DEATH AND CHARACTER

OF

GEORGE THOMA S.

NOT long after his arrival on the British frontier, Mr. Thomas infpected his affairs; and on collecting the wreck of his for tune, acquired with fo much toil and labour, he found himself poffeffed of a fum not more than fufficient to procure the comforts of life in his native country; with this he determined to retire from public life to the enjoyment of domestic ease and quiet; and with this intention was proceeding to Calcutta, when death arrested his progress, near the military cantonments of Berhampoor, on the 22d of August, 1802. He was interred in the burying-ground of that place, and a monument is now erecting to his memory.

George Thomas was a native of Tipperary, in Ireland, about forty-fix years of age, tall in

his perfon (being upwards of fix feet in height) and of a proportionate strength of body; his countenance was bold and erect; but from the constant and active use of his limbs, during his long and arduous warfare, he had contracted an elevation of the head which gave him the appearance of stiffness; though in confequence of this elevation his look was more martial, and indicative of the intrepidity of fpirit which reigned within, and which wholly poffeffed his mind to the laft hour of his life.

Mr. Thomas appeared formed by nature to execute the boldest designs; and though uncultivated by education, he poffeffed a native and

* On his first arrival at Benares, after having obligingly promised his Excellency the Marquis Wellesley to afford every information within his power of the state of the western countries, Mr. Thomas proposed to the compiler of these memoirs to deliver his information in the Persian language; adding, that from constant use it was become more familiar to him than his native tongue. This offer, for obvious reasons, was declined; but it proves Mr. Thomas's capacity, under every disadvantage arising from a want of regular education; and I have no hesitation in declaring my opinion, that if Mr. Thomas had found leisure to cultivate his mind, his progress in the most useful

inherent vigour of mind, which qualified him for the performance of great actions, and placed him on a level with distinguished officers of the present day.

That he poffeffed fuperior military talents has, we trust, been evinced oy the relation of the tranfactions in the preceding pages; and in reviewing his conduct, during a long and multifarious warfare, a more competent eftimate may perhaps be formed of his abilities, if we reflect on the nature and extent of one of his plans, which he detailed to the compiler of thefe memoirs during his refidence at Benares. When fixed in his refidence at Hanfi, he first conceived, and would, if unforefeen and untoward circumstances had not occurred, have executed the bold defign of extending his conquefts to the mouths of the Indus. This was to have been effected by a fleet of boats, conftructed from timber procured in the forefts near the city of Ferofepoor, on the banks of the Sutledge river, of branches of literature would have been surprisingly rapid. He spoke, wrote, and read the Hindoostany and Persian languages with uncommon fluency and precision.

proceeding down that river with his army, and fettling the countries he might fubdue on his route a daring enterprife, and conceived in the true spirit of an ancient Roman. On the conclufion of this defign it was his intention to turn his arms, against the Punjaub, which he expected to reduce in the course of a couple of years; and which, confidering the wealth he would then have acquired, and the amazing refources he would have poffeffed, thefe fucceffes combined would doubtlefs have contributed to establish his authority on a firm and folid bafis.

Apprehenfive, however, of the ultimate fuccefs of his arms, when he confidered the number and strength of his enemies, Mr. Thomas, about the time he was occupied in the contemplation of the aforementioned plan, made an offer* of his fervice to the British government; which, though circumftances of political confideration might not have inclined govern

Correspondence with Captain H. V. White, to whom the compiler begs leave to offer his kindest acknowledgments for several interesting anecdotes in the latter part of Mr. Thomas's career.

ment to adopt, is nevertheless fufficient to prefent a correct idea of the enterprising spirit of the man. Having offered to advance and take poffeffion of the Punjaub, and give up his army to the direction and control of the English; to take the country, and, in fhort, to become an active partifan in their caufe: he thus, in a patriotic and truly loyal strain, concludes his remarks on the interesting fubject: "* By this

plan," fays he, "I have nothing in view but "the welfare of my king and country. It could "not be concerted foon enough to be of any "ufe in the approaching conflict; (his dispute "with the Mahrattas); therefore it is not to "better myself that I have thought of it; I "fhall be forry to see my conquefts fall to the "Mahrattas, I wish to give them to my king, " and to ferve him the remainder of my days; " and this I can only do as a foldier in this part "of the world."

His knowledge of the fpirit and character of the different tribes and nations that compofe the interior of the vast peninsula of India,