as traitors to the King. In consequence, Clavell's mission was treated with contempt, Winter and his Council even proceeding so far as to declare that his credentials were forgeries.
Clearly nothing but force would break down the obstinate determination of the Winter faction to cling to their usurped powers. Accepting the inevitable, the Company prepared an expedition of sufficient strength to make resistance impossible. Five ships carrying out five companies of soldiers and a Royal Commission with full powers to reduce the rebel Government sailed for India at the end of 1667. A portion of the fleet anchored off Madras on May 21, 1668. Two officials from shore who proceeded on board were promptly made prisoners. Subsequently a demand was made by letter to Winter for the restoration of the fort.
Winter now perceived that the end of his reign had come, and when he had sought and obtained a guarantee for his personal safety and the protection of his property, he handed over the government. Thereafter, George Foxcroft was reinstalled in the Agency with all his old powers pending the decision of the Privy Council to which the whole matter had been referred. The order which ultimately emanated from this high authority was that Nathaniel Foxcroft should be sent home and that George Foxcroft should remain for another year at the head of the Government. Winter, it was further directed, should be permitted to stay on for a short time to arrange his affairs and should in the meantime be treated with respect. Finally, a Commission, with Sir William Langhorne at its head, was appointed to investigate the whole transaction and take evidence on the spot.
Langhorne's commission only led to a further complica-
