Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/267

Book VIII. further explanations: which Mr. Bussy supposed would be brought by some principal officer of his court, furnished with the means of conducting the army through the province of Orixa; in which expectation he reserved to remain near the frontiers of this province, and the army marched from Gumseer to Ganjam, which is the last town in Chicacole. It is a sea-port much frequented by coasting vessels, and the French had at this time a factory there; the army remained in the neighbourhood until the 10th of May, but, instead of further overtures from Surajah Dowlah, received intelligence, that the English had taken the French settlement of Chandernagore; which convincing Mr. Bussy of the imbecility of the Nabob, who had suffered them to gain such an advantage in his country, he relinquished all ideas of further connexion with him; but resolved immediately to make retaliation on the English settlements in the northern provinces.

In consequence of his orders the Europeans he hand left in garrion at Rajahmundrum, when joined by more from Masulipatam, marched against the factories of Madapollam, Bandermalanka, and Ingeram, which stand near the sea on three different arms of the Godaveri. The natives here weave excellent cloths at cheap rates, and the three factories annually furnished 700 bales for the Company's market in England. Ingeram only had soldiers, and only 20, and all the three factories surrendered on the first requisition. The reduction of Vizagapatam, as being nearer, Mr. Bussy reserved to himself; but being sure of his prize, remained in the city of Chicacole until he had settled the affairs of this government. On the 24th of June the van of his army appeared before Vizagapatam. A river coming from the north and turning short eastward to the sea, forms an arm of land, a mile and half in length: and 600 yards in breadth. Nearly in the middle of this ground stands the fort, of which the construction by repeated mistakes was become so absurd, that it was much less defensible than many of the ancient barons' castles of Europe. The face towards the river was choked by houses. A whole town lay within 300 yards to the north, a village at the same distance to the south, and several buildings on each of these sides stood much nearer the walls: