by which the boats must pass, in their way to Orixa. At the same time there remained no hopes of Allaverdy's recovery; upon which the widow of Nowagis had quitted Muxadavad, and encamped with 10,000 men at Moota Gill, a garden two miles south of the city, and many now began to think and to say that she would prevail in her opposition against Surajah Dowlah. Mr. Watts therefore was easily induced to oblige her minister, and advised the presidency to comply with his request. His letter to the presidency on this subject was scarcely arrived in Calcutta, before the boats of Kissendass appeared in sight: the president, Mr. Drake, was at this time at Ballasore for the recovery of his health; but the rest of the council, relying on the opinion of Mr. Watts, consented to admit Kissendass into the town.
Amongst the Gentoo merchants established at Calcutta, was one named Omichund, a man of great sagacity and understanding, which he had employed for forty years with unceasing diligence to increase his fortune. The presidency had long permitted him to provide much more of the company's investment than the share allowed to any other contractor; by which, and other indulgences, he was become the most opulent inhabitant in the colony. The extent of his habitation, divided into various departments; the number of his servants continually employed in various occupations, and a retinue of armed men in constant pay, resembled more the state of a prince than the condition of a merchant. His commerce extended to all parts of Bengal and Behar, and by presents and services he had acquired so much influence with the principal officers of the government of Muxadavad, that the presidency in times of difficulty used to employ his mediation with the Nabob. This pre-eminence, however, did not fail to render him the object of much envy: the manufactures provided for the company having every year since the first irruption of the Morattoes decreased in quality and increased in price, much of this detriment was imputed to the avarice and iniquity of Omichund; and the company determining, if possible, to restore their investment to the former condition of price and quality, relinquished in the year 1753 their usual
