220 - intelligenee respecting India. June 135 
able to collect, we fhall never forget any detail which can 
throw light on the great views with which it ought to be 
animated. 
The author reduces the examination of the whole ques- 
tion to these two points, which form the two parts of his 
work. 1st. What is the political advantage of the Isle of 
France, since the termination of last war? 2d. What de- 
gree of importance ought government to connect with the 
politics of India? Ought government to attempt, at the 
same time, a project offensive to the Isle of France, and 
another defensive to Pondicherry ? 
The three last wars are those of 1744, 1756, and 1778. 
The author gives an exact summary of the operations of 
France in India, during these wars. 
However fhort this summary be, one there sees the 
faults of the India company in the two first. The miscon- 
duct of several chiefs, and of administration, in all the 
bravery and the succefs of other commanders. La Bour- 
donne, the chief promoter of the establifhment of the Isle 
of France, discovered his genius, made use of his resour- 
ces, and fhewed the greatest intrepidity in the war of 1744: 
If his temper could have bent to have owned the power 
of Dupleix, and to plan measures with a man of his cha- 
racter, France would have acquired an immense empire in 
India. Lally, governor of Pondicherry, and commander of 
the land forces, was without doubt culpable of prevarica- 
tion; after his condemnation, it appears that he was ill 
supported in the war of 1756. De Suffreim acquired im- 
mortal glory in that of 1778, who reinstated us in India, 
nearly in the condition in which we were in 1763. From 
the recitals of the author, it is easy to infer, that it is by the 
Isle of France, that t'e French and Dutch have been suc- 
coured in India during these wars ; and that moreover, we 
would have been indebted to this precious isle for a-great 
