Dupleix that he was resolved to maintain Trichinopoli against him at all costs. This message decided Dupleix. Recognising the necessity of prompt action, he despatched, in the month of March (1751), D'Auteuil with 400 Frenchmen, a few Africans, and some guns, to accompany the force of Chandá Sáhib, from 7000 to 8000 strong, in its march to Trichinopoli, thence to expel Muhammad Alí.
But Mr. Saunders, who then directed English interests at Fort St. David, had been before-hand with him. Once resolved to succour Muhammad Alí, Saunders recognised the necessity of employing all his force for that purpose. Were Chandá Sáhib to take that place, there would be no limit to the development of the gigantic plans of Dupleix. Whilst then he had despatched, early in February, Captain Cope with 280 Englishmen and 300 sipáhis to assist Muhammad Alí within Trichinopioli, he prepared another body composed of 500 Englishmen, 100 Africans, and 1000 sipáhis, to be ready to act according as circumstances might require. When, then, D'Auteuil and Chandá Sáhib quitted Pondichery in March, in the manner and for the purpose already stated, Saunders despatched the troops he had organised to follow and to watch their motions. The English force was commanded by an officer of Swiss origin, named De Gingen.
The instructions given by Saunders to De Gingen were precise. He was to watch the movements of the enemy, but, recollecting the fact that France and
