On the 22d the Harlem, so long expected by the enemy, anchored in the evening at Onore, three leagues to the north of the black town. The next day, the Thames, laden with all kinds of provisions, arrived in the road from Vizagapatam; the wind was high, and the ship had but two anchors, and in the next forenoon parted from that by which she was riding, before one that was coming from the shore on a catamaran could reach her; and the Harlem getting under weigh from Onore at the same time, she stood out to sea, intending to regain the road in the evening, but before night was driven out of sight to leeward. She brought the news of the victory gained by Colonel Forde at Pedipore over the French troops with Mr. Conflans, which the fort announced to the enemy by 21 guns pointed upon their quarters from the northern bastions, and the fire of the whole garrison drawn up in the covered way. The next day the Harlem stopped and seized a vessel trading from the northward, laden with 1000 bags of rice, of which the French camp was much in want. The artillery brought by the Harlem was not sufficient to supply the intended batteries; but several cannon and mortars unladen from the Diligent and Expedition at Alamparvah, and brought in boats from thence to St. Thomé, passed every day from this place to the camp in the black town, and generally across the plain of Egmore, within sight of the fort; but since the sally of the Sepoys on the 21st, the escorts were too strong to be attacked by any parties which the garrison could with prudence risk at that distance. But the stock of gun-powder necessary for the batteries was not yet completed; for this was brought the whole way from Pondicherry or Alamparvah, by land; and, for the want of bullocks, with much delay.
The commandant Mahomed Issoof on his arrival at Chinglapet dispatched the greatest part of his horse, which were now near 1000, to ravage and destroy the country about Conjeveram, from which the French government drew revenues, and their army before Madrass, provisions. On the 27th, he marched himself with his infantry, intending according to instructions he had received from Mr. Pigot, to surprize the French troops which were quartered in the
