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| The folder that contains all the documents |
I like reproductions of
historical documents. I am also
interested in the East India Company in the Seven Years’ War and no employee of
the Company is more famous than Robert Clive.
Born in England in 1725, Clive entered the Company’s service as a
writer, but quickly moved into their armed forces. After a few successful victories, Clive was
ordered to assist Mir Jafar, who was attempting to dethrone the current nawab
Siraj-ud Dowlah.
Jackdaw was a company that
reproduced historical documents related to a certain era. This particular folder covers Clive of India,
but Jackdaw made at least 47 others. All
of these documents have a number printed in the corner to assist
identification.
Contents:
1.
A plan of
the Battle of Plassey. This is an
original plan of three stages of the Battle of Plassey. A drawing above the plans shows elephants in
the army of Siraj-ud Dowlah.
2.
Journal of
the Expedition to Arcot. Arcot was the
first battle in which Clive commanded the British forces and this journal was
kept by a sergeant and later copied by Dr. James Wilson, a surgeon.
3.
Extracts
from the East India Company’s Advices by Thomas Saunders. In 1753, the French supported the powerful
ruler Salabat Jung. This document discusses ways to thwart the French plans.
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| Jackdaw folder opened |
4.
Pages from A
Genuine Narrative by J. Z. Holwell. John
Zephaniah Holwell was an employee of the East India Company who survived the
Black Hole of Calcutta. These extracts
are from his book about the Black Hole.
5.
Translation
of Siraj-ud Dowlah’s letter to Clive. In
this letter, the Nawab attempts to make peace with the Company after Robert
Clive attacked his camp by night.
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| The Contents of Jackdaw's Clive of India |
6.
General
return of troops April 10 1757. This is
probably my favorite piece of the entire collection, since it shows each
Company unit, the number of its officers, enlisted men, and sick men. It also shows the artillery, sepoys, and
deserters.
7.
Letter from
Clive to Governor Roger Drake. In this
letter, Clive discusses forging Admiral Watson’s signature on a treaty allying with Mir Jafar. Watson signed the real treaty,
but not the false one, which was intended to deceive a conspirator named Omichund,
who wanted more money.
8.
Contemporary
translation of the Treaty between Mir Jafar and the English. Mir Jafar wanted to become Nawab instead of
Siraj-ud Dowlah. In this treaty, he
promises to support the Company and pay their losses when Siraj-ud Dowlah
captured Calcutta.
9.
Pages from
the London Chronicle #69. The main article
is a description of Calcutta. Another
related article discusses the recent capture of Calcutta by Siraj-ud Dowlah and
his troops. Other interesting columns of
the newspaper include: “Foreign Transactions” reports on the Seven Years’ War
in Europe; “Country News” covering the capture of two highwaymen; “London”,
discussing ships and society; and an editorial crying out against the injustice
of not paying seamen who work for the Royal Navy. This last piece is “manifestly confirmed by
facts”, including several citations from the Bible.
10. A Page from the London Chronicle #70. This gives more coverage to the capture of
Calcutta, as well as the Black Hole (a small prison that was filled with 146
Englishmen and women).
11. Six broadsheets. These were produced by Jackdaw, and cover Robert
Clive, The Rival Companies, The Siege of Arcot, The Black Hole of Calcutta, The
Battle of Plassey, and India After Plassey.
12. A Table of Contents. This gives a short summary & background
on each document. Among other things, it
reproduces a painting of the 39th Regiment (which fought at Plassey)
by David Morier, as well as an East India Company cipher to conceal messages.
