180 
wallis, inftead of being daunted at this event, 
advanced with an inferior force: and on the 
murning of the 16th of Oftober, a fevere ac- 
tion took place, which was foon decided by 
the fpirit of the Britifh troops, who, after a 
imart fire, had recourfe to their bayonet; and 
the Americans having at length given way, 
were purfued nearly twenty miles. Seven 
pieces of cannon, the greater part of their 
baggage, and a thoufand prifoners, conftitut - 
ed the trophies of thisday. But fortune was 
not always fo favourable to him as on this oc- 
cafion. In 1781, having withdrawn with the 
force under his command into York Town, he 
was furrounded by the enemy, to whom he 
was under the neceffity of capitulating. Lord 
Cornwallis now returned to his native country, 
to repofe aiter the fatigues of an unfortunate 
war, and enjoy all the happinefs that can 
poilibly enfue from the fweets of private 
friendihip and public efteem. During the po- 
litical coniefts that took place in 1782 and 
5783, his lordthip was for a time, deprived of 
his place as Lieutenant of the Tower of Lon- ’ 
don, which he had obtained feveral years 
beiore: but in the year 1784 it was refored 
to him. The natural inaGtion of peace pre- 
vented his talents from being called into 
exercile for fome years 
India no fooner began to affume a critica 
aipect, than a man was looked for, who 
united in his own perfon the efteem and confi- 
cence o: the king, the minifry, and the people. 
Lord Cornwallis was accordingly appointed to 
the high and important fituation oi Governor- 
general of Bengal, and to dignify his mifiion 
he was honoured with tne order of the Garter. 
No fooner did he arrive there than a war 
toek place with Tippvo Sultan, fon of the 
famous Hyder, who, izom humble beginnings, 
attained great power, acquired extenfive ter- 
ta yte 
ritories, and organized an immenfe army. 
The condué or hoftilities was at frit intrutt- 
ed to the Madras government; having in- 
ftantly aflumed the command of che grand 
army, he proceeded tu Vellore, and feemed 
to meditate an attack on the Myfore country, 
by the Beramahal Valley. Tine Sultan, un- 
acqua.nted with European tactics, was de- 
ceived by this motien; tor the Englith foon 
afier made a rapid march to the Muglu Pafs 
through which they penetrated with little 
or no oppoition. Within a few 
Bangalore, Tippoo’s army at length difplayed 
icfelt on the heights, in exceilent-order, 
and it focn 
ia love with defpctifm, were attached beth 
to his perion and government. Bangalore, 
however, was immediately invefted, and 
the petcah or town ftormed and taken oa-the 
Very mext day. The reduction of the tort 
itfely sgllowed foon after. The Englifh 
troops having been joined by the Nizam, anda 
reinfurcement of 50c0 men, under Colonel 
Ol as Lord Cornwallis determined to mar.h 
aguinit Seringapatam, the capital of Tippoo ; 
aod on the 13th of May the army arrived 
within fight ef a place, the capture of which 
was expected to put a period to all its toils, 
Account of the late Marguis Cornwallis. 
but the affairs of 
miles of 
appeared that his fubjects, as if 
[March 1, 
and reward all its labours. As the Sultan 
had poafted thither a few days beiere, and 
occupied an advantageous camp, it was de- 
termined to carry it, if poffible, by furs 
prize; but this {cheme proved abortive from 
the vigilance of the enemy, who were nae= 
verthelefs, obliged to abandon their pofi- 
tion. It was impoffible, however, at this pe- 
riod to attempt the fiege of fo formidable a 
place as Seringapatam; ‘or, in addition toa 
variety of other caufes, there was an abfolute 
deficiency in the articie of provifions. Hav- 
ing, there‘ore, fent notice to General Aber- 
cronibie, who was marching to his affifttance, 
to return, the commander-in-chief de‘troyed 
his battering train, and retreated to Banga- 
lere, being joined on his march thither by 
30,600 Mahrattas. Early, however, in the 
enfuing fpving, the Britifh army retraced its 
fteps, and appeared once moye beiure the me- 
trope! is of Myjore, where it found Tippoo 
again {tronzly intrenched. He ro notwith- 
ftagding, attacked, and compelled, as before, 
to Fe U poh a Junction with the Bombay 
army the regular approaches were made, re- 
doubts were raiied, and had it not been for 
fome unlucky events, in reipect of which his 
lordthip was entirely blamelefs, ftripped of 
his capital and bereaved of his power, the 
Sultan would have been ‘proftrate at his feet. 
He was compelled, however, to accept of 
fuch terms as the EngLih commander chofe 
to dictate. He confented to cede part of his 
dominions, paid a large fum of money, saunder- 
-teok to furnifh a {till more confiderable per- 
tion of treafure, within a limited period, &c. 
and entrufted two of his fens to the care of 
Lord Cornwallis, with whom they were to 
remain as hoftages for the due periormance of 
the treaty; and here it is but juftice toa 
prince, whom we are accufiomed to ftylea 
barbarian, to obferve, that he fulfilied every 
One of the articles with the mof fcrupulous 
punctuality. — This important war being now 
ended, highly te the honour of the Britith 
arms, Lord Cornwallis recurned to England, 
without being enriched by a poft, in which 
avarice and rapacity could eafily have realized 
a princely furtune—but he neither exatted a 
jaghire from the conquerei fovereign, nor 
increafed bis own income by venality or ex- 
tortion. Honours and employments, both fo 
well earned, awaited him at home. He had 
been be‘oxe invefied with :the infignia of the 
garter; be we 3 
quis, admitted a member of the privy council, 
and, in addition to his other appointments, 
was nominated to 
maiter-general of the ordnance, in confe- 
quence 0! whica he hada feat in the Cabinet. 
keturning once more to the bofom of domeitic 
happinefs, the Marquis feemed to promile to” 
himfelf a life of eaie and quiet in his native 
‘country. Such, however, was not his deftiny, 
Ireland was cilorganized, and th re Englith power 
there thaok-t to its very centre. Jt wasevendoubt- 
ful how long it would remain an appendage 
as NOW (1792) created a*mar-_ 
the hecrative office of 
ae 
. 
= 
= 
. Great Britain ; for it was menaced by ime — 
urregtion w. ithin, and invafion from without. — 
One } 
