Item CR9/13/48. - Letter from Mir Jafar,

Thank you for your letter regarding the payment of twenty five Lac rupees for the maintenance of land and sea forces and which you say that you had made clear to me that I must pay and that without the payment of this amount you would not be able to satisfy Patrick[?] Akhtan[?] Bahadur [Board of Governors?]. -- At the time I agreed to this demand I had told Mr Dache [French Admiral Comte de D' Ache'] that I do not know how much money was left in my treasury and in case there was not enough money left I would not be able to fulfil this demand. In this situation I would not be able to agree to this demand. I am, therefore, writing to inform you and Mr D'Arche' that there is not enough money available in our treasury. This could be confirmed from Jagat Seth brothers and the Maharajah [Diwan] who are both very well known to you. I have agreed with them that I am willing to pay half of this amount. Out of this I am willing to pay half in cash and half in commodities. It would not be possible for me to pay more than that in cash as I have to take into account the payment I have to make to my own army. This is in addition to the demand of Chauth/one-fourth from the Marathas and payment made to the King Emperor. God willing I will be able to pay the fist instalment of the above amount in the month of Katak and the rest in Chet. I am unable to agree or pay any additional sum. I am sure there is enough money in the Company's coffers that you could pay the Board of Governor this amount now and replace it when you have received it from me.