asking them to furnish both Europeans and Negro troops to assist his own in this desirable object. Ripaud's deputy, who was to have sailed with the envoys, decamped however in a boat with the purchase-money of the ship just before their embarkation, and the embassy was consequently delayed; nor did it leave till October, when Ripaud himself, by Tipú's desire, accompanied it. The ambassadors reached the Isle of France in January, 1798, when the absurdity of Tipú's proposals became apparent. He asked for 10,000 French troops, and 30,000 Habshis (Negroes), who, he asserted, with the co-operation of 60,000 men on his part, would be enabled to subdue both the Maráthás and the Nizám, reduce Madras to ashes, and expel the English entirely from India. He even entered into minute details as to how that result was to be accomplished; but the envoys were not provided with funds, though they were profuse in promises. General Malartic, the Governor of the Isle of France, saw that Tipú had been gulled by Ripaud. He nevertheless received the ambassadors in state, and promised to at once transmit their master's requisition to France. Knowing, however, that he could himself render no assistance, he contented himself with issuing a proclamation calling for volunteers. The result was that about one hundred French subjects accompanied Tipú's envoys on their return to India, landing at Mangalore in April, 1798[1].
- ↑ The reports which the envoys submitted to Tipú on their return are curious and interesting, but too long for quotation.
