DIRECTING him to send one of his brothers to receive six thousand rupees from Ghûlâm Mohyûddeen, the Foujdâr of Kunchungûddh,* and to repair with his family to the Presence.

That what he writes, of the handsome behaviour of the chiefs of that place, notwithstanding their oaths and engagements, is understood. [What follows is in the first person.]

In contemplation of the very events which have taken place, we, before-hand, desired you to repair to us. You, however, chose to exer­cise your foresight on the occasion; and, after all, “the same broth “remains in the pot.”* Such is the way, in which great chiefs show their regard for their promises and solemn engagements.*

Not distinctly knowing who Meer Moaala Khân was, and being but imperfectly acquainted with the transactions referred to, I find myself unable to interpret this letter in a satisfactory manner. If I might hazard a conjecture on the occasion, it would be, that Meer Moaala Khân (who was the same person addressed in Letter LXXX) had been governor of the fort of Mûdgul, a place of considerable note on the south-west frontier of the Nizâm;* that he had engaged in a secret correspondence with Tippoo, to whom he probably meant to deliver up the fort; but that his fidelity being reasonably suspected, he had been deprived of his government, before his plan of defection was ripe for execution. I am aware, however, that there are some passages and allusions in the letter before us, which are not sufficiently explained by the preceding hypothesis. We hear no more after this of Meer Moaala Khân.