439 



my utter astonishment, they were all deserters, lately arrived from 

 Bengal, with their arms and accoutrements complete. Upwards 

 of fifty are already come, and they expect more to join them 

 very shortly. It is natural to suppose that some persons are em- 

 ployed from hence to entice them from their colours ; nor shall I 

 be surprised to see whole battalions following their example. At 

 this rate the Mahraltas will have very little occasion to purchase 

 European firelocks from any other nation, when they are so well 

 supplied by your own people; in this respect they may bid you 

 defiance in case of any future rupture; for to my certain know- 

 ledge they have now upwards of seventy thousand stand of English 

 arms in different depots, belonging to the sircar. The war with 

 Tippoo may render many useless on both sides, which is some 

 satisfaction ; for as to the loss of the sepoys I esteem it nothing, as 

 I know the Purveea caste are the most mutinous and cowardly 

 fellows in India, having had sufficient demonstration of them when 

 ordered for Madras. Many plans might be adopted to entice 

 them again into the company's service; and when once in your 

 possession, you may secure the arms, and discharge the scoundrels 

 with infamy, or even a more severe punishment." 



I have introduced this letter and stated the preceding circum- 

 stances, from a necessity of establishing facts, instead of making 

 assertions, where the moral character of the two nations is brought 

 into competition ; and the conclusion intended to be drawn is evi- 

 dently to evince that the moral and religious tendency of Christi- 

 anity is not superior to the code of Menu, or the laws of the 

 Koran. 



1 have on another occasion mentioned Sir James Mackintosh's 



