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Rh  on several occasions in supporting the British commercial rights, which would otherwise have been injured by interlopers under neutral colours, countenanced by some French frigates, as well as by the Governors of the garrisons belonging to that nation.

In the month of Nov. 1791, whilst cruizing off the Malabar coast, in the Phoenix frigate, he fell in with la Resolu, of 46 guns, convoying two country coasting vessels to Mangalore, (the principal sea-port of Tippoo Saib) supposed to be laden with stores and provisions for that chieftain, with whom we were then at war. Finding that Sir Richard Strachan was determined to examine these vessels, the French Captain thought proper to object; and an action commenced, which was maintained with great obstinacy on both sides, until the Phoenix had 6 men killed and 11 wounded, and la Resolu 25 killed and 40 wounded. The Frenchman now struck his colours, and Sir Richard performed his first intentions of examining the vessels, which however, on being searched, did not justify any further detention. The Commander of la Resolu insisted on his ship being taken possession of as a prize, which Sir Richard with great propriety refused; but he towed her into Tellicherry Roads, from whence she was afterwards sent to the French settlement at Mahé.

The right of searching neutral vessels, which has always been looked upon as intimately connected with our maritime welfare, was on this occasion exercised with as much conciliation and attention to forms, as it was opposed with violence and rashness, and afterwards acknowledged to be unjustifiable by the French Government. The Commander of the French squadron, Mons. St. Felix, shortly after arrived, and a correspondence took place between him and. Commodore Cornwallis, which seemed likely to be productive of serious consequences, as he threatened resistance if any vessels under his protection were attempted to be stopped; his letters were answered with temper and firmness, for the Commodore was not a man likely to be deterred from doing his duty by threats. There was, however, no trial made on the part of the French, although the Cybele and Resolu got under weigh and went to sea; they were attended by the Phoenix and Minerva, who cruised with them several days, and brought-to vessels under