ops, which are still here existing,
notwithstanding the exaggerated accounts that every one makes here
according to his own fancy, of the slaughter that has been made of them;
and you will be still more surprised if I tell you, that, were it not
lor the combats and four battles we sustained, and for the batteries
which failed, or, to speak more properly, which were unskilfully made,
we should not have lost fifty men, from the commencement of the siege
to this day. I have written to M. de Larche, that if he persists in not
coming here, let who will raise money upon the Poleagers for me, I will
not do it; and I renounce (as I informed you a month ago I would do)
meddling directly or indirectly with any thing whatever that may have
relation to your administration, whether civil or military. For I had
rather go and command the Caffrees of Madagascar than remain in this
Sodom, which it is impossible but the fire of the English must destroy
sooner or later, even though that from heaven should not.
"I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
(Signed) "LALLY."

"P. S.--I think it necessary to apprize you, that as M. de Soupire has
refused to take upon him the command of this army, which I have offered
to him, and which he is empowered to accept, by having received from the
court a duplicate of my commission, you must of necessity, together with
the council, take it upon you. For my part, I undertake only to bring it
back either to Arcot or Sadraste. Send, therefore, your orders, or come
yourselves to command it; for I shall quit it upon my arrival there."]

[Footnote 521: Note 4 B, p. 521. That the general was not pleased
with the behaviour of lord George Sackville, may be gathered from
the following compliment to the marquis of Granby, implying a severe
reflection upon his superior in command.

_Orders of his serene highness prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, relative
to the behaviour of the troops under him, at the famous battle near
Minden, on the first of August, 1759._

"His serene highness ordered his greatest thanks to be given to the
whole army, for their bravery and good behaviour yesterday, particularly
to the English infantry, and the two battalions of Hanoverian guards;
to all the cavalry of the left wing; and to general Wan-genheim's
corps, particularly the regiment of Holstein, the Hessian cavalry, the
Hanoverian regiment du corps, and Hammerstin's; the same to all the
brigades of heavy artillery. His serene highness decl