HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
543 
which occasioned us to be deputed, that had we arrived four months before, he could 
have sent us back with one thousand Europeans, until the arrival of the army from 
Europe, but that those troops had now been dispatched to Batavia, to the assistance 
of the Dutch. Still, however, he would manifest his devotion in the best manner he 
could, and that he would not send us away empty-handed. He then asked in what 
places your highness had factories established, and what was the practice of the sirkar 
with respect to the establishment of factories P and desired us to send a memorandum 
upon the subject. The next day we caused de Bay to draw up a reply, to the fol¬ 
lowing effect, which we sent to General Malartic; viz. " That your highness had 
“ established factories at Muscat, at Kutch, at Bussora, and in other principal cities; 
“ that two confidential persons were kept at each factory to buy and sell; and that if 
“ he were willing that a factory, on the part of your highness, should be established 
“ at the Mauritius, we could represent it to your highness, and that if you approved, 
“ a factory should be established accordingly.” Some days after. General Malartic 
sent for us, and told us, that he readily agreed to the establishment of the sirkar’s 
factory at the Mauritius, adding, that he would appoint a dewan to superintend it, 
who would provide such articles as your highness required, at a favourable rate, and 
also that he would assign a house, belonging to the Company, for the purpose. 
In the course of three days, I sent a note by Monsieur de Bay to General Ma¬ 
lartic, requesting, that he would procure some plants of the nutmeg and cloves, 
some European fruit trees, fine coloured and sweet scented flowers, and filling 
some wooden boxes with earth, plant them therein, and send them carefully back 
with us, to be presented to your highness. The general immediately sent for the 
gardener, and directed him to prepare the plants in the boxes, with the utmost expe¬ 
dition. At three o’clock, we received a visit from General Sercey; we advanced 
to meet him, conducted him into the house, and seated him on a chair. General 
Sercey said to us, that, please God, some large succours would very soon arrive 
from Europe, and that it was his intention to accompany the troops to your high¬ 
ness. We then told him it would be very desirable, if he could send back with us, 
five or six experienced navigators, several ship-builders, and iron cannon founders; 
to which General Sercey agreed, promising to send them with us on our return. 
After sitting two hours, he rose. General Malartic, soon after, sent a message by 
his Dewan, inviting us, the following morning, to see the powder mills, gardens, and 
mortar-firing (adding, that he should be at the powder works before us. Early 
