DO you remain, in all respects, firm and tranquil;* nor entertain, on any account, the least fear. Let us know, what force the enemy has in that neighbourhood, and in what situations it is posted. Be particular in stating the strength and position [of every division], and the names of the several places which they occupy. Take, also, special care, that neither your receipt of this dispatch, nor its contents, become known to any one.

This is almost the only letter in the present collection, of those written to the Sultan’s own servants, which has what is called an Ulkâb, or address. I conclude, from hence, that he was not in the habit of using this formulary, excepting on particular occasions, like the present,* when this sort of compliment might be intended to operate as a stimulus to extraordinary exertion; nor is it improbable, that the endearing expressions applied to Bûrhânûddeen, in Letter CCLXXIV, were employed with a similar view.

The Ulkâb, or address, used on the present occasion, is <Arabic> which may be rendered “brave and intrepid Sir.” This, when contrasted with the exhortation to courage immediately following, has rather a ludicrous effect.

It might be inferred, from the tenor of the orders contained in this dispatch, that it was in the contemplation of the Sultan to beat up the Mahrattah quarters in the vicinity of Kunchungood. Whether or not such an enterprise was attempted, I am unable to determine.