SIRAJ - AD - DAULAH, TYRANT OF BENGAL

165 offence had previously been given by the abrupt dis- missal of a messenger, sternly ordered them to desist at once. The English president, Drake, not understand- ing his danger, answered by explaining that the forti- fications were against the French, who had disregarded the neutrality of the Moghul's dominions in the last war by taking Madras, and who might attack Calcutta this time. This reply Siraj-ad-daulah took to mean that his THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND TREASURY, CALCUTTA, FROM THB OLD COURSE. protection and sovereign authority were very lightly regarded by the foreigners. In great indignation he seized the factory of Kasimbazar, near his cap- ital, and marched upon Calcutta with a large army. The English defended themselves for a time; but the town was open; the governor and many of the English fled in ships down the river; and the rest surrendered on promise of honourable treatment. Nevertheless, those whom the Nawab captured with the fort were thrown into a kind of prison-room called the Black Hole, from which, after one night's dreadful suffering,