Page:History of the French in India.djvu/362

 338 THE STRUGGLES OF DUPLEIX WITH ADVERSITY. chap. Marquis, with reversion in direct line to his descendants. '_ . From all the eminent public men in France he received 1752. by the same opportunity congratulations on the receipt of this well-merited honour, and expressions of entire concurrence in the policy he had adopted. Meanwhile, all his hopes raised by the success at Vieravandi, Dupleix renewed his negotiations with the Maisurians and Murari Rao, pressing them to declare openly in his favour. This they agreed to do, provided Dupleix should engage so to employ the main army of the Eng- lish as to leave them free to prosecute their views upon Trichinapalll. In accordance with these views Dupleix reinforced Kerjean to the utmost extent possible, and sent him to enforce a blockade of Fort St. David, so as to prevent any possible co-operation by the English with their detachment at Trichinapalll. By this means Kerjean's force was increased to 400 Europeans, 1,500 sipahis, and 500 native horse. The news of this vigorous action aroused Major Law- rence from his bed of sickness. Proceeding to Fort St. David by sea he arrived there on August 27, and on the following morning moved out at the head of 400 Europeans, 1,700 sipahis, and 400 troops belonging to Muhammad Ali, to reconnoitre the French position. Strong as it was he resolved to attack it on the follow- ing day. But Kerjean, not confident as to the result of an action, retreated during the night to Bahur, two miles from Fort St. David, and the following evening, — Major Lawrence still advancing, — to Valianur, within three miles from Pondichery. At this time Dupleix was momentarily expecting the arrival of a ship called the " Prince," having on board 700 men, and, what was of equal importance, a tried commander on Indian soil, — M. de la Touche. As Major Lawrence was forbidden by his instructions to attack the French in their position on French soil, it would have been wise policy on the part of the French