The fort was weak and indefensible.

The English inhabitants consisted only of a hundred civilians, and two hundred soldiers.

Governor Morse endeavoured to obtain, from the nawab, the protection which he had before granted to Dupleix, a demand which the nawab at once refused.
"I was there at the time, and quite agreed with the governor that it was useless to attempt resistance to the force brought against us.

The governor, therefore, surrendered on the 21st.

The garrison, and all the civilians in the place not in the service of the Company, were to become prisoners of war; while those in the regular service of the Company were free to depart, engaging only not to carry arms against the French until exchanged.