On this day, on the eve of departing for Madras (now Chennai) to start a campaign against the ruler of Mysore Tipu Sultan, Governor-General Lord Cornwallis wrote a letter to his son Charles.

“My Dear Charles,

I enclose a duplicate of my letter of 16 of November, lest in these times of Wars and numerous of Wars, the original should miscarry,” the letter said, documented on https://kresenkernow.org.

“I embark tomorrow for Madras with the hopes of putting a speedy and honourable end to the Mysore war, it will however I am afraid be a matter of much difficulty. You may be assured that I will never omit an opportunity of writing to you. God send that I may be able to give you good news. I am, my Dearest Charles.

Your truly affectionate Father

Cornwallis.”

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