lish to contribute to replenish his treasury. These demands were sometimes refused, and the refusal was followed by the stoppage of their trade; but the Soubahdar was an intelligent prince, and knew the value of European commerce too well to destroy it. The disputes which arose between them never proceeded to extremities; and the English, on the whole, found little reason to complain. But the death of Aliverdi Khan, and the accession of Suraja Dowlah, made an unfortunate change in their position. The new Soubahdar was known to entertain unfavourable views towards the English. It has been even said that his predecessor, notwithstanding the great moderation of his government, shared those views, and that his last advice to his grandson was to deprive the English of military power.[1] But whether the hatred of Suraja Dowlah was stimulated by the advice of his grandfather, or left to its own operation, it is certain that, at a very early period after his accession to power, it was actively manifested.
The subordinate government of Decca had been administered by an uncle of Suraja Dowlah, who had died a short time before Aliverdi Khan. His Dewan, or treasurer, not deeming his family or his property safe in Decca, had sent them away under the care of his son, named Kishindoss, who had solicited and found a temporary refuge in Calcutta. This gave offence to Suraja Dowlah, who endeavoured, but without effect, to persuade Aliverdi Khan that the English were actuated by hostile feelings towards him. The death of his grandfather having left him at liberty to pursue his own course, he addressed a letter immediately after that event to the President of Calcutta, requiring that Kishindoss should be given up; but this letter was forwarded in a manner so extraordinary as to warrant suspicion of its authenticity. The bearer, disguised as a pedlar, came in a small boat, and, on landing, proceeded
- ↑ Holwell's Tracts. See, also, Orme's History.
