Читать книгу Memoirs of the Revolution in Bengal, Anno Dom. 1757 - William Watts - Страница 1

The Success that has every where attended the Efforts of the British Arms, during the Course of this just and necessary War, will render this Period of our History resplendent, even to latest Ages. It seems, therefore, requisite to give the most accurate and distinct Accounts that can be obtained of these Successes in the remoter Parts of the Globe, that the Nature and Consequences of them may be the better understood here. The People of Britain are as well entitled to know, and will with equal Pleasure read, what has been effected for their Service at Bengal, as at Goree; and accept as kindly the Laurels brought them from Asia, as those that come from Afric or America.

In this we follow only the Custom of other Nations. The Portuguese and the Dutch have not only general Histories of their Atchievements in the Indies, and separate Accounts of their respective Settlements, but numerous Memoirs of particular Expeditions, in which they have been exceeded by the French. We should therefore be wanting to ourselves, if, having performed as great Things as they, and having as authentic Vouchers, we should willfully suffer the Memory of them to be lost, and the Merits of our deserving Countrymen swallowed up in Oblivion.

The following Pages will shew, how one of our finest Settlements in the East Indies was suddenly sacked and subverted by the Impetuosity of a young Man, intoxicated with Sovereign Power; in what Manner it was recovered and restored; the Peril to which it was again exposed from the same Person; and the Means by which it was not only rescued from a Second Destruction, but the Causes of these Calamities removed; the British Interest placed on a more solid Basis than ever; with additional Advantages that were never hoped; so that Stability may be truly said to have been extracted from intestine Troubles, and Public Miseries rendered the Source of Public Safety and Public Benefits.

But as these Wonders could never have been performed but by the Assistance of his Majesty's Fleets and Forces, and as this was derived from the constant and laudable Concern of the Administration, for the Fate of British Subjects wherever disposed, it is but a just Tribute of Gratitude to shew how Measures so wisely taken, proved so successful in the Event, that Posterity may profit by the Example, and our Trade ever meet with the like Support, under Officers (if they are to be found) of equal Abilities.

Lastly, it will appear how far the Nation has reaped the Fruits of these signal Events. The Settlement at Calcutta being not only effectually restored, but, as far as the Nature of Things will admit, its future Safety as effectually secured, the Honour of the British Name repaired, and the Terror of her Arms diffused throughout the East. The Fortunes of British Subjects, ruined in the first Calamity, unprovided for in the first Treaty, entirely recovered by the Second; many of which being now brought over, are actually vested in the Funds or Lands of Great Britain.