HINDOOSTAN. 7$ 



the possession of the forts themselves, and fearing for a settlement of 

 much superior value, the Dutch readily entered into a negociation 

 with the rajah of Travancore for the purchase of them. That politic 

 people easily saw, that, by placing them in his hands, they erected a 

 most powerful barrier, no less than the whole force of Great Britain 

 (who was bound by treaty to assist him) against the encroachments 

 of their ambitious neighbour upon their settlement at Cochin. The 

 imprudence of the rajah, in entering upon such a purchase while the 

 title was disputed, drew down upon him the heaviest censures from 

 the government at Madras ; and ke was repeatedly cautioned both by 

 Sir Archibald Campbell, and Mr. Holland, his successor in the govern- 

 ment, not to proceed in the negociation. Such, however, was the 

 ardour and temerity of the rajah in making this acquisition, that he 

 not only concluded the purchase with the Dutch, but even treated 

 with the rajah of Cochin, without the privity of Tippoo, though he 

 was the acknowledged tributary of that prince, for some adjacent 

 territory. The bargain was concluded in July, 1789, though it was 

 not till the 4th of August that the rajah informed the Madras govern- 

 ment, through their resident Mr. Powney, that he was on the point 

 of making the purchase. 



It was not probable that Tippoo would remain an indifferent spec- 

 tator of these transactions. He insisted on the claim which he 

 retained over these forts, in consequence of their being conquered 

 by his father, and in consequence of the subsequent compromise,, 

 He asserted, that according to the feudal laws, no transfer of them 

 could take place without his consent, as sovereign of Mysore ; and 

 on the 29th of December, he made, with a considerable force, a direct 

 attack upon the lines of Travancore. On receiving a remonstrance 

 from the British government of Fort St. George, he desisted, and 

 even apologised. From the 29th December to the 1st March, Tippoo 

 Sultan remained perfectly quiet, still asserting his claims to the 

 feudal sovereignty of the forts ; but it is confidently affirmed, offering 

 to submit the dispute to an impartial arbitration. 



On the first of March 1790, the rajah's troops made an offensive 

 attack upon Tippoo, who had continued quiet within his lines from 

 the 29th December. An engagement took place ; and the British 

 government conceived themselves bound to take an active part. No 

 period appeared more favourable to humble Tippoo, if that was the 

 object of the British administration. With all the other powers of 

 India we were not only at peace, but treaties of alliance existed be- 

 tween Great Britain and the two most powerful states of India, the- 

 Nizam and the Mahrattas ; and both declared themselves in perfect 

 readiness to exert their utmost force to crush the rising power of 

 Mysore. 



We shall here present the reader with a brief account of the pro- 

 gress and termination of this war, by which the British power wan 

 more than ever established on the continent of Asia, from a narrative 

 drawn up by major Dirom, from journals and authentic documents. 



It should be remembered, that the campaign here recorded was 

 the third of our war with Tippoo Sultan. The first commenced in 

 June, 1790, and concluded with that year. It was carried on below 

 the Ghauts. The second campaign contained the capture of Banga- 

 lore, which fixed the seat of war in the enemy's country, and con- 

 cluded with the retreat of lord Cornwallis from Seringapatam, towards 

 *he end of May 1791, The third commences almost from that pointj 



