Nevertheless, this forms a portion of the Nabob's territories, and I cannot act as if I were an independent prince.
"I could not make a treaty with Mysore on my own account, and it is clear that neither Arcot nor the English could allow me to do so, for in that case Mysore could erect fortresses here, and could use Tripataly as an advanced post on the plain.

Therefore, I am still subject to the Nabob, and could be called upon for military service by him.

Indeed, that is one of the reasons why, even if I could afford it, I should not care to keep up a force of any strength.

As it is, my troop is too small to be worth summoning.

The Nabob has remonstrated with me more than once, but since the war with Hyder I have had a good excuse, namely, that the population has so decreased that my lands lie untilled, and it would be impossible for me to raise a larger force.