MEMOIR

OF THE

DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

THE Cowley family, afterwards called Colley, originally belonged to Rutlandshire. In the reign of Henry the Eighth, they left England and settled in Ireland. In the early part of last century, Richard Colley, a younger son of the family, assumed the name and arms of Wellesley, pursuant to the will of, and as heir to, his first cousin, Garrat Wellesley, of Dengen, who bequeathed to him all his estates. This Richard Colley Wellesley, who was representative in the Irish parliament of the borough of Trim, in 1747, was raised to the peerage by the title of Baron Mornington, by George the Second. His eldest son, father of the Duke of Wellington, who was, 1760, created Viscount Wellesley and Earl of Mornington, married, in 1759, Anne, the eldest daughter of Viscount Dungannon, and died in 1784, leaving a numerous family, to the care of his amiable relict, whose prudent and energetic conduct has often been the theme of well-merited eulogy.

Arthur, the fourth son, was born May 1st, 1769, at Dengen Castle, in the county of Meath, the seat of his ancestors; which, many years afterwards, was destroyed by fire. He received part of his education at Eton, whence, while yet very young, he was removed to the military academy at Angiers, in France, there being, at that time, no such institution in England. On attaining his 18th year, he received an ensign's commission in the 41st regiment of foot. He was afterwards a lieutenant in the 12th light dragoons. After a series of exchanges and promotions, his brother, the present Marquis Wellesley, on 30th September, 1793, purchased for him the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 33rd. In the ensuing year he accompanied Lord Moira to Ostend, and in the subsequent disastrous retreat from Holland, he was chosen, by the experienced General Dundas, to cover the retreat with the brigade to which he was attached. In 1795, he embarked for the West Indies; but the fleet was repeatedly driven back by tempests. Before it could proceed, the destination of his regiment was altered, and he was ordered to Ireland to recruit; thus, perhaps, providentially escaping that fate to which so large a portion of his fellow soldiers were doomed!

His brother, the Earl of Mornington, being appointed Governor-general of India, in 1797, a fair field was opened for Colonel Wellesley, in that country, whither his regiment was now ordered, and arrived in the spring of 1798. The English in India have never had a more formidable enemy than Hyder Ali, nor so inveterate a one, as his son, Tippoo Saib, whose zeal for Islamism and hatred of the English amounted almost to madness. He imagined himself the chosen servant of the prophet, destined to root out the Nazarenes, as he called them, from India. That he might see more vividly than in imagination his heart's desire upon his enemies, he had a

piece of mechanism constructed, which represented a tiger in the act of destroying a European; and which may now be seen in the India House, in Leadenhall-street. The figures are as large as life, and when the ma chinery is set in motion, the human automaton raises its hands, as if in supplication, and utters dreadful screams! Tippoo had a turban for this holy war, which had been dipped in the well of Zemzem, thereby acquiring a sanctity which he believed rendered it impenetrable; and when he sat upon his throne it was under the splendid form of the humma—a fabulous bird, which is supposed to confer prosperity and empire upon him over whose head it casts the shadow of its wings!

While Tippoo was forming alliances with the Mahrattas, with the French in the Isle of France, with Zemaun Shah, in Candabar, and with Bonaparte in Egypt, with a view of destroying the British dominions in Asia, Lord Mornington obtained full information of all his measures, and prepared to act vigorously against him. For this purpose, the Madras army under General Harris, was ordered to concentrate at Villore. One battle only was fought before Tippoo retired within the walls of his capital. It was at the village of Mallavelly, on the 27th of March, 1799, Majorgeneral Floyd, commanded; Colonel Wellesley distinguished himself greatly, as also did Colonel Cotton, now Lord Combermere, who was destined to be his companion in so many fields of glory. At the subsequent siege of Seringapatam, Colonel Wellesley had the difficult service of driving in the enemy from the strong ground which afforded cover for their rocket Sergeant Graham was the name of the soldier who planted the British flag on the summit of the breach. This man, who led the forlorn hope, dashed up to the breach and planted the flag. He then waved his hat, and gave three cheers; but the last had hardly escaped him, when he fell dead within the gap, by a musket shot. After the capture of the place, Colonel Wellesley was, on the 6th of May, appointed governor of Mysore, and named as one of the commissioners who were to dispose of the conquered territories. To him, in particular, the arrangements for removing the family of the fallen sultan to the Carnatic, were committed. In this and in all the arduous duties of his government, Colonel Wellesley so acted as to justify his brother's choice, and to deserve and obtain the gratitude of the conquered people.

men.

During his command at Seringapatam, one of those adventurers started up, who have so often subverted empires and founded dynasties in the East, Dhoondiah Waugh was his name. He soon made himself formidable, and it was necessary to send a force against him under Colonel Wellesley. By a rapid movement, he intercepted Dhoondiah on his march with about 5000 horse. Colonel Wellesley had four regiments with him, whom he was obliged to form in one line, in order, as nearly as might be, to equal in length that of the enemy, whom they charged with complete success, routed them, dispersed them, and killed their leader; thus effectually completing the service upon which they had been sent, and fulfilling the instructions he had received from the Madras government--" to pursue him wherever he could be found, and to hang him on the first tree." Colonel Wellesley afterwards wrote-" I have struck a blow against Dhoondiah which he will feel severely. I surprised his camp at three o'clock in the evening, with the cavalry, and we drove into the river or destroyed every body that was in it. My troops are in high health and spirits, and their pockets full of money-the produce of plunder."