182 BENGAL IN 1756-57
myself from the inclemency of the cold weather, having had the misfortune, as well as the rest of the inhabitants, to lose every individual thing I was mistress of in this world; the coming down of the Nabob was so sudden that nobody had time to secure their properties, so that it fell an entire sacrifice to the infidells. Among the rest of my irreparable losses Mr. Hoi well had the misfortune to loose my interest bond for the 10,000 Company rupees with the rest of his papers which was the only support that my deceased spouse left me, so that at present I am left in the void world a most miserable wretch destitute even of common supports of life.
My brother Pollock for this seven years last past by sailing as a supracargo, thanks to God, had acquired a competent fortune, but in the sackage of the town he was stripped to his shirt, and Providence got him out of the fort with life that he was not shut up in the Black Hole after the taking of the fort. Luckly got out with the Armenians, and as he has lost everything he possessed in this world, and a family to maintain, it is hardly in his power to maintain and support me, though at present I live with him and have done so since the capture of the town. I can say on my conscience that he is a very affectionate and loving brother to me as he always has been and uses me with the greatest kindness imaginable, but the declaration of the French war will deprive him from going to sea to work for his bread, and by that means I must be an intolerable burden to him when he is not hardly able to support his own family with common necessaries of life.
I have made my application to Mr. Holwell, who is extremely concerned for my calamitous condition but no means left him to relieve my miseries even with a small sum of money, and as he is going home I most earnestly intreat for the love of God that you and him joyntly will endeavour to secure me the interest of the aforesaid sum of ten thousand rupees of the Company and procure a new bond from them which will be the only means and comfort of my old age. My dwelling-house is in a most ruinous condition and have not wherewithal to repair it, and am extremely afraid it will come down this Rains, the infidels has so misused not only my house but all the houses in town. My brother joyns with me in compliments and best wishes for your and Miss Davis's health and happiness, &c. Success attend you in all your undertakings
