In full knowledge that war with the Dutch Republic would be declared next year, it was deemed opportune to send a powerful fleet to Asia to be in a position to strike when news was received that hostilities had commenced.

It was with this object in mind that the French captured Trincomalee, the crucial strategic bay on Ceylon’s east coast, in March 1672 and São Tomé from the Dutch in July 1672.

Situated close to Madras, the French capture of the town also angered their English allies since it placed a powerful commercial rival right on the doorstep of what was the most important EIC settlement in India.

[2] It would have been possible for this fleet to join forces with the remaining part of the French navy, to relieve São Tomé together and drive the Dutch out of the area.

Van Goens, who does not seem to have heard of the arrival of this naval force, had sent a fleet of thirteen Dutch East India Company ships to Masulipatnam, an important office, north of São Tomé on the coast of Coromandel, to protect it against the attacks of the French admiral de la Haye, who seemed to be aiming for that post.

[4] To make matters worse there was a gunpowder explosion, which caused several fires aboard (which were speedily put out) and killed and wounded eighteen men.

The captains had dinner aboard Browne's ship and held a council of war, during which it was decided to sail south of São Tomé, for fear of otherwise encountering the Dutch again.

This would also benefit the EIC officials in Madras and they were very eager to see the destruction of this neighbouring town, going so far as to write to the sultan, urging him to demolish it quickly.

Still, the French and English East India Companies had been unable to seriously undermine the VOC’s strong position in both the intercontinental route and in intra-Asian trades during the war.