2'i CONQUEST OF BENGAL. 



Accounts were now received of war being declared be- 

 tween Britain and France, and hence there was reason to 

 fear that the troops at Chandemagore would ioin the nabob ; 

 but, actuated by the most pacific spirit, they sent overtures 

 for a treaty by which neutrality should be observed between 

 the two nations in Bengal. The nabob, however, was ad- 

 vancing upon Calcutta, and Clive seems to have felt appre- 

 hensions respecting the designs of this potentate, scarcely 

 justified by the amount of his own force, and his expe- 

 rience of an Indian army. He made proposals to the 

 prince, who received them well, but did not discontinue his 

 march; evidently considering the negotiation only as the 

 means of lulling his opponent into false security. In the 

 beginning of February the nabob arrived with a large 

 force, and began intrenching himself in front of Calcutta. 

 Some skirmishes ensued, without any decisive result. Two 

 gentlemen were sent as envoys to treat with him. He did 

 not return an answer; but his conduct, on the whole, was 

 decidedly hostile. The commissioners, being warned by a 

 friendly Indian to take care of themselves, departed abruptly, 

 and safely reached the head-quarters. 



Clive, having now formed his resolution, attacked next 

 mornincr the Indian camp, with a force of 2150 men, 600 

 of whom were seamen. The enterprise does not seem to 

 have been conducted with his usual spirit and ability. It 

 ssued in a confused rambling fight, in which the parties 

 groped for each other through so thick a mist that the ac- 

 tion consisted of little more than a series of casual en- 

 counters. The English, having been exposed to the fire 

 of a strong battery, returned a good deal exhausted and 

 dispirited. As they had repulse;], however, all the charges 

 made by the eneniv's cavalry, the nabob was also much 

 disappointed ; and there arose a disposition on both sides 

 to listen to terms of accommodation. A treaty was ad- 

 justed, in which each Rave up the main object for which 

 he contended. The prince allowed the English to fortify 

 Calcutta, to carry on trade, and enjoy their privileges as be- 

 fore the war; while, on their part, they dropped their high, 

 though most just, claims for redress and vengeance. There 

 even" followed an alliance offensive and defensive; after 

 which the nabob led his army into the interior. 



Colonel Clive was now anxious to attack the French 



