Gurghin-qhan having somehow got advice of this note of Aaly-hibrahim-qhan’s took offence at it, and for two or three days together he abstained from coming to Court. It was just at this time that a boat from Calcutta came to touch at Monghyr. She proved to be laden with a quantity of goods, under which were found five hundred fire-locks, destined for the factory of Azim-abad. These Gurghin-qhan wanted to stop, whilst Mr. Amyatt insisted upon the boat’s being dismissed without being stopped or even searched; and to that forbearance the Court would not listen. Aaly-hibarhim-qhan objected to the boat’s being stopped or visited at all. He contended, “That if peace was in contemplation, there was no colour for stopping the boat; and if hostilities were in view, then he saw no great harm in adding five hundred more musquets to the two thousand already in the English factory. For if we can fight against two thousand,” said he, “I dare say, we can as well fight against two thousand five hundred.” To this the Navvab having said that he wondered why nobody would say so much to Gurghin-qhan himself, Aaly-hibrahim-qhan answered, that if His High­ness’s pleasure was that so much should be said to Gurghin-qhan, it would prove a small affair. The Navvab, a little affected by these words, desired Radja Nobet-ráy and Aaly-hibrahim-qhan to go and bring Gurghin-qhan to Court, as he intended to consult him on this subject. The two Lords accepted the commission, and departed. Gurghin-qhan, on hearing their errand, seemed to be in a passion, and said, “My office is that of Grand-master of the artillery, and I am but a soldier; nor have I any business with consultations and politics. Let His Highness consult with his friends and favourites. Whenever there is war, and I am sent to stand in some post, I hope, I shall not fail to do my duty; but as for politics, I know nothing of them”. The Radja observing the violence of the man’s temper, said not a word, but turned his eyes towards Aaly-hibrahim-qhan. The Qhan having chided Gurghin-qhan a little upon his ill humour, said these very words: “The Navvab-aaly-djáh asks advice from his Grand-master of the artillery, and it appears that he never transacts business without consulting him. Why then does not the Grand-master of the artillery give such advice as he thinks best for his own honour, and for his master’s service?” These words having somewhat pacified Gurghin-qhan, he turned himself towards Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, and raised both his hands, which he set open against each other. He explained his thought by this comparison or allegory: “The Navvab and the English,” said he, “stand now in this manner: that is, they are upon a par and an equality, and on the same level; but if he does not stand firm, and chooses to lower his tone a little, (and here he sunk his right a little) the other hand will remain where it is; and of course higher. If, on the contrary, his hand remains where it is, the English hand must fall lower, and the Navvab will remain with a superiority on his side. As to the rest, let His Highness do as he pleases; he is the master.” The envoys returned to the Navvab with this answer, and they reported the whole transaction minutely; but this opinion of the General’s having put an end to all thoughts about pacifications, nothing was thought of now but a rupture, and open hostilities. So that Mr. Amyatt finding it useless to make any further stay, resolved to return, and he took his leave. The Navvab at first wanted to keep every one of the English, as hostages; at last, after a deal of parley, he consented to dismiss them all, under condition that Mr. Hay should be detained at Monghyr, until Mirza-mahmed-aaly and some other of the Nav­vab’s officers confined at Calcutta, should be released, and upon their way to Monghyr; at which time he would release Mr. Hay. The latter having consented (and this consent of his became in the sequel the cause of his death), Mr. Amyatt and the others obtained leave, and went down the river in their boats.