Action off Melancholy Point: Difference between revisions

Mir Jafar, Nawab of Bengal, found his treaty with the British resulted in loss of power and lack of money. He was therefore happy to encourage the Dutch in their desire to increase their influence and oust the British. A Dutch expedition entered the Hughli in October 1759 and Clive's suspicions were aroused. On 22 November the Dutch landed their troops with the intention of marching to their settlement at [[Chinsura]]. The ships dropped down the river again to Melancholy Point and the British followed them with three armed East Indiamen. In the ensuing action one Dutch ship surrendered, one went aground and the rest retreated downriver. This victory left the Dutch land forces isolated from their base in the East Indies.