THE Mahrattah forces are assembling. Vigilance and [due attention to] the safety of your army are necessary. We therefore write to desire, that you will encamp your troops in a secure situation; not far asunder, but [close together] in the form [or manner] of a rose-bud.* You must also post piquets, &c. on all sides of your army. Let it not happen that the enemy’s army surprize you.*

You must, agreeably to our former directions, transmit to us a detailed memorandum of the effects of the Daisye, &c. of Kittoor. After receiving such memorandum, we will give our orders on the subject, according to which you will act. Let also a minute report be made to us of the followers of the Daisye, specifying [in particular] the number of his managers and principal men, and distinguishing them by name.

The Asiatic armies are not accustomed to encamp in line, as is the practice of the more regular armies of Europe; and though Tippoo adopted many things in our tactics, this is one of the points, in which he did not think fit to depart from the established usage of the East. Whatever may be thought of the Sultan’s military judgment in this case, it will probably be readily admitted, that the figure, by which he has expressed it, is sufficiently significant.