Entertainment was scarce and included the seasonal arrival of ships. On September 3rd, Henrietta used her fortieth birthday to return visits of the ladies who called on her. The visits were paid in the evening on account of the heat. Ten or more boys ran before the carriage, each carrying a lantern. Jugglers and snake charmers arrived to entertain them. The Nawab called, accompanied by his son and his nephew in a beautiful palanquin ornamented with gold and with glass doors, preceded by a conveyance in the shape of a peacock. His attendants were numerous and there were elephants, horses and camels in his procession. His dress was made of a shawl; he wore an enamelled dagger, a present from the King of England. His son and nephew wore muslin dresses, trimmed with gold. On September 8th the family breakfasted with Admiral Rainier, Captain Brown and Captain Grant. Charly rode for her first time upon an elephant.
September 8th, Henrietta to George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Powis
My dearest brother – There is a packet going overland, but it is reckoned an uncertain conveyance at present; therefore I shall not tell you all my news as in all probability this letter may never reach you. We are all well. Lord Clive bears his business, though it is continual, without suffering much from it. At first I was afraid for him but it is now gone off and I am persuaded he will be able to go through with it with as much care as can be expected. The girls are quite well neither losing health nor spirits. I have a long letter preparing for you which I should be sorry it was lost therefore shall keep it till an English fleet sails and in all probability the Dover Castle may give you the first notice of our arrival here, though I wrote by a Danish ship and am now writing again. We are in the greatest anxiety about English news and everyday in hopes of the signal of an East Indiaman.
September 24th, Henrietta to George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Powis
My dearest brother – I have already written a very long letter to you which will go by the common post but this is so much between us that I thought it better it should be separate and I shall contrive it shall go with the dispatches and be thrown overboard in case anything happens. I particularly wish that you should know all that has happened since we came here as to politics and state affairs.
You know that Mr Petrie came in the same fleet with us and that Lord Clive knew little of him before we set out. He professed a wish only to come if Lord C had nobody he preferred and that it was quite agreeable to him. Lady Campbell gave me the message from him to Lord Clive. She said, I am pretty sure, and have heard the same since, that whenever he has a seat in council, which is to be on a vacancy, that he was determined never to oppose Lord Clive in Council. Let him do as he would and that if he differed in opinion with him he would be silent and wished to be considered as his decided friend. I recollect Strachey wrote to Walcot† saying he was sorry to say that Petrie was moving heaven and earth to come. He afterwards said little about him. Petrie came to us occasionally on the voyage. The first thing that struck me was about our going into Rio de Janeiro on which he gave a decided opinion without waiting to hear Lord Clive’s against our going in. On Lord Clive’s going out of the cabin he asked me what we thought of it and to my great surprise on his return gave directly the opposite opinion. I thought no more of it at the time. He was a good deal with us at the Cape and was pleasant, but I thought sometimes too civil.
When we came here, Petrie met us, as all the principal people did in the ship (as he had come in a week before us). For the next two days he never left Lord Clive a moment from morning to night. It surprised me that none of those that came on the ship came here again, though he had visited all day long. Lord Clive was worried with the business and a little heated. Neither of us could sleep well as there was to be a council on the Thursday morning. Mr Petrie said to me at breakfast that Lord Clive must take care and not make himself ill, that he must put off the council.
I confess I did not see that Lord Clive was unwell enough for that. Soon afterwards Petrie sent up Mr Thomas to tell me that he desired I would by all possible means prevail on him not to have a council. This appeared extraordinary to me. I went down to Captain Grant and Brown and told them the message I had had. Grant said he must have a council. It never was otherwise. There never was ever an instance of a Governor not having one the second day after his arrival. No orders can be given but in Council. He said he understood Mr Petrie came for it and with considerable warmth told me that it was his object to appear to govern Lord Clive or be entirely in his confidence for his own views and that it was so much thought to be so from his having been here constantly that General Sydenham, General Harris, Mr Webbe‡ who are most respectable people and, in short, the chiefs of each department were determined not to act with Petrie and that Lord Clive appeared so much in his hands they could not come to him.
I desired Grant to tell Lord Clive directly. He said he had examples that indicated Lord Clive had talked a great deal to Petrie in the ship, yet it might be though impertinent and that he meant to govern him, but that I might say what I pleased to Lord Clive and make what ever I chose of his name. It was an awkward thing for me to interfere in politics or business and I was afraid Lord Clive would not take it right of me.
Brown who had left us in the beginning of this conversation came to me soon and told me that he had heard the same thing. I told him I thought it his duty to tell Lord Clive directly which he did and referred Lord Clive to me for farther explanation which I gave him. He was much surprised and said he thought Petrie stood very high here. It made so much noise that Ashton, who was ill, came out of bed to tell me of it and that Lord Clive was undone if he did not shake off Petrie who is a very distrusted man and had bills protested and returned from this country last winter and added to that it is known by papers, beyond all doubt, and which I believe came into or through Ashton’s hand, and at Tanjore, that in Lord A: Campbell’s time he and Montgomery Campbell, and I am afraid Lady Campbell herself, received very large sums of money which Lord A Campbell never knew till just before he left this country and that Petrie was a person to sell or betray any person for his own interest. Besides that he is intimately connected with people in very bad repute: Roebuck and Abbott Merchants here. All this distressed me extremely.
Lord Clive immediately spoke to Grant, who most fully and properly told him everything and indeed has conducted himself most honourable to Lord Clive. He was recommended very strongly by Lord Cornwallis and Lord C: Oakly and really I believe most deservedly. Lord Cornwallis told Grant that if Lord Clive fell into Petrie’s hands it would be ruinous. The moment Lord Clive had had this conversation, for Petrie had prevailed about the council being put off till the Friday next, he desired to see all the heads of the departments. I had the pleasure to know that while they were closeted with Lord Clive, Petrie was waiting below. Lord Clive still sees him a good deal but not as he did. He endeavours to make it appear he is a good deal here by coming at times when people are coming to dinner and going away without showing himself which as he is the only person going about in a chaise makes him remarkable and sometimes he stays 2 or 3 hours.
I hope and believe Lord Clive sees Petrie’s self-interested motives and that all will go on well. As stories are so very much exaggerated from hence I thought it right you should know the exact truth. Petrie appears to me too civil with a degree of servility that I confess struck me before I knew any of these stories. Many of the principal people will scarcely speak to him.
Lord Mornington [at Calcutta] torments Lord Clive a good deal. He is precipitate and rash and wishes to do too much at once. The treasury is empty and in debt and there are great fears that Lord Mornington will get into a war with Tipu without men or money. The offensive army here, when Ceylon is deducted, consists of but 2,000 men.
Lord Clive seems now getting the better of his first fatigue, my friends Grant and Brown tell me, with great satisfaction to everybody here. They tell me news, which I tell Lord Clive which he likes and I must say that he has said many civil things to me on my being, as he says a great comfort to him so
much so that notwithstanding all I have felt in body and mind on coming here, I am glad I have done it and I really do believe I have been of some use to him relieving his mind by occasionally talking of less interesting or more pleasant things.
Our expenses here will probably be much less than the income. We have no servants but those paid by the Company, except for my palanquin and the carriages. Horses are extravagantly dear. A saddle horse for Lord Clive costs 150 guineas. He has four of them for him and Captain Brown. He had been obliged to subscribe pounds 3,000 to the voluntary subscription and as he has not received any money from England has been obliged to borrow. All except the military are paid in paper at the loss of seven percent. My other letters are full of common news but this is only for your own eye and I do not wish Probert nor anybody to know of it.
September 27th, Henrietta to George Herbert, continued
All is going on as well as possible. The report of Petrie’s influence has travelled all over the country, but it is wearing out here. Lord Clive asked me yesterday what I had heard about it and I was glad to give him good news. I forgot to tell you that Lord Mornington has quarrelled with his council and has consulted lawyers if he could not dismiss them. They decided he could not. You may guess the confusion that must occasion. His brother Colonel Wellesley is here with the 33rd Regiment. He came ten days ago. Lord Clive sees him often and I believe he knows a good deal of Lord Mornington’s mind on peace or war. Colonel Wellesley told me that Lord Mornington is so miserable without Lady Mornington and their children that the name of Europe is sufficient to make him quite wretched. This does not look as if he would stay long.
October 1st, Henrietta to George Herbert, continued
The Thetis came in about 4 o’clock, but the letters are not yet delivered out. The Osterley is come, too; therefore we shall have all the news we are to expect for an age. The Thetis has been nearly lost from a leak, which was sudden and so bad that sailors, soldiers and passengers were constantly employed in passing and lading out the water with buckets. The lady passengers were sent to the Osterley as they expected not to be able to save the ship. What a dreadful idea. Though our leak on the Dover Castle was not of such consequence, how right it was to go into the Cape and service ourselves from all risk.
October 2nd, Henrietta to George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Powis
My dearest Brother – I have had a great heap of letters most of them mentioning you and that you were quite well, which gives me the greatest satisfaction. Your letter to Lord Clive about the Regiment is not yet arrived. We are in hopes it is with another Fleet that sailed 14th May and is not yet come in.
October 3rd, Henrietta to George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Powis
My dearest Brother – the letters are all come, I take it for granted now, as they have been dropping in all day yesterday. And this morning came George Strachey, who had seen you two days before he left England. There is something very charming in finding one that had actually seen you well. Everybody agrees in your perfect health which is a great blessing for me and those that know it say that though you have a great deal of business on your hands you do it with wonderful dispatch.
October 6th, Henrietta to Lady Douglas
My dear Lady Douglas – I have been so nearly distracted with expectation, disappointment and joy that I am not quite certain I am now really and truly compos mentis. I have seen his Highness the Nawab, who is a hideous little old man much more like an old woman. He disappointed me by not bringing in with him any of his grandees. They waited in the sun while he made his visit. He had neither pearls as large as pigeons’ eggs nor diamonds, but an old shawl, bed gown, and an enameled dagger, that was anything but handsome, a present from our most gracious sovereign. In short people may talk of the magnificence of the East, but it is certainly not to be met with here with this ruler. The Nawab goes about in a shabby coach when he goes for an airing with the worst looking guards in white calico. In short there is nothing like Haroun Alraschid or the Viccer Giafor§ to my great disappointment.
I wish much to see his wives. He says he had seventy-four daughters born in one year and that was last year, which I doubt. He asked Lord Clive how many wives he had and told me he hoped I should have some Madras children. He made some confusion by way of saying how he should like them, which sounded as if he intended they should be his own. It was such a strange visit, as you cannot imagine. Part was said in English and part was to be translated and as it is usual in translations I believe there was great discrepancy from what he said by the faces of most that understood or interpreted who were English. He admired my girls and asked if they were married! He thought them quite old enough at 11 and 13 for marriage in this country.
It’s like being Queen of stark naked black people amongst whom I walk about as unconcerned as if they were dressed like human creatures. They really are so near stark that it is wonderful seeing how well we look in clothes. They do not imitate us.
I have been established since the first three days and comfortably though the house is like a cage. It is impossible to be invisible a moment without going round and shutting fifty Venetian blinds in every direction, there being neither glass in the windows or doors. All is perfectly open which annoyed me terribly at first. At every moment the first night I saw a black face and a turban through the blinds. It was sometime before I could express that I did not want such faithful attendants. I am now left more at my ease and only find six or seven upon every staircase. Women with parasols appear the moment I go outdoors that no entreaty can get rid of them despite all my acts and ingenuities. I have tried everything but getting out of a window to escape. They certainly are the most attentive servants I ever met with and I am growing to like them extremely.
October 8th, Henrietta to George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Powis
My dearest brother – last night Lord Clive had a letter from Lord Mornington who says he is going to send for Lady Mornington¶ and his children. I trust we shall not outstay him.
Upon the most exact calculation we shall not exceed £3,000, taking in everything of establishment except salaries, governesses, and secretaries. The calculation is about £200 a month without wine which is uncertain. This takes in all but the European servants who I hope to get rid of. Butler is of scarcely any use. Indeed none. He was at first troublesome and expecting to be maitre d’hôtel and pay everything. He has been ill since and I believe wishes to return … The rest go on well and the old coachman braves all weathers.
I am really quite ashamed to send such packets but what can I do? It is such a relief and a comfort to tell you everything and to seem to talk to you that I cannot help it and I wish you to know how we go on.
Richard Strachey is going to Bengal. He came to me the other day full of surprise at the things he had heard amongst people and young men here of Petrie. He says that they say he will do anything for money. He says he knows his father was very sorry when first he was talked of as coming out here but said no more latterly. I believe Strachey senior always thinks that it is right to be civil to those who may have power. Richard Strachey says that people express great horror at Petrie’s ever succeeding to the government. God Bless you, my dearest Brother.
October 11th, Henrietta to George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Powis
My dearest brother – A packet came last night overland with letters of great importance. Lord Clive says that Bonaparte has succeeded in Egypt. I am very sorry and am afraid he will come here, as well as Tipu. It is very unlucky if there is a War on all accounts. This packet left London the 19th June. Strachey is gone to Bengal to his brothers and it is doubtful when he returns. Lord Clive has written a very handsome and kind letter in his favour to Lord Mornington. I shall be glad when the dispatches are ended and these letters gone. Lord Clive has a great deal to do and to think of and it will be a great relief to his mind.
October 14th, Henrietta to George Herbert, continued
Tomorrow the dispatches are to be sealed up so there will be an end of writing for sometime to c
ome. We are all well except Harry who has had continually, almost ever since we came here, a disorder in her bowels and a disposition to being nervous and hysterical which is unpleasant to me, but I have not mentioned it in any of my other letters. I cannot help being afraid that the violent perspiration night and day will weaken us all and not agree with her. The cool weather is coming on, but I must say I am afraid it will not do. I have not said so to Lord Clive because it is a great pleasure to him having them and we must try every thing as he would not like to part with either them or myself and yet I cannot help being a little afraid. Thomas says if we will rely upon him he will do all he can and thinks all will be well, but she is too young to be nervous like me. I shall write by every opportunity. If Egypt is really taken, there is an end of the overland dispatches.
Birds of Passage Page 6