Page:The Marquess Cornwallis and the Consolidation of British Rule.djvu/30

24 time had not perhaps arrived for the open assertion of our position as the Paramount Power in India, the above language was suited to the occasion, and would not have been unworthy of Wellesley himself.

The succession to the Ráj of Tanjore occupied a good deal of attention. The Government at first supported the claims of Amír Singh who was in possession. On further consideration however, and especially on a letter from the celebrated missionary Schwartz, this decision was altered. Sarfijí, the adopted son of the deceased Rájá, was placed on the throne. Steps were taken to induce the Nawáb of the Karnatic to liquidate his debts and observe the stipulations of treaties; but they had not much effect, and the solution of this difficulty was also reserved for Wellesley. Captain Kirkpatrick, a very distinguished political officer, was dispatched on a mission to Nepál, where he was kindly received by the Regent, uncle of the Rájá, in spite of the strong opposition of a party of nobles who looked with suspicion on commercial treaties and European intercourse. Indeed, owing to the extensive jealousy of the king and the ministers of Nepál in each successive generation, we have scarcely made any real progress in what is termed the opening up of that kingdom to British commercial enterprise since the mission sent by Cornwallis.

With the exception of the campaigns against Tipú, the government of Cornwallis may be said to have been one of peace. The reduction of Pondicherry was