ALS signed “Cornwallis,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.5 x 9.25, August 16, 1790. Handwritten letter from Calcutta, with content on the Third Anglo-Mysore War. In part: "I received three days ago by the Earl Fitzwilliams Indianan, which met with all kind of disasters, your very kind and friendly letter of the 27th of Jan'y, for which I am very much obliged to you…We are just closing an immense packet…infinitely too much hurried to take notice of any of your European Policies, but I am heartily glad to find that you are satisfied and happy…I have likewise to wish you joy of your son's marriage, I know there is not much fortune, but I have heard the young lady very highly commended, and that is of much more consequence. Our war goes on swimmingly, Medows has got possession of the rich and exclusive district of Coimbatore, without the loss of a single man, and I can hardly think that Tippoo will ever venture to look that fine army in the face…Tippoo's power cannot last many months, and I hope we shall obtain an ample compensation for the for the heavy expence which his ambition and violence has so unjustly brought upon us." In fine condition, with light soiling.
In the summer of 1790, Governor-General Cornwallis instructed William Medows to open the campaign against Tipu Sultan, beginning the Third Anglo-Mysore War. Though he took Coimbatore with ease on July 22nd, Medows' spread his occupying forces too thin; Tipu counterattacked against the smaller detachments, and Medows was forced to withdraw his forces to a few strong points in late 1790. An intriguing handwritten letter from the noted British commander.
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