j|2 LETTER FJkOJVi COURt
division thereof until you have our further directions agreeable to our [said]
General Letter of the 3d of March.
19. In order to guard as much as lies in our power against those striking
calamities that have befell us in the captures of our settlements of Madrass
and Bengal, we have appointed a succession of capable officers to the chief
command of our military. Still as these must be governed by the civil branch,
we cannot deem our settlements in that state of security as they must be if
the military powers could operate without such controul in times of danger.
We therefore, having with great attention well weighed the important subject,
do now lay down the following rules to all our Presidencies, and which you
our Governour and Council must strictly adhere to.
20. That whensoever it shall be your misfortune to have the settlement
attacked by any enemy whatever, the powers of the Governour and Council
are so far as respects its defence then to be suspended, and the sole authority
shall be vested in our President, the Major, the Engineer, the Master Attendant
for the time being and the next most capable military officer to be appointed
by the said persons. And should there happen in choosing such officer to
be an equallity of voices, in such case the Governour and Council are to appoint
the person, and these are to be the military government in this exigency, and
whoever is defective in his duty must be tryed by a general court martial.
And we lay it down to you in a standing rule, that no fortification be given
up without a breach made and standing one assault, unless you are in want
of ammunition and provisions. This military authority is to exist no longer
than whilst the enemy is before the place and the settlement in danger, but
when it's restored to a state of safety, this military government is then
immediately to be [dissolved], the President and Council are to reassume their
own powers and our affairs are to be conducted by the same authority as now
exists. But should it ever be your misfortune to be reduced to extremities and
the said military power under the necessity of compromising with the enemy,
we direct that such treaty or agreement be considered and digested by our
Governour and Council, and it must receive their approbation. As Colonel
Lawrence is, according to our former appointment, Commander-in-Chief under
the Governours and Councils of all our forces in the East Indies, if therefore he
shall happen to be at Bengal he is to be one of the said military government
and take rank next to the Governour,
21. We have already laid down some directions respecting the powder
and ammunition and the surveying of our military stores, that they are always
good and sufficient, but we now judge it necessary to place this important
nnst with a committee, who are accordingly every three months or oftener
if you judge it necessary, to examine and survey our magazines, the fortifica-
tions, raiaparts, guns, carriages, platforms, arms, granary, in short take under
their consideration and inspection even the most minute articles, and constantly
to remark to the Board all defects and deficiencies, it being our meaning
and Intention that our settlements should be kept in all respects in a state
ikleaee, and provided with ammunition and provision. We will therefore
ao quantities of ammunition (particularly powder) or military stores
tttt^yoor garrison to other places without a report first made [to]
fey this commttee, assigning reasons for their approval or disapproval.
i*0Je of thek transacticms are *» be entered on your consultations, but