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,

33

the proposition of opening a negotiation; and urged the Sultaun
not to delay his reply beyond the period of one day after the letter
should reach him; intimating that dangerous consequences might
result from a longer delay.
The advanced period of the season absolutely required that the
Sultaun's views should be ascertained within a short time: the pro-
position in his Lordship's letter contained nothing derogatory to
the honour or dignity of the Stiltaun; it was now urged for the
third time without variation; and it related simply, and distinctly,
to the admission of an ambassador for the purpose of opening a
negotiation. To demand an immediate answer to a proposition of
such a nature, could not therefore be deemed either offensive or
unreasonable.
Subsequently to the dispatch of the letter of the ^th of January,
the Governor-general received the Sultaun's reply* to his letter of
the 10th of December, dispatched from Fort William. The Sul-
taun's silence in this letter, with respect to the admission of Major
Doveton, afforded an additional proof of his disposition to evade
the pacific advances of the allies.
* Appendix, XII.