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 IVAJ^ WITH TIPU 57

lished a strong post at Satyamangalam, which would have made an invasion on that side as impracticable as on that of the Baramahal. Tipii being then without magazines in the low countries, and seeing strong posts in the neighbourhood of all the passes, which could defy his unskilful attacks and intercept his convoys, would have had no temptation to begin a hopeless war ; but as the allies must also have had a pro- portional increase of territory, it is said that he would then have been reduced too low. He would have been more powerful than Haidar was when ne usurped the government, and would have been as able as he to defend his possessions ; and if he was not, so much the better. For every person who has seen his army, and that of the other country powers, must be con- vinced how much is to be feared from the one, and how little from the other.

' Lord Cornwallis was apprehensive that he should have been driven to the necessity of taking Seringa- patam ; and frequently exclaimed, " Good God ! what shall I do with this place ? " I would have said, " Keep it as the best barrier you can have to your own countries ; and be confident that, with it, and such a frontier as the Kaveri, skirted by vast ranges of rugged mountains, which make it impassable for an army from Arakere to Kaveripuram, no Indian power will ever venture to attack you." But every- thing now is done by moderation and conciliation ; — at this rate, we shall be all Quakers in twenty years more. I am still of the old doctrine, that the best