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TH

PREFACE.

HE conclufion of the war in the East Indies, has neceffarily claimed our utmost attention in the History of the present year. Exclufive of the great national importance of that arduous conteft, and the vast stakes which were played for by all the parties, the number and variety of military events, both by fea and land, of which it was fo unusually productive, together with the fuperior abilities and extraordinary exertions of the principal leaders on all fides, must ever render the late war in India peculiarly interesting. Having got through this difficult, though pleafing task, we had only to gather up the gleanings of the war in other quarters; and then tracing those measures which led to the restoration of the public tranquillity, we have proceeded to take a view of the nature, circumftances, and confummation of that general peace, which has happily put an end to the ravages and calamities of war both in the Old and the New World.

Having thus concluded the narration, and wound up the bufinefs of the late most extenfive and eventful war, we shall be able, in our next volume, to take a retrospective view of those political affairs and transactions in Europe, which however confequential they might have been deemed in other feasons, could not have been attended to during the din and tumult of arms, and while a rapid fucceffion of the most interesting events were continually crowded upon the public attention.

It gives us no fmall concern to understand, that a paffage in our History for the year 1773, should have been supposed to convey an imputation injurious to the honour and character of the Baron de Tott. Independent of our attention to historical truth, as well as to perfonal juftice, we too much regard the fingular talents and eminent abilities of that Nobleman, not to regret, however innocently, that we should in any manner, have afforded means for wounding his feelings; much less should we confent to its being understood, that we gave any fanction to a falfe and fcandalous calumny. It is impoffible, at this distance of. time, to recollect any of the operative circumftances with refpect to that paffage, or even what our own fenfe of the fubject then was. The Translator of his very curious and valuable Memoirs has, in his Preface, along with the charge, candidly furnished almost every thing which it would be necessary for us to fay upon the fubject, by quoting, from ourselves, the uncertainty of the information which could then be obtained, relative to the circumstances of the Ruffian and Turkish war, and still farther, by his own fubfequent acknowledgment, that the calumny, to which the paffage in question is supposed to allude, however maliciously raised, was publicly prevalent. We fhall only add, that we are in ourselves convinced of, that Guys, the French conful or deputy, and the real renegado, was the perfon to whom we really pointed, however the Baron's actions might at firft have been mistakenly attributed to him. Time has cleared up the truth, and done ample justice to his character.

THE

Retrospective view of affairs in India. Benares. Tranfactions which led to the dependance of that country on the Eaft India company. The Rajah Bulwant Sing, having taken a decided part in their favour, in the war against his paramount lord, Sujah Ul Dowlah, kis territories are fecured to him by the treaty of Illahabad. Inveftiture of Cheit Sing, upon the death of his father Bulwant, and a new treaty concluded in favour of the family by Major Harper. A third treaty, in confirmation of the tavo former, concluded by Mr. Haftings, who is himself a party to it, and renders the company guarantees of the Rajah's poffeffions. Upon the death of Sujah Ul Dolah, the Nabob vizier, the fovereignty of Benares is transferred by his fucceffor to the company. Extraordinary fubfidies demanded and levied from the Rajah, Cheit Sing, on eccafion of the war with France, lay the foundation of those differences which took place between him and the government of Calcutta. A jupply of 2000 cavalry demanded from the Rajah. Charges of difaffection and contumacy laid against him. Governor general's progrefs from Calcutta, to fettle the affairs of Benares, and other countries. Proceeds up the Ganges to Buxar, where he is met by the Rajah, with great attendance and number of boats. Different accounts of the conference on the water. Rajah's vifit at Benares forbidden. Rajah taken into cuftody: rescued, and the jepoys, with their offificers, maffacred. He flies firft to Ramnagur, and from thence retires in the night to the fortrefs of Lutteef poor. Ouffaun Sing appointed by the governor general to adminifter the affairs of the country in the place of the Rajab. VOL. XXVI.

Ram

Ramjiewaun, garrisons Ramnagur for the Rajah. Scheme for the reduc tion of that place fruftrated by the rafhefs of Capt, Mayaffre: who is killed in an ill-judged attack, and the party repuljed with great lofs. Country immediately in arms. Design of attacking the governer general in his quarters obliges him to reire by night to Chunar. Repeated propofals made by the Rajah for an accommodation, produce no effect. Embarrament occafioned by the Nabob vizier's vifit. The commotion in Benares Spreads the flame in the adjoining countries. Cheit Sing's manifeßo. Attack on the Rajah's camp at Fateetah. Great reinforcements arrive at Chunar. Bundco Cawn, a native, proposes the means by which the Rajah's forces might, without much difficulty, be difpoffiffid of their firong holds. The jcheme adopted by Major Popham; who privately diffatches Major Crabbe, with a strong detachment, to penetrate the mountains, under the guidance of Bundeo Cawn, and attack the enemy in the rear, while he engages them in front. The defign jucceeds; Major Crabbe carries the ftrong pafs of Suckroot; the eremy abandon the fortress of Lutteef poor; The Rajah flies to Bidjeygur, and all his forces dijperfe. Country immediately refames its ufual tranquillity. Governor general returns 19 Be ares; fettles the government; appoints a new Rajah; and increases the revenue. *Distur, bances in the neighbouring countries queiled. Treaty of peace and alliance happily concluded with Madajee Scindia by Colonel Muir. The Rajah, Cheit Sing, totally abandons his country. Strong fortress of Bidjeygur taken, upon conditions, by Major Popham. Great treasure found, and foil made by the

army.

WH

WHILE other parts of India were defolated by the prefent and by former wars, the fequeftered and happy country of Benares, generally had the fortune to escape the common cala. mity. Befides the fecurity de. rived from the great diftance of the fea, the facred character afcribed to that city, which had through many ages been confidered as the repofitory of the religion and learn. ing of the Bramins, could not but endear it in the highest degree to the Hindoos; and the foreign ravagers of India, if they paid no respect, found it neceffary, at least, to thew fome attention to the prejudices of the conquered. Hoftility indeed was not much provoked by a people, who, along with the moft gentle and inof.

fenfive manners, poffeffed fuch a fpirit of induftry, as had given to a whole country, the face of a garden in the higheft ftate of culture and beauty; and whose labours were a common bene. fit to all, who either lived near or had occafion to approach them.

The Ganges, before it yet be. comes too vaft for health and fa. tisfaction, winding through the variegated face of fuch a country, could not but greatly heighten the picturefque beauty of the fcene; and lying, as it does, under the happieft influence of the heavens, it is not to be wondered at, that under fuch favourable circum. stances, Benares had long been confidered as the paradife of In. dia. The capital was not lefs

diftin.