gour and intrepidity peculiar
to himself, which greatly contributed to the sudden reduction of the
settlement. As soon as the fort was surrendered, the brave and active
captain Coote, with his majesty's troops, took possession, and found
ninety-one pieces of cannon, four mortars, abundance of ammunition,
stores, and provisions, with every requisite for sustaining an obstinate
siege. Thus the English were re-established in the two strongest
fortresses in the Ganges, with the inconsiderable loss of nine seamen
killed, and three soldiers. A few days after, Hughley, a city of
great trade, situated higher up the river, was reduced with as little
difficulty, but infinitely greater prejudice to the nabob, as here his
storehouses of salt, and vast granaries for the support of his army,
were burnt and destroyed. Incensed at the almost instantaneous loss of
all his conquests, and demolition of the city of Hughley, the viceroy of
Bengal discouraged all advances to an accommodation which was proposed
by the admiral and chiefs of the company, and assembled an army of
twenty thousand horse and fifteen thousand foot, fully resolved to
expel the English out of his dominions, and take ample vengeance for the
disgraces he had lately sustained. He was seen marching by the English
camp in his way to Calcutta on the second of February, where he
encamped, about a mile from the town. Colonel Clive immediately made
application to the admiral for a reinforcement; and six hundred men,
under the command of captain Warwick, were accordingly drafted from the
different ships, and sent to assist his little army. Clive drew out
his forces, advanced in three columns towards the enemy, and began
the attack so vigorously, that the viceroy retreated, after a feeble
resistance, with the loss of a thousand men killed, wounded, and taken
prisoners, five hundred horses, great numbers of draft bullocks, and
four elephants. Though this advantage was less decisive than could be
wished, yet it sufficiently intimidated the nabob into concessions much
to the honour and advantage of the company. Admiral Watson gave him to
understand in a letter, that this was no more than a specimen of what
the British arms, when provoked, could perform. The suba desired
the negotiation might be renewed, and in a few days the treaty was
concluded. He promised not to disturb the English in any of those
privileges or possessions specified in the firm, and granted by the
Mogul; that all