gentleman, and entered Parliament as member for New Sanmi, or Salisbury. But the call of the East was irresistible, and after playing propriety at Westminster and elsewhere for nearly ten years, he embarked again for India, and in October, 1693, re-appeared at his old haunts at Balasor. The Directors, after a vain attempt to suppress him, came to the sensible conclusion to make terms with him. This they did with the result that after discharging various missions for the Company in Europe he blossomed forth in full glory in 1697 as President of Fort St. George. He made an excellent administrator, displaying those statesmanlike qualities which are to be looked for in the head of so illustrious a line as that of the elder and the younger William Pitt. In 1702, when Daud Khan, the Nabob of the Carnatic, attacked Madras, he defended the station with such courage and resolution and conducted the negotiations with the native assailant with so much perspicuity, that the Nabob eventually retired, agreeing in consideration of a small subsidy to restore all that he had taken from the Company or its servants. Pitt continued in office until 1709 when his Indian career was closed by a difference with his employers which led to his recall. By that time Madras had become an important station with a far-reaching trade and possessing a political influence which radiated to a greater part of Southern India.
Thomas Pitt's life in Madras, as illustrated in his letters, seems to have been one of considerable usefulness and activity. He kept a sharp eye on the general affairs of India and gave shrewd advice which though not always followed was often extremely helpful. From the first he advocated the adoption of a vigorous policy in dealing with the native powers. "Force and a strong fortification were
