Mss Eur Orme OV.64

p. [i]. Table of Contents.

1, pp. 1-7 (38.5 x 23.5 cm.). Letter, dated Camp near Trippatoor, 8th Jan. 1768, from Gen. Joseph Smith to Council. Copy. Duplicate of 10. 4. Explains his inability to deal decisively with Haidar Ali owing to the want of provisions for the army.

2, pp. 9-18 (38.5 x 23.5cm.). Letter, dated Camp near Kistnagurry, 13th March 1768, from Gen. Joseph Smith to Council. Copy. Congratulates the Council on the conclusion of peace between the Company, the Nizam, and the Nawab (here referred to as "Serajah Dowlah"). Mentions, somewhat sarcastically, what he calls the modest and heroic reply of "Solyman Beg," Haidar's Commandant in "Kistnagurry," when summoned to surrender. Approves the Council's plan for raising 200 European cavalry. Explains that no action against Haidar can be decisive unless it includes the capture of Seringapatam and Bangalore. Reiterates the absolute necessity of a proper system of provisioning the troops: "I do not forget that when your whole force on this Coast was collected to chastise the Usurper, Issouf Cawn, notwithstanding they had no bodys of Horse or other Enemy to encounter in the Field, yet what difficulties were they not drove to both for Provisions and Stores. The want of the latter occasioned great delays in their operations, and were it not for the treachery of his Soldiers, its not impossible but he might still have maintained his pretensions to those countries. The Man you are acting against is by no means inferior either in courage, abilities or treasure." A certain “Omer Cawn" appointed Commandant.

3, pp. 19-27 (22.5 x 17.5 cm.). An account by Capt. Mathews of the Attack of the Fort Rock of Malawagul and of Col. Wood's battle with Hyder, dated in October. Copy. The Table of Contents dates the failure of the attack as the 3rd Oct. 1768. Captain Hector Mackay was killed in the assault. Mathews specially mentions the gallant behaviour of his “Christian Select Picket" in the battle of Mulbagal. Of the other side he says, “I never saw Black Troops behave so bravely as Hyder's, all his foot were led on by Europeans. He also has a number of Topasses. They behaved cowardly." For the meaning of Select Picket see Cardew's Bengal Native Army, p. 38 n.

4, pp. 31-47 (39 x 23.5 cm.). Letter, undated, from General Joseph Smith to the Court of Directors. Copy. Vindicates his conduct in the war against Haidar, encloses copy of a letter, dated Camp near Mulliavakul, 9 Oct. 1768, to the Madras Council. In this Smith paints a very favourable picture of Haidar's person and character.

5, pp. 51-54 (38 x 23 cm.). Letter, dated Camp at Vencatagerhy, 19th Nov. 1768, from Gen. Joseph Smith to Council, Madras. Copy. Protests mildly against the interference of the Council and their Deputies in the management of the War.

6, pp. 59-67 (38 x 23 cm.). General Joseph Smith's Remarks on the Board's Minutes of Consultation of the 28th of November and 31st Dec. 1768. Copy. This is dated in the Table of Contents Jan. 1769. See 10. 11.

7, pp. 71-133 (38 x 23 cm.). Letter, dated 24th Feb. 1769, from Gen. Joseph Smith to the Council, Madras. Copy, With copies of 30 letters from officers, on the state of the Bullocks in the army, which vindicate the General from the Board's imputation of inactivity, as he could not move when he wanted to do so. Duplicate of 10. 12.

8, pp. 135-142 (38 x 23 cm.). Letter, dated 5th March 1769, from Gen. Joseph Smith to the Council, Madras. Copy. Vindicates his conduct.