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have made any resistance, if they had been aware that the force which suddenly opposed their march, belonged to the British army. The attack commenced on the part of the Mysore horse, and was resisted by the 8th and 15th battalions, until the European troops came up; when all resistance ceased, and the whole column endeavoured to gain the garrison; suffering themselves to be cut down by the cavalry, without any opposition. It is described, in the Government order, lately published, as an act of cowardice, arising out of a consciousness of the badness of the cause, whilst it is painted in other accounts as an act of devotion in the officers and men of the battalion of their persons and their lives, to a necessity which they could not resist, without wounding the bosoms of their countrymen, and their brethren in arms. On which side the truth exists, I cannot presume to decide. A sally, it appears, was made from the Fort, at the time that the general affair happened between the detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs and the battalions from Chittledroog; but which did not succeed; the assailants were driven back by the Picquet, and a detachment from the 5th

regiment of Native cavalry, under the command of Captain Beane, of the 25th dragoons. This circumstance diverted the attention of Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs, and probably saved the Chittledroog detachment from annihilation. Some officers of the latter are wounded and taken prisoners, but I cannot procure any accurate statement of the casualties. Since these unhappy occurrences, it is believed, that no other hostile acts have taken place; and, on the 31st ultimo, we are told by a general order of Government, that the officers of Seringapatam have surrendered at discretion, and have been marched into the interior of Mysore. Some circumstances are said to have attended this last measure, marked by a severity, which it could scarcely be necessary to use, but which, at present, I do not feel myself sufficiently informed to relate.

Of the Hydrabad, or Masulipatam proceedings, no further accounts have been received, than a general rumour of their having submitted. But on the 7th instant, an order was issued by Government, directing that all corps moving without orders should be considered as in a state of rebellion; which would seem to infer, that at that date,

all was not considered by the Government, to be in a state of tranquillity.

I have given you a general statement of things as they have occured; and must refer you for more particular accounts of some of the events described to the official papers of government, which I have enclosed in a separate packet. You will have letters written by other hands, more full and circumstantial than mine, but probably not more authentic.

PS. I just open my letter to add, that Lord Minto has arrived, and, in his courteous reception of certain inviduals here, who were somewhat under a cloud, opinions are entertained that his Lordship does not approve so wholly as was imagined of the strong acts of our local Government,

LETTER VI.

Extract of a Letter from Pondicherry, received by the Margaret.

September 23d, 1809.

You must have heard, by more direct communications, that more than fourfifths of the Company's officers, have been removed from their respective battalions, on their refusal to subscribe to a test submitted to them by Government. Their places have been supplied by King's officers. The test merely inferred, "that the officers (required to sign it) should obey the orders and sup"port the authority of the Governor in "Council of Fort St. George," no more than is expressed or implied in the com-mission of every officer. But the letter inclosing the test, and which was ordered to be read to the individual officers, who were required to receive it, contained insinuations, so pointed against the whole body of the army, that a general repugnance to subscribe it was felt and expressed, not only by those who were desired to subscribe the test, but by those appointed to administer it. The consequences you already know.

The recusant officers have been allowed to proceed to different parts of the coast. Many are at this place, and others at Sadras, and other places on the same line. The Sepoys have expressed, universally, a dislike to their new officers, and some even have refused to act until their former officers be restored.

An order of Government has been published, signifying to the Native troops, that their former commandants and subaltern officers, had been removed for disobedience or disaffection to the Government, but this did not seem to lessen the dislike of the troops to the measure. It was, however, persisted in, and carried into effect at Trichinopoly, Bangalore, Nundydroog, Travancore, and the whole centre division of the army. An attempt was also made to carry it into effect at Seringapatam, but it wholly failed, and terminated in the possession of the fortress by the officers, who were hostile to that measure. The King's troops were dismissed from the garrison; and the place was promptly occupied, and held by the insurgents. It was shortly afterwards invested by the troops of Mysore, and a detachment of King's troops, and communication of course

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