Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/497

Book XI province about twenty miles to the North of the city; and Colonel Forde, for the convenience of a nearer communication with Vizagapatam, marched two days back, and encamped at Peddapore, which, with a name very nearly the same, is a fort ten miles to the west of that which has designated his victory. Mr. Andrews immediately sent him 20,000 rupees from Vizagapatam, and on the 13th of January came himself to the camp; from whence he went into the hills, and reached the Rajah on the 15th, whose fears of the Colonel, and aversion to furnish any money, continued as strong as ever, insomuch that he seemed no longer solicitous about the success of the expedition. His conduct was the more perplexing, because the news that the French were besieging Madrass had stopped the English credit in these provinces, which the Rajah's name alone could immediately restore; and if his troops did not march, others must be hired, for which no money could be found. The dilemma induced Mr. Andrews to alter the treaty he had made some time before, and to agree, "that whatsoever sums the Rajah might furnish should be considered as a loan; and that the revenues of all the countries which might be reduced on the other side of the Godaveri, excepting such as belonged to the French either by establishment, or grant in propriety, should be equally divided between him and the English." With these conditions Mr. Andrews brought him back to the camp on the 18th: and it was agreed to march on to Masulipatam; but it took seven days more in bargains for exchange with the shroffs before he furnished only 6000 rupees in ready money, and bills at ten days for 60,000 more. At length the armies moved from Peddapore on the 28th, after fifty days had been lost, of which the first twenty diligently employed would probably have accomplished all the purposes of the expedition, which now appeared of much more difficult execution, as the enemy had gained full time to recollect themselves: nor had the delay the smallest plea of necessity; for the Rajah might with as little inconvenience have done at first what he unwillingly complied with at last; although the expedition had been undertaken from a reliance on his promises, warranted by the earnestness of his solicitations.