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406 THE FALL OF DUPLEIX. chap. w ith the native powers, to obtain from his European rivals an acknowledgment of his right to the terri- 1753. tories conceded to him by the representatives of the Mughal. He had previously, in February, 1752, addressed Mr. Saunders with this object, but the answer he received not having been of a nature to encourage him in the hope of a successful result, he had allowed the subject to drop. In the July of the following year, however, urged by the considerations to which we have adverted, as well as by the pressing solicitations of Bussy, who, by an engagement to become his stepson, had but just acquired a fresh right to advise him, he attempted to renew the negotiation. Saunders met him in what may be termed a conciliatory spirit, if we have regard only to the main object pro- posed to be attained. But the course of their correspon- dence soon showed that, though they equally wished for peace, the rival powers held very different ideas as to the conditions on which that peace was alone attainable. Dupleix insisted on the recognition by the English of himself as Nawwab of the Karnatik, an office which had been bestowed upon him by the Subadar, and been con- firmed, he asserted, by the Court of Delhi. The English Governor, on the other hand, loudly asserted the claims of Muhammad Ali. Under these circum- stances it would appear that whilst both governors continued to negotiate, they felt alike strongly that the terms of the treaty would be decided, not by their argu- ments or protests, by the validity of the parchments they displayed, or of the patents promulgated in their favour, but by the armies which were then contending for the possession of Trichinapallf, This fact alone is sufficient to account for the perseverance, constancy, and energy displayed by Mr. Saunders in sending reinforce- ments to Lawrence, and by Dupleix in the despatch of every available soldier to strengthen the forces of Brennier and Astruc.