BOOK in the month of December (1790), lord Cornwallis assumed the command of the army in XXIV. 1792. person. The plan of the war was now entirely changed, and a grand effort resolved on to force a passage to Seringapatam through the country lying directly westward of Madras. On the 21st of March, 1791, the important town of Bangalore was taken by storm, with little loss on the part of the British, but with a dreadful carnage of the unresisting garrison. On the 13th of May, the army, by extraordinary exertions, arrived in sight of the superb capital of Mysore, defended by the sultan in person; and on the next day an action took place, in which Tippoo was said to be defeated, though he does not appear to have sustained any very considerable loss: and the swelling of the Cavery (in an island formed by the branches of which Seringapatam is situated), together with the want of provisions, compelled lord Cornwallis to begin his retreat to Bangalore, almost before his victory could be announced. General Abercrombie, who had advanced through the Ghauts on the opposite side, with a view to form a junction with lord Cornwallis, was now also obliged to lead back his army, fatigued, harassed, and disappointed, over the mountains they had lately with such difficulty passed. During these transactions the troops of the nizam XXIV. and the Mahrattas kept discreetly aloof, leaving BOOK the burden of the war almost entirely to the British. But the next campaign, for which lord Cornwallis made unremitted preparations, opened under more favorable auspices. Early in February, 1792, the eastern and western armies, resuming their former plan of operations, effected, before the end of the month, a junction under the walls of Seringapatam; the forces of the peishwa and of the nizam encamping also at a small distance, and furnishing to the British army a plentiful supply of stores and provisions. On the 7th of February a general attack was made by moonlight, the troops marching in grand and awful silence to their respective posts, on the lines of the sultan, which was attended with very im portant effects-Tippoo being compelled to relinquish his former advantageous position, which covered his capital; and Seringapatam was in consequence of this defeat closely and completely invested. The situation of Tippoo Saib being now in the highest degree alarming, and almost hopeless, he thought proper to send a vakeel to the camp of lord Cornwallis to sue for peace; which the British general granted on the severe terms, 1. Of his ceding one half of his dominions to the allied powers. 2. Of paying three crores and 1792, XXIV. BOOK thirty lacks of rupees, as an indemnification for the expenses of the war. 3. The release of all prisoners; and, 4. The delivery of two of his sons as hostages for the due peformance of the treaty. 1792. On the 26th of February the princes, each mounted on an elephant magnificently caparisoned, proceeded to the British camp, where they were received by lord Cornwallis with all possible demonstrations of kindness and affection. The eldest, Abdul-Kalic, was about ten; the younger, Mirzaud-Deen, about eight years of age. The princes were attired in white muslin robes, with red turbans richly adorned with pearls, and they conducted themselves with a politeness and propriety which astonished the spectators. On the 19th of March, the definitive treaty, signed by the sultan, was delivered by the young princes, with great solemnity, into the hands of lord Cornwallis; but the sums specified in the second article not being actually paid, the princes still remained under the safeguard and custody of his lordship. Though the entire knowledge of these transaç tions had not reached England when the affairs of India came under the discussion of the house of commons, (June 5th) Mr. Dundas stated the general situation of the Company to be in the highest degree flourishing; and, by an intricate deduction of figures, he shewed the surplus of the Bengal revenue for the preceding year to be no less than "The flou- BOOK eleven hundred thousand pounds. The trial of Mr. Hastings occupied twenty-two days of the present session. Although that great delinquent had not scrupled in the speech delivered by him at the close of the last session to declare himself" above all things desirous of an immediate decision upon the evidence before their lordships," this must be understood as a mere bravado; for it was not possible for a moment seriously to imagine that the house of peers would descend to a compliance so derogatory to the dignity and justice of their proceedings. And during the present year his counsel, far from displaying any eagerness to bring matters to a short issue, went into speeches and details of such immoderate length, that their reply to the first charge only, viz. that of Benares, was completed within the term prescribed. But in the view of the public at large no light whatever was thrown upon the XXIV. 1792. XXIV. 1792, BOOK main question by all the rhetorical harangues, the examinations, the re-examinations, and cross-examinations which took place in the investigation of this intricate business. To the common sense of mankind this alone appeared, that flagrant and enormous guilt could not need so many words for the purpose either of proving or of disproving it. On the 15th June (1792) the session closed with a speech from the throne, in which his majesty expressed to the two houses "his great concern at the actual commencement of hostilities in different parts of Europe, assuring them that his principal care would be to preserve to his people the uninterrupted blessings of PEACE." State of tional As France con Second Na The second National Assembly of France met sembly of October 1, 1791. By an act of patriotic disinte vened. restedness, very indiscreet in its nature, and pernicious in its consequences, the late Assembly had decreed that no person should be eligible to two successive legislatures. The present Assembly, therefore, was necessarily destitute of the experience, and, according to the general opinion, of the talents likewise, of the former. And being chosen at the precise period when the national resentment was at the highest pitch, they were of a much more anti-monarchical complexion. The opening speech of the king was received nevertheless with great applause and the president replied in terms of confidence and respect, expressing the united wish |