With an impoverished exchequer, a force weakened and disorganized by the Carwar adventure, and no ammunition in his magazine, Boone found himself in no condition to take active measures for the present.
In the vain hope of bringing Angria to reason, a letter of expostulation was written, which met with a hostile response, quickly followed by the capture of the _Otter_, a Bengal ship.

A second letter of defiance was received, so, on the 7th May, in spite of inadequate resources, the Council resolved on striking a blow.

An expedition against Gheriah was determined on, and twenty gallivats were sent down, manned with sepoys, to retake, if possible, the captured vessels, "if they were attacked, to repel force by force, and if possible plunder his country." The official record of the expedition is as follows:-- _4th June_ .-- Two gallivats returned having plundered a town in Angria's country, and brought away sixteen prisoners.
_9th June_ .-- Returned our gallivats, having by mismanagement of the chief officer lost about fifty men and destroyed one town of Angria's.
Downing, who was present, gives an account of the attack on Gheriah, though he makes a mistake as to the date.

As it is the only account we have of what took place, it will be better to give it in his own words.
"On the 10th of the same instant the President reviewed the land forces on shore, and saw all things put in good and sufficient order.
Major Vane, chief engineer for the Company, had tried all the mortars and coehorns, then fitted and stocked for the expedition.

Mr.John Minims was appointed chief engineer for the direction of these mortars and coehorns, which did great service.