COCHINCHINA. 
cure against any attack that either the King of Siam or the 
rebels of Cochinchina might be disposed to make against it. 
Adran, some time before this, had made his way from 
Siam to the southern province of Cochinchina, in order to 
sound the sentiments of the people with regard to their legiti- 
mate sovereign ; and, finding them still faithful to his interest, 
and a general dissatisfaction prevailing against the usurper, 
he conceived the plan of applying to Louis XVI. of France 
for succours, in order to replace the lawful heir on the throne, 
on such terms as would not be objectionable to himself, and 
might eventually be highly advantageous to France. With 
this view he set sail in search of the emigrant King. " I met 
" with the unfortunate Monarch," says he, in a letter dated 
from Pondicherry, " in a very Avretched situation, accom- 
" panied by a few faithful friends, on one of the small islands 
" in the gulph of Siam, near the junction of this kingdom 
" with Cambodia. His soldiers were subsisting on roots 
" which they dug out of the earth." Here, it seems, the 
King committted to the care of the missionary his eldest son, 
earnestly entreating him, in the event of any accident befall- 
ing himself, to continue his advice and assistance to him as 
a father and a friend ; and to instruct him never to lose sight 
of bis lawful dominions, of which his father was deprived by 
violence and usurpation 
Adran, having satisfied the King on this subject, took his 
leave, and embarked with his young charge for Pondicherry ; 
and, having procured a passage from thence in an European 
