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durbar, where they shall be honourably treated ; nor need they 

 have formed the desperate resolution of destroying themselves, if 

 brought into my presence. The Gracia chieftains may be assured 

 that I feel too much for their sex, their rank, and reverse of for- 

 tune, to add thereto any thing incompatible with their caste or re- 

 ligion. I neither desire to see them, nor to intrude any of my at- 

 tendants into their apartments : their guards have been selected 

 from the higher castes, and every proper attention paid them. 

 They are detained as hostages, the more effectually to bring 

 the Gracia government to proper terms; Gomanny Sihng has 

 been informed, as you now are, that I am ready to receive your 

 viziers and duans, and to accede to a liberal peace, on your pro- 

 ducing respectable bhauts as guarantees for its being fulfilled; 

 so treacherously has every former stipulation been evaded, that I 

 will accept of no other security for your future good behaviour 

 than Ryjee Sihng, the principal bhaut of Serulah, and any others 

 with whom he may be willing to associate. 



To you, I once more offer peace and friendship, before the same 

 force that has conquered Mandwa, proceeds against Vazeria and 

 Veloria. Send your vizier, or some other confidential minister to 

 treat with me. Be assured his person shall be safe; and whatever 

 may be the result of the negociation, he shall come in, and go out 

 of this district under my protection: the English never act with 

 duplicity, their word is sacred! Judge not of us by yourselves. 

 You are a Mahomedan prince, and doubtless, conversant with the 

 religion and morality of the Koran: consequently from being 

 more enlightened than the pagan Gracias, I have written to you, 

 as to a man of understanding. Reflect on the contents of this 



