A History of the Mahrattas v2.c37.2

v2.c37.2

Prior to this event, Hyder had become thoroughly jealous of the English; and had he not been deterred by fears of a Mahratta invasion, he would probably at an early period have gone to war with them, and declared himself an ally of the French.¹ He had for some time encouraged a close intercourse with that nation, and was supplied with arms, warlike stores, and occasionally with men, from the island of Mauritius. The capture of Pondicherry on the 18th October, 1778, could not fail of occasioning regret to Hyder; and when the Governor of Madras intimated the intended reduction of the French settlement of Mahé, the port through which Hyder drew his supplies, he formally protested against the attack of a settlement, which, being situated in his territory, was, he pretended, under his protection. The expedition however went forward; Hyder, during the siege, hoisted his colours on the works by the side of the French; but the fort fell to a detachment of Madras troops under 1779. Colonel Braithwaite in the month of March. The Governor-General and Council, in consequence of having received intelligence that the French meditated an attack on the English settlements on the west coast, made an application to Madras for the assistance of some troops to reinforce Bombay, including Colonel Braithwaite’s detachment; and accordingly, after demolishing the works of Mahé, these troops were held at the disposal of the Bombay Government, and intended, if necessary, to join General Goddard after the monsoon.