Page:History of the French in India.djvu/406

382 BUSSY TO 1754. chap, would be prompt to listen to the ambitious offers of his vm ' brothers, lie therefore urged the Subadar at once to 1751. place his brothers in confinement. He did this in the hope that Bussy, knowing the innocence of the two princes, would at once intercede in their favour, and that this intercession, interpreted by the Subadar to his discredit, would instil into his mind suspicions which must tend to his speedy disgrace. With the Subadar, indeed, this scheme produced the desired result. He issued prompt orders for the in- carceration of his brothers. But Saiyid Lashkar had mistaken the character of Bussy. The able officer at once recognised the right of the Subadar to an uncon- trolled supremacy in his own family. The imprison- ment of the two princes did not affect French interests. Notwithstanding, therefore, that several of the nobility and many friends of Saiyid Lashkar urged him to inter- cede in their behalf, he held himself studiously aloof. To all their importunities he replied that he respected the orders and secrets of the Subadar and his ministers, and that he did not wish to mix up in State affairs which did not concern the interests of his nation, This prudent conduct on his part convinced the Subadar of the groundlessness of the suspicions with which his minister had endeavoured to poison his mind. As to Saiyid Lashkar, he was so disconcerted at the result of this second intrigue, that he sent in his resignation and retired into private life. He was succeeded in his office by Shah Nawaz Khan, a nobleman of high character and position, believed by Bussy to be attached to French interests. Opportunity was taken at the same time to remove from office all the adherents of the fallen minister, and to replace them by others professing devotion to the French. This change had the happiest results. From the time of its taking place to that of the recall of Dupleix in August of the same year, the condition of the French