It was about this time that Mr. Billers succeeded in right of seniority to the Chief-ship of Azim-abad. He was a man of little understanding, and on that account, much inclined to submit to Billers, Chief of Azim-abad, kills himself. the guidance of Mr. Middleton and Mr. Djonson. On his being appointed, he went from the garden of Bauky-poor, the then residence of every English ruler, and having traversed the city in great pomp and state, he proceeded to the castle where he ordered Mir-cazem-qhan to take his seat on the mesned of gov­ernment, as Viceroy of the province of Bahar. This installation produced him a sum of money; but as at the same time he listened implicitly to the dictates and instigations of some Gentoos, as senseless as himself, he became himself guilty of some improper actions, which rendered him distracted when he came to hear of Lord Clive’s arrival, and of his great power and severity. He was seized with consternation on his past conduct, and killed himself with his own sword. He was buried in that very garden of Bauky-poor where he has remained ever since, a standing stock for the reflections of his own countrymen.

But it was General Carnac who enjoyed now the full sun­shine of favour. He had these many years enjoyed the friendship and confidence of Lord Clive’s; and he became now the principal manager of his politics and government, as well as the centre Doctor Fullerton dis­missed from the servies. of all business, public and private. He had been heretofore a warm friend of Doctor Fullerton’s; but having become his sworn enemy, he had put some matters into Lord Clive’s mind, that made him dismiss the Doctor from the service. This gentleman after taking an affectionate leave of his friends, by whom he was exceedingly regretted, set out for his country, from which he promised to come back again, on his being able to obtain certain conditions and stipulations for himself. It appears that his intention did not tally with the decrees of Providence; for he has not yet appeared, although there is intelligence of his being alive and in health. Wherever he may be, God, Almighty, preserve him in peace of mind.

Lord Clive’s first care, after his arrival in Calcutta, was to take cognizance of some pressing business, and to settle some important regulations. After those arrangements, he resolved to repair to Ilah-abad, in order to carry certain points which he had settled in his mind; and the Vezir himself, on that nobleman’s invitation, and that of General Carnac’s, quitted Fáiz-abad, his capital, and took the road to Ilah-abad, being much encouraged thereto by the insinuations of Shytab-ráy’s, who was the harbinger of peace between the different parties. There appeared at this time a certain person called Mirza-cazem-qhan, a Persian Some account of Mirza-cazem-qhan. born, who by marrying in the family of Hassen reza-qhan, grand­son to Hadji-ahmed, had acquired many friends, and in time had been promoted to the government of the District of Sarseram and Cháin-poor, through the interest of Aaly-hibrahim-qhan. As Lord Clive had once known him when in Decan, he now remembered his acquaintance, made him an object of boundless favors and high preferment, presented him with one lac of rupees contant, and admitted him so far amongst his favourites, that to all appearance it is to his interest and management that Mahmed-reza-qhan owes his elevation to the summit of power. The latter wanted to return the obligation; and as he could not bear to see Shytab-ráy’s extensive influence, and his participation in every secret of State, he recommended the new favourite as an able negotiator; his intention being to supplant Shytab-ráy in the future negotiation with the King and the Vezir. This matter had even been settled with Lord Clive, without the General’s knowledge; and it was with this view that the Mirza had accom­panied that Lord in his journey to Hindostan. But that nobleman, who on his arrival at Azim-abad, had maturely examined Mir-cazem-qhan, the actual Governor, and Durdj-naráin, his deputy, as well as Shytab-ráy; and had weighed their several degrees of merit and capacity in the scales of discernment and penetration; soon came to take his resolution in favour of the latter, whom he desired to accompany him in his journey; his intention being to make use of him as an agent and a go-between in the ensuing negotiation. As to the actual Governor, Mir-cazem-qhan, he found him to be a man simple and plain, but unfit for so weighty an office as the government of Azim-abad. He even seemed to listen to the proposals of Durdj-naráin’s, who actuated by avarice and covetousness, wanted to be the sole disposer of all the affairs of Government to the exclusion of his benefactor. This Gentoo, unmindful of all the obligations he owed both to the above nobleman, and to his elder brother, Mir-djaafer-qhan, thought only of advancing his own affairs under pretence of promoting his master’s interest; and he went so far as to lay claim to the administration of the province in his own and sole name. Lord Clive who did not think the hurry of a voyage a fit time for dismissions and appointments, left the matter Lord Clive goes to Ilah-abad and obliges the Emperor to invest the English Com­pany with the office of Divan of Bengal, Bahar, and Ooressa. undecided; and taking Shytab-ráy with him, he journeyed to Ilah-abad, where he had the honor to pay his respects to the Emperor. After which he visited the Vezir; and having exchanged with him some sumptuous entertainments and several curious and magnifi­cent presents, he explained the project he had in his mind, and asked that the Company should be invested with the Divan-ship of the three Provinces of Bengal, Bahar and Ooressa, of which office he requested the proper Patents from the Vezir and the Emperor. As both the Emperor and the Vezir were already in their minds subdued by the superior courage and prowess of the English, as well as overawed by the strength of mind and penetration of Lord Clive’s (two articles in which they were greatly over­matched), they were obliged to grant the request, although reluctantly. Having therefore ordered the Seneds or Patents to be drawn up in the manner that had been desired, they delivered them in the hands of Lord Clive’s. By these Patents twenty-four lacs a year were settled as the Imperial tribute, or quit-rent over the three provinces, for the future; and the Company’s acknowledgment and bond for the same, which are the owner’s voucher, were drawn up under their seal, and entered in the Imperial registers. Thus a business of such a magnitude, as left neither pretence nor subterfuge, and which at any other time would have required the sending wise Ambassa­dors and able negotiators, as well as a deal of parley and conference with the Company and the King of England, and much negotiation and contention with the Ministers, was done and finished in less time than would have been taken up for the sale of a jack-ass, or of a beast of burden, or of a head of cattle. The Lord having accomplished his purpose, returned to the seat of his command, which is called Calcutta; and left for his agent at the Emperor’s Court, Colonel Usmutt (Smith), who after the Lord’s departure for England, received the title of General, and became entrusted with the command of the English army. His office was only that of an Agent near the Emperor’s person, but in fact he was his master and Lord to all intents and purposes; and he was himself so sensible of his power, that he took his abode within the castle, and in the Imperial Palace, whilst the Emperor was obliged to remain without; where to conceal his shame, he amused himself in finishing with brick and stones some buildings which he had heretofore commenced. But even there he was not free from insult. For the Colonel one day being displeased at the noise which the Imperial kettle-drums and other warlike instruments made in the place appointed for them over the gate of the castle*, sent them order to cease, and Insolence of Colonel Usmutt. forbade their playing any more; with which order those poor men thought proper to comply, and henceforward they remained without performing their duty and without bread. Verse—

“Have patience; every one shall have his turn for five days.”

As to Mirza-cazem’s views of supplanting Shytab-ráy in the business of speaker or Agent of Lord Clive’s, they totally miscarried. Shytab-ráy’s good manners, and flowing language, together with his penetration, and keenness of genius, had gained so much on the Lord’s heart; and he had impressed his mind with so deep a sense of gratitude for the services he had rendered the Company and the English Com­manders, to whom he bore a sincere attachment, that Mirza-cazem missed the office which he aimed at, and returned with his protector without obtaining his ends. However, he became instrumental in putting an end to Aaly-hibrahim-qhan’s exile. For although this nobleman enjoyed much consideration with the Vezir and his Minister, nevertheless he lived uneasy on account of his being deprived of his friends and country; and he became now desirous of returning to Bengal, chiefly through the per­suasion of the said Mirza. This gentleman, who remembered how instrumental that refugee nobleman had once been in screening him from the blaze of Mir-cassem’s resentment; and how much he was indebted to a patronage that had sheltered him so effectually from the scorching rays of that burning sun, so as to bear him harmless and in the very palm of his hand, now thought it incumbent upon him to make a return for those important benefits. He therefore presented him to Lord Clive and the General, and obtained permission for his return to Moor­shood-abad; to which city the Qhan was strongly inclined, on account of his long residence in it, and the number of friends and acquaintances he had there. He set out then with Mirza-cazem, and was received amongst the favourites and friends of Mahmed-reza-qhan’s. But although he was treated with much honour and regard, he was not held in that high consideration which he deserved.