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44 This first success of the French was followed by an act of atrocious perfidy towards their European opponents. The treaty concluded by the French Admiral La Bourdonnais was declared null by Dupleix, the Governor of Pondicherry, who claimed, in virtue of that office, supreme authority over all the French possessions in India. The property of the English was seized, and those who refused to swear allegiance to the French king were required to depart from Madras in four days. The governor and principal inhabitants were marched under an escort to Pondicherry, where they were paraded in procession to grace the triumph of Dupleix.

When the authorities of Madras had thus become prisoners to the French, the Company's agents at Fort St. David assumed the general administration of British affairs in that part of India. Against this place Dupleix now directed the arms of the French; but the English having secured the aid of the Nabob or Mogul governor of the Carnatic, were enabled to repel the attack; while the appearance of an English fleet in the roadstead also added to their confidence and security. The arrival of an additional naval force under Admiral Boscawen soon after emboldened the English to undertake an attack upon Pondicherry, which, however, failed no less signally than the attempt of Dupleix upon Fort St. David.

The peace of Aix-la-Chapelle restored Madras to the English, who resumed possession in August, 1749; but humble as the position of our countrymen was even then in India, instead of seeking protection from the native authorities, they began to be regarded as in a condition to extend it. Prior to the restoration of Madras, a Mahratta prince had presented himself at Fort St. David, to solicit their assistance in regaining the throne of Tanjore, from which he had been expelled, promising that the fort and territory of Deir-Cottah should be the reward of their services.

The British authorities, in compliance with his request, despatched an expedition against Tanjore, under Major