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 CHAPTER XII

The Final Collapse

Dupleix had departed, and Godeheu reigned in his stead. Godeheu was the exact opposite of his predecessor. He was a man with a mission. That mission was to conclude peace with the English and the native princes at any price. He carried out his task very much to the satisfaction of the English. Only a few months before the English Governor, Saunders, had been ready to conclude a treaty with Dupleix on the principle of admitting all the conditions proposed by the French administrator, if only he would renounce the title of Nuwáb of the Karnátik. Godeheu, who made no pretension to such a title, was glad to assent to terms far less favourable. Thinking only of commerce, and believing that the same sentiment animated the English, he agreed with Saunders that the two Companies should renounce for ever all Mughal dignities and governments, and never interfere in the differences which might arise between the native princes. The second article of his treaty stipulated that whilst the English should possess Madras, Fort St. David, and Devikota, the French should be content with Pondichery, Karikál, and certain districts to be agreed upon, sufficient to make