Engraving thought to be created by Newton. A series of isolated figures, single or in pairs, arranged in two rows, each with an explanatory couplet relating to the news of the capture of Seringapatam, on the authority of a letter recieved at the India House on 15 May from Bristol, dated 'Vestal, at sea.' A letter purporting to come from a Lieutenant Abercrombie with news of the fall of Seringapatam after a decisive action by Lord Cornwallis at Mandoo, with very little loss, early in January, was accepted as authentic. India Stock rose five and Consols two per cent. Dundas announced the news to the King, but it was discredited when it was found that the Vestal frigate had neither arrived nor been spoken with. 'Lond. Chron.' 17 May. The report was accepted as authentic by Grenvill (15 May). Buckingham, 'Courts and Cabinets of George III', ii. 207. On 18 May an 'Extraordinary Gazette' was issued with news from Cornwallis of the reduction of hillforts (believed to be impregnable). The siege of Seringapatam began in Feb. 1792; on 25 Feb. Tipu surrendered two of his sons as hostages, and the war was concluded by negotiation without the capture of Seringapatam, as leading to a more satisfactory settlement, half of Tipu's territory being surrendered. 'Camb. Hist. of India', v. 337. Partial description from Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires Vol. VI. 8090.