CORN WALLIS, CHARLES, second Earl and first Marquis of Corn wallis, was born December 31, 1733, and educated at Eton, and St. John e, Cambridge. In 1761, during the Seven Years' War, he served abroad under the title of Lord Broome, as aide-de-camp to the Marquis of Granby. In 1762 he succeeded to the peerage on the death of his father, in 1766 he was made colonel of the 33rd regiment of foot, and in 1770 governor of the Tower. He was also aide-de-camp to the king, who held him in high favour; yet though a general supporter of the administration, he exercised an independent judgment, and voted against ministers on several important questions. More especially, ho was opposed to the steps which led to the American war ; but when his regiment was ordered abroad in 1776, he sailed with it, declining to profit by the special leave of absence obtained from the king. He served actively and with distinction, with the rank of major-general, under generals Howe and Clinton, in the campaigns of 1776-79 in New York and the southern states, and in 1780 was left in the command of South Carollers with 1000 men. He gained a victory over General Gates at Camden, August 16, 1780, and a second, less decisive, over General Greene at Guilford, March 15, 1731—both against superior numbers. But the hostility of the population rendered these advan tages transient. In the course of the spring of 1781 Cornwallis invaded Virginia, where he obtained no decided success, but caused an immense amount of damage to private property. Ou receiving orders from Sir H. Clinton, then at New York, to embark part of his forces for New York, he moved to Portsmouth in Virgioia ; but here lie received fresh instructions, under which he was ordered to Williams burg, the colonial capital of Virginia, and directed to make Point Comfort his place of arms. But Point Comfort being found ill-suited for this purpose, Cornwallis moved to York Towu on York River, where he entrenched himself in the strongest way he could. He was there besieged by the French and American forces, assisted by the French fleet under De Grasse, and reduced to surrender himself and his troops prisoners of war, after an obstinate defence, October 19, 1781. His capture was a death-blow to the British cause, and prin cipally led to that change of ministers and measures which resulted in the peace of 1732: Cornwallis himself however, owing perhaps to his favour with the king, escaped censure.
In 1786 Lord Cornwallis was appointed governor-general and com mander-in-chief of Bengal. His temper being mild and equitable, and his application to business constant and effective, he was honourably distinguished by a sincere desire to promoto the welfare of our Indiau subjects, and introduced a variety of internal changes, which were characterised by a great unfitness for the purpose they were intended to serve. Ills administration is chiefly remarkable fur the war under taken against Tippoo Saib [Tirroo.] The disasters experienced at first by the English caused the governor to take the field himself, in 1791; and by a change in the quarter of attack, he succeeded in penetrating to the heart of Tippoo's domioions, and captured Banga lore in March. Iu the following February siege was laid to Scringa patam, and the capture of that city was averted only by a treaty, which stripped the sultan of half of his dominions. In August 1793 Lord Cornwallis returned to Euglaud, where he was received with distinguished honours, raised to the rank of marquis, and appointed master general of the ordnance. In 1793 (the era of the rebellion) he was made lord-lieutenant of Ireland. In the distracted state of that country, a man of generous and conciliatory temper was oven more needed than one of military skill. He put down the rebellion : but ho also checked the disgraceful outrages practised by Um supporters of governmeut, restored tranquillity, and acquired the good-will of the Irish. In 1301 he was succeeded by Lord Hardwicke; and in the same year, being appointed plenipotentiary to France, ho negotiated the peace of Amiens. lle was re.appointel governor-general of India in 1805, and arrived at Calcutta in August, in bad health. Pro ceediug immediately to assume •the command of the army in the upper provinces, he was seized with illness, and died at Ghazapore, in the province of Benares, October 5, 1805. His character as a soldier and statesman was highly respectable; but he was more distinguished by diligence, humanity, and integrity, than by the higher mental qualities. '