigot excepted) have entertain’d this Maxim, and this solely. The late Governor Sir T. Rumb_d is a striking Proof of this, he having in the Course of two years, amass’d upwards of 400,000 sterling, nay some [end page 83]

say 600,000£ and drain’d the Settlement of every Pagoda. Yet this conscientious Man, who once acted in the humble Station of a Waiter at White’s, is made a Baronet. O Tempora! O Mores! The Government is now in the Hands of a Man, whose Name has been long stampt with Infamy. Who knows his Reign will be Short, and is providing for himself and his Creatures with the utmost Rapidity. A Man whose Crimes a Modest Man cannot Mention. Who has combined against his Country (Mr W__ll fitted out the Elizabeth a french ship for the Maurituis, loaded her with Goods & informed her when the Osterly Indiaman would sail, & how she was mann’d. The Osterly was afterwards taken by the Elizabeth in Company with another French ship near the Mossel Bank off the Cape & was carried to the Maurituis. Mr W__ll is said to have cleard 80,000£ by this voyage. For the Truth of this I cannot vouch, but it is publicly asserted at Madras.) Hyder Aly gives out that he does not wish to engage in War with the English, but with the Nabob of Arcot who is under the Protection of the English, and has but few soldiers of his own and these he renders dissaffected to him, by delaying the Payment of their Wages for many Years. Whole Troops deserted from him before the last Engagement, and went over to Hyder. . . . [end page 84]

The Nabob’s second son is his prime Minister, whose Principles are said to be vile and treachourous. A Convincing Proof of this lately appear’d. When Sr Edwd Hughes with the Fleet went into Trinquemalie in the Island of Ceylon, they discover’d an immense Quantity of military Stores for the Equipment of a numerous Body of Horse. On enquiring whose they were, he was answer’d, that they had been collecting several Years for the Nabob of Arcots second son. Not one single Circumstance of those Stores had been mentioned to his Father or the Governor, nor could they be for their use, as the Company have but a very few Horse on the Coast. The general Conjecture is that he meant to secure a party to himself, cut off his Father, and reign Nabob of the Carnatic. The Account of our ill Success on the Coast was immediately dispatch’d to the Governor general, and Council of Bengal, who order’d Sr Eyre Coote to repair immediately to Madras, with all the european Troops, to take on him the Command of the Forces there, suspend Mr Whitehill, and place Mr Smith in the Chair. Which Circumstances took place in a very Short Time after. Mean Time several Battalions of Seapoys were marching round to Madras by Land (as their Religion forbids, [end page 85]

their going on board Ship) & orders given for more Troops to be rais’d. All the Cash that Could be spared was sent from the Treasury of Bengal, and every Necessary Preparation set on foot to remedy the late Disaster. On S.r Eyre Coote’s Arrival at Madras, he could muster only about 4,000 effective Men. Hyder Aly besieged Arcot, the Capital Town (belonging to the Nabob) in the Carnatic, & took it at least it capitulated, and the Soldiers and Officers amounting only to 300 who had defended the Place six Weeks against 40,000 Men, march’d out with the Honours of War. The Contractor & Ponsonby two East Indiamen then laying in Madras Roads were sent to the Northward for Troops soon after the Defeat of Coln. Baily One of them went to Visegapatnam, where were several Battallions. On the Day of their intended Embarkation, when they were all drawn up, and their Officers at Dinner with the Chief, they mutinied, & on their Officers coming out to see what was the Matter, they fir’d upon them and kill’d several, & wounded the others. They took the chief & other Gentlemen in the civil Line and bound them hand & foot, and releas’d a frenchman, who was a prisoner there, after doing which, they march’d away in triumph & went in Quest of Hyder Ally’s Camp. . [end page 86]

We sail’d from Madras Roads on the 18th of September, & got a Pilot on board in Balasore Roads on the 6th Day after, who carried us up the River of Bengal as far as Kedgeree & brought us to an anchor. At Kedgeree were lying the Walpole, Fox, True Briton, Duke of Portland & Duke of Kingston Indiamen, with several Dutchmen and country vessels. This River which is an Union of the Ganges & Ugli is at this Place very broad but full of Sands, which frequently shift and change with the Rapidity of the Tides. By the same Cause the Mouth of the River, where it empties itself into the sea, is almost obstructed with Sands and Banks. The two Rivers run in Consort about fifty Miles, to which the Ganges comes from a most distant source, and the Ugli, tho it receives its Name from a Town so call’d about one hundred Miles up the Country thro’ which it flows, comes from near the Kingdom of Thibet. To the Ganges, all the Gentoo Inhabitants of India, pay the greatest adoration. They consider its waters sacred & possess’d of numberless virtues. To it they commit the Bodies of their dying Relations, even before their Senses leave them, laying them on the Beach at the Time of low Water, and when the rises it carries them away. Its Banks are incredibly crouded, for by washing therein, they are absolv’d from their sins recover their Cast if lost & happy are those who die in its Waters [end page 87]

Calcutta the Capital of the english settlements in India is situated on the Banks of the River Ugli. It is large and populous, containing many good Buildings but so irregularly plac’d, as scarcely to form what properly can be call’d one Street. The Southernmost Parts of the Town contain the Houses of the european Gentlemen, who live here luxuriously and magnificently. About the Middle of the Town stands the old Fort, kept up more for the Purpose of accommodating Invalids than for any military Use. Opposite to the Gate of the Old Fort stands a Monument, to perpetuate the Memory of those unfortunate People, who lost their Lives in the black Hole over whom it is built. The Black Hole is still to be seen. It is one of the Bastions of the old Fort, & any one unacquainted with the Story, would think it impossible to squeeze such a number of Men in it. The Northern Part of the Town is inhabited by a few English in the trading or mechanical Way, Armenians, Portuguese, and Natives of the Country in general who are incredibly numerous. They have several Bazars or Markets in their Part of the Town for all sorts of Goods, which are generally so throng’d as to be almost impassible. Calcutta is said to contain
Fort William is divided from the Town of Calcutta, by a broad Esplanade, is strong and well built. It effectually commands the River [end page 88]

being situated below Calcutta, & has nothing round it which could afford shelter for an Enemy within Gunshot. Connoisseurs in Fortification pronounce it very strong, & the more incurious Eye of a Novice in those Matters would suppose it still stronger. A little below the Fort are Docks for the Construction of Ships, which Art is arriv’d at great Perfection here, tho’ not as at Bombay, for the Masters there are black People, but at Calcutta Europeans. . An immense Track of Land, from the Mouths of the Ganges to a great Distance in the Country lies low, & flat, and at the Time of the Rains & some Months after wears the Appearance of an extensive Marsh or Bog. The Land likewise is universally cover’d with a low kind of Underwood, which affords shelter to an incredible Number of wild Beasts. These Circumstances render it a disagreeable Part of the World. For the excessive Heat of the Sun, occasioning a great Evaporation from the surface of this Land, or rather muddy Swamp, the Air thereby becomes loaded, with putrid & unwholesome Particles, unfit for Respiration. This is felt peculiarly on the Banks of the River which being rais’d, and swell’d during the rainy Season, leaves on its Return to its former Limits, vast Quantities of shiny Mud along the Beach, in which are entangled Fish of various kinds, and in vast Shoals; those rot in a short space, and emit a stench, which has prov’d fatal to [end page 89]

People, who under the Mask of Neutrality, drain the world of its wealth, & accumulate to themselves an Immensity of Riches, whilst other Kingdoms are wantonly disporting with the Lives and Properties of their Inhabitants. These vessels generally go unarm’d to any Part of the Globe, the Dutch having Artifice enough to extricate themselves from any Kind of difficulty which may happen … After having separated ten days, we had a little Engagement with a small Brig Privateer, which afterwards prov’d to be english. The Captain of her show’d himself that Day to be a brave Man, by engaging a Ship, really of Force much superior to himself (and apparently still greater). She mounted Sixteen, six & four pounders, and carried fifty five Men, to whom, upon seeing us, the Captain remonstrated on the Improbability of Success; but they turning a deaf Ear on his Harangue, he made a courageous resolution to bear down, & if we prov’d an Enemy, take us or sink by our Side … Amid all this Prospect of danger, the daily Confusion which reign’d in the Ship is undescribable. Upon seeing a sail which was generally at Day Light, the Officers Cabins were all knocked down with their Chests, Trunks & Baggage and Hammocks & Cots carried upon Deck. Perhaps by the [end page 9]

thousands. At the Time there is scarcely a Breath of Wind to be perciev'd. Thus the air at Calcutta, blowing on all sides, over Fens, and Marshes, must be constantly unwholesome. Providence has in great Measure provided against the Evil of rotten Fish, Flesh etc. by making the Country abound with Jackalls, Parrear Dogs, Vultures, Kites, Crows etc. The two former of which clear the streets of filth by Night and the latter by day. These are so familiar, that they’ll fly into a House and take Victuals off the Table. . . The Winter Months in England, are the winter Months in Calcutta, and during that season there is not a more delightful Region under Heaven, nor (the Inhabitants say) a more healthy. In December and January the air is exceedingly cool, and even Ice is produced up the Country, but never as I heard at Calcutta. The Earth at this season opens her stores, and produces everything that is produced on the Face of the Globe. Their vegetables approach nearer to those of England in Taste, Colour and Size, then any I saw since I left England. The Country abounds with Wild Beasts of many kinds, some of which attack Men, but seldom unmolested. It has been long imagin’d that no Lions are contain’d in India, but it is now contradicted. At a small Fort lately taken by Captn. Popham a good way up the Country, there were three living ones and the Marks of many others. One of those three [end page 90]

is now at Calcutta in the Possession of Mr Hastings. The royal Tiger has a plentiful Progeny in Bengal, and the neighbouring Provinces they conceal themselves in thick Cover, and frequently destroy Men. The Tiger when he espies a Man roars terribly, which strikes such a panic on the Mind of the unhappy Wretch, that he instantly becomes swallowed up in Horror. It is suppos’d to be the most hideous Knell in Nature; then springing on the Back of his Prey, the furious Creature with one of his paws, deprives the victim of his senses at one Blow, or if one is not effectual he repeats it. Nor does he attempt to feast on the Body, till depriv’d of all Sensation, & continues roaring till that is effected. . . Wild Boars are in plenty up the Country, and hunting them forms one of their Diversions, tho’ frequently attended with Danger, as is the hunting of Tigers. To hunt the Boar they go in large Parties, well mounted, and arm’d with a Kind of Spear. On Arriving at the Place the Hog frequents, a Number of black fellows enter the Cover & by making a hideous Noise, with their Pipes, Drums etc., drive him out, the Horsemen immediately ride after him and wound him with their spears, the Beast finding himself wounded, becomes enraged, & makes furiously at the Horse, & unless he is well broke in, and accustom’d to Hunting will throw him down, which effected the Hog, leaves the Horse, [end page 91]

and rips up the Belly of the unfortunately fall’n Rider. Leopards are plenty in this Country and furious if attack’d. Elephants are useful Animals to the Country Powers, but we see few of them employ’d by the English. All heavy Carriages are drawn by Bullocks or Buffaloes, which last are in great plenty in this Country, very large, wild & mischievous. . The Horses at Calcutta are beautiful Creatures, but very mettlesome. They do excellently for Coaches Phaetons etc. . . . Dogs are in great Numbers but good for Nothing but to assist in carrying away Flesh and Nastiness left in the Streets in the Night, and a Parcel of them have been known to attack People and kill them. There are Foxes and Jackalls in this Country in Prodigious Numbers, the latter perform the same Office as the Dogs. The lesser Quadrupeds found in other Countries are to be met with in Bengal, there being such vast Tracks of Land, uncultivated, and otherwise uninhabited. . . There is a great Vanity of Snakes and Serpents, and some exceedingly venomous, but I had not Time to enquire sufficiently minute into their Names, and Species to give a just Account of them. Alligators frequent all the Rivers and Creeks about the Country Scorpions about in Calcutta and Centipeds some of which [end page 92]

are ten or twelve Inches Long. Birds of Prey of several species are found here, and are very usefull for the Purposes before mention’d. Water Fowl are in Amazing Plenty. They will shoot forty Brace of wild Ducks or Teal in a Day. The black Fellows have a curious, yet simple Method of catching them. They go into the Lake where the Ducks are with an earthen Pott on their Heads, having holes in it for the convenience of sight and air. They walk along with their Heads above water till they go into the middle of a Flock and the Birds taking it really for a Pot of which there are many floating on the Lake, suffer themselves to be laid hold of by the Legs & hawl’d down one after the Other till the Man’s Hands are full. The Vegetable World abounds with a great vanity of Plants etc., unknown to other Climates, at the same Time that it produces all the known Fruits, Plants & Flowers. Inhabitants of the Country discover many powerful Medicines amongst them, and their Effect is often admirably beneficial, tho’ administer’d by People, totally unacquainted with the Laws of Physic or Nature. They are like the old women in England, who having been long possess’d of a Recipe for any Disease, administer it in all its Stages, without the least attention to the Symptoms of the Disease, and assign no other Reason for doing so, than that their Grandmothers did so too Yet they sometimes produce wonderful Cures . . . . . . . . [end page 93]

The Character the English Inhabitants of Calcutta bear, is that of a liberal and generous People. The more confin’d Settlements of Madras or Bombay, have not a Breath of Generosity betwixt them. At either of those Places, the Wellfare of a Man, procures him Enemies who envious of the Happiness of another, eneavour to prejudice him in the Opinion of the World. If Fortune takes an adverse Turn, they shut their Purse Strings in the Hour of Distress, & endeavour effectually to compleat his Ruin. But at Calcutta, a Man of Character’s Wants are no sooner known than reliev’d. Money seems to be their least Consideration. They give most elegant Entertainments, brilliant Balls, and the same Harmony and Decorum prevails as in the first City in Europe. A Man there does not hesitate or consider if it is his Interest to assist another; Other, and more generous Motives induce him; he wishes to be accessary to the Happiness of his Friend. Indeed their Disregard of Money, seems to suffer them to be impos’d upon, by the villainous black fellows, who negotiate their Affairs. Whatever commendable can be said of the English at Calcutta is counterpoisd by the Cunning and Duplicity of the black Inhabitants, Train’d up from their Infancy to Fraud, low Cunning and Artifice, they make it their Study to deceive, and are alone emulous amongst themselves in that Point. Submissive to the lowest degree, where they [end page 94]

find it their Interest to be so; but where no Gain is expected, imperious and Cruel. The Father points out to the son, how to impose upon or overreach another. The son improving by the documents of his Instructor, makes those sentiments so early inculcated, his principal study. . Whether by inherent Principle or the effect of subjugation is a doubt, but they are a passionless sort of People, incapable of Improvement beyond the Line of Cunning, filthy in their Mode of Living, obscene in their Discourse, wanton in their Pleasures; To Delicacy they are Strangers; of moral virtues they possess none. They have no word in their Language answering to the Name of Gratitude, nor did ever a Heart amongst them feel such an Emotion. Their Religion tho’ perhaps the strictest in the world, serves like many others but as a kind of Mask for many crying Enormities; and their Zeal and Infatuation so much talk’d off, little more than Artifice and Dissimulation. Their Religion countenances all the vices they are guilty of, and even impels them to deceive. Since the arrival of the Judges in Bengal which Circumstance plac’d the two different People on a Levell, The black Fellows have assum’d an Air of Importance, greater than before, (and Sorry am I to say it,) the wonderful Effects of all pow’rful Gold, have work’d Miracles in their Favour. A servant, perhaps the vilest Dog upon Earth will retort your [end page 95]

Threats and tell you, you dare not strike him. Upon receiving the most trifling Blow they run to the Judges, make their Complaint, and ☞ are redress’d. . . . The english Territories extend to the Borders of the Kingdom of Thibet to the distance of 1,200 Miles. Where Troops are constantly kept for Collecting the Revenue (which Amounts in all the Provinces to £3,000,000H.) and are reliev’d once in two Years. In this Extent of Country are many Towns & Chiefships Where Gentlemen high in the Service reside. Of these are Patna, Dacca, Cossinbazar, Luckypore, Luckinhow, Benares etc. Where they live like Petty Princes and realize the Fortunes of Nabobs. The luxurious & magnificent Method of living here, detains Gentlemen many Years longer in the Country; than they otherwise would have Occasion for; The Riches of this Part of India are so immense, as to become proverbial, yet even here, if Interest is wanting, a Man may toil all his Life Time & be poor at last. A Writer when he lands in the Country plunged himself into the common Course of Extravagance, & runs himself so far in Debt as requires the good Fortune of several years to discharges. Artificers & Artists of all kinds succeed well in Calcutta. It is the finest Field in the world for a Man with Abilities and A little Interest … The Trade of Bengal consists [end page 96]

principally of white Goods, Rare Silk, Callicoes, Saltpetre & Borax the Produce of the Country. Every kind of Goods finds a Markett in the River Ugli, but it makes much against the wellfare of the Place, as most of the ships when they have dispos’d of their Cargoes, are paid in Money, and will take no Bengal Goods in Exchange but a little Rice. They have lately planted Indigo, in this Country and entertain the greatest Hopes of its success. Since the Company have alter’d the Mode of Government in Bengal, (establishing a supreme Council from Europe, and giving only the commercial Business into the Hands of their long servants in India thereby constituting a Board of Trade consisting of twelve Persons) none of their Affairs have flourish’d, for there are continual Animosities between the two Boards. To which Contention Captn. Bull became a victim, being obliged to get his Ship ready by an order of the supreme Council to sail with the other ships. This they did to distress the Board of Trade, imagining that the Time would be too short for them to get the Goods ready and send them down, or for the ship to take them in. Both of which however was effected. Captn. Bull had the greatest Hopes that as Mr Hastings had in a former voyage come out to India, when he was needy and could afford to pay [end page 97]

only 200£ for his Passage, and that his Wife of whom he was extremely fond, and is extravagantly so now, were both with him in his Ship, for these Reasons he had Hopes of being sent on a profitable Country Voyage. But he found that the Advancement to power, had evaporated every Grain of sentiment from his Breast, and instead of serving, he seem’d to wish to distress him. Hastings is confess’d to be a Man of great Abilities with respect to the Government of India. But his engaging in a War with the Maratta’s is not a Proof of it, which has drain’d their Treasures, and destroy’d their Army. He is well vers’d in the Language cunning and duplicity of the Indian People, knows the Extent, and they say the true Interest of the Country . . .

The homeward bound Fleet consisted of the Walpole, Grafton, True Briton, and Fox, who all receiv’d orders to sail, on the 25th of November, but the Walpole having a Quantity of their Saltpetre dissolv’d by the Water in the hold, was obliged to be unloaded, & take a fresh Quantity of Saltpetre in, this prolong’d our Stay till the 13th of December when each ship having her Pilot on board, we got under Way, & on the 15th being clear of the sands the Pilots left us, and [end page 98]

we steer’d our Course for England under the Direction of Captn. Abercrombie of the Walpole who being the oldest Captain, was Commodore of the Fleet. Before we sail’d, there were several Accounts of several french Men of War being in the Bay, but these prov’d only Inventions to enhance the Premium for Insurance, which was twenty five Guineas when we left Calcutta. The Captains had private Instructions given them to open in the Latitude 19Nº Fortunately our Ship sail’d much better than she did outward bound, the Commodore being the heaviest sailor of the Four. I say fortunately for we had not occasion to crowd so much sail, wch would have distress’d us as the ship was badly Man’d, having but few Europeans on board & a Number of Lascars who were good for Nothing. We made a very great Passage, till we came off the Cape which we had orders to come no nearer to than the Latitude of 40Sº because of the french Cruizers, but a Gale of Wind coming on from the N.W. prevented our getting round the Cape so soon as we had reason to expect it being Summer Time . . When it first came on to blow, the Commodore laid his Ship to, under bare Poles, but the other ships were under a Mainsail, and Main or Mizen Stay Sail which they were oblig’d to keep out to prevent their rowling so violently as to carry any thing away. [end page 99]