is, and what the Fleet were, that had ſo ſcurvily behaved themſelves.
Angria is a famous Indian Pyrate, of conſiderable Strength and Territories, that gives continual Diſturbance to the European (and eſpecially the Engliſh) Trade: His chief Hold is Callaba, not many Leagues from Bombay, and has one Iſland in Sight of that Port, whereby he gains frequent Opportunities of annoying the Company. It would not be ſo inſuperable a Difficulty to ſuppreſs him, if the Shallowneſs of the Water did not prevent Ships of War coming nigh: And a better Art he has, of bribing the Mogul’s Miniſters for Protection, when he finds an Enemy too powerful.
In the Year 1720, the Bombay Fleet conſiſting of four Grabbs, (Ships built in India by the Company, and have three Maſts, a Prow like a Row-Galley, inſtead of a Boltſprit, about 150 Tons; are officered and armed like a Man of War, for Defence and Protection of the Trade,) the London, Chandois, and two other Ships with Gallivats, who beſides their proper Compliments, carried down 1000 Men to bombard and batter Gayra, a Fort belonging to Angria, on the Malabar Coaſt, which they having performed ineffectually, were returning to Bombay, and, to make amends, fell in with the Pyrates, to the Purpoſe has been already related. Captain Upton, Commadore of that Fleet, prudently objecting to Mr. Brown, (who went General,) That the Ships were not to be hazarded, ſince they ſailed without their Governor Boon’s Orders to engage; and beſides, that they did not come out with ſuch a Deſign. This favourable Opportunity of deſtroying the Pyrates, angered the Governor, and he tranſferred the Command of the Fleet to Captain Mackra, who had Orders immediately to purſue and engage, where ever he met them.
