One of the most fortunate of this class of obscure adventurers
was a certain John Warren. A very few years before the
breaking out of the American war, he was a waiter at a
celebrated club in St James's Street: a quick yet steady young
fellow; assiduous, discreet, and very civil. In this
capacity, he pleased a gentleman who was just appointed to the
government of Madras, and who wanted a valet. Warren, though
prudent, was adventurous; and accepted the opening which he
believed fortune offered him. He was prescient. The voyage
in those days was an affair of six months. During this
period, Warren still more ingratiated himself with his master.
He wrote a good hand, and his master a very bad one. He had a
natural talent for accounts; a kind of information which was
useful to his employer. He arrived at Madras, no longer a
valet, but a private secretary.
His master went out to make a fortune; but he was indolent,
and had indeed none of the qualities for success, except his
great position. Warren had every quality but that. The basis
of the confederacy therefore was intelligible; it was founded
on mutual interests and cemented by reciprocal assistance.
The governor granted monopolies to the secretary, who
apportioned a due share to his sleeping partner.
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