Page:The military history of the Madras engineers and pioneers, from 1743 up to the present time (IA militaryhistoryo01viba).pdf/33

1740) MADRAS ENGINEERS. 3 (St. David) were formidable enough to deter the natives of the country from attacking them, but were quite unfitted to stand a regular siege and bombardment. It is at this time that we find the first records of professional engineers being called in to give their advice regarding the forts, and Major Knipe's quaint report in 1748 shows clearly how very inferior were the works at Fort St. George. Mr. George Jones' report on Fort St. David, in 1747, clearly establishes the fact that, although Fort St. David was stronger than Fort St. George, it still was but a contemptible place of arms.

It was in 1639 lint the English first settled at Madras; previous to that they had a factory at Armegon, north of Madras. They now obtained a strip of coast six milos long and one broad; on this, they built a factory, and surrounded it with a wall, on which they mounted cannon. Mr. Francis Day was the English chief at that time.

In 1644 we find that 22,294 had been spent on the fortifications, and it was estimated that £2,000 more would serve to complete it. The fort was of course but small, and a garrison of 100 men was considered sufficiently strong for its occupation. It is unlikely that Mr. Day lrad any professional assistance in erecting this fort, as it is certain that the so-called fort merely consisted of a slight wall surrounding the residences of the merchants.

It would appear that for a century after its foundation no material alterations were made to it.

In the year 1740, the President having learnt that 20,000 Mahrattas had arrived at Arcot, and were plundering the country, became alarmed and hastily appointed William Jonson, Esq., captain; Mr. John Stretton, lieutenant; and Mr. John IIally. burton, ensign. He also gave certain directions to the store-keeper and gunner regarding the gulls and their carriages, and ordered the paymaster to repair the chevaux-de-frises. The alarm excited by the proceedings of the Mahrattas induced the