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had revived public confidence after the defeat of CHAP. Colonel Brathwaite, and who was charged with a general superintendence over the southern provinces, Mr. Swartz was in habits of friendly and confidential intercourse. Thus, at the commencement of the year 1783, he briefly expressed to him his cordial good wishes and prayers.

"Something or other has prevented me from writing a line to you. In my heart, I have wished you at all times, and consequently at the beginning of this new year, divine grace, health, and true joy of heart, in the midst of all troubles. I can guess, aye, and more than guess, what you must have felt for several things. Though we move slow," (probably referring to the military proceedings in the south of India, in the planning of which Mr. Sullivan is supposed to have taken a prominent part,)" may we move sure by the help of God !"

Another letter from Mr. Swartz, about this time, contains the report of a conversation with the rajah, in which he had acted as interpreter, relative to the devastation of the country, by Tippoo and the English troops, and in which Mr. Sullivan promised that the matter should be represented in the proper quarter. Again in August, of the same year, he thus writes :--

"The beginning of my letter must be an apology for troubling you." He then mentions several claims on the rajah, on the part of the

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CHAP. families of two British officers, and intercedes for the town-major, who was in danger of losing his situation. "Surely, my dear Sir," he continues, "all the apologies which I can make, will not clear me of the imputation of being shameless. But I know to whom I write. May you be blessed with health, and cheerfulness of mind! May you be an instrument of Providence for the welfare of this country!"

With the same readiness to do good, and to promote the restoration of peace, and with the same disinterested disregard of all personal considerations, which had actuated him upon a former occasion, Mr. Swartz informed Lord Macartney, through Mr. Sullivan, that " his repugnance to a political mission, though great, had yielded to his desire of rendering the Company any service within his power." Yet so anxious was he to guard against whatever might be in the slightest degree inconsistent with his sacred character, that before any definitive arrangement was made, he wrote the following letter to that gentleman; which is strikingly characteristic of the pure and elevated principles by which he was invariably governed.

"DEAR SIR,

"I forgot to mention to you, though I talked of it before Mr. Hippisley,' viz. that as Colonel

1 The late Sir John Coxe Hippisley, Bart., then Paymaster at Tanjore.

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Fullarton has required stores, powder, &c. it has, CHAP. as I think, too much the appearance of hostilities. You know that I am willing to do what little service I can for the benefit of the poor country; but should not wish to have even the remotest appearance of deceit. If you supply Colonel Fullarton with the stores for which he has sent Captain Maitland, I cannot conceal my doubts and apprehensions; particularly as I heard of General M's march. Let me, I beseech you, know what you intend to do, before I give my final answer in writing to Lord Macartney. You, I am sure, would not wish that I should appear an impostor, or as a tool to forward any thing but what is perfectly agreeable to my office. I am always,

"Dear Sir,

"Your most obedient humble servant,

"December 6th, 1783.”

"C. F. SWARTZ.

The difficulty, so conscientiously and simply stated, having doubtless been satisfactorily obviated, Mr. Swartz left Tanjore for Coimbetore, by way of Dindegal and Darapuram, intending to proceed from thence by the shortest route, through the Gudgeratty pass, to join the commissioners at Seringapatam.

On arriving at Trichinopoly, he again wrote to Mr. Sullivan, for the purpose of introducing to

CHAP. his notice Mr. John Kohlhoff, whom he deputed to

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supply his place during his absence from Tanjore.

"After I had sent away my letters to you and Mr. Hippisley, I was sensible of a neglect. I intend to send my young friend, Mr. Kohlhoff, to you, to read prayers every Sunday. I therefore request you and Mr. Hippisley, that you will be so kind as to countenance him in his business. He will, I am sure, be thankful for any friendly correction, and grateful for your protection.

"I am, &c.

"C. F. SWARTZ.”

The following extracts, from a series of letters to Mr. Sullivan, during his journey, will, it is presumed, be deemed interesting, both as throwing light on the state of the country, and the war in that part of India, at this critical period, and as illustrative of the character of Swartz, both as a Christian and a man. His intelligence and information, his zeal, tempered with prudence, his anxiety to promote the interests of the British government, his acuteness of observation, and his talents for business, are every where conspi

cuous.

CHAP.

"Dindegal, December 20th, 1783 "This evening I arrived here in perfect health. I praise God for his protection. All along I have been delighted with the mountains, and have frequently applied the words of the psalmist, who, speaking of the heavens, says, that they declare the glory of God.' May we not, nay, ought we not to say, that the mountains declare the same? God is great, and appears wise, good, and omnipotent in all his works."

After acknowledging a letter from Mr. Sullivan, containing "the proposals," probably for accommodation with Tippoo, he says that the commanding officer at Dindegal told him of a new detachment of the enemy's troops being out, and advised him to wait till he could proceed with safety, as this might hinder the negotiation. He accordingly remained two or three days, for farther information as to the hostile party; and after mentioning several reports, he adds, "I will write no more, lest I fill my letter with idle guessing."

On the 24th, he left Dindegal, accompanied by a Jematdar's party of horse, and some sepoys, to protect him from the colleries, (marauders,) who were sometimes troublesome; and on the evening of the 26th, he reached Darapuram, where he heard a false report of two hundred of the enemy's horse hovering about, and informed Mr. Sullivan

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