Robert Clive reports his unhappiness in India to a cousin in England, 16 February 1744/5

Dear Cousin,

The want of a proper conveyance is the only Plea I can offer for not addressing you sooner, it is a long time since I enjoyed the Pleasure of your Company and Conversation, and as both Parties have been equally culpable, I beg that from henceforth the strictest amity may subsist between us: the Bond of Friendship, especially when united by the Ties of Blood aught not to be dissolved on any consideration whatever, and I believe you'll agree with me, that the only effectual Means to preserve it entire, must be by Letters, since the vast Ocean which divides us so far asunder won't admit of it by Word of Mouth, and which I heartily wish may turn out to the mutual Satisfaction of both of us. If there is any such thing which may properly be called Happiness here below, I am persuaded it is in the Union of two Friends who each love each other without the least Guile or Deceit, who are united by a real Inclination, and satisfied with each others merits. Their Hearts are full, and leave no Vacancy for any other Passion, they enjoy perpetual tranquillity, because they enjoy content, for my part I can't ascribe my Neglect to any other cause than the Frailties and Imperfections of Youth, who at those years postpone the greatest advantage to their own private pleasures. I shan't persist in excusing my Error, since it is so evident, and will admit of but a very bad Construction when drest in its finest colours, yet give me leave to justify myself, so far as to assure you it did not proceed from the least slight, or Contempt of your Person.

I should take a particular Delight in giving you a short Description of the Country, was I not assured that you may quote many Historians, who can afford you much more accurate account than can be expected from me, whose Habitation here bath been of so short a date. I shall only add, that the Intemperance of the Climate together with the excessive heat of the Sun, are very obnoxious to our Health, and I really think the advantages which accrue to us here are greatly overballanced by the Sacrifices we make of our Constitutions; I have not been unacquainted with the Fickleness of Fortune, and may safely say I have not enjoyed one happy day since I left my Native Country; I am not acquainted with any one Family in the Place, and have not Assurance enough to introduce myself without being asked. If the state I am now in will admit of any Happiness it must be when I am writing to my Friends. Letters were surely first invented for the Comfort of such solitary Wretches as myself. Having lost the substantial pleasure of seeing them, I shall in some measure compensate this Loss by the satisfaction I shall find in their Writings; When you write me, I beg it may be carelessly and without study, for I had much rather read the Dictates of the Heart than those of the Understanding. The Paquet is just now going to be closed, which hastens me to a Conclusion sooner than I designed; I desire you to tender my Duty to my Uncle and Aunt. Love to my Cousins, and service to all Friends, and it will greatly add to the Obligations of him who esteems it his greatest Happiness to be thought.

Your Kind & loving Cousin

ROB^T CLIVE.

FORT S^T GEORGE

16 February 1744/5

From: Sir George Forrest. The Life of Lord Clive. Vol. I. London and New York: Cassell, 1918, 24-25.