Translation of a letter frem TIPPOO SUL TAUN to HURRY PUNT, received in Camp, Jan. 24, 1792.

I have received your letter, accompanied by one from the Peshwa, and am made happy by them. You write, that the Pefhwa has expreffed himself fully on the fubject of affembling the Deputies, and (referring me to his letter) you 'defire me to act accordingly. I have now written full particulars in reply to the Peshwa's letter, and by reading my answer you will understand its contents. The fubftance is this: When the Deputies are affembled, and the negotiation fhall be commenced, and a friendship shall be eftablished between the three States, no trifling fubjects will remain to be discussed. Write me frequent letters of your health. Tranflation of a letter from HURRY PUNT to TIFPOO SULTAUN, dispatched from Camp, Jan. 31, 1792.

I have received your letter. You write, that in perufing the letter which you have addreffed to the Pefhwa I fhall understand its contents; the fubftance of which is, that when the Deputies are atfembled, and, by perfonal negotiation, a friendship thall be established between the three States, no trifling fubjects will remain to be difcuffed. Thus I have understood the contents of the letter addrefled to the Pefhwa. You must fatisfy the English that there was no capitulation at Coimbatoor. The Peshwa and the English have written to you, that you should fend one or two of the garrifon of Coimbatoor with your own people. Therefore fend one or two of that garrifon here, and they will be fatisfied on this point. After that, the three States will confult on the fubject of affembling the Deputies, and write to you accordingly. True tranflation, (Signed) G. F. Cherry, Perfian Interpreter. A true copy,

(Signed) George Parry, Act. Dep. Sec. My Lord, your Lordship will have been acquainted, by a letter of the 28th inft. to Col. Rofs, of the intention of an attack the next day on the enemy, pofted in the thick country to the S.W. We accordingly marched on the 29th at daybreak, and, making a circuit of about ten miles round Semoga, encamped near the River Toom, to the S. W. of the fort. About neon we marched again, leaving, by the Bhow's defire, eight companies of Sepoys for the camp guards, with two guns; and, about three miles in advance, joined Appa Saheb, the Bhow's eldeft fon, with a very large body of cavalry, within about a mile of the enemy, whom we found very strongly fituated. In front a deep ravine, full of high bamboos, planted extremely thick, flanked on the right by the River Toom, and on the left by a very thick jungle, which extended to the hills. In this ravine the enemy were pofted, fniping, and beyond the ravine was a plain, in which was a large body, both horfe and foot. 1dered

two companies to endeavour to make an im preffion to the right, and two more compa nies, all of the 8th battalion, on the fame fervice, to the left. The latter met with a gully near the river, which greatly obstructed and delayed them; on which I fent on that fervice Lieut. Doolan, with a grenadier company and two battalion companies of the 8th; Lieut. Betriene, with the other grenadier company, was feat to the fupport of the attack on the right both of thefe officers were very foon wounded, and obliged to retire. Lieut. Moore was then fent, with the grenadier companies of the 9th, to the left. He alfo was wounded, after having advanced a confiderable way into the plain. Six companies of the 11th were likewise employed. The extreme thickness of the jungle, while it offered the enemy the advantage of a deliberate aim at our European officers, broke our troops; and when they penetrated through it in small numbers to the plain, they were two or three times driven back, the enemy being there in great force, and perfectly fresh, while a few of the Mahratta infantry, pushing forward irregularly whenever the enemy appeared to be broke, fell back on our Sepoys as foon as they began to rally, and contributed greatly to put them in confusion. A corps of about 300, composed chiefly of Christians (natives), were drawn up in our rear; and, on my pointing out where they might be of fervice, they expreffed their readiness to go wherever I might wish, but that they had not a single cartridge, in which state they had come into the field. It was not till after a contest of two hours that an effectual impreffion was male on the enemy. Three of their guns foon fell into our hands. Many of the tents were standing, and a good deal of ammunition and baggage left on the ground. As foon as their route was afcertained, I purfued them with the troops which Capt. Riddell had collected. They attempted to carry off with them their guns and tumbrils, firing occafionally, and beating their drums, in hopes of making their people ftand, particularly at the gateway of a fm ll village, about three miles within the jungle, but without effect. The road was strewed with arms, cattle, and baggage, and fome killed and wounded. Fatigue, and the allurements of plunder, diminished our numbers every minute; but the purfuit was continued till fun-fet, previous to which we came upwith and passed gunswhich the enemy had been obliged to abandon. from the prifoners that the enemy had relinquithed all their guns, I rode back myself to give fuch orders as might appear necessary in other quarters, defiring Capt. Riddell to follow me flowly, and collect all the troops he could. When I first paffed the guns, the bullocks were yoked to them; and I had hoped that the Mahrattas might have carried them towards the entrance of the jungle; but before my return the plunderers had cut

Learning

away

away the bullocks. I then fent orders to Capt. Riddell to ftay with the guns all night, informing him that I would reinforce him. I defired Capt. Thompson of the artillery to proceed to reinforce Capt. Riddell, with all the men of the 9th and 11th battalions that he could collect, which he executed with that alacrity which he fhews on all occafions when the public fervice requires it. The 8th battalion remained on the enemy's ground all night, and the 9th and 11th with Capt. Riddell, three miles within the jungle, with directions to stay till the guns were carried off, which was done in the courfe of the next forenoon. I have the gratification to acquaint your Lordship, that I have every refon to be highly fatisfied with the conduct of the detachment. A return of the killed and wounded is inclofed. The fervice has fuftained a very fevere lofs, and my felf an able fupport and worthy friend, in Capt. Hugh Rofs, Major of Brigade.

About 300 horfes have fallen into the hands of the Mahrattas, with 600 of the artillery bullocks, the finest I ever faw. The guns prove to be as follows: 2 fix and half pounders, brafs, very long, country. 2 three and half ditto, iron. 1 four and half ditto, brafs, country. 2 ditto, ditto, ditto, Portugueze. 1 three and half ditto, ditto, Portugueze. I two and half ditto, iron. I about a four-pounder, brafs. There are, befides, three very fine tumbrils, and fome more tumbrils and carts were plundered in the jungle, and left there.

Intelligence has just been received of the enemy having got to Coolydroog, about 13 miles from Bednore, with 400 horse, 13 elephants, and about 1500 foot.

On the 28th inft. I was honoured with your Lordship's duplicate letter of the 6th, enclofing one for the Bhow, which was immediately prefented to him, but to which I have not yet been able to procure an anfwer. I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed)

JOHN LITTLE. Camp on the Toom or Toonge, about four miles S. W.of Simoga, Dec. 31, 1791. [Then follows the return of the killed and wounded, amounting to 8 killed, and 51 wounded.]

Camp near Seringapatam, Feb. 8, 1792. Sir, on the th init. I encamped about feven miles to the northward of Seringa patam, from whence I faw that Tippoo had, according to my information, taken a pofition on the North bank of the river, with its front and fanks covered by a bound hedge, and a number of ravines, fwamps, and water-courtes, and likewife fortified by a chain of strong redoubts full of cannon, as well as by the artillery of the fort, and of the works on the inland.

It would have coft us a great many men to have attacked the camp in the day, and perhaps the fucceís might not have been quite certain; I determined, therefore, to make

the attempt in the night, and for this purpose I marched on the 6th, as foon after fun-fet as the troops could be formed in three divifions. The right divifion, commanded by General Meadows, and the center divifion, under my immediate direction, were deftined for the attack of the enemy's camp; and the divifion on the left, confifting of four battalions, under Lieut. Col. Maxwell, was ordered to attack the works that the enemy were conftructing on the Heights above the Karngat Pagoda.

The officers commanding the leading corps in the right and center divifions were directed, after driving the enemy from their camp,to endeavour to pursue them through the river, and establish themselves on the island ; and it was recommended to Lieut. Col. Maxwell to attempt to pass the river, if, after having poffeffed himself of the Heights, he faw that our attack on the camp was fuccessful.

The left and center divifions were fo fortunate as to accomplish compleatly the objects propofed. Lieut. Col. Maxwell gained the Heights, and afterwards paffed the river, and the first five corps of the center divifion croffed over to the Ifland, leaving me in poffeffion of the camp, which was standing, and of all the artillery of the enemy's right wing.

The divifion of the right, by fome of those accidents to which all operations in the night must be liable, approached much too near to a very strong detached work, which it was not my intention to affault that night, and which must have fallen into our hands without giving us any trouble, if we fucceeded in forcing the enemy's camp.

The advanced guard, engaged in the attack of this work, before they could be prevented by the officers in the front of the column, and the latter, who had been used to carry forts with much facility, did not think it neceffary, or, perhaps, creditable, to obige them to defift; but the garrison of this redoubt conducted themselves very differently from thofe which we had lately met with, and their refiftance was fo obftinate, that it was not carried without cofting us feveral lives and a very confiderable delay.

By this time the firing at the center attack had entirely ceafed ; and Gen. Meadow s, conchiding from that circumstance that I was in complete poffeflion of the whole of the enemy's camp, and apprehending that a part of his corps might be wanted to fupport the troops on the island, wifhed to communicate with me as fpeedily as potible.

Some guides, who undertook to lead his divifion to join mine by a direct road, condacted him to the Karrigat Pagoda without his meeting with me, and daylight was then too near to admit of his undertaking any further operations.

Thefe untoward circumstances did not deprive us of any of the folid advantages of our victory,

victory, for we are in poffeffion of the whole of the enemy's redoubts, of all the ground on the North fide of the river, and of great part of the ifland; but as the force with which I remained in the enemy's camp did not much exceed three battalions, and as I found, from parties that I fent out, that the left wing of Tippoo's army kept their ground all night, I could not bring off any trophies from the field, except those which were very near to the fpot where our impreflion was made.

I have not yet been able to ascertain with precision the numbes of guns that have fallen into our hands; but I understand that of brass and iron it amounts to upwards of 60 of different calibres.

I shall take up my ground to-morrow as near to the chain of redoubts as poffible, without being expofed to the fire of the fort; and as our pofts upon the island are now nearly fecured against an attempt of the enemy, I fhall foon be ready to proceed with vigour upon the operations of the fiege.

it has been hitherto impoffible to collect the returns of killed and wounded, but I have every reason to hope that our lofs in Europeans will be under 200. Major Clofe will fend to Mr. Jackson a lift of the officers that were killed, in order to prevent the anxious alarms of the friends of the furvivors. I am, with great efteem and regard, &c.

(Signed). CORNWALLIS. A true copy, George Parry, Act. Dep. Sec. Sir Charles Oakeley, Bart. &c. &c. [Here follows a lift of our killed and wounded, viz. killed, Europeans 68, Natives 40; wounded, Europeans 213, Natives 163: miting, Europeans 21, Natives 23; amounting in the whole to 533.] From TIPPOO SULTAUN, received February 8, 1792.

I have received your Lordship's letter, in which you write, that if I will fend Lieut. Chalmers, who was taken prifoner at Coimbatcor, to your Lordship, you will then fend for the confidential emiffaries of the Ahmady Sirkir to strengthen the friendship, and will re-establish the old intimacy; and have understood the contents, which I confider as leading towards the increase of intercourfe. As I am also inclined for a fincere friendship, and approve of antient intercourfe, I therefore fend Lieut. Chalmers, with his people and property, and five others belonging to him, to your Lordship. From the agreement in Lieutenant Chalmers's pofleflion your Lordship will learn all the particulars of engagements. In this situation, folely with a view to please your Lordship, and to preserve a friendship, I fend them to you. If, agreea ble to your Lordship's letter, you will notify it to me, I will fend confidential people to treat for peace.

P. S. With Lieut. Chalmers I fend Mahomed Ally, who is a confidential man; he will inform your Lordship of feveral parti

culars of a friendly tendency. Having communicated whatever is entrusted to him when he fhall return here, I will fend him back in a proper and suitable manner to your Lordfhip. Your Lordship will confider me in, every refpect your own. Tranflation of a paper under the feal of Cummer ul Dien, delivered by Lieut. Chalmers on the 8th of February, 1752, and referred to in the above letter. You, who cannot make war against the Ahmedy Sirkir, have asked for terms. It is very well: I perceive the nature of any, affiftance coming to you agreeable to the onders of the prefence. I write to you, that if you can hold out and fight, do; otherwife give over the arms, &c. property belonging to the Company, to my people, and come out of the fort. Neither you nor your people must keep any perfon, money, or property, belonging to the country of the Ahmedy Sirkir. I will represent your affairs and your good qualities to the prefence, and state matters in fuch a manner, that, in the event of the approbation of the prefence, I will give you your difmiffion. For example: the garrifon of Darzpoor, &c. fome time ago were difmiffed, with their property, for which permiffion came from the prefence; this is known to every one. If you come out today, it is well. True tranflations,

(Signed) G. F. Cherry, Perfian Interpreter. To TIPPOO SULTAUN, written Feb. 11, 1792.

I have received your letter by the hands of Mahomed Ally, to whofe verbal communication you refer for other particulars; and Lieut. Chalmers, and four other perfons, who formed part of the late garrifon of Coimbatoor, are arrived with me.

I have perfectly understood the contents of the paper bearing the feal of Kummer ul Dien, which was brought by Lieut. Chalmers, and which contains a reference for your approbation of its purport. But I was forry to learn from that officer, who does not understand the Perfian language, that another paper, written in Hindooe and Englih, figued by himfelf, and likewife under the feal of Kummer ul Dica, by which it was agreed that the garrifon of Coimbatoor fhould be permitted to march unmolested, with their private property, to Paligantcherry, without waiting for any reference to you, was taken from him by force a few days before he was releafed; and it gives nie great concern to add, that I have heard, through various channels, that the remainder of that garrifon, which ought to have been fet at liberty when they furrendered the fort, are not only at this time in confinement, but that many of them are actually in irons.

Notwithstanding thete circumstances, however, as the release of Lieut, Chalmers, &c. is confidered by myself, and the other members of the confederacy, as an indication, of

your

your part, of a disposition to make atonement for the breach of the capitulation of Coimbatoor, it has, on account of the prefent critical fituation of affairs, been refolved by the allied powers not to infift upon a compleat execution of that capitulation previous to any negotiation; and we fhall therefore be ready to receive a confidential perfon or perfons, deputed by you, to communicate, to Deputies that will be appointed on our part, the conceffions and compenfations that you are willing to make to the confederates.

I request, that whoever you may choose to fend may come by the Dirca dowlut Baug Ford; and, when you name the day and hour at which they are to come, I fhall order the officer commanding in the redoubts opposite to it to fend a party of foldiers to receive them, and to conduct them in fecurity to the neighbourhood of the Eed Gah Redoubt, where the Deputies from the Allies will meet them to hear your propofitions.

A true copy,

(Signed) G. F Cherry, Perfian Interpreter. Sir CHARLES OAKELEY, Bart. &c. &c. Nothing material has occurred fince the action, except that Tippoo has fent to our Camp Lieut. Chalmers and Nath, and the three other Europeans taken at Coimbatoor. You will receive a copy of the letter from Tippoo, which accompanied them, and of my answer.

To allow Tippoo to retain even a confiderable fhare of his prefent power and poffeffions, at the conclufion of the war, would only, instead of real peace, give us another armed truce, and I should immediately reject any fuch proposition; but, if the perfon deputed by him fhould offer fuch conceffious as fhould put it out of his Mafter's power to difturb the peace of India in future, I should fuffer no profpects, however brilliant, to poftpone for an hour that most defirable event, a general peace.

I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that 10,000 Benjarries are just arrived in our camp. I am, with much esteem, &e. CORNWALLIS.

(Signed)

Camp near Seringapatam, Feb. 11, 1792. [The Gazette concludes with another letter from Earl Cornwallis to Sir Charles Oakeley, stating his reafons for directing General Abercrombie to advance with the Bombay army to Seringapatam without his heavy artillery; and that, upon a more minute examination of the artillery captured from the enemy, his Lordfhip found that we are in poffeffion of 76 pieces of cannon.] From the LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, of July 5. Whiteball, July 4, 1792. The letters and inclofures, of which the following are copies, were this day received over land from the East-Indies, viâ Bufforah. [Then follow three short introductory letters.]

To Sir Charles Oakeley, Burt. &c. &c. &c.

SIR, Being very much hurried, I have only time to tell you, that preliminaries were fettled late last night; that a ceffation of hoftilities has taken place this day; and that two of Tippoo's fons are expected in our camp this evening.

I tranfmit a tranflation of the preliminary articles, and request that you will be pleased to forward copies of them both to Bengal and Bombay.

If, by any accident, the vessel should not have failed before this letter reaches Madrafs, you will be fo kind as to defire Captain Ofborne to remain until he hears further from me. I am, with much efteem, Sir, your most obedient fervant, CORNWALLIS. Camp, near Seringapatam, Feb. 24, 1792. Copy of the Preliminary Articles agreed upon and exchanged, dated February 22, 1792.

(Signed)

I. One half of the dominions which were in the poffeffion of Tippo Sultaun at the commencement of the present war fhalt be ceded to the Allies, adjacent to their respective boundaries, and agreeably to their felections.

11. Three crores and thirty lacks of ficca rupees, fhall be paid to the Allies, agreeably to the following particulars, viz.

First, one crore, and fixty-five lacks,
fhall be paid immediately in pagodas, or
gold mohurs,
rupees of full
weight and standard, or in gold or filver
bullion.

or

Second, The remainder, one crore and 65 lacks, at three inftalments, not exceeding four months each, in three coins before-mentioned.

III. All fubjects of the four feveral powers, who may have been prisoners, from the time of the late Hyder Ally Khan to the prefent period, fhall be fairly and unequivocally releafed.

IV. Until due performance of the three articles above-mentioned, two of the three eldett fons of Tippoo Sultaun fhall be given as hoftages, on the arrival of whom a ceffation of hoftilities fhall take place.

V. When an agreement, containing the articles above written, fhall arrive, bearing the feal and fignature of Tippoo Sultaun, counter agreements fhall be fent from the Three Powers; and, after the ceffation of hoftilities, fuch a definitive treaty of perpetual friendship, as fhall be fettled by the feveral parties, shall be adjusted and entered