Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Aug. 15. The following intelligence is received from an officer at Bengal, which was brought by the last advices: The Mahrattas are at war against Hyder Ally's country; they sent a carte blanche to the Governor, and requested he would assist them; but we understand here that government has sent to England to know how to act. Mr. Hastings is much wished for, as every body here thinks he would not hesitate sending a large detachment immediately to the Mahrattas, which we are in fact bound to do by our treaty of peace. The French have 7000 troops at Pondicherry, and the Company have a revenue coming in of 40 lacks yearly, upon salt made in Bengal, and have in consequence prohibited any being brought there from foreign ports, and all ships which arrive are searched. A short time ago, a French ship arrived at Bengal, and refused to be searched or come to; a gun was first fired with powder, as a signal for that purpose, but she refusing, a shot was fired over her, and she then came to an anchor. The chief of Chandernagore, the French settlement here, says, we have commenced hostilities by this act, and he has sent to acquaint the Court of France therewith. Indeed, it is highly ridiculous to suppose we can stand still and look on, when the greatest part of the Indian powers are engaged; and it is supposed here, if we do not assist the Mahrattas speedily, agreeable to our treaty of peace, they will join the French.