the French government to send six thousand of their best
troops to the Carnatic, with which he engaged to drive the British
forces out of every part of Hindustan. This messenger was favourably
received by the people, and even some of the king's ministers were in
favour of the project. Louis, however, had not forgotten the lesson he
had been taught by interfering in the American war--an act for which he
was still indeed suffering--and he turned a deaf ear to the plausible
representations which were made to him in order to obtain his consent.
But before Tippoo received an answer from the French monarch, he had
commenced operations, by attacking the Rajah of Travancore, who had
long been the close ally of the English. Before the end of the year
1789 Tippoo had overrun and took possession of the greater part of the
rajah's dominions, and subsequently he defeated a detachment of the
company's army, under Lieutenant-Colonel Floyd. His progress, however,
was soon stopped. The Bengal government, having formed a close alliance
with the Mahrattas, the Nizam of the Deccan, and other native powers,
raised two armies; one in the Carnatic of 15,000 men, under General
Medows, and another of 7,500 men, in the presidency of Bombay, under
General Abercrombie. Thus threatened, Tippoo evacuated the Travancore
country, and retreated to his strong capital, Seringapatam. But he had
provoked the war, and it was not to close with his retreat. In June,
1790, Medows, with the Carnatic army, marched towards Seringapatam, and
took several important fortresses in his route. Medows, however, was
obliged to retrace his steps by intelligence that Tippoo had again
burst into the Carnatic, and was carrying fire and sword to the walls of
Madras. Tippoo was soon obliged to retire beyond the mountains; and
in the meantime General Abercrombie, with the Bombay army, landed at
Telli-cherry, and reduced all the places which the enemy possessed on
the Malabar coast, in which he was aided by the Nairs, and the other
petty Hindu rajahs, who were glad of an opportunity of rescuing
themselves from Tippoo Sultaun's rule. In the end the Rajah of
Travancore was re-established in his dominions, and then the campaign
closed: but the war was not yet over.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

The new parliament assembled on the 25th of November. In his speech his
majesty expressed great satisfaction at the amicable adjustment of the
late disputes with Spain about Nootka Sound;