i'jtc 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 A 
 
 LETTER 
 
 T O A 
 
 Member of Parliament, 
 
 ON THE 
 
 CONCLUSION OF THE WAR 
 
 WITH 
 
 TIP POO S U LT A U N. 
 
 By AN IMPARTIAL OBSERVER. 
 
 Eft modus in rebus ; funt certi denique fines, 
 
 Quos ultra citraque nequit confiftere re5lum. Hor. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR T. CADELL IN THE STRAND. 
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 T O A 
 
 Member of Parliament, 
 
 S I R, 
 
 f\N the theatre of war, a reverfe of for- 
 tune ought to be regarded as a pofii- 
 ble contingency, both by the conquerors, 
 and by the vanquifhed. 
 
 The former, magnanimous, in the mo- 
 ments of triumph, ought to be open to 
 conceflions from the vanquifhed ; and the 
 B latter, 

 
 [ 2 ] 
 
 latter, deprefied by calamity, ought to avail 
 themfelves of alternatives, without ex- 
 haufting all the refources of arms. 
 
 On this principle the waAin India, 
 which, in its progreffive ftages, reflected a 
 luftre on the Britifh arms, may be vindi- 
 cated, in its termination, by all the con- 
 tending Powers : And the definitive treaty 
 with Tippoo Sultaun, which exalts our 
 national character in the Eailern World, 
 may be pronounced, on our part, the re- 
 fult of deliberate wifdom, and magna- 
 nimous policy. 
 
 The maxim, delenda ejl Carthago^ has 
 indeed been adopted by fome fanguine po- 
 liticians, who, having contended for the 
 total extirpation of Tippoo Sultaun, are dif- 
 fatisfied with the mere reduction of his 
 power. 
 
 But
 
 [ 3 I 
 
 But that maxim, both in its origin in 
 the days of antiquity, and in its modern 
 application to the Eaft, was neither dic- 
 tated by honour, by juftice, nor by found 
 policy *. And the cataflrophe of Carthage, 
 inftead of advancing the profperity, haf- 
 tened the decline of the Roman name. Far 
 different was the conduct of the Lacedae- 
 monians in the plenitude of dominion. 
 For when, by the fortune of arms, it was 
 in their power to have annihilated the rival 
 ftate, " Heaven forbid," faid the Lacedae- 
 monians, " that we fhould put out one of 
 " the eyes of Greece !" 
 
 This was the language of a difcerning 
 people, capable of moderation in victory, 
 and confcious of thofe political relations 
 
 * Vide EfTays on the Hiftory of Mankind, Second 
 Edition, page 286. 
 
 B 2 which
 
 I 4 ] 
 
 which give life and energy to national 
 enterprize. 
 
 A balance of power ought to be main- 
 tained in every fyftem ; and the annihila- 
 tion of the Myfore Chief might have 
 proved deftructive of general profperity, 
 and inaufpicious to our Indian Empire. It 
 might have produced war between the con- 
 federated Powers, diflblved our alliances, 
 and involved us in a labyrinth of difficulty 
 in the divifion of territory, and in the com- 
 plicated arrangements of Oriental govern- 
 ment, from which, by dextrous manage- 
 ment, we are moft happily delivered. 
 
 Tippoo reduced, is an event far more de- 
 firable, than Tippoo extirpated', and by a- 
 bridging his power, by circumfcribing his 
 dominions within well-defined limits, and 
 by cutting off, in fome degree, his com- 
 munication
 
 [ S ] 
 
 munication with the Coaft f , we have no- 
 thing to apprehend from his future machi- 
 nations, or from his alliance with any Eu- 
 ropean power. 
 
 The 
 
 f By recent intelligence, it appears that Tippoo re- 
 tains Mangalore^ and the extent of territory on the 
 Malabar coaft, that he formerly pofleffed. Lord Corn-, 
 wall is, in an official Letter addreffed to the Honourable 
 the Court of Directors, and inferted in the London 
 Gazette, exprefTes himfelf in the following terms : 
 
 " The territory that the Company will acquire by 
 *' the peace, will be confiderable in point of revenue, 
 <l though, from the wide difference in feveral ftatements 
 " of Tippoo's revenues that have been produced, I 
 *' cannot yet form a judgment of the amount; but, im- 
 '* portant as an addition of revenue may be, I confi- 
 '* der it of infinitely more confequence to the interefts 
 " of the Company and the Nation, than alrnoft any fum 
 <{ whatever, that the overgrown power of Tippoo, 
 , ** from which we have at different times fuffered fo 
 " much, and which has fo long threatened your pof- 
 " feffions on both coafls with total deflruclion, has 
 ** been reduced, by the event of this war, within bounds, 
 " which will deprive him of the power, and perhaps of 
 
 " the
 
 [ G ] 
 
 The avowed or clandeftine fupport of 
 France Simulated the ambition of Tippoo 
 Sultaun, exafperated his animofity, and 
 rendered him the declared enemy of the 
 Britifh name. But that fupport ccifed with 
 the revolution ; and the new government 
 of France difclaimed, in an early period, 
 all connexions in the Eaft, hoftile to our 
 
 " the inclination, to difturb us for many years to 
 " come ; whilft, at the fame time, I hope that our ao 
 " quifitions by this peace, will give fo much additional 
 * c ftrength and compaclnefs to the frontiers of our pof- 
 " feffions, both in the Carnatic and on the coaft of 
 *' Malabar, as to render it extremely difficult for any 
 * { power above the Ghauts to invade them." 
 
 Until the arrival of the definitive treaty, we cannot 
 flate, with geographical precifion, the extent of ter- 
 ritory annexed to the Britifh dominions. But it is cer- 
 tain that Tippoo, by that treaty, has furrendered to 
 the Company, the Baramhaul and Salem diftricls ; and 
 to the allies, the forts oiGooty and Balhary\ while the 
 Coorga country is alfo relinquifhed. 
 
 1 1 Indian
 
 I 9 1 
 
 Indian Empire. This viciflitude of th!ng9, 
 this unanticipated difappointment, morti- 
 fied Tippoo to the duft, and contributed to 
 give a more decided afcendancy to our 
 arms. 
 
 The fyftem of French politics is no 
 longer hoftile to nations * ; and that cir- 
 cumftance concurs, with every other, in 
 
 Itrength- 
 
 * How different was the conduct of France in all 
 preceding times ! Lord Clive, in a mafterly fpeech de- 
 livered in parliament in his own vindication in the 
 year 1772, expatiated with ability and difcernment ou 
 the views of France at that period in the Eaftern world. 
 " The noble Lord," faid he, " at the head of theTrea- 
 " fu r y, will do me the juftice to acknowledge, that I 
 " laid before him a paper drawn up fifteen months ago, 
 " in which I ftated almoft every thing that has fince 
 " happened, relating to the views of France upon the 
 <c Eaft Indies. It was indeed impoftible for me to be 
 " deceived, knowing the preparations that had been 
 " made. 
 
 "If 
 
 /
 
 t 8 ] 
 
 ftrengthening the (lability of our dominion* 
 in the Eaft, and preferving them from all 
 future annoyance. 
 
 Let Tippoo Sultaun, then, flourifli in 
 peace, fince no longer formidable in war. 
 Let him dill rank among the potentates 
 of Afia, fince, by the reduction of his ter- 
 
 " If ever France fhould lay hold of our pofleffions, 
 " flie will foon add to them all the reft of the Eaft 
 <c Indies. The other European nations there will im- 
 ** mediately fall before her ; not even the Dutch can 
 " ftand ; the empire of the fea will follow : Thus will 
 " her acquifitions in the Eaft, if any can, give her uni- 
 *' verfal monarchy. I repeat, and I would have what I 
 t fay remembered, that the French have not given up 
 " their defigns upon India.'* See the Debates of Par- 
 liament in the Tear IJJ2, publijhed by Debrett. 
 
 Suitable to this prediction were the uniform proceed- 
 ings of France during a feries of interefting events, 
 down to the zera of the revolution, when the concert 
 with Tippoo was inftantly diflblved, and all offenfivc 
 wars exploded in the councils of that nation. 
 
 ritorial
 
 [ 9 ] 
 
 ritorial poffeflions, by the decreafe of his 
 revenue, and the diflblution of foreign 
 alliances, he muft contract the fphere of 
 his ambition, and ceafe to be the illuftrious 
 incendiary of the Eaftern World. 
 
 Preventive policy, which obviates future 
 danger, is far preferable to that vindiffiive 
 policy, which confifts in unnecefTary re- 
 trofpect, or has no object but revenge. 
 
 Even an antipathy to Britons may be 
 loft in the admiration of their glory; and 
 the Sultaun himfelf, or the young * princes, 
 (now under the protection of a conqueror 
 whom they recognize as a father,) may be- 
 come, in a future period, inftead of an ex- 
 
 * The definitive treaty figned and fealed by Tippoo, 
 and delivered to Lord Cornwallis by one of the Cons 
 of the Sultaun, has already become thefubjecT: of hifto- 
 rical painting j and different artifts are concerned in 
 the defign. 
 
 C afperated
 
 afperated enemy, the determined ally of 
 the Britifh government. 
 
 It is not my province to delineate mili- 
 tary characters, or to enter minutely into 
 the detail of arms. To do juftice to the 
 tranfa&ions of the campaign, would require 
 the recording pen of an hiftorian converfant 
 in modern tactics, and not unacquainted 
 with the eloquence of antiquity *. 
 
 That aflbciation of talents which, it is 
 allowed, belong to Tippoo, forms, per- 
 haps, the beft criterion, by which we may 
 judge of the merit of his conqueror. For 
 Tippoo is not only fuperior in enterprize to 
 all the monarchs of the Eaft, but many 
 
 * Res geftse regumque ducumque, & triftia bella, 
 Quo fcribi poflent numero monltravit Homerus. 
 
 Hor. 
 
 io features
 
 [ ] 
 
 features of his character might be exhibited 
 in the picture of an Achilles. 
 
 Irapiger, iracundus, inexorabilis, acer ; 
 Jura neget fibi nata, nihil non arroget armls. 
 
 Lord Cornwallis then, with the olive 
 branch in one hand, and with the fword in 
 the other, has appeared in the fcene, dur- 
 ing the whole period of hoftilities, in all 
 the fplendor of greatnefs. 
 
 To control the genius of defpots, is the 
 nobleft effort of heroifm. It is the confum~ 
 mation devoutly to be wijhed. It is the 
 pride \ the pomp , and circumjiance of glorious 
 ivar. 
 
 But it is contended by fome politicians, 
 
 that the capture of Seri?igapatam was fo 
 
 eafily practicable by our victorious arms, 
 
 that it ought to have been accomplished, as 
 
 C 2 the
 
 [ I* ] 
 
 the decifive blow, which would have en- 
 titled us to concefiions of ftill greater mag- 
 nitude from Tippoo Sultaun, without the 
 total demolition of his power. 
 
 To this it may be anfwered, That certain 
 pecuniary ftipulations in the treaty, may 
 be rightly confidered as a ranfom for the 
 Myfore capital. And furely, a higher ran* 
 fom was to be expected for its prefervation, 
 than could have been demanded for its 
 restitution under defolation and ruin. Yet 
 had we ftormed the Myfore capital, with 
 full aflurance of fuccefs, our army muft 
 foon have abandoned it fpontaneoufly, 
 without ranfom or redemption. 
 
 The peace then, and the war, in every 
 point of view, happily correfpond. In po- 
 licy and in arms we ftand in equal eftima- 
 lion ; and the Governor General of India, 
 
 in
 
 [ 13 ]' 
 
 in his civil and in his military capacity, 
 deferves accumulated praife. 
 
 n/ 
 
 But it has been alleged by the difcon- 
 tented, that the peace under review, ori- 
 ginated entirely from the India Board; 
 and, confequently, that the inftrucYions 
 from home mult relieve Lord Cornwallis 
 from his refponfibility, as they have tended 
 to eclipfe his glory. 
 
 How far the inftructions from home di- 
 rected the proceedings, or dictated the ulti- 
 mate policy of the Governor General, we 
 prefume not to decide ; but between his 
 Lordflhip and the India Minifter there feem 
 to have exifted a coincidence and harmony 
 of opinion, which, without running invi- 
 dious parallels, may be pronounced, in 
 their refpective departments, equally ho- 
 nourable for both. 
 
 A rupture
 
 [ i4 ] 
 
 A rupture in Europe, in which Great 
 Britain had been involved, muft have 
 greatly augmented the embarraflments of 
 an Indian war* Whatever apprehenfions, 
 therefore, were entertained of fuch a rup- 
 ture during the late armaments, were, no 
 doubt, announced to Lord Cornwallis by 
 the India Minuter ; nor would he fupprefs 
 from his Lordfhip fuch inftructions on 
 that ground, as were dictated by the wif- 
 dom of his Majefty's counfels. 
 
 The standing order from home, it 
 
 is probable, allowed the Noble Warrior in 
 
 the Eaft confiderable latitude. The Mini- 
 
 fter might have affumed an exalted tone, 
 
 and emulated Roman greatnefs : 
 
 Has tibi erunt artes, pacifque imponere morem, 
 Parcere fubjeiSiis, & debellare fuperbos. 
 
 But the particular dictates of the Cabinet 
 
 on that occafion, it were unneceffary to 
 
 explore. The merit of the India Minifter 
 
 refts
 
 f 15 J 
 
 y 
 
 refts not on any Tingle event, or on any 
 precarious ground ; for the whole fyftem 
 of his India arrangements, from the efta- 
 blimment of the Board of Control to the 
 prefent day, has been conducted with un- 
 rivalled abilities, profound difccrnment, and 
 comprehenfive policy. During that period, y\ 
 our India fettlements have flouriihed in 
 their interior government, in commerce, 
 and in revenue, with progreflive and un- 
 exampled profperity. 
 
 The reafoning of Mr. Dundas in his 
 India budgets, which has been fo loudly 
 controverted, feems now to be ftrengthened 
 and confolidated in the public mind. The 
 accomplishment of his predictions on the 
 fcore of finance, will, it is probable, be ac- 
 celerated beyond expectation ; and our Na- 
 tional Debt, inftead of being loaded with 
 additional incumbrance, is likely to derive 
 
 feafonable
 
 r i* j 
 
 feafonable relief from our dominions in 
 the Eaft. 
 
 The fcene which is now opened by the 
 definitive treaty, could hardly. have been 
 anticipated by human difcernment ; and by 
 the extenfion of territory, the increafe of 
 revenue, and the liability of our pofTeffions, 
 we may venture to affirm, that India Stock, 
 notwithstanding its temporary depreffion, 
 mud, on every principle of calculation, rife 
 to an unprecedented ftandard. 
 
 All Government funds muft be more or 
 lefs affected by the fame caufe, and expe- 
 rience, in different proportions, a corre- 
 fponding elevation. 
 
 This infeparable connexion of things 
 muff be regarded with univerfal fatisfaction 
 by every clafs of citizens ; for the flourifh- 
 
 ing
 
 [ '7 J 
 
 ing condition of the Public Funds will ad- 
 mit of the gradual reduction of thofe taxes 
 that are moil burthenfome to the great body 
 of the people. 
 
 This is a fair prefage of general felicity ; 
 and Great Britain, by its acquifition of do- 
 minion, of revenue, and of power, muft 
 rife in the fcale of nations. 
 
 But it is not on Oriental ground alone, 
 that we contemplate growing profperity. 
 
 Without entering into the details of 
 financial ftatement, or comparing the public 
 income and expenditure, agreeably to the 
 report of the SelecT: Committees, it may be 
 maintained with confidence, that the Public 
 Revenue of this country, by the induftry 
 of the people and the increafe of commerce, 
 is in a condition eminently flourifhing. 
 D Whether
 
 [ 18 ] 
 
 Whether the plan purfued by Mr. Pitt from 
 the year 1786, is the mod powerful and 
 efficient which could have been devifed or 
 adopted in financial ceconomy, is a queftion 
 which we have not leifure, though we had 
 ability, to difcufs ; but the eftablifhment of 
 that plan, it is allowed, has been productive 
 of confiderable advantage*. Commerce, 
 
 it 
 
 * Even Mr. Morgan, who condemns, on mathe- 
 matical ground, the plan of finance adopted by Mr. Pitt, 
 from its comparative inefficiency, makes fome conccf- 
 fion, and denies not the exiftence of fome pofitive ad- 
 vantage. " Admitting," fays he, " that by the reduc- 
 *' tion of the four per cents, or by a real furplus in the 
 *' revenue, the fum of 200,000 1. may be fairly added 
 " to the million already appropriated for the difcharge 
 " of the National Debt, I fee no great matter for 
 " triumph in fuch an addition. Its operations are al- 
 *' together inconfiderable, and the whole plan is ftill 
 " weak and ineffectual. Compared, however, with 
 " what Mr. Pitt at firft intended to have eftablifhed, it 
 " deferves refpeft ; and though enfeebled and mutilated 
 ' by his alterations, /'/ has done fo much good, that we 
 
 " have
 
 [ 19 ] 
 
 it is alio allowed, has had a gradual in- 
 creafe ; yet this, it is contended, is not 
 peculiar to Britain, and is fhared only in 
 common with other nations. 
 
 On the balance of trade we mean not to 
 expatiate. But public credit in this coun- 
 try might be ftill farther illuftrated from 
 the relative condition of other ftates. 
 
 The neutrality which, in the prefent con- 
 
 vulfion on the continent of Europe, has 
 
 been avowed by the court of Britain, is ma- 
 
 nifeftly calculated to give us, ultimately, 
 
 additional weight and preponderation in 
 
 the general fyftem. While other European 
 
 nations are exhaufting their revenue and 
 
 ' ' 
 
 " have only, to regret, that the other more powerful 
 *' and efficient plan, which had been (o ftrongly re- 
 
 " commended by Dr. Price, was not adopted." 
 
 See A Review of Dr. Price's Writings, on the 
 Subjecl of the Finances of this Kingdom, by IV. Mor- 
 gan, F. R. S. 
 
 V 2 their
 
 [ 2 ] 
 
 their blood, under a precarious deftiny ; 
 while their governments may be fhaken to 
 their foundations, may enlarge or contract 
 their limits by the fortune of arms, may 
 be torn afunder by inteftine commotions, or 
 be overwhelmed by foreign irruptions ; 
 the Sovereign of this free country may be 
 looked up to by the belligerent powers, as 
 the reftorer of tranquillity, as the arbiter 
 of contending nations; while the venerable 
 fabric of our Conftitution, fecure from 
 danger, will excite the envy of the world. 
 
 Britons, however, are too magnanimous 
 to erect their triumphal arch on the bafis 
 of general calamity ; they fcorn to aim at 
 jgreatnefs by the depreilion of other ftates, 
 or even to indulge the fentiment of Epicu- 
 rean philofophy : 
 
 Suave mari magno 
 
 Suave etiam belli certamina magna tueri, 
 
 Per campos inftruCla, ulla fine parte pencil'. Lucret. 
 
 The
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 The Revolution in Fiance, counteracted 
 by a confederacy of potentates, and fo 
 alarming to the jealoufy of the continental 
 princes, forms an asra in civil hiftory, inti- 
 mately connected with the future deftiny 
 of the world. A 
 
 But in this country, fimilar jealoufies 
 are not likely to arife. Between the noblejfe 
 of France, and the nobility of Great Bri- 
 tain, there is fo little analogy, that nothing 
 in the French Revolution can create any 
 well-founded alarm. Our nobles are re- 
 garded with complacency by the other or- 
 ders, and are often diftinguifhed in the 
 Hereditary Senate, as the guardians and 
 patrons of freedom. The Peers of the 
 Realm then, and the Princes of the Blood, 
 in all their privileges and immunities (land 
 equally fecure. But it is not France alone 
 which we have to contemplate ferionfly, at 
 this moment, in the drama of Europe. 
 
 The 
 
 ^/
 
 [ 22 ] 
 
 The fame concert of continental Princes, 
 the fame confederacy of the Northern 
 Powers, which was formed originally 
 againft France, is now formed againft Po- 
 land *, and feems to involve in It a plan of 
 
 univerfal 
 
 * In Poland, the Nobility, by the dereli&ton of ufurp- 
 ed pre-eminence, have ingratiated themfelves with the 
 People ; all is harmony within, and the new conftku- 
 tion feems to be erected on folid foundations. It is even 
 profefledly modelled on the conftitution of this country, 
 and on th3t account feems to claim, by a right of fili- 
 ation, the fympathy and the aid of Britons. Mr. Burke 
 has discriminated between the Revolution in France 
 and that in Poland ; and while he execrates the one 
 Revolution, he allows the other all manner of applaufe. 
 " In contemplating," fays he, " that change, humanity 
 *' has every thing to rejoice and to glory in, nothing to 
 ' be afhamed of nothing to fufFer. Not one man in- 
 *' curred lofs, or fufFered degradation ; all, from the 
 li king to the day-labourer, were improved in their 
 " condition ; every thing was kept in its place and 
 " order ; but in that place and order, every thing was 
 " bettered." 
 
 The fubfeription opened in this country in fupport of 
 Poland, is dccifive of the fenfe of a generous Public, 
 
 who
 
 [ 2 3 ] 
 
 univerfal defpotifm, which cannot be re- 
 garded with indifference in a land of 
 freedom. 
 
 The court of Britain, in a public decla- 
 ration to France *, has, with equal policy 
 and juftice, difavowed all interference with 
 her interior government; and fuch inter- 
 ference (which is incompatible with the 
 rights of nations) muft ever, we truft, be 
 execrated in the councils of a Patriot King, 
 whofe prerogatives are not only recognifed, 
 but revered by his people. 
 
 Anarchy is not to be confounded with 
 liberty, no more than defpotifm is with 
 government ; and, in our general policy, 
 we ought to ftcer a middle courfe between 
 Scylla and Charybdis, 
 
 who commiferate the calamities of an injured people, 
 contending for the unalienable rights of mankind. No 
 power on earth will be permitted to triumph over 
 ' Tb' unconquerable mind, and freedom 'j boljijlame." 
 
 * See a State Paper by Lord Grenville. 
 
 io " Liberty
 
 [ 24 ] 
 
 ,l Liberty is a plant," faid a late illuf- 
 trious Statefman *, who long fuftained the 
 vigour of our Public Councils, and adorned 
 our Senate, " Liberty is a plant that de- 
 " ferves to be cherifhed. I love the tree, 
 * and wifh well to every branch of it. 
 " Like the vine in the Scripture, it has 
 " fpread from eaft to weft, has embraced 
 " whole nations with its branches, and 
 c< fheltered them under its leaves." 
 
 The Son of that Great Man, the prefent 
 Minifter, whofe exalted genius is un- 
 eclipfed even by his father's name, has run 
 the race of popularity in the upper depart- 
 ments of government, and maintained it 
 
 even in the zenuh of his power *j\ 
 
 The 
 
 * Vide a Speech by the Earl of Chatham in the year 
 1770. 
 
 f The following paffage, in Ejfiiys on the HiJIcry cf 
 
 Mankind^ firft appeared in the year 1781 : " We 
 
 have 
 
 ' *J\j M i<J - ipbt
 
 [ *5 J 
 The Leader of Oppofition, the Ex-Mi- 
 nifter, it muft likewife be admitted, is dif- 
 tinguifhed by pre-eminence of talents, and 
 ranks high in the eftimation of his country 
 and of mankind. 
 
 " have feen a Patron of Freedom in our days, inferior 
 " to no Roman name, commanding the applaufe of 
 " Senates, fuftaining the vigour of Public Councils, 
 '* and leading on a nation to glory. We have feen 
 another, of congenial fpirit, prefiding in the AfTem- 
 " bly of the Nobles, and difpenfing, from the higheft 
 " Tribunal, juftice to the people ; 
 
 " His dantem jura Catonem. 
 
 ** I dare not mention a name among the living but 
 *' that the mod illuftxious Statefman of the prefent 
 " age has left pofterity, is matter of general fatisfac- 
 * tion to the Englifh nation. 
 
 <c The genius of that Great Man, furviving in his 
 " Race, and cherifhed by the fond predile&ion of a ge- 
 4< nerous Public, may ftill be ufeful to his country ; 
 " and if we may judge from fome late appearances, 
 c * the prayer of his contemporaries is already heard by 
 " indulgent Heaven ; 
 
 ** Stet fortuna domus, & avi numerentur avsrum." 
 
 E On
 
 f 2<S ] 
 
 On a queftion, therefore, of the firft 
 magnitude in politics, that affects the ge- 
 neral f) Rem of the world, a coincidence of 
 opinion may be expecled between fuch lu- 
 minous Politicians; and ihould Great Bri- 
 tain be called upon, by future contingencies 
 in the continental fcene, to interpofe in 
 arms, fhe will interpofe, in all probability, 
 with the decided approbation of thofe States- 
 men, fantlioned by the union of parties, 
 and by the voice of the people. But if we 
 may judge from appearances, fhe is likely to 
 interpofe rather by counfel, than by arms. 
 
 The cloud which hangs tremendous over 
 Europe may, perhaps, be diffipated without 
 any general explofion ; and at prefent it 
 feems only incumbent on Minifters, with- 
 out deviating from neutrality, to exercife 
 
 vigilance and circumfpedlion. But if, con- 
 trary
 
 t *7 ] 
 
 trary to appearances, it is found expedient 
 for us to open the Temple of Janus, 
 which has hitherto been kept Ihut by found 
 policy, it will be opened, with unani- 
 mous confenr, by the hand of juftice and 
 of wifdom, not in fupport of anarchy, but 
 of the liberties of mankind. 
 
 " On fome occafions," faid the great 
 Montefquieu, " it may be neceffary to draw 
 cc a veil, for a while , over liberty, as it was 
 " cuftomary to veil the ftatues of the gods." 
 But that veil muft foon be removed by the 
 progrefs of civilization, and the diffuiiori 
 of arts and fciences ; nor will it be con- 
 fidered by Britons as a fupererogatory duty, 
 to fupport the caufe of the prefent, and of 
 future generations. 
 
 Such is my mode of thinking on the fub- 
 
 jet of our National Profperity, which I have 
 
 E 2 contemplated
 
 [ 28 ] 
 
 contemplated with pleafure, in the defini- 
 tive treaty with the Sultaun in the mea- 
 fures of government and in the com- 
 plexion of the times. 
 
 Such is the refult of general reafoning, 
 which, unfuggefted by Minifters, or by 
 Oppofition, or by any Party in the State, 
 has originated in fair fpeculation ; and, 
 under the impulfes of patriotifm and phi- 
 lanthropy, is now addrefled to you, Sir, as 
 a Member of the Senate, and delivered to 
 the Public, by 
 
 AN IMPARTIAL OBSERVER.
 
 [ 29 ] 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 r PHE materials for difcuffing India poli- 
 tics are not always exhaufted in the 
 official information .communicated to the 
 public. Other information from the Eaft 
 may be equally authentic. And as the 
 narrative of facls derived from unofficial 
 correfpondence is often enriched with folid 
 obfervation and judicious comments, the 
 following fele&ion is here fubjoined, in the 
 form of an Appendix. 
 
 N e
 
 [ 3 ] 
 
 N I. 
 
 " Madras, 15th March, 1792. 
 
 " In the view of enlarged policy, it is 
 u advantageous to the fecurity of India, 
 " that a power refpe&able, but not dan- 
 " gerous, mould exift in the Myfore 
 " country. 
 
 " Tippoo, with half the territory he 
 " porTefled before, will keep the Marat tas 
 *' and the Nizam in awe, at the fame time 
 u that he will ftand much in fear of our 
 *' all-powerful flrength, which has hum- 
 
 " bled him to the very ciufi. With 
 
 ** regard to advantages territorial and pe- 
 " cuniary, we could not have expected 
 " more, had vvc taken the Fort. In mo- 
 " ney, we mould, probably, in that view, 
 
 " have
 
 [ 3' J 
 
 " have fallen confiderably mort ; for this 
 ct is an article which might have been 
 " eafily carried away, in defiance of all our 
 " efforts. Every circumftance, therefore, 
 tc unites to throw an uncommon brilliancy 
 " round the whole tranfa&ion." 
 
 N II. 
 
 < Madras, 2^tb Feb. 1792. 
 
 ft I am glad to find by Mr. Dundas's 
 " laft India budget, that he has formed fo 
 u juft an opinion of the extra-expence of 
 " the war, which has been exaggerated by 
 " others beyond all bounds. I think it 
 " has not exceeded two crore and fixty 
 " lacks of rupees of extra-expence ; and as 
 " the arrears are very inconfiderable, and 
 " the war muft very foon be terminated, 
 
 " the
 
 [ 3* ] 
 
 " the whole will probably not exceed three 
 u millions fterling. Large as this furn 
 " is, it is not in proportion to the force 
 " we have in the field, or half the expence 
 " of former wars, particularly the laft." 
 
 As this intelligence from Madras is de- 
 rived from refpe&able authority, and cor- 
 refponds with Mr. Dundas's ftatement in 
 the budget of the former year, it may be 
 conducive to the farther illuftration of this 
 important fubje&, to compare, with the 
 above India letter, the following paflages 
 from the fpeech delivered by Mr. Dundas, 
 on the finances of the Eaft-India Company, 
 before the Committee of Parliament, on 
 the 5th of June 1792, 
 
 " Inftead of the Company's finances be- 
 * { ing oppreiTed by the heavy burthen of 
 " five, fix, or twelve millions, which fome 
 
 " Gentle-
 
 [ 33 ] 
 
 " Gentlemen fo pathetically lamented laft 
 " year, the firft year's war leaves thofe fi- 
 " nances nearly in the fame ftate at its clofe, 
 " as at its commencement; and if a confider- 
 " able allowance be made for any deficiency 
 <( in the ftatements from India, it appears 
 c< that not more than half a million ought 
 " to be charged againft the general ftate of 
 " the Company's affairs. 
 
 " It will, undoubtedly, be expe&ed that 
 " fome eftimate mould be given of the 
 11 expence that may probably be incurred 
 " by this time in the profecution of the 
 <f war, or, more properly, as the accounts 
 " are made up annually, what effect it 
 " would have had on the Company's 
 " finances on the 30th of April laft. But 
 " a general eftimate of this kind, can- 
 f< not be made from the accounts received 
 u from India. 
 
 F But,
 
 [ 34 ] 
 
 " But, without having recourfe to com- 
 u putations, it may be fairly fuppofed, 
 " that the refult of the fecond year of the 
 u war, will not be worfe than the firft. 
 " For, in the firft place, it is to be ob- 
 " ferved, that a large quantity of ftores 
 u and provifions had been provided in 
 a 1790-91, which were not expended in 
 " that year, but were applicable to fupply 
 " the army in the following year 179 1-2. 
 
 " General Abercromby particularly ftates 
 
 * that he had rice fufficient for 40,000 
 ' men for five months, exclufive of what 
 4 would be necefTary for his army during 
 
 * the monfoon. This muft have occafioned 
 ' a large expenditure in that year, which, 
 ' it is probable, would caufe a proportional 
 
 * faving in the enfuing year. And with 
 6 refpect to the other articles of expence, 
 1 there is no reafon for fuppofing that they 
 
 10 " will
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 " will have been greater in 1 791-2, than 
 " they were in the preceding year. 
 
 " Upon the whole, upwards of a mil- 
 '' lion will become applicable to the ex- 
 " pences of the war, pofterior to the clofe 
 " of the actual accounts, which have 
 " formed the principal part of the prefent 
 " difcuffion. 
 
 " To this I arn entitled to add another 
 " refource, or rather a diminution of ex- 
 " pence, which will afford aid to the fame 
 11 purpofe, and which did not occur in the 
 <{ former year. I mean, a fum of be- 
 lt tween two and three hundred thoufand 
 " pounds annually fent from Bengal to 
 u China ; but which, by the difpatches 
 <{ that have gone out this feafon, is di- 
 " reded not to be fent thither in the enfu- 
 tc ing year 3 the fullnefs of the Treafury 
 F 2 4t at
 
 [ 36 ] 
 
 " at Canton, and the increafe of exports 
 " from this country, having rendered this 
 " refource for the China inveftment at pre- 
 u fent unneceflary. 
 
 c< Confideringallthecircumftances which 
 " I have explained to the Committee, re- 
 " lative to the ftate of the Company's 
 " finances in India at the clofe of the 
 ' year 1790-91, I feel myfelf warranted 
 " in believing, that the expences of the 
 " year 179 1-2 will not exceed thofe of 
 " the preceding year ; and if this belief be 
 " well founded, it follows, that the intereft 
 " of the burthen on the revenues of India 
 *' during this year, will be considerably lefs 
 tl than was made in 1 790-01 ; becaufe fo 
 li large a portion of the expences has been 
 " provided for by the refources above al- 
 lt luded to, 
 
 " I mail
 
 [ 37 ] 
 
 <{ I fhall not derain the Committee 
 
 !' longer; but to fave any Gentleman the 
 
 " trouble of putting the queftion to me, 
 
 " W hether I adhere to the hopes I gave ^ 
 
 " laft year, ' that the day is much nearer 
 
 " when the refources of India will ad- 
 
 " minifter aid to the revenues of this coun- 
 
 " try, than that on which we are to appre- 
 
 " hend that India will call for aid from 
 
 " the finances of Great-Britain ?' I anti- 
 
 " cipare the queftion, and anfvver in the 
 
 "affirmative; and the only difference is, 
 
 " that I am more fanguine in thofe hopes 
 
 V than I was at the time I firft exprefied 
 
 " them." 
 
 Our finances in India mult, now flourifh, 
 far beyond even the anticipations of Mr. 
 Dundas, fince it appears from the laft offi- 
 cial information tranfmitted to the Court of 
 Directors by Sir Charles Oakley and Mr. 
 
 Petrie, 
 
 /N 
 
 w)7:ifi.'i
 
 [ 38 ] 
 
 Petrie, that the Company have acquired 
 an acceflion of territory, the net revenue 
 of which amounted to thirty-nine lacks 
 and fifty thoufand rupees. 
 
 N III. 
 
 c< Madras^ z\Ji Feb. 1792. 
 
 <{ It ought to be obferved, that the re- 
 " fiftance, on the part of the enemy, was 
 " conducted with more (kill and intrepi- 
 <c dity, than has ever marked the conduct 
 <c of the armies of Hindoftan on any for- 
 " mer occafion. The ultimate exertions 
 " of the Sultaun were fuch, as defpair ge- 
 lt nerally dictates to proud and unrelent- 
 " ing fpirits." 
 
 
 Another writer from Madras, during the 
 
 firft campaign touches on the opinion then 
 
 entertained
 
 [ 39 1 
 
 tcrtained of Tippoo's abilities, and on the 
 probability of his future deftiny. 
 
 " Madras, \6th May 1 791. 
 
 li To what region theSultaun can pofli- 
 " bly fly, after the fall of his capital, 
 " and his Beddanore pofleflions, is matter 
 * l of much conjecture among the Quid- 
 " nuncs of the Eaft. He can find no 
 " afylum with the Polygars. While he 
 lt retains a part of his treafure, a force will 
 <l be at his command, fufficient to fecure a 
 " temporary retreat among the hills. Some 
 " fage politicians fend him to Mecca, 
 " others to Pondi cherry. 
 
 <c What human ability can effect, Tippoo 
 <c will perform. He has certainly mewn 
 is himfelf a man of fuperior talents, and a 
 " determined foldier.''
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 N IV. 
 
 " Madras, 24th Feb. 1792. 
 
 " It remains a queftion for politicians to 
 " difcufs, Whether we ought to have ftopt 
 <c fhort of the entire fubverfion of Tippoo's 
 " empire, when we undoubtedly pofiTefTed 
 " the means of accomplishing it; or whe- 
 " ther it is a better policy to let it exift, 
 " reducing it in fuch a degree, as to ren- 
 tc der it no longer formidable to the Eng- 
 " lilh interefts, while it may ferve as a 
 " counterpoife to the other great Powers 
 <c in India ? Time, and the events of the 
 " eighteenth century, can only folve this 
 11 intricate problem. 
 
 < Since the bufinefs has novr terminated, 
 " I have but one wifti, which is, that our 
 
 <l noble
 
 L 4i ] 
 
 " noble Peer may acquire as much credit 
 " from his country, for the peace he has 
 ". made, as he has derived glory from the 
 ' condud of the war." 
 
 The liberal wifh of this Gentleman muit, 
 without doubt, be foon and moft complete- 
 ly gratified : for, while no former war 
 with the Mysorean Sovereign, either 
 redounded much to our credit, or termi- 
 nated without a heavy load of financial in- 
 cumbrance, the prefent war feems to be 
 decifive, has been conducted with unprece- 
 dented ceconomy, and has terminated in 
 the fecurity of our frontiers, and in a large 
 increafe of revenue and dominion. 
 
 The affairs of the India Company, now 
 
 rendered in all refpe&s fo fiou riming, 
 
 may acquire addu : onal profperity from a 
 
 commercial treaty with the Chinefe Em- 
 
 G pire.
 
 f- 
 
 f 4* ] 
 
 pire. The embafly of Lord Macartney, 
 which is directed to that object, will infal- 
 libly be conducted with ability and pro- 
 found difcernment : And whatever may be 
 the refult of this defign with regard to the 
 commerce of the Eaft, it is likely to be 
 productive of ufeful difcovery, and of emi- 
 nent advantage to the learned world. 
 
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