no more than three ships of the line, sailed from Madrass, and after a tedious voyage arrived at the port of Balasore in the kingdom of Bengal, Dec. 5. where strengthening his force with what recruits he could draw together, he entered the Ganges, and after a short resistance made himself mafter of Busbudgiafort, which commanded that part of the river. Jan. 30. This opened him a passage to the fort of Calcutta, the late principal settlement of the company of Bengal, and the scene of the deplorable sufferings of so many of our unfortunate countrymen. Animated with revenge at the affecting sight of this place, our ship and land forces attacked it with so much spirit, that the Indians surrendered it on the same day it was approached. A few days after Hugly, situated higher up on the Ganges, was reduced with as little difficulty.
The Nabob, who saw that the torrent of the English valour could not be resisted by such feeble dams as forts defended by Indians, drew down a whole army consisting of 10,000 horse, and 12,000 foot, to drive them from their conquests. Feb. 5. Infinitely inferior as our troops were in number, they did not hesitate to attack the Nabob's army. Though our forces did not entirely rout the Indians, yet they made a great slaughter amongst them; and they had so much the advantage of the field, 9th. that the Nabob was in a short time glad to conclude a treaty of peace, by which the English East India company was re-established in all its ancient privileges; an immunity from all taxes was granted, and a restitution promised for all that the trade had suffered in the taking of Calcutta.
When all obstructions on the side of the Indians was removed, and the company's officers had taken possession of their ancient establishments, the admiral turned his arms against the French. He resolved to attack Chandenagore, situated somewhat higher on the river than Calcutta; a place of considerable ftrength, and the principal settlement of the French in that part in the East Indies. In this expedition Colonel Clive commanded 700 Europeans, and 1600 Black soldiers. The admirals Watson and Pocock commanded the fleet, if it may be called a fleet, which consifted of no more than three ships of the line, the Kent, the Tyger, and the Salisbury. The French prepared in the best manner they could to receive them, and sunk feveral large vessels both above and below their fort; but the admiral having by carefully sounding, found a safe passage with out being driven to the necessity of weighing up any of the ships, made so severe a fire upon the fort, in which he was seconded by Colonel Clive's batteries on the shore, that the place capitulated in less than three hours. Mar. 24. 500 Europeans, and 700 Blacks surrendered prisoners of war; 183 pieces of cannon were found in the place, besides a confiderable value in goods and money. Four forts cost our troops no more than four days to reduce them.
The judicious timing of these several operations, as well as those which followed, was not less laudable than the gallant spirit with which they were executed. Before the French were alarmed, care was taken to repossess all the posts we formerly held; to humble the Nabob by some effectual blow; and by a treaty to tie up his hands from acting
