DIRECTING him to ascertain and trace the goods and furniture* in the possession of the inhabitants of that place [meaning Seringapatam] and to make a report of the same.
The phrase <Arabic> which I have rendered “to trace,” is usually applied to the discovery of things concealed: the order, therefore, implies, that a strict search, or examination, was to be made. What the Sultan’s object, in this inquisition, was, does not appear; but it was most probably directed with a view to some contribution, which he might have had in contemplation to levy on his subjects, in aid of his finances. There is no authority, however, that I know of, for supposing that any such contribution was actually levied at this period.