Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/40

12 Matthews. Transferred to the frigate Pauline, he again had several opportunities of displaying his courage. The same year, serving on board Le Monarque, he was taken prisoner. After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle he was released, and proceeding to Malta became one of the Knights of the order of St. John of Jerusalem. During the Seven Years' War he took part in the siege and capture of Port Mahon (29th July, 1756), and was for the second time made prisoner at the combat of Lagos (1759). Returning to France after a captivity of two years, he was promoted to the command of the Caméléon of twenty guns, and sent to the Mediterranean to protect the French commerce. Subsequently, in the Singe, he so distinguished himself as to be promoted to the grade of commander (capitaine de frégate). The seven years which followed offered little occupation to his warlike nature. In 1772 he was promoted to the rank of post captain (capitaine de vaisseau), and in 1778, in command of Le Fantesque, he joined the squadron under Count d'Estaing, sent to aid the colonists of America. In the campaign which followed he so distinguished himself that he was granted a pension and marked for future command. A short cruise with two men of war in 1780 added to his reputation alike as a daring and skilful sailor and an unsurpassed manager of men. When, therefore, it was decided to send a squadron to the Indian seas, the choice of the minister fell naturally upon one who had shewn himself the most promising captain in the royal navy of France.