Storia do Mogor 334.8

334.8

The said diwan gave me another letter for the Governor of Pondicherry, Francois Martin, which contained nothing but some compliments and friendly expressions. But the said diwan or governor directed me verbally to say to the said Sieur Martin that he had received orders from the king (Aurangzeb) to obtain the lands controlled by Pondicherry. The answer given [by the French] was that they had been bought from the hands of Roma Raja (Ram Raja), son of Shiva Ji; that afterwards they had received them back at the hands of the Dutch; that the lands were in their possession, and they meant to keep them to all eternity. After this reply they sent him a few presents, and since then nothing more has been said about the matter. It is the fashion of these Moguls to make a display of power [in this way], and proclaim themselves all-powerful and masters of everything. Subsequently, when they discover that they cannot overcome either by force or artifice, they dissemble; but if at a future time an occasion presents itself, they keep neither their word nor the friendship that they had promised.