CHAPTER XXI.

Closing period of Mr. Swartz's life-Letters to Mrs. Chambers, and to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge -His preference of Celibacy for a Missionary-Reflections on his opinion-Testimony of Mr. John of Tranquebar to Mr. Gerické and Swartz--His last report to the SocietyMr. Gerické communicates the intelligence of his dangerous Illness, and announces his Death-Details of those events by Mr. Gerické and Mr. Kohlhoff.

342

CHAPTER XXII.

Reflections on the Death of Swartz-Testimonies of respect and veneration for his memory; from his brethren at Tanjore and Tranquebar; from Serfojee Rajah-Interesting anecdote of him-He erects a Monument to Swartz at Tanjore-Epitaph by the Rajah-Other proofs of his regard -His conversations with Dr. Buchanan, and Bishops Middleton and Heber-Reflections on the continued Superstition of the two Rajahs-Monument to Swartz at Madras, by the Court of Directors-Honours paid to his memory by the Government of Fort St. George-Eulogy by Dr. Kerr-His last Will

377

CHAPTER XXIII.

Review of the Character of Swartz.

414

CHAPTER XXIV.

State of the missions for some years after the death of Swartz-Labours and success of Messrs. Janicke and Gerické in the South of the Peninsula-Death and Character of those missionaries-The Rev. Mr. Horst-Ordination of four Catechists Exertions and writings of Dr. Buchanan for the promotion of Christianity in India-Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India-Beneficial effects of it-Bill for the addition of two Suffragan Bishops, and for rendering Christian converts eligible to all situations and employments-Progress of the Gospel in Tinnevelly-Testimonies of Bishops Middleton and Heber, and of the Rev. Mr. Hough-Reflections on the numbers of the converts to Christianity, and on the duty and the means of promoting their increase—The importance, in this view, of Swartz's example · Conclu

sion.

439

MEMOIRS

OF

THE REV. C. F. SWARTZ.

CHAPTER XIII.

Death of Hyder Ali-Continuation of the war by Tippoo Sultan-Return to Madras, and death, of Sir Eyre Coote-Successes of Colonel Fullarton in Southern India -Negotiation for peace-Lord Macartney requests Mr. Swartz to join the Commissioners at Seringapatam-He consents, and sets out on the journey-Letters to Mr. Sullivan--Meets Colonel Fullarton and his army-He is stopped by Tippoo's officers, at Sattimungalum-Returns to Tanjore-Declines attempting a second journey-Peace concluded with Tippoo-Letters to several friends on the preceding events-Journey with Mr. Sullivan to Ramanad-Plan of the provincial schools—Journey, on account of his health, to the coast-Letters to Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Duffin.

XIII.

Ar the close of the year 1782, Hyder Ali, the CHAP. most powerful and able opponent of the British dominion in India, who had hitherto appeared,

VOL. II.

B

1783.

CHAP. died at an advanced age at Chittore. He was

XIII.

1783.

succeeded in the empire, to which his civil and military talents had raised him, by his son Tippoo; who, though not equal to his father in general ability, was not deficient either in bravery or military skill, and inherited both his ambition and his implacable enmity to the English authority. The war continued, therefore, to be prosecuted with vigour, and, on the part of the Mahomedan Sultan, for such was the title which he assumed on the death of Hyder, with unrelenting severity.

The dissensions which at this time unhappily prevailed between the civil and military authorities at Madras, prevented them from availing themselves of the advantage which so important an event had thrown into their hands. Sir Eyre Coote was, in consequence, again sent to take the command in the Carnatic; but that gallant veteran, worn out with former toils, sunk under the return of complaints from which he had previously suffered, and expired early in 1783, two days after his arrival at Madras, and a few months only after the decease of Hyder Ali, whose career he had so successfully checked.

Tippoo, considering the western coast of India as having become the principal seat of the war, withdrew his troops from the Carnatic. The English, in consequence, attacked Cuddalore, which was

XIII.

then in the possession of the French; but before CHAP. they could reduce it, news having arrived of peace 1783. in Europe between the two nations, the French commander suspended offensive operations, and withdrew his countrymen from the service of Tippoo. In the mean time, the English became decidedly superior on the western coast, and in the south the brilliant campaign of Colonel Fullarton was rapidly restoring the British ascendancy. Caroor and Dindegal, and afterwards Palgaut and Coimbetore were reduced, and he was even preparing to ascend the Ghauts, and anticipating the conquest of Mysore, when he was suddenly arrested in his triumphant progress, and directed to restore all his recent conquests. Tippoo had applied for two English commissioners to proceed to his camp, and enter into negotiations for a treaty of peace; and the Madras government, alarmed at the failure of their resources for the continuance of the war, with doubtful policy, complied with his request.

From his well known integrity and ability, and from his superior acquaintance with the native languages, of which the commissioners were ignorant, Swartz was requested by the governor of Madras to join them, as their interpreter, with the sultan of Mysore.

The following is Lord Macartney's letter to him upon this subject.