Page 304 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

304 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST

Prompt action was taken by Ibrahim Khan, the new
Nabob, who had succeeded to the government of Bengal.
He at once released the two English agents from their
confinement and caused a message to be conveyed to
Charnock informing him of the desire of the government to
live in amity with the Company. The change in the Mogul
attitude was so startling as to arouse a not unnatural
suspicion at Madras that it veiled some deep-laid scheme
of treachery. It was decided, however, after mature
consideration, to take advantage of the invitation to return
to Bengal. The end of August found Charnock and his
associates once more installed at Calcutta, endeavouring
to pick up the broken threads of a sadly disorganized
trade.
Meanwhile, the authorities at home had made many
important changes in the arrangements for the control
of their Indian interests. In 1687 the seat of the Western
Presidency was transferred from Surat to Bombay, this
following upon a measure carried through six years’
previously separating Bengal from Madras. It was also
in this period that Sir John Child was appointed “ Governor-
General,” with full powers in India to make peace or war.
But the most significant move of all was that which was
undertaken by the Company in 1689, when they issued a
formal declaration in favour of territorial sovereignty.
This truly momentous resolution affirmed that “ the in­
crease of our revenue is the subject of our care as much as
our trade.” CC 5 Tis that,” proceeded the document, “ must
maintain our force when twenty accidents may interrupt
our trade; ’tis that must make us a nation in India. With-
out that we are but a great number of interlopers, united
by His Majesty’s royal charter, fit only to trade where