consequence of a letter received from the Governor and Council of Chandernagor making offers of a neutrality within the Ganges, in a manner accede to it by desiring they would send deputies, and that we would gladly come into such a neutrality with them; and have we not since their arrival drawn out Articles that were satisfactory to both parties, and agreed that each Article should be reciprocally signed, scaled and sworn to? What will the Nabab think? After the promises made him on our side and after his consenting to guarantee this neutrality, he and all the world will certainly think that we are men of a trifling, insignificant disposition, or that we are men without principles. It is therefore incumbent on us to, exculpate ourselves by declaring the real truth, that we were entirely ignorant of Mr. Watson's intentions to refuse the neutrality in the manner proposed and settled by us, and that we always thought him of a contrary opinion to what his letter declares. I am persuaded these must be the sentiments of the gentlemen of the Committee, or they never would have gone such lengths as[১] must expose them to the censure of all reasonable men."
- ↑ Select Committee Proceeding, 4 March 1757.
