EARLY YEARS
still had many weary delays before them, and it was not until June, 1717, that they at last received the desired firman, and were given permission to return to Calcutta. During this long interval Hamilton had been in attendance on the emperor, and it was largely owing to his influence that the English claims received favourable consideration in spite of opposing interests. In addition, the emperor granted permission to the East India Company to purchase the zemindary rights of twenty-four villages besides the three they already held.
So highly did Farruk Syar value Surgeon Hamilton's services, that he desired to retain him permanently at court, but to this Hamilton would by no means consent, and once more the envoys had to exercise what patience remained to them, and wait till their companion could obtain permission to accompany them. After many representations, the emperor agreed to allow Hamilton to leave him, but it was on the condition that, after he had gone to England to visit his wife and children and to procure medicines which could not be obtained in India, he would return to the emperor's service. This matter being satisfactorily arranged, the embassy at last left Delhi and returned to Calcutta, but Hamilton's compact with the emperor was never
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