LETTER XXII.
To KUMRÛDDEEN KHÂN; dated 24th Extra AHMEDY. (10th April.)

YOUR letter, filled with complaints and accusations against the Kushoon of the Sipahdâr, Mahommed Ali, has passed under our view. The particulars therein set forth are distinctly perceived. The aforesaid Sipahdâr is still ignorant [of many parts of his duty], and but imperfectly acquainted with the manner in which the business of our government is conducted. Hence it is, that although employed on [actual] service, he has neglected the proper equipment of his Kushoon, and, in this manner, shown his worthlessness.* Bearing in mind the expediency of the moment, you must issue the necessary orders for his being supplied with such stores as may be requisite, and then employ him [as you may think fit].

The Kurpah troops have reached Gooty, and will soon join you. You are not, however, to wait their arrival, but to proceed straight to Nergûnd, and there unite yourself to the army of the Sircar.*

You did right in purchasing the iron, and other articles you mention, for the use of the aforesaid Sipahdâr’s Kushoon. You will furthermore furnish whatever stores may be required, for repairing any damages which his gun-carriages may have sustained.

You write that the enemy, to the number of sixteen thousand horse and sixteen thousand foot, with five pieces of light artillery,* are en­camped at the distance of sixteen coss from the fort of Nergûnd. It is revealed. By the favor of God, the force appointed for the reduction of that fortress is so strong,* that though there should be fifty thousand horse of the enemy, it will suffice for their effectual chastisement. This being the case, how will they dare to look at our army? Let that beloved son, then, hasten with his corps to join [the rest of] our forces: and if the army of the enemy should show itself in your way, take counsel of each other, and with one accord inflict due punishment upon them. What more needs proceed from our pen?

OBSERVATIONS.

The lenity with which the Sultan here notices the remissness of the Sipahdâr, Mahommed Ali, is the more remarkable, as it was his general practice to animadvert, with the greatest severity, on every instance of neglect or disobedience of his orders, and particularly of his military regulations. His moderation, on the present occasion, might possibly have arisen from something like a personal partiality towards the offending officer; but it may also have had no other foundation than caprice. From whatever cause it proceeded, similar instances will be rarely met with. It is true, that the conduct of the Sipahdâr is spoken of with strong disapprobation; but this still falls very short of the usual measure of the Sultan’s anger on such occasions. The inexperience imputed to the officer in question, rather countenances the idea of his having been prematurely raised, through private favor, to the important command he enjoyed. In the regular course, a Sipahdâr, or brigadier (and especially in an army so actively employed as Tippoo Sultan’s generally was) could not be inexperienced. Still, however, no distinct traces are observable in the written documents, nor did I ever hear a report of the Sultan’s being influenced by favorites of any kind.