Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/412

404 in July 1754, to the end of that year, continually employed in settling the government, and often either marching in person, or sending detachments to collect the revenues from the Polygars or chiefs of the woodland countries, who, trusting to their wilds and fastnesses, never pay but at the point of the sword. In the beginning of the year 1755, he returned to Hyderabad, where he found Salabad-jing ready to proceed with all his forces against the kingdom of Mysore, in order to collect a long arrear of tribute, which, he pretended, was owing from this country to the Mogul government. The French company was by treaty in alliance with the regent of Mysore, who well deserved their services, in return for the expences he had incurred in assisting them during the war of Tritchinopoly. On the other hand, the French troops with Mr. Bussy were obliged to assist Salabad-jing against any powers whom he might think proper to treat as enemies; for it was on this condition, without any exception of the Mysoreans, that he had given the northern maritime provinces to the French company. In this perplexity, Mr. Bussy resolved to distress the Mysoreans as little as possible by military operations, and to use his best endeavours to reconcile their differences with the Soubah. But when his army entered their country, Mr. Bussy contrary to his inclination, was obliged to co-operate in the reduction of several forts; although he all the while corresponded with the ministry of Mysore, recommending terms of accommodation. The regent was still before Tritchinopoly, and the ministry suspecting that any manifestation of eagerness to make peace, would induce more imperious conditions, shut themselves up with the best of their forces, and seemed determined to sustain a siege in the capital of Seringapatnam. But an unexpected event of which Mr. Bussy took advantage, soon made them change this resolution; for Balagerow, at this very time, was advancing from Poni with a great army of Morattoes, in order to levy contributions in the country of Mysore; and the ministry judging it better to pay one, than fight two enemies, followed Mr. Bussy 's advice, and invited Salabad-jing to come and encamp his whole army under the walls of Seringapatnam; acknowledging his authority, and consenting to pay on account of the arrears due to the Mogul government, five millions and two hundred thousand rupees. At the same