that the matured judgment of the Marquess Wellesley coincided with his early sentiments of respect for the institution of a free press expressed in the Irish House of Lords, and condemned as indiscreet, the exercise of power that has called forth these remarks. In the edition of the Dispatches published under his Lordship's superintendence, though a part of Lord Mornington's letter to Sir Alured Clarke, of the 17th of April, 1799, has been printed, the passages referring to the Calcutta newspapers do not appear. The letter of the 26th of April is entirely omitted : and the passage from Major Kirkpatrick's report, quoted above, has been erased from the printed copy; having been crossed out in the original manuscript, apparently by Lord Wellesley's pen. The fact that the noble Lord bequeathed his collection of papers to the nation, proves that he neither desired concealment nor feared scrutiny: but the circumstances just mentioned seem to warrant the inference that he did not desire his policy towards the press of India to be held up as a model for imitation.

CHAPTER XIV.

Tippoo Sultaun, instead of proceeding on a Hunting Expedition, commences a March to attack General Stuart at Seedapore, five days before the British entered Mysore.-Defeated in his Attack on General Stuart's Force.-Retreats.-Re-crosses Mysore, and falls upon the Divisions of Colonel Wellesley and General Floyd at Mallavelly.-Tippoo suffers a severe Defeat.-Retreats to Seringapatam.-General Harris advances. Operations of the Army before Seringapatam. - Tippoo Sultaun's Letter to General Harris.-The General's Reply.-Operations continued.-Second Letter from Tippoo.-General Harris transmits the Terms of the only Peace that would be granted.—Tippoo declines to accept them.-Writes again.-Preparations for storming Seringapatam.-Tippoo's Fortitude and Valour.-General Baird leads the Assault. Capture of the Fortress and City.-Death of Tippoo Sultaun.-Forbearance of the British Troops.-The Sultaun's Family and Zenana respected.-Consequences of the Fall of Seringapatam.-Letter of General Harris in a Sealed Quill to Lord Mornington.-Letter of Major Beatson to his Lordship.

IN Tippoo's letter to Lord Mornington, received on the 13th of February, he announced his intention of proceeding on a hunting expedition. The only game, however, which his Highness really contemplated pursuing was a British General,-which in former times had not unfrequently been the object of his chase. Having succeeded in raising an expectation that it was his intention to move in the direction of Mangalore, he secretly left his camp on the 28th of February, at the head of twelve thousand men, and rapidly marching across the country, passed the frontier, and quitting his

own territories, suddenly fell upon the Bombay army, under General Stuart, the total strength of which was 6420. It is important to remark, as a commentary upon all Tippoo's pacific professions, that he began this movement five days before General Harris entered Mysore, and that he was engaged in an attempt to cut to pieces by surprise this British force at Seedapore, in the dominions of one of the allies of Great Britain, at the very moment that, at the opposite side of the kingdom, General Harris was entering Mysore. Tippoo succeeded in throwing a body of his troops between the detachments of Generals Stuart and Hartley, and for a time threatened the annihilation of the British force. Eventually, however, Tippoo was repulsed at all points; and without awaiting to strike a second blow, hurried back to Seringapatam. In this affair the British lost 143 men; Tippoo's loss was, doubtless, considerable.

Tippoo now concentrated his whole force* against the army of Madras under General Harris; and endeavoured to make an impression upon it, before a junction was formed between the forces of Generals Harris and Stuart. Tippoo Sultaun in person led on a furious onset on the British lines at Mallavelly, re

* From an abstract of the state of Tippoo Sultaun's affairs, drawn up by Captain, afterwards Sir John Malcolm, it appears that the strength of Tippoo's army was as follows:-Regular horse, 6000; irregular horse, 7000; regular infantry, 30,000; guards, &c., 4000; Carnatic pæons, 8000; pioneers, 6000; exclusive of 144 field-pieces, 36 battering-guns, a rocket brigade, elephants, camels, mules, &c. Tippoo's French force comprised:-Four officers, 40 private Europeans, 350 half-cast and Caffries, Lally's party; six officers, 50 private Europeans, 100 half-cast and Caffries, lately arrived from the Mauritius. Total, 10 officers, 90 private Europeans, and 450 half-cast and Caffries.

markable as the place where the illustrious hero of a hundred fights, then Colonel Wellesley, fought his first battle in India. A formidable body of Mysore horse bore down upon Colonel Wellesley's division, consisting of the 33rd regiment and the Nizam's forces. The 33rd were ordered to reserve their fire till the enemy were within pistol shot; they then poured in a dreadful fire, and, quickening step, attacked Tippoo's troops with the bayonet. General Floyd's dragoons, from the centre, charged at this crisis, and a total route of the Mysoreans took place. They fled, having suffered a loss of two thousand, who fell on the field or in flight.

On the 7th of April, General Harris sat down before Seringapatam. It will be observed that up to this time Tippoo had not attempted to open communications with the General, or reply to Lord Mornington's last letter. On the 9th of April disheartened, but not subdued, by the result of the battles at Seedapore and Mallavelly, Tippoo sent the following note to the English camp :

FROM TIPPOO SULTAUN TO GENERAL HARRIS.

"The Governor-General Lord Mornington, Behauder, sent me a letter, a copy of which is enclosed. You will understand it. I have adhered firmly to treaties; what then is the meaning of the advance of the English armies and the occurrence of hostilities. Inform me. What need I say more?"

He was referred by the General to the letters of

Literally the Invincible, employed as a title of courtesy.

Lord Mornington, and the declaration of war on the part of the allies :—

FROM GENERAL HARRIS TO TIPPOO SULTAUN.

“10th April, 1799.

"Your letter enclosing copies of the GovernorGeneral's letter has been received. For the advance of the English and allied armies, and for actual hostilities, I refer you to the several letters of the GovernorGeneral, which are sufficiently explanatory on the subject."

Tippoo made no farther attempt at negotiation till the 20th of April. The junction between the Bombay and Madras armies had been safely effected on the 14th, and after crossing the dangerous river Cavery, by which Seringapatam is protected, an enfilading battery was established, and the enemy were dislodged from an important position four hundred yards in advance of their entrenchments. Tippoo therefore proposed a

conference for peace.

TIPPOO SULTAUN TO GENERAL HARRIS.

"IN the letter of Lord Mornington it is written, that the clearing up of matters at issue is proper; and therefore you, having been empowered for the purpose, will appoint such persons as you judge proper for conducting a conference and renewing the business of a treaty. You are a well-wisher of both states. In this matter what is your pleasure? Inform me, that a conference may take place."