()94
HISTORY OF INDIA.
[Bo(jk 117.
Reiisons for the liberality to Siijah Uowlali.
AD. 1765. and afford the necessary leisure for the introduction of important internal im- provements. In the treaty with Shah Alum, this object had been overlooked. The only effect of putting him in possession of the territories of Sujah Dowlah would have been to protract hostilities indefinitely. Too feeble to provide for his own defence within the country, he never could have made head against the Afghans and Mahrattas, who were watching an oppoitunity to extend their conquests.
It was to such considerations as these that Sujah Dowlah owed the favour which was shown him. He was the hereditary prince, and both from his posi- tion and his talents was supposed most capable of interpo.sing an effectual barrier between the possessions of the Company and the foreign invaders who had long been intent on gaining a footing in them. To fit him for the part thiLS assigned him, it was necessary not only to leave his strength unimpaired, but to convince him, by generous treatment, that he could not advance his interest more effectually than by linking his own fortunes with those of the Company, and entering into close alliance with them. Accordingly, when Clive set out to con- clude the treaty with Sujah Dowlah, the select committee, doubtless echoing his own sentiments, furnished him with a paper of instructions, in which they say, " Experience having shown that an influence maintained by force of arms, is destructive of that commercial spirit which we ought to promote, ruinous to the Company, and oppressive to the country, we earnestly recommend to your lordship, that you will exert your utmost endeavours to conciliate the aflfections of the country powers, to remove any jealousy they may entertain of our un- bounded ambition, and to convince them we aim not at conquest and dominion, but security in carrying on a free trade equally beneficial to them and to us. With this view policy requires that our demands be moderate and equitable, and that we avoid every appearance of an inclination to enlarge our territorial possessions. The sacrifice of conquests, which we must hold on a very precari- ous tenure, and at an expense more than equivalent to their revenues, is of little consequence to us ; yet will such restitutions impress them with a high opinion of our generosity and justice. For these reasons we think Sujah Dowlah should be reinstated in the full possession of all his dominions, with such limitations only as he must see are evidently calculated for om' mutual benefit. We would decline insisting upon any terms that must prove irksome to his high spii'it, and imply a suspicion of his sincerity."
A treaty in which the party able to dictate terms felt disposed to act so generously was easily arranged, and Sujah Dowlah gladly consented to pay fifty lacs of rupees as the expense of the war, in return for the restitution of his whole territories, except the districts of Korah and Allahabad previously ceded to Shah Alum, and for a mutual alliance by which the contracting parties became bound to assist each other against all foreign invaders. The difficulty in regard to Meer Cossim and Sumroo no longer existed. The former had taken
Terras of the treaty
