The Nizam and Mahrattis were
not to be depended upon in the slightest degree, and might at any
moment change sides. The French revolution had broken out, and all
Europe was alarmed, and many of the English regiments might, at any
moment, be ordered to return home. Therefore, anything like a thorough
conquest of Mysore was impossible, and there was only time to march to
Seringapatam, to capture Tippoo's capital, and to dictate terms to
him.
Immense exertions were made to restore the efficiency of the baggage
train, and on the 3rd of May, the army marched from Bangalore.
Tippoo, devoured alike by rage and fear, had taken no efficient steps
to meet the coming storm. His first thought was to prevent the English
from discovering the brutal cruelty with which his white captives had
been treated. He had, over and over again, given the most solemn
assurances that he had no white prisoners in his hands; and he now
endeavoured to prevent their obtaining evidence of his falsehood and
cruelty, by murdering the whole of those who remained in his hands at
Seringapatam. Having effected this massacre, he next ordered all the
pictures that he had caused to be painted on the walls of his palace
and other buildings, holding up the English to the contempt and hatred
of his subjects, to be obliterated; and he also ordered the bridge
over the northern loop of the Cauvery to be destroyed.
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