a peaceful settlement, but there was no response. He despatched three companies to attack the Moamaria headquarters at Bag- mara near Rangpur but in the meantime, orders were received from the government prohibiting further offensive operations and so the expedition had to be recalled. Sir John Shore succeeded Lord Cornwallis and non-interference was the keynote of the policy of the new administration. Captain Welsh, a good organiser and a bold and determined leader, displayed consummate tact and singular administrative ability and succeeded admirably in his task. Gaurinath had several times written to Government expressing his appreciation of his services and prayiig that he might be permitted to 84 ASSAM IN THE AHOM AGE on for some time longer. Captain Welsh himself reported that if the detachment were withdrawn, “confusion, devastation and massacre would ensue.” But all these representations were of no avail.?° The Moamarias now emboldened by the withdrawal of the troops sent against them advanced‘and plundered granaries with- in the environs of Rangpur. Welsh determined to disperse them, marched against them and drove them from their encamp- ment ; they retreated but continued guerilla tactics. Welsh with all available troops crossed the Dikhu and was attacked by a Moamaria force of four thousand men using bows and arrows and guns but their courage oozed away and they broke and fied with heavy loss®° as Welsh’s troops continued to advance. Des- pite entreaties from the Raja and petitions from various people, urging him to stay on, Captain Welsh had to leave Rangpur on his return voyage in accordance with the Governor General’s im- perative orders ; and on 3rd July, 1794 the exvedition reached British territory. Gaurinath despairing of holding Rangpur left with his chief nobles for Jorhat which now became the capital. The garrison at Rangpur also fled to Jorhat and Rangpur fell into the hands of the Moamarias. All officers and others who had been favour- ed or protected by Captain Welsh now became the victims of Gaurinath’s vindictive wrath. The Bar Barua was dispossessed and dismissed. The Bar Phukan accused of disloyalty was barbarously murdered ; the Solal Gohain had the same fate, The Bairagi under whom Gauhati had been attacked was beheaded ; all persons of Moamaria persuasion within the king’s tracts were hunted down, robbed and tortured to death and the brutalities were so appalling that many committed suicide to avoid arrest by the persecutors.