Before more than half the treasure could be removed in safety to the factory, the Rajah sent down an armed force to seize the ship as jetsam, imprisoned the captain and crew, and laid siege to the factory.

So Hamilton was sent down with a small squadron and some troops.

Fortunately the factory was exceptionally well provisioned.

On the 30th August, the _Morning Star_, with five gallivats and a sloop, arrived off Carwar, and blockaded the harbour till the arrival of Hamilton and the rest of the force on the 12th September.

In command of the land force was Midford, one of the Company's factors.