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 himself at Goa about the middle of 1662, he found the Portuguese Viceroy altogether disinclined to surrender the island. This functionary at first questioned the validity of the envoy's credentials, and when convincing evidence had been supplied as to their genuineness and sufficiency he raised fresh difficulties. Nor was he to be moved by any arguments that could be adduced to sanction the fulfilment of the treaty.

The position for the English was most embarrassing. The Royal expedition which had gone out was an imposing one, consisting of five ships and a considerable military force, the latter under the command of Sir Abraham Shipman. To keep these vessels in Indian waters while the difficulty was referred to Europe was out of the question; on the other hand, to send home the force intended for the occupation would have the most serious effect on the situation at Surat in that it would appear in the guise of a confession of failure. After due deliberation, the decision was come to to land the military on Angediva, an island not far from Goa, and to send the ships home with the Earl of Marlborough, who would be able personally to report the facts to the Government. This course was pursued, with the result that imperative orders were sent out from Europe to the obstinate Viceroy at Goa to hand over Bombay. It was, however, not until the middle of 1664 that the English in India were able to take advantage of the new situation. In the meantime, disease had played havoc with the force at Angediva. Sir Abraham Shipman and every one of his officers had died, and failing a suitable military successor the command had devolved upon Shipman's secretary, Humphrey Cooke. Cooke, however, seems to have been a man of resource. He had no sooner been put