described in this order; and it is an act of justice to the troops of his Majesty's service to declare his entire approbation of the order, discipline, and steady adherence to duty, which they have invariably manifested. The information before the government does not enable the Governor in Council to distinguish by the expression of his approbation all the troops of the Company's service that have manifested the same dispositions; but he deems it to be proper to notice on this occasion the satisfactory and exemplary conduct of the part of the army composing the Hyderabad subsidiary force. The Honourable the Governor in Coun→ cil is also confident that such officers as have inadvertently yielded to the misrepresentations of individuals who have been engaged in the prosecution of designs equally fatal to the honour and to the interests of the army, will in future manifest in the service of the government the obedience, fidelity, and zeal, which constitute the first principles of their profession, which hitherto distinguished the army, and which are indispensable to the prosperity of the British Empire in India.

By order of the Honourable the Governor in Council.

(Signed)

A. FALCONAR,

CHIEF SEC. To Gov.

By order of Major General Gowdie,
Commanding the Army.

No. 9.

To Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, ROBERT BELL.

Sir,

The Officers the Artillery now at St. Thomas's Mount have learnt with extreme regret, that by the orders of government, under date the 1st of May 1809, you have been removed from the command of their corps and this cantonment.

Permit us upon this occasion to express to you the happiness we have long experienced in your society, as an individual; the high respect we entertain for your military character, and the conviction with which we are thoroughly impressed of your being on every occasion actuated by a generous zeal for the public service, and the purest principles of private virtue, and professional honour. With such sentiments of esteem, it may be supposed, that the cause stated by government for the suspension of your functions has greatly distressed us; and firmly believing, as we do, that the Governor in Council must, on this occasion, have received information regarding you, altogether incorrect, we seize this early opportunity, in justice to you and to ourselves, to make this solemn and unequivocal declaration, that you have neither directly nor indirectly countenanced or influenced the circulation of any papers of the tendency alluded to in the above order; on the contrary, you have invariably evinced the greatest disinclination to making any comments whatever upon late oc

currences.

With feelings of the highest respect and with a sin

I

cere hope that we may soon again enjoy the honour and happiness of being under your command,

We remain, Sir, your sincere Well-wishers

and very obedient Servants,

I have this morning received your official letter, giving cover to a copy of a letter from government, under date the 26th ult. ; and have in reply to state, that I tendered the paper in due form to all the officers present here, who (unanimously) refused to sign it. I have delivered over the command to Supadar Bohool Sing, a most respectable and good soldier, whom I had some trouble to persuade to supersede his European officers in the command of the corps and station. The enclosed will fully explain any thing farther. August 6th, 1809. I have the honour to be, &c." I. Wh. late Major.

(Signed)

No. 11.

Extract from Lord Minto's Proclamation, or General Order of the 20th July, 1809.

The occurrence of this afflicting event*, combined with the agitation which unhappily prevails among the offi

*The mutiny at Masulipatam.

cers of the army of Fort St. George, renders it the duty of the Governor-General to proceed without delay to that Presidency, in the hope of being enabled successfully to appeal to those sentiments of loyalty and attachment to their King and their Country, which his Lordship in Council yet confidently ascribes to the general body of the officers of the Coast-army, whose zeal, fidelity, and professional achievements have hitherto been the theme of just and unqualified applause, and by an accurate knowledge of all circumstances which have attended the late agitation, to devise such means as may best tend to avert the impending dangers of anarchy and insubordination, and re-establish the foundations of public security and national prosperity in this important branch of the British Empire.

No. 12.

(Copy.)

Secunderabad, 11th August, 1809.

We the undersigned officers of the Company's army, attached to the Hyderabad subsidiary force, awfully im pressed with a sense of the dangers that threaten the country, and not less actuated by those pure sentiments of loyalty and patriotism, from which we have never departed, beg leave to assure you that we attribute the want of success of Colonel Close's mission to the sudden and unexpected manner in which he presented the test that was proposed for our signatures; relying however, as we are now disposed to do, upon the jus

3

tice, wisdom, and clemency of your Lordship, we do not hesitate in avowing our determination to abide by your Lordship's decision; and as a proof of the sincerity of our principles, have subscribed the test which now accompanies this address: at the same time most earnestly appealing to your Lordship's generosity for granting a general amnesty to us and to all those who have been engaged in the late unhappy events.

To the Right Honourable Lord Minto, &c. &c. &c.

Circular to the Stations of the Army.

The above address with the test has been signed and dispatched by all the officers of the force: imperious circumstances demanded, and mature reflection impelled them to the measure which they earnestly implore their brother officers to adopt as speedily as possible.

(Signed)

13th August, 1809.

The Officers of the H. S. Force.

FINIS.

Marding and Wright, Printers, St. John's Square, London.