Page:Dupleix and the Struggle for India by the European Nations.djvu/174

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE FINAL COLLAPSE
167

the districts of Pondichery equal to those of Madras and Fort St. David united. On the other hand, the exclusive right of the French to the Northern Sirkars, granted by the Subáhdár, was not recognised. The other conditions related to the navigation of certain rivers, and provided that the principle uti possidetis should be applied until the confirmation of the treaty should arrive from Europe. Pending that arrival, no forts were to be erected on either side.

It will be recognised that in this treaty Godeheu renounced all that Dupleix had fought for. He gave up the office of Nuwáb of the Karnátik, he gave up the Northern Sirkars, he gave up his native allies, he gave up the influence and prestige of the French nation. How unfortunate was his administration to France was proved by the fact that whereas to Dupleix, Saunders had offered to yield every point but one—that referring to the Nuwábship of the Karnátik—he reduced Godeheu to a position which left Pondichery and Karikál mere trading-ports. It would seem that his single object was to undo all that Dupleix had accomplished, to renounce all moral influence over the native populations, to abjure the principle of associating for the advantage of France with powerful native sovereigns in the interior. He carried out that programme to the best of his small ability. Only one thing he did not do. He did not recall Bussy and his troops from the Court of the Subáhdár.

Godeheu stayed but a few months in India. He