mercantile transactions with the interior. Martin's first care was to obtain permission to build accommodation for his men. Fortunately, he had a sufficiency of funds. In his dealings with the natives he displayed a tact which won their confidence and esteem. By degrees the Dutch blockade relaxed, and finally ceased altogether. Then vessels arrived from Europe. A trade in piece-goods was opened with the interior. Despite the wars of the native chiefs, the colony throve rapidly. By-and-by Martin obtained permission to enlist native soldiers for its protection. At the end of two years, he was able to inform the Company that he would send them annually goods to the value of at least 1,000,000 francs.
The year following a crisis came. The famous Sivájí invaded the Karnátik, passed by Madras, took the strong fortress of Gingí, defeated Sher Khán Lodí in a pitched encounter, and threatened to annihilate the French on the pretext that they were allies of Sher Khán. Martin was equal to the occasion. He despatched the valuables of the colonists to Madras, then employed a friendly native chief to represent to Sivájí that he was willing to acknowledge the supremacy of the Maráthás, and to pay for the license to trade. Sivájí accepted his submission, and left him undisturbed. In a few weeks the peril had passed.
It would take too long to record the yearly progress of the little settlement. It must suffice to state that, thanks to the wise measures of the energetic
