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Rh filling the heart of Caron with joy, aroused only envy. He displayed this feeling in so marked a manner, that, after vainly endeavouring to subdue it, Mercara embarked with his adherents on board a French vessel and sailed to Java. He transmitted at the same time his correspondence with Caron to Colbert, who a little later cleared him from the charges brought against him by Caron.

Meanwhile Caron, great as an organiser, had represented to Colbert that it would be largely to the interests of France if he were allowed to take possession of the island of Ceylon, then partially occupied by the Dutch, to serve at once as a point d'appui and a point of departure for French enterprise against India. He told the Minister that his agents had sounded, and had obtained the approval of, the King of Candy to such an expedition. Colbert accepted the idea, and despatched a squadron under Lahaye, a man unfortunately of but mediocre ability, to co-operate with Caron. The two commanders made their first attempt on Point de Galle in the winter of 1672. But here the Dutch were in force, and the attack was repulsed. The Frenchmen were more fortunate at Trinkámalí, which they took and garrisoned. But hardly had they accomplished this when a Dutch fleet of superior force hove in sight. Lahaye, despairing of success, sailed northward, and whilst the Dutchmen were engaged in recovering Trinkámalí, anchored before St. Thomé, a little settlement near Madras, originally occupied by the Portuguese, but