104 THE FRENCH IN INDIA UNDER DUPLEIX

the English settlements in India. In 1743, however, the Directors of the French East India Company, anx- ious to preserve neutrality in the East Indies, had pro- cured the despatch of orders which held back Labour- donnais; and although, when war had actually been declared in 1744, he received authority to take the offen- sive, he was not ready until 1746, when he mustered his fleet at Madagascar and sailed in June for the Coro- mandel coast. Meanwhile, a squadron sent out from England had appeared in 1745 off Pondicherri, which had a weak garrison and unfinished fortifications. Du- pleix, in order to gain time, induced the Nawab of Kar- natic to interpose with an order forbidding hostilities within his jurisdiction; and in deference to this pro- hibition the English commodore was persuaded by the authorities at Madras to suspend his attack. The stormy season compelled him to leave the coast; but when the British fleet returned next year, it was met by the French squadron from the Mauritius. The English Company now appealed to the Nawab in their turn, but they found him lukewarm; he had not been properly bribed; his own position was inse- cure ; nor was it possible for him in any case to prevent the two hostile fleets from fighting or bombarding each other's factories on the seashore. After an indecisive naval action, the English ships withdrew to Ceylon. Labourdonnais now landed some two thousand men and Madras was besieged by land and sea, until, in Septem- ber, 1746, it was surrendered on terms permitting the English to regain their town on payment of a ransom.