HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
253 
CHAPTER IX. 
The Account of the Operations of M. de la Bourdonnais continued. 
The requisitions made by M. de la Bourdonnais, to M. Dupleix, Governor of 
Pondicherry, for heavy cannon and proportionable ammunition, have been stated 
in the letter addressed by the former to the latter ; but, instead of complying with 
them, M. Dupleix sent the following answer. <c The prevailing idea is, that the actual 
force of the enemy will be strengthened, either from Bombay or from Europe ; and 
if that opinion should be verified, you may be obliged to take refuge under this 
place; and what protection will it be able to afford you, if it should be dismantled 
of its heavy artillery ?” 
M. de la Bourdonnais, therefore, was obliged to set sail on the 4th of August, 
without the artillery which he had requested, and a very inadequate proportion of 
military stores. The water with which the ships of the squadron had been furnished 
was so bad, as to produce the flux among the crews. M. de la Bourdonnais was 
very much afflicted with this debilitating malady; but his resolution appeared to 
surmount that, and every other obstacle; and he was impelled by no other impulse, 
than to destroy the English squadron, or render it incapable of future service. The 
wind was so contrary, that he employed thirteen days in getting to Negapatara ; 
and as he was engaged in negociating with the Dutch respecting the surrender of a 
French prize, which had been bought of the English contrary to the faith of trea¬ 
ties, he was informed that six English vessels appeared to windward of that place : 
he accordingly returned in great haste to his ship, and found his squadron ready to 
weigh anchor, having first hoisted the Dutch flag, in order to deceive the enemy. 
In a short time the whole was under sail, and directing their course towards the 
English; but they were not the dupes of the Dutch colours; and availing themselves 
of the wind, soon put about. M. de la Bourdonnais pursued them through the 
whole day: and as it is necessary in these seas to bring up during the night, in 
order to wait for the land breeze, he hoped, on the following day, to surprize them 
