Louis Barthelemy
Excerpts from The Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai
translated from the Tamil by Order of the Government of Madras
Volumes 1-3 edited by Sir J. Frederick Price, KCSI., Late of the Indian Civil Service, Assisted by K. Rangachari, B.A., Superintendent of Records, Government Secretariat, Fort St. George
Volumes 4-12 edited by H. Dodwell, M.A., Curator, Madras Record Office
1904-1928
Louis Barthelemy [b. 1695; d. 1760] was the son of a Montpellier merchant. He entered the Company’s service in 1728, and at this time he was of the Pondichery Council, after serving in Bengal. In 1746 he was second at Madras under d’Espremenil, and, when the latter retired to Pondichery, became chief there; but refused to remain when he was superseded by Paradis. He married a daughter of Dulaurens. Etat general des Employes en 1750 (Ministere des Colonies, C2 15); Weber, pp. 466, 467 ; Cf., infra under date July 15.
-- The Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai, translated from the Tamil by Order of the Government of Madras, edited by H. Dodwell, M.A., Curator, Madras Record Office, Volume 4, 1916
The Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai, translated from the Tamil by Order of the Government of Madras, edited by Sir J. Frederick Price, KCSI., Late of the Indian Civil Service, Assisted by K. Rangachari, B.A., Superintendent of Records, Government Secretariat, Fort St. George, Volume 1, 1904
At noon this day, Tanappa Mudali and Madananda Pandit, who had been to see Mahfuz Khan, the son of the Nawab, returned, and reported to the Governor that they had visited him near Vazhudavur, and that he had halted at Kadirampillaiyar Koyil — called also Vira Reddi’s choultry — situated on the other side of Saram. At 4, the Governor deputed M. Miran and M. Barthelemy, together with Chinna Mudali and Madananda Pandit, and musicians, on another visit of honour to Mahfuz Khan. These paid their respects to him at his camp, and returning, reported to the Governor that they had done so. He informed them that he would invite Mahfuz Khan to visit him on the following day, and told them to go home; they then retired.
Being questioned regarding their interview, Chinna Mudali and Madananda Pandit said as follows: “When we visited him, he did not know how to treat us; he is incapable of making himself respected; his skin is exactly the colour of a Lubbay’s, black and ugly; manners are unknown to him; even our peons are orderly, decent, and wear clean cloths and turbans; he is worse than they; you can judge of him to-morrow when he comes here.” When they paid their respects to Mahfuz Khan, what happened was this: M. Miran and M. Barthelemy offered him their compliments. He bade them give his to the Governor, and said: “I have not brought any cloths. I came away in a hurry. I therefore have none ready to offer you. To-morrow, I will send presents to you, and to the Governor.” With these words, and in a beggarly fashion, he let them go. His desire was that the Governor should receive him at the town-gate — as he did the Nawab — and that all the marks of honour bestowed on him should be the same as were offered to that potentate. He requested Chinna Mudali and Madananda Pandit to convey this wish to the Governor, and they did so. We will see what is going to happen....
CHAPTER XV.
FROM APRIL 12th, 1746, TO APRIL 22ND, 1746.
Visit of Deputy Governor, Tranquebar — His personal appearance — Reception accorded to him — Opinion as to grounds for honours shown — Ramachandra Aiyan asks diarist whether he intends to take up chief dubashship -- Conversation on the subject — Kesava Rao, agent of Fatteh Sing, sends letter to Governor — Contains inter alia request for large loan -- Considered a forgery — Verbal reply sent that matter would be discussed later on— Governor inquires into claim against W. Tiruvengada Pillai —Directs him and Vira Chetti to make oath in temple — Muttukumaran and others deputed to see to compliance with order — They converse with diarist on their way — Statements of parties on taking oath — Removal of surveillance over complainant — Accused released — The complaint against him — Diarist strongly condemns conduct of Governor — Mentions result of it — Further remarks on Governor — Mari Chetti brought from prison to diarist who advises him to pay his debts— Remanded to confinement — Again produced — Certain persons complain to Deputy Governor that traders are being ill-used and tortured — Being repulsed, go to M. Barthelemy alleging that diarist torturing Mari Chetti— He refuses to listen— Go to house of Governor, but leave without speaking — Complain to certain members of Council and to priests — M. Miran records statements, and takes these to Governor — Who comments unfavourably on them — Sends for diarist — Wife of Mari Chetti comes to her husband— He reassures her, and is relegated to confinement — Governor summons diarist — Chinna Mudali, Tandavarayan, and Rangan, present — Last two interrogated as to story told to M. Miran— Deny it — Governor holds an investigation — Interpreter of M. Miran examined — Wrath of Governor against Tandavarayan and Rangan — He severely censures M. Miran — Who resents this — Tandavarayan and Raman imprisoned — Governor directs their speedy trial and punishment — Mari Chetti executes bond for payment of debts — Flight of a certain woman, to escape creditors -- Remarks on this — Departure of Deputy Governor, Tranquebar — Widow of Kanakaraya Mudali and her daughter-in-law remove to new residence — conduct of Chinna Mudali towards former — Reflections on the fall in her circumstances— And on the instability of prosperity —Remarks upon character of Chinna Mudali — Contrasted unfavourably with his brother — His efforts to obtain chief dubashship— Avay Sahib purchases broad-cloth —Release of Mari Chetti and others— Avay Sahib makes more purchases— Price set off against debt due by Company to Imam Sahib -- Four traders execute bonds for debts to Company — Governor unable to see diarist, owing to illness— Traders therefore retained in custody — M. Desmarets comes to diarist -- States that Governor keeps secret contents of a despatch— Believed to be orders for dismissal of Deputy Governor and cashier— Diarist expresses astonishment at fault being found with former— M. Pesmarets explains how these two officers got into trouble — Conversation as to how contents of despatch leaked out— M. Coquet, of Company’s service, drinks spirits — Enters native house in view to annoy females — Fracas ensues— M. Coquet severely injured — Governor expresses his approval— Inquiry instituted as to assailants ...
Friday, 15th April 1746, or 6th Chittirai of Akshaya. This morning, I had Mari Chetti brought before me at the distillery, from the house of the chief of the peons, where he was detained. I again talked with him on the subject of the previous night, and explained the terms of the instalment-bond which he was required to execute. In the meantime, Devam Tandavarayan, and Rangan the brother of Govindan, who had previously been incarcerated with other traders in the court-prison, called together the parents of Mari Chetti, and a few men and women, and went with them to the house of the Deputy Governor. They took their stand before the gate, and loud enough for the Deputy Governor, who was within the house, to hear them, they bawled out a complaint that the traders who were taken to the court-prison were confined in a room, and not allowed to go out to take their food, or answer the calls of nature; and that they were tortured by being compelled to inhale the smoke of burning chillies. M. Legou, the Deputy Governor, hearing the noise came out, and inquired who they were. They replied they were traders. He told them that they were a pack of rogues, and directed them to go away, warning them, at the same time, of the consequences which would befall them if they did not agree to pay the money due to the Governor. They thereafter went to M. Barthelemy, and complained to him that, having summoned Mari Chetti before me, and finding that he would not execute the bond demanded of him, I had caused his hands to be tied behind him, and having hung him head downwards, was beating him; that the ropes with which he was bound were moistened with water to make them swell, and cut through the flesh; that the victim of this cruelty was also being compelled to inhale chilly-smoke, and was lying at death’s door; and that the men taken to the court-prison were confined in one room, were not allowed to answer the calls of nature, and were tortured by being forced to breathe chilly-smoke. These and other false charges were made before M. Barthelemy, who told the accusers that he had nothing to do with the matter. They next proceeded to the residence of the Governor. They were met at the gate by Chinna Mudali, who told them that it would not be proper for the whole party to enter the house; and that two of them had better go in, and make the complaint. To this they would not agree. They then went to MM. Dulaurens, Miran, Le Maire, and other Councillors; and to the priests of the church, before whom, severally, they preferred in detail the same charge as they had made before M, Barthelemy. M. Miran, however, caused them to repeat their complaints, took them down in writing, and went to the Governor, to whom he handed the deposition of the traders, and stated what they had told him. The Governor remarked in reply that what was alleged could not have occurred; that it was true that he had deputed me to bring the traders to terms; that two or three of them had already executed instalment-bonds, and had been released from custody; and that two or three more — as I have said — had agreed to do the same. He pointed out that it was therefore impossible that such things could have happened, but nevertheless he said that he would send for me and others, and make an inquiry; and finding that it was almost meal-time, he asked M. Miran to dine with him. A peon was accordingly sent to fetch me.
Whilst this was going on, I was at the distillery-house endeavouring to bring Mari Chetti to terms. As I was thus engaged, his wife arrived, and said to her husband: "Devam Tandavarayan, and Rangan the brother of Govindan, told us that you were being beaten by Ananda Ranga Pillai. They took with them your parents, and some others, and have gone to make a complaint to the Governor. I have come here to ascertain what has happened.” Mari Chetti replied that they lied, and that he was merely having a talk with me. He thereupon told her to depart, which she did. I continued to try to convince him, but in vain. I then sent him away to the house of the chief of the peons, and went home at half-past 12. I was bathing, when one of the Company’s peons delivered a message to me that the Governor required my presence, after I had taken my meal. Having eaten my food, I set out at half-past 1, for the Governor’s house. My arrival was reported to him, and he thereupon sent for Chinna Mudali, who came at once. He had previously summoned Devam Tandavarayan, and Ranga Pillai the brother of Govindan, and they were already there. Chinna Mudali and I presented ourselves before him. As the Deputy Governor of Tranquebar was seated with him at table, the Governor when he saw us left it, and retired with M. Miran to his writing room. Chinna Mudali, Tandavarayan, and Rangan, were then sent for, and when they entered the apartment the Governor told Chinna Mudali to ask Tandavarayan and Rangan what they had said to M. Miran regarding my treatment of them. To this question they replied that they had already stated I had done them no injury, but that the warders of the court-prison had put them to a good deal of annoyance, by not permitting them to go out, either to take their meals, or to answer the calls of nature. The Governor then asked what they meant by telling a tale to M. Miran about my having caused Mari Chetti to be hung up head downwards, and beaten in that position, and about Mari Chetti’s being compelled to inspire the fumes of chillies, etc.; and then quite a different story to him. They replied that they had not said what was imputed to them, and that they only complained against the warders as regards their treatment of them when prisoners. M. Miran testified that he took down their statements as they were translated to him by his interpreter, Surappa Mudali, for whom he then sent. The Governor now made a sign to me to advance from where I was seated apart, and asked me what I had done to induce the traders to come to terms. I replied that a few of these men had sent their relatives to treat with me; that on my refusal to hear them, on the ground that they were a litigious set and that I could not put faith in their words, they besought me to listen to them, and agreed to execute bonds undertaking to pay by instalments; and that thereupon I communicated this to him, took documents from two or three of the traders, and released them from custody. I added that, whilst I was treating with Mari Chetti this day on the subject of his bond, the two men mentioned above collected a crowd, and made false charges against me to the Councillors and the priests, to the effect that I had beaten and otherwise ill-treated him; and that this was all I knew about the matter. He asked me why I did not make a report to him. I replied: "Is not this a complaint preferred against me? I therefore thought it would be better to wait until my accusers had had their say. I did not like to prejudice your mind by first telling you what I knew.” Chinna Mudali then said to the Governor: "These people came, and complained to me. I investigated their allegations, and finding that they were making false charges, I spoke angrily to them, and bade them go away.” "Why did you not of your own accord tell me about this?" asked the Governor. He in reply alleged that as a crowd had gathered at the time, he could not find an opportunity to convey to him any intimation of what had occurred. Surappa Mudali, the interpreter of M. Miran, who had been sent for, now came. The Governor desired him to repeat what Tandavarayan, and Rangan, had stated to M. Miran. He stood trembling in every limb; his tongue clove to the roof of his mouth; and he was unable to utter even a word. The Governor said encouragingly to him: "Be not afraid. Tell us what happened.” Surappa Mudali stammered out a few unintelligible words, and then exclaimed in Tamil: "There are witnesses who heard what these complainants told me. The men who before this said certain things to me, now deny them altogether.” This speech was interpreted by Chinna Mudali to the Governor, who then turned to Tandavarayan, and Rangan, and wrathfully asked them what harm the Councillors and priests, to whom they had made false complaints, could do to him. He next addressed M. Miran, and said with anger, both in his voice and manner: "Is it not because you, and all the other Councillors have given occasion for indignities to be heaped upon me — inasmuch as you have not in the first instance properly investigated the false complaints preferred by these dogs — that these worthless men do as they like. Now, do not M. Dulaurens and all of you share in the profits realised by the sale of goods to these traders? Am I alone the gainer thereby? Do we not all equally share both the profit and the loss?" M. Miran, frowning, replied: "This is the first time that I ever heard these complaints. As soon as I did so, I reported them to you, in order that inquiry might be made.” The Governor afterwards directed that Tandavarayan and Rangan, should be confined in the court-prison, and sent them away in custody. He next told Chinna Mudali to go to the court on the hearing day, and ask the Deputy Governor to take up, as the first for hearing, the case of false charge of which these two men were guilty, and to mete out to them a proper punishment. I thereafter went to the distillery-house, and sent Arunachala Muttu Chetti to my brother, Tiruvengada Pillai, to communicate to him all the tidings of the day. Towards evening, Mari Chetti came, and having executed before me a bond for payment in instalments, in favour of Wandiwash Ranga Pillai — his house being the security for the money due by him to the Governor — he returned to the house of the chief of the peons.
Two Indian hours before daybreak this morning, Rangammal, the wife of Kasturi Rangaiyan, the subordinate chief of the peons, escaped from Pondichery, to avoid her creditors. Tyaga Aiyan, the elder sister’s son of Gopalakrishna Aiyan, was distressed because she fled with 130 pagodas of his money. A few consoled him for the loss, by saying that he had had his satisfaction otherwise. A few others, who hoped to reap a little money by the scandal, were much chagrined, and remained in-doors, through sheer vexation. A few more were transported with joy because they felt the riddance of her as though they had been relieved of Saturn.* [The most malignant, in astrological influence, of all the planets.] Others again, who had been quaking with fear lest she should prefer false accusations against them, now felt their hearts revive. So her flight was hailed with delight by many, and regretted only by a few. The latter were Ranga Pillai, — the Governor’s accountant, — Arunachala Chetti, Vijayaragava Chari, Ranga Chari, Tyaga Aiyan, Ramachandra Aiyan, the son of Melugiri Pandit, and his brothers: the many were the rest....
Friday, 22nd April 1746, or 13th Chittirai of Akshaya. — This day, whilst I was at the arecanut storehouse, M. Desmarets came to ask me for carts for gravel. He said to me: "In the mail bag which came four days ago from Mahe, there was a letter from France. This was first sent to Bussorah; whence it was despatched, by way of Surat, to Mahe, and thence here. The Governor read it, and keeps the contents to himself. He also has not delivered the letters from France which were addressed to other individuals. It is reported that this letter, which is to the Council of Pondichery, contains some news of interest — at least some people in Mahe have written to this effect to MM. Barthelemy and Dulaurens, and a few others. Now listen to me, and I will relate to you the particulars, as far as I have learnt them. I was told by M. Vincens that M. Dupleix has received an order to dismiss M. Legou the Deputy Governor, and M. Guilliard the cashier, and that the letter addressed to the Council intimated that two commissioners are on their way out to hold an inquiry. I was further informed that M. Dupleix let out, when chatting at table, that he has been given full powers to act in the matter, and that he is perplexed as to the manner of communicating the order to the persons whom it concerns.” I remarked to M. Desmarets: "M. Legou has served the Company for forty years; he is, besides, a man of respectable character, of amiable disposition, and of good conduct. He has no equal as a judge of the qualities of cloth. There is everything about him with which the Directors should be pleased; and how is it possible that they should dismiss a man who has committed no fault.” M. Desmarets replied: "M. Porcher, when he was Administrator at Bandar, was charged with misconduct, and deprived of his Councillorship by M. Dumas, who also passed an order incapacitating him from serving the Company again. M. Porcher went to France, and laid the matter before the Directors, who confirmed the order of M. Dumas, but granted him permission to trade in the East on his own account. He, accordingly, returned to this country. When M. Dupleix became Governor, the case was again laid before his Council, and M. Porcher being declared innocent of the charges brought against him, was restored to his Councillorship. But the Company not having confirmed this, he was obliged to resign his appointment. In the course of the second, investigation, MM. Legou and Guilliard gave evidence to the effect that MM. Golard and Delorme had testified, to the innocence of M. Porcher, when he was on his trial before M. Dumas. This matter became known in France to M. Dumas, and he asked the Company whether such time-servers as MM. Legou and Guilliard, who altered their statements to suit the occasion, could be permitted to remain on the Council. Again, M. Dumont, a private merchant at Chandernagore, wrote to M. Soude, his agent, to realize a debt of 600 pagodas due to him from M. Mossac, a kinsman of M. Dupleix. M. Soude demanded payment from M. Mossac, who however repudiated the claim. The former then petitioned the Council to hold an investigation. On inquiry, it held that a false claim was preferred in M. Soude’s petition, and that what was mentioned in M. Dumont’s letter to him was untrue. As a matter of fact, however, M. Mossac subsequently repaid at Chandernagore the amount alleged to be due to M. Dumont, and requested him not to reveal the fact of his having done so. In this affair there was some perjury on the part of M. Guilliard, who was then the King’s Attorney; and M. Legou was accessory thereto. These acts on the part of the two Councillors were laid hold of by M. Dumas, who put it to the Directors whether men such as these, who were guilty of perjury and giving false evidence, could be allowed to continue in the service of the Company. They thereupon passed an order dismissing them.” In reply to this statement by M. Desmarets, I asked him how it happened that the contents of the despatch had leaked out before they had been made known in Council. He replied that some individuals in Pondichery had received communications on the subject from Mahe. I inquired who they were. He mentioned the names of MM. Barthelemy, and Dulaurens, and a few more; and said that he was told that these people had been talking over the matter in confidence. I observed that the whole truth would come out in the course of ten days more. Thereupon, he bade me farewell, and went home.
Last evening at 7, M. Coquet, the Notary Public and a subordinate merchant, left his house, and went to the garden of M. Basque in Mirapalli. There he drank spirits, and as he was returning home he entered a house in a certain street, for the purpose of annoying the women there. As it was dark, he pulled a firebrand from the hearth, and was waving it in the air in order to cause it to blaze before commencing his search, when a girl rushed out. He kicked off his slippers, and ran after her. The girl, however, fled to a neighbouring house, and called for help. On hearing her cry, the Tamil neighbours and passers-by assembled, and instituted a search in the house which the Frenchman was reported to have entered. He however escaped, and took refuge in a building hard by, which was in course of erection, and had no outer door. The Tamilians, fearing to venture in, surrounded the house, and kept watch. After a while, the Frenchman issued from his hiding place, and threw clods of earth at those who were watching for him in the street. Four men approached from behind, and seized him. He was then set upon, and beaten by all the persons assembled there. The gold buttons on his dress fell off, and all his clothes were torn. His sword and cane were wrested from him, and he was taken as a prisoner to the house of the Deputy Governor. The beating which he received was so severe that his skull was fractured, and his life is despaired of. Whether he will survive the rough treatment to which he has been subjected, remains to be seen. The Governor, who was apprised of what had occurred, expressed his approval of the action of the people in these words: "Should the Tamilians bear with the conduct of a European who enters a native house to outrage the women? They have done well in making a thorough example of him.” Those who were concerned in assaulting the Frenchman are not known, and inquiry is being held. No arrests have as yet been made.
The Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai, translated from the Tamil by Order of the Government of Madras, edited by H. Dodwell, M.A., Curator, Madras Record Office, Volume 4, 1916
Saturday, March 18. [8th Panguni, Akshaya.] — The news is that M. Delarche, [Son of a captain in the French service and of a Creole mother. Dupleix describes him as almost faultless save for his vanity, ‘vice ordinaire de l’enfant de l’Inde.’ (Google translate: ordinary vice of the child from India.) He knew Persian, and married an Armenian woman. Cultru, pp. 40, 50; Cj. ante ii 326.] M. Cayrefourg, [Surgeon-Major of Pondichery. Cultru, p. 14. European Surgeons (more or less qualified) played a considerable part in the diplomacy of those days. One need only mention the exploits of Manucci and the fact may be recalled that Dupleix maintained a correspondence with Delhi by means of a French deserter who had set up as surgeon in ordinary to the Moghul.] M. de Kerjean, and the priest, who went with the present to the Nawab, reached my garden at sunrise this morning with a dress of honour and a horse sent in return. They left the horse at the garden, and, as the Governor was in bed, came here at seven o’clock, gave the dress of honour to me and went home. As soon as the Governor rose, I told him about this. Then M. de Kerjean called me and said, ‘When we went to Arcot by way of Perumukkal, Muttu Malla Reddi entertained M. Delarche and gave many presents. He complained that you were harbouring the poligar of Alattur, stopping his letters to the Governor and Council and imprisoning his people. M. Delarche replied that he would go to the Governor and do this and that. Then we went on to Arcot.’
While we were talking of these matters, the Governor came up and asked what we were talking about. Thereupon N. de Kerjean told him what is written above, about the presents given to M. Delarche by Muttu Malla Reddi at Perumukkal, his complaints and M. Delarche’s reply. I then said, ‘Muhammad Tavakkal told me, when he was here before, that M. Delarche had asked him to get him a sword, and, when he went to Arcot, the title of Sikandar [i.e., Alexander, ‘the victorious.’ Delarche’s name was Henri Alexandre.] Khan and a munsub of two or three hundred horse; and to ask the Nawab and others to give him special presents for himself. I told Muhammad Tavakkal that you would not object if presents were given according to a man’s deserts, but that otherwise you would be displeased. He then said he would not do what M. Delarche asked, but would put him off with promises. M. Delarche however has done just as he pleased while he was at Arcot. Compare the dress of honour and the horse that he has brought for you with those that he has brought for himself. He boasted at Perumukkal and made people believe that there was no one like him, and all to get something more out of them.’
The Governor said angrily, before M. de Kerjean, 'If anybody asked him, he should have said that such matters did not concern him and so departed. What business has he to make such answers? Let him come and speak to me about it and you shall see what I will say to him.’
At four o’clock this afternoon, I and the Europeans, M. Barthelemy, [Louis Barthelemy (b. 1695; d. 1760) was the son of a Montpellier merchant. He entered the Company’s service in 1728, and at this time he was of the Pondichery Council, after serving in Bengal. In 1746 he was second at Madras under d’Espremenil, and, when the latter retired to Pondichery, became chief there; but refused to remain when he was superseded by Paradis. He married a daughter of Dulaurens. Etat general des Employes en 1750 (Ministere des Colonies, C2 15); Weber, pp. 466, 467 ; Cf., infra under date July 15.] and M. Duquesne, [Ensign 1735; lieutenant 1738; appointed captain in 1748.] together with the Poligar [An official corresponding with the Peddu Nayak at Madras, who is also sometimes referred to by the same title. He maintained a body of peons and was supposed to prevent, or pay compensation for, robberies.] went to the garden with music, to fetch the presents, the dress of honour and the horse which had been left there.
The dress of honour and the presents for Madame were placed in the palankin and the big black horse was led in front of it. Eleven guns were fired when we entered the gates, and fifteen guns were fired from the Fort, when the dress of honour was presented to the Governor. When the presents were examined, it was found that the horse was black, [Therefore inauspicious.] lame and old, and the dress of honour was old and worn, and not worth even a cash. Madame’s [presents] were also old. When he had seen them, the Governor asked if there was any present for me. M. Delarche said there was, but he gave it neither to the Governor nor to me. Thereupon the Governor, having viewed the presents, said angrily to M. Delarche, ‘You had better take away the present you have brought. What do you mean by bringing me such things? Take them away.’ Then they all dispersed.
My present has not been given to me nor has any letter from the Nawab been given along with the presents to the Governor. When asked why this was, he said that it would come later. On account of what was going forward at Fort St. David, M. Delarche and the other Europeans grew alarmed and fled, without getting any letters from the Nawab and Sampati Rao— as women say, they ran away with nothing but what they had on.
***
Saturday, July 15. [3rd Adi, Prabhava.] — According to the Governor's orders of yesterday, I told Avay Sahib to come and read to him the letter that came yesterday from Imam Sahib. It said: — ‘Please obtain and send to Nizam-ul-mulk a hundred candies of copper, two hundred of tutenague, one hundred, of lead, and a hundred bales of English broad-cloth. Avay Sahib will give you Nizam-ul-mulk’s pass and send the goods to Aurangabad. You have written that you wish to exchange Madras for Valudavur and Villiyanallur, and that I should settle the matter. You seem to think lightly of Madras, as if it were a place of small advantage. But your conquest of it and your victory over the Nawab of Arcot have spread your fame even to Agra and Delhi. Why then should you give up Madras? I will secure for you the possession of Valudavur and Villiyanallur. Ascertain the assessment, the collections and the names of the jaghirdars. My people also shall make enquiries. Please give my son, Hasan ’Ali Khan, a little money as I have already asked you, and also advance money to purchase and make ready things against my daughter’s marriage. You will have received already the sarpech sent you by Nasir Jang. If you get the telescope now sent mended, and send another one, he will be as pleased as if he had been given a lakh of pagodas. Do not omit this. It will serve as a mediator to make friends for you. There is a book in the French tongue about the body, bones, veins and other doctor’s matters. Please send me a Persian translation of it, or, if there is none, the book itself.’
After hearing this, the Governor, in the presence of Avay Sahib, gave me the following: — a book with pictures of the parts of the body and their uses; a book about instruments and medicines; two telescopes, English-made, one long plated one and one coloured, and another of brass with which to see the moon and the stars. He also told me what must be said in the letter to Nasir Jang to go with these things by Avay Sahib, and to write to Imam Sahib the assessment and collections of Valudavur and Villiyanallur. After he had finished his instructions, Avay Sahib asked about the other articles mentioned in Imam Sahib’s letter. The Governor told me to see that a hundred candies of copper were given by the Company’s merchants, and asked how much tutenague they had. I told him a hundred candies, and he said that also was to be given, and he also promised out of the Fort [i.e., out of the Company’s godowns in the Fort.] a hundred candies of lead and a hundred bales of French broad-cloth, as we have no English. He further said that he would pay 1,000 pagodas out of the interest due, and told me to take a receipt for it. Avay Sahib said it was not enough. The Governor answered that the broad-cloth, lead tutenague and copper would come to more than 30,000 pagodas, and that he would give the rest after the ships arrived. Avay Sahib then took leave and went home.
The news about the marriage has already reached Madras. M. Dulaurens heard on Monday, July 10 from his son-in-law, M. Barthelemy, saying that Papal had died on the 7th at half-past nine. He sent for Muttayya Piilai, and told him, saying with much feeling that it was very sad for the bridegroom and a shocking and undeserved misfortune for me. On hearing this Muttavya Piilai fell down and wept for grief. All the Europeans, men and women, Hindus and Muhammadans, even the children, mourned, and the whole town wept. M. Dulaurens and other Europeans said, ‘When it grieves us so much, what must it be to Rangappa and his wife?’ M. Dulaurens asked Gopalakrishna Ayyan to write me a letter of condolence, saying that it must be ascribed to the ill-fate of my son-in-law and that we must submit ourselves. The letter was bitter reading to me. M. Barthelemy sent it Muttayya Pillai of Porto Novo who left here for Sadras on June 28 in a Portuguese ship, [The San Luis.] Captain Antonio de Campos, was in Madras and was present when M. Dulaurens told Muttayya Pillai in the Fort about Papal’s death. Gopalakrishna Ayyan’s letter described the extreme sorrow felt by Muttayya Pillai and ail the people in the town. Tirumangalam Kumarappa Chetti and other merchants also wrote to me. When people who only hear of it are so grieved, what must I feel who witnessed it? I wonder I still live. My heart must be of iron, not of flesh. Had this blow fallen ten days before the marriage, or after it, it would not have been so overwhelming; but falling amidst the marriage feasts, it is unbearable. Man’s efforts are vain. Heaven’s decrees surely come to pass however we attempt to resist them. None can take away from what God ordains or add thereto. What can I do?
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Wednesday, November 22. [10th Karttigai, Prabhava.] — When I went to the Governor’s house this morning, he had sent for all the Councillors. They came and held a consultation, and then dispersed. The Governor then called me, and said with much exultation, ‘M. Dulaurens [Jacques Baleine du Laurens d. 1749] has been behaving at Madras as if he had no superior.
For his misconduct and Kommanan’s, we have resolved to recall him [See infra p. 233.] and send M. Barthelemy in his place. This comes of his despising the advice which I told M. Miran to give him at the time of his going to Madras. You will see that he has to come back and remain here, with no more power than a monkey. It is what always happens to those who forget the power of their superiors. Madame Dulaurens [Marie Galliot de la Touche] [Marie, daughter of Louis Galliot de la Touche, who came out as a Mariner and subsequently became Master Attendant at Pondichery. (P. R. — No. 28 p. 851).] too who hoped to rule Madras will have to come back with her husband.
I have also recalled M. Gosse, [Gosse is said to have been a nephew of the director Saintard. He had served at Mahe and Bussorah. Was appointed Secretary in 1747, and in August went as Second to Madras. The Conseil Superieur said of him that he was talented, but ‘son caractere caustique, difficile et mordant n’est du tout point convenable pour des colonies trop eloignees de l’Europe.’ [Google translate: its caustic, difficult and biting character, not at all suitable for colonies too far from Europe.] Cons. Sup. a la Compagnie, December 24, 1747 (P.R. — No. 7).] M. Panon [A Creole from the Isle of Bourbon, and a 'tres mauvais sujet’ [Google translate: very bad subject] according to Dupleix who writes of him that at Madras ‘il a fait sa main autant qu’il l’a pu et vilainement’. [ Google translate: he made his hand as much as he could and badly.] He held the rank of ‘commis.’ Ministere des Colonies, C2 15. M. de Nazelle mentions a man of the same name as Engineer at Madras (op. cit p. 27), but I cannot say if he was the French Civil Servant or another.] and M. Cotterel, [Originally a sailor, but, being protected by the Cardinal deTencin, was appointed to the Civil Service in 1740. He had served as ‘Lieutenant de port,’ inspector of the Hospital, and inspector of Customs. He had only reached Madras in the previous August. Cultru, pp. 47, 50 ; La Compagnie au Cons, Sup. November 9, 1740, and the Council's reply to the Company’s letter of November 25, 1741 (PM. — No. 6) ; Madras to the Cons. Sup. August 24, 1747 (P.R. — No. 16).] and shall send others. M. Dulaurens [Jacques Baleine du Laurens d. 1749] has spoiled his chances by his tongue; his government has been quite a failure.' He went on railing at M. Dulaurens [Jacques Baleine du Laurens d. 1749] for three-quarters of an hour. I observed, ‘I always knew that those who opposed you would be overthrown. M. Dulaurens [Jacques Baleine du Laurens d. 1749] is fortunate to have escaped till now. I don’t know what will become of him.’ I talked suitably on this sub- ject with him for an hour and a half. I then told him of the news that the customs people brought last night and of their list. The three English ships that were off Madras passed here at noon and are anchored oh Cuddalore.
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Monday, November 27. [15th Karttigai, Prabhava.] — When I was at the Governor’s this morning [M. Barthelemy] [Blank in the original.] who is going to Madras as Chief and M. Moreau [Moreau had previously served at Mahe, and Surat. He arrived on the Coromandel Coast with Leyrit in the previous May. Dupleix characterised him as ‘atrabiliaire et fripon’. [Google translate: atrabiliar and rogue] Cultru, p. 49.] who is going as Second, came to take leave. Malaikkolundu Mudali the leper, who is Tambicha Mudali’s son-in-law and husband of Kanakaraya Mudali’s wife’s sister, was introduced as the man who is to be chief dubash there. That vagabond Nallatambi, who used to live by picking up half-smoked cheroots, and who washed the dishes at the Second’s house, is to be Poligar; [i.e., Head of the Police.] and his fellow, Savari, who was once a dog-boy, is to be chief of the peons, Kulandaiyappan has been named interpreter at the Choultry. [See p. 37 supra.] The latter is Varlam’s elder brother and Malaikkolundu Mudali’s son. All these have been ordered to go with M. Barthelemy. He and M. Moreau took leave and then set out with their dubashes and poligars.
These people have been appointed partly because Nallatambi gave Madame Dupleix 1,500 rupees, and because she has ulterior motives. She believes the former poligars at Madras have grown rich by plunder and expects to grow rich herself by appointing her own people. She thinks that she will be able to do whatever she pleases at Madras, as M. Barthelemy is not so clever as M. Dulaurens, and that M. Dupleix, who got nothing when M. Dulaurens was there, will be able to make it up now that M. Barthelemy is chief and it will be easy to plunder the town. Thus hoping to get money out of it, she has persuaded her husband to make such appointments.
I have heard and I have read in books also, extraordinary accounts of the cunningness of women. But Madame Dupleix surpasses them all a thousand times. The Europeans, both men and women, and Hindus and Muhammadans alike, all curse her as a pupil of the Devil who will ruin the town. M. Dupleix sometimes remembers what she is, but often he forgets. So affairs are carried on at a venture, not according to wise management.
At half-past ten the Second visited the Governor; and when he had gone, the latter, calling me into the hall, said, ‘Have you heard about the accusations against you? Your enemies say you are moving your goods away to your uncle’s house and that you yourself are only awaiting an opportunity of deserting us. They say that you and Muttayappan are to share the money made by robbery, deceit and theft at Madras, and that is why you wish to leave.’ — I replied, ‘Sir, consider this. They bring false charges against me in order to make you suspect my conduct and to drive me from your favour. They tried before, but failed. They have done this only to involve me in trouble. If only your honour will be pleased to hear me for a quarter of an hour, you will see who is guilty — I or my accusers — and whence these stories spring.’ — ‘I know where they come from,’ he answered; ‘they are childish, and you need not worry over them. Ten thousand such charges cannot injure you, so long as you serve the Company diligently with all your heart.’ —
‘But, sir,’ I exclaimed, ‘let not the matter be so dismissed. If you will be pleased to hear me, in two words — ’ But he cut me short. 'It’s a childish matter,’ he said. ‘I know all about it. You may go.’ And he went into his private room. I feared he would grow angry if I said more, and so I thought it best to wait till later. I had meant to tell him that his wife was the cause of all this; that because he had treated me with great favour, my name was spread abroad to Mysore, Aurangabad, and even Delhi; that even one like the Nawab of Arcot did not pronounce it lightly and that Nizam-ul-mulk himself regarded me with respect; that all this was because I was his slave; and that if Madame Dupleix was angry and slighted me, it would reflect upon him and other people would cease to respect me or pay heed to my words. That was what I had meant to say, but as the very words were in my mouth, the Governor said, ‘I know all about it. Am I Dumas?’ And so he left me. I must therefore speak about this another time.
But how malicious must she be to invent such lying stories! She tells all she meets, Europeans, men and women, that I have bewitched her husband and closed his eyes, that I plunder the town and bribe him, that he no longer looks after business but leaves all to me, that I have become Governor instead of M. Dupleix, and that she has never seen a man so fond of any one not his wife. Such are her accusations. God alone must look to this; there is no other help.
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Wednesday, November 29. [17th Karttigai, Prabhava.]— The Governor sent for me this morning and I went to him at half-past seven. He got up and took me into his room. He said to me, ‘You know that from the time M. Dulaurens went to Madras, he constantly disobeyed my orders, and that his fraud in the matter of the cotton sale was brought before Council. [By a resolution of the next day Dulaurens and Gosse were excluded from the Council and Panon was suspended, for this cotton business. The charge was that, although 22 parodas (at 345 rupees per hundred) was offered per babar at the outcry, the cotton was sold privately to one Balu Chetti for 22 pagodas (at 320 rupees per hundred) per bahar. In other words they sold the cotton at 70-4 rupees [to] the bahar instead of 75-9. Dulaurens, etc., declared absolutely that no more than 20 pagodas was offered at the outcry, but admitted that after the sale Balu Chetti had allowed them to take a share in the bargain. Cons Sup. a la Compagnie, November 30 and December 24, 1747; also Dulaurens, etc. au Cons. Sup. November 26, 1747. ( P.R . — Nos 7 and 16) If the accused were not guilty, they were extraordinarily imprudent; but Dupleix' efforts to make matters appear worse are very characteristic. According to La Bourdonnais, Delaurens had had a dispute with Dupleix over the charges the latter wished to bring against La Bourdonnais. Memoire pour la Bourdonnais, Preces Justificatives, No. ccxxx.] He has been recalled for it and M. Barthelemy sent instead. Now as he has been dismissed for selling cotton at so low a rate as 22 pagodas, I must report to the Council that it has been sold better. I want you to take the 700 bales —about 500 candies — and induce the Company’s merchants to buy them at 20 pagodas. I will be responsible for any loss that may result; but if it were known that I was responsible, the Council might think that I, not minding a loss of a thousand or two, had done so out of enmity to M. Dulaurens, and it would seem likely; so we must make it appear that the Company’s merchants have come and bought it of their own accord, and I shall write and tell the Council [i.e., the Madras Council? Cf. p. 238 infra.] so. I will give the merchants all possible help, and if they need it I will even give them 9 per cent, commission afterwards. They won’t trust to my promise and sign the contract. If I wished to, I could put all sorts of pressure on them; but I don’t like that. I do not want to see them put to any loss — on the contrary I will always relieve them. They bought some goods eight months ago, and must pay the whole price if they are asked to. But I will be lenient. They may pay five or six thousand pagodas a month, to cover the expenses at Madras, till the debt is cleared; that will take a long time and meanwhile they can be getting their money in and selling their goods, not only without loss, but with their proper interest and profit. I do not think any one has ever treated them so favourably.’
I answered, ‘Sir, it is all true. Their business prospers by your favour, and their interests are made the same as yours. No one has ever treated them so kindly. They had indeed sold off their goods resolving to act together no more but now they have agreed to enter into a new contract as you desired. They deserve your favour and are grateful for it. They have spoken to me for close on an hour about your justice, your protection of the people and removal of the land tax.’ [I have found no reference to this; but the Deliberations du Conseil Superieur are missing at Pondichery for this period.]
He then told me to repeat to the merchants what he had said. I suggested that he might summon them before him, and when he had broken the matter to them, I might relate the rest. He agreed, so I sent peons to call them all to the Governor’s. Before they had come, he called me and told me to get a bill for 10,000 rupees, saying the money should be paid at the Fort. I sent for Guntur Balu Chetti and got a bill on Gundu Ramanujalu Chetti of Madras, in M. Barthelemy’s favour at eight day’s sight. I took it to the Governor, but he told me to keep it till the morning after Council, when a letter would be written to Madras.
Meanwhile the merchants had come and I presented them to the Governor. He told me to explain to them all about M. Dulaurens’ misconduct and dismissal. So I said, 'In spite of his want of respect for the Governor, M. Dulaurens was named Governor of Madras, where he should at least have behaved honestly. Bat his wickedness increased; he did as he pleased and even began to rob, as though he were the lord of the place. When he was ordered to sell cotton at public outcry, he reported that he had sold 700 bales, weighing about 500 candies to Guntur Balu Chetti at 22 pagodas, meaning to keep the cotton for himself. This was brought before the Council, who found him guilty.’
When I had thus explained the matter, the Governor said, ‘You may sell the cotton as if it were mine, keeping any profit there may be, and if there is a loss, I will bear it. In Council to-morrow we shall write that the cotton has been sold at 26 pagodas. Besides this, you may pay for the goods you have bought in monthly sums of five or six thousand pagodas, to meet our expenses at Madras. That is giving you long credit and is a great concession.’
The merchants answered, 'You always treat us with favour, and so we are not astonished at this.’
The Governor said, ‘I am astonished, for, while I do you and every one else all the good I can, yet people call me unjust and pray God for my removal.’
The merchants answered: — ‘The rich English town of Madras was plundered in the war; the merchants of Aladras, of Cuddalore, of Porto Novo, and those who had taken refuge in the Moghul’s country lost all their goods and had to wander about homeless. But since you, like a father, have guarded the people of this town, what other proof is needed of your valour and great-heartedness? Before the war we were afraid; but we have been preserved by you, while we have witnessed the sorrows of the people of Madras. Moreover to protect your people you were pleased to take off the grain-duties in the famine. [See p. 56 supra.] In spite of all these things, some people have spoken evil against you. They should be diligently sought, and their instigators be hanged. Your glory is greater than the Moghul’s and people pray that your life and glory may endure; but your detractors should be discovered and hanged, else they will invent more lies.’ I interpreted all this to the Governor, and added, ‘The day before yesterday I was accused falsely; if it were sought into, it would be seen whether I or my accuser were guilty; whichever is proved guilty, let him be hanged without further words. If such accusations are ignored, there will be no end to them, and I shall be unable to perform my duties. They have been inventing lies against me from morning to night, and though you pass over many I fear at last you will become angry with me. New lies are still being coined, and my difficulties are unbearable.’ And I also added more words to the same effect.
The Governor answered, ‘I know all that. People always speak ill of one in power. We have a saying, “The cur’s barking shows the true man.” It’s no evil, but an honour, Ranga Pillai, for these low-caste dogs to snarl at you. Remember, it is a sign of growing fame. That is what I think in my own case.’
We thus discussed matters in the presence of the Company’s merchants, and then the Governor dismissed me, saying, ‘God bless you; you may go.’ As it was then noon, I and the merchants went to our homes. The Governor’s good humour was so extraordinary that, if the merchants had not been there, I would have told him plainly that Madame was the cause of all these false charges. But I will do so another time.
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