the capture of Seringapatam,
Mornington adds: "If Buonaparte should now chuse to visit Malabar, I
think he will find supper prepared for him before he has reached
Calcutta." Reviewing the events of his Viceroyalty he writes on 8th
August: "I suppose you will either hang me or magnificently honour me
for my deeds (mine they are, be they good or bad). In either case I
shall be gratified; for an English gallows is better than an Indian
throne; but these words must be buried in your own breast; for here I
pretend to be very happy and humble; although I am as proud as the D.
and as wretched as his dam. I think you will enjoy 'Le Citoien Tipou'
and 'Citoien Sultan' in the papers found at Seringapatam. I admire your
conduct with respect to the Union [with Ireland]. I hope you will
persevere, but I _trust_ you will not _trust_ Ireland to my old friend
Hobart. He used to be a good humoured fellow; but from what I have heard
of his reign here, he is utterly unfit to govern anywhere."[619]

Pitt did not receive this letter by 6th November, when he informed
Wellesley that the King, as a mark of high approbation, conferred on him
the title the Marquis Wellesley, suitable arrangements being also in
contemplation for his family. An Irish marquisate was far from the
magnificent reward which the Viceroy desired; and on 28th April 1800 he
expressed his anguish of mind at receiving only an Irish and pinchbeck
reward for exploits neither Irish nor pinchbeck. Nevertheless, while
requesting a speedy recall so that he might hide his chagrin in
retirement, he uttered no vindictive word against Pitt. Despite its
morbid expressions, the letter is that of a friend to a friend. On 27th
September Pitt wrote in reply one of the longest of his private letters.
With equal tact and frankness he reviewed the whole question, proving
that Wellesley's services were not undervalued, that the bestowal of an
English marquisate would have been an advance of four steps in the
peerage for what was after all a short Viceroyalty; and that the present
honour equalled that conferred on Cornwallis at the end of his term. The
question was whether Wellesley should receive an English earldom or an
Irish marquisate; and the latter was deemed preferable. Further, if the
notion prevailed at Calcutta that Wellesley had been slighted, it might
be due to a suspicion that he himself harboured it. Pitt then begged
Wellesley to regard this frankness as the best proof of real
fri