Page:A descriptive and historical account of the Godavery District in the presidency of Madras (IA descriptivehisto00morrrich).pdf/256

 238 THE GODAVERY DISTRICT,

pore, in order to keep open his communications with Vizagapatam. Mrz. Andrews, who had returned thither, was sent back for the pur- pose of negotiating with the Rajah, whom he visited in his retreat among the hills, The Rajah was mollified by Mr. Andrews’ repro- sentations, and was induced to rejoin the English camp at Pedda- pore, The treaty was in some points altered to terms more favour- able to his interests, and it was agreed that “whatsoever sums he might furnish should be considered as a loan; and that the revenues of all the countries which might be reduced on the other side of the Godavery, excepting such as belonged to the French, either by establishment or grant in propriety, should be eqnally divided between him and the English.” *

At length, after the loss of much valuable time, the army moved from Peddapove on the 28th of January, and reached Ellore on the 6th of the following month. The Rajah, however, lingered on the way, occupying himself by levying contributions from the surround- ing country, During the interval which elapsed while waiting for him, Colonel Forde sent Captain Knox with a battalion of sepoys to take the French factory at Nursapore, where there was a garrison of roo Europeans and goo ar 400 sepoys. The Zemindar of this District, probably the Rajah of Mogulturrz, which is close to Nur- sapore, was invited to join the expedition; and he heartily re sponded to the invitation, met Captain Knox on the march, and rendered him every assistance in his power. The French had relied on the Zemindar’s help, atid, on finding it fail them, they quitted the factory, after having sunk in the river all the ammunition which they could not carry away. Leaving a few men to take charge of the factory, Captain Knox returned to Ellore, where the Rajah of Vizayanagaram was still detaining the army by his dilatory conduct.

Meanwhile, at the earnest request of M. Conflans, Salabut Jung had advanced to his assistance, and was approaching by the valley of the Kistna, Undeterred by the advent of this more numerous army, Colonel Forde marched straight to Masulipatam, and, after a siege which lasted just one month, carried the fort by a brilliant assault. On tho 14th of May he concluded a treaty with Salabut dung, who, awed “by the English success, and harassed by disputes with his brother, was glad to retrace his steps to Hyderabad. The following were the stipulations of this treaty, by which a consider-

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 * One, vol. it, p, 473.