109 
1893.] C. R. Wilson — Topography of old Fort William. 
method I perceive the plan in regard to the inward works may by 
the order of the Hon’ble Ot. of Ds. be put into execution, but as 
there is no positive order to go to work on that, it is necessary now we 
should think for the good of the place wo are entrusted with as well 
as the property of our proprietors and our Hon’ble Masters who employ 
us. [As there is a probability of a French war in Europe, he counsels 
that provision for that contingency should be the chief object in view : 
he considers that there is little or nothing to fear from a ‘ country 
enemy ’ as ‘ their interest for our continuation will be sufficient ’]. Pro- 
vided a general war which is what we have to expect, it is natural to 
expect the enemy will attack this place, and in order to do this send 
some ships of war into the river whose coming near the town must be 
carefully avoided. It is certain the Hon’ble Ot. of Ds. has been always 
of opinion that if ever Calcutta was attacked it must be by some means 
from the river, and they, like prudent, experienced and good Masters, 
have provided their servants in time with the best guns they could 
procure which by their nature are for defense and not for sale, lying on 
the warfe unmounted from their landing to this day. 
How far we have regarded their hint I can’t say, as we have 
neither a carriage to mount any of them on, or even a gun already 
mounted in the garrison fit for service, and am very sorry I must be 
obliged to confess we seem to look more like a ruined and deserted 
Moor’s fort than any place in possession of Europeans,, much less a 
principal Settlement [There is more to the same purpose ; his main 
recommendation is to repair the ‘Line Wall’ on the river bank, the 
immediate construction of fascines there as a temporary measure, the 
providing of vessels to be used as fire ships, and the manning of the 
batteries proposed by the gentlemen of the Militia Corps with trained 
Artillerymen intermixed with them]. What guns could be mounted 
on the 2 bastions by the river side ought likewise to be kept in good 
order with their platform and embrazures repaired, as they would be 
of infinite use, being so much higher than the guns of the Line Warfe 
Wall. 
8. Captain Jones returns to the subject again on 11th Sept. 1755J 
Having not met with the pleasure of yr. approval in regard to 
my last letter to which this plan is in some measure a reference, and that 
it may not be misconstrued by yr. Honors, I hope you will be kind 
enough to give me leave to send it home, in the packet, for fear it might 
be thought (without an explanation.) I had some views of converting the 
7 “ Bengal Consultations,” 1755-56. 
