Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/280

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256
OUR ANGLO-INDIAN ARMY.

sider ourselves as under your protection and orders; your having established us must be fresh in the memory of our posterity, from one generation to another; and our offspring can never forget an attachment to your Government, on whose support we shall depend."

Mysore, the ancient capital of the country, being appointed the future seat of Government, the now joyful family of the Rajah were removed thither, to enjoy once more the wealth and dignity of their former state; and the Brahmins having fixed on the 30th of June as the most auspicious day for placing Kistna Raj Oodiaver on the musnud, the ceremony accordingly took place on that day. It was performed by Lieutenant-General Harris and Meer Allum, the Commander-in-Chief of the Nizam's forces; each of whom taking a hand of the young prince, placed him on his throne, about noon, under three volleys of musketry from the troops, and a royal salute from the guns of Seringapatam. The signet seal of the kingdom was then delivered by the Commander-in-Chief to the young Rajah, whose deportment was remarkably decorous, considering his youth and the untoward circumstances which had preceded his elevation. The inauguration was witnessed by several of Tippoo's chief officers, who voluntarily attended on the occasion, and by many thousands of Hindoos, whose joy and triumph were boundless at the re-establishment of the ancient government of their country.

The restoration of the family of Mysore, though highly gratifying to them and to the Hindoo inhabitants of the country, was, however, accompanied by conditions which reduced them to complete subserviency to the British Government. Lieutenant-Colonel Close was appointed Resident at the Court of the Rajah, over whose actions he had an entire control; and, with the exception of the district which was formed into the new kingdom, the whole country, equal in extent to two-thirds of the monarchy of France, was divided amongst the conquerors. The Governor-General retained for the Com-