EASTERN HINDOOSTAN. 59 



The famous feat of government, Madras, may be divided 

 into two parts. The fortified part, called Fort St. George, a place 

 of great itrength, firetching along the very fliore, and guarded 

 on two fides by its wandering river. This fortrefs includes 

 within it the White 'To-ivn : the Black Toivn ftands to the north- 

 weft, is very large and populous, and is inhabited by the 

 richeft Indian merchants, and the Armenians, Beyond that are 

 the fuburbs, a large divifion inhabited by Indian natives of all 

 ranks, fubjetft to the Company ; befides thefe, are at a fmall dif- 

 tance two vaft villages, filled with Indian natives, manufadur- 

 ers, and artificers. When Mr. Orme \vas refident in India^ 

 there were not fewer than two hundred and fifty thoufand 

 inhabitants on the adjacent territories of the Eajl India Com- 

 pany. 



The prefent territory belonging to Madras was granted to it The Jaghirs. 

 by the great Mogul, and is called the Jagbire, fee vol. i. p. 78 ; this 

 our Company, with a degree of certainty, interpret a perpetuity. 

 This grant extends along the coaft a hundred and eight miles, 

 from Alemparve fouthward, as far as Pullicate northward, and 

 inland as far as the town of Conjeveram, and brings in a reve- 

 nue of a hundred and fifty thoufand pounds a year. 



Before the profitable trade of war by its rapid acquifition 

 of wealth, gave a mortal check to honeft induftry, the loom 

 furniflied a great and flourilliing commerce : all the country 

 was full of looms : but I am informed that fome years ago (till 

 a late revival of trade) there were fcarcely goods enough to load 

 a fliip. 



Fort St. George underwent in our days two memorable fieges, Seized in 1746. 



I % attended 



