he expressed himself as being in fear of Colonel Joseph Smith, who was nicknamed by the natives 'Assad Jung,' the Lion of War. While dictating terms, the Mysore Prince demanded that the dreaded Assad Jung should be kept out of the way, and he refused to negotiate unless his request was complied with. Smith was ordered to retire to the north, which he did. The Government alarmed for Blacktown, with the Mysoreans so near, recalled the Lion of War, and he returned with alacrity, only to be told to keep his distance once more. The treaty was executed on April 3, 1769; and the dwellers on the plain and at St. Thomas's Mount returned to their palatial residences with restored equanimity.
Blacker's Gardens stands on the west side of the Mount Road, near the village of Teynampet, and close to it on the same side is a smaller house, which, tradition says, was occupied later by the Duke of Wellington ; but it is more probable that he resided with the troops in the fort, where a house near the St. Thome gate is pointed out as having once been his quarters.
In 1782 Cuddalore surrendered to the French, who supported Tippoo; Madras was once again stirred to its very centre by panic. The English Army went into cantonments on the Choultry Plain, and the inhabitants of the garden houses fled to the fort in anticipation of the speedy advent of Tippoo and his allies. In 1784 peace was made, and the disturbed householders returned to their homes on the plain. The troops remained under canvas in close proximity for several years. The Commander-Chief occupied a house (now known as the Elphinstone Hotel) standing near the Mount Koad, and the military orders were dated from " Headquarters, Choultry Plain " for nearly half a century. In 1794-6 there were no fewer than five English regiments encamped there. The fort was crowded with the infantry and artillery belonging to
