In September he went to Madras, attacked by land and sea, and took the place, but made with the governor the stipulation that it might be ransomed; and a ransom of two million dollars was accordingly paid.

When Dupleix heard of this he was very angry, and claimed to annul the terms of capitulation on the ground that, once taken, the place was within his jurisdiction.

La Bourdonnais resented this attempt as dishonorable to him after the promise given.

While the quarrel was going on, a violent cyclone wrecked two of his ships and dismasted the rest.

He soon after returned to France, where his activity and zeal were repaid by three years' imprisonment under charges, from the effects of which treatment he died.