Storia do Mogor 291: Fryday, 15th February, 1698.
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 291
- Language
- English
Fryday, 15th February, 1698.
291.1
Ebrahim Cawn Gurry remains encampt near Selimon Cawn, and this morning we discourst his Braminy, and then showed him Selimon Cawn Gurry's two Letters, in both which he blamed Selimon Cawn; to which the Braminy answerd, that Selimon Cawn gave his Master a different representation of that matter; That his people came into Cuddalore with the Kings treasure, that our Souldiers were abusive to them, killd and wounded them, &ca. We told the Braminy that Ebrahim Cawn Gurry knew that it was quite otherwise, and himself knew so too, but he said that he must discourse as ordered, and that Ebrahim Cawn Gurry as Mediator to make Peace between Selimon Cawn and us, desired three things, vizt.: 1st. Sending the body of Selimon Cawns brother in Law: 2d. The delivery of 5 Prisoners that were taken in the skirmish at Cuddalore, who had their dependance on him, one a Faukeer, the other Horsekeepers and of as little account: The 3d proposition was to give Selimon Cawn a sum of money; and then he would be gone: We did not hesitate to grant the two first, but sent the 5 prisoners with his Braminy, and the Corps being found yesterday by Mollems people, we ordered to be sent to the Fort, and from thence they might receive it; the Braminy prest our sending of it, which we refused, and plainly told him, that no man had security in going near a man of Selimon Cawns temper.
291.2
As to his last proposition of giveing a Sum of money we told him that [we] did much admire Ebrahim Cawn Gurry should mention such a thing, when twas notoriously known Selimon Cawn had basely and wickedly robbed, plundered and damaged this place to a considerable amount ; that we had represented the matter to Zulfauker Cawn, and did not question but he would order him to render satisfaction ; That Ebrahim Cawn Gurry had in his letters exprest quite contrary as aforesaid, and we expected restitution for his wrongs ; his Braminy did not propose the delivery of the four Horses, nor the other Prisoners that were servants to Selimon Cawn. In discourse with the Braminy we are assured that Selimon Cawns people came into Cuddalore with some of the Kings treasure ; Zulfauker Cawn had sent about 200 horsemen belonging to Ramsing for said treasure, which was about 25,000 Rups. Selimon Cawn was to send some horse as a Convoy with it towards the Camp, and haveing had evill designs against Cuddalore, took this opportunity, and there is reason to believe Ramsings people knew nothing of it till the morning, and then they hasted away with the treasure, tho' some of them were spectators of Selimon Cawns base attempt ; and tis said that they have reported the same publickly at Zulfauker Cawns Camp to the dishonour of Selimon Cawn.
291.3
This evening our Mauldar [manager] returned from the Nabobs Camp [i.e., Zu,lfiqar Khan's] ; He brings no answer from Amer John to the Presidts. letter, nor from the Nabob ; but a curtious letter from Abdall Labby ['Abd-un-nabi], who writes that he has represented Selimon Cawns base dealings to Zulfauker Cawn, and that we must make our application to the Nabob, that if we had done it sooner it might have prevented this vastly great loss. Amer John told our Mauldar, that if we had killed Selimon Cawn in his base attempt upon us, Zulfauker would have been well pleased, and that an order was ready to be delivered him, requireing Collebeague not to give us any disturbance, but the same was not chopt [stamped with his seal], because Uttum-Chund had not received what he expected ; and our Spye Braminy writes that Amer John told him we should upon no account give anything to Selimon, for it would be displeasing to Zulfauker, who would take care of our business more effectually when application was only made to himself ; And Uttum Chund says, that Rama Rajah's papers being in his custody, he observes the English gave much money to him for Tevenapatnam, &ca. but would give none to Zulfauker Cawn. Ebrahim Cawn Gurrys Egip [interpreter] and our Braminy went to their Camp, but did not return.
291.4
Yesterday and to-day, Selimon Cawn's and Ebrahim Cawn Gurry's people cut a great deal of Paddy in the bounds and carried great quantitys from Trepopolore and other out-towns, where the same was buried ; The Pollygars [local chiefs] that were with them were chiefly concerned in carrying away plunder. Saturday, 26th February, 1698. This morning our Egip [interpreter] and Ebrahim Cawn Gurrys Braminys returned, who were orderd to tell us, that with much difficulty he had perswaded Selimon Cawn to return to Chellumbrum, and desired the Corps might be sent, and the rest of the Prisoners and horses delivered ; Our Egip [interpreter] answerd that he knew the Corps was ready, but he had no power to treat about the Prisoners and horses. About 9 a clock in the morning Selimon Cawn took down his great Flags, and gave notice of his departure ; about 11 they began to march under the hills without our bounds, towards Porto Novo ; Ebrahim Cawn Gurry accompanyed him about 2 miles, and then returned at the extent of our bounds, where he desired Mr. Berlu might meet him, to treat about the delivery of the prisoners and horses ; He had wholy waved the discourse of giving Selimon Cawn any money.
291.5
The Corps went so soon as to meet him, but his stay was so short, that he was gone before Mr. Berlu went three-fourths of the way ; but his Braminy and two Mauldars [managers] being with Mr. Berlu, were orderd to acquaint him of his setting out to meet him. After Mr. Berlu's return, twas thought fitt to send a short letter to Ebrahim Cawn Gurry, adviseing him thereof, in which [we] did not mention any thing of the Prisoners and horses. If the Danes and the English have felt the ill-humour of the Mahomedans and of the Hindus in these regions, neither have the French been exempt. Here is what happened at Pondicherry, a place belonging to the royal company of that nation ; it is situated upon the sea shore, and distant from Fort St. David about five leagues in a northern direction. The French re-established themselves here in 1698, after the conclusion of peace. Many people rejoiced at their return, and a large number of merchants of the country hastened to the place to settle there under their protection. Nevertheless, it was not long before they were troubled by continual insults from a gang of robbers who fixed themselves in an adjacent place. Coming forth daily, they drove off all the cattle they could find ; in this way there was almost continually some dispute to disentangle. Often the Frenchmen were forced to rise from table and take steps against them.
291.6
Among other instances, it came to pass once that some horsemen left the fortress on some such expedition. Two riders advanced further than was necessary, not considering what might happen to them. One of them, called Monsieur de Maisonneuve, having seen some men on foot driving off some cows, rode after them with all possible speed, hoping to recover their prey from these robbers. But his horse being somewhat unmanageable, he could not carry out his purpose. While still in this unprepared state, there came forth from a neighbouring wood a considerable number of horsemen, who surrounded him. Then that gentleman came to know that it is frequently a bad thing to trust to one's courage rather than one's judgment; for in spite of his defending himself with all imaginable courage, killing the captain of these rascals and unhorsing two of his band, their number was too great for one man. He also became wearied out with fighting, and at last succumbed to their blows, lost his life, and his body was cut to pieces. The second horseman, whose name was Monsieur de Livernan, when going to relieve his comrade, was shot through the arm by a ball from the enemy. Two foot soldiers following him were killed by some of the men in ambush. But soon, all the Frenchmen having reached the spot, the enemy retired. Yet after this skirmish they did not desist [87] from continuing the same insults as above referred to.
291.7
At length, in the month of October, 1701, Monsieur Francois Martin, governor of the fortress of Pondicherry, received a report that these insolent fellows meant to attack him. To this intent they had allied themselves with other robbers who hid in the woods and had constructed a small earthen fort in a village called Bamiapalam, distant from Pondicherry about a league or more, and on the shore of the sea. At this place these wretches gave great trouble to travellers, and forced them to pay whatever they chose, and observed no limits of demand. One night Monsieur Martin, to put an end to these excesses, sent out one hundred French soldiers and two hundred natives with orders to attack this fort. They carried out this order in the morning of the next day, cut down the thorny scrub and the stakes planted round it, and scrambled through the ditches. At once the blacks within the fort rose and fired several times, but harmed no one. On their part the French in good order fired on them, and threw several grenades into the fort. Others made for the gate, and having broken it in by beams and hatchets, entered most valiantly, cut several of the enemy into pieces, and made prisoners of the rest. Their captain, a black man, was seized while trying to escape, and was carried off as quickly as possible to Pondicherry, together with several wounded men. In this encounter there were some three hundred horsemen of Singy (? JinjI, the fort), who wanted to come to their aid.
291.8
But they took no action, because Monsieur Martin was ready to receive them with about four thousand men that he had placed in ambuscade in order to defend his people. Hearing of this, the enemy retired. The wounded were brought, as I have said, to Pondicherry, where they were attended to and subsequently set at liberty. As for their leader, he was put on board the fleet leaving that year for Bengal, and I have never been able to ascertain what became of him. Since that time there have been no robberies, and the route past Bamiapalam has remained open. Thus nowadays, provided you can show a note from the said governor, you are no longer interfered with in the slightest. It is true that they do not pay the same respect to everybody, but he who can make himself feared is feared. under the rule of the governor of Singy (Jinji), and is about fifteen leagues from Madras.
291.9
Up to this time this last town (Madras), where I have made my abode, had not been troubled by war on any considerable scale, and had enjoyed pleasant enough repose [88]. But now, in the midst of the troubles which have agitated the other settlements on this coast, we have seen the appearance in the heavens, early in the year 1702, of a long tail, which at first led us to the belief that it was a comet, and yet no head to it was visible. At length, after some days the two ends of this tail showed without any star. This celestial sign was visible from February 23 to March 6 following. The point was directed to the south, and it issued from the west ; the head continued to advance towards the east. Such signs have ever been the harbingers of approaching calamity or some revolution among men. God only knows what may come of it, but we have already begun to feel the effects of a war, the details of which I will give. To be still more clear, it is necessary to begin somewhat farther back and tell you what brought it upon us.
291.10
I have already spoken of the general Da,ud Khan on several occasions. Here I must remark that he came to this province of the Karnatik in the month of January, 1701, and on his arrival he camped below the great fortress of Arcat (Arkat), an ancient strong place of the Hindu kings, at a distance inland from Madras of about thirty-four leagues. Thence he did me the honour of addressing me a very civil letter, inviting me to pay him a visit. To do this I had not the slightest intention. But the governor of this locality (Madras) and his council,