Page:History of the French in India.djvu/264

 242 French india at its zenith. c ^ p - on TrichinapalK, whilst Admiral Boscawen was still on _ the coast, would act as a final inducement to that officer 1749. to remain, and would impel the English to cast in their lot, whilst their forces were yet considerable, with his rival, Muhammad Ali. He, therefore, hesitated as to his action, preferring to wait at all events in the hope that the October gales might compel the departure of so dangerous an enemy. Whilst he and his allies are thus watching their opportunity, it may be convenient for us to turn to the movements of the English, and to relate as briefly as may be the result of their expedition against Tanjur. This expedition had been undertaken, as we have already stated, with the avowed object of re-seating upon the throne of that kingdom the twice expelled Kaja Sahuji, with the real purpose of gaining for them- selves the possession of Devikota. Consisting of 430 Europeans and 1,000 sipahis, under the command of Captain Cope, this force had left Fort St. David in the early part of April, and, on the 24th, arrived on the bank of the river Vellaur, near Portonovo. On the following morning a terrific storm ensued, which caused great damage to the land forces, and greater to the fleet. Of the former, many of the carriage-cattle, and a large proportion of the military stores were destroyed ; of the latter, the Admiral's flagship 5 the " Namur," of 74 guns, the " Pembroke," of 60 guns, and the " Apollo," hospital ship, with the greater part of their crews, were totally lost.* It thus became necessary to suspend for a time the progress of the undertaking. When, however, after having made good his losses, Captain Cope renewed his march and arrived on the borders of the Tanjur territory, he found the actual state of things to differ very much from the representa- tions that had been made him. Not only was there no Journal of an officer present at the siege of Pondichrry.