Haidar never forgave this breach of faith. When, some nine years later, he heard of the war between France and England, and noticed that the English were likewise embroiled with the Maráthá in Western India, he took his revenge. Under the pretext that the capture of Mahé was a breach of the treaty existihg with him, he declared war, out-manœuvred Sir Hector Munro, destroyed Baillie's detachment of 3720 men (September 9 and 10, 1780), captured Arcot, and seemed to threaten Madras itself.
Haidar had not been unmindful of the advantages which might accrue to him from an alliance with France. Early in the year he had caused information to be sent to Paris of his intentions to crush the English out of Southern India, a result, he said, which would be certain if France would only assist him. But the Ministers of Louis XVI, discouraged by the results of their former attempts in India, and possibly distrusting the power of Haidar Alí, turned a deaf ear to his solicitations, and contented themselves with despatching a squadron to defend the Isles of France and Bourbon. But it soon appeared that such a squadron, if commanded by a man of energy, was sufficient to turn the scale in India.
The squadron, commanded by M. Duchemin, found at Port Louis the officer commanding on the Indian station, the Chevalier d'Orves. D'Orves at once assumed command, and with the six men-of-war, one frigate, and two corvettes, carrying one of the finest regiments in the French army, sailed for the Indian
