s cause. It is evident, indeed, that the power of the British might
have been established in the whole of Southern India, and Fullarton
rejoiced in the bright prospect. Just as he was setting forwards on his
inarch to Seringapatam, however, to secure the golden prize, he received
orders from the government of Madras to restore his recent conquests. At
Tippoo's request, two English commissioners had been sent to his camp
to treat for peace, and this unqualified restitution was enjoined by the
commissioners as the preliminary of negociation with the artful nabob.
Yet all the while Tippoo continued the siege of Mangalore, and while
Fullarton was retracing his steps towards Tanjore and Trichino-poly,
that fortress, after sustaining a siege of nine months, was captured;
Colonel Campbell, who had bravely defended it, being allowed to march
with his troops unmolested to Tellicherry. The continued siege of
Mangalore and its capture exhibited the bad faith of Tippoo; and it
was scarcely evacuated when Fullarton, who had not reached the old
boundaries, received orders from Madras to renew operations, and to
regain, if possible, the possession of Palagatcherry. Fullarton again
advanced with the main body of his army, and was again flattering
himself with the hope of being the conqueror of Seringapatam, when
he received fresh orders to return. Preliminaries of a peace had been
exchanged between the commissioners, and he was directed to restore the
forts and countries of Carroor and Daraporam, but to keep possession of
Dindigul, and station a garrison there till all the English prisoners
in Mysore should be liberated from their horrible captivity. The treaty
between the English and Tippoo was finally concluded on the 11th of
March, upon the condition of a restitution by both parties of all that
they had gained during the war. All the prisoners in Mysore, who had
survived their horrible captivity, were released; and the tales told by
them excited such horror and indignation, that it became evident peace
would not be of long continuance. Peace, indeed, was not wholly restored
in India by this treaty; for, unfortunately, no stipulation had been
made in favour of the native chiefs, who had favoured the English cause,
although the bloodshed and devastation which awaited them must have been
foreseen On the return of Tippoo's army, therefore, its services were
employed in scourging the wretched Hindu population of Coorg, Canara,
and Mysore,