268 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
as had happened, a capitulation incompatible with this disposition. Besides, this 
project was in such evident opposition to the interests of the state, and so far 
beyond the powers of M. Dupleix, or even of M. de la Bourdonnais, that it was 
very difficult to consider it as a serious proposition. In fact, it was nothing more 
than an attempt to deceive both the Nabob and M. de la Bourdonnais. The con¬ 
cealed object of it was as follows : 
It cannot be denied that he had absolutely engaged to give up Madras to the 
Nabob ; but if we may judge of his sincerity from the event, he had no intention 
whatever to fulfil his promise, as he did not carry it into execution when it was in 
his power. He accordingly deceived the Nabob, who afterwards revenged himself, 
by engaging in a war, which occasioned the loss of a considerable body of troops 
to the state, and of money to the Company. But the artifice he practised on the 
Asiatic prince, was merely to- give more certainty to the deceit he meditated on 
M. de la Bourdonnais ■ whom he hoped, by such a circumstance, to involve in the 
necessity of refusing whatever propositions, respecting a ransom, the Englith might 
offer: the consequence would be, that by rejecting the ransom, M. de la Bourdonnais 
would be compelled by the monsoon to quit the coast in the month of October, 
and leave to M. Dupleix the care of pillaging Madras. This was most anxiously 
desired by the Governor of Pondicherry, as will appear hereafter. 
But however that may appear, at the time when M. Dupleix announced to M. de 
la Bourdonnais these political arrangements, the latter received the following letter 
from the Nabob. 
“ To the renowned French Commander, whom may God preserve from all evil, 
and give him prosperity. 
“ I know that thou art a great warrior, and that towns cannot resist thy power; 
but at the same time it has filled me with astonishment, that thou hast entered on 
my territories, without sending an officer, duly qualified, to notify thy designs. I 
pardon thy conduct; but on the receipt of this letter I order thee to embark with 
all thy forces, and cease to besiege Madras. If thou dost hesitate, I shall appear 
with my royal army, to compel thee to execute what I command. This being 
done, I wish that thy arms may prosper, and that thy happiness may be great as thy 
name.” 
