Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/168

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160
The War of Coromandel.
Book II.

of the riches found in Nazir-jing's treasury should be delivered to them.

It was known that all the lords of Murzafa-jing's court waited to measure their demands by the concessions which he should make to the Pitan Nabobs: if these obtained all they asked, the whole of his dominion would scarcely suffice to satisfy the other claimants in the same proportion; and, on the other hand, if they were not satisfied, it was much to be apprehended that they would revolt; Mr. Dupleix therefore postponed all other considerations to this important discussion, and conferred with the Pitans for several days successively. He acknowledged the great obligations Murzafa-jing lay under to them for their conduct in the revolution; but insisted that he himself had contributed as much to it as they, and was therefore entitled to as great rewards, and that if such concessions were extorted, the Soubah would no longer be able to maintain the dignity he had acquired: intending therefore to set the example of moderation, he, in the last conference, told them, that he should relinquish his own pretensions to any share of the treasures, or to any other advantages, which might distress the affairs of Murzafa-jing. The Pitans finding him determined to support the cause of this prince at all events, agreed amongst themselves to appear satisfied with the terms he prescribed: which were, that their governments should be augmented by some districts much less than those they demanded; that their private revenues should be increased by the addition of some lands belonging to the crown given to them in farm at low rates; and that the half of the money found in Nazir-jing's treasury should be divided amongst them; but the jewels were reserved to Murzafa-jing.

This agreement was signed by the Nabobs, who likewise took on the Alcoran an oath of allegiance to the Soubah; declaring at the same time that Nizam-al-muluck himself had never been able to obtain from them this mark of submission: and he on his part swore to protect them whilst they remained faithful.

All dissentions being now in appearence reconciled, feasts and entertainments ensued, in which Mr. Dupleix spared no expence to raise in his guests a high opinion of the grandeur of his nation by the splendour