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)

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VIEW OF THE ORIGIN AND CONDUCT

and he had reason to expect that want of power would be the sole
cause of its inaction in the event of a rupture with Tippoo Sultaun.
Towards the commencement of the month of August iyp8,
accounts were received in Bengal of the preparations which had
been making by the French in the Mediterranean. Various cir-
cumstances attending the equipment of that armament gave reason
to apprehend that at least a part of it might be destined for an
expedition to India; although it was not believed that the attempt
would be made through Egypt. Under these impressions, the
Governor-general took the earliest opportunity of directing the
attention of Rear Admiral Rainier to the coast of Malabar ; and at
the same time his Lordship proposed to strengthen his Majesty's
squadron in India, according to any arrangement which his Ex-
cellency might suggest, and issued orders to the Governments of
Fort St. George and Bombay, to attend to his Excellency's com-
munications on this important subject. His Lordship had the
satisfaction to hnd that Admiral Rainier, with that zeal for the
public service, which has at all times distinguished his conduct,
acceded without hesitation to the proposition which was suggested
with respect to the defence of the coast of Malabar, although his
Excellency's original intention had been to proceed in the first
instance to the straits of Malacca.
The first authentic information of the invasion of Egypt by
the French, and of the progress of their arms in that country,
was received at Fort William on the 18th of October. At that
period there appeared to be an evident connexion of the invasion
of Egypt, with the joint designs of the French and of Tippoo
Sultaun against the British power in India. What was at that