truth of the report which had reached the Prince, and in part justifying the proceedings which he ascribed to the English authorities, on the ground of apprehended hostilities with the French. This letter threw the Soubahdar into a transport of rage; and though he was then actually on his march to reduce a refractory dependant to obedience, he abandoned this object in order to turn his arms against the English. He forthwith presented himself before the English factory at Cossimbazar, which immediately surrendered without an effort being made to defend it.
The news of the fall of Cossimbazar was received at Calcutta with feelings of dismay. The garrison of the British capital of India did not at that time amount to two hundred; not more than a third of these were Europeans, and few, if any, had ever been in action. In addition to the regular troops in garrison, Calcutta boasted a militia formed from the European and native inhabitants; but so little attention had been given to training this force that when called out it is said there were scarcely any among them "who knew the right from the wrong end of their muskets."[1] The works were altogether inadequate to sustain a protracted siege; and had they been of greater strength, little would have been gained, as the stock of provisions within the place was not more than equal to a few weeks' consumption of its crowded population. The supply of ammunition would not have sufficed for three days' expenditure, if in a good condition, but a great part of it was spoiled by damp; while there was hardly a carriage that would bear a gun, and numerous pieces of cannon were lying useless under the walls.[2]
In this emergency assistance was naturally sought, from Madras and Bombay; but, with the use of ordinary expedition on the part of the Soubahdar, it was obviously impossible that any could arrive in time to save
