Travels in India (Tavernier) 85.3.6

85.3.6

“Nothing,” replied the captain coldly, “except that Madame, the Governor’s wife, specially charged me with eight bales of goods, and to keep a good eye on them, so that they should not get damp, being articles of great value, and to deliver them on my arrival into the hands of Madame la Generale.” This little-expected reply much surprised the General and those of the Council who were dining with him, and still more Madame la Generale, to whom the husband, turning, asked somewhat rudely if she carried on trade with the wife of the Governor of PULICAT, which, according to the laws of the Company, would have been criminal. Madame la Generale having stoutly defended herself, protesting that she knew nothing of what the captain had said, the General then told the latter that he must be mistaken, and there and then ordered the Fiscal to go and seize the bales, and expose them on the quay to see if they would be claimed by any merchant. After they had remained there for some days without any one presenting himself to ask for them, they were confiscated ; and thus, without great noise, the captain had his revenge for the displeasure he had received at the hands of Madame la Generale.