Page:Dupleix and the Struggle for India by the European Nations.djvu/67

60 provided only that Fort St. George were transferred to his keeping. To bring the negotiation to an issue, one way or another, Dupleix resolved to surprise Fort St. David by an attack from the sea-side. For this purpose he embarked 500 men in country boats, and sent them to the attack (January 10). But the elements were adverse. A storm came on, which compelled the boats to return.

But the blind goddess was not even then wearied. She gave him another chance, and a great one. Ten days after the fruitless boat expedition a French squadron of four ships, under Commodore Dordelin, arrived off the coast. It would seem that a combined attack by sea and land on the English fort could not have failed. It is difficult to say why it was not attempted. Possibly the solution is to be found in the nerveless character of Dordelin, and in the fact that, on the seas, he was not subject to the orders of the Pondichery Council. The appearance of the squadron off the coast had, however, the effect of bringing the Nuwáb to terms. He had never much cared for the English, and believing that they were abandoned by their countrymen, whilst the French had the support of four ships of war; dreading moreover lest the French should seriously threaten him in the province of Arcot, he renounced his claims on Madras, and signed with Dupleix a treaty in which he confirmed the French in the possession of the territories they actually held. This treaty was ratified by his son, Máphúz Khán, in person (February 1748).