Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/282

254 General Baird, was to remain there as Lieutenant-Governor, whilst his second in command, Colonel the Honourable Arthur Wellesley, should proceed towards the islands.

The same day, the 5th February, General Baird embarked on board the Honourable Company's ship Phœnix, but before that vessel had left the Saugor roads, Marquess Wellesley received a despatch from the President of the Board of Control, the effect of which was to entirely alter the destination of the expedition.

In that despatch Mr. Dundas informed the Governor-General, that Sir Ralph Abercromby had received orders to proceed up the Mediterranean and, by an attack on Alexandria and the coast, to co-operate with the Turkish army assembling in Syria, in whatever plan might be concerted with them for expelling the French army from Egypt; and that it had been thought expedient "that a force should be sent also from India to act in such a manner as might appear conducive to that essential object," from the side of the Red Sea.

Mr. Dundas added that, with that object in view Sir Home Popham, with a proper squadron, would be immediately sent into that sea, taking with him a regiment from the Cape of Good Hope; that his first rendezvous would be the Port of Mocha; and he directed that a force of about 1000 Europeans and 2000 Native Infantry should be sent at once from India to the proposed place of rendezvous, with as little delay as possible, to co-operate with Sir Home Popham.

Copies of this despatch were sent to the presidencies of Madras and Bombay, the Governors of which were instructed to make the necessary preparations without