26 CONQUEST OF BENGAL. 



has been observed, almost invariably issues in a determina» 

 tion not to give battle. He opened the debate by express- 

 ing his own opinion against attacking the enemy under 

 present circumstances. The other speakers concurred, 

 with the exception of Major Coote, who argued that the 

 troops, now full of courage and confidence, would feel 

 their spirits entirely damped by the proposed delay ; that 

 ».he enemy would soon obtain fresh reinforcements, more 

 particularly a large detachment of French at present in the 

 Jiterior ; in short, that there was no alternative, but either 

 x> attack now, or, renouncing all their ambitious projects, 

 march back and shut themselves up within the walls of 

 Calcutta. The opposite opinion was carried by a large 

 majority; but Clive, after dismissing the council, took a 

 walk in an adjoining grove, and after an hour's meditation 

 became convinced that Coote had formed the soundest view 

 of the subject. He therefore determined immediately to 

 cross the river and commence an action with the Indian 

 army. 



The battle of Plassey, which virtually transferred to 

 Britain the sceptre of India, began at daybreak on the 2'M 

 Tune, 1757. It was by no means fought with a vigour 

 corresponding to the great interests at stake. The Eng- 

 lish, covered by a grove and a high bank, remained almost 

 the whole day on the defensive, keeping up a straggling 

 cannonade. At one time, indeed, several brisk movements 

 were made by the enemy's cavalry, which were repulsed 

 by the steady fire of the field-pieces ; but so languidly did 

 the contest proceed, that Colonel Clive is reported to have 

 fallen asleep in the midst of it, which Mr. Orme accounts 

 for by the great fatigue he had undergone. The nabob, 

 however, as cowardly as cruel, remained in his tent, and 

 was much discouraged to learn that the English had not 

 fled, and still more that Meer Murdeen, the best and most 

 faithful of his generals, had fallen. The chief interest 

 was felt respecting the course to be followed by Meer 

 Jaffier, which remained for a long time mysterious ; and 

 his corps, even when it began to make a movement towards 

 the left, not being recognised by the English, was treated 

 as hostile. Soon, however, it was seen decidedly to- 

 separate from the rest of the army, and Clive then deter- 

 mined to make an immediate and brisk attack upon the 



