72 WAR WITH MYSORE. 



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 Nabob 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 aceidedly 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 w hich 

 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 govern- 

 ment 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 cen- 

 sured 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 



