REDUCTION OF BEDNORi:. 73 



npwards 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 arm}' 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 operation^ 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 im- 

 mediately 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 inex- 

 pedient. 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 



* Bemadotte, the present King of Sweden, was taken prisoner in this 

 action, and treated by General Wangeiilitin %% - iiU a humanity which ha 

 afterward cordially acknowledged. 

 Vol. II.— G 



