Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/29

 BOOK I.

FRENCH MARINERS on the INDIAN SEAS.

In the history of the French in India I have brought the story of the struggle for empire in the East of that gallant and high-spirited people to the year 1761, From that date the land contest really ceased. For although, in 1782, France did despatch a considerable force to aid Haidar Ali, the decrepitude of its leaders and the death of Haidar combined to render its efforts fruitless. From 1761, indeed, the French ceased to be principals in the contest. Thenceforth the adventurous sons of her soil were forced to content themselves with the position of auxiliaries to native princes. The foremost amongst them, levying contingents of their own countrymen,