DEFEAT OF THE MOGUL. 31 



almost unsatisfactory state. Jaffier proved an indolent, vo- 

 luptuous, tyrannical ruler ; the country was neglected ; and 

 what was felt as a serious evil, the regular instalments to 

 the English treasury still remained unpaid. Funds were 

 thus wanting for the ordinary operations of government, 

 the pay of the troops, and the supply of the other presiden- 

 cies, who depended in this respect upon Bengal. On a full 

 survey of these circumstances, the heads of the council 

 formed the determination of supplanting Meer Jaffier, or at 

 least of placing the real power in the hands of another. 

 After much deliberation, it was resolved that his successor 

 should be his own son-in-law, Meer Cossim, who alone ap- 

 peared to possess the energy necessary to retrieve the 

 sinking affairs of the country. Mr. Vansittart repaired to 

 Moorshedabad, and endeavoured to prevail upon the nabob 

 to consent to an arrangement, by which he should retain 

 the pomp and state of royalty, while the real power would 

 be administered by Cossim ; but Jaffier, though he felt it 

 impossible to resist, proudly refused the mere shadow of 

 power, and preferred going to live as a private individual in 

 Calcutta. 



Meer Cossim applied himself with talent and vigour to 

 the task of governing. By judicious arrangements, and by 

 extracting money from the native chiefs, he succeeded in 

 paying up the arrears due to our countrymen. Important 

 circumstances soon called the allied powers to the frontier. 

 The emperor, still aided in some degree by the sovereign 

 of Oude, contrived to make harassing incursions into the 

 nabob's territory. Major Carnac marched to its defence, 

 and having soon brought the Mogul army to action, com- 

 pletely defeated it. The most remarkable event was the 

 capture of M. Law, who, with a handful of French troops, 

 had hitherto been the chief support of the native armies 

 against the English. Deserted by his men, he bestrode one 

 of the guns, and in that attitude awaited the approach of 

 death. The Hindoos, strangers to any refined laws of war, 

 were much surprised to see the British officers approach, 

 courteously invite him to their camp, and treat him as an 

 honoured and respected guest. The major, after the vic- 

 tory, sent overtures of accommodation, accompanied even 

 with an offer to wait upon the emperor in his camp ; and 



