Bombay, the Governor of that Presidency received information that the Portuguese authorities on the coast of Malabar, expected a French squadron, with a body of troops, to take possession of their settlements; and feeling the importance of preventing the enemy establishing themselves at Demaun and Isle Diu, applied to Captain Hargood, of H.M.S. Intrepid, the senior officer present, for assistance. The Intrepid and Terpsichore being in a dismantled state, Captain Mackellar instantly volunteered to take the command of an expedition; and his offer being accepted, sailed the same evening in the Marquis Cornwallis of 48 guns, accompanied by the Upton Castle Indiaman, Betsy, an armed brig belonging to the Hon. Company, and several smaller vessels, on board of which were embarked 1000 regulars and native troops; it being intended to have recourse to force, should the Governors of Demaun and Isle Diu refuse to admit British reinforcements. The object of the armament, however, was gained by the address used upon the occasion, and to the entire satisfaction of the government of Bombay, as will appear by the following official document:
“Political Department, Bombay Castle, Jan. 18, 1802.
“Sir.– I am directed by the Governor in Council, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst., with enclosures; and to express to you his entire satisfaction and thanks for the services you have lately rendered, in conveying British reinforcements to the Portuguese settlements of Demaun and Diu; and for the able and successful manner in which the object of this expedition has been accomplished.” * * * *
“To Captain John Mackellar.”
On the 27th March following, information was received at Bombay, that the Governor (Hon. Jonathan Duncan), who had gone to arrange a dispute with some of the native powers in the Guzzeret country, was unexpectedly attacked, and having lost many of the troops who formed his escort, compelled to entrench himself at Surat. This being “a case of the greatest emergency, and of particular importance to the reputation of the British name in India,” the Political Department requested Captain Mackellar, the then senior officer at Bombay, to proceed to Goa, at that time blockaded by Sir William Clarke, and convey the troops under that officer’s orders from
