in procession, with banners waving above, and music pealing around them.
Many indeed had reason to rejoice in the advance of the richly-freighted fleet; for those who had sustained losses at the capture of Calcutta were to have compensation, and the army and navy had been encouraged to look for reward. There was also another class of persons who were expecting to participate in the wealth which thus followed in the train of victory; for as the army and navy were to have donations, it was suggested that the committee by whom the whole machinery had been put in motion were entitled "to be considered," and they were not forgotten. Clive received on this account two lacs and eighty thousand rupees.[1] Mr. Drake, the Governor, who had been the first to run away, was rewarded with the same sum; and the remaining members of the committee, who had followed his example, with two lacs and forty thousand rupees each. The generosity of the new Soubahdar even extended to those members of Council who were not of the select committee, and who consequently had no claim "to be considered" under the original proposal. Each of these gentlemen, it is stated, received a lac of rupees. Clive, according to his own statement, received a further present of sixteen lacs of rupees. Mr. Watts, in addition to his share as one of the committee, obtained eight lacs; Major Kilpatrick, three lacs besides his share; Mr. Walsh, who was employed in part of the negotiations, had five lacs; Mr. Scrafton, two; and others participated to a smaller extent in the profuse distribution that took place.[2]
Transactions such as these are perfectly in accordance with the spirit and practice of Oriental Governments; but they are not reconcilable with European ideas, or
- ↑ A lac of rupees is about 10,000l.
- ↑ The views and actions of India statesmen and commanders, at this period, present a very discreditable contrast to those of the Marquis of Wellesley, who refused the sum of 100,000l. from the spoil of Seringapatam, though tendered to him by the Ministers of the crown in whose disposal it was, and whose power and dignity the Marquis had so nobly maintained. – Thornton.
