ce, which was in the French
interest. The Nizam, terrified at the prospect of a contest, the
success of which was doubtful, abandoned the capital and took refuge
in a fortress, there to await the issue of events; but positively
refused to issue orders to the French to disband. Two of the English
battalions, which were on the other side of the river to that on which
the French were encamped, opened a destructive fire upon them, and
with red-hot shot set fire to their magazines and storehouses, while
the other four battalions moved into position to make a direct attack.

The Nizam now saw that he had no alternative but to declare openly for
the French, or to dismiss them. He preferred the latter alternative.
Peron, who commanded the French, saw that unless he surrendered, the
position of his force was desperate. Accordingly, on receipt of the
order, he and his officers expressed their readiness to accept their
dismissal. Their men were, however, in a state of mutiny, and the
officers were compelled to make their escape from the camp under cover
of night. The next morning the camp was surrounded by the English and
the troops of the Nizam, and the French then surrendered without a
shot being fired.

While the Nizam was thus rendered powerless, negotiations had been
going on with the Mahrattis; but owing to the quarrels and jealousies
of their chiefs, nothing could be done with them. It was, however,
apparent that, for the same reason, Tippoo would equally fail in his
attempt to obtain their alliance against us, and that therefore it was
with Mysore alone that we should have to deal.

In the meantime, though preparing for war, Lord Mornington was most
anxious to avoid it. When Tippoo wrote to complain that some villages
of his had been occupied by people from Coorg, the governor general
ordered their immediate restoration to him. In November he sent the
Sultan a friendly letter, pointing out that he could look for no
efficient aid from France, and that any auxiliaries who might possibly
join him would only introduce the principles of anarchy, and the
hatred of all religion, that animated the whole French nation; that
his alliance with them was really equivalent to a declaration of war
against England; and, as he was unwilling to believe that Tippoo was
actuated by unfriendly feelings, or desired to break the engagements
of the treaty entered into with him, he offered to send an officer to
Mysore to discuss any points upon