Life of Lord Wellington.

service. The Indian government, partaking of the martial spirit of their countrymen at home, but with somewhat less portion of prudence united with it, was about to send off an expedition to the Dutch settlements. Colonel Wellesley was appointed to take the command, and had actually commenced his embarkation on this service, when the Governor and Council saw a danger nearer home. The intrigues of Tippoo, and his secret union with France, were unexpectedly discovered by the imprudence of the colonial government of the Isle of France; and it became necessary immediately, and vigorously, to take the field against him.

General Harris, being commander of the Madras army, appointed Colonel Wellesley to the command of the force which the Nizam supplied as his auxiliary portion. And the two armies took the field, penetrated the Mysore, and sat down before Seringapatam.

Colonel Wellesley, as may be seen by the published accounts of that campaign, an account revised and corrected, if not actually written by the Marquis, though Mr. Campbell had certainly some share in it, acted a very eminent part in the storming of that city; and exhibited a gallantry and honourable zeal for the service, which the General deemed to call for public thanks. It is to be wished, indeed, that the public orders, in which it is the custom to convey these thanks, were in somewhat more frequent use in the English army, and that when used, they were more particular and specific. Perhaps the best reward of military valour, and certainly the most effectual excitement to it in young officers, is this public proclamation, an acknowledgment of their gallantry; a proclamation and acknowledgment which reaches their friends at home. We do not wish that every single act should be noticed in public instruments, but we certainly do wish, that the valuable praise there given should not carry any suspicious circumstances on the face of it; that it should not be given to the sons, brothers, and nephews of ministers and men in power at home; and that the valour even of subalterns should be liberally mentioned. There may be some excuse for silence, omission, and reserve, in the Gazettes at home, but a General in the field should have his eye every where; and considering the importance of the stake necessarily risked in all extraordinary military efforts, and the inestimable

Life of Lord Wellington.

value of military honour, he should deem himself we presume, to act under the highest obligations of justice and impartiality. In this observation, we intend no reflection on any individual. The remark is only general.

Colonel Wellesley, after the capture of Seringapatam, was at once appointed a member of two military commissions; in both of which, if reports speak truth, he very successfully improved his fortune, without tarnishing his reputation. It is not easy to understand in Europe the principles of Asiatic magistracy and administration; suffice it to say, that in consideration of the distant service from home, and as a repayment for the sacrifice of European ease and pleasures, the most liberal allowances, and extraordinary fees, presents, and emoluments of every kind, are attached to every office, and to duties and commissions of all kinds. Accordingly, Colonel Wellesley is stated to have amassed a very considerable wealth, whilst on these commissious; and it is but justice to the general. tenour of his cha racter to believe, that in amassing it he violated no principle either of honour or of justice.

It was once objected to the late Mr. Windham, than whom no man was more strictly honourable, and had more pure hands, that whilst in office he had preferred his relations to places before strangers. To which Mr. Windham replied, that as he wanted little or nothing himself, he would never have taken office, unless he had considered it as giving him the opportunity of serving his friends; that if his friends had the suitable qualifications for the appointinents, and had them in the same degree as others, there was certainly no public reason why they should he passed over; and private duty, as well as private affection, must necessarily prefer its own relations to strangers, where it could do so without contradicting its public duties.

This answer may be applied to those who have taken upon themselves to censure Marquis Wellesley, for his constant preference of his brother. Why should not the Governor-general prefer one who showed himself every way so able, and so sufficient?

Colonel Wellesley next became Governor of Seringapatam. It is not difficult to conceive that this was an office of much labour and delicacy; he had to new-model a conquered kingdom; he had to de

Life of Lord Wellington.

termine on the precise manner, on the proportion of rigour and lenity, with which the people were to be treated; he had to mould it into the other possessions of the Company; he had to awe, to conciliate, to punish, to reward; to satisfy a conquering army, and yet not to annihilate all property and right in a subjected people. Colonel Wellesley, according to the Company's documents, here exhibited the same talents which Europe has since seen on the more brilliant stage of Portugal. He satisfied all parties who had any just claim, and by a due mixture of moderation and absoluteness, (a word necessary to. express an Asiatic system), he conveyed the Mysore to the India Company, in a state of as much ease and tranquillity, as if it had been a purchased domain.

The next service of Colonel Wellesley, was an expedition against one of those free-booters who periodically make an incursion into our Indian territories. The name of this prince or robber, for it is difficult to know which to call him, was Dhondia Waugh. In the au tumn of the year 1800, Colonel Wellesley took the field, and drove Dhondia before him to a strong position, termed Conaghull. The enemy here made a stand, and Colonel Wellesley having pursued him with his cavalry, and thereby left his infantry far in the rear, found himself suddenly in front of him, and with a very unequal force.

This circumstance, however, had no other effect upon Colonel Wellesley, than that of summoning up all his courage; he put himself instantly at the head of his force, and having taken precautions so as to prevent the enemy from bringing to bear all the superiority of their numbers, so as to surround him, he rushed on them, and seconded by his men, fought with the characteristic courage of a British soldier. The enemy very shortly gave way, their numbers serving only to hamper their flight and augment their disgrace, Dhondia fell in the battle, and the English, with a loss comparatively very small, obtained a complete victory, and effected the service on which the expedition had been sent.

A second time did Colonel Wellesley receive the public and official thanks of the Commander in Chief, and Governor in Council. His activity was as much, and as justly praised, as his courage. The powers of India had often effected their escape, by abandoning every thing that