102 THE EISE OF THE FRENCH POWER IN INDIA. chap, wishing for war, by which Dupleix was influenced in his , desire for peace. The squadron under Commodore 1774. Barnet was, he well knew, in the Eastern seas, engaged in intercepting the French traders between China and Europe; it was shortly expected, with its prizes, at Madras ; letters had been received some time previously, announcing its proximate arrival, and those letters con- tained the instructions for the annihilation of French commerce to which we have just alluded. To the urgent requisition of Dupleix, Mr. Morse pleaded therefore the orders he had received from England. f Another disappointment awaited the French Governor. He had hoped that, should these negotiations fail, he might derive some assistance from the promised squadron of La Bourdonnais. But, just about the time that the unfavourable reply was received from Mr. Morse, intimation reached him that in obedience to instructions received from Paris, La Bourdonnais had sent back his squadron to France, and was apparently powerless to assist him. Ignorant, as he was then, of the undaunted energy and persistent resolution which so eminently characterised the Governor of the Isle of France, Dupleix felt himself at that moment absolutely cast upon his own resources. He had but himself to depend upon. With a garrison of 436 Europeans, the fortifications of Pondi- chery progressing, but not then finished, with but one small ship of war at his disposal, he had to meet the threatened attack of three men-of-war and a frigate, sub- sequently increased to six vessels of war, whose cannon alone, playing upon the unfinished rampart from the roadstead, could demolish the French town. Even the one vessel at his disposal he despatched to the Isle of France, with an urgent requisition to La Bour- donnais to come to his aid. This was a situation to test in the most searching manner the capacity of a man. Was it possible, under such circumstances, to escape the t Dupleix, Orme, Cambridge.
