Page:History of the French in India.djvu/39

 HIS FAILURE AT POINT 1)E GALLE. this feeling evinced itself. Caron, though he could boast of great achievements himself, could not endure the idea that one of his associates should obtain the sole credit for deeds in which he could claim no share. The success of Marcara then, so far from being to him a source of joy, as to a patriotic Frenchman it ought to have been, awakened feelings of envy. He at once re- moved all the friends of the Persian from employ, and represented his conduct in a most unfavourable light to the French Minister. Marcara, however, on receiving an account of these aspersions, transmitted to Colbert a statement of his proceedings. This statement was so precise, and was so well supported by tacts, that, after a full inquiry, Marcara was declared to have cleared himself of every charge brought against him. The con- test, however, between the two principal officials in India did not tend to the stability of the rising settle- ments.* Caron, however, was bent upon effecting some results of greater importance. He accordingly represented to the Minister that, to obtain a firm footing in the country, it was necessary to hold some place in absolute posses- sion, unassailable by the natives of India, and to use it as a stronghold whence commercial operations could be carried on with the inhabitants of the mainland. Fol- lowing the idea of Albuquerque, he suggested, for this purpose, the occupation of an island, and he indicated the seaboard of Ceylon, then partially occupied by the Dutch, as well adapted to the end in view.f He did not fail to point out the great commercial advantages which must accrue to France from an immediate participation in the spice trade, and he with Caron, Marcara, unable any dispossessed by the Dutch some ten loneer to work with him, embarked years after (1682). with his adherents on board a French f Journal du Voyage des Grandes ship, and sailed to Java. Arriving Indes. at Bantam, they established factories
 * Tn consequence of his quarrel there, of which, however, they were