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HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 80
It now became expedient to assign distinct stations to the
squadrons of the European ships, which were to cruise against
the pirates in the Indian seas, but this measure could not be
carried out until large presents had been made to the Governor
of Surat. The protection of the Red Sea was assigned to the
Dutch, who Avere to pay 70,000 rupees to the Governor, and
three Dutch ships were accordingly sent to convoy the Mocha
fleet. To the French the Persian Gulf was given as a station,
and, in like manner, they were to pay from 25 to 30,000 rupees
;
and to the English was entrusted the police of what were
termed the Southern Indian Seas, with a collateral security, by
their brokers, for the performance of this service, and the pay-
ment of 30,000 rupees.*
* Bruce's "Annals," vol. iii., pp. 273-275.

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