Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25.14.6

25.14.6

After which both those Generals gave several battles to Haider-naic, but reaped no other advantage from them than that of clearing the environs of that fortress; for Haider-nâic has remained undoubtedly the master of the whole province of Arcat. We have learned since; that Colonel Pearce having got on board of a ship, was arrived at Calcutta, from whence he had taken with him the great sums which the Governor had obtained as a loan from the principal men of his nation, and from the Bengalees. But he had hardly reached Mendradj, when General Coote himself returned to Calcutta, on account of sickness, leaving however the Colonel and the army in that fortress, where it is universally reported that the dearness and scarcity of grain, nay, of every necessary of life, has risen to such a heighth, as to be past suffering. But such is the strength and firmness of mind, which the English are possessed of, and such the wise dispositions made by the Governor in sending endlessly supplies of provisions, that the garrison has kept a firm footing, notwithstanding the distress felt within; nor has the fortress of Mendradj been conquered in these three years' time. God only knows what is to happen after this; but as our accounts do not reach farther, we intend to continue these sheets, whenever we shall have assembled materials. Meanwhile we shall compliment our reader with some account of Mubarec-ed-dowlah, and of the English Government and policy in Bengal.