284 THE ADMINISTRATION OF LORD CORNWALLIS

however, no formal assertion of superiority; the native states still make war and peace with England on equal terms; they receive special missions, negotiate alli- ances, and with their internal affairs we pretend to no concern. When Lord Cornwallis assumed office, there was TIPPU'S TOMB AT SERINGAPATAM. peace between the English and the native powers; although the Marathas had joined the Nizam of Haidar- abad in an attack on Tippu of Mysore, whose fanaticism and arrogance had alarmed and alienated all his neigh- bours. In this attack Cornwallis refused to join, but he set about bringing his army up to a war-footing; and Tippu, who was clear-sighted enough to foresee danger from the English, spared no pains on his side to strengthen himself against them. The Mysore ruler,