Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 18.11.7

18.11.7

but that to entertain a few fugitives amongst the many thousands of other nations in his service, could never be deemed a breach of the articles." This answer pleased Seradj-ed-doulah, and he gave it to the English agents; but these, supported and instigated by his numerous enemies, repeated their former pretension, and made great instances. Those enemies of his were equally artful and numerous; and under the cloak of zeal and attachment, they were perpetually urging in his ears, "that to fall out with such foes as the English, for the sake of an handful of wretched "fugitives, was not a prudent proceeding; but rather such as might be productive of evil and repentance." Seradj-ed-doulah, overcome by these repeated instances, advised Mûsher Lass to repair to Azim-abad; and he spoke much in order to bring him to his opinion. Lass, on his departure, told the Navvab, that "most of his servants, Ministers, and Generals, either were disaffected to his person, or had already entered into a correspondence with the English; and that it was out of disaffection to his person they were so desirous of seeing the French at a distance. That those same men after the departure of the French, would embroil him with the English, and thereby would find opportunities to advance their own affairs, and to ruin those of their master's;