------------------------------------------------------------------------ LETTERS OF ELIZABETH DRAPER. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LETTERS OF ELIZABETH DRAPER. TO ——[39] [Tellicherry April, 1769.] MY DEAR SIR IT’S with great pleasure I take every opportunity of paying my Duty to you, but more particularly this by the Grenville, as by her I’m enabled to give you a better account of Mr. Drapers success as a Merchant, than he flatter’d himself with any hopes of, upon his arrival at Tellicherry, and if Fortune continues to be as propitious to us, the six ensuing Seasons, as she’s proved the last,—Mr. D. would not thank the Directors for nominating him to the Government of Bombay. We are both well, entirely contented and wish not to exchange our situation, but for an Independence in England, which I hope we are in the way of obtaining, and may accomplish in six or seven Years, notwithstanding Hyder Ally maintains his Ground, and has absolutely refused to listen to terms of Peace from the Madrassers, unless they will make over Trichinopoly to him. This, they think they can not in point of Honor, or Conscience do—tho’ they are heartily tired of the War, & wish to accommodate with him, on reasonable terms—they are now preparing for a long Siege, which he has threatened them with, and if they do not receive Supplies of Money, & Troops, from England, God knows! what will be their fate!—as Hyder is really a very clever, and enterprising Man,—accustomed to face, & Conquer Europeans and has for his surest adviser, one of the best Politicians in India, Governour Laws—of Pondicherry, whom it is imagined, has always plan’d each of his Campaigns; the Gentlemen of Bengal have drained their Treasury, to befriend those of Madrass—but the Governour of Bombay—will not consent to assist them in any respect, tho’ he has often been solicited to do it—and a little timely aid from our side, might have prevented the present melancholy prospect, but he says, he has no notion of Quixotism adventures, and as we cannot benefit by the troubles, he will not risque our suffering any loss,—this argument is very cruel,[40] & superficial, tho’ at first it may appear Specious, ’tis impolitic too, because if the Madrassers are worsted, we certainly shall be the next Prey—but that’s a distant Day, & he always quotes “sufficient to the Day is the Evil thereof.” but he is a poor, despicable[41] Creature, in every respect and as unfit for a Governour—as I am for an