Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/358

350 whole truth, and support it by proofs. The linguist returned and said, the prisoner had now confessed that he had been advised to go to the king, and propose the scheme of the letter by one Gopinrauze, a man who resided in Tritchinopoly, and formerly served as an interpreter to the English commandant of the garrison. Gopinrauze, was immediately examined; he said he knew nothing of the affair, but appeared confounded and frightened, upon which Poniapah the linguist said he was certainly guilty. Whilst the examination of Gopinrauze was carried on in the camp, the Bramin confined in the city, contrived to send a message to Mahomed Issoof, desiring to see him, having something of importance to communicate. Mahomed Issoof repaired to the prison, taking the precaution to carry another person with him to be a witness of the conversation; when the prisoner made the following declaration. That serving in the commissary's department, under Peramrauze the principal agent and interpreter to the English commissary, he had several times been sent to Seringham to sollicit the release of his master's family, who had been taken prisoners, when the convoy coming from Tricatapoly was defeated. After several journies he procured their liberty, and a little while afterwards Poniapah proposed to him, as he was known in the enemy's camp, to carry a letter, and deliver it either to the king, or some of his principal officers; the Bramin answered, that it was a dangerous business, for which he might be hanged; to which the linguist replied, that he should be able to save him by saying that he employed him as a spy. The Bramin desired time to consider, and immediately went and consulted his master Peramrauze, who advised him to comply with Poniapah's request. Poniapah, however apprehensive of a discovery, told him that it was not proper to write the letter in the English camp, but directed the prisoner to write it himself when arrived in the enemy's camp; which instruction he obeyed. The letter was addressed to two principal officers, desiring they would persuade the regent to write to major Lawrence, and request him to send Poniapah to Seringham in order to hear some proposals relating to the dispute with the Nabob concerning Tritchinopoly. The next day messengers from the regent came to major Lawrence, by whose orders Poniapah proceeded to Seringham;