Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/269

Book IV. Morari-row having settled his plan, easily persuaded the regent to acquiesce in it, and embassadors were sent to Pondicherry, where a treaty was soon concluded, and war resolved; Mr. Dupleix promising to take Tritchinopoby, and give it to the Mysoreans. In consequence of this alliance, Innis Khan, with 3000 Morattoes, was detached from Seringham in the middle of August, with instructions to join the French, but first to go to the Nabob's camp, and endeavour to get some money from him; for this object never failed to be interwoven in all Morari-row's schemes. The detachment taking time to plunder the province as they marched along, were at some distance from the coast when they received news of the battle at Bahoor: startled at this success, Innis Khan halted, waiting for farther instructions from Tritchinopoly; in consequence of which he joined the Nabob, with great protestations of friendship and seeming joy at the late event, pretending to lament that he had not come up in time to have a share in it; and in order to accomplish his intention of getting money, he did not hesitate to take the oath of fidelity to the Nabob. Major Lawrence, notwithstanding his late success at Bahoor, did not think it prudent to engage in any farther operations, whilst he remained in uncertainty of the resolution which these Morattoes might take; but as soon as they joined him, he moved from Fort St. David to Trivadi, and prepared to employ the remainder of the season, before the rains began, in reducing the country between Pondicherry and the river Paliar. At the same time the Nabob requested the presidency to send a force to attack Chinglapet and Cobelong, two strong holds, situated to the north of that river, which kept in subjection a considerable tract of country, and from whence detachments frequently plundered the territory belonging to the Nabob and the company.

Madrass was able to furnish no more than 200 European recruits, just arrived from England, and, as usual, the refuse of the vilest employments in London, together with 500 Sepoys newly raised, and as unexperienced as the Europeans. Such a force appeared very unequal to the enterprize of laying siege to strong forts; and it could hardly be expected that any officer, who had acquired reputation, would willingly