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 CUAP. V ]

nUUHINOPOLY.

459

Roc-K AND Temple of Trichinoihu.y, with Urahnuiiri ciinying water iiito the Temple

From pftinting in Ltbrary of East India House.

the issue of the siege about to be commenced, de[)euded not only his t'ate, in which, from the worthlessness of his character, no great interest could be felt, but the decision of the momentous question, whether a French or a British enipiie was to be established in India. The presidency at Fort St. David, now fully committed to the war, were gi'iev- ously disappointed at the series of dis- graces and defeats which had been sus- tained, and coulil not look forward to the siege of Triclii- nopoly, without the gloomiest forebod- ings. They had no

idea, however, of abandoning the contest in despair, and began to display a firm- ness and decision of which, it must be confessed, they had previously- given few examples. Mr. Saunders, the governor, though devoid of the versatility and showy talents of Dupleix, surpassed him in more solid qualities; and having now no doubt as to the course which the interests of the Company dictated, pursued it with judgment and perseverance. His means, however, were very limited, and his first reinforcement for Trichinopoly consisted of only eighty Em'opeans and 300 sepoys, cumbered 'with a large convoy of stores. The conducting of such a body through a ho.stile country was a matter of no small difficulty, more especially, as Verdachelum which lay in the line of route, though it still held out against Cimnda Sahib, was at this very time besieged by a j)olyg(ir in his interest. The removal of this obstruction was therefore the first object to be accomplished. The charge of the reinforcement was given to Mr. Pigot, a mem- ber of council. He wsvs accompanied, it would seem not ofticially, but rather as a volunteer, by Clive, who, after the cjipture of Devicotta, had resumed his ])osition sw a civil servant of the Company, though still closely connected with the army, by holding the appointment of commissary for supi>lying the Eurojwan troops with provisions. It was in this capacity that he wjus present at Volconda when the ignominious fiight took place ; and hence, though he is mentioned as liaving been jiresent at the council of war which preceded, and was one main cause of that fiight, he did not share in the disgi-ace of it, but returned to Fort St David,

Pigot and Clive, after reaching Verdachelum, niid relieving it by surprising

.V D. 1751.

Piei>;irati<)iia fill- the de- fence of Tri- clunoiioly.