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78 been despatched with 430 English soldiers and 1000 sipáhis to seat the pretender on the coveted throne. Cope, after having been delayed on his way by a terrible storm, had reached the northern bank of the Kólrun, and had thence descried the reigning Rájá's army, ready, not so much to dispute his passage as to entice him into the difficult country beyond it. Cope, however, had no intention of indulging their fancies. His orders were to get possession of Devikota. On that place accordingly he marched, expecting to be supported by Admiral Boscawen, whose fleet was still off the coast. But the same storm which had delayed his march had greatly damaged the English fleet, and when Cope arrived within a mile of Devikota not a ship was to be seen. Cope, whose character was not enterprising, after vainly cannonading the place, retreated on Fort St. David. But the English had not their hearts on Devikota. They therefore despatched a fresh force of 800 British troops and 1500 sipáhis under the command of the capable Stringer Lawrence with instructions to take Devikota at any price. Lawrence stormed Devikota, and, throwing over the pretender on whose behalf the English had been nominally acting, made arrangements with the ruling prince for its permanent cession to the English Company.

It was about this time that Mr. Floyer, the Governor of Madras, received tidings of the battle of Ambur and its consequences. It seemed to him that he had no choice but to recognise the prince in possession,