WE have received the letter you sent us by Pierre Monneron, requesting that we would cause an account to be drawn up, and delivered to him, of the advances made by us, whether of money or general supplies,* to Monsieur du Chemin, Monsieur Suffrein, and Monsieur Bussy, in order that you might, in pursuance of your Râjah’s commands, discharge the amount.
We have long* entertained the most cordial regard for the Râjah of the French, whose honor we have always considered as our own. Accordingly, during a period of five years, we expended crores of rupees,* and lost lacks* of men; proposing, by these sacrifices and this labor, nothing else but the increase of our mutual friendship and renown. God pleasing, we will, hereafter [or still], make the most strenuous efforts for the same purposes.
The five hundred musquets, which you sent us by the way of Nuzr,* are arrived; and, in consideration of our friendship for the Râjah of the French, and of your good will* towards us, they are accepted.
Some time since we dispatched Ghûlâm Ali Khân, Lûtf Ali Khân, and others of our principal officers, (charged with several rarities, and an elephant with a silver canopy) to the French Râjah. They will proceed, by the route of Juddah,* to Constantinople, and from the latter place to France. We are about to send another deputation, consisting of certain persons of rank, and also charged with presents. These embassadors will, in the first instance, proceed to Pondicherry, from whence it is our request that you will send them by sea to France, accompanied by Pierre Monneron.
Agreeably to the representation of the above named [i. e. Monsieur Monneron] we have written and enclose an order to the Taalûkdâr of Calicut, commanding that no molestation be given to the villages depending on Mahé. We have likewise instructed the Taalûkdâr of Selim to attend strictly to such passports, written in the French and Arwi languages, and having your signature to them, as you may grant. These passports, besides the names of the merchants receiving them, must specify the number of the bullocks [laden]. Let your passports be regularly made out in the foregoing manner.
Certain secret particulars, of a nature conducive to the interests of the French Râjah, have been stated to Pierre Monneron, who will communicate them to you. A dress and a horse* have been sent to you, in token of our friendship.
Of Pierre Monneron, I am unable to give any other account, than that he was a French merchant, employed either by the Governor of the Isle of France, or by the Governor of Pondicherry, in the transactions which took place, about this time, between Tippoo and the French nation. He appears, on the present occasion, to have had a personal interview with the Sultan.
Notwithstanding the proposed embassy by sea is thus early announced, it did not actually proceed from Pondicherry, according to Major Stewart, till the month of July in the following year (1787); that is to say, about eleven months after the date of the present letter.