there maintained themselves in spite of the utmost endeavours of the French company to dispossess them. Numberless were the memorials, protests, rescripts, &c., which were published on this occasion, till a new war in 1701 put an end to them. In 1717, however, the French company having found all their remonstrances ineffectual, fitted out a new squadron; but this armament did not arrive at Arguin before Feb. 26th, 1721. The Dutch defended themselves with such intrepidity and conduct as had almost baffled the utmost efforts of the French; but the latter having found means to draw off a Moorish chief from his allegiance, the Dutch were obliged to evacuate Arguin, and retire to Portendic, where they fortified themselves, determining to watch a favourable opportunity for recovering their settlement at Arguin. This was not long wanting, by means of the weakness of the garrison and the imprudence of Duval the French director; who having quarrelled with the Moors, was surprised, defeated, and killed by them; in consequence of which, the settlement fell again into the hands of the Dutch on the 11th of Jan. 1722. In 1723, the Dutch were attacked by another French squadron under the command of the Sieur Rigaudiere. This gentleman boasted that the fort could not hold out one day; but though he prevailed so far as to get possession of the cisterns which contained the water of the besieged, he was at last shamefully repulsed, and forced to raise the siege with precipitation. The Dutch however, did not long enjoy the possession which they had so bravely defended; for, in 1725, their fort was entirely demolished by the French under Du Caffé, and has never since been rebuilt by any European nation.