The negotiations between the English and the Nabob were carried on chiefly by two agents, Mr. Watts, a servant of the Company, and a Bengalee of the name of Omichund.  This Omichund had been one of the wealthiest native merchants resident at Calcutta, and had sustained great losses in consequence of the Nabob’s expedition against that place.  In the course of his commercial transactions, he had seen much of the English, and was peculiarly qualified to serve as a medium of communication between them and a native court.  He possessed great influence with his own race, and had in large measure the Hindoo talents, quick observation, tact, dexterity, perseverance, and the Hindoo vices, servility, greediness, and treachery.

The Nabob behaved with all the faithlessness of an Indian statesman, and with all the levity of a boy whose mind had been enfeebled by power and self-indulgence.  He promised, retracted, hesitated, evaded.  At one time he advanced with his army in a threatening manner towards Calcutta; but when he saw the resolute front which the English presented, he fell back in alarm, and consented to make peace with them on their own terms.  The treaty was no sooner concluded than he formed new designs against them.  He intrigued with the French authorities at Chandernagore.  He invited Bussy to march from the Deccan to the Hoogley, and to drive the English out of Bengal.  All this was well known to Clive and Watson.  They determined accordingly to strike a decisive blow, and to attack Chandernagore, before the force there could be strengthened by new arrivals, either from the south of India, or from Europe.  Watson directed the expedition by water, Clive by land.  The success of the combined movements was rapid and complete.  The fort, the garrison, the artillery, the military stores, all fell into the hands of the English.  Near five hundred European troops were among the prisoners.

The Nabob had feared and hated the English, even while he was still able to oppose to them their French rivals.  The French were now vanquished; and he began to regard the English with still greater fear and still greater hatred.  His weak and unprincipled mind oscillated between servility and insolence.  One day he sent a large sum to Calcutta, as part of the compensation due for the wrongs which he had committed, The next day he sent a present of jewels to Bussy, exhorting that distinguished officer to hasten to protect Bengal “against Clive, the daring in war, on whom,” says his Highness, “may all bad fortune attend.”  He ordered his army to march against the English.  He countermanded his orders.  He tore Clive’s letters.  He then sent answers in the most florid language of compliment.  He ordered Watts out of his presence, and threatened to impale him.  He again sent for Watts, and begged pardon for the insult.  In the meantime, his wretched maladministration, his folly, his dissolute manners, and his love of the lowest company, had disgusted all classes of his subjects,