22 OCTOBER 1758 325

4. As \\e have great reason to expect that two of the ships sent with
troops to the Coast will return the latter end of this month or the beginning
of next, we propose immediately on their arrival to proceed in lading them
with bales, and make no doubt of l>eing able to dispatch two ships from hence
by the middle of January with one thousand bales on each, compleating the
reft of their tonnage with saltpetre.

5. We hope likewise to dispatch uvo more from hence the latter end of
the season, with an equal number of bales, compleating the rest of their
tonnage as above with red wood and saltpetre, which will make four ships
this season with 4000 bales from this Presidency,

6. At Fort Marlborough they are likely to have 700 tonns of surplus
pepper this year which will provide for two ships, in case there should be more
tonnage arrive [sic] than is sufficient for the investments of the Coast and Bay
Presidencies,

7. We have freighted on the Hardwkk (a country ship belonging to
Bombay) 4000 bags of saltpetre for the use of that Presidency and shall
compleat the 500 tonns they have indented for by such other conveyance as
hereafter proceed to that place.

8. As the major part of the gentlemen in Council have thought of
returning to Europe, we judge it proper to give Your Honours etc., early advke
of their intentions.

9. We meet with no material interruption in collecting the sums for which
the Government have given us tuncaws on the rajahs and zemmd#r$ of some
of the provinces, and we have not the kast doubt of getting tfae whole of the
treaty with the present Nabob punctually performed, In case Your Honours
send us out the reinforcements of troops we have repeatedly requested.

10. The saltpetre this year, we have the pkasure to acquaint Your
Honours, has been provided at a very low price, by our servants at Patna, by
virtue of an exclusive perwannah we have obtained of the Subah for the sole
purchase of all the petre produced in the province of Bahar. This advantage
added to the investments of cloth the Chief and Council are providing tfiere,
will make the Patna factory prove a yery profitable establishment to die
Company,

May It please Your Honours,
Your faithful servaaia,

Robert dive/Win. Watts/KIchd. Bedher/W. FraaUaad/W. Maekett/
Tfaos. Boddam,

Fort WilEam, October 22nd 17581

The same letter dated the 9tJ* NwoEiibet I7S8 rescdifed o€ Ga|«. Basdtad
was read in Court Ilth sJ 1759.'

{The letter dated 9 Ifefwaiier IBB ais** contain* Ac dfetotiMMi rf C.
Maaningham, Paul Richard Pearkes and |£ CbletJ