Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/111

Book VI Moodilee the native of Tinivelly, who came to Madrass on this purpose in the month of April, The southern and more fertile districts, which in former times belonged to the kingdom of Madura, had by various alterations and appropriations been annexed to the government, and intermingled with the rent-rolls, of Tinivelly and the greater Moravar, during the confusions which prevailed since the year 1750, had made encroachments on the west; so that what remained at this time under the ancient denomination of Madura, and under the immediate jurisdiction of the city, did not extend in any direction above 40 miles, and, in most, much less: which, being commanded on the west and north by mountains and Polygars, and bounded on the east by the woods of Moravar, was in every part exposed to depredations from the wild inhabitants of the neighbourhood. The land of the territory is likewise in many parts incumbered with plots of rock, and, where free, the soil, except in a few districts to the south, is of laborious and expensive cultivation. From these detriments and defects, the annual revenue of the whole territory seldom exceeds 120,000 rupees; at the same time that the maintenance of the city, its garrison, and other military posts in the country, raise the expenses to triple this sum. On the other hand, the country now rated under Tinivelly is of much greater Extent and fertility, commonly yielding a revenue from 11 to 1,200,000 rupees a year; but should Madura and its districts be in the hands of an enemy, the country of Tinivelly would be constantly exposed to the most ruinous attacks, and could receive no support from Tritchinopoly; which renders it necessary to maintain the one at a certain loss, as the only means of securing the advantages which may be derived from the other. The family of Moodilee, having for 100 years been employed in farming districts in both countries, had, in this long course of time, rented every part, and knew the properties of each. He accordingly refused to undertake the districts of Madura, but offered to rent the country of Tinivelly for three years, at the annual rent of 1,100,000 rupees, clear of all expenses, to be paid at three periods in each year: for which purpose he was to be invested with the usual authorities of jurisdictions,