Page:The Marquess Cornwallis and the Consolidation of British Rule.djvu/16

10 Commander-in-Chief in India — first from September, 1786, to October, 1 793, and again from July to October, 1805. He was Lord-Lieutenant and Commander-in-Chief in Ireland for nearly three years — between June, 1798 and May, 1801. He negotiated the Peace of Amiens.

It will be the object of this memoir to describe the aims, motives, and character of Lord Cornwallis as an Indian Ruler, and to notice the historical events with which he was connected only so far as may be necessary for the comprehension of his character. Average English readers must be credited with a fair knowledge of the struggle which led to the loss of our American colonies, with the condition of Ireland at the beginning of the present century, and with the French war terminated by the short Peace of Amiens. Similarly, in treating of the Indian administration there will be no detailed account of the two successive campaigns waged against Tipú Sultán. But to the important measures of reform in India introduced by Lord Cornwallis a considerable space will be accorded. And, generally speaking, no facts or anecdotes will be omitted which tend to assign to this statesman his due place in history, whether as a soldier or a civil administrator.

Cornwallis, who by this time had attained the rank of Lieutenant-General, was directed to take command of a division of the English army in America at the beginning of 1776. He had opposed the Ministry