may be confirmed, and the defence he Carnatic become more certain and xpensive, if proper steps are taken to ect the Hindoos of the peninfula in a ral defenfive alliance.

CHAP. XVIII.

nilitary Eftablishments and Service in India.

N Lord Clive returned to India,
the fate of British India again
his decifion; he wrote, in April,
ras, to one of the Directors
e at last arrived at that critical

ch I have long for-Con ;*

I

mean

of France, without hesitation accepted the notification as authentic; he faw the object for which he had left France, more favourably arranged by the cabinets in Europe for the benefit of his countrymen, than he could have any reasonable hope to have accomplished by the continuance of hostilities; he was aware of the distraction of `our councils in India, and he knew his experience in negociating with the native powers might be important in settling the conftruction of the fixteenth article of the preliminaries, which regarded the Indian powers. With much decifion he sent word to the English General, that the Myforeans were in alliance with his Moft Chriftian Majesty; that the detachment at Cuddalore was part of his army, and must be included in the ceffation of hoftilities; that in pursuance to the defire of the Deputies, he had forwarded their letters to the English commanders of detachments, and to Tippoo; but in cafe he declined to accept the pacification, Buffy affured them he would defift from affifting him, even before the four months expired. Tippoo received the news with great difpleasure,

but fent his Vakeels to Cuddalore to negociate with us through M. de Buffy; Sir Edward Hughes and General Stuart protefted against treating any farther through the medium of the French commander in chief, without the order of the Supreme Board; thus was Monf. de Bully left to manage the French interefts diftinctly, and the hostilities of the detached forces against Tippoo were fufpended until it was known whether he would accede to the peace,

Enriched, and grown infolent by the event of the war, Tippoo established order in his extenfive dominions; his revenue regulations will justify the reputation of his ability and good fyftem; his perfecution of the Nairs in the year 1784, for having affifted the English, was preparatory to his favourite object; a difpute with the Mahrattahs in 1785 delayed its execution, and in 1786 he concluded one of his most brilliant campaigns against the united force of the Nizam and the Mahrattabs, by a peace favourable to his intereft, and he became fecure in his northern frontier. Tippoo, encouraged by the passive

policy in the commencement of the Marquis Cornwallis's government, and by the unjuftified conduct of the Governor of Madras, became emboldened to make an open attack on the Rajah of Travancore, the faithful ally of the English. Every infult having proved ineffectual to make them the aggreffors, Tippoo entered the eaftern extremity of the lines with 16,000 of his best troops; he obtained poffeffion of about three miles, when he fuffered that memorable repulfe which coft him the flower of his army on the 29th of December. Three battalions, all Nairs, and 500 archers, in all 3,000 men, ftimulated by the cause of their country and of their religion, were crowned with victory.

The politic and honourable fupport which Loid Cornwallis inftantly gave to the Rajah of Travancore, in fact, faved the Hindoos; thofe who had confidered and knew the circumstances of the peninfula of India, heard the comments of fome great statef men in England with concern. The power of Great Britain has been fhewn under Lord Cornwallis, and the confidence of the