Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/750

726 the mind of the Nabob, whose joy at the reduction of Pondicherry, although the arsenal which had forged all the anxieties of his life, was immediately imbittered by this interruption to the future conquests he had so near at heart: and, unwilling to continue in the Carnatic without the entire predominance of his authority, he retired as it were in disgust with victory to Tritchinopoly, where he arrived on the 15th of February.

Four hundred of the French prisoners were sent to Madrass, and the Highlanders, six companies, with some artillery-men, and four companies of Sepoys, marched thither to reinforce the garrison; 200 were sent to Tritchinopoly under the escort of 100 Europeans, and some Sepoys. The rest of the prisoners remained in the dungeons of Pondicherry, until they could be otherwise disposed of; and 300 Europeans, including the pioneer company, and 50 artillery-men, with the troop of European horse, and four companies of Sepoys, were appointed to garrison the town. The troops from Bombay, being 120 of the king's artillery, and 190 common infantry, belonging to that Presidency, embarked in two ships to return thither; the marines were restored to the squadron; the rest of the army went into cantonments at Cuddalore.

The court of France had instructed Mr. Lally to destroy the maritime possessions of the English nation in India, which might fall to their arms. These instructions had been intercepted; and, in consequence of them, the court of Directors of the English East-India Company had ordered their Presidencies to retaliate the same measure on the French settlements, whenever in their power. Accordingly Mr. Pigot, with the approbation of the council of Madrass, resolved to demolish the fortifications of Pondicherry; and as Mr. Stevens signified his intention to repair forthwith to Bombay, in order to refit his squadron, the demolition was commenced without delay, lest a French armament should arrive during their absence, and recover the town, whilst the fortifications remained in a condition to afford any advantage in maintaining it.

Mr. Stevens sailed on the 23d of February, with all the ships, eleven of the line, and two frgates. They took away 400 of the prisioners