tries to be ceded should be taken at an ancient jumma, the points now contended for in no shape affected the interests of the company, nor weakened the security of the territorial cession; and that the pow ers which he sought for were in fact already possessed by him, through the sti pulations of the existing treaty. He furs ther observed, that though his excellency was determined to offer no resistance or opposition to any measure which your lordship might think proper to enforce, yet it was desirable, he presumed, that the arrangement should be concluded in an amicable manner, with the mutual consent of both states.

7. Conceiving that his excellency might possibly lay too much stress on the sentiment contained in the last observation, I explicitly declared to the Molavy, that however desirable might be an amicable adjustment, yet if his excellency, under that idea, trusted to the attainment of objects incompatible with the dignity, the reputation, and disinterestedness of the British government, I could assure him that he had not fairly estimated the principles and motives of your lordship's actions. I further noticed to the Molavy, and enjoined him to repeat the remark to the vizier, that I could not but entertain very serious doubts whether your lordship, after perceiving in a paper, bearing the formal attestation of his excellency's seal, the purposes to which his excellency intended to apply his power, would not be of opinion that the exercise of the exclusive authority, confirmed to him by one of the articles I had presented for his consideration, could not with prudence be entrusted to his hands.

8. After a long conversation the Molavy took his leave, with a promise to inform me if any thing which had passed this morning should induce his excellency to withdraw or qualify the requests. He has just returned, and assured me, that his excellency's obstinacy is unconquerable.

9. It does not seem necessary that I should trouble your lordship with remarks on any of the articles of the paper, excepting the eleventh.

10. The terms and expressions used in this article are such that I did not thoroughly comprehend the tendency of it, and therefore required an explanation from his excellency, which he gave to the Jollowing effect :-that as his territories

VOL. 9.

would be surrounded by those of the company, he expected that the rates of custom and merchandize, coming from any part of the company's possessions, should be regulated upon a standard which would neither preclude the importation of them into his country, mor, when imported, prevent his levying a duty upon them, and that a standard for duties to be levied by the company on his exports should be fixed on the same principles.

11. Under the stipulations of the existing commercial treaty the vizier's government is entitled to duties upon all imported commodities, whether intended for consumption in his territories, or pas sing through them to foreign countries; and for the collection of these duties cus tom-houses are established at fixed places.

12. The execution of the stipulations was easy, and the consequences of them obvious, when the dominions of one state commenced where the other terminated; but as the Ganges will now, for an extent of two hundred miles, form the neutral boundary of both states, some modification of the treaty will certainly be expe dient.

13. On the other part of the eleventh article, which relates to the exemption of duties on provisions for the consumption of the troops, after observing that this exemption is not stipulated for by any article of the existing treaty, but rests on an agreement entered into with the vizier's ministers, during the government of the marquis Cornwalls, I shall take the liberty of troubling your lordship with a few reflections that have occurred to me on the usage, some of which are the result of experience in my present situation, and some of them arise out of the change of circumstances now in contemplation.

14. The articles exempted from duties by this agreement are grain, cattle, goats, sheep, ghee, betel nut, and tobac co; and as the consumption of these ar ticles, by the troops, and their numerous followers, particularly at the stations of Cawnpore and Funtyghur, is very considerable, the revenues of the vizier's government, arising from the sayer, are affected in proportion. The use of purwunnas, to cover these articles from duty, notwithstanding alline care that may be taken, is able to much abuse, and is a source of frequent complaints on both sides. It may also be doubted whether the company's government, or the troops, de

ΠΕ

rive an advantage in any degree proportioned to the loss sustained by the vizier.

15. His excellency proposes that the exemption of duty on grain for the consumption of the troops employed in his dominions, shall still continue, but cease in respect to the station of Cawnpore; and although that station only is mentioned, I conclude that he embraces in his design all the troops which may be stationed in the ceded countries.

16. The dominions of the two states will be so situated in respect to each other, that it may be presumed cach country will have occasion to draw supplies of grain and various articles of provisions from the other, and there does not appear any good reason why the company's troops, or subjects, should enjoy the privilege of exemption from duties, unless it be mutual. In addition to this it may be observed, that were the exemption continued for the troops, it would be less practicable to limit it to that intended purpose than at present, because, under pretence of supplies for the troops, larger quantities than requisite for that express purpose might be covered by purwunnas, and the excess subsequently vended in other parts of the country; a practice which is now complained of even whilst it is capable of being in a great measure checked by the vigilance of the officers of the vizier's government in the vicinity of the cantonments.

17. Upon the whole, it appears to my judgment that the exemption of duties on all articles of provisions designed for the consumption of the troops stationed in the ceded countries cannot be contended for, although it may be expedient to stipulate for a free intercourse and market for all articles of provisions between the subjects of the two states.

18. The papers which I have now the honour to transmit to your lordship, are copy and translate of a letter addressed by me to the vizier on the 22d instant, the object of which, after several ineffectual conversations on the paper of requests, was to discover whether his excellency was serious in his desire of having it forwarded to your lordship, by requiring that it should be authenticated by his seal; copy and translate of his excellency's letter received yesterday, in reply to the one above mentioned; and the paper of requests authenticated by his excellency's seal, with a translation of it. Your lordship will observe that there is a slight difference in the second

article as it now stands, from that article. as contained in the paper transmitted with my unofficial address to your lordship of the 23d instant.

I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) WM. SCOTT,
Resident, Lucknow.

Lucknow, 28th May, 1801.

Translation of a letter from lieutenantcolonel Scott, resident at Lucknow, to his Excellency the Vizier; dated 8th Mohurrum 1216, 22nd May, 1801.

After compliments,-The practice observed on such occasions as this, the contracting parties having come to an agreement on the subject under discussion, a treaty is then drawn up to which they affix their respective seals. What your excellency requires, that his lordship, previous to the adjustment of the terms of the treaty, should affix his seal and signature to certain propositions, is widely different from the established practice; there are, moreover, certain of the said propositions which do not seem at all fit subjects for discussion, but should your excellency persevere in your wish to have them transmitted, I shall nevertheless, if your excellency will attach your seal and signature to them, submit them to the consideration of his excellency the most noble the marquis Wellesley; I must at the same time,however, intreat of your excellency, that this circumstance may not in any degree retard the business in hand.

His excellency the vizier to lieutenant, colonel Scott in reply, dated 13th Mohurrum (27th May).

I have received your letter of the 8th Mohurrum, and return you my propositions, with some trivial corrections, having affixed my seal to them.

I expect, from your friendship and regard, that you will transmit the paper to his excellency the most noble the marquis Wellesley, in order that having received his lordship's confirmation it may be returned without delay.

It is by no means my wish that the paper, after having received his lordship's seal and signature, should be delivered to me previous to the adjustment of the terms of the treaty; on the contrary, as soon as the said paper shall have been returned to you, confirmed as above, and its arrival shall have been notified to me, we will in concert prepare a treaty,

in the usual form, and an interchange of papers will take place, when the paper in question, which is purely to satisfy my mind on the points it relates to, shall be given back.

The language and the phraseology appropriate to the respective situations of his lordship and myself will be determined on between us, and used in the treaty.

In regard to what you observe, that certain of the propositions do not seem fit subjects of discussion, the truth is, that my sole object in bringing them forward is to relieve myself from anxiety, for although the subjects treated of are already at my discretion, I should nevertheless, by his lordship's confirmation of them, derive additional satisfaction.

God forbid that, in submitting the propositions to his lordship, I should have had in view his lordship's rejection of them, and the protracting my consent to the proposed arrangement.

Do me the justice to decide whether, had such been my design, I should not have persisted in retaining the two important articles formerly withdrawn. To facilitate the arrangement I withdrew the articles above alluded to, and rested satisfied with the simple articles now sent, which, unless I receive satisfaction upon them, must involve me in perplexity.

If the manner of expression in any of the articles should appear to you inconsistent with the respect due to his lordship, alter them so as to preserve their meaning, and send the paper back to me to be written out fair, when it shall be returned to you without delay; for my object being to get the business settled, I shall make whatever alterations in the language you may point out, and return the paper.

(Signed)

W. SCOTT.

Article 1st.-The payment of the debts of my predecessor, Asoph ul Dowlah, is not stipulated in the existing treaty; but this is an affair which will be adjusted between the officers of the state and the creditors of the late nabob, and regarding which the company are in no shape responsible, since the treaty is silent on this head.

2nd.-The sum of seventeen lacks of rupees has frequently, in conversation, been stated to be the specific amount of the extra expense incurred in consequence of the army taking the field to oppose

Zemaun Shah, and to suppress the disturbance raised by vizier Alli; and although I formerly stated my inability to pay this sum, yet, to testify submission, I am now ready to pay, by instalments, such portion of the above sum as may have been expended on account of taking the field against Zemaun Shah.

3d. Whereas this increase of expence on account of additional troops having been judged expedient, on the sole ground of guarding my dominions against the ravages of Zemaun Shah, &c. and considering that I have consented to bear this expence in all time to come, whilst the company in consequence of this increase of force have bound themselves to protect my dominions, under such circumstances the expence of the Persian embassy is by no means chargeable to me, neither are the extraordinary military expenses, such for example as the dismissed independent regiments, &c. chargeable to the sircar; charging the pay and contingent expenses of this regiment to this state, is a claim which never has been agitated until now.

4th.-Whatever hereditary rights of this state descended to the late nawaub, Asoph ul Dowlah, now devolve upon me his successor; let me have the exclusive enjoyment of such rights, and let all the inheritances of my ancestors, and the whole of the rights attached to my family, centre in me, and let no person interfere in or usurp them.

5th.-Should any person have obtained, or hereafter obtain, by breach of trust, or through other means, possession of treasure or property of this sircar, let no one interpose to obstruct my taking back such treasure or property.

6th. Whereas the union and friendship subsisting between his lordship and myself being obvious, I trust from his lordship's kindness, that all letters passing to and from his lordship's and the dependants of this state, may henceforth be forwarded through me, since the present practice is apt to render such people contumacious. It is not by any means my wish to interrupt such correspondence, all that I request is that in consideration of the friendship subsisting between us, such correspondence should be carried on through myself and the resident.

7th. Should any person prove discbedient to the orders of government, or dis turb its affairs, such crimes being duly F2 proved,

proved, let no one oppose or impede the punishment or banishment of such person or persons.

8th. After setting apart and delivering over the jaidad for the British troops, let schedule, expressing the names and limits of the countries which shall then remain in my possession, be inserted in the treaty, to the end that there be on no account any clashing, or interference in such countries which shall descend in perpetuity to the sole and exclusive management and possession of the heirs of his family-it requires time to draw out this schedule, but it shall be sent hereafter.

9th. All fugitives from the territories of the sircar, such as persons in arrears to government, deserters, murderers, or robbers, who may take refuge in the company's possessions, shall be apprehended and delivered up: on the other hand, all persons of the above descriptions, who, flying from the company's territories, may take refuge in mine, shall be seized and surrendered up to the company.

10th.-Whenever and on whatever Occasion I may be in need of troops, whether to regulate the country or to attend on myself in such way as I shall think proper, let the resident command the attendance of such portion of the British troops as the occasion may point

out.

11th. The company shall engage to exact duties to such an extent only upon goods passing from their eastern or western possessions as shall not prove injurious to either the sayer or permit customs of this state. No duties shall be levied upon grain required for the consumption of such British troops as may at any time be employed at my request in the countries dependant upon me, but all articles for the use of the stations of Cawnpore(now exempt from duties)shall hereafter be subject to duties; no exemptions shall be granted to any person.

12th. Whatever tumults or disturb. ances, internal or external, may affect the company's possessions (in conformity to what his lordship has written) the servants of the company alone shall be responsiblefor the quelling of them, nor shall this Sircar have in any shape concern in the quelling of such disturbances.

13th-Under such circumstances (the cession) some arrangement amongst the servants of this sircar, calculated to dimiaish the expense, will become indispensa

ble, and to obviate disturbances it will be necessary to retain such a number only as can be paid regularly and monthly; as such an arrangement can only be affected by dismissions, I desire that no intercession be made for any person whatever.

14th. Let the resident, sincerely and cordially uniting with me, listen to no representation of event-seeking, selfinterested, people, who are ever on the watch to sow dissension. Should he at any time involuntarily hear any thing, observing the dictates of friendship, let him immediately and candidly make the communication to me, without a moment's delay, that an ecclaircissement may take place between us.

15th. When the matters now under discussion shall have finally been determined and adjusted, let not his lordship prefer fresh claims of any sort, demand or increase, nor, unless by the interposition of advice, interfere in any of the affairs of this sircar.

16th.-Let the engagements entered into between his lordship and this sircar be binding and permanent, and let such a treaty be now drawn up, "that no governor-general, who shall hereafter be appointed from Europe, to take charge of the company's affairs, may have it in his power to alter or infringe upon the said treaty.

17th.-Let the number of troops for which a jaidad shall be granted always remain in the ceded countries, nor let them ever be a smaller number.

18th. Whenever I may be disposed to perform pilgrimages, let no opposition be offered to my departure, for by such excursions my mind will be amused, and I shall recover my wonted state of health, (which has for some time been on the de-, cline) and return again.

(Signed) WM. SCOTT, Resident, Lucknow. A true copy. (Signed) N. B. EDMONSTONE, Sec. to government.

you will, however, have found that his lordship, believing them to be official, had directed me to reply to them in an official form.

3. His lordship now directs me to inform you that the alterations which have been made in his excellency the vizier's propositions are not such as to require any variation in the remarks which apply to them, and of which a transcript was dispatched to you with my letter of the 2d instant.

4. His lordship also considers the instructions which were addressed to you under his lordship's orders, in reply to your dispatches of the 14th and 23d ultimo, entirely applicable to the subject of your last official dispatch, and therefore directs that you will consider those instructions, and the paper of remarks above-mentioned, as constituting a reply to all those points of your last address which require his lordship's immediate attention; and that you will be guided by the tenor of those documents in conducting the negotiation to which they relate.

I have the honour to be, &c. &c. N. B. EDMONSTONE, Secretary to government. Fort William, 5th June, 1801.

(Private.)

To lieutenant-colonel Scott, &c. &c. My dear sir,-I am directed by lord Wellesley to communicate to you, in the form of an unofficial address, his lordship's extreme anxiety in the present crisis of affairs for the payment of at least a portion of the arrears of subsidy claimed from his excellency the vizier; you are already in possession of his lordship's official instruc. tions to demand the immediate payment of those arrears; the purpose of this repetition of the subject therefore is to augment the impression upon your mind of the present exigency, and to stimulate your exertions to obtain immediate payment of as large a portion as possible of this just and indisputable claim. His lordship accordingly desires that you will press this demand upon the vizier in the most urgent manner, and require him at least to pay a considerable part without a moment's delay.

The exigency of the company's affairs renders the immediate liquidation of a large part of the arrears an object of the utmost importance, and one which cannot

be relinquished, unless his highness should be induced to concur in an arrangement which would, in a more effec tual and permanent manner, relieve the embarrassed state of the company's finances; unless, therefore, you should entertain a confident expectation of engaging his excellency to accept the final propositions transmitted to him by order of the governor-general, his lordship desires you will use every endeavour to realize, without delay, a large proportion of the arrears due by his excellency to the com

pany.

I am, &c. &c.

N. B. EDMONSTONE, Secretary to government. Fort William, 5th June, 18.8.

His excellency the most noble the mar quis Wellesley, K. P. governor general, &c. Fort William.

My lord,-Para. 1. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your lordship's commands through the dispatches of the secretary to government, under dates the 27th and 30th of May.

2. Having waited upon the vizier yesterday morning, I presented to his excellency your lordship's letter on the subject of his excellency's application for an abatement in the amount of the arrears

due to the company, and, after acquainting his excellency with the substance of it, and of your lordship's unalterable determination not to relax from that just demand excepting under the circumstance of his consent to the first proposition, made a formal requisition in your lordship's name for the immediate payment of the large balance, two lacks of rupees having been received a few days ago on

account.

3. The conversation which ensued being of a very important nature, a tending to discover some of the vizier' sentiments, and as seeming to put a stop to the progress of the negotiation, I think it expedient to report it to your lordship in detail.

4. I stated your lordship's extreme regret that all the arguments which had been used to demonstrate that the terms of the first proposition are far more advantageous to his excellency, and to hi posterity, than any other arrangement could possibly be, should have failed of procuring his excellency's consent to that plan; whilst his excellency admitted that

the