HINDOOSTAN. 79 



and the alliance he had formed, with the French, proposing to send to 

 him major Doveton, who might more fully and particularly explain 

 the sole means which appeared effectual for removing all distrust and 

 suspicion, and establishing peace and good understanding on the most 

 durable foundations. His lordship, at the same time, expecting but 

 little satisfaction from the negociation he had thus offered to open, de° 

 termined to assemble without delay the armies on the coast of Coro- 

 mandel and Malabar ; and directed all his attention to strengthen and 

 improve the defensive alliance concluded with the Nizam and the 

 Peishwa of the Mahrattas. He gave peremptory orders to the govern* 

 ment of Fort St. George to complete the equipment of their battering 

 train, and to advance it with all practicable dispatch to the most eli- 

 gible station on the frontier of the Carnatic, with a view of proceed- 

 ing towards Seringapatam at the earliest possible period, if such a 

 movement into Mysore should become necessary. 



The letter of his lordship to Tippoo produced no other answer than 

 vague professions of a wish to maintain peace and amity. The sul- 

 tan, however, declined receiving major Doveton ; alleging that no 

 means more effectual could be devised than the treaties and engage- 

 ments already entered into, to give stability to the foundations of 

 friendship and harmony, or promote the welfare and advantage of all, 

 parties. 



As it was evident that Tippoo meant only to gain time and increase 

 his strength, lord Mornington determined to avail himself of the su« 

 periorky of his force, and commence hostilities immediately. He 

 accordingly, on the 3d of February, 1799, directed lieutenant-general 

 Harris to enter the territory of the Mysore with the army assembled 

 under his command ; and on the same day issued orders to lieutenant- 

 general Stuart to be prepared to co-operate from Malabar; and sig- 

 nified to rear-admiral Rainier, and to the several allies of the company;, 

 that he now considered the British government in India to be at war 

 with Tippoo Sultan. 



The army of Bombay, under the command of lieutenant-general 

 Stuart, marched from Cananore on the 21st of February, arrived at 

 the head of the Poodicherrum ghaut on the 25th of the same month, 

 and took poste at Seedapoor ana Seedasere on the 2d of March. The 

 army of Madras, under iieutenant-general Harris, entered the terri- 

 tory of Mysore on the 5th of March, and commenced its operations 

 by the reduction of several forts upon the frontier. On the 6th of 

 March Tippoo Sultan passed his own frontier, and attacked a detach- 

 ment of the army of Bombay, under lieutenant-general Stuart, the 

 total strength of whose entire army did not amount to six thousand 

 fighting men. The attack of the sultan's force was sustained by a 

 body, not exceeding two thousand men, and the sultan's army was 

 finally defeated and completely dispersed before general Stuart could 

 collect the whole of his divided force. 



After this signal defeat, Tippoo retreated precipitately to his camp 

 at Periapatam, and remained there until the 11th of March without 

 making any farther attempt to molest the army. He then returned 

 to Seringapatam, whence in a few days he moved to meet lieutenant- 

 general Harris, and the army of Madras, between which and the army 

 of Tippoo an engagement took place on the 27th of March, in which 

 the sultan was completely defeated, and driven from every post which 

 he attempted to maintain. General Harris then proceeded on his 



