HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
439 
At this time a squadron arrived from Europe, which brought reinforcements to 
the French troops, who landed at Porto Novo. Since the defeat of Colonel Braith- 
waite, the English were no longer formidable in the south, and Sir Eyre^Coote was 
too much occupied with Haider Aly, in the north, to be able to attack the French. 
The latter, therefore, advanced to Cuddalore, which they took in April, 1782, and 
sent a detachment to Haider Aly, who took possession of Permacoil. 
No other event of importance took place, as the peace which had sheathed the 
swords of the belligerent powers in Europe, put an end to the war which had dis¬ 
turbed the Peninsula of India. 
Haider Aly died in November, 1782 : a cancer in his back, which had afflicted 
him for several years, finished the career of his bold and persevering ambition. 
On the coast of Malabar the government of Bombay had levied a considerable 
body of troops, and given the command of them to Brigadier-General Mathews, 
who soon made himself master of Onor; and, on receiving the news that Haider 
was dead, proceeded to reduce Cundapore and Mangalore, the latter of which 
he took, after a feeble resistance. He then pushed on to the Bednor country, and 
possessed himself of the capital, which bears the same name. 
The success of the English soon reached Tippoo Sultan, "when he instantly 
quitted the Carnatic; and, on the 9th of April, appeared before Bednor, with a very 
considerable army, a large train of artillery, and a thousand French troops. The 
English General, whose force did not exceed two thousand men, found himself obliged 
to retire into the fort, which, though it was commanded by the surrounding heights, 
he maintained till the 27th, when he accepted the capitulation offered by Tippoo; 
who, instead of adhering to the articles of it, exercised a degree of barbarity towards 
the English prisoners which has no example. 
Bednor being restored to his power, Tippoo conducted his army towards the Ma¬ 
labar coast, to recover the places which the English had taken, and he accordingly 
appeared before Mangalore, which was garrisoned with three thousand men, com¬ 
manded by Colonel Campbell, a valiant and experienced officer, who defended it with 
equal skill and courage for several months. At length, however, it was reduced to 
the greatest distress; when, fortunately for the brave garrison, they were relieved by a 
general peace. 
