Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/522

498 resolved not to meet the English again in force, until the arrival of the French squadron, which was daily expected with reinforcements. On the 28th, the English army was distributed into cantonments at Chinglapet, Conjeveram, Stree Permadore, and Muslewack, which, with the forts of Pondamalée and Tripassore, formed a barrier from the river Paliar to Pulicate, The French had some time before withdrawn their troops from Sadrass, and restored the fort and town to the Dutch.

Thus ended this campaign, after it had lasted 100 days, during which of 8 or 10,000 men in arms, not five were killed. But the principal object of both sides was to protect their respective territory, and not to risk an engagement without positive advantage, which neither gave.

Mr. Lally carried with him to Pondicherry more resentment than ever against the governor, the council, and all who were employed in the civil administration of the company's affairs; imputing to their malversations all the obstacles and impediments which obstructed the success of his arms. The council, he alledged, received presents from the renters of all the districts, who, emboldened by the knowledge of their peculations, continually evaded the regular payments, or insisted on remissions in the terms of their leases: and whilst the public treasury was thus disappointed or defrauded of its incomes, its issues he insisted were squandered with equal prodigality, because the council and their dependants held shares in all the supplies for the public service, whether in the camp or city. Something of these accusations might be true; but Mr. De Leyrit, the governor, was a man of distinguished moderation and equity; and other members of the council were likewise men of worth, superior to such practices; but all who were not, sheltered their own characters under the public disbelief, of the calumnies against those who were guiltless of the delinquencies imputed to them: and all knowing Mr. Lally's aversion to Mr. Bussy, who had remained ill at Pondicherry since the siege of Madrass, paid particular court to his person and character, and continually expressed their regrets at the indiscretion of the ministry in Farnce appointing Mr. Lally to the