Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/492

468 they wrote by the hand of a Topass, a letter to Anjengo, which is the southern of the English factories on the coast of Malabar, requesting supplies; but the Topass writing what he thought English, the letter was so unintelligible, that the factory neither understood from whence or whom it came, nor what they wanted. At length, letters from Mahomed Issoof procured them credit, which enabled them to purchase provision, and even to get lead and gunpowder from the sea-coast in the bay of Tutaoorin. It was very fortunate, that the fidelity of the Sepoys in Madura and Palamcotah continued unshaken; for had either of these fortresses been betrayed, no means remained of retaking them; and the cession of Madura might have purchased Hyderally, the Mysore general, to join the French, who at this very time had an officer of distinction treating with him at Seringapatam. The repulse of the French from Madrass had increased the danger of losing these countries, since the French, being no longer under the necessity of keeping their whole force collected in one point, mighty still leaving sufficient to oppose the English army in the field, detach the rest to other objects. The partizan Lambert was moving with his flying troops from Pondicherry to the westward; and danger to the city of Madura might accrue even from Hussein Cawn, if he should get a body of Mysoreans to accompany him from Dindigul. On these considerations, the Presidency resolved to send Mahomed Issoof back into these countries, and to accept his offer of renting Madura and Tinivelly together, at the rate of five lacks of rupees for the ensuing year clear of all charges, excepting what might arise from the necessity of defending them either against the French, the Mysoreans, or Morratoes. The Nabob had, ever since the first appointment of Mahomed Issoof to conduct the war in these countries, regarded him with suspicion and aversion, and insisted that they should be left to his own disposal and controul; although he had not in his whole dependance, a relation or officer of military resolution and experience sufficient to maintain them in this time of difficulty.

The French and English armies continued almost in sight of each other for two and twenty days; the one wishing to be attacked, in