A “general letter from Bengal to Court,” dated Fort William, January 8, 1743, talks about the measures, other than the Maratha Ditch, that the British had adopted in 1742 to protect Kolkata from an invasion from the Marathas. Excerpts:
“Advised via Madras of the Methods pursuing to put the Settlement in a proper Posture of defence on the Morattas Invasion.
On the first Alarm Entertained 200 Buxerrys to Man the Choukeys and Patrol nights on Skirts of the Town and Four Pauncesoys on the River for Intelligence. Ordered 20th April a Survey of the Town, Guns, Small Arms and Ammunition in Store, also a List of Inhabitants.
And Mannd the Sloops with full Complement of Men and Stores.
Entertained 100 Lascars in the Gun room, Gunner ordered to see everything in his Province put in the best Condition and to make Powder Ready. Formed 24 April a Militia with Officers to Command. River Surveyed up to Chandernagore to make People Masters of the Channel and a Person ordered to Supervise the New Works….The Morattas having seized Hughley Fort thought proper to order a New Survey of the Town and Reentertained the Buxerrys and Pauncesoys—Report of the Town being made Agreed to Finish the Works therein mentioned, Survey of the Fort was brought in the 12th July….
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