“August 10, 1758.

“My dear wife, I resume my narrative to tell thee that my boats have been restored by the English, as well as all the goods that had not been plundered by Sheikh Faiz Ulla and his people, except the munitions of war.  Still, so much of the merchandise, goods and silver, has disappeared that I am ruined for ever, unless the English, who have promised to cause everything to be restored, are able to make the Moors give them up.  The English have at length decided on our fate in a way altogether honourable to us.  We are not prisoners of war, and so we are not subject to exchange; but we are bound by certain conditions, which they think necessary to their security, and which only do me honour.  What has flattered me even more is that the two Swedish guns which I had with me on my campaign have actually been given to me as a present by the commander of the English troops, who is also Governor of Calcutta, with the most complimentary expressions.”

Courtin had written to Clive, asking permission to go down to Pondicherry.  Clive replied on the 15th of July, 1758, granting permission.  His letter concludes:—­

“I am at this moment sending an order to the Captain Commandant of our troops to restore to you your two guns.  I am charmed at this opportunity of showing you my appreciation of the way in which you have always behaved to the English, and my own regard for your merit."[166]

Courtin continues:—­

“Saved from so many perils and sufficiently fortunate to have won such sensible marks of distinction from our enemies, ought not this, my dear wife, to make me hope that the gentlemen of the French Company will do their utmost to procure me some military honour, in order to prove to the English that my nation is as ready as theirs to recognize my services?[167]

  “Now, my dear wife, I must end this letter so that it
  may be ready for despatch.  For fear of its being lost I will
  send in the packet another letter for thee.

“Do not disquiet thyself regarding my health.  Thanks to God I am now actually pretty well.  I dare not talk to thee of the possibility of our meeting.  Circumstances are not favourable for thee to make another voyage to the Indies.  That must depend upon events, thy health, peace, and wishes, which, in spite of my tender longing for thee, will always be my guide.

“If the event of war has not been doubly disastrous to me, thou shouldst have received some small remittances, which I have sent, and of which I have advised thee in duplicate and triplicate.  If the decrees of the Lord, after my having endured so many misfortunes and sufferings, have also ordained my death before I am in a position to provide what concerns thee, have I not a right to hope that all my friends will use their influence to induce the Company not to abandon one who will be the widow of two men who have served it well, and with all imaginable disinterestedness?

  “For the rest I repeat that, thanks to God, I am fairly well.