LETTER LXXVII.
To BÛRHÂNÛDDEEN; dated 16th JAAFURY. (29th June.)

YOU write, that “the besieged have solicited a capitulation, through “the Aumil of Bâdâmy, stipulating only for their lives and honour,* “but requiring the guarantee of the Mâgrycotah man.” In answer to this proposal, they must be told, that if they are willing to treat with the commanders of our army, you are ready to grant them a capitu­lation, but that the Mâgrycotah man, not being a servant [a subject] of ours, his agency in the affair cannot be admitted.

We formerly issued orders for your dispatching your cavalry to graze [or forage], and we now repeat those orders. We also direct, that strict injunctions be given to the baggage department, for sending all the lean Tatoos,* bullocks, &c. to grass, the rainy season being now at hand.*

OBSERVATIONS.

The Sultan would not, for reasons sufficiently obvious, agree to any guarantee which he could not subsequently violate with perfect impunity. The garrison of Nergûnd knew whom they had to deal with; and, therefore, naturally sought to obtain a better pledge for their security, than they could receive from the “commanders of his army,” or any other person depending upon him. They were, in the end, however, compelled to trust to the good faith of the com­manders, and the event was such as they seem to have anticipated.