Beatson, Alexander: A view of the origin and conducts of the war with Tippoo Sultaun: comprising a narrative of the operations of the army under the command of Lieutenant George Harris, and of the Siege of Seringapatam (London, 1800)

OF THE WAR WITH TIPPOO SULTAUN, 7
for the express purpose of assisting in the war to be immediately
commenced against the British power in India.
The proclamation, therefore, originated in the arrival of
Tippoo's ambassadors at the Isle of France. It was distributed
by their agents ; it was avowed in every part by their own public
declarations; and finally, it was executed according to its tenor,
by their personal assistance and co-operation.
On the 7 th of March, 1798, the ambassadors embarked, at
Port Nord Ouest, on board the French frigate La Preneuse, toge-
ther with the force thus raised in the name of Tippoo Sultaun,
amounting to about one hundred men, including several officers,
the chiefs of whom were Messieurs Dubuc and Chapuy.
Such was the substance of the evidence, obtained from the per-
sons who were present in the Isle of France, during the residence
of Tippoo's ambassadors. From other authentic sources the
sequel of these transactions was ascertained.*
The French frigate, La Preneuse, with the Sultaun's ambas-
sadors and the French troops levied for his service, arrived at
Mangalore on the 26th of April, 1798.
An opportunity now occurred of ascertaining beyond the possi-
bility of doubt, whether the acts of the Sultaun's ambassadors in
the Isle of France were conformable to the instructions of their
* Narrative of the Proceedings of the Ambassadors at the Isle of France,
Appendix, III,