ported, unless he could get some friend to espouse his cause, whose influence would counteract that of his adversary. Accordingly, he wrote to the gentleman who held the appointment of civil surgeon to the district, and who likewise was extensively engaged in the culture of indigo, requesting him to take upon himself the character of mooktear, or agent, on his behalf. This gentleman was not unwilling to agree to the proposal, offering, as it did, a legitimate means of pecuniary emolument; but a question arose with the magistrate respecting the policy of the interference on the part of a person with whom he was known to be upon terms of the greatest intimacy. Natives are notorious for their readiness to believe that interest with men in office can achieve every thing, and that favour, rather than justice, procures the decisions pronounced in courts of law. The case, therefore, would have been much prejudiced in the eyes of the surrounding community, had a European medical officer, in daily and friendly intercourse with the judge, been permitted to act as mooktear for one of the contending parties. It was the more desirable that the decision in this case should have all the appearance of being unbiassed, because Pertaub Chund's cause was the popular one with the multitude, and however strongly the magistrates might be convinced of the attempt at imposture, in pronouncing in favour of Pran Baboo, they were likely to incur a suspicion of partiality to the person who possessed the means of rewarding it. This delicacy on the part of the judge obliged Pran Baboo to have recourse to other measures; he, therefore, despatched a party of his own friends, with a large retinue of camels, elephants, tents, &c., who formed themselves into an encampment on the outskirts of Bankorah, adding by their presence greatly to the excitement and bustle of the scene. They took care to inform their principal that nothing was to be done without money, stating the necessity of bribing all the native officers of the court in the first instance, and of winning over the judge saib by the same means, a thing to be accomplished, though with a greater degree of delicacy. Pran Baboo fell into the snare spread for him by his friends and confidents, who were supplied with a lac of rupees for the purpose of procuring a decision in his favour, every pice of which went into the pockets of the persons whom he paid liberally for advocating his cause, a circumstance which came to his knowledge at a subsequent period. The presence of these people, and that of the Calcutta lawyers, and the circumstance of the rivalry on the part of the latter to procure the moktear-nameh, or power of attorney, to act for Pertaub Chund, occasioned so much excitement at Bankorah, as to threaten the peace of Burdwan, and it was deemed expedient to send the prisoner to Hooghly to take his trial. The magistrate wished to have a guard of soldiers for the purpose of securing his safe conduct to the place of destination, but the Government objected to this arrangement, as being likely to invest the prisoner with a greater degree of importance than his pretensions merited. To be marched across the country under a military escort, would have occasioned a sort of triumph, which could not fail to elevate the pseudo raja in the eyes of the people, and to give them an idea that he was looked upon in Calcutta in the light of a great personage, who could not be treated in the ordinary way. The civil power was, therefore, directed to take the best method that offered, by means of chuprassees, to lodge the prisoner in safety in the gaol at Hooghly. It was thought necessary to convey him away privately by night, without making the intended change in the place of his trial public; and a strong body of the police placed at the disposal of the magistrate proved sufficient to effect this object. The pretended Pertaub Chund went away very quietly, making no attempt to escape; he was

probably by this time satisfied with the results of his attempt, since, though a prisoner, he was treated with great consideration and courtesy, and, moreover, might entertain a hope that the friends who had supported him thus far, would succeed in their endeavour to establish his claim to the Burdwan raj.

When lodged in the gaol at Hooghly, the self-styled raja abated not one whit of his pretensions. He was accommodated with apartments befitting his assumed rank, and enacted the prince with great success, receiving visits from vast numbers of persons, who, from various motives, were induced to solicit an interview. Amongst his numerous guests, one appeared, whose recognition was considered to favour his pretensions. General Allard, a French officer, in the service of Runjeet Sing, who had lately returned from France in a political capacity, happened to be at the time in Bengal, and renewed his acquaintance with the prisoner, whom he had known at Lahore, when under the guise of a fakeer. It is said that the general, notwithstanding the difference in appearance occasioned by the exchange of the tattered garments of a mendicant for the rich dress which he had now assumed, recollected at once the person with whom he had formerly conversed; and as upon two occasions he entered into a private conference, the hopes of the party favouring the pretender began to revive. This renewal of acquaintance on the part of the general certainly favoured the report so industriously circulated, that Runjeet Singh had promised the assistance of an army for the recovery of Burdwan, and all Pertaub Chund's supporters flattered themselves that he would have the countenance of the Lion of the Punjab. When the trial at length came on, the prisoner was arraigned upon a charge of moving through the district, contrary to the regulations of Government, with an armed force; no notice being taken of his pretensions to the raj. Mr. Turton, one of the most celebrated counsel of Calcutta, came up from the presidency for the purpose of affording his assistance in aid of the attorney who had already officiated at all the preceding examinations. These gentlemen were desirous to commence, by urging the inquiry concerning the identity of the prisoner with the son of the late Raja of Burdwan. They were prepared to bring forward hosts of witnesses, who, if oaths would have accomplished the object, were ready to swear that he was, beyond all question, the person that he represented himself to be. This point, however, not being before the Court, the endeavour proved unavailing. The charge of marching tumultuously through the district with an armed force, for the alleged purpose of seizing the raj, being fully substantiated, the so-called Pertaub Chund was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. This decision was considered to be very severe, especially when the length of time which the delinquent had already passed in confinement was taken into account. But it seemed necessary to allow a sufficient interval to elapse, in order that public excitement might cool down, before so mischievous a person should be again let loose upon society; for though bound by heavy recognizances to keep the peace, the facility with which he obtained money might have enabled him to forfeit them, could his abettors have hoped that he would yet succeed in his attempt. Some writers upon India have declared that there is no such thing as public spirit to be found in the country, no abstract love of justice: certain it is, that the most formidable leaders have not been able to maintain their position, or to rally their broken fortunes after the first ebullition of popular feeling has subsided. Their followers will die with them, but when once scattered, are not easily collected again; and it was rightly conjectured, that as time wore away, the partizans of the pseudo raja would drop

off, and that the difficulties of exciting a second commotion would be naturally enhanced.

Gradually, the true history of the pretended Pertaub Chund became known, although the means by which he contrived to impose upon so many persons remained undiscovered. It was supposed, that he must have been acquainted with the individual whose character he had assumed, being probably at some period in his service, and had learned from him many of the circumstances which he afterwards so ingeniously employed in the proof of his identity with the deceased prince. The extraordinary personal resemblance which he bore to the son of the late raja, and which must often have been the subject of remark, added to the opportunities which somehow or other he had obtained of becoming familiar with the domestic history of the Burdwan family, doubtless incited him to an attempt which, even though only partially successful, materially bettered his condition. During his imprisonment in the gaol at Hooghly, it was rumoured that the pretended Pertaub Chund was in reality the son of a brumhacharee, or keeper of a temple, named Shamanundo, of Kishnaghur, and that he had been an assistant at the same place. Several persons who were well acquainted with the parties, went to the gaol, and at once recognized Kistolall, their old companion, in the self-styled raja. The young officer who had apprehended the impostor, upon his progress, being summoned to Hooghly at this time to give evidence at the trial, felt anxious to witness the result of an interview between him and a German missionary, for some time resident at Kishnaghur, and therefore accompanied the party to the gaol. The missionary carried several native Christians, readers of the Scriptures, with him, who, as well as himself, had enjoyed many opportunities of seeing the brumhacharee and his son; the teachers of Christianity always haunting the neighbourhood of heathen temples. The visitors were received with much assumption of dignity, but when the pseudo raja glanced his eye over the padre and his native attendants, he evidently blanched. It was, however, only for a moment; recovering himself immediately, he replied to the familiar salutation with which they greeted him, with perfect self-possession; protesting, on being claimed as an acquaintance, that he had never seen them before. During the whole of the interview, the impostor, after the first sudden look of surprise, maintained an inflexible imperturbability of countenance; but the young officer observed that his chest heaved with internal agitation, and that it was not without difficulty that he preserved the semblance of tranquillity. Other persons subsequently came forward, who gave the same account concerning his occupation at the temple at Kishnaghur, or who had known him intimately in different places, and to those who were neither blinded by interest or prejudice, it was clear that, whether by fair or foul means, the real Pertaub Chund had died at Culna, and that the individual who had assumed his character was nothing better than an impostor. The inducements which led this adventurer to adopt the garb of a fakeer, and to wander as far as Lahore, did not transpire; but, as it has been before remarked, the circumstance is so common among the natives of Hindostan, as to excite little speculation.

At the expiration of his imprisonment, the pretended raja found no difficulty in procuring the securities required by Government, the friends by whom he had been so long supported coming forward on this occasion. Upon his release he proceeded to Calcutta, where he was still residing when the last accounts reached England. He talks of bringing his claims before the Supreme Court; but it is supposed that this intention is merely reported to keep up the

apprehensions of Pran Baboo, and to embroil him still farther with the putneedars, on the receipt of whose rents he must depend for the payment of the revenue. Hatred against Pran Baboo, and a determination on the part of rich and influential enemies in Calcutta to work him all the mischief in their power, have been the causes of the untiring support and lavish expenditure bestowed upon a pretender to the raj, by whose means they hope at length to effect his ruin. Meanwhile the impostor, notwithstanding the three bottles of brandy found in his possession, is looked upon as a very holy person, and respected accordingly, reaping a substantial reward for the deceptions he has practised, in the shape of a high reputation, and ample means of supporting his assumed rank. Such are the chances of human affairs in Asiatic society.

NIZAM'S SERVICE.-LOCAL OFFICERS.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR: I do not suppose, since the Hon. East-India Company was incorporated, that a subject more repugnant to the humour of the Directors was ever mooted within the walls of the India-House, than the claims of the local officers of H.H. the Nizam's army to pensions and other privileges common to officers in their own service. What argument shall I use to gain their attention, and to propitiate their good-will? Personally, I have the highest respect for the Hon. Court, and so I will be bold to say has every mother's son of the local officers; but when a body of men have, or, what is the same thing, believe they have, reason and justice on their side, and are urged to advance their claims for their own peculiar conservation and well-doing, the chances are, that they will persist in teasing the Court, until the matter has been fairly adjusted.

The object of the present letter is, to go over the whole of the debateable ground; to examine the question in all its bearings, and then to leave the point in dispute to the good feeling, benevolence, and justice of the Hon. Court. I do not doubt for a moment what the result of a calm consideration of the facts would be upon the minds of the Directors. I know that the representations of the local officers heretofore have been summarily rejected-but why? because the merits of the case have not been fully explained, and, therefore, not fairly considered. Nor, in an official document, would it be easy or respectful to enter into a complete and familiar discussion of all points, past, present, and prospective, of this vexata quæstio; and therefore it is, that I now address myself to the Hon. Court in this "questionable shape," in the hope that I may be read at some leisure hour-probably after dinner, when the digestion is in healthy action, and the mind and body are easy and contented; in that benignant moment, in short, when the smallest kitten might approach and play with impunity with the sternest Director of them all.

I shall begin at the beginning, because it is my object to prove that we have original and direct claims on the Court. Start not, hon. Sirs! I do not mean that you should open your purses; all I require is, that if such claims do exist, you will acknowledge the same, by permitting that independent prince, your ally, H.H. the Nizam, to do what he is willing to do—either to fulfil, or grant an equivalent to, his original contract with the local officers who entered his service before the year 1829; which contract he would not have broken or invaded, but for the gratuitous interference of your honourable

selves. That this is the fact, I mean to make apparent; but in the first place, I shall endeavour to prove that the Nizam's service was instituted and continued for the especial interests of the Company; that, in its generation, it has been as useful and as necessary to the British Government in India, as any part of the Company's army, and ergo, that, to repudiate the claims of the local officers to a future provision, under any circumstances, would be unfair; but is especially so, when, as hinted above, the conditions upon which they entered the service have been violated at the instance of the Hon. Company.

To prove the first part of my argument, it is necessary to go back a period of forty years, when the service was first instituted; and it is fortunate for my purpose, that the recent publication of the Marquess Wellesley's despatches enables me to go at once to the fountain-head, and to quote an authority, which, whether as to fact or reason, is not liable to dispute. We find in his first despatch, written at the Cape, and before he had reached India, that his attention had been called to the increasing power of the French at the native courts in India. Nearly every independent prince had organized disciplined troops, under French officers; and the marquess dwells, with much perspicuity and force, upon the inevitable consequence of a system, by which our most formidable enemy was daily acquiring fresh strength in the very strongholds of India. He declares, and any man at all conversant with the history of British India will wholly concur with him, that this was the most formidable danger that then menaced the British interests in this part of the world, although Tippoo lived, and the whole country was in a state of commotion. At no court had the French gained so strong a footing as at Hyderabad. M. Raymond, when the Governor-general landed at Calcutta, had command of fourteen thousand disciplined soldiers, and there was a separate force of 2,500 men under another foreigner; and the Governor-general, in all his despatches, distinctly declares his increasing conviction that, unless some means were adopted to eradicate the French influence at the Nizam's and other native courts, our hold on India would cease. To this end, it will be observed, various suggestions were made, and, after due examination, rejected; but as an indispensable part of the line of policy finally decided upon, it was agreed to encourage the introduction of British officers into the service of his Highness, in lieu of the "notorious and violent Jacobins," who were then employed, and were now to be dismissed. The following extracts, with reference to this subject, will show that this step was not taken unadvisedly, nor in ignorance of contingent drawbacks, but in the full anticipation of very serious future inconvenience to the British Government; which anticipations, be it observed, have never been realized.

After premising that "the primary object of all our vigilance and care must be the destruction of every seed of the French party, already grown to a dangerous height;" and again, that "the exclusion of the influence of France from the dominion of the native states is not more necessary to the preservation of our own power, than to the happiness and prosperity of this part of the world;" the Governor-general proceeds to examine four projects (which had been submitted to his notice by Captain Kirkpatrick, then resident at Hyderabad) for the subversion of the French power at the court of his Highness the Nizam. The first of these was, "to introduce British subjects, or others (being the subjects of friendly powers), into the military service of the Nizam, for the purpose of forming a balance against Raymond's corps." It is true that, at this time, he rejects this plan, because he considers it would be ineffectual and impracticable; and because he fears that it would be impossible to