the publication of the long order of Lord Minto, and on account of such supposed refusal, the Governor of Madras had thought fit to thank this part of the army in public orders. On the 15th of June, however, the officers of the subsidiary force, disdaining the compliment paid to them at the expense of their brother officers, forwarded an address to Sir G. Barlow, stating, that they participated in the general sentiments expressed by the officers of the army, in respect to the late transactions. It concluded with recommending an abrogation of the orders of the 1st of May. But a more positive act of disobedience was manifested on the 8th of July, in an absolute refusal of these officers to permit a battalion to be moved from the subsidiary force, though directly ordered by the Government. On the 21st of the same month, a further address was communicated to the Governor, through the officer commanding, repeating the former requisition, and moreover insisting on an indemnity to the officers of the garrison of Masulipatam. In this disposition of things, a test was framed by the Government, which was tendered to the officers generally of the Hon. Company's

service. This was accompanied by a circular letter, which gave great offence to the feelings of the army, who were required to subscribe the test, and was aggravated still further by the means which attended the subscription of the paper. In many instances, when officers were sent for to head-quarters to subscribe the test, their return to their corps was cut off by troops, drawn up with a view, to intercept them. In others, the head-quarters were surrounded by a military force; and in one place particularly, at Trichinopoly, the officers who were desired to subscribe the test were not only hemmed in by the troops, but were afterwards marched to the main guard by an escort of Europeans; and, after remaining in confinement for the night, they were marched down in actual custody to Tanjore, whence they were suffered to proceed at liberty to some part of the coast between Sadras and Negapatam. The feelings of the officers, on these degrading acts, may be collected from the inclosed paper,* which is subscribed by the officers of all the corps, and is to be presented to Lord Minto, on his

* Appendix Q.

arrival at this Presidency; an event which is hourly expected.

But to proceed with the account of transactions in this quarter. On the 3d of August, Colonel Close, the late most respected Adjutant General of the army, arrived at the Resident's house at Hydrabad, having been ordered to that station by the Government, to take the temporary command of the subsidiary force. This seemed a well-advised measure of the Government, as it promised, through the influence and character of the newly-appointed commander, to reconcile the differences that had arisen. But, unfortunately, they were now at such a crisis that men could not recede, without the danger of supreme punishment, unless Colonel Close's mediation had been attended with a proposal of a general oblivion of what had passed. After an ineffectual endeavour to adjust misunderstandings, Colonel Close was obliged to relinquish his command; in which, indeed, to speak properly, he was never fairly inducted. Things were carried to so great a pass before this gentleman was sent to Hydrabad, that it was intended that the whole of this force should proceed to Madras, to seek a redress

of grievances by the force, or influence, of their appearance before its walls. A battalion was actually sent in advance, and the whole were to be joined in the march, as it is said, by the discontented part of the army at Masulipatam. But this scheme was abandoned, on a representation from the Resident at the court of the Nizam, that a large body of Mahratta horse was stationed on the frontier, and ready to rush into the Company's territories, and those of their allies, if the country should be deserted by the British force. This information, even at this juncture, and in the height of the irritation of the army, had more weight than the orders of Government, and determined them instantly to give up their own supposed interests in deference to the more important, and more valuable, interests of their country.

But the most violent, and the last measure has been resorted to and accomplished, in the vicinity of Seringapatam, where the troops, adhering to the Government, and the disaffected corps, have unhappily come in hostile contact with each other. The 8th and 15th regiment of Native Infantry, stationed at Chittledroog, had seized at the

end of the month of July, under the orders of the committee at Seringapatam, the Company's treasure at the former station; and, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the resident, and the officer commanding in Mysore, marched with these pecuniary resources towards the latter garrison, and had nearly terminated their march, without opposition. But, on the 6th of August, when they were at a small distance from Seringapatam, they were encountered by a detachment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs, consisting of European and Native infantry and cavalry, and a party of the Mysore horse; and, after a trifling shew of resistance, the battalions from Chittledroog were routed. The Government order on the occasion, states these battalions to have been " entirely defeated and dispersed, and that nearly the whole of the rebel force was destroyed." But in a sub. sequent account† it is mentioned, that a considerable number escaped into the garrison of Seringapatam. It is said, and generally believed, that these regiments would not

* Appendix R.

Do. Order of Aug. 20th,