The Pirates of Malabar, and An Englishwoman in India Two Hundred Years Ago, page 59 by John Biddulph
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e coast. The larger ships, that made the ocean voyage between India and Europe, sailed in company for mutual protection.
[1] Yule's "Marco Polo."
[2] The 'Kempason' and 'King Kemshew' of Downing.
[3] From the Arabic ghorab, 'a raven.'
[4] Known in the English annals of the time as the Sow Rajah, and the South Rajah.
[5] The principal forts were Kennery, Colaba, Severndroog, Viziadroog or Gheriah, Jyeghur, Deoghur, Manikdroog, Futtehghur, Oochitghur; and Yeswuntdroog.
[6] See page 264.
[7] The name of this pirate is also given as Congdon and Condent.
CHAPTER IV
AN ACTIVE GOVERNOR
Arrival of Mr. Boone as Governor--He builds ships and improves defences of Bombay--Desperate engagement of Morning Star with Sanganians--Alexander Hamilton--Expedition against Vingorla--Its failure--Hamilton made Commodore--Expedition against Carwar--Landing force defeated--Successful skirmish--Desertion of Goa recruits--Reinforcements--Landing force again defeated--The Rajah makes peace--Hamilton resigns Commodoreship--A noseless company--Angria recommences attacks--Abortive expedition against Gheriah--Downing's account of it--Preparations to attack Kennery.
On the 26th December, 1715, Bombay was en fête. The East Indiamen Stanhope and Queen had arrived from England, bringing the new Governor, Mr. Charles Boone, and three new councillors. His predecessor, Mr. Aislabie, had sailed for England in October. At the landing-place the new-comers were met by the late council and the principal inhabitants and merchants of Bombay. Thirty-one pieces of ordnance greeted them with a salvo, and, as they put foot on shore, three companies of soldiers saluted them with three volleys of small arms.
Boone was a man of very different stamp from his predecessors. The quarrels, intrigues, and self-seeking that had been so disastrous a feature during the ten