brought to Muxadavad and viewed with much complacence by the Nabob and his son. Still it remained to examine Seid Cossim Ally Khan, and Meer Alli; but at this time the forces of the English presidency were so much diminished by an armament sent out of the river to the province of Chicacole, that it became necessary not to provoke the Nabob, by probing the ignominy of his conduct; of which Clive had acquired a sufficient proof, by a letter written in his own hand to Nuncomar at Hughley, offering him a title and jaghire, if he would bring the affair of Roydoolub's letter to a good end: it was therefore deemed imprudent to inflict the reproach he deserved: but Clive told him, that if he gave ear to such tales, there would be an end to all confidence between him and the English nation.
Farther letters had been received in August, from the Rajah Anunderauze; and other advices, which were not very correct, gave some account of the discords between Mr. Bussy and Nizamally at Aurengabad. Anunderauze repeated more earnestly, and with greater confidence, his request of a body of troops to drive the French out of the ceded provinces, and now proposed, as equally feasible, the reduction of Masulipatam. Letters of the same purport came at the same time from Mr. Bristol, who had been the agent at Cutteck, and had proceeded from thence to Ingeram; had visited Anunderauze on the way, and was received by him with much good-will. A few days after arrived advices from the presidency at Madrass of the second engagement between the squadrons on the 3d of August, with their opinion, that the French ships were so much disabled that they must return to their islands to refit before they ventured another; that the French army was before Tanjore, and that Mr. Bussy was on his march from Hyderabad to Masulipatam, from whence he was to join Mr. Lally with the greatest part of the force under his command: that this measure indicated Mr. Lally's intention of exerting his whole strength in the Carnatic, and left no apprehensions of his making any attempt against Bengal; for which reason they expected the presidency in this province would immediately send a considerable part of their force to
