Enrica Medugno
Senior Sale Coordinator
Lot 145*
An autograph letter from Lord Cornwallis, Governor-General of India, addressed to an unknown noble recepient ('My Dear Lord'), discussing how the British had underrated Tipu Sultan as a commander Calcutta, November 23rd, 1790
22 May 2025, 11:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £16,640 inc. premium
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Oliver White
Head of Department
An autograph letter from Lord Cornwallis, Governor-General of India, addressed to an unknown noble recepient ('My Dear Lord'), discussing how the British had underrated Tipu Sultan as a commander
Calcutta, November 23rd, 1790
Calcutta, November 23rd, 1790
pen and ink on watermarked paper (I Taylor), one sheet folded, one side of text
236 x 190 mm. (folded)
236 x 190 mm. (folded)
Footnotes
Provenance
Private collection, USA.
The text reads:
My Dear Lord//Our Mysore war has not hitherto succeeded quite so triumphantly as in my last letter I gave you reason to expect. Tippoo has certainly shown himself a man of great ability and exertion, and I am afraid we rather underrated him.//I am going in ten days to Madras, to take the command of the army, not that I think myself a better General than Medows, but as it is a difficult task that we have to perform, we ought all to put our shoulders to it. I am, with the greatest regard,//My Dear Lord/Your most Faithful/and affectionate Servant/Cornwallis.
Cornwallis' tenure as Governor General of India was characterized by a period of relative tranquility. However, in 1790, Tipu Sultan emerged as a formidable challenger to British dominance in the southern regions, thereby precipitating the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792). Tipu Sultan's resilience and strategic acumen took the British by surprise, notably undermining General Medows' command and compelling Cornwallis to assume direct control over military operations. After prolonged military engagements and the successful siege of Seringapatam, a treaty was concluded in March 1792. As part of the agreement, Tipu Sultan's two sons were surrendered to Cornwallis as a guarantee for his compliance with the terms stipulated in the treaty.