“I pray you tell me first, sir,” says I, “whether this fleet of yours be despatched by the King of France, or by some private persons?”
“Truly,” says he, “the ships belong to our India Company, but they are sent forth with the approval and encouragement of the king and of the Lord Colbert, his minister.”
“And how long is’t since they were sent forth?” said I.
“Seven years ago they started,” says he, “in 1666. The first intention was to colonise the isle called Madegascar, where we have had settlements during many years, but finding this inexpedient, they that had the ruling of the business judged it well to proceed to the true Indies, and factories was set up at Surat and Mechlapatan.”[88]
“I had not looked,” says I, “to find a French factory at Surat on my return thither. And pray, sir, an’t you greatly troubled there, as we, by Seva Gi and the Morattys?”
“Nay,” says he, “we are well agreed with ’em, having been enabled to win their favour through one or two happy accidents. And with the emperor at Dhilly likewise do we stand very well, having obtained from him a pharmaund[89] (which is to say a charter), granting us divers immunities of traffic.”
“But sure,” says I, “with so peaceful and happy a beginning, you han’t needed your cannons and munitions of war?”
“Ah,” says Mr Marigny, “though we have found no trouble arise with the Indosthans[90] ’emselves, yet we have had much from the Dutch, that are as great haters of our adventures in these seas as they are of those of your own English Company. For we attempting to make a settlement upon the island of Ceilon, they did drive us off from Galle Point, yet we went on to Trincomalai, where we effected a landing, and did grievously discomfit the Hollanders. But they coming upon us with a great fleet before we had time for to victual the place, we were forced to forsake it for want of food, and so sailed up the coast of Coromandel, until we came to this city of St Thomas. And here demanding provisions from the Moors, they refused us with many ill words, whereupon our captain, filled with a noble rage, gave battle to ’em, and took the place, losing only five men.”
“His lordship must be both brave and discreet, sir,” said I.
“Both these he is, sir, indeed,” says Mr Marigny, “but so hurt and hampered in all his doings by the jealousy of those appointed to the command with him as no man ever yet was. As you have seen, he is a person of a very majestic carriage, and very high in his ways, and by this has done much to offend the other leaders. One of these, that was named Director-General of our trade in the Indies, hath been summoned to France to answer for himself, his majesty having doubtless heard tell of his injurious deeds.”