PREFACE
XI
records in Calcutta, as given in the Calcutia Press Lists. I have examined many of the original documents at Calcutta, which I have quoted, but have not seen any of those at Madras. References to MS. records, in which the initials M.P.L. and C.P.L. are not used, are to those in the India Office.
The volumes of Madras records, entitled Military and Secret Proceedings, Select Committee Proceedings, and Military and Political Proceedings, at the India Office, appear to be identical with those entitled Military Consultations set Madras. In quoting these records I have throughout, for the sake of brevity, referred to them as Mily. Cons.
The abbreviation O.C. is used in the India Office records for Original Correspondence, in Calcutta for Original Consultations, a difference which is apt to be a source of confusion.
The records of the discussions in Council at the three Presidencies are sometimes called Proceedings, sometimes Consultations. For the names of the Councils, Bengal, Fort William, and Calcutta, are used indiscriminately, as are also Madras and Fort St. George. Thus, Bengal Consultations and Calcutta Public Proceedings are one and the same thing. PersonaUy, I have usually used the word Cons.
The Calendar.-Vp to the year 1751 the official year began on the 25th March, and all days from ist January to 24th March were considered as belonging to the previous year. Thus, the date which would now be given as 12th February, 1731, was then 12th February, 1730. From ist January, 1752, the year was considered to begm on that day ; and in September, 1752, eleven days were omitted, assimUating English dates to those used on the Continent. The " old style " is still in use in Russia. Many writers now modernise the dates, giving them according to modem usage, not as when they were actuaUy written. Others give both years .... 12th February, 1730/31. i have followed this plan which seems the most accurate. In the original records, the dates both years.
The Coinage-The three Presidencies originally used, and made up their accounts in, three different coinages, and it was not
