Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/394

370 arrangements in the government of Arcot, and the adjacent countries. In the mean time his communication with Chinglapet was opened by the possession of Covrepauk and Conjeveram, which his detachments found evacuated. But his late acquisitions had not hitherto reimbursed the expences of the field, nor established his credit to borrow: so that his treasury could barely supply the pay of the soldiers, and could not provide the other means of putting the army in motion, and all that the government of Pondicherry could immediately furnish was 10,000 rupees: pretending therefore much indignation at this disappointment, he distributed the troops into various cantonments, and returned himself, accompanied by Mr. Bussy, to Pondicherry, where as usual he imputed the failure of his intentions against Chinglapet to the mismanagements of the Company's administration. Notwithstanding his deep animosity to Mr. Bussy, respect to the distinguished character of this officer confined Mr. Lally to the observances of public civility; which imposed on no one, as he had still more publickly expressed his real opinions. The rank which Mr. Bussy held at this time was only that of lieutenant colonel; and besides Mr. Soupire, who was a major general, six of the officers arrived from France were colonels, who of course must command him on all services when acting together. The colonels, sensible of the advantages which might be derived from his abilities, and his experience and reputation in the country, and how much the opportunities would be precluded by the present inferiority of his rank, signed a declaration, requesting, on these considerations, that he might be appointed a Brigadier General, in supersession to themselves, which would place him next in command to Mr. Soupire. The public zeal which dictated this request, conferred as much honour on those who made it, as their testimony on Mr. Bussy. Their names, highly worthy of record on this occasion, were mostly of ancient and noble descent; D'Estaign, de Landivisiau, de la Faire, Bretueil, Verdiere, and Crillon. Mr. Lally could make no objection, but with his usual asperity imputed the compliment to the influence of Mr. Bussy's money, instead of his reputation.