Page:Vizagapatam.djvu/68

 embark on board the Sartine Frigue, and some other vessels then in that harbour in order to carry them to Madras, the day of their intended departure the Governor of Vizac invited all the military officers to dine with him and the Council. The troops were to embark that afternoon. The gentlemen made a cheerful repast, drank success to the British arms, and sat in compaay with all the tranquility of mind imaginable, but were soon alarmed by an uncommon noise. They sent some of their servants out to learn the cause, and was soon informed that the troops draughted for Madras had mutinied, and was endeavouring to force those Sepoys who were to remain behind in the barracks to join them, which they refused. This account soon brought their officers out, who instantly resumed their commands, and ordered them immediately to march down to the beach and go on board. This they refused one and all. The Grenadiers levelled their pieces, took aim, discharged a volley, and killed every officer on the spot. They took the Governor prisoner and all the civil servants, set free a French spy who had been confined there for some time, and placed him at their head, at the same time put the Governor and all the civil servants in the prison from whence they took the Frenchman. They plundered the Governor's house and factory of the treasure, plate and every other valuable that night, took the civillins out the next morning, tied them, and marched them off with them, with an intent to carry their prisoners to Hyder Ally, whom themselves intended to join. After they had marched several miles from Vizac, they unty'd the Governor Mr, Casmajor and the rest of the gentlemen, and told them they might return to Vizac if they pleased. Ensign Butier, the only surviving officer on that establishment, and who very fortunately had been on a visit to a friend at some distance from the settlement, finding what had happened, drew up a detachment of the remaining troops the next morning with a few field pieces, marched at the head of them in quest of the deserters, came up with them, and discharged a few rounds of grape shot amongst them, which brought several of them to the ground. Some ran off, leaving the most part of their arms behind, and the remainder he took prisoners, marching them in the front with the field pieces in the rear.' The zamindar of Parlákimedi, then under surveillance at Vizagapatam, was strongly suspected of having' engineered this outbreak, but he boldly claimed to have saved the lives of the other Europeans in the station and was eventually given back his estate as a reward for his doubtful services. In 1781 the Circars were within an ace of being ceded back again to Hyderabad in return for a body of horse to be placed at he disposal of the Governor-General. Lord Macartney, who had just arrived as Governor of Madras, protested, however, with such force against the proposal that it was abandoned.