HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
237 
from the King, which enjoined all the captains and officers of your ships to submit 
themselves to my command. 
“ On taking a view of the existing circumstances, I determined that the squadron 
should sail about the end of October, which would be a proper time to visit the 
coast of Malabar; where, as we should not be expected, we might make some 
prizes: but as the monsoon would not allow of our passing to India by way of 
Madagascar, I dispatched the Elizabeth, to order the ships stationed there to return 
to this island, and then to continue its course to Mahe to remit your pacquets, 
from whence she was to return hither. On the arrival of the vessels from Mada¬ 
gascar, I immediately furnished them with what they wanted, and sent them to 
Bourbon to take in provisions, with orders to remain there till the 10th of October;, 
they were then to proceed to Achem; and if I did not join them there by-the 10th 
of January, they were to continue their course to Pondicherry by the road of 
Madras, in the hope that a part of the English squadron was gone to convoy the 
English China ships to Europe, when they would not encounter a superior force : 
and, in order that they might receive an account of the state of affairs in India, I 
dispatched the Expedition frigate to Mahe, to obtain it there, and proceed to 
Achem, and if no French ship was at the latter place, to continue its course to 
Pondicherry. 
“ These dispositions being made, on the 7th of October the Neptune arrived 
from India, laden with Moka coffee, and came to seek the protection of our port, 
as the whole English squadron, reinforced by the Favori , which had been taken, 
was cruising from St. David’s to Pondicherry. As I had every reason to suppose 
that this squadron was infinitely superior to the force which I had been able to 
collect, I gave orders to the vessels which I sent to Bourbon, to remain there till 
news arrived from Europe. The extraordinary delay of the squadron from France, 
made me apprehend that it had met with some accident; and I perceived, with 
extreme regret, that the provisions destined for our voyage to India, were con¬ 
suming in a state of inaction; besides, if we did not receive some assistance, every 
one of our ships would soon be disabled from setting a sail: I therefore assembled 
the Council to consider our situation; when it was resolved to send a vessel to 
Pondicherry, to fetch provisions, cordage, tar, &c. and to dispatch the Favourite 
frigate to France, to inform you of the distressing circumstances in which we were 
involved. 
