'A voyage from England to India, in the year 1754, and an historical narrative of the operations of the squadron and army in India, under the command of Vice-Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive, in the years 1755, 1756, 1757 ... Also a journey from Persia to England by an unusual route. With an appendix, containing an account of the diseases prevalent in Admiral Watson's squadron, etc.' [‎169] (206/562)

[ 169 ]
town, by the rivers fide; that fome of their men ftaid in the fort^ and *757
fome on board the boats i that the Rajah had difpatched letters to Sujah
Dowlah, acquainting him, that the French who had fled from the Fatna
confines were now with him, and defired his permiflion to continue there }
that Suja Dowlah now refided at Luchnow, 100 Cofs from Banaras, and that
the French propofed entering into his fervice; that Rajah Bulwanftng, had
4000 men encamped in huts clofe to Banaras ; that Phafel AH Khan^ Nabob An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India.
of Gangypour, with whom the French had ftaid two days, was marching with
3000 men, and had advanced 6 Cofs towards the borders of his diftrid i
and that troops were affembling on all fides on the news of the approach of
the Englijh. —Finally, that the roads, they the Hircars came over, were
very bad, with water in them as high as their middle ; that there were three
rivers to pafs over ; that the current new Banaras was very ftrong-, and that
the French artillery was not yet landed." The major defired them to give
their opinions, whether it was advifable to proceed any farther in purfuit
of Mr. Law and his party ? And they unanimoufly refolved, that it was
not, for the following reafons. " Becaufe, we apprehend the French would
not have prefumed to remain fo long as they have at Banaras^ but have
continued their route up the country, unlefs they had been very fure of
being protedled by Sujah Dowlah, and the other neighbouring powers •, and
with this protedion, we have not the lead reafon to expeft to fucceed
at this feafon of the year againft them, fince we are in want of boats to carry
the Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. up the river; and the depth of water on the roads, and the three
rivers we have to pafs, is fuch as to render it impoffible for us to march them
by land ; not to mention the diftrefs we are fure of fuffering in an enemy's
country, through want of provifions for the foldiers, and of Dandies ; or the
many bad confequences that may enfue from engaging ourfelves, and the
Nabob An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. Meer JaJper, at this junfture, in difputes with the neighbouring
princes."
The next queftion, was, whether they had better remain where they were,
or return to Patna, and there expedl the colonel's farther orders ? The coun
cil, without one dilfenting voice, agreed, that it was moft expedient, and
indeed, abfolutely neceffary, to return to Patna efpecially as the furgeon had
reprefented, that the men fell fick apace, owing in a great meafure, as he
apprehended, to the ground of the quarters they were now in, being prodi-
gioufly impregnated with Salt-petre. Befides it appeared that the arrack
which had been fent for the ufc of the ibldiers, was entirely expended, and
no frefh fupply could be gotten in their prefent fituation.
^ This night, two deferters came in from (a town 14 miles north
from Chuprah) who informed the major, that the Rajah of that place. Dun-
feram, was colle6ting forces, and every day people were joining him from
the north, and that he had already with him about 3000 horfe, 1500 foot,
and four pieces of cannon; upon which Major Coote again queftioned l /
Pheroojing on politics, who, after many equivocations, confefled, that the
Z feveral