t Indies, which, over and above the loss of a
capital ship, is said to have cost the enemy about five hundred men,
whereas the British admiral did not lose one-fifth part of that number.
Being dissatisfied with the behaviour of three captains, he, on his
return to Madras, appointed a court-martial to inquire into their
conduct; two were dismissed from the service, and the third was
sentenced to lose one year's rank as a post-captain.

In the meantime, Mr. Lally had disembarked his troops at Pondicherry,
and, taking the field, immediately invested the fort of St. David, while
the squadron blocked it up by sea, Two English ships being at anchor in
the road when the enemy arrived, their captains seeing no possibility
of escaping, ran them on shore, set them on fire, and retired with their
men into the fortress, which, however, was in a few days surrendered. A
much more resolute defence was expected from the courage and conduct of
major Polier, who commanded the garrison. When he arrived at Madras he
was subjected to a court of inquiry, which acquitted him of cowardice,
but were of opinion that the place might have held out much longer, and
that the terms on which it surrendered were shameful, as the enemy were
not even masters of the outward covered way, as they had made no breach,
and had a wet ditch to fill up and pass, before the town could have been
properly assaulted. Polier, in order to wipe off this disgrace, desired
to serve as a volunteer with colonel Draper, and was mortally wounded
in a sally at the siege of Madras. Admiral Pococke having, to the best
of his power, repaired his shattered ships, set sail again on the
tenth of May, in order to attempt the relief of fort St. David's; but,
notwithstanding his utmost endeavours, he could not reach it in time to
be of any service. On the thirtieth day of the month, he came in sight
of Pondicherry, from whence the French squadron stood away early next
morning, nor was it in his power to come up with them, though he made
all possible efforts for that purpose. Then receiving intelligence that
fort St. David's was surrendered to the enemy, he returned again to
Madras, in order to refresh his squadron. On the twenty-fifth day of
July, he sailed a third time in quest of M. d'Apche, and in two days
perceived his squadron, consisting of eight ships of the line and a
frigate, at anchor in the road of Pondicherry. They no sooner descried
him advancing than they stood out to sea