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active, were now increased in proportion to the superior import- 

 ance it derived from our loss and disgrace in other quarters ; and 

 to that necessity of defending the fortress against a triumphant 

 enemy, whose near approach was announced by the reports re- 

 ceived from the neighbouring districts. The attentions and pre- 

 cautions now rendered necessary by a reverse of fortune already 

 mentioned were not confined to Onore. Effectual means were 

 immediately adopted, after the loss of Cundapore, to prevent the 

 ships daily expected with reinforcements and stores from Bombay, 

 from putting into that port. Night signals were constantly made, 

 and pattamar- boats cruised in their track, to give timely notice. 

 Nor was this vigilance useless; a fleet being then on its passage 

 from Bombay, conveying a reinforcement for the army, as also a 

 committee of gentlemen appointed by the governor and council 

 for the civil government of Bednore. This fleet parted company in 

 a gale of wind, and many of the vessels standing in for Cunda- 

 pore, were thus prevented from entering a hostile port. 



On the 30th captain Nugent, commanding the first battalion 

 of Bombay sepoys, arrived at Onore with a letter from the Bed- 

 nore committee to the commandant of Onore; an extract from 

 whose answer, dated May 2d, will explain its purport. " Should 

 I admit the propriety of obeying your orders to destroy and eva- 

 cuate Onore fort, so directly contrary to those I have received 

 from the commander in chief of the army, I am still of opinion, 

 the executing them at this period would be injurious to the wel- 

 fare of the present service, having a quantity of powder, stores, 

 and rice, belonging to the army in this depot. The enemy, now 



