Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/405

Book V. Morattoes; but had never made any submissions of fealty either to the French or Mysoreans; and at this time claimed the protection of the Nabob, whom they acknowledged as their only superior. The presidency of Madrass, therefore, now, without hesitation, ordered Calliaud to march from Tritchinopoly, and moreover threatened to send a force from Madrass, if Maissin persisted. M. Deleyrit deterred by this vigour, ordered him to desist, and distributed his troops into the uncontested districts, subject to Pondicherry, nearer the sea coast. Meanwhile, the presidency of Madrass, recommended to the Nabob to come from Tritchinopoly and settle with his family at Arcot, where Abdul-wahab had created many disorders in the administration, lavishing away the revenues with a spirit of dissipation that would soon have ruined the province, even if it had long enjoyed the highest degree of prosperity. The Nabob acquiesced to this advice, and on the ninth of July quitted Tritchinopoly, escorted by 300 Europeans and 1000 Sepoys, under the command of captain Polier. It was at first intended that they should proceed directly across the Caveri and Coleroon in the high road to Arcot; but the rivers were at this time swelled, and still more risque was apprehended from Maissin's party, then lying before Arielore. It was therefore resolved to proceed through the country of Tanjore to Fort St. David, where measures might be taken for the rest of the rout, according to exigencies. When arrived at the village of Condore, the king sent his general Monac-gee with a numerous train, to make his compliments to the Nabob. This interview, like most others between persons of such rank in Indostan, passed in the strongest and falsest protestations of an inviolable friendship; amongst other professions, Monac-gee said, that his master kept 5000 horse ready to serve the Nabob, if necessary, in the Carnatic; and the Nabob, whilst he extolled with admiration this excessive mark of the king's love and friendship, whispered to captain Polier that it was all a lie. From Condole they proceeded by the nearest road to Fort St. David, where admiral Watson with the squadron under his command was then lying, having returned in the middle of May from the bay of Trinconomalee, to which they had repaired in order to avoid the setting in of the