Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/249

Book VIII to the distress of his own government and the English affairs in the Carnatic. The presidency reprimanded the kellidar for the intemperance of his conduct against Polore, who immediately, retired, and apologized with a frankness scarcely compatible with dissimulation; and from this time, which was the end of the last year, he continued to inform them of his wants, transactions, and apprehensions. Nevertheless, the Nabob's representations, (such is the infirmity of human nature, which enters even into public councils) left suspicions; otherwise means would, in all probability, have been contrived to have thrown 100 Europeans into the fort at this juncture; nor would they before have neglected to supply it with some pieces of cannon, which the kellidar had often solicited. The fort of Chittapet is built of stone, and is extensive, being within the ditch 540 yards from north to south, and 430 on the other sides: it has round towers at the angles, and in each of these a high cavalier; besides which, it has only 10 square towers, three on the longest, and two on each of the other sides. But all these towers are much more spacious than in the generality of the forts of Coromandel; and the gateway on the northern side is the largest pile of this construction in the Carnatic, being capable of containing on its terraces five hundred men drawn up under arms. The fausse-bray is skirted by a straight and slight parapet without projections into the ditch, which is supplied with water, but with the usual negligence of Indian fortifications, was at this time in some parts fordable. Adjacent to the western side of the fort, nearly of the same extent, is a pettah, enclosed by a mud wall with round towers. The French carried the pettah by assault, in which they established their breaching battery; erecting likewise two others without, to enfilade. The principal battery, as soon as completed, was rendered useless by an excessive fall of rain, and as soon as repaired, the kellidar sallied, killed part, and drove the rest of the guard away, dismounted the cannon, and carried off the ammunition and tools.