DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25987#0075
OF THE WAR WITH TIPPOO SULTAUN. ^
form new and prominent features in our political situation in that
quarter of the world.
Admitting, in its full extent, the wisdom of that policy which
dictated the preservation of Tippoo Sultaun's power at the close of
the last war with Mysore, the spirit of our councils must be neces-
sarily accommodated to the variation of circumstances, and to the
actual position, character, and views of our enemies.
In such a conjuncture of affairs, no object could have been
deemed so urgent, or so necessary to the safety of our pos-
sessions, as the effectual reduction of the only declared ally of
France that existed among the native powers of India.
if Tippoo Sultaun had been disposed to content himself with the
quiet possession of bis remaining territory ; if he could have been
brought to a sense of his own peril, in forming a connection with
the French; the representations addressed to him by the Governor-
general would have produced an early and salutary impression.
Whatever speculative opinions might have been entertained with
respect to his interest, views, or power, the justice and moderation
of the British Government would never have disturbed his tran-
quillity. But he resolved to attempt the recovery of his lost do-
minions, at the hazard of those which he still retained. In the
ardor of this passionate pursuit, he overlooked, not only the certain
destruction of his own independence, (which would have been the
inevitable consequence, even of the most prosperous success of any
alliance with France,) but also the predominant influence of the
English East India Company, and the vigilance of its Govern-
ments, which would probably detect his treachery, and turn
form new and prominent features in our political situation in that
quarter of the world.
Admitting, in its full extent, the wisdom of that policy which
dictated the preservation of Tippoo Sultaun's power at the close of
the last war with Mysore, the spirit of our councils must be neces-
sarily accommodated to the variation of circumstances, and to the
actual position, character, and views of our enemies.
In such a conjuncture of affairs, no object could have been
deemed so urgent, or so necessary to the safety of our pos-
sessions, as the effectual reduction of the only declared ally of
France that existed among the native powers of India.
if Tippoo Sultaun had been disposed to content himself with the
quiet possession of bis remaining territory ; if he could have been
brought to a sense of his own peril, in forming a connection with
the French; the representations addressed to him by the Governor-
general would have produced an early and salutary impression.
Whatever speculative opinions might have been entertained with
respect to his interest, views, or power, the justice and moderation
of the British Government would never have disturbed his tran-
quillity. But he resolved to attempt the recovery of his lost do-
minions, at the hazard of those which he still retained. In the
ardor of this passionate pursuit, he overlooked, not only the certain
destruction of his own independence, (which would have been the
inevitable consequence, even of the most prosperous success of any
alliance with France,) but also the predominant influence of the
English East India Company, and the vigilance of its Govern-
ments, which would probably detect his treachery, and turn