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Rh II.

Still unconscious of the fact that the War of Independence in America offered them the rarest opportunity for striking a decisive blow at the English power in India, the French Government were nevertheless alive to the necessity of preserving from attack the Cape of Good Hope, then belonging to their allies, the Dutch, and of maintaining a respectable force in the Indian Seas. Early, then, in 1781, a squadron of five men of war was fitted out, and on the 22nd March sailed from Brest, under the command of the Commandant de Suffren.

This illustrious sailor was born at St. Cannat in Provence on the 13th July, 1726, the third son of the Marquis de Suffren de Saint Tropez. Destined for the navy he entered that service in 1743, and in the Solide, of 74 guns, joined the French fleet in the Mediterranean. He took part in an engagement with the English fleet under Admiral

Le Héros, 74 Guns. Commaudant de Suffren. L'Annibal, 74 „ Capitaine de Trémigon. L'Artésien, 64 „ „ de Cardailhac. Le Vengeur, 64 „ „ de Forbin. Le Sphinx, 64 „ „ du Chilleau.
 * They were: