Page:History of the French in India.djvu/171

 CONDITIONS OF SURRENDER OF MADRAS. 149 which they signed has been left with me, without their having dreamt of demanding a duplicate." Two days later, the 23rd, he wrote a long report, in which he discussed the whole question of the future. This letter began thus : " At last Madras is in French hands. The conditions on which it surrendered, place it, so to say, at my discretion. There is, nevertheless, a sort of capitulation signed by the Governor, of which I subjoin a copy ; but it does no more, as you will see, than authorise me to dispose of the place." It would appear from these extracts, and from the tenor of the capitulation itself, that Madras had surren- dered at discretion ; that the town, the fort, and every- thing belonging thereto, had become absolutely French property. It is equally clear that there had been some discussion between La Bourdonnais and the English deputies regarding a ransom, but that it was finally resolved to leave this question for future adjustment.* CHAP. IV. 1746. in his memoirs the engagement he entered into regarding the ransom: " The next day, the 21st, the deputies returned for the second time and agreed at last to surrender on the conditions which had been proposed to them the previous evening, that is to say, on the condition of being per- mitted to ransom the town. Imme- diately the articles of capitulation were written out, Mr. Hally burton took them to the Governor, who having examined them, sent them back by the same Mr. Hallyburton, with orders to represent to M. de la Bourdonnais, that neither the Go- vernor nor the Council ought to be regarded as prisoners of war so long as the question of the conditions of ransom should be under consideration. Upon this representation, M. de la Bourdonnais, who wished the Go- vernor and his Council to remain prisoners of war until these condi- tions should be agreed upon, con- tented himself with assuring the de- puties that he would give an act of liberty to the Council and the Governor, as soon as they should agree with him regarding the ransom. The deputies having then demanded that this proposition should be in- serted in the capitulation, M. de la Bourdonnais consented, and it was made an article. The deputies then took back the capitulation to the Governor, who signed it. In bring- ing it back again, they asked M. de la Bourdonnais for his parole, as an addition to the promise regarding the ransom. 4 Yes, gentlemen,' replied he, ' I renew to you the promise I made you yesterday, to restore to you your town on condition of a ransom, which we will settle in a friendly way, and to be reasonable regarding the con- ditions.' 1 You give us then your word of honour,' answered the depu- ties. 'Yes,' said he, 4 1 give it you, and you may be assured that it is inviolable.' 'Very well,' replied the two Englishmen, "here then is the capitulation signed by the Governor ; you are now master of the town, and you can enter it when you like.' " It must always be borne in mind, however, when reading the memoirs of La Bourdonnais, lstly, that they were written some time after the
 * La Bourdonnais thus describes