Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/400

376 the Rajah and his army at Cossimcotah, from whence it was determined to march against Rajahmundrum, where Mr. Conflans had collected the French troops from all parts, and they were already advancing to attack the Rajah; but, on hearing that the English troops were in motion to join him, they halted and encamped.

Mr. Johnstone had dispatched the sloop in which he came, with advices to Madrass of his reception at Vizagapatam; on which they immediately sent away Mr. Andrews, with several assistants, to reestablish the factory under their own authority, on which the settlement had always been dependent: They likewise sent Captain Callendar, an officer on the Madrass establishment, to act as second under Colonel Forde. The vessel which brought them arrived at Vizagapatam on the 21st of November; and Andrews with Callendar immediately went to the camp, which, by long halts and short marches, had not yet advanced 30 miles beyond Cossimcotah. Various excuses were employed by the Rajah to extenuate this delay; but the real cause Was his repugnance to furnish the money which Colonel Forde demanded, who was not a little offended at his evasions. Mr. Andrews, who, having been chief of Madapollam, had long been personally known to the Rajah, adjusted their differences by a treaty, which stipulated, "that all plunder should be equally divided; that all the countries which might be conquered should be delivered to the Rajah, who was to collect the revenues; but that the seaports and towns at the mouths of the rivers should belong to the company, with the revenues of the districts annexed to them; that no treaty for the disposal or restitution, whether of the Rajah's or the English possessions, should be made without the consent of both parties; that the Rajah should supply 50,000 rupees a month for the expences of the army, and 6000, to commence from their arrival at Vizagapatam, for the particular expences of the officers." He held out likewise other proposals of future alliance, which he had not yet authority to ratify.

The united forces now moved in earnest, and on the 3d of December came in sight of the enemy, who were encamped 40 miles on this side of Rajahmundrum, in a strong situation which commanded