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experienced a success which there was little room to anticipate; every thing gave way before him, and Bednore itself surrendered without a blow. He is supposed to have found in that city a treasure exceeding 800,000l., and was accused of appropriating to himself a considerable portion; but, from the events which followed, this charge could never be fully investigated. It would appear from Colonel Wilks, that treason, unknown to himself, had afforded the means of his success. Sheik Ayâz, the governor, had been raised to a high command by Hyder, who was accustomed to reproach Tippoo with the superior qualities of this slave as contrasted with his own. Hence the prince conceived the most deadly hatred against the favourite, who, soon after the late monarch's decease, intercepted a letter from the new sultan, ordering him to be put to death. Under this impulse he hastened to the citadel, and effected its delivery to the English. He did not, however, join in active warfare against his cruel master, but on his approach retired to the coast.

Tippoo was greatly annoyed on learning the fall of this important place, and the near approach of the enemy towards his capital. Mathews was soon informed that successive corps were throwing themselves on his rear, and surrounding him with a force against which he would be unable to cope. He had by this time obtained permission from the Bombay government to act according to his own discretion; but he was now so elated by his important and easy victory, that he placed blind confidence in fortune, and even, according to Wilks, believed himself aided by some supernatural power. Thus, reposing in full security, he allowed his communications with the coast to be intercepted, while his troops were surrounded by Tippoo's whole force, aided by the science of Cossigny, a French engineer. The garrison were driven into the citadel, and, after a brave defence, were reduced to the necessity of capitulating, though on favourable terms, receiving a promise that they should be safely conducted to the coast. When the Indian prince obtained admission into Bednore, he proceeded to the treasury; but, to his rage and dismay, found it empty. Orders were then given to search the persons of the English officers, on which, unhappily, was found a large sum both in money and lewels, considered always in India as

SIEGE OF MANGALORE.

75

public property. Upon this discovery he considered himself absolved from all that he had stipulated; the prisoners were thrown into irons, and committed to the most rigorous durance in the different fortresses of Mysore.

The sultan immediately marched down to the coast, and laid siege to Mangalore, which, though a fortress of very secondary strength, was defended in the most gallant manner by Colonel Campbell. Having stood a siege of fifty-six days, it was reduced almost to a heap of ruins, when tidings ́arrived of the peace concluded between France and England. The French officers, Cossigny, Lally, and Boudenot, then separated with their troops from the army of Tippoo, -a measure viewed with great indignation by that prince, who considered them as personally united in alliance with himself during the present war; indeed they with difficulty escaped the effects of his resentment. Having made some vain attempts to prosecute the siege alone, he agreed to an armistice, which was to extend over the whole coast of Malabar. One condition was, that a certain supply of provisions, sufficient to keep up the present stock, should be allowed to enter Mangalore every month. But, although this stipulation was nominally observed, its spirit was completely violated, the provisions supplied being so defective, and of such bad quality, that the health of the garrison rapidly sank; while General M'Leod, with a very ill-timed scrupulosity, declined taking any effective means for introducing proper food. The consequence was, that Colonel Campbell, after sustaining a siege of nearly nine months, was obliged to surrender, and was so overpowered by the fatigues of the service that he soon afterward died.

Meantime in the south, under the able direction of Mr. Sullivan the civil resident, and through the military talents of Colonels Lang and Fullerton, very important advantages were gained. First Caroor and Dindigul, and afterward Palgaut and Coimbetoor, were reduced. The last of these officers was even preparing to ascend the Ghauts and march upon Seringapatam, when he was arrested by orders, and directed to restore all his recent conquests. Tippoo, had applied for two English commissioners to proceed to his camp and treat for peace; and, with a courtesy which Colonel Wilks considers blameable, the Madras government had complied. These envoys, on discovering the

sultan's proceedings with regard to Mangalore, sent orders to Fullerton to suspend the process of restoration. At length a treaty was concluded, founded on the basis that each party should retain his former possessions, and that Tippoo should release such of his prisoners as had survived the cruelties with which they had been treated,

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Power of Tippoo-His Persecution of the Christians, and of the People of Coorg-Confederacy against him-His Successes-Conclusion of Peace Cruel Treatment of the Natives in Calicut-Attack on Tra vancore-Repulse-Final Success-Arrival and Views of Marquis Cornwallis-He resolves to make War upon Tippoo-Treaty with the Nizam-General Medows opens the Campaign-Reduction of Dindi gul and Palgaut-Successful Manœuvres of Tippoo-He lays waste the Carnatic-Cornwallis assumes the Command-Advances upon Bangalore-Reduces that Fortress-Nizam's Contingent-Advance upon Seringapatam-Engagement, Distress, and Retreat of the Eng lish-General Abercromby's Advance and Retreat-Junction with the Mahrattas-Reduction of several Hill-forts-Second March on Seringapatam-Defeat of Tippoo-Overtures from him-Terms acceptedThe young Princes received as Hostages-Difficulties-Final Conclusion-General Results of the War-Pacific Policy of Sir John Shore -Arrival of Marquis Wellesley-His System-Tippoo's Negotiation with the French-British Influence established at the Court of the Nizam Negotiations with the Sultan-Army advances against him— He attacks the Troops from Bombay-British March on Seringapatam -Action at Mallavilly-Despondence of Tippoo-Siege commencedIts Operations-Tippoo attempts to Negotiate-His Alarm-Storming of Seringapatam-Death of the Sultan-His Character-AnecdotesDisposal of the Kingdom of Mysore,

The

TIPPOO, after having concluded this treaty, became the most prominent personage in the political world of India. Equal perhaps to his father in talents and ambition, sometimes even displaying a superior military genius, he was yet, as already observed, a very different character. former always proceeded in a direct course to realize his schemes of interest or ambition, from which no other object could turn him aside. But Tippoo was agitated by various passions and caprices, which disqualified him from pur

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saing a decided line of policy. Instead of manifesting the indifference of Hyder on the subject of religion, he was inspired with a furious zeal in the cause of Islamism, which appeared in the most odious and tyrannical measures. The issue was, that he was buried under the ruins of the empire which he inherited, and which his predecessor, by so many arts and crimes, had raised out of nothing.

The first instance of religious persecution was directed against the Christians on the coast of Canara, who had been converted by the Portuguese. In this case, indeed, he seems to have had a somewhat plausible pretext. In his narrative he asserts, probably not without truth, that the Europeans had originally employed violent means to compel the natives to adopt the new creed. Having therefore collected 60,000, by his own statement, but according to Wilks only 30,000, he forcibly inflicted on them the rite of circumcision; then hurried them to the capital and distributed them in the different garrisons; a barbarous treatment, by which it is said that many perished. By a strange inconsistency he represented it as the highest honour to be thus urged to the profession of the Moslem faith, yet made it the punishment of rebellion and contumacy. The rude mountainous territory of Coorg had always formed a reluctant appendage to the kingdom of Mysore. The people had taken advantage of the war with the English to reassert their independence; holding their conquerors in equal abhorrence on account of their religion and their disregard for the rights of landed property. They now presented the aspect of a formidable resistance. Tippoo was obliged to march against them with his whole force, when they retreated into the depth of their forests, which appeared almost inaccessible. The sultan, however, divided his army into detachments, which formed a complete circle round the unhappy fugitives, and closed in upon them as huntsmen do in pursuit of game. At length the troops penetrated into their secret haunts, and carried off 70,000 victims to undergo the abhorred penalties of circumcision and captivity. Elated by these cruel triumphs, Tippoo hesitated not to assume the title of padsha, which our historians have not very accurately translated king. It was hitherto appropriated exclusively to the Great Mogul whose supremacy had, till that period, been acknowledged in Mysore; but no sooner

did the conqueror invest himself with this high distinction, than public prayers were offered for him instead of Shah Allum.

The increasing influence and lofty pretensions of this potentate raised against him, in 1786, a confederacy the most powerful that had for a long time been formed in Southern India. The Mahrattas had repeatedly shaken to its foundation the throne of Hyder; and though now much disunited, they were still the greatest among the native powers. They held possession of the person as well as the capital of the Mogul, and had no rivals for empire unless in the Afghan sovereigns. With the nizam, who ranked second in strength and dignity, they formed an alliance, which had for its object the subversion of the new kingdom in the south, and the division between them of all its possessions. So confident were the Mahrattas of a triumphant issue, that they did not even call in their own contingents, and declined courting the aid of the English, lest they should be obliged to share with them the expected spoil. The confederates advanced towards the Toombuddra, the chief barrier between their dominions and those of Tippoo; they besieged and took the strong fortress of Badamee; and their cavalry spread themselves over the country. The sultan did not attempt directly to oppose this invading force; but by a circuitous movement came rapidly upon Adonie or Adwanee, the principal fortress of the nizam south of the Toombuddra, and considered by this ruler so strong that he had formed in it a sort of royal establishment, which included the harems of his brother and nephew. The son of Hyder pushed the siege with his characteristic impetuosity; but having prematurely attempted to storm a breach, found it so bravely defended by its commander, that he sustained a complete repulse. The confederate armies were thus enabled to come to its relief, and obliged him to retire. But it was now the season of the year at which the Toombuddra undergoes its periodical inundation, when it became neces sary for the allies to have the whole of their armies, their materials, and supplies either on one side or on the other of that river. To transport so many men and so much baggage to the southern bank, in the face of an active enemy, appeared too hazardous; they therefore recrossed to the northern side, leaving Tippoo's dominions secure during the

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