Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/548

524 However, the great gallantry and the inferior numbers of the body which sustained the greatest part of the loss, rather encreased than diminished the confidence of the army. The enemy suffered as much, having 200 killed and wounded. Mainville, who commanded against Lawrence at Tritchinopoly, just before the truce in 1754, and two Captains, were killed. The two squadrons anchored on the 11th, the day after they had engaged each other; the English in the road of Negapatam, the French 4 leagues farther to the south, who being much less disabled, were ready to sail again on the 13th; and two days after, anchored in the road of Pondicherry. The ships immediately landed whatsoever supplies they had brought for the service of the colony; the treasure amounted only to 16000 pounds in dollars, and the diamonds taken in the Grantham, were worth 17000 pounds. The troops were only 180 men. Mr. D'Aché would not go ashore, and signified his intention of sailing immediately for the islands. The season, although advanced, was not yet dangerous, nor were his ships more hurt than the English; but this resolution rose from intelligence of the four men of war, which were coming with Rear-Admiral Cornish to join Mr. Pococke, and who might arrive every day. Accordingly, early in the morning of the 19th, Mr. D'Aché made the signal for weighing, and all the ships loosed their top-sails.

The supplies they had brought were so much less than the wants and hopes of the colony, that disappointment appeared in every face; but the sight of the ships getting under sail, in 24 hours after their arrival, spread universal consternation, and excited the utmost indignation. All the military officers, the principal inhabitants, and even the clergy, assembled at the governor's, and immediatly formed themselves into a national council; which unanimously decreed, that the precipitate departure of the squadron must produce the most detrimental consequences to the interests of the state, as holding out to all the powers of the country an opprobrious acknowledgement that they had been entirely defeated in the last engagement, and could not stand another; and that they utterly despaired