WAR IN MALABAR-HYDER'S DEATH.

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siege to Cuddalore, which, having been imperfectly provided with the means of defence, surrendered almost without resistance. They then proceeded to besiege the important position of Wandewash; but General Coote having presented himself, and offered battle for its relief, the combined army, with all its boasted strength, declined that issue and retreated towards Pondicherry. The British general followed, and defeated them with considerable loss at Arnee. At the same time he threw supplies into Vellore, and undertook an expedition against Cuddalore, which failed only through the want of naval co-operation. Thus, even after obtaining a powerful reinforcement from France, Hyder remained still unable to face the British army in the open field.

In the mean time, the latter were employing vigorous efforts to make an impression on the side of Malabar. After the triumphant repulse of the enemy from Tellicherry, Major Abingdon reduced Calicut; and Colonel Humberstone, an able and intelligent officer, landed with an additional force from Bombay, which rendered the British completely masters of the field. The nayrs, hailing him as a deliverer, immediately joined their forces to his, and the combined troops marched into the interior. The enemy, having imprudently waited their approach in a disadvantageous position, with a river in their rear, were totally defeated, and a great number drowned in the flight. Yet, on advancing into the country, the conqueror found himself so incumbered by the difficulties of the march, and harassed by parties acting in his rear, that he was obliged to commence his retreat. This movement it was soon necessary to make very rapid, as Tippoo and Lally had hastened with a large force to retrieve the Mysorean interests on this coast. The English troops fell back to Paniani, where Colonel Macleod, who arrived to take the command, intrenched himself so strongly that Tippoo was repulsed with considerable loss. This prince, however, was preparing with a superior force to renew the attack, when he was recalled by an event of the most momentous character, to which he very naturally considered every other as secondary. Hyder's health had for some time been in a state of rapid decline, and symptoms now appeared of that severe imposthume called the rajhora, or royal boil, said to be pecu

liar to India and to the higher ranks in that country. When decidedly formed it baffles the skill of the native physicians, and proves invariably fatal. He expired on the 7th December, 1782, at an age not precisely ascertained, but believed to have exceeded eighty. Of the numerous race of Indian adventurers he was perhaps the most remarkable. Without the first elements of education, unable to write or read, he made his way to the throne of a mighty kingdom, which he administered with brilliant talent and profound political sagacity, though without the least tincture of honour, principle, or humanity. His death formed a crisis the most alarming for the power which he had reared. An Indian army is held together by no sentiment of patriotism, public duty, or professional character, but simply by fealty to their chief, and to him individually. When he disappears his soldiers are converted from an organized body to a scattered crowd of individuals, who either disperse entirely or are formed into bands, each following the leader who attaches them to him by his character, or can bribe them by his wealth. This danger was great as it respected the family of Hyder, whose active mind was the soul of every movement in the court and army. His sagacity, however, enabled him to choose instruments who, in the hour of trial, proved faithful to himself and his house.

The affairs of his treasury were carried on by the joint instrumentality of Poornea and Kishen Rao, two Bramins of opposite sects, speaking different languages, and serving as checks upon each other. These two persons, as soon as they saw Hyder's last hour approaching, formed in concert the extraordinary design of concealing it from the army and the world. The state of his health had for some time prevented him from receiving any but his most confidential servants; to them the ministers, with awful injunctions of secrecy, communicated the fact; while to all the others they gave regular reports of the progress of Hyder's malady, which they represented to be of a favourable nature. Only Mohammed Ameen, cousin-german to the monarch, with another chief, formed the design of raising to power his second son, a youth of defective intellect, as a pageant in whose name they themselves might govern, But this plot was discovered; and they were apprehended

SUCCESSION OF TIPPOO.

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and sent off under a strong_guard, as if by the personal orders of the sovereign. The instant that Hyder expired, his faithful ministers despatched notice to his eldest son, which reached him in four days. Tippoo instantly suspended his operations against the English, and accomplished a march with extreme rapidity across the peninsula. As he approached, and learned that every thing was tranquil, he slackened his speed, and on the 2d January, 1783, made a private entry into the camp, where, after the usual distribution of pay and donatives, he was soon recognised as commander of the army and as sovereign of Mysore. He had now at his disposal troops estimated at 88,000 men, and a treasure amounting to three millions sterling, besides a great store of jewels and other precious effects.

Notwithstanding this studied concealment, the government at Madras received early notice of the death of Hyder. They immediately transmitted the intelligence to their commander-in-chief, urging him to make a rapid movement to take advantage of that disorganization which usually follows such a crisis in an Indian government. Unfortunately the most violent insubordination and dissension reigned among the different members of the council at Madras. The dictatorial power, independent of the civil government, intrusted to Sir Eyre Coote, was perhaps necessary under the circumstances of that period, and had been attended with signal advantage in the conduct of the war; but it formed a precedent to which future commanders were too much inclined to appeal. General Stuart, who had succeeded Sir Eyre, claimed equal authority; while Lord Macartney required the entire subordination of the military to the civil administration. The former, to vindicate his supposed right, seems to have acted in studious contradiction to the instructions issued by the presidency. He first expressed doubts of the death of Hyder; then said that he would move in the proper time; next declared that his army was in no condition to march; and, in short, did not undertake any movement till thirteen days after Tippoo was fully established in the sovereignty.

This state of dissension between the civil and military authorities, each seeking rather to inculpate the other than to promote public objects, could not but be highly injurious

to the service. The supreme government seem to have laid the chief blame upon that of Madras. They say, "You favour us with a collected mass of complaint and invective against this government; against the Nabcb of Arcot and his ministers; against the commander-in-chief of all the forces in India; against the commander-in-chief of his majesty's fleet; against your own provincial com mander-in-chief; and again, against this government." It is observed, that the efforts of the presidency, when they had the entire management of the war and the most liberal supplies, had been altogether unavailing for the delivery of the Carnatic. Sir Eyre Coote was again sent to take the command, with nearly the same unlimited powers as be fore, to which Lord Macartney very decidedly objected. But that gallant veteran, overcome by the hardships of the voyage, suffered a relapse of some former complaints, and expired on the 26th April, 1783, two days after reaching Madras, and about four months after the decease of the great Indian prince whose career he had checked.

The war in the Carnatic had now assumed an aspect favourable beyond expectation. Tippoo, from causes which we shall presently notice, considering the west of India as having become the principal theatre of war, withdrew his troops from the former, in order that he might act in the latter with more effect. In consequence of his departure it was determined to attack Cuddalore, where the French had now concentrated their main force. As this place was receiving continual reinforcements, it was desirable to pro ceed speedily to its investment; but the Madras government lodged heavy complaints of the tardy progress made by General Stuart, who performed only the daily march of three miles, and thus required forty days, instead of the usual period of twelve, to reach Cuddalore. He was censured also for immediately calling Colonel Fullerton from Tanjore, an expedient which was understood to be reserved for a case of urgent necessity. The fact, however, appears to have been, that with every reinforcement which could be obtained, the task was beyond his strength. Bussy, the French commander, had under him a numerous and brave garrison, with a considerable force of native troops. In an attack, which took place on the 13th June, the English gained indeed the contested position, but with the loss of

upwards of a thousand men. The garrison was afterward repulsed with considerable loss in a midnight sally;* yet Suffrein, the French admiral, having made himself master of the sea, and landed a reinforcement of 2400, the enemy acquired a decided superiority, and prepared for an enter prise which threatened the most disastrous consequences to the British. Stuart, irritated and disgusted, and consid ering himself abandoned by the government at Madras, had recklessly determined that the army should encounter what ever hazard might present itself. At this critical moment, however, tidings arrived of peace having been concluded between the two nations. Bussy soon after suspended offensive operations, and even sent orders to his country. men to withdraw from the service of Tippoo, offering, likewise, his mediation between the two belligerent parties; but, though some advances were made, they were not immediately productive of any result.

We shall now turn our attention to the proceedings on the western coast, which were rapidly rising in importance. After Tippoo had retired so hastily, to make good his claim to the crown, the English became again decidedly superior; and they obtained a considerable reinforcement under Gen eral Mathews, who assumed the command. That officer received from the presidency of Bombay positive orders to commence operations, and push forward, without delay, by the most direct road, against the important city of Bednore. Instructions thus peremptory, issued by a civil govern ment placed at so great a distance, were manifestly inexpedient. Mathews wrote, remonstrating in the strongest manner against the danger of the course thus prescribed, and the disadvantage of depriving him of discretionary power. Yet, though there must be always some measure of discretion implied in such circumstances, he proceeded blindly and precipitately to carry his orders into effect. He landed his troops at the point of the coast nearest to Bednore, and began to scale the steepest part of the Ghauts, regardless of several detachments of the enemy which were hovering on his flank and rear. This officer

* Bernadotte, the present King of Sweden, was taken prisoner in this action, and treated by General Wangenhein with a humanity which he afterward cordially acknowledged.

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