A Meeting between Tipu and Macleod: Minute from Macleod and Campbell to Bombay[1]

Brigadier-General Macleod had been accommodated in two houses in Mangalore. On August 20 and 21, he and Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell met Tipu. At Tipu’s request, Piveron du Morlay, joined them.

August 20  

After the formal introductions, Tipu enquired about Macleod’s encounters with the Maratha fleet. When he enquired if he had anything in particular to convey, Macleod replied that, considering the prospect of peace, he intended to return soon to Europe and give an account of such a famous prince as Tipu to his king. He added, he always considered it in the interest of the English to have friendship with him.

Tipu replied that he too desired peace, and if the English acted fairly towards him, he would be their friend.

August 21  

Saying that Haidar had been a great warrior and a great prince, and that every soldier admired him, Macleod said he always had a great respect for Tipu, a great warrior who had become famous much earlier in life than his father. He was aware of the strength and discipline of his army, and wished him great increase of power and glory, but this would not be possible if he remained at war with the English.

Despite being at war with the French, Spaniards, Dutch, Americans, and the Marathas, Macleod continued, the English had been able to contain Haidar. Haidar’s initial success was because the government of Madras had been unprepared for the war which by now had exhausted all their resources of men, ships, and money. Now that the English were at peace with all except Tipu, the entire force of the British Empire would now be employed against him. Ships and men were arriving from Europe daily, and would continue to do so until the war was finished.

As a wise prince, Tipu would know he had nothing to gain by this war. He would lose time, money, and his best troops as the English were the only nation in India on whom he could make no impression. It would be in his best interest to have a firm friendship with them as their principal interest was in Bengal and the Carnatic. The powers most likely to interfere with these possessions were the Marathas and the Nizam. Tipu would therefore be a natural ally. The English did not want more territory, but peaceful enjoyment of what they had, and would be glad to make peace with him.

Tipu replied that he was much pleased with what the General had said, and that he desired a firm and solid friendship with the English.  He blamed Muhamad Ali (Nawab of the Carnatic) for the war. Some time ago, Muhamad Ali had borrowed above 100 lakhs of money from Haidar’s government, which had also assisted him with its army, on the promise that it would get Trichinopoly in return. Instead, Muhamad Ali had broken every promise and acted as an enemy. He had poisoned the minds of the English against Haidar and Tipu, and even sent people to England to abuse them to the king and people there. Tipu stated Muhamad Ali was not true to the English either. He told Tipu that the English had taken much money from him, that the Carnatic would be of no use to him if they remained there, and had tried to gain Tipu’s alliance against them.

Macleod replied that he would do whatever he could to serve Tipu without compromising his duty to England. As a military person, he had no power to make peace, which was the responsibility of the governors of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay as they understand matters of revenue and trade better than the military. All he could do was to confirm the cessation of arms and to represent Tipu’s sentiments in the most favourable way to them.

He had no doubt that peace would be concluded to Tipu’s satisfaction. He refused to say anything against Muhamad Ali, a respectable prince and steady friend to the English. As the English would never give up Trichinopoly, it would be best if Tipu gave up all claims to it. Further, as proof of his goodwill and magnanimity, Tipu should release all prisoners immediately. Tipu’s army had devastated the Carnatic. Madras could demand security against a recurrence, and compensation for losses suffered. Finally, Macleod wished for a lasting and equitable peace.

Praising Macleod for being honest and open, Tipu promised to release the prisoners immediately if Macleod accompanied him to Srirangapatna, and guaranteed that if the peace was not made these prisoners would be sent back to his custody. Macleod said he would. Tipu then urged him to go with him to Srirangapatna, receive the prisoners, and carry his terms for peace to Madras. He further asked Macleod to specify the number of horses and palanquins required for the journey. Meanwhile, the armistice would prevail at Mangalore and other places, and he would forego all claim to Trichinopoly.

[1] Forrest, George W. 1887. Letters, Despatches, and other State Papers preserved in the Bombay Secretariat, Home Series, Vol II. Bombay: 283-285