Order to Major Bonjour January 1768: "Captain Aumont is to command a troop of Hussars and has Chevalier and Dumard for his subalterns. Captain Allie is to command a company of Infantry comprised two-thirds of European foreigners and the rest of Topasses. He has as yet no Lieutenant or Ensign. Pedro Manuel is also nominated for Captain and is to command a Portuguese Topass company to whom Antonio Lewis is Lieutenant. These are all the officers yet named, and you will inform us from time to time of the progress made in augmenting the companies, and whether the officers merit their promotion.

The infantry shall each have a light jacket of green, faced with red, and a cap given them this year, and next year full clothing. They should have breeches and stockings all in one with black gaiters which they must provide themselves.

The intention of forming these people is to use them as light troops and to serve as escorts or detatched parties to alarm or attack the enemy. Their arms and exercise must therefore be adapted for that purpose.

Emissaries have already been sent to sundry places to collect more men, and there is expectation of getting many more from the Soubah's Army. You will do all you can to get recruits and promise any enterprising man who will bring twenty others that he should be a Lieutenant, and if he brings fifteen, an Ensign. The officers and private men having engaged to serve the Company for one year certain you will please to make each of them sign the enclosed agreement for that purpose."

Abraham Bonjour was a Swiss officer, presumably related to the artilleryman Nicholas Bonjour who came out to India on the 'Montfort' in 1753.

The hussars were mainly Frenchmen, probably having come out with Conflans' regiment, and latterly having deserted from Haider Ali's army in December 1767. They were dismounted early in 1769 and the personnel transferred into the infantry.

Topasses were half-castes, generally of part-Portuguese descent.

The legion was based at Chicacole on service in the Ghauts and the Northern Circars. It was disbanded in 1780.

History of the Madras Army, Wilson [1882] Vol.I p286-7 et seq