H8 CONQUEST OF MYSORE. 



most western angle projected beyond the main body of the 

 lmildin<r, and was not duly flanked or protected by the other 

 defence's. Besides, while regularly attackfd from the sooth, 

 it could be enfiladed from the northern bank of the Cavery. 

 The river, too, evidently appeared fordable, as both men and 

 cattle were seen passing without difficulty ; and it was con- 

 fidently expected that before the monsoon had swelled its 

 waters, the campaign would be over. Irt pursuance of 

 these views, General Stuart crossed to the northern bank, 

 and notwithstanding some vigorous resistance, and one 

 very brisk sallv by the garrison, succeeded in gaining a 

 position in which he could effectually co-operate with the 

 main attack. 



On the 9th April, Tippoo wrote a letter to General Harris, 

 in which he merely asked why the English had entered his 

 country, and made war upon him contrary to subsisting 

 treaties, which he had never violated. The general in re- 

 turn briefly referred him to the letters of Marquis Wellesley, 

 which put an end to the correspondence. Colonel Wilks, 

 who usually lets us into the interior of the Mysore councils, 

 leaves us here in the dark as to the views and feelings by 

 which the Indian chief was actuated. Meantime the 

 trenches had been opened, and the works proceeded regu- 

 larly and rapidly. On the 20th and 26th, two strongly- 

 intrenched posts", which guarded the approaches to the wall, 

 were carried by attacks under the direction, the one ot 

 Colonel Sherbrooke and the other of Colonel Wellesley. 

 Before the second of these actions, the sultan, seeing his 

 defences successively fall, and the siege quickly advancing 

 to its termination, resolved again to solicit a treaty, though 

 sensible it must be purchased with extensive sacrifices. 

 He wrote, referring to the letters of the governor-general, 

 and proposing a conference of ambassadors. General 

 Harris, in repTy, after taking a 'view of recent events, an- 

 nounced, as the positive ultimatum, the cession of halt his 

 dominions, the pavment of two crores of rupees, one im- 

 mediately, and another in six months ; finally, the delivery 

 of four of his sons, and four of his principal chiefs as hos- 

 tages. These conditions were to be accepted in twenty- 

 four hours, and the hostages and specie delivered in twenty- 

 four more : otherwise he reserved ihc right of extending 



