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 SAFDAR ALI VISITS PONDICHERY. 87 correspondence, the intimation he had received regard- chap. ing the secret clauses was of great importance. He, 1^ continued, with the same ardour, the repair of the 1740. fortifications at the same time that new defences were erected. He formed a body of European infantry 1,200 in number, and supplemented them by four or five thousand Muhammadans, whom he armed and drilled in the European fashion — the germ of the sipahi army — and who were found most useful in performing the routine duties of the garrison. He brought into the town also, all the crews of the ships in the roads, and exercised them in the various operations of land warfare. Stores of all sorts he likewise continued to accumulate. Whilst these preparations were going on, the new Nawwab, Safdar Ali, paid a visit to Pondichery. The avowed object was to thank M. Dumas for the protec- tion he had afforded to the female members of his father's family. None knew better than Safdar Ali, how galling to the Marathas had been the knowledge that the families and valuables of his late father and of of the Mughals as have been masters here have treated the French with friendship and distinction. From them we have received only favours. In virtue of this friendship, we have ffiven shelter to the widow of the late Nawwab, Dost Ali Khan, with all her family. Ought we to have sbut our gates and leave them in the countrv ? Men of honour are incap- able of such cowardice. The wife of Chanda Sahib has also come hither with her mother and her brother, and the others have proceeded to Ark at. " You have written to me to make over to your horsemen this lady, her son, and the riches she has brought here. You, who are a nobleman full of bravery and generosity, what would you think of me, if I were capable of such baseness ? The wife of Chanda Sahib is in Pondichery under the protection of the King of France, my master, and all the French in India would die rather than deliver her to you. * * * * 1 ' You threaten me finally that if I do not comply with your demands, you will send your armies against me and lead them hither yourself. I am preparing myself to the utmost of ray ability to receive you well, and to deserve your esteem, by showing that I have the honour of commanding the bravest nation in the world, who know how to defend themselves with intrepidity against those who attack them unjustly. Above all I place my confidence in Almighty Grod, before whom the most powerful armies are like the light straw which the wind blows away. I hope He will favour the justice of our cause. I have heard what has happened at Bassein, but that place was not defended by Frenchmen."— Memoire dans les Archives de la Compagnie des hides.