Count Lally-Tollendal, descended from an Irish family which took refuge in France with James II., went to Count d'Argenson, still minister of war, with a proposition to go and humble in India that English power which had been imprudently left to grow up without hinderance.

M.de Lally had served with renown in the wars of Germany; he had seconded Prince Charles Edward in his brave and yet frivolous attempt upon England.

The directors of the India Company went and asked M.d'Argenson to intrust to General Lally the king's troops promised for the expedition.

"You are wrong," M.d'Argenson said to them; "I know M.
de Lally; he is a friend of mine, but he is violent, passionate, inflexible as to discipline; he will not tolerate any disorder; you will be setting fire to your warehouses, if you send him thither." The directors, however, insisted, and M.de Lally set out on the 2d of May, 1757, with four ships and a body of troops.

Some young officers belonging to the greatest houses of France served on his staff.
M.de Lally's passage was a long one; the English re-enforcements had preceded, him by six weeks.