HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
553 
the seapoys, and secured the persons of all the French officers then in camp. This 
operation was happily effected without bloodshed, and without contest. A mutiny 
having broken out in the French camp on the preceding day, and the seapoys hav¬ 
ing imprisoned their officers, the Resident at Hyderabad, and Lieutenant-colonel 
Roberts, with the consent of the Nizam, judiciously availed themselves of this 
favourable opportunity, to execute the important measure entrusted to him, with¬ 
out difficulty or danger. 
The amount of the French force disarmed on this occasion, was about eleven 
thousand men. The remainder of the corps, having been sent on detachments, at 
some distance from Hyderabad, was soon after secured and disbanded. 
The French officers were treated with every practicable degree of attention and 
humanity. 
The season for negotiation, through the pacific channels, so often offered, was 
now elapsed. After mature deliberation, on the grounds already stated, the Go¬ 
vernor-general directed the advance of the army into the territory of the Sultaun, 
and signified to the allies his determination to proceed to hostilities. 
A change of circumstances, and of season, might enable the Sultaun to avail 
himself of the assistance of France. This conclusion was at that period, confirmed 
by the knowledge of the actual embarkation of M. Dubuc, and two native vakeels, 
on an embassy from Tippoo to the Executive Directory of France, an event which 
took place at Tranquebar, on the yth of February, 1799. 
It would be superfluous to give a detailed account of the march of the army 
in this campaign, as it has already been very correctly given by Colonel Beat,son. 
Sec. The issue of it will be seen in the following letters. 
Copy of a b'etter-i from . Lieutenant-general George Harris , to the Chairman of 
the Court of Directors , dated Seringapatam , 6 th May , 1799. 
The Chairman of the Hon. Court of Directors of the United East-India 
Company, &c. Sec. 
Sir, 
I have the honour of congratulating you and the Honourable Court, on the 
prosperous expedition committed to my charge, by the Right Hon. the Earl of 
Mornington. 
4 B 
