UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 ORIGIN 
 
 AND 
 
 AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE PRESENT 
 
 M. ARRATTA WAR; 
 
 A N D A-L 5 0, 
 
 THE LATE ROHILLA WAR, 
 
 I N 
 
 1773 AND 1774; 
 
 Whereby the EAST-INDIA COMPANY'S Troops (as Mercenaries) 
 exterminated that brave Nation, and openly drove them for 
 Afylum and Exiilence into the Dominions of their former moft 
 inveterate Enemies. 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED, 
 
 THE UNACCOUNTABLE PROCEEDINGS 
 
 IN THE 
 
 MILITARY STORE-KEEPER'S OFFICE, in BENGAL 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 FOK J. ALMON and J. DEBRETT, OPPOSITE 
 BURLINGTON HOUSE, PICCADILI.V. 
 
 MDCCLXXXU

 
 -T73 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 7 I ^HE title of this fmall performance, 
 
 "* will fuffice to announce its con- 
 
 
 : i tents; the fole purpofe of publishing it 
 being, to remove the unjuft impreffion 
 and prejudice which falfe reprefcntations 
 of fads and circumftances have left upon 
 the minds of many perfons interefted in 
 the event, 
 
 354785
 
 HISTORY 
 
 or THE 
 
 MARRATTA WAR. 
 
 THE Marratta States in the Deccan, are the only 
 people of Hmdoltan who were not effectually 
 fubdued, or who did not unanimously fubmit to the go- 
 vernment, and acknowledge allegiance as fiefs, to the 
 throne of Delhi. They are, confequently, the only nation 
 of note now exifting under the dominion of the Hindoo 
 princes. The provinces, or kingdoms of Hindoftan, 
 were originally governed by princes, who were diflin- 
 guifhed according to eminence and family, under the 
 tides of Sou, or Ram-rajah^ Rartab, and Rajah.* The bold 
 and brave efforts of refiftance and perfeverance of thefe 
 people, within natural faftefles and inaccefiible moun- 
 tains, which, in a manner preferved them from bearing 
 the Mogul yoke, may alfo be afllgned, with a degree of 
 juftice and propriety, as the true caufe of their mar- 
 rauding difpofition fince, a continued neglect of induf- 
 try and agriculture, and an invincible love of arms. 
 While, at the fame time, they continue to preferve many 
 of thofe elevated cuftoms, and obferve with facred and 
 even fuperftitious fcruples, the laws of hofpitality in 
 the molt expanded ienfe, towards ftrangers and each 
 other, which, in former times, fo eminently charaderi- 
 fed the civilization, addrefs, police, ekganee, and vir- 
 tue of Eaftern nations. ., #>, 
 
 A It 
 
 * Lefler characters were known by the names of Pailhwa, Sardar, 
 Zemindar, Polygar, &c. by the Hindoos. The titles of Vifier, 
 Soubah, Nizam, Nabob, Omrah, &c. accompanied the Mogul go- 
 vernment, and continue in the occupation of Mahomedans only.
 
 It is with them, as in all other countries, that by 
 breaking a principal link of the chain, which united a 
 number of diftinft bodies, the mafs is thrown into a- 
 narchy and confufion, the union is diflfolved, the com- 
 pact (which rendered them, as one body, great and 
 powerful) is annihilated, and each of the component 
 parts affumes the prerogatives of an independent fove- 
 reignty. Hence jealoufies, envy, difcords, ulurpations, 
 and petty ftates arife, without form, power, or in- 
 fluence. 
 
 A midftthefe foreign and inteftine ftruggles, the Mar- 
 rattas continued to yield a tacit kind of allegiance to a 
 fupreme head, as Sou, or Ram-rajah^ whofe throne was 
 eftablifhed at Setterah. The united power of the chief, 
 and his nominal dependants, were extremely great, and 
 often alarming to the Emperors of Hindoftan. In the 
 time of Aliverdi-Cawn's ufurped Soubahfhipof Bengal, 
 they over- ran thofe provinces, having, through mere 
 dread, obtained the confent of the pufilanimous, in- 
 dolent, and effeminate Mahomed Scha, to eftablifh a 
 chout* or tribute to be paid annually from the Nabob- 
 Ihip of Bengal, and indeed from the whole empire ; in 
 the fame manner as the great Aurungzebe found it pru- 
 dent, by compofition, to inveft them in the Decean. 
 They marked the terror of their arms and depredations 
 into the heart of Delhi, and carried off vaft treafures ; 
 until, by the ceffion of Catac, in the kingdom of O- 
 rixa, and a chout of twelve lacks of rupees annually, 
 a peace and treaty were concluded between Aliverdi- 
 Cawn and them, in 1750. 
 
 The Marratta revenues, taken disjunctively, were 
 originally enormous. Before the ufurpation and rapid 
 fucceis of that foldier of fortune, Hyder-Alli-Cawn, in 
 
 the 
 
 * Chout unpiies a quarter p"t of the territorial revenue.
 
 v 3 J 
 
 the kingdom of Myfore, andaround it, the whole might 
 have bordered upon feventeen crorcs of rupees, or fe- 
 venteen millions of BritiQi pounds. It is computed, 
 that, now, they enjoy an annual revenue, equal to about 
 twelve millions fterling. Their military eftablimment, 
 which is compofed of cavalry, may yet be equal to 
 300,000; but thefe are not to be regarded as regulars, 
 or permanent troops, but as an eftablilhed militia. The 
 Sou, or Ram-rajah, by virtue of the treaty with Au- 
 rengzebe, and by the Hindoo tenures, has power to 
 order out the troops of his tributaries, as often as the 
 ftate requires their fervice. It is a ctrcumftance mate- 
 rial to be underftood, in judging of the Marratta force, 
 that it is an invariable cuftom among them, when an 
 expedition is concluded, for the troops to retire with 
 what plunder they may have feized, to their refpeftive 
 abodes, leaving only the houfehold forces with the 
 chiefs. And when their lervices are again wanted, they 
 are fummoned by letters, directed to the chief officer 
 of each village, or diftrift, fo that they are re-aflembled 
 in a week or ten days. The Marratta territory may 
 properly be faid to extend, fea-ward, from Travancorc 
 near Cape Comorin, at the fouthern extremity of the 
 peninfula, to the river Paddar, which difcharges itfelf 
 in the Gulf of Scindy, and which divides Guzzerat from 
 the Perfian dominions, except the Marratta territory 
 lately ulurped by Hyder-Alli-Cawn. They are bound- 
 ed by the Carnatic, the Company's northern Circars, 
 and the dominions of the Nizam-ul-Muluck,* to the 
 Eaft, except the province of Catac, which carries their 
 poflefiions, irregularly, to the Bay of Bengal ; and the 
 river Jumna, with the provinces of the Mogul empire, 
 terminate their boundary to the North. 
 
 A 2 The 
 
 * The Soubah of the Deccan*Bazalet-Jun.
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 The Sou, or Ram-rajah, exifts now but in name. 
 Nana-row, father of the late Mada-row and Narain- 
 row, and brother to the prefent Roganaut row, (com- 
 monly known by the name of Ragoba] feized the reins 
 of government, and the perfon of the Ram-rajah, at 
 the tame Inftant. The revelation was favoured by the 
 religious Brahmin caft of the ufurper. The govern- 
 rrr-At he admimftered under the title of Pttijfr&Q or 
 Prime Minifter, and the prince he confined in a fortrefs 
 near Setrerah, the metropolis. In this pofition, the 
 prefrnt young Ram-rajah, and the government of the 
 Marratta ftate, continue to this day, Jonogee Boofla, 
 or Bouncello, the father, or immediate predecefTor,* of 
 Moodajee Boofla, Rajah of Berar, was a pretender to 
 the fovereignty, as one of the neareft of kin to the con- 
 fined Ram-rajah. And Roganaut-row was a pretender 
 to the Pailhwa-fhip, even during the life-time of his 
 nephew Mada-row, tor which iVlada-row kept him un- 
 der confinement, until, foreieeing his own approaching 
 diffolutiofi, and dreading the crafty intriguing dilpofi- 
 tion of the uncle, even in confinement, to the prejudice 
 of the lineal fucceflbr Narain-row, whofe youth and 
 inexperience might expofe him to fnares and plots, 
 thought it mod advifable to releafe Roganaut-row, and 
 effect a reconciliation. Accordingly, having, to all ap- 
 pearances, fettled meafures, and removed uneafinefles, 
 he placed the hands of the youth into thole of the un- 
 cle, and fhedding tears of joy and fatisfaCtion, faid, 
 That he intruded and recommended the young man, 
 and earneiliy befought the uncle's tender care, protec- 
 tion, and advice to him, in the adminiftration of go- 
 vernment. A promife which Roganaut-row obferved 
 no longer than, by his wiles, he could procure affaffins, 
 who cut the nephew to pieces, in the falfe arms of an 
 
 under, 
 
 The right of Mpodajee Boofla, in his own perfon, to the Ra- 
 jaftiip of Berar, has lately been challenged by his beft friend, Mr. 
 Haftings.
 
 ( 5 ) 
 
 uncle, who thus had no competitor remaining in his 
 own family to the Pailhwa-lhip. Mada-row died in 
 November, 1772 , and Narain-row was allowed to live 
 until the September following, and the 23d year of his 
 age. 
 
 The death of Narain-row being lamented, and the 
 unnatural manner execrated by the generality of people, 
 Roganaut-row's fucceffion was oppoled powerfully. Di- 
 vifions became formidable. At laft the oppofition pre- 
 vailed, and the barbarous parricide, Rolganaut-rowi-was 
 obliged to fly. Unhappily, he directed his courfe to the 
 iQand of Bombay, where protection was granted him, 
 in confideration of a promife of flattering concefllons, 
 which he had neither the power nor right to perform. 
 
 The afylum thus accorded to Roganaut-row, very 
 juftly incenfed the Marrattas on the one hand, while, 
 on the other, it amufed with a profpect of valuable con- 
 ceffions of territory, together with the ufual fpoils and 
 luperb acknowledgments which Indian revolutions pre- 
 fented to the ambitious views of fuccefsful allies, infti- 
 gated both fides to commence hostilities, apparently 
 with mutual good-will, and ftimulated appetites. 
 
 The marine of Bombay bravely fuflained the troops 
 in reducing the ifland of Sallette, after confiderable lofs 
 to the aflfailants , while the reduction of Baroach coft 
 the life of one of the beft and braveft officers that be- 
 longed to either the Britifh army or the Company's fer- 
 vice, in the death of General Wedderburne. The Com- 
 pany felt the lofs foon thereafter, by the defeat of the 
 Bombay army under Coionel Keating. Happily, how- 
 ever, by means of the eftablifhed enmity between the 
 Marrattas and Hyder-Alli-Cawn, feveral jealoufies and 
 heart-burnings between the principal and lefier ftates, 
 and divifions in the Poonah Council, the Marratta go- 
 vernment
 
 vernment was, at this time, fo divided, that they mewed 
 a ferious difpofition to preferve the friendfhip and alli- 
 ance of the Company, in preference to all other con- 
 nections; provided the murderer, Roganaut-row, was 
 not fupported by them, in an unjull claim, to fully and 
 contaminate the Company's reputation and fame, by a 
 conduct diametrically oppofire to the generally received 
 opinion, which, until of late, had been uniformly en- 
 tertained of the Britifh nation in India. 
 
 Had the government of the Company in India the 
 difcernment common even to inferior politicians, they 
 would rather have encouraged thofe enmities, jealou- 
 fies, and inteftine divifions, than by a feries of ambitious 
 and mercenary plans and ufurpations, and a fupport of 
 bad characters in iniquitous pretenfions, to compel the 
 contending powers, and jarring parties, to unite in the 
 general defence of each other, aad their rights, as a 
 common caufe. 
 
 In this plight were the Company involved with the 
 Marratta date, when the new government, compofed 
 of Mr. Haftings, General Clavering, Colonel Monfon, 
 Mr. Harwell, and Mr. Francis, commenced, in Octo- 
 ber, 1774. The newly-arrived members (General 
 Clavering, Colonel Monfon, and Mr. Francis) entered 
 upon the duty affigned to them by their country and 
 the Company with alacrity, with lentiments ftrongly 
 impregnated with true patriotifm and juftice, and with 
 views iblely directed to the recovery of the Company's 
 affairs from the ftate of embarraffed confufion, debt, 
 and difcredit, into which the preceding mal-adminiftra- 
 tion of their principal fervants had undutifully plunged 
 them. After felecting the moft intelligent and merito- 
 rious fervants, to adminifter in the fubordinate ftations 
 of government, they feverely reprehended the Rohilla 
 war, as barbarous, unjuft, and impolitic j reprobated, 
 
 in
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 in plain and direct terms, the treaty with Sujah-ul-dow- 
 la, and improved upon it with princely advantages in 
 the line of finance and military eftabfiflhment, in favour 
 of the Company. The fpirit of humanity, juftice, and 
 ceconomy, breathing in every articulation and action, 
 which this uncormpted majority uttered and perform- 
 ed ; they availed themfelves of the extended fuperiority 
 which the at of parliament gave them in certain cafes, 
 over the other Prefidencies, and fent Colonel Upton 
 upon an embafiy, to negociate an honourable peace 
 with the Marratta court ; which was at length con- 
 cluded and ratified, upon the firft of March, 1776, 
 under the title of the Poorunder, and fometimes the 
 Poonah, treaty. 
 
 By this treaty, Salfette, Baroach, and other diftri&s 
 in the Guzzerat provinces, were ceded to the Compa- 
 ny ; they were to be paid twelve lacks of rupees in 
 three fixed terms, to defray the charges of the war, to 
 fecure which feveral pergunnahs were delivered up in 
 mortgage pofTefiion j and an extent of territory, of the 
 annual value of three lacks, adjoining, or near to Ba- 
 roach. And, on the other hand, Roganaut-row was 
 to be provided for, according to his rank and preten- 
 fions, in a private line, and to withdraw from Bombay ; 
 and that no prote&ion or affiftance was to be given to 
 him, or any other fubjecl: or fervant of the Marratta 
 ftate, who may caufe any difturbance or rebellion in 
 the country. 
 
 Whether the conditions in this treaty were obferved 
 by the contracting parties, whether the proper methods 
 were ufed for carrying them into execution, or for a- 
 voiding a war, or whether the laws of good faith, juf- 
 tice, and policy, were obferved in the fuprerhe Britim 
 Council of India, and the Prefidency of Bombay, will 
 appear in the following ingenuous and authentic ftate 
 
 of
 
 ( 8 ) 
 
 of facts, abftracted from unconteiled records. Certain, 
 however, ic is, that the evil originated in the non-per- 
 formance of that treaty, and the extraordinary proceed- 
 ings thereon ; that the Marratta government (hewed 
 every poflible difpofition to preferve the friendfliip, and 
 to maintain an alliance with the Engliih , that a breach 
 of public faith, and an infatiable thirit for power and 
 unbounded monarchy, ib apparent in every meafure of 
 the Company!s fervants, united the difcordant Marratta 
 Hates, and jarring members of the admmiftration in 
 Poonah, Hyder-Alli-Cawn, the Soubah of the Deccan, 
 the Rajah of Bcrar, Nudjiff-CawB, and all the leficr 
 powers of India, into a combined, determined com- 
 pact, and clofe afifociation, to refift, oppofe, and reduce 
 the extravagant views and pretenfions of the Com- 
 pany's leading adminiftration in Alia; that, urged by 
 the fame dread, the native powers, in defpenuion, dii- 
 covered inclinations to hearken to the overtures of 
 France, looking wifhfully and anxioufly with impa- 
 tience, for the day of deliverance from the fcourge of 
 tyranny, and the iron hand of oppreflion , that thefe 
 facts have, it is faid, been known to the Court of Di- 
 rectors, and to the King's minifters, by the poffcffion 
 of authentic materials ; that, by this ram, dHhonoura- 
 ble, and unwarrantable war, the Company have had 
 their treaiures wafted, their credit ruined, and their re- 
 putation for arms almoft irretrievably loft ; that the 
 Marrattas diftinguifht-d more temper, moderation, and 
 good faith, throughout this uniucky bufintls, particu- 
 larly when victory gave them a carte- blanche, than could 
 have been expected from a people of a more pacific 
 difpofition, ancj to whom the oppofite qualities are af- 
 cribed characteriltically. And that it is too evident^ 
 from appearances, however artfully difguifed, that a 
 train of difgraceful and diftrefling events, were original 
 objects of the acting adminiftration from the beginning, 
 iniiuenced by finifter views, founded upon ambition,
 
 '( 9 ) 
 
 by unabating keen refentment for imaginary prefer- 
 ences, and by an implacable, unremitting oppofitiori 
 to every mealure of the majority in the life-rime of Ge- 
 neral Clavering and Colonel Monfon, particularly the 
 treaty of Pcionah, which they were bent upon over- 
 turning, at all hazards. There are reaibns to imagine, 
 that it was propofed to derive fome oblique juftificatiort 
 of the Rohilla war, from the unfavourable effe<fb> of 
 an ill- conduced Marratta war; 
 
 Roganaut-row, under the protection of the Bombay 
 government, entered into intrigues, and fomented par- 
 ties and diflentions in the adminiftration of Poonah, 
 until at length, he procured an infatuated deception 
 upon the fimple credulity of the unfufpefting Refidentj 
 Mr. Moftyn, who in confequence of his own eafy faith, 
 as eafily mifled the willing minds of the Prefidency of 
 Bombay into a belief of what they fo eagerly wifhed. 
 
 The Governor General^ Mr. Haftings, introduced 
 the fubjed at the fupreme board* upon the 2 8th day 
 of January 1778, in a very long minute, wherein, 
 among a variety of other matters, he complained bit- 
 terly of the filence and remiflhefs of the Prefidency of 
 Bombay, although Mr. Moftyn had had feveral confer- 
 ences with the Poonah minifters, who continued td 
 complain that Roganaut-row was frill entertained at 
 Bombayj in violation of orders from the fupreme board. 
 He added, that new fources of uneafinefs had arifen, irt 
 the extraordinary countenance afforded to the Cheva- 
 lier St Lubin and Mr. Bolts, by the court of Poonah ; 
 one as agent to the crown of France, the other as re- 
 prefentative of the Houfe of Auftria. That if report 
 could be believed, written engagements had pafTed be- 
 tween them and Monfieur St. Lubin, *' the objett of 
 44 wbitb, whatever it be t mttft if attained, prove deftrut- 
 B " five
 
 " five to the trade of the. Englijh Company, and to the Bri- 
 " tijh influence in India." : ' 
 
 Thefe being the ideas which Mr. Haftings laboured 
 to imprefs on the minds of his fellow-con nfellors, as 
 an evil which threatened deftrucYion, by the alarming 
 power of the Marrattas As a wife and faithful fervant 
 and fubjedt, would it not have been more confident, 
 and infinitely more juft and political, to have accom- 
 modated the breach, and applied a healing balfam to 
 the fore, by an obfervance of the late treaty, and good 
 faith, than wantonly to urge a dangerous, expenfive, 
 and unjuft war? 
 
 At the fame moment, Mr. Haftings acknowledged, 
 " that although he believed the Marratta power, unallied 
 " with other Jlates, unable to cope with the Company's 
 " power at Bombay, yet fuftained by the French, they are 
 " qualified to refufe acquiescence 1 to our demands \ which de- 
 " mands, the pojfffion of the ijland of Bafften offers, as the 
 " only profpeli of a fecurity \ that no obligation precludes us 
 " jrom demanding it, nor can any blame be juft ly imputed to 
 " us, if as the Superior Power, we prefcribe the terms, 
 " -were they even more unequal than thefe are, on which we 
 " are willing to releafe both parties, from that dangerous 
 "point on which they fluctuated, between war and peace, 
 * c during a long interval of two years, and are likely to con- 
 " time there, itnhfs one fide affimtes the right of decifion" 
 
 In 
 
 * Hyder-Alli having refented the prefers of St. Lubin to the 
 Marrattas, and the Marrattas unwilling to irritate the Englifli, no 
 ConceiTion or treaty whatfoever \vas entered into with Mr. St. Lubin 
 and he was exprefsly defined to withdraw from Poonah. He had had 
 partizans there who wifhed to promote his views. He went to Hy- 
 der-Alli, and the refufal of the Marratta government contributed to 
 facilitate the treaty, and the ceflioa of the port of Mangalore. This 
 was, and is the fait.
 
 ( II ) 
 
 In this paflage of his minute, Mr. Hallings unguard- 
 edly avows facts, which in direct terms condemn hii 
 own deliberate meafures. The extenfive advantages 
 which a French alliance would yield to the Marrattas, 
 Ihould have induced him to treat upon more liberal, 
 equal, and juft principles, as the moft likely means of 
 overfctting the fufpected treaty with St. Lubin. He 
 avows, " danger to both fides" and a confeffion tanta- 
 mount to its having been a ftudied impending ma- 
 noeuvre in his political fyltem, " for a long interval of 
 " two years ," which comprehends the intire time that 
 the Poonah treaty had exiftence. According to his 
 profefied maxims, " the fword and not juftice^ Jhould de- 
 " cide the point of right " in an iffue in which the Com- 
 pany had, bonafide, no concern, and became unnecef- 
 farily and imprudently, officious medlers. The great 
 and acknowledged abilities of Mr. Haftings, and par- 
 ticularly the fingular talent which he has acquired in 
 writing, are circumftances which, upon a critical re- 
 view and examination of his minutes and general con- 
 duel, fince his return with power to India, will, upon 
 many occafions, condemn himfeif, even more than the 
 mafterly pens of his opponents. The art of evafion, 
 and equivocation, for the purpofes of veiling or difguif- 
 ing the real meafures taken, or meant to be taken, are 
 too confpicuOtis not to create fufpicions of the matters 
 thus meant to be fupported or defended. Plain, ine- 
 quivocal facts, carry conviction where the ground is 
 really found, and the meafures themfelves directed to 
 wife and falutary purpofes ; but when the mind is con- 
 Icious of having betrayed truft, or is perverlely bent 
 upon, and determined, to guide and enforce meafures, 
 whether right or wrong, by the exercife of power abu- 
 fed and mifapplied, the faculties of evafion, equivoca- 
 tion, and confequently of perverfion, are employed with 
 dangerous and alarming advantages in the fupreme ma- 
 giftrate of a remote government, vefted with civil, mi- 
 B 2 litary,
 
 ( 12 ) 
 
 lifary, political, and commercial powers. The argu- 
 ments and reafonings exprefied in the minutes of Mr. 
 Haitings, upon this and other important fubjects, fmce 
 the treaty of Benaras, contain fuch palpable contradic- 
 tions to each other, and duplicity of femiment, as are 
 fufficient, without the able opposition they have had to 
 encounter, to condemn the whole. And the inattention 
 of the Directors to thtfe fubjecls, regularly tranfmitted 
 t i t-i m. nearly eitablilhes an unpleafant truth, that al- 
 t'vaixh charged with a truft of magnitude and dignity, 
 : a ceiy ever read the proceedings of their fcrvants, 
 It important concerns of the Company and 
 n-ation, in India. 
 
 The Governor propofed a plan, compofed of ten ar- 
 ticics, as the terms to be afked and infixed upon from 
 the M;irrattas, and being oppofed by Mr. Francis and 
 Mr. Wheler, the confideration was put off till the day 
 following. 
 
 1778, January agth. On which day, the Governor 
 laid before the Board, a letter from the Prefidency of 
 Bombay, concerning the fubject of yefterday's com- 
 plaint. In this letter, dated the i2th December, 1777, 
 they give notice of an offer made by fome members of 
 the miniiterial party at Poonah, to reinftate Roganaut- 
 row, and of their own determination to accept luch of- 
 fer, whenever it mould be authenticated by a direct en- 
 gagement from the minilters, and to march with Roga- 
 anaut-:ovv, toeilablim him in the Paifhwa-fhip of Poo- 
 nah by force of arms. They condemn the countenance 
 given to Mr. Bohs, as well as to Mr. St. Lubin, and a- 
 mufe themfelves with the greater affurance of fuccefs in 
 favour of Roganaut-row, as they expect affifhnce from 
 Hyder-Aih-Ca'Mijwhoprofefie.s afriendfhiptor that par- 
 ty -i an advantage wbicb^ however, tbeyneglcfttdio improve. 
 And the Go-vernor reduced the proportions of yeftcr- 
 
 day
 
 day from ten to five articles, without any material vari- 
 ation in point of matter, to the following purport, viz. 
 
 I. That fuch reafonable and practicable fecurity be 
 obtained for the perfonal fafety of Roganaut-row, as 
 
 Rcganaut-row himjelf Jhall require. 
 
 II. That a fpecific fum be demanded to reimburfe 
 tlie company for the military charge, which may be in- 
 curred by that interpofition, 
 
 III. That the fort and diftridt of Baffeen be ceded in 
 perpetuity to the Company. 
 
 IV. That an additional grant of territory be made ad- 
 jacent to BafTeen and Bombay, in exchange for Baroach, 
 and the lands ceded by Futta-Sing-Guiacawar, and from 
 the pergunnahs of Hanfood, Aumood, and Defborah. 
 
 V. That no European fettlement be allowed on any 
 of the maritime coafts of the Marratta dominions, with- 
 out the consent of the fupreme council previoujfy obtained. 
 
 Thefe demands were fufficiently imperious and dic- 
 tatorial, to a powerful independant ftate; but the pth 
 of the propofitions of yefterday, contained a more im- 
 perious tone, in thefe terms : " SbtU thefe pro-pofals be con- 
 " veyed by letter to the prefent Paijhwa \ that his anfwer 
 " be required^ without condition or referve, to each ar- 
 *' tick' 9 and that this government jh all take its final refo- 
 c< lution, to abide by the treaty, as it Jhall ft and confirmed 
 " by his anfwer ', or to confider it as annulled and invalidated 
 by them." 
 
 It is worthy of obfervation, that at a juncture fo con- 
 feffedly critical, notwithftanding the objectionable pare 
 of Mr. Bolt's political condud, recorded on the pro- 
 ceedings
 
 ( H ) 
 
 ccedings in Bombay, and the pofitive injunctions of the 
 Company concerning his object, in India, the very lead- 
 ing members of that government, afforded him the moft 
 effent;al affiftance in his undertakings, of which the (hip 
 Louila, and her cargoes to and from China, furnimed 
 the cleared evidence. And it is fomewhat extraordinary, 
 that however impolitic it might prove, to eftablim the 
 avowed friend and partizan of Hyder-Alii-Cawn, at the 
 head of the Marratta government, yet, a? they had de- 
 termined upon the meafure, they mould certainly have 
 formed fome plan of accommodation, to which Hyder 
 fhould engage, as a party , although, upon every pof- 
 fible principle of good policy, the Marratta alliance was 
 a more natural and beneficial connection to the Com- 
 pany, and more to be depended upon, than an afpiring, 
 ambitious ufurper, whole enmity to the Englim, and 
 their allies, was as firmly rooted as that which he enter- 
 tained for the Marrattas. It would therefore have been 
 the eflence of good policy, in the Company's fervants, 
 to have made ufe of their influence in preferving 
 the divifion, and countenancing the jealoufies, of two 
 ftates, whole junction of power, fhould it ever happen, 
 would effectually crufh and deftroy all the future prof- 
 pects of the Britim nation in Hindoftan. 
 
 Mr. Francis entered a formal proteft againft the Bom- 
 bay proceedings , doubted the fincerity of the confer- 
 ence between Mr. Lewis (the afliftant refident at Poo- 
 nah) and Amunt-row, for the reftoration of Roganaut- 
 row , urged the propriety of a fteady adherence to the 
 Company's general inftructions, and particularly to their 
 reprehenfive letter of i2th April, 1775, addreiTed to 
 the Prefidency of Bombay : He wilhed, he laid, to ob- 
 tain the right and poflefiion of Baffcen for the Company, 
 " by an amicable negotiation of exchange, or pur chafe /' but 
 declared, " that even bis views were cooled, by the little 
 " utilitv in point of 'revenue ', arifing from the conqueft of 
 
 Sal.
 
 C '5 ) 
 
 cc Salfette." * His reafons throughout are clear, judi- 
 cious, and predidory of what followed. Mr. Wheler 
 manifefte-i the warmth of zeal and duty, in oppofition 
 to the proceedings in Bombay, as having an immediate 
 tendency to confume the Company's revenues, and to 
 involve their means and reputation in diftrefs and ruin, f 
 
 Upon the 2d February, 1778, Mr. Haftings's pro- 
 pofals were re-confidered ; oppofed, as before, by Mr. 
 Francis and Mr. Wheler, and carried by the Governor's 
 caftinv vote, to fupport Roganaut-row, in direct viola- 
 tion of the Poorunder treaty ; and, with three additi- 
 onal articles, were ordered to be difpatched to the Pre- 
 fidency of Bombay, for their government. 
 
 The Governor then propofed, to take the opinion of 
 General Stibbert on the fending a reinforcement, over 
 the continent to Bombay, and the confequent necefiity 
 of augmenting the Sepoy corps : He alfo propofed a 
 letter to Madras, to induce that Prefidency to reinforce 
 the Bombay army from thence ; and at the fame inftant, 
 that he continued with confidence, to aficrt, " that the 
 " Prefidency of Bengal is, and will <?, in a condition to 
 " ajjifl Bombay abundantly^ with men and money^ to carry 
 " on the Marratta war" he dated the Bombay army 
 thus: 
 
 Artillery, rank and file - 261 
 European infantry - 785 
 
 Sepoy infantry - - 5621 
 
 Irregulars - 1231 
 
 A force which he thought able to carry all their hof- 
 tile purpofes into execution, without any affiftanc? from- 
 
 Bengal 
 
 * It is confidently alledged, that the prefent clear revenue of Sal- 
 fette, is far fiiort of the real advantages it yielded in the line of 
 commerce, when it was in the pofleffion of the Marrattas. 
 
 f Vide the Company's records, for thefe minutes.
 
 Bengal or Madras ^ an opinion which he ftruggled to 
 enforce, by comparing it with the force of Bengal at 
 the battle of Plafley, and againit the Scha Zadda ; with 
 Colonel Forde's expedition againft Mafulipatnam ; and 
 considerably greater, than when unfupported by coun- 
 try powers, the troops of Bengal wrelted the provinces 
 and Soubafhip from Coflim-Alli-Cawn. And thus, he 
 affected to draw the fame fuccefst'ul conclufions in the 
 prefent affair, without coniide'ring, that the Marrattas 
 are profefiionally and conftitutionally, a warlike na- 
 tion ; whereas the Bengalee's are the moft timid, irre- 
 folute, and indolent part of the human fpecies. He 
 might alfo, have confidered that Fortune has proved 
 herielf as fickle and inconftant, in the decifion of arms, 
 as in the difpenfation of other fortuitous events, which 
 affect empires, ftates, fociedes, and individuals. He 
 computed the diftance from Bombay to Poonah at only 
 four days march ; that the friends of Roganaut-row 
 were encamped in the neighbourhood of Poonah with 
 20,000 horfe, and that his opponents, together with the 
 main Marratta army, were engaged holtilely againit 
 Hyder-Alli-Cawn on the banks of the Kiftna, therefore 
 could not afiift againft the friends and meaiures of Ro- 
 ganaut-row. 
 
 How unfortunate was Mr. Haftings, as well in his 
 fecret intelligence, as in his conjectures, ;/ they were 
 fucb as he exprej/ed ! The Bombay army were not 
 within two days march of Poonah, after having been 
 about fifty days in their progrefs,* without any hof- 
 tile obftrudtion, before they were totally defeated, 
 and forced to a difgraceful humiliation, and a carte- 
 blanche. There was not a man in the civil or military 
 
 admini- 
 
 * The expedition moved from Bombay on the 22d of November, 
 and after three or four days fkirmifhing, they capitulated at War- 
 gaum on the i6th of January, diftance about twenty-fire or thirty 
 miles from Poonah,
 
 ( -7 ) 
 
 fcdminiftration of the Marratta governrrienr, either in 
 thought or action, ready to elpoufe the caufe of Roga* 
 naut-row , but, on the contrary, the whole body of 
 the people, in every ftation,, feemed unanimous to op- 
 pofe him, and the plan and meafure he had adopted ; 
 and when it came to the teft, the Bombay army found 
 Jo numerous a force to oppofe their approaches, that 
 they were furrounded, and hemmed in at all quarters, 
 by iuch a body" of troops, that it proved the Marratta 
 main army were not on the banks of the Kiftna. By 
 this rule of judging, are not the following queries di- 
 rectly applicable ? Is not the Governor General, by 
 the countenance which he gave^ and fallacious repre- 
 fcntations made by him, by which the Prefidency of 
 Bombay were not only encouraged, but juftifitd, and 
 even fpirited on$ culpable in a greater degree than as 
 an acceflary ? And is he not immediately and directly 
 anfwerable, with his fortune and perfon, to the Com- 
 pany and Britim nation, for all the treafure and troops 
 which have been loft unneeeflarily, and the difrepute 
 and difcredit brought on the Company and the nation, 
 by the unwarrantable and wanton manner in which he 
 forced the Company into the Marratta war ? The 
 mode of approbation by the Supreme Council, and the 
 conditions which accompanied it, as requifitions inad- 
 miffable by the Marrattasj are material juftifications of 
 the Bombay gentlemen, againft cenfures which other- 
 wile mould have irretrievably crumecl them. - Mr. Haft- 
 ings's inconfiftency, cr whatever other definition it may 
 admit of^ appears in a reply to the eighth paragraph of 
 Mr. Francis's minujte. He propofed, " to enter into a 
 " war with the moft powerful ftate in Hindoftan, who 
 " be conj eft tired were in alliance with Praams, as tbe 
 " means of defeating the views of France and Spain" 
 Inftead of endeavouring to make that " moft powerful 
 " flate" forfake the alliance of France, and become 
 the faithful friends and allies of the Britim nation, 
 C and
 
 ( iS ) 
 
 and tbus render the Company's pofleffions fo fecure, 
 that the whole power and force of Britain might be di- 
 rected elfewhefe, with effect, againft its enemies. 
 The Marrattas offered to fettle a jaghire of five lacks 
 of rupees annually on Roganaut-row, provided he 
 would withdraw to Benaras, under the Englifh pro- 
 tection. This Mr. Haftings oppofed, and by that 
 means, refuted peace and fecurky, together with the 
 reception of about .60,000 fterling annually, in fpecie, 
 from a country with which the Company have no mer- 
 cantile intercourfe from Bengal or Bahar. 
 
 The 9th of February, Mr. Haftings informed the 
 Board, that by private intelligence, he had received 
 affurance of Governor Bellecombe's departure from 
 Pondichery to the Malabar Coaft, with a defign to 
 receive folemn pofleflion of the port of Choul, on the 
 part of France, in confequence of a ceflion thereof by 
 the Marrattas. The truth was, that Monf. Bellecombe 
 made a tour to Mahc in the Brilliante man of war, and 
 doubtlefs had in view, to afilft Mr. St. Lubin, in 
 forming and concluding treaties with the Marrattas and 
 Hyder-Alli-Cawn. But the port of Choul never had 
 been, either the object of his expedition, nor the? pro- 
 bable conceflion on the part of a ftate, already too 
 jealous and fufpicious of European influence and in- 
 trigues in their vicinity. 
 
 On the 2$d of February, Mr. Haftings prefented a 
 letter from Bombay of thz 2Oth January, on which, 
 it would feem, that he founded his motion for march- 
 ing a detachment over land to re-inforce the Bombay 
 army. Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler pcrfiltH to op- 
 pofe it, and protefted in the ftrongctr tern;j. agaiint the 
 rcfolves of the majority.* The Governor's double 
 
 vote 
 
 * Vide the minutes upon record.
 
 vote, and the Tingle one of Mr. Barwell, having over- 
 ruled the two fingle voces of their opponents, a detach- 
 ment under the command of Colonel Matthew Leflie 
 was refolved upon, to confift of 
 
 Officers - - - - 103 
 
 Troops - - - - 6,624 
 
 Servants - - - 19^29 
 
 Bazar people - - 12,000 
 
 38,456 
 
 Here was an army of 6727 troops only, and a fuite 
 of 31,729 fervants and fu tiers, ordered to encounter 
 an unexplored country, * inhabited by a warlike peo- 
 ple, inimical to the Company, occupying fafteffes and 
 defiles, and interfered by large navigable rivers, which 
 would continually expofe the army to be cut off by the 
 fword, reduced by famine, or perifh in the hofpitals. 
 
 A letter from the Court of Directors, dated the 4th 
 July, 1777, to the Prefidency of Bombay, having ar- 
 rived in Calcutta on the i2th March, 1778, " parti- 
 " cularly and pofitively confirming the treaty made ly Co- 
 " lonel Upton with the Marrattas, and ordering a ftritt 
 " adherence to if; recommending fpscial vigilance ', whilft 
 " Ragoba was at Bombay, that he formed no plans \ againft 
 " what is called the minift trial party at Poonah ; and po- 
 " Jitively commanding, that no intervention or fcheme in 
 " his favour^ /hall be entered into, without the previous 
 " confent of the Supreme Council, or Court of Dire Ron. 
 At the fame time, faying, " that common humanity war- 
 " ranted the proteclion of Ragoba? s perjon from violence" 
 No council being then fitting, or to fit in the rotation 
 of bufmefs until the Monday following, and the dc- 
 C 2 tachment 
 
 * Comprehending a fpace of 1500 miles.
 
 ( 20 ) 
 
 tachmcnt under Colonel Leflie being under orders te 
 tnarch, Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler addrefied the 
 Governor General by letter on the fame day, urging 
 the Board to countermand the march, but without 
 effect. 
 
 On the 1 8th March, a letter to the Prefidency of 
 Bombay, drawn up by Mr. Haftings, was laid before 
 the Board, confifting of orders and instructions for the 
 guidance of that Prefidency. This letter is enveloped 
 with fo much art and fubtilty, that though the writer's 
 judgment mud be condemned upon the face of every 
 fact, yet a perfon unacquainted with the hiftory, his 
 views, and abilities in that way, would be apt to ae- 
 quit him of having had intentions directly foreign to 
 the language exprelled. It is like the horizontal plan 
 or bafe of a rugged or hilly country, laid down by out- 
 lines upon a fair fheet of paper, which deceives the 
 eye into a belief, that the country is as flat and level as 
 it appears reprefented on the paper. It fets out with 
 an abftr.act of t!e Company's laft recited letter, which 
 in the 65th paragraph ftrongly defires the obfervance of 
 the treaty -, and in the fame breath, he charges the Mar- 
 rattas with an abiblute violation of every article in the 
 treaty, with forming French connections ; and infi- 
 nuates a firm hope, that the fpirit of the meafures con- 
 veyed in the prelent letter of inftruction, (hall have 
 been anticipated before it reaches, by a great event 
 againft theManatta adminiftration in favour of Roga- 
 naut-row. But, he fays, as the reverie is yet proba- 
 ble, they (the Supreme Council) fhall furnim fuch in- 
 itructions and authority for their guidance, as are ne- 
 ccflary on a fupp jfition that no revolution hath taken 
 phce at Poonah, confifting of fev;en articles, to the 
 f jllowing effeft, viz. 
 
 The
 
 ( 21 ) 
 
 The ift requires a peremptory demand of a coun- 
 try of three complete lacks of rupees annual revenue* 
 near Baroach , and in cafe of non-conformity, to de- 
 clare it a violation of trsaty. 
 
 The 2d requires a peremptory demand of the imme- 
 diate payment of twelve lacks of rupees ; and in cafe 
 of non-compliance, to declare it a -violation of treaty. 
 
 The 3d orders them to keep poffefllon of the feveral 
 villages, and pergunnahs ceded to the Company by 
 Futta-Sing-Guicawar, as the Marrattas have neglected to 
 produce proofs of Futt a- Sing's incapacity to make fucb 
 ceffion. 
 
 The 4th directs them, to remonftrate againft the 
 countenance afforded to Mr*. St. Lubin \ the engage- 
 ments entered into with him , the grant of the port of 
 Choul -, and to demand a clear and fatisfa&ory expla- 
 nation of their intentions in regard to France. And 
 to declare, that the Englim Company mail take fuch 
 meafures as prudence (hall dictate for the future fafety 
 of their interefts and pofleflions. The Governor con- 
 defcended to acknowledge on this fubjeft, " That he 
 " regarded the Marrattas as the only native, and the French 
 " as the only foreign pew er in India, capable of affecting the 
 ' influence which theBritiJh nation had acquired in it* The 
 ' former having been rendered incapable by internal diftrac- 
 ' /*0,f and the inequality of their numbers to European dif- 
 ' cipline ; and the latter, by the want of territorial pro- 
 ' perty, or any to fupply it. That therefore an alliance be- 
 ' tween them would at once relieve all their mutual wants, 
 ' and afford them, all the requijites to difpute with us on equal 
 
 " ta 
 
 * Yet he laboured to unite thef* two powers, which werefeve- 
 trallji capable of affe.fling the Britilli influence. 
 
 f Which diitraftions, his meafures have healed, and effectually 
 compofedt
 
 ( 22 ) 
 
 " terms, tie dominion of India, 'which at prefent we pojjejs 
 " without a rival, and may be at tended with calamities more 
 " dreadful by the fuperior magnitude of the conteft, than that 
 *' which we formerly experienced in the Carnatic"* 
 
 The 5th directs them to demand a fafe paffage for, 
 and affiltance to Colonel L/iflie*s detachment, through 
 the Marratta dominions - y and to afTure them, that no 
 act of hoftility fhall be committed by the army on their 
 march ; and to repeat the ftrongeft aflurances of a pa- 
 cific difpofition and adherence to the treaty in every 
 point. 
 
 , The 6th requires the obfervance of the Company's 
 orders in their laft recited letter, whether the admini- 
 ftration of Saccaram Baboo, and Nana-furnefe conti- 
 nues, or a revolution mould have taken place. But if 
 cither adminiftration (hall direcJly or indireblly, infringe 
 the treaty, in fuch cafe, the Supreme Council, in vir- 
 tue of their authority, doth authorife the Bombay Council 
 to form anew alliance with Roganaut-row, and engage with 
 him in any expedient fcheme for retrieving his affairs. And 
 the like authority is extended, at all events, if they are in- 
 vited to accomplijh the proportions tranfmitted to them on the 
 2d of February laft. 
 
 The yth is a general recommendation, having a clear 
 tendency to delude and circumvent the people of Bom- 
 bay, and to make them oftenfible for any unfortunate 
 event that may arife ; but it artfully recommends "fetch 
 cc a policy, as circumjiances will warrant, independent of any 
 " particular intereft of Roganaut-row, whom they mufl re- 
 " gard in- the great political objeft of our government ', as Jim- 
 
 "ply 
 
 * What fatal confeffions were thefe, and how inconfiftent were 
 his uniform meafures, to thefe dreaded coniequences, and to found 
 policy !
 
 " ply meriting our confederation, and not necejfarily conneR- 
 " ed or blended with them" 
 
 Inflructions and orders, thus carrying in every ex- 
 prefiioH, violence and hoftility, tantamount to a de- 
 claration of war, produced deliberate protefts from Mr. 
 Francis and Mr. Wheler, with fuch ftrong and folidb 
 reafons, as obviate the propriety of any other com- 
 ment. 
 
 Mr. Francis concurred in two general principles pro- 
 fejfed in the intended letter. Firlt, to make the Di- 
 rectors laft letter, the ground work. And, fecondly, 
 to make the eftablimment of a lading peace, the iblc 
 general object. On the preamble of the Governor's 
 letter, Mr. Francis obferved, " that we continued in the 
 "peaceable poffeffion of Sal/ette^ and of the Marrattajhare 
 " of the city and pergunnab of Earoacb as ftipulated by 
 "treaty," 
 
 I. As to the firfl article inftructive, he alledged, that 
 its execution appeared to have been retarded, only by 
 a difpute about the literal meaning of a word,* differ- 
 ently conftrued by each party; and that the admifTion 
 by the Supreme Board, on the i8th Auguft laft, of 
 grofs inftead of neat revenue, decided the difpute in fa- 
 vour of the Marrattas. But that having feveral other 
 places in pofieflion, and enjoying their revenues, as 
 pledges, until the grants of the whole country required 
 were made out, our fecurity was not affected by any 
 delay, occafioned chiefly by that difpute. 
 
 II. That by the acceptance and poffefllon of Jam- 
 boofeer in mortgage, to be held until the revenues col- 
 lected from thence, fhall have liquidated the debt 6f 
 
 twelve 
 
 * Kaumil Jumma,
 
 twelve lacks, which the Marrattas had confented to pay 
 us towards the charge of the late war, demanded in 
 the fecond inftruclion, it muft be conftrued as a mutual 
 performance of the treaty. 
 
 1IL That the third inftruclion, deciding arbitrarily, 
 and ex parte, the right of Futta Sing to make the ccT- 
 fion therein fpecified, which appeared to him ( Mr. 
 Francis,) very difputable ; if decided after this imperi- 
 ous manner in our own favour, would make the efta- 
 blifhment of a lofting peace impoffible. 
 
 IV. That the fourth inftruction, fuppofed the port 
 of Choul to have been ceded to the French, an aflfer- 
 tion which had already been acknowledged, upon en- 
 quiry, to want proof-, and that the menaces uttered, if 
 anfwers confonant to the dejires of the Prefidency of 
 Bombay, or of Mr. Haftings and Mr. Harwell, were 
 not returned, amounted to a declaration of war : Mr* 
 Francis obferved, " That the Marrattas having thus con- 
 " formed to the conditions of the treaty , it feemsd jufl and 
 ** reafonable, that fame f at isf action JJjould be given them on 
 " our fide -, particularly, that Roganaut-row Jhould be re- 
 <c moved from Bombay, with a -proper provi/ion for his ef- 
 ' tablijhment in a private Jiation ; that if any negotiations 
 " were formed with the French^ we may trace them to their 
 " fourcc, in the protection given to Roganaut-row^ his re- 
 " fidence at Bombay ^ and the continued intrigues between him 
 " and that Prefidency \ that the true way to defeat the views 
 * c of France i was to give the Marrattas a folid proof of 
 *' our good faith i that while Roganaut-row^ a pretender 
 41 to their government, was fupported by us, we give them 
 *' too much caufe for looking to France for affijlar.ee ; and 
 " that the preftnt meafures will have them without a 
 " choice", 
 
 V. As
 
 ( 25 ) 
 
 V. As to the fifth inftru&ion, after ftatirig the con- 
 tradiction, and motives, which on different occafions 
 have been affigned for fending an army to Bombay, he 
 afked, " If permijjion for a fafe paffage and affiance is 
 " refufed, Jhall the detachment, nevertheless, be ordered to 
 * c march through the Marratta territory, againft their de- 
 clared inclinations ? And if that is meant, whether that 
 att alone doss not conftitute a declaration of war, which 
 cannot be qualified by any ajjiirances of cur pacific inten- 
 tions ? That fuch language, united with fuch meafures^ 
 is an infult to common fenje, and much too plain to deceive? 
 either the Marrattas or the Court of Directors" 
 
 VL On the fixth inftrucYion, leaving an option in 
 the Bombay Prefidency, whether to declare the treaty 
 infringed, by the Marrattas, or by themfelves, and in 
 confequence of fuch ciecifion, impowering them to en- 
 ter into new engagements with Roganaut-row, for re- 
 trieving his affairs with effect, he laid, " That, in the 
 <l prejent temper and difpojition of that Prefidency, there 
 " cannot be a doubt of the ufe they will make of this extra- r 
 <*' ordinary power, or that they will not be forward to avail 
 " themjehes of it, before it can be re-called" 
 
 VII. On the feventh inftrucYton, which leaves the 
 Prefidency of Bombay in pofTefTion of deciding as they 
 fhall pleafe, and recommends the intereft of Roganaut- 
 row to be regarded only as unconnected with the grand 
 political fyftem,* he faid, " // is a manifeji con tradition 
 *' to the foregoing, and to former inftruftions -, .that not to 
 " purfue feme one determinate fyftem may be hazardous and 
 " dif graceful : . That he conceived the Supreme Board not 
 " warranted to convey fuch unlimited powers to the Prefi- 
 " dency of Embay : That that Prefidency fhould continue 
 D "fubor- 
 
 * Mr. Haftings never communicated this " grand political fyf- 
 *' tern" to the Prefidency of Bombay,
 
 ( 26 ) 
 
 " fubordinate, and be fucceffivek directed by the Supreme 
 ts Council , and that the peace of India, perhaps the fate of 
 " the Britijh empire in this part of the world, is involved 
 " in the queflicns, which are thus left to their future deci- 
 " Jions" He afked, " Are we juftified in relinquijhing 
 " our jurifdiBion, even for a moment, over fuch quej- 
 " tioitt?" And he concluded thus : " Upon the whole, 
 " ;'/ appears to we, that the real tendency of this letter, not- 
 " with/landing any qualifying exprefficns interfperfed through 
 " it, is to provoke a war with the Marrattas ; that it 
 cc feeks for caufes of offence, where none exift j that the lan- 
 " guage it holds to the Marrattas is peremptory and hoftik, 
 " and never ufed but when a rupture is pre- determined - 9 
 " -that the caufes vf complaint on which it urges a quarrel, 
 " are trifling and exaggerated -, that the jatts it refers /<?, 
 <c an either clearly disproved, or taken for granted, with- 
 " out evidence , and that the terms of the inftruclions ars 
 " in fome places ambiguous, and in others contradictory.* 
 " Whether they are or are not confident with the pacific re- 
 " folutions. fo clearly and pofttivdy exprejfed by the Court 
 " of Directors, in their letter of the ^th July y muft belefs 
 " to their judgment" 
 
 Mr. Wheler having repeated his diflent and protefta- 
 tion againft any interference between the contending 
 powers of the Marratta government, and the armament 
 then under orders for Bombay, as well as the purpofc 
 to which it was to be employed, declared, " That he 
 " fhould not think it mceffary in future to enter into difcuf- 
 " Jions on thefe matters, as tbs Governor General and Mr. 
 " Barivell had taken the whole refponjibility on themselves ; 
 " muft be anfwtr able for the confidences of the meafures. al- 
 cc ready refolved on, and fuch as may, of necejjity, follow.' 1 * 
 He agreed with-the Governor, that the 65th paragraph 
 
 of 
 
 * In juflice, and in goQd policy, fhould not the private eftates of 
 perfons taking relponfibility upon themfelves, in fuch. ftrpng inrtan- 
 ces, which, in the letter of law, may amount to an affumption of 
 debt, be held accountable, in terms thereof, for the confluences ?
 
 of the Company'^ letter to Bombay fhouM b? the ground 
 of the inductions ro that Presidency, but he difiented 
 from every other part of them, on the fame principles 
 as thole urged by Mr. Francis. 
 
 Mr. Harwell having joined in the Governor's mea- 
 fures, the letter was prepared, and agreed to, for fig- 
 nature and difpatch. 
 
 Colonel Goddard's regiment of cavalry were ordered, 
 on the 30th March, to join Colonel Leflie's detach- 
 ment, and to proceed to Bombay. 
 
 Advices from Bombay, received the 6th April, re- 
 prefented every thing in a ftate of perfect tranquility; 
 that no motion had been made in favour of Roganaut- 
 row, nor meafure arifen from the pretended overtures 
 of his partizans in Poonah, mentioned in their letter 
 of 1 2th December. Yet Colonel Leflie's detachment 
 was ordered to march j inftruflions were patted ; from 
 all of which Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler diflented. 
 Several minutes by Mr. Haftings, in reply to Mr. 
 Francis, with rejoinders and fur-rejoinders, explanatory 
 of former minutes, and quibbling upon words, were 
 committed to record, in the courfe of this month, but 
 ib immaterial as not to merit quotation. 
 
 The object of this narrative being retrained to'fuch 
 facts and circumftances, as (hall remove falfe impref- 
 fions from mifreprefentations, and to (hew the unweari- 
 ed, unremitted, and faithful refiftance made by Mr. 
 Francis and Mr. Wheler, through each and every ftage 
 of the ruinous bufmefs. So alarming were thefe gen- 
 tlemens apprehenfions, and fuch their preference of the 
 declining ftate of the Company's finances, as well as 
 thofe of their dependent allies in India, the probable 
 wants of the nation in Europe, and the demand which 
 the nation muft mak*, in fome (hape or other, on the 
 D 2 Company,
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 Company, for a renewal of their charter, to anfwer the 
 call-, of a general war, lo much threatened in Europe, 
 that rhc records exhibit indefatigable labour and affi- 
 duiiy in both, and marks of nervous, clear, and irre,- 
 filtible abilities in Mr. Francis, to ofcpofe expences, 
 and to introduce principles of oeconomy, on every oc- 
 qafrjn j and that it was with tbefe views, and fhofe of 
 juftice, together with a fixed intention to good-faith^ 
 and the prcfervation of national fame, that he uni- 
 formly and (leadily prefled, without intermiffion, a- 
 gainft the Marratta war, and eveiy other avoidable hof- 
 tility in inciia -, as moft confiftent with the inltrucYions 
 pf the Company, with good policy, and with honour. 
 Left I- .. lid be alledged, that this detachment was 
 not attend u with an extraordinary military charge of 
 magnitude, it is proper to aflerr, as a truth, that an 
 equal number of troops were immediately recruited, 
 by additional battalions, and an augmentation of each 
 ^xilting battalion, at an immenfe expence in advance, 
 doathing, arm?, and difcipline , and that an extra ftaff, 
 extra Itores, extra train of artillery, and other unfore- 
 feen extra expences, incident to fuch an occafion, be- 
 fides the charges and actual lofles upon the exchange 
 of remittances, together alfo with the didrefTing irre- 
 trievable inconvenicncy of tranfporting the current coins 
 wanted in circulation at home, into parts from whence 
 it cannot return. Even the diftrefies of the Nabob of 
 Ui.de were heightened ; and the Rajah Cheyt Sing, the 
 identical tributary of the Company, had a new contri- 
 bution levied upon him, under this pretext, in addition 
 to his e It .ibii fiied tribute. Demands equally unjuit and 
 impoiit c, as they were compulfutory, at a time, when 
 prudence ihould have dictated the propriety, perhaps 
 the necdlity, of conciliating the minds, attaching the 
 affections, and fccuring the loyalty and fidelity of the 
 principal n-tjvcs, inftead of creating difartVttions and 
 rekntmenrs, by claims which were no: founded on pre- 
 contracts, or conditional treaties, bun upon the capri- 
 cious
 
 cious movement?, of imperious and opprcfiive minds, 
 having, in remore as well as immediate contemplation, 
 ends very oppofite to thofe which were profeffed. 
 
 May ir, 1778. Advices from Bombay of the 5th 
 April, having communicated the accounts of a revolu- 
 tion at Poonah, in favour of Roganaut-row, * Mr. 
 Francis, upon a principle that any afliftance from Ben- 
 gal would not now be wanted on the Malabar coaft, 
 either againft the Marrattas, or to oppofe France, as 
 the fuppofed connection between Nana-furnefe and 
 Monfieur St. Lubin could no longer exift with effe<5t, 
 relumed the fubject of fufpending the march of Co- 
 lonel Leflie's detachment, as no longer necefTarv. 
 But the Governor perfifted as before, and over- ruled 
 the motion. * 
 
 May 1 6. The detachment having marched, and the 
 rainy feafon approaching, Mr. Francis urged the recall 
 of the detachment. Mr. Haftings, with conftant per- 
 feverance, againft his own knowledge and certain con- 
 yiftion, maintained, " That no feafon could be more 
 " hazily choftn than the beginning of May ; that the 
 " violent beats would foon be over ; and that the fuc- 
 " ceeding rains would be a relief^ to the troops^ and 
 " facilitate the march." To thole who have experi- 
 enced the rains of India, the idea will appear new and 
 extraordinary. Colonel Leilie's letters, particularly 
 his private ones to the Governor, prove that nothing could 
 have been fo ill founded. He uniformly attributes the 
 delay of his march to the torrents of rain which had 
 overflowed the country, deftroying the roads, and mak- 
 ing even the fmall rivers and guts impaffable. Light 
 troops, without incumbrance, may perhaps move in 
 any feafon, but it is not fo eafy to convey a train of ar- 
 tillery, with ftores, ammunition, camp-equipage, and 
 
 provifions, 
 
 This was falfe.
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 provifions, for a body of people not lefs than 38,000 
 in number, in a tempeftuous feafon, and through an 
 enemy's country, interfered with numberlefs dreams, 
 generally overflowed. The effect of the heat was fa- 
 tally experienced on the firft day's march from Calpee; 
 by the ignorance of the conductors, or the obftmacy 
 of the commander, they moved out of the right 
 courie, and for want of water, and through fatigue, 
 between 300 and 400 perfons, belonging to the army, 
 or to its followers, died raving mad. Captain Craw- 
 ford, one of the belt and braveft characters in India,, 
 died in that ftate, of two hours illnefs. Colonel Par- 
 ker, Major Fullarton, Captain Afli, Captain Showers, 
 and about ten fubalterns, happily recovered from dan- 
 gerous. ill nefTes, occafioned by the march. And when 
 Colonel Goddard, after the death of Colonel Leflie, 
 took charge of the army, although very little pro- 
 grefs had been made in the route, he found above a 
 thoufand Sepoys in the hofpital. 
 
 June 8. By letters from Colonel Leflie, it is difco- 
 vered, that the Marratta ftates adjoining to the Jum- 
 na, had oppofed the paffing of the army, and conti- 
 nued a refiftance through the Bundlecund country; 
 that Moodajee Boofla, Rajah of Berar, had expreiled 
 an unwillingnefs to admit the detachment near his ca- 
 pital, the evident effect of diftruft , that he difclaimed 
 ail political interefts and objects for himfelf , that he 
 refufcd to join his troops with the Company's; and that 
 he recommended, in the ftrongeft terms, an accommo- 
 dation with the Marrattas, offering hi mlelf as a mediator. 
 Mr. Francis renewed his motion for the recall of the de- 
 tachment, on account of the oppofition and obstruction 
 it had already received, and the further difficulties it 
 would meet with. The Governor's reply merits par- 
 ticular attention ; he defcribed the route of the army 
 with fo minute a direction, and with fo pofitive a fc- 
 
 curity,
 
 ( 3' ) 
 
 curity, through Bnndlecund and Bapaul , he alTerted fa 
 confidently, the invitation and prefiing felicitations of 
 Moodajee BooQa to fend the army through his coun- 
 try, and declared fo pointedly the political objects and 
 interefts of that prince, that one would forbear even to 
 doubt the moral poffibility of the fafts alledgcd. He 
 infinuated that the Marratta tribes were not under fub*. 
 jedion to the Pailhwa , in order to imprels an idea of. 
 their unimportance, as a (late capable of annoying the 
 march of the detachment. What muft Mr. Haftmg.s's 
 warmeft adherents and advocates now think of his po-. 
 litical judgement and affeverarions, agairitl proofs ib. 
 incontrovertibly pofuive, if they pretend to .vindicate 
 his intentions ? 
 
 ' 
 
 Mr. Francis rejoined, in an able and fpirited minute, 
 to all Mr. Haftings's equivocations, fophiftry, and ill- 
 founded aflertions. He obferved, That whether the 
 Marrattas, as diftinct tribes, are under immediate fub- 
 jedlion to the Paifhwa or not, was very immaterial, 
 when a general alliance, and a common enemy, ope- 
 rated on their interefts and mutual fecurhy. 
 m 
 
 Mr. Haftings fur-rejoined, in terms that muft have 
 ftruck the Directors with aftonimment, if they attended 
 to the cxpreffions, and their inequivocal tendency, by * 
 which he declared " his unalterable determination ts pro- 
 " fecute the meafure to the utmoft of his power to the con-- 
 tc clujton" He faid, " That the difgrace of thofe whs 
 *' planned the expedition^ the irreparable lofs of the credit of 
 * c this government, and a perpetual diftruft of all its future 
 " atls, exclusive of the forfeiture of the advantages for 
 " which it was originally concerted, would be the infallible 
 "conference of flopping the expedition" Do not theic 
 words mark, in ftrong terms, and diftinguifhed ch*-., 
 racters, the obftinate and imperious diipofition of the 
 man, which is not to be with-held from its purpofes, 
 
 bv
 
 ( 3* ) 
 
 by felf-evident confequences, or immediate danger ? 
 But " a tbirft for plunder, and an avidity for power , bays 
 " ever been motives of hoftility and injuftice^ to avaricious 
 " men," is the fentiment of a very lenfible, intelligent 
 perfon,* one of Haftings's principal agents, in a late 
 publication, " Of the Hiftory and Management of the 
 Eaft- India Company" which is peculiarly applicable to 
 the author's own friend. 
 
 By letters received the nth June, from Bombay, 
 dated the2d May, they advife, that they had counter- 
 manded the advance of Colonel Leilie's detachment, 
 until further orders. That this ftep was founded on 
 the opinion they had formed of the prefent ftate of af- 
 fairs, and their defire to refcue the Company from the 
 heavy expence, and their troops from the dangers and 
 difficulties of a march from Bengal to Bombay. 
 
 By letters of the pth May, received the 2ift June, 
 they advife of having reverted the laft-mentioned relb- 
 lution, within two days after the meal u re was adopted - t 
 and that they had ordered Colonel LcQie to proceed. 
 But they afiigned no reafon for the alteration. 
 
 June 22. Confidering this extraordinary fluctua- 
 tion and unfteadinefs in the Council of Bombay, and 
 that no motives whatfoever were afligned for it, Mr. 
 Francis reprefented to the Board, the hazard and difcre- 
 dit of leaving a detachment at the difcretion of fuch 
 Council ; and, on that ground, urged again, but in 
 varn, the neceffity of recalling it. 
 
 June 29. Another letter from Bombay advifed the 
 receipt of Inftructions from the Supreme Council, and 
 that, in confequence thereor, they had directed Mr. 
 
 Moilyn 
 
 * Mr. John Macpherfon,
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 Fvioftyn to demand, from the Regency of Poonah, the 
 Irv^ral marrers ordered by the Governor-general and 
 Council. Thar, conceiving the pafiage of Colonel 
 Leflie's detachment to be attended with almoft infu- 
 perabie dangers arid difficulties, they recommended, that 
 in furore, any reinforcement to them might proceed 
 directly from Madras, as the beft and eafieft mode. 
 Thus, it is evident to demon Oration, that the fafety of 
 the detachment was more the effect of chance than con- 
 
 July 6. The detachment having crofled the Jum- 
 na, and proceeded into the heart of a hoftile country, 
 from whence its recall might be conftrued into a dif- 
 graceful defeat and retreat, the Governor thought it 
 no longer neceflary to difguife his real purpofes ; on 
 the 6th of July, he dropt the malk, by the firft direct: 
 move towards the object which he fmce appears to have 
 had originally at heart, of an alliance with the Rajah of 
 Berar, and which will appear to have been, (notwith- 
 ftanding the reafons oftenfibly held out) the real object 
 of the expedition. The myftery once unfolded, all 
 iurther concealments were either ufelcfs or impracti- 
 cable. The great difficulty with Mr. Haftings appears 
 to have been, to find pretences for fo extraordinary and 
 queftionable a ftep, as that of fending the Company's 
 troops out of the provinces, over land to the oppofite 
 extremity of India, againft the very letter of repeated 
 and pofitive orders, and to account for the enormous 
 expences that muft attend it. To remove thofe dif- 
 ficulties, no affcrtions were fpared, no artifice omitted, 
 and no fophiftry unemployed. That point once car- 
 ried, and the army out of the probable reach of be- 
 ing recalled, new facts are aliened, new principles 
 elUblifhed, and new objects propofed. -The fame 
 army, which originally was to have reinftated Roga- 
 naut-row, and to fupport that intereft alone, is now 
 E deftined
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 deftined to place Moodajce Boofla at the head of the 
 Marratra empire, as well in oppofition to Roganautr 
 row as to his adverfarics , and the Company to join 
 with that prince in invading the dominions of their 
 own ally, the Nizam of the Deccan. And yet Mr. 
 Haftings, in the month of December following, de- 
 clared, that this Moodajee Boofla, who was then dan- 
 geroufly ill, and expected to die, and who was to have 
 been exalted to the Marratta Imperial throne, was noE 
 the real Rajah of Berar, nor the pretender to the Ram- 
 rajah-mip, but the Naib, or Deputy Rajah of Berar, 
 during the minority of the real prince. In eonlequence 
 of this change in the deftination of the expedition, Co- 
 lonel Leflie was ordered to take his route through Be- 
 rar, inftead of purfuing the direct eafy road through 
 Jvlalva , and, for the firft time, Madajee Scindia, the 
 chief of that diftrict, was declared by Mr. Haftings, to 
 have had no friendly intercourfe or connection with the 
 Company ; and that he was always reprefented as a 
 partizan with Nana-furnefe, againft them, and in fa- 
 vour of the French. 
 
 July 7. Advice arrived from Mr. Baldwin, the 
 Company's agent at Cairo, on the 7th July, which, 
 however, proved premature, that war had been declared 
 betw-een France and Britain. Mr. Francis recurred to 
 his original motion, and urged the necellity, in confe- 
 quence of that event, of recalling the detachment for 
 the defence and protection of the Company's principal 
 object.. The Governor and Mr. Harwell perfifted as 
 before, and ordered it to hUt in Berar j while the Pre- 
 {idency of Bombay were, by order of thele very per- 
 fons who compofe the majority, declaring war, and 
 commitrng hoitilities, on the faith of itc.i^ir.g alTiit- 
 ance from t l *is very deiachrr^nr, which, lor that ible 
 purpofe, oftenfibly, was put under their abfoiutc au- 
 thority, '
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
 July 9. At a time when, in confequence of the ad- 
 vices from Cairo, it was expected that the defence of 
 the Company's poflefTions would occupy the delibera- 
 tions of the Supreme Council, to fecure their dominion 
 and trade againft French invafions, Mr. Haftings pro- 
 duced a laboured hiftory of the Ram-rajah, the confti- 
 tution of the Marratca empire, and fome remote pre- 
 tenfionsof Moodajee Boofla, by confanguinity, to the 
 Mirratta fovereignty. And concluded with a propo- 
 fal to enter into a treaty with Moodajee Boofla, who 
 (he alledged) was at -perpetual and inveterate warfare 
 with the Regency of Poonah, and with the Soubah of 
 the Deccan, with whom the Company were yet in 
 terms of friendfhip by alliance and folemn treaties. 
 And that a Company's fervant mould be immediately 
 difpatched to him, with plenipotentiary powers to than 
 purpofe. 
 
 A fyftem of policy fo contrary to common fenfr, 
 common juftice, and common faith, is difficult to be 
 juftified. If the Marrattas with a French alliance, were 
 acknowledged by Mr. Haftings, " to be capable of refu- 
 fing acquiefcence to" and " obftrufting upon an equality cf 
 power , the Britijb views in Hindoftan" what muft the fame 
 power, in conjunction with the Soubah, who is the rich- 
 eft prince in India, and the probable junction of the Sou- 
 bah's mod particular friend and infeparable ally Hyder- 
 Alli-Cawn, produce to the Company's difadvantage, to- 
 ward the total fubveriion of the Britifa empire in Afia ? 
 Muft not fuch meafures render the Marrattas^ not only 
 irreconcileable and inveterate, but defperate ? Would 
 not the union of chefe three powerful ftates, eafily over- 
 run the Carnatic, and re ft ore to the Soubah the fi^e 
 northern Circars, which the Company now enjoy ? 
 And after the reduction of all the Company's forts and 
 garrifons on each fide of the peninfula, would not thac 
 united power confine the remaining influence of the 
 E 2 Company"
 
 ( 36 ) 
 
 Company to the Bengal provinces, and perhaps render 
 them iniecure ? Such an event, confidering the fhackles 
 which the Company have impolitically held upon rheir 
 allies in the interior countries, and the pinioned princes 
 of the Carnatic, would, without a deviation from good 
 faith and honour, rejoice their hearts,, in the profpe<ft 
 which a native fuperiority would offer to their emanci- 
 pation and enfranchifement. 
 
 July 10. Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler, on the roth 
 July, argued againft the propofals of Mr. Haftings on 
 the preceding day, and urged the neceffity of putting 
 Bengal in a ftate of defence, recalling the detachment, 
 and fending a reinforcement from Madras to Bombay, 
 to aft folely on a def en/he flan. 
 
 July n. The next day, the fubjeft.was revived and 
 canvaflfed, with a motion for recalling the detachment. 
 Mr. Wheler defired time to confider the nature and ex- 
 tent of the intended treaty, before he pofitively deter- 
 mined ; in which he was joined by Mr. Francis. The 
 majority refolved on a treaty, and that Mr, Elliot be 
 appointed to negociate it. The plan was not produced. 
 
 July 1 8. Mr. Haftings having prepared powers and 
 inftrudions for Mr. Elliot's embaffy to Berar, produced 
 them at the Board the i8th July, and were voted by 
 h'.mltlf and Mr. Barwell againft a ftrenuous oppofition 
 by Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler. * It appeared upon 
 thefe documents, that the treaty was to extend gene- 
 rally, to offence and defence , that Roganaut-row was 
 to be fet afide; that Moodajee Boofla was to be placed 
 at the head of the Marratta empire, and to be fupported 
 in his pretenfions againft the Company's ally, the Sou- 
 
 bafi 
 
 * Mr. Whaler's minute is ftrong, pathetic, and fenftble, againft 
 the treaty and the expedition.
 
 ( 37 ) 
 
 bah of the Deccan. This plan of new, hoftile, and ex- 
 tenfwe operations, which inltantly tended to involve. 
 all India, was propofed and urged by Mr. Hading*, at 
 the beginning of a French war, and at a time thac ail 
 India beheld ihe Company's growing power and ufurpa- 
 tions with tearful, jealous eyes, without any availing 
 and direct meafure taken or propofed, for the effectual 
 fecurity of Bengal, or any other of the Company's pof- 
 feffions f Daring all this time, the detachment halted 
 at Chatterpore,- a tew days march from the Jumna. 
 It appeared from Col. LeQie's letters, that Mr. Halt- 
 ings mutt have been perfectly acquainted with all the 
 tr an factions of the army ; particularly in his letter of 
 3Oth June, where he fays, ' That he will critically ob- 
 " feme the Governor's private inflruftions, in ccmrmnicat- 
 " ing with him, one poft before he does with the Board -., in 
 " order that he may have time to obferve upon //, before it 
 " r cakes the Roard^ &c." Yet at the Board, the Go- 
 vernor conftantly defended him, and recommended to 
 the Board to approve Colonel JLeQie's violent and hof- 
 tile actacls. upoii the town and fortrefs of Mow, under 
 the prot-ction of the Marrattas, although the Gover- 
 nor could not but be acquainted with the true motives 
 of that barbarous depredatory mcaiiire. 
 
 Auguft 17. A letter from Bombay, dated 25th July, 
 was received in Calcutta the i;th Aug. faying, " That 
 *' they had declared the treaty of Poonah violated^ and 
 " no longer binding on the Company ; that they had 
 " determined to accept the offers of Moraba and other 
 " Chief s y who had declared in favour of Roganaut- 
 
 " row -, 
 
 f To fave appearances at home, and to glofs over his own mea- . 
 furcs, Mr. Mailings prcpofed feveral unavailing and ine/Fedual 
 modes preparatory to defence; while, at'th-? fr.ne time, he con- 
 nived at dilmantJing the grand arfenal of tji- aetr.al arms. A nar- 
 rative of tranfattions in the ordnance department will appear in. 
 fapp9ft of this allegation 
 
 854785
 
 " row ; and accordingly had determined to accompany 
 " him with an army to Poonah, the banning of Scp- 
 " t ember." Notwithstanding Mr. Haftings's projected 
 treaty with Moodajee Boofla, he warmly approved the 
 plan for reinftating Roganauc-row ; yet he reprefented 
 Roganaut-row's caufe as deiperate, and the meafures of 
 the Prefidency of Bombay, as equivalent to a refo- 
 " fatten to do nothing." The meaning of which is, 
 that he fupported meaiures which he knew would not 
 take effect. But, probably, he trufted that they might 
 fave his projected detachment, at the hazard of the 
 Bombay army, Bombay itfelf, and all the Company's 
 factories on that fide of India. By lc tters from Colonel 
 Leflie it appeared, that the gentlemen of Bombay had 
 directed him to proceed in a direct courfe to Poonah, 
 inftead of the route through Guzzerat to Baroach, or 
 Surat, as had been pre-detcrmined. 
 
 In council, on the gift Auguft, fome reflections hav- 
 ing been made by Mr. Francis on Colonel LeQie's ex- 
 traordinary delay at Chatterpore, the Board agreed with 
 him, that the caufes deferved to be enquired into. 
 
 And on the sd September, in the courfe of a warm 
 debate on the ftay of the detachment at Chatterpore, 
 Mr. Haftings uniformly defended and fupported Co- 
 lonel LeQie, and with much apparent confidence in his 
 conduct, referred to the event to juftify it. It after- 
 wards appeared from the letters of Colonel Leflie, that 
 all thefe defences were fallacious and deceitful. In a 
 letter dated at Chattcrpoie, the 3Oth July, Colonel 
 Leflie tells Mr. Haftings, bluntly, " That he bad the 
 *' Governor's own private and public approbation of all the 
 *' meafures , which he had fine <: iodemned and execrated 
 * bitterly" He added, " that be h-pes for the Governor's 
 ' own reputation, that he believe: tr..r uffertions of ignorance, 
 " $refumption t and rapacity, imputea to him (the Colonel) 
 
 " in.
 
 ( 39 > 
 
 " in Captain Palmer's letter, to h trut % for the following 
 lines in the fame letter from Capt. Palmer to Capt. Cocke- 
 rell, fay, That my difgrace is determined on t either by the 
 recall of the detachment, or by my fuperctffion in the com- 
 4 ma nd ; and that the efforts of friendship alone, not a 
 4 poffibility of my being innocent of thefe charges, protrafts 
 < the meafure, and fufpends your refolution." This quo- 
 tation from Captain Palmer's letter muft have been 
 very early in July, or the latter end of June. It ma- 
 nifeftly proves, that the moft facred trufts were facri- 
 ficed to private views, and private friendfliips, as the 
 declarations by the Governor's moft confidential fecre- 
 tary, muft have had his authority. 
 
 From the 22d September to the 5th October, no 
 material advices from Colonel Leflie had tranfpired. 
 He had altered the pofition of his camp, but without 
 any apparent intention to purfue the march. The hof- 
 tiiity committed by him in the province of Bundle- 
 cund (the Country of Diamonds') being as reprehenfible 
 as the delay, and other circumftances, Mr. Francis 
 urged again, that his conduct mould be enquired into ; 
 but at the particular requeft of Mr. Haftings, to defer 
 it, that influence predominated. Having received ac- 
 counts of the death of Mr. Elliot, in his way to nego- 
 ciate the treaty wkh the Rajah of Berar, Mr. Haftings 
 moved in council, that the commifiion be continued, 
 and another perfon appointed to carry it into execu- 
 tion. 
 
 It is a juftice due to fuperior merit, to digrefs in 
 this place, in order to lament the too early fate of one 
 of the moft promifmg characters, and elevated genius, 
 ^vhich dignify humanity ; and to fympathize with his 
 relations and acquaintances ; for all who knew him were 
 his friends, as well as ftrangers, to whom report only 
 yielded an opportunity of admiring his virtues and ca- 
 pacity,
 
 ( 40 ) 
 
 pacity, for the -death of Alexander Elliot, Efq. * He 
 tell a martyr to patriotifn, ar..' ro his employ- 
 
 ers -- AfF the EalV 
 
 w^iicii nr.d in the cure 
 
 re-.HM-t s too c , mercury; his 
 
 duty (as he thought r reafon, in under- 
 
 taking a iong and harrafilng j? urney, in the deluged 
 ieai'on, without the poiTiNlity or accommodations fuit- 
 ed to his ftate. Aher leaving the Company's territo- 
 ries, he di'.covered that Governor Chevalier, who had 
 fccretly efcaped from Chanderna^rre, was pnrfuing the 
 fa'me refute, before him. Knowing the ambitious de- 
 ligns of that man, and the accurate knowledge he had 
 acquired in the politics of India, thefe fuggeitions in- 
 itigaced Mr. Elliot to endeavour, at all even's, to feize 
 his perfon, dreading that his liberty and arrival in 
 France might be attended with-the worft confequences 
 to the Company's affairs, and the views of Brhain, in 
 India. He moved on by forced and fatiguing jour- 
 neys, ftill tracing and approaching Mr. Chevalier. ' 
 Unfortunately, -when he had 'the chace in view, one of 
 she large rivers of Catac, obftru&ed his progrefs, by 
 a furidcn overflow of its waters. Zeal and refolution ac- 
 tuared him, regardlefs of the ftate of his body, and 
 the medicines which he had ufed, and the exertion of 
 ftrengch and activity which the ftemming of a ra- 
 pid ftream required, he undertook and fuccteded, in 
 iwimming over the river, with a few of his attendants 
 and fepoys. He found Mr. Chevalier at the metropolis 
 of Catac ; and although efcorted only by a company of 
 fepoys, he claimed the- perfon of Governor Chevalier 
 Irom the Rajah, with fuch fenfible and manly argu- 
 ments in fupport thereof, that the Rajah yielded to Mr. 
 Elliot's eloquence, as fuperior to that of Mr. Chevalier, 
 and furfendered him up. As Mr. Elliot had but a 
 
 fmall 
 
 Son to the late Sir Gilbert Elliot.
 
 C 4i ) 
 
 irriall efcort, and the longeft and moft dangerous partf 
 of his journey yet to encounter, he could not, without 
 facrificing the object of his commiffion, return a guard 
 to conduct Mr. Chevalier and his companion Mr. Mo- 
 neron to Calcutta ; therefore he engaged .their paroles 
 in writing^ to furrender thcrrifelves as pdfoners of war 
 within a limitted time, to the Governor-general. 
 Mr. Chevalier and Mr. Moneroh performed their en- 
 gagements -, Mr. Elliot purfued his route for Berar* 
 and died a few days thereafter. Thus, by an exertion 
 worthy of Mr. Elliot, did he lofe his own life, the Com- 
 pany a moft able and faithful fervant, and his country 
 a loyal fubject. And Mr. Haftings, with oppofite 
 fenriments, accommodated his friend Mr. Chevalier, 
 with a fafe and fpecdy paflage to Verlailles. A mode 
 Of conveyance which Mr. Chevalier could riot have atr 
 chieved in thrice the time, if at all, hid he been fuf- 
 fered to wander through the interior of India in dif- 
 guife. 
 
 On the 7th Oclo'ber, Mr. Haftings withdrew hii 
 motion for continuing the commiffion, and fending 
 another perfon to eiecute it 5 but he perfifted, hotwith- 
 ftanding, in forming the alliance with Moodajee B'oof- 
 la. Although he had difcovered, and, in confequence 
 thereof, declared, " Vbat it was always more advanta- 
 4 * gttus to wait for felicitations, than to make advances^* 
 
 The new inftru&ions now propofed for the march 
 of the detachment, will be fouh'd to defefve particular 
 attention. * The tendency of thetrl was, that the dei 
 tachmerit mould be left under the orders of the Prefi- 
 dcncy of Bombay^ for the exprefs purpofes of fdp- 
 porting any plan or defign for the reftorauon of Ro- 
 ganaut-row, and to provide for the irhracdiite fafery' 
 F of 
 
 * Vide the miaute upon record 1 ,
 
 of Bombay, againft a French iny-afion. Upon this oc- 
 cafion, Mr. Haftings, for the firft time, avowed a dif- 
 truft of Colonel LeQie, with an indirect . profeffion of 
 an intention to remove him. 
 
 October 12. However important the fubjcct, con- 
 fidcring the charge and power with which Colonel Lef- 
 lie was intruded, no refolution was taken to remove 
 him from the command, until the i2th October. 
 Mr. Haftings, upon that occafion, informed the Board, 
 " That it had been the will of God to blaft his defigns by 
 " means which no human prudence could have forefeen, and 
 " againft which he had therefore provided no refource" 
 Yet he affirmed, " That the effifts of the detachment will 
 " ftill anfwer bis moft f anguine hopes ^ and that the meafure 
 " itfelf is 'as advifeable new, and more fo, than when it 
 " was firjl adopted." Mr. Francis, with his wonted 
 zeal, by a moil able minute, urged againft meddling, 
 dirtftly or indirectly, in the differences and pretenfions 
 of the Marratta chiefs and minifters amongft therri- 
 felves. * " He briefly recapitulated his continued and 
 invariable oppofuion to a caule, and meafures, fo in- 
 confident with found policy, and the real interefts and 
 fecurity of the Company's pofTelTions and trade, through 
 
 every 
 
 * The Company's pbmive injunctions -in the general letter to 
 Madras, dated 2-th June, 1770, again it offerifive arid officious J ^li- 
 ances, are peculiarly adapted to the fentiments expreffed by Mr. 
 Francis, vifc. " We have only here to enjoin you, to avoid, as much 
 as in you lies, becominafrartfu in any diffrule betnjjeejn the ptiutrt 
 in India ; and to pay the r/.ijt jlritt obedience to our orders, fur 
 confining our vie'ws to citr frefcnt pdffijfions ; the peace and fe- 
 curity of which are the utmoft fcope of our ivi/bes, as they will 
 ly tend to advance the commercial and vital interefts of the 
 " 
 
 Mr. Haftings wasfe'cond in Council a; Madras, upcn the iStL 
 April, 1771, when this letter was quoted in clear and fa cis fa ft cry 
 julufication of the fentiments and conduct of that Board, and, for 
 t ^urpofe, entered upon their proceedings. Jfl3W3
 
 ( 43 ) 
 
 every fucceflive ftage thereof. He dated the difap- 
 pointmeat and failure in the pretended fupport of Ro- 
 ganaut-row and his partizans, their difperfion, and the 
 imprifonment of his principal adherents in Poonah. 
 That, by advice from Colonel Leflie, the detachment, 
 in four months, had only marched 120 miles, at the 
 expence of 12 lacks of rupees, or 3 lacks per month; 
 that they were oppofed by a numerous body of Mar- 
 rattas and natives ; and that they had yet above a thou- 
 fand miles to march over." Mr. Francis then defired in- 
 formation on feveralinterefting points How money was 
 to be fupplied ? how prcvifions were to be conveyed ? 
 what probability there was, that the Rajah of Berar 
 would receive and entertain them as friends and allies^ or 
 give them a pafiage through his country ? or even, ad- 
 mitting thefe facts to be reiblved favourably, " Whether 
 Mr. Haftings believes confidently, that if the army fhall 
 meet with no interruption in its march, it will get to 
 Bombay, in time to afford relief to that place, if it fhall 
 be attacked, or that an attack had been preconcerted by 
 the allied forces of the French and the Marrattas ?" 
 It is a truth well known, that it is with violence to 
 themfelves, and difficulty to their officers, that fea- 
 poys will embark upon the fea, if at all. If the army 
 h ad vfln arched, as was originally intended, to Baroach 
 or Surat, which are in the Guzzerat country, their dif- 
 tance from Bombay would not only be very great, but 
 more difficult, by reafon of almoft inacceflible defiles 
 and paffes between hills, and the entire fpace inhabited 
 by a numerous martial people, in that degree that they 
 could not yield more fpeedy fuccours to Bombay, than 
 if they were cantoned in the Bengal provinces. 
 
 Oftober 19. Chatterpore, which is the capital of 
 
 Bundlecund, is fituate near the weftern confine of that 
 
 province. Its diftance from Calcutta may be computed 
 
 at twenty days ordinary journey for a native courier. 
 
 F 2 Here:
 
 ( 4* ) 
 
 Here the detachment bad long lain. .Col. Leflie ? s laft 
 letter was hid before the Board upon,- the lyih Octo- 
 ber, v herein he Rated the caufes which retarded his 
 march, ami accounts for his not having being hereto- 
 fore more explicit in his communication to the Board, 
 frying, ^ That he had furnijbed Mr. tiaftings, at hi$ 
 " o,vn fpecial defire, a particular journal of occurrences, 
 6C and therefore had truftedto kim for fucb explanations as 
 ec the Beard wight defire to know.'" The Colonel expreffed 
 n. apprchenfion of Mr. Haftings's refentment, or of any 
 effects it could produce; but, on the contrary, fets, 
 him at open defiance in plain terms, and refilled to hold 
 pvivate o.rrelpondcnce with him any longer. 
 
 October 22. The Governor having received inti? 
 
 mation ol the death of Colonel Leflie at Chatterpore, on 
 
 t .e D d Odob-r, laid that information, and trie Colo- 
 
 a c irtrcrs, before the Board, on the 224 
 
 cv-v.nc had been knovyn in the native cir- 
 
 i <i C a : -. utta, ancl therefore to the Governor, rnoft 
 
 \ , rial days before ; and it is a general con- 
 
 \f\ uic, that .he iir.pnflibility < f his recovery was effec- 
 
 i t v ^iiy, k&c. ). fied a- an inevitable confequence, in the 
 
 G >.ernor's i: ind, at the time he confented to his dif- 
 
 m.fllon from the command of the army, on the jath 
 
 Oaober. 
 
 Noverrber ?. Colopel Goddard, as fecond, having 
 fucceeded' to the chief command of the detachment, 
 upon the death of Colonel Ltflje, he ach'ued that he 
 found the nvlitary tieakire-cheit : mpty ; that he was 
 obliged to draw bills for the fubfiftence of his troops-, 
 trur^here'were upwards of 1000 fepc-ys in the hofpiial 
 ^nd that, under tnele j: conveniences, he had, notwith- 
 ftanding, proceeded on his march to Srtgur. 
 
 Pa
 
 C 45 ) 
 
 On the 1 2th November, the Governor propofed an 
 arrangement for fupplying the detachment with money 
 by remittances to Nagpore, the capital of Berar. If 
 it was not intended that the army (hall halt in that 
 country, the meafure was abfurd, becaufe if the de- 
 tachment was to march without interruption to Bom- 
 bay, it would be arrived there before remittances from 
 Calcutta could reach Berar. The proportion expreficd 
 an immediate want of money, and to receive it in two 
 months from this date, at a place confiderably more 
 than a thoufand miles from the place of deftination. 
 One would almoft fuppofe, that this propofition argued 
 deliberate purpofes to waile the Company's treafures, 
 in the fame manner as the original expedition feemed 
 calculated to confume their army. 
 
 November 6. A private letter from Colonel God- 
 dard, of the 22d October, with others from Moodajee 
 Boofla and his minifters, to the Governor, were laid 
 before the Board. The Governor propofed to renew 
 the negociation with Moodajee Boofla, on the princi- 
 ples of Mr. Elliot's inftruftions ; although it was but 
 upon the 7th of laft month, that he had declared, ' It 
 " would be more advantageous to wait for folici fattens than 
 " to make advances" And he propofed, that Colonel 
 Goddard have charge of the negociation, with full 
 
 powers to conclude. 
 * 
 
 Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler oppofed the motion, 
 but it was carried againft them. They then objected 
 to the private correfpondence carried on between the 
 Governor and the commanding officers of the Com- 
 pany's troops, thus detached out of the provinces, with- 
 out any fixed deftination, or principle of action. The 
 private mode of correfpondence, fo univerfally exacted 
 and practifed by Mr. Haftings, with the commanding 
 officer of the detachment, ought to be as much an ob- 
 
 jeft
 
 Jct of confideration, -as it certainly was of fufpicion- 
 One of the- object ing members obferved with great juf- 
 tice, " Zbat it was 'very difficult and diftrejfing to thof 
 ' mw-l-?rs of council^ who difappro-ve of fuch a proceed' 
 ' ing, to exprefs their difapprobation of it, in term 5 
 ' that do not imply per/onal diftruji of their Prefident- 
 1 'There -was no language (he faid) in which a total 
 ' want of confidence in his perfonal honour and vcra- 
 6 city can be conveyed, without a direft affront to him" 
 Mr, Francis, in his minute of this day, objected 
 to the continuance of this correfpondence, in the 
 moft guarded and moderate terms, and more with a 
 vjevv to exculpate himfelf, than from any hope of in- 
 Uuencing Mr. Haftings's conduct.-^-The practice is fo 
 evidently wrong, and fo capable of being dangerous, 
 and alfoopen to many obvious ill confequences, that it 
 needs no illuftration. By the private letters which Mr. 
 Haftings produced on the 22d October, (which may 
 have been feleeted, as his private letters to Colonel 
 ILeilie were not laid before the Board) it appeared that 
 he pofiefled material information in many inftances, 
 which ought to have had direct and immediate com- 
 munication to the Governor-general and Council. The 
 letter of 3Oth July in particular, eftablilhes two very 
 in terefting facts, ift, That, whereas Mr, Francis ap. 
 pears on the face of the confutations, to oblerve Colo- 
 nel Leflie's conduct with attention, and to cenfure it 
 with fome 'degree of feverity, while Mr. Haftings con- 
 ftantly lupponed and defended him ; it is neverthelefs 
 true, that at leaft fo early as the end of June, Mr. Hail- 
 jngs mull have thought infinitely worfe of Colonel Lef- 
 lie's conduct, than even Mr. Francis, who had no light 
 toguid^ him, but the public letters, zdly, Thar where- 
 as Mr. Haltings, about the endof June, if not fooner, 
 mutt have conceived the very woiil opinion poflible of 
 Colonel Lefiic, he took no ftep to remove him trom the 
 command till the I2\,h October, when, in all probabi- 
 lity,
 
 ( 47 ) 
 
 lity, he was thoroughly afflired that there was no poffi- 
 bility of his recovery, if his intelligence' did not amaunc 
 to a certainty that he was then dead.* So that, in his 
 own principles, he muft have kft the conduct of this 
 mod important interprize in the hands of a man, whom 
 hs does not fcruple to accufe of ignorance) prefumptimt, 
 find rapacity. 
 
 ' 
 
 A motion was fent in circulation by the Governor, 
 on the 23d November, to revoke the power delegated 
 on the i5th October, to the Prefidency of Bombay, of 
 commanding the march and route of the detachment. 
 Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler protefted againft it, as 
 not only inconfiftent with all the principles hitherto 
 avowed, and with the oftenfible objects heretofore pro- 
 pofed to be accomplimed by the expedition, but as not 
 correfponding with, or capable of being jultificd, by 
 the reafons affigned for it. Let the directiorrdf th : * 
 motion, and the reafons in fupport of it, be compared 
 with the language held by Mr. Haftings, on the nth 
 October laft, when he violently centered the Presidency 
 of Bombay, for not pulhing matters to extremity againft 
 the Marratta regency in favour of Rogan ant-row, -and 
 how much pains he took to fix refponfibility upon them 
 for paft and future mifcarriages in the operations of 
 the detachment : He laid, " They have dons Kotbiw. 
 *' Ibey have attempted nothing. They have ntithfr . 
 . 
 
 I *^,-> ! " 
 
 * This circumftance will admit a fevere fufpicion, ar.d ; 
 dangerous connivairce. It ilronplv iinplies a conridence of Colo- 
 nel Leslie's death, before the accounts of" his difmiffion from the 
 cominai.d couJu reach Chatterpore. A violent man, unprefTedivith 
 }-efentrne.it, and wounded by h's difgrace, would be too apt 10 
 blab djin<g""otT5 truths. And thefe fuipicions are heightened by the 
 menace and defiance which are pretty plainly coached hi iili luce 
 letters, particularly that, of the 3Otii of J'oiy, where, CGn&&ht 'dif 
 holding faft by afecret, on whicli he could rely, he iook off.iljfre* 
 ftraint.
 
 ed themfehes* nor wijhed to avail ' thsmf elves of 
 events. "They have no inftrument left, mr any indi- 
 nelion to feek for one. In /hart, we are abandoned 
 by them, after all that we have done for their re~ 
 lief" And the indignation with which he pretend* 
 cd on the fame day to refent a fufpicion exprefied by 
 Mr. Francis, that the detachment was really never meant 
 to proceed to Bombay ; which Mr. Haftings replied to, 
 in thefe lofty words : " If there are men in England fo 
 <l devoid of common fenfe, as to fuppofe it poj/ible for 
 " me to have formed a p 'an cftenfibly profejjed for the af~ 
 " Jiftance of Rcganaut-row^ but really meant as a cover 
 ' for other defigns, let them. Whoever they be, or in 
 " whatever reluiion ihey may ftand to this government ; 
 ' fucb cpinicns will give me no kind of concern" If 
 thefe expreffions were not meant as a mafk upon trea- 
 chery ot the dcepeft made, they arofe from a con- 
 fcioufnefs of guilt, and premeditated abufe, which 
 therefore nothing but the mod infulting effrontery could 
 brave. Indeed, they are only a fpecimen of his uni- 
 form conduct fince the death of Sir John Clavering. 
 
 By a letter received the 3<Dth November from Mr. 
 Lewis, the acting refident at Poonah, dated the 2 7th 
 October, the following information is conveyed : 
 " By orders from Governor Hornby, 1 have fent away all 
 " the fepoys who came with Mr. Moftyn, and am ill 
 " hourly expectation of being recalled my f elf, as the Go- 
 * c vernor writes me, that the Secret Ccmmittte have de* 
 *' termined on afting agalnft this government" Thus, 
 in virtue of the difcretionary powers, and the vio- 
 lent and pofitive inftruclions accompanying it, which 
 were fent to the Prefidency of Bombay on the i8th 
 March, according to the predicJion cf Mr. Francis? in his 
 remark on the 6th article of the inftrudions, that Pre- 
 fidency declared war deliberately againft the Marratta 
 empire* 
 
 Fron>
 
 ( 49 ) 
 
 From the i5th November to the lift December, the 
 Board received but one letter from Colonel Goddard, 
 dated the 5th November, by which it only appears, that 
 he was engaged in hoitilities with Palagee Pundit, who 
 harrafTed his rrurch with 5000 Manatta horfe , and, on 
 the fame day, Mr. Haftings produced a private letter 
 of die i 6th November, from Colonel Goddard to him- 
 felf. The detachment was then at Beerfea, 25 cols, 
 or 50 miles from the Narbudda j his march flill inter- 
 rupted, and his fupplies cut off by Palagee Pundit, He 
 lays, that he had received friendly letters from Mooda- 
 "]ce BooQa, but that ic was plain he would rather fome 
 agreement was entered into for his fecuricy, before the 
 a; my marched into his territory. An evident mark of 
 diilruil. 
 
 On the fame day, Mr. Hafrings produced the copy 
 of a letter from -Moodajee Boqfla to Colonel Goddard, 
 dated the 23d November, which had been (forwarded 
 di red from Nagpore to Calcutta. He lays before Co- 
 lonel Goddard, in the ftrongeft colours, a detail of the 
 preparations making by the Poonah Government, to 
 oppofe his march, and of the dangers and difficulties 
 which he mult expect to meet with.* He declines join- 
 ing him with a body of his troops; obferving that ic 
 would produce no good effect, but would remove the 
 veil horn the bufmefs, and leave their defigns expofed -, 
 thar it would deftroy the friendfhip eftablifhed between 
 him and ihe Paifhwa, and the N-izam-ul-Muluck, Sou- 
 bah >r the Deccan, andexpofe his dominions to the ra- 
 vages of th" armies of the Deccan and the Paifhwa, in 
 Berar and at the Gauts : Finally, he advifes Colonel 
 Goddard to write all thefe particulars to Calcutta, and 
 G wait 
 
 * Thefe defigns and preparations were diverted by the approach 
 of the Bombay expedition. Ochervvife it is beyond a doubt, that 
 Colonel Goddaia's expedition mult have failed.
 
 ( 50 ) 
 
 wait for orders from thence, and until their arrival, tq 
 continue pn the banks of the Narbudda. -In the mean 
 time, he recommends to Colonel Goddard to write an 
 amicable letter to the Paifhwa, to defire a fare paffige 
 through his dominions to Bombay, with affurances that 
 the march of the detachment had no other object than 
 to ftrcngthen the place againft the defigns or" rhe French. 
 After this explicit explanation, by the K.ijah or Berar, 
 is it questionable, wherher Mr. Haitings did not, in 
 every it age of this 'bufmefs, ur^e and ftimulate the peo- 
 ple in Bombay, to farce on a Marratta war at all events, 
 and to undertake the wild and rafh expedition from 
 thence to Poonah, let the event be ever fo fatal, for 
 the exprcfs purpofc of drawing the main force and at- 
 tention of the Marrattas to that object only, and by 
 that means to frcure the march of his own projected 
 detachment in fafety, and without moleftation. An 
 effect which the defeat f the BombaV army, and the 
 reduction of Pondicherry and Mahe, actually produced. 
 This allegation involves a heavy charge. In the defeat 
 pf the Bombay army, the difgraceful condition to which 
 they were reduced, and in the violation of public faith, 
 the Company and the Britilh nation have fubmitted to 
 an indelible (tain on their fame, in every honourable 
 fenfe, which time will, with difficulty, be fcarcely able 
 to obliterate. * 
 
 After 
 
 ., 
 
 * To (hew, as well the dreadful opinion concc'ved cf Engliih, 
 faith, as the juil and amicab.e dijjxmion of the Poonah Govern ' : 
 tfieut, an aburad from f.vo letters, written by the Paiih^a to Go- 
 vernor Haitiugs, received in Calcutta or, :h/j jth and I2th Decem- 
 ber current, referred to in the Appendix, A, i\o. 4, and 5, will ap- 
 ply aiib in this place as notes. 
 
 FIRST LETTER. 
 
 " I call God to v.anefs, that, out of regard to the friendship and 
 *< alliance of the Company, and the Engi.fh Chiefs^ I diirniifed 
 " the French Envoy, without negotiating, or even con veriing with, 
 
 < him.
 
 ( 5' ) 
 
 After producing this copy of a letter from MoocU- 
 jee Booila to Colonel Goddard, MI*. Baitings informed 
 the Board, that Mooddjee Boofla, notwithstanding all 
 his former affertions, and declarations in his prailc and 
 
 favour, 
 
 ** Him. I have lately Heard, that fofne of yOur people (Colonel 
 ' Leflie) have hoftilely pofleiFed themfelves of the fort of Calpee, 
 " which belongs to this government. This meafure is widely re- 
 " moved from the faith of the folemn treaty executed by the Eng- 
 " lifh. When th'e' Governor of Bombay, in former times, put oa 
 * the mafic of friendmip, for the purpofes of deceit, and aided the 
 *' enemy of this government, regarding you, Sir, as fuperior ta 
 " all the other chiefs, 1 made peace and friendmip with jou, and 
 " thefe are the fruits produced by this fritndfhip " 
 
 " Yon write, that tKe maintaining of friendmip and ftrift unioii 
 *' between our itates, is vour refolve. Is it,' in effeft, for the pre- 
 " fervation .of friendihip, that you trouble the dominions of this 
 " government? Such a mode of conduft is iriconfifleut vvitli the 
 " maxims and ufages of high and illuftrious Chiefs. It is mutually 
 f< incumbent on us, to preferve inviolate the terms of the treaty. 
 Should any deviation arife therein, they are the effects of ihc wil! 
 '* and difpenfadon of God." 
 
 SECOND t E T T E ?:. 
 
 " It is univerfally allowed, that there is nothing in the wofla 
 " more excellent than friendmip and harmony, which an.- bleilings 
 *' to mankind in general. The maintenance of every article of the 
 '.' treaty, is equally incumbent on both parties. It is not itipulated 
 " in any article of the rreat'y, that either party may fend forces 
 ** through the dominions of th'e other, without confulting him be- 
 " fore hand ; and caufe trouble and diftrefs to the people. To 
 " what rule of friendmip can be attributed the Rationing garrifons 
 " in the country of the other party? What iias happened, is 
 " then agreeable to Englilh faith. In proof'of *:his aflertioh, b 
 '* it obferved, th:u Colonel Leftie has kept with him Roganaut- 
 " row's vakeel, and, in conjunction with ium, collecb money fronY 
 " the dominions of this government, by incitriidating its fabjeds. 
 f This being the cafe, what becomes of your affurances before re- 
 " cited ?" AftcB recapitulating many abufes and ch'-omitances, 
 with juft reproaches oa the mode of adminiftering the Company'^ 
 government in Calcutta, and Bombay, he concludes thus, " It 
 * is the dictate of fcund policy, that you withdraw jour troop ( into 
 ** yoitt" Gitifl ffrrftorjf, fais ivi/i be K. convincing proof of the Jtnce-
 
 ( 52 ) 
 
 favour, was not the real Rajah of Be<-ar, bur only the 
 Naib rajrih, or deputy, during a minority j ana that 
 he was then at the point of death. 
 
 Mr. Francis rinding that all this important intelli- 
 gence was not followed by any motion from the Gover- 
 nor, propoftd two queftions to the Board. " Firft, 
 That it appeared that Moodajee Boofla was not inclined 
 to join Colonel Goddard Secondly, That it was Moo- 
 dajee Boofla's opinion, that the continuance or" Colo- 
 nel Goddard's march would be attended with the great- 
 eft difficulties and dangers." The object of thele quef- 
 tions appears evident, if they had not been refolved in 
 the negative, by Mr. Haftings and Mr. Barwell, to 
 have been to eftablifla the affirmative, as a ground for 
 recalling the detachment, or lending it along the Nar- 
 budda to Baroach. 
 
 . By Moodajee Boofla's letter of the 2gd November, 
 it is fingularly manifeil, that, on that day, or any day 
 before, he had not entertained even a remote idea of 
 breaking with the Poonah Government; that he was 
 alarmed for the fafe:y of his own country and very de- 
 termined not to join Colonel Goddard, and unwilling 
 to allow the detachment to enter his country under any 
 pretext. He fpeaks the language of a man of fenfe, 
 and he advifes and repteients fads and apparent cir- 
 cumftances like a candid friend, and a lover of huma- 
 nity and juftice. But his letters difcover no appear- 
 ance of that intrepid firm character, which Mr. Halt- 
 ings, 
 
 rity ofyourfriendjkip, and will fpread ike fame of your gcod name 
 throughout the uni-ver/e. From the commencement fff the govern- 
 ment of the Paijh-iua, they have entered into treaties tvh/y many of 
 the Chiefs of the Eaft and Wtft. and have never oefore expeiien- 
 ced fiicli a want of faith, hom anyone. Nor ever, to the pre- 
 i"ent time, oeviated from thejr engagement-,, .I,T been w-i.r-ng.tb 
 the duties of friendfhip and aaiance. 'I ae biamt reus_w;th ; ou."
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 ings, (with delufive enrhufiafm feemingly) afcribed tcr 
 him, in his letter to Divigec Pundit, 'the Rojah's mi- 
 nifter, on the 23d November. " a: a ptafin tf jp+rcvcd 
 " fpirit and bravery " on which he" (Mr. irDi 
 fellfd to reft his hopes, " thc.t be iv.utt arder.' 
 " the objefts prefaced to bis vie-iv." And though ic may 
 be ftric~tiy true, as Mr. Haftin^s laid in the fame letter, 1 
 * That, in the whold of his own conduit, he haa departed 
 "from thz common line vf policy, in waking advances , when 
 " others in his fitudihn tvould have waited for folicita- 
 " tions;"* ic docs not appear that a!l his advances, and 
 the fiattennz; oDJ^d: prelented to his 'ambition, have 
 produced either an ardour, or a favourable irnpreffio;i 
 on'the mind of Moodajee Boofla. 
 
 But if, after all, Moodajee Boofla be not the real 
 Rajah of Bcrar, it remained to be confidered, whether 
 the date of Berar could be bound by any act of his; 
 or whether the alliance, ofifenfive and defcnfive, which 
 Colonel Goddarci wa- directed to form with him in the 
 terms of Vlt. Elliot's commifiion, could be concluded 
 with honour and fafety to the Company, when it was 
 previoufly admitted, that one or the parties had no 
 right in his own perion, and the character in which he 
 appeared, to conclude fuch alliance. 
 
 On the 28th December, the Governor moved in 
 council, th.it two battalions be ordered from the bar- 
 racks in Calcutta, f under the command of Major Ca- 
 mac, to reinforce Colonel Goddard, in order to fuppiy 
 all lofles which the detachment had iuffered by Colonel 
 
 Leiiie's 
 
 * Vide the Jetter in Appendix, A. No. i. 
 
 f The iiiofl: diitant Ration of all the Company's garrifcns, front 
 the country where Colonel Goduard's army lay. Beiides that, die 
 motion had an immediate tendency to weaken and expofe the prin- 
 cipal fortreis and capital, by which, the Britiih empire in India -hang 
 luipended.
 
 ( 54 ) 
 
 Leflie's delays, and by the length of their march. That 
 they fhould proceed to the weftern frontier of Palla- 
 moro, and there wait the directions of Colonel God* 
 dard, either for a junction with him, for the -protttlion 
 of Moodajee Boo/la's capital, or to prelcrye the commu- 
 nication with the Company's provinces. Before the 
 queltion was put, Mr. trancis defired to iee the returns 
 of the detachment, that the Board might know what 
 lofs it had really luffered, and on what grounds the re- 
 inforcement was propofed. But, no return j no letters; 
 no explanations of any kind, were produced. Mr. Bar- 
 v/ell declared, " That there was no indifpenjible mcefliiy 
 " to influence the proportions , and that if he was to form 
 ' his opinion, Jimply on the nec.ffity of the thing, be Jbwld 
 " certainly vote againft the march of the troops" Mr. 
 Haftings, under colour of an objection urc,cd by Mr. 
 Francis, to the private correipondence carried on be- 
 tween him and the commanding officer, faid, t; Ihtt hs 
 " had been thereby difcouraged from affording the Board, in 
 " their collective capacity, thcfe lights^ which ttpon many 
 " points were necejjary for their information" Let the 
 world judge of a declaration, fo daring and bold, from 
 the chief iervant of a company of merchants, adting in 
 immediate concert with a council, whofe opinions had 
 power to. over-rule his own. U will not admit of ani- 
 madverfion, the language being too plain and explicir, 
 as it was exprefied. 
 
 Other remarks of ferious confequenees occur upon 
 the proceedings of this day. A reinforcement is or- 
 dered, upon a fimple prefumption that the detachment 
 has fuffered a confiderable lofs. No returnj or letters- 
 are produced to prove it, and all lights avowedly with- 
 held from the Board. Mr. Barwell^ at the fame time, 
 " denies the mce/uy of the meafure" And Mr. Haftings 
 himfelf, in the courfe of the debate, obferves, ' That 
 *' the lofs bean no degree of proportion to the reinforcement, 
 
 ' and
 
 ( 55 ) 
 
 f and has, in effcR, hen inconfideratte" The purpofe 
 of this reinforcement mufl therefore be, to provid for 
 the protection of Nagpore,- the capital of Berar; or, 
 as Mr. Harwell exprefled it, " to give that fecurity to the 
 " pffifftMS of the Berar Chief, as to difpel every apprehen- 
 f fion he may entertain cf the hojlilitles with which hs may 
 " fa threatened" From thefe explanations, it is to be 
 underftood, that the Rajah of Berar, who with the af- 
 fntance of the detachment, was to overfet the Marratta 
 ftate, and to invade the dominions of the Deccan Sou- 
 bah, wants, now, two battalions of the Company's fe- 
 poys for the protection of his own capital, and the fe 
 curity of his dominions. 
 
 December 3 1, 1778. In confequence of the refolu- 
 tion of reinforcing Colonel Goddard's detachment, the 
 Governor moved, upon the 3 ift December, in council* 
 that although two battalions of fepoys were more than 
 equal to the loflcs fuftained by the detachment, yet as 
 it may be advifeable to guard againft allpoffibk contin- 
 gencies, which it may not be fo eafy to provide for in 
 future, he therefore propofed that 700 rank and file, 
 fepoys, without officers or arms^ be added to Major Ca 
 mac's two battalions ; and that in this unarmed and *#- 
 officered ftate, unaccompanied by any efcort, through a 
 long and hazardous country, to join Major Camac at 
 Biflnepore, from the Prefidencvj Midapore, and Ba- 
 rampore.* 
 
 Mr. Francis oppofed the meafure, by a nervous, pi- 
 thy minute, in which he was fupported by Mr. Wheler. 
 He cenlured as well the unmilitary and dangerous ex- 
 pedient, as the addition altogether. The majority, at 
 
 length, 
 
 8 
 
 * The firft advance to Major Camac, to defray the charge of 
 this reinforcement, was 436,793 currcnc rupees, equal to 4^,680 L 
 ileriing.
 
 C 56 ) 
 
 length, vidded to the reafons urged agair^- <'r unrmed 
 and i : march, and comcnuu, chat iney ma.ch 
 
 ivilb c.rsns 
 
 January, 1779. Mr Kaftings informed 
 tVu E ard, ih<.t bv a letter from Colonei Goddard, da- 
 te.. 3(jih Nov "ii; ?-r, the detachment was arrived 
 on the banks of H> Nai L>udda, after a fatiguing march 
 throu^:-. difficult pafies in the mountains, and that he 
 then lav? no impeuuacnc to his croffing the river. 
 
 By letters of -he 2ci and fth December, communi- 
 cated by Mr. Haftings on the 7th January, Colonel 
 Goddard informs the Board, that he had crofTed the 
 Narbudda, and was encamped on the fouthern banks 
 of that river, within the territory of Berar, where he 
 waited to, be informed of the Rajah's final refolucion. 
 He fays, " that all tbf artillery and gun carriages were 
 '* much /battered^ and in want of repair -, but that the num- 
 *' btr cf fuk was reduced from 1000 to about 400." 
 
 The Governor prefented to the Board, a long and 
 Smerefting letter from Moodajee BooQa, under dare the 
 5th December, which was received in Calcutta the ad 
 inftant. Inftead of j^nning Colonel Goddard, the Ra- 
 jah gives Mr. Haftings a grrat deal of good advice, 
 both moral and political, concern lag the preie r vation of 
 peace, fidelity of engagements, juftice, clemency, &c. 
 but in particular, " he recommends it to kirn to aft ititb 
 " deliberation^ and to proportion bis mean* to his ends-" 
 bbl'ervi, r :g, li tbat it is a proverb, that wbatwer is deli' 
 ' 4 bcrate.ly done, is dom well" The letter breathes fo 
 niucii good ff-nfe, humanity, jullice, and found doc- 
 trine, that in jullice to its author, ir will obcain a place 
 in the appendix ; to which an attentive perulai is re- 
 commcndc.d, for. the fatisfaclion ot the reader.* 
 
 On 
 
 * Vicle Appendix, A. No. i>
 
 ( 57 y 
 
 On the whole, it appears clearly, by thefe letters!, 
 that the Rajah of Bcrar, never had an idea of the na- 
 ture and extent of Mr. Haftings's views, much lefs of 
 waging war againft the Marratta regency, and the Sou- 
 bah of the Deccan, or of entering into any engage- 
 ments with the Company, that could lead him into a 
 rupture with either of thefe dates, his neighbours. In- 
 deed, Mr. Haltings, in his recited letter of 23d Np- 
 vembrr, avows, " that the fuggeftiori originated [olely^iii 
 " bimfelf; that he laid it as a bait to the Rajah's ambi- 
 " t'wn \ that without cbferving the common and mc/JJaiy 
 * c rules of policy ', he had advanced, unsolicited \ and that he 
 ". bad truftcd to ihe Rajah's approved bravery and fpirit^ 
 " to catch ardently at the objeft* which the Governor's in- 
 " gemtity and p^Jonal friendship had generoujly defined for 
 " his aggrandifement" The Rajah, wifely preferring 
 peace; in mediocrity, to the flattering but uncertain bait 
 thus offered to his ambition, undertook to vindicate 
 the Paiihwa fiom the defigns imputed to him by the 
 Company's fervants, of a fecret connection with the 
 French, and earneftly offers his own mediation to ef- 
 fect a perfect reconciliation, an offer which mould im- 
 mediately have been accepted of. Thefe fentiments in 
 the Rajah, fhould have been confidered as a flep to- 
 wards taking a direct part with his countrymen, if the 
 Company declined to acquiefce iri his m. diation, which. 
 ftrongiy implied a diltruft in their faith and honour, as 
 acting under the fame infatiable influence.* Ac all 
 events, he difclairn5 every thought of joining the Com- 
 pany iigainft the Marrattas. After enumerating the 
 levcral chiefs, and their forces, who wrre prepared to 
 oppofe Colonel Goddard, he exprefsly f-.ys, <c Tbejunc- 
 41 lion of a body of my forces with Colonel Goddard's, would 
 H tc avail 
 
 * The Rajah, accordingly, joined in the confederacy againfl ths 
 Company, When his offers bfntfoiat .~,n v/ere rejeiled, and he found 
 that the viev/s of Mr. Mailings wer; apparently hoflile to all tiie 
 native ftates of Hindoftan,
 
 " avail nothing in the fact, of fucb large armies, but would 
 *' only involve me in the great eft lojjes , yet neither was it 
 ** advifeablt for Colonel Gcdda; d to rstwn, which would di- 
 ** minijh the awe and r<fpeft in which he was held.'''' In 
 the end, he tells, ".that the times require, that a concili- 
 " ation take place with the Poonah vunifters" Thus all 
 India beheld the critical filtration to which Mr Haft- 
 ings's politics h;id precipitated the power, which, when 
 he entered upon the adminiftration thereof, was vener- 
 ated and courted by all, except Hyder- Alli-Cawn> who 
 dreaded it. 
 
 * Sappofing it pofiible, that every objection to the 
 .meafure, on the fcore of prudence or expediency, could 
 be anfwered or removed, or that any degree of fuccefs 
 ihould hereafter furnifh an unexpected argument in its 
 defence, there is dill another important point of view, 
 in which it becomes the Company's dignity and wif- 
 dom to coniider it. When Mr. Haftings engaged the 
 Company's arms in offenfive wars, without neceility or 
 provocation, when he implicated their government in 
 treaties and alliances with the Indian powers, of which 
 war, acquifition, and conquett, are the fole objects'; 
 when he ier.r their troops far away from the defence of 
 their own territories, \\hen he diflurbed the peace of 
 India, and when he avowed a vain, ambitious purpofe, 
 fo far as to declare, " If the BritiJ/j arms and influence 
 " have jvffered a fevere check in the weftern world, it is 
 " the more incumbent on thofe ivbo are charged with the in- 
 " terefts of Great Britain in the Eaft, to exert themfehcs 
 " for .the retritval of the national lofs. That w-d have the 
 " means in our power \ and that with fuch fuperior advan- 
 " tages as we potf'fs over every power which can oppofe KJ, 
 
 " we 
 / c 
 
 . 
 :V This parngraph is the juft idea of a perfon who knew the fpirit 
 
 and cffed of the whole proje&s of the Company's leading .fcrv 
 in Inuia. It is borrowed, literally.
 
 ( 59 ) 
 
 * c we Jhould '/ al me; cly on the definfas" Did not Mr, 
 Haftmy;*, by this declaration, lubvert the fundamental 
 principles of "the Company's policy ? Did he not difu- 
 buy their repeated' and moil peremptory commands, 
 and tranfprels every line of limitation which they had 
 prdcribed for the aJminiitranon of their affairs in In- 
 dia ? It the affirmative mould appear true, the Courc 
 of Directors will Undoubtedly recall to their remem- 
 brance, the principles on which the Rbhilia war was 
 unanimoufly condemned by them, and howgrolsly their 
 coniierrinarion of that mealure has been flighted. They 
 will reflect on the nature and extent of the truft repofed 
 in them by the Company, and by the nation ; and fe- 
 rioufly confider, on how precarious a foundation, the 
 Britifh empire in India (lands, when one daring indivi- 
 dual can, at his plealurc, fubvert every principle of 
 thrir government, violate their mod pofitive orders and 
 folemn inftrudions, -contemn their authority, and fet 
 their power at defiance. It will not, it is to be hoped, 
 be too late for them to weigh the difgraceful and dan- 
 gerous confequences of uniting conltant condemnation 
 with conltant impunity, and of continuing men in fta- 
 tions of the higheft truft and dignity, whom, if we 
 may rely on the opinion they have repeatedly exprefTed 
 of their conduct and character, they ought not to think 
 worthy of the loweft. 
 
 January n, 1779. Mr. Francis, at a Board held 
 the iith January, delivered a minute to be recorded, 
 in which his fentiments are ftated at large, reipecting 
 Moodajee Boofla's conduct, and the critical pofition of 
 the detachment, as well as that clearnefs of perfpicuity 
 and ability, which have diftinguifhed his oppofition and 
 general conduct.* In this minute, the contents of the 
 Rajah's letter are ftrictly canvaffed, and a conclulion 
 drawn from them, that recalling the detachment would 
 
 be 
 
 * Vide the minute in Appendix, A. No. 3,
 
 be the molt advifeable (lep In a fituatjon which admits 
 of no one eligible rc-lolution. To this mralnre,. the 
 Governor, as the ftrongdt proof he c^uld exhibit of 
 the unaniwerable ientiments and arguments, c<;mpo- 
 fedly rrplied thus : " / have fe-'n Mr i-rantifs mi- 
 " nute, and do not think necj/ary or proper to reply 
 
 In a day or two after, the Board received the firft 
 intelligence, by way of Mad; as, of the motion of an 
 army from Bombay, to remrtate Roganaut-row in the 
 &egtncy of i^oonah. 
 
 January 25. Letters of the 3oth December, frorrj, 
 Moodajee J3oofla, were produced in Council on the 25th 
 January, confirming in the mod explicit terms, the de- 
 clarations he had made fome weeks before in his leuers 
 to Colonel Goddard and the Governor-, ftill urging the 
 neccffity of an accommodation with the Regency of 
 Poonah, and refufing to join the Company againft 
 them. On this day, the Governor, notwithftanding his 
 profefitd refolution, not to anfwer Mr. Francis's minute 
 of the iith inftant, quoted and leprobated the opinion 
 contained in it, in terms full of paflion and contempt. 
 Yet with fo many new and material facts before him, 
 with the certain knowledge of Moodajee BoofU's final 
 refolutions, and of the meafures taken at Bombay in 
 favour of Roganaut-row, he himfclf propofed nothing, 
 but left Colonel Goddard without orders or inilructions 
 of any kind. 
 
 Letters from Bombay of the i2th December, receiv- 
 ed about the 28th January, advifed that their force?, 
 amounting to 3910, officers included, had actually 
 taken the field, to conduct Roganaut-row to Poonah. 
 That they had come to that refolution on the i2th Ocr 
 tober. That they had concluded a new treacy with Ro-. . 
 
 ganaut-
 
 ( 61 ) 
 
 ganaut-row. That their htefl intelligence from Europe, 
 gave them not the fmalleft apprehcnfion of danger to 
 Bombay in the abfence of their troops. That the whole 
 .conduct of the expedition, was entrufted to a commit- 
 tee confifting of MefT Carnac, Egerton, and Moftyn. 
 That whatever turn affairs might take at Poonah, they 
 fhould certainly require a confiderable augmentation of 
 their force to defend their new acquifitions, and garri- 
 fon Bombay. Thap Mr. Draper difiented from the 
 tvhole of the meafure. And that Hyder-Alli-Cawn 
 continued to. (hew a diipofition very favourable to the 
 French. They concluded with requefting the govern- 
 ment of Bengal, immediately to fend them the annual 
 fupply. Mr. Haft'ihgs declared his intention of laying 
 fome propofitions before the Board, in a few days, in 
 confequence of the preceding advices from Bombay. 
 
 February T, 1779. By letters from Colonel God- 
 dard, dated the 6 r .h January, communicated on the id 
 February, it appeared that he was ftill in the fame po- 
 fition at Huffanabad, on the banks of the Narbudda, 
 but that he propofed moving, in a few days, towards 
 Poonah. From an accurate map of the route, the dif- 
 tance from Huffanabad to Poonah, appears to be 47<> 
 Englifh miles. As the Prefidency of Bombay had re- 
 folved on the expedition, fo early as the I2th October, 
 and the power of commanding the detachment having 
 then, not been countermanded, they were culpable in 
 pot ordering matters fo, that the two armies fhould ap- 
 pear before Poonah at the fame time ; when, by a di- 
 vifion of the Marratta forces, it is highly probable, that 
 jfucccfs would have attended the Company's arms, But 
 tliis does not appear to have been any part of Mr. 
 Haftings's plan ; and the Prefidency of Bombay were 
 fo confident of fuccefs, that they were unwilling to fuf- 
 fer any others to participate, either in the emoluments 
 pr the credit of it. 
 
 It
 
 ( 62 ) 
 
 It appeared alfo, by Colonel Gaddard's- letter, that 
 icon after crofiiny. the Narbucida, he had deputed Lien- 
 tenant Wear hrtlione to Na^pore, in onu r to prcl's 
 Moodajce Boofia ro conclude the treaty, and immedi- 
 ately to enter upon the execution ot" it; but \vi 
 the inn all eft fucccfs. That the K yah d^cime ei tcii-g 
 into any treaty, or taking any aflive part wh-itc-ver. 1 
 further accounts fbuu;d arrive ri< m Calcuna. T at, 
 to colour this re'ulai, the Rajah pleaded the part taken 
 by the Council or Bombay, in ravour ot- Roganaut row ; 
 and that he iUicited, as wril as recommended the reiin- 
 qui'.'hing of Rogan,uu-row, a ; irt accepting of terms 
 from the prekiu min.ikria; p,--'y in Poonah. Allur- 
 edly the Rajah was juftificd in renting the mealures 
 purfued in favour or Koganaut-row, fo very different 
 from the repeated lolemn declarations and aiTurances by 
 Mr. Haftings to himfelf, to his Vakeel, and to the 
 Marratta minifters, which is particularly mentioned in 
 a parfage of the Rajah's letter of the 5th December to 
 Mr. Baitings himfelf, in theie words, " That .bis Pa* 
 l< keel in Calcutta had it from Mr. Haftitjgis own mouth, 
 " that it never was, nor is, dejigned by the Engltjh chiefs, 
 ** to fupport Roganaut -row " and that on the faith of 
 thefe reicerated declarations, he had ventured toimprefs 
 the Regency of Poonah with the fame affurances. It is 
 proper, however, to obferve that the Rajah had been 
 fixed in a pacific reiolution long before it was poffible 
 for him to have heard of the movements at Bombay, 
 which was evident by his ufmg the fame language on 
 the 23d November to Colonel Goddard, . with that on 
 the 3Oth December to Mr. Haftings, and the army 
 did not move from Bombay until the 2id November. 
 It miift^ neverthelefs, be admitted, that the fupport 
 thus given to Roganaut-row would naturally, confirm 
 the Rajah in his firft refolution. It is very evident, 
 that Mr. Haftings aruufed the people of Bombay by 
 litigating them to fupport the caufe of Roganaut- 
 
 rowl
 
 row, and kept them' in total ignorance, as to his 
 views in favour of the Rajah of Berar, and the real 
 deftmat'' n of the expedition from Bengal under Colo- 
 nels i.eflte and Goddard, whofe orders were in confe- 
 quence as inconftant as a fhuttle-cock, alternately placed 
 under the authority of the gentlemen in Bombay, or 
 relumed by the Supreme Board, or countermanded from 
 Bombay to Surar, from Surat to Poonah, from Poonah 
 to Berar, '&c. in a confuled rotation, evidently calcu- 
 lated to perplex, confound, difappoint, and amufe. 
 It is not the want of candour alone, but the want of 
 mature deliberation and confequent firnanels, which 
 conftitute fome of the errors fo confpicuous in Mr. 
 Haftings's political faculties. Colonel Goddard fays, 
 *' That the fcheroes of the gentlemen at Bombay , and the ac- 
 " live part they haw taken infupport of Rognnaut-row, have 
 ** deftroyed all hopes of concluding the propofed alliance with 
 *' the Court of Nagpore, until it /hall be judged expedient 
 *' by the Supreme Council to dirt ft the former to be relin- 
 " qidjhed, in order to leave room for the entire and free 
 " adoption of the latter" 
 
 Whether this was a mere pretence in the Rajah, or 
 nbr, to excufe his refufal to accede to the propofed 
 alliance, or whether he ever really formed the project 
 attributed to him by Mr. Haftings, of aflcrting a claim 
 to the Marratra ftate, is much to be queftioned. Co- 
 lonel Goddard himfelf took notice " of the inconfiftency 
 " of his labouring fo ftrenuoujly for the inter eft of the 
 " Paijbwa, with whom he m^ant foon to engage in hof- 
 " tilities " And conii.iered his anfwer to this queftion, 
 " as a refinement upon policy, that might almojl lead to fuf- 
 *' 'pe&i that he was not altogether ferious, and determined 
 <c upon the betterah * expedition" 
 
 Bv 
 . 
 
 * Setterab expedif'on means the Rajah's acceffion to the fupretne 
 fovercfg-nty of tne Marratta itate, it being the ancient capital and 
 feat ot government.
 
 C .64 ) 
 
 By Mr. Weatherfcone's letters from Nagpore to Co- 
 lonel Goddard, it appears, " That the Government, of Re~ 
 " rar were determined not to inks any attive part whatever* 
 " with the Company's armies \ that they bad a thoujand^ar,- 
 " guments to oppofe to thofe he urged in favour of the plan 
 
 ' " for ajfuming the dignity of Range (or Ram-rajah) of Set- 
 " terah^ particularly the faith pledged^ and the alliance of 
 "friend/hip thy had fworn to, with the prefent Pajfliwa.* 
 * tbat their averting iheir pr den/ions to the fovereignty 
 4t would mest with numberlefs oppc/itions ; and that a vic- 
 " tory could not be obtained without Jhedding much blood ^ 
 " and at the e>.pence of their violating the facrtd en- 
 " gagetpents before entered into with them" What 
 a leffon of found juftice and morality, public and pri- 
 vate faith, and exemplary virtue, is here fct, by men 
 diftinguifhed in Europe under the, name of .-Infidels, to 
 the reprefentatives of a great Chrijlian nation !~ How- 
 little mud the Englifh Eaft India Corrpany feel their 
 own real importance, when their principal fervants ex- 
 pofe their reputation and credit, to fuch humiliating re- 
 proaches, as every exprefilon thus uttered by the Mar- 
 ratta princes, thrufts a kern dagger into, their very 
 vitals. When the force arid effect of thefe declarations- 
 are confidered, it will reft with Mr. Haitings to latisfy 
 the Company, that his plan, ftated in the inftrudions 
 to Mr. Elliot, and in which he had embarked To deeply, 
 was not built without a foundation. Mr. Weatherftone 
 fays, . " That it feemed now to. be the fir ft wi/h of tbf 
 ** Court of Berar, to fet afjde cur comitftion with Roga- 
 *' naut row ; the fuppor ting of whom" the Dewan faid, 
 4C be was convinced was highly impditical, and would y in 
 * tbe end) be fully proved jo. "-[hat, tbat Chief (Rc- 
 " ganaut-row) was held in univcrfal abhorrence :, and that 
 *' the prejudices in the Deccan aguinjl him would not eajily^ 
 " if ever, be removed." The remainder of Mr. Weather- 
 Hone's letter contained many particulars that deferve 
 
 the attention of the Company ^ eipecialjy a dear, expla- 
 nation
 
 nation of the views, principles, and policy of the Court 
 of Nagpore , of all which the Governor-general does 
 not appear to have had any ^recifr information, or any 
 accurate idea. To think otherwise would be to think 
 him guilty of the bhckeft treachery. 
 
 February i, 1779. A ^ tnc preceding letters had- 
 ing been again tead in Council, upon the fi ft of Fe- 
 bruary, the Governor fold, that he had not had time 
 to prepare the proportions which he intended to lay 
 before the Board. His intentions, whatever they may 
 have been, had not yet tranfpined, but no orders from 
 the Presidency, could now reach Colonel Goddtfrd in 
 time, to affect the motions of the detachment; be- 
 caufe, if he had marched on the twelfth of January, 
 and met with no material obftru&ion; he dught to be 
 at Poonah, before any letter written at this time Could 
 overtake him. The Board had no other knowledge 
 of the difficulties and oppofition, Which he might, in 
 all likelihood encounter, than what was to be collected 
 from the Rajah's letters. The Board were equally 
 uninformed of the actual ftrength and condition of the 
 detacnment. On thefe points, the Governor continued 
 to obferve a profound filence. It may be concluded, 
 however^ from the refolution to fend two battalions, 
 with a draught of 700 additional recruits, it reinforce 
 the detachment, that it muft have fuffered confidtrably 
 by ficknefs or defertion. Ic was known, that Gaptairt 
 \V fay's regiment of cavalry, was totally ruined ; and 
 that he and fevcral other officers had obtained leave, 
 under one pretence or other, to return to Bengal. 
 Colonel Goddard's pub'ic orders of the firft of Novem- 
 ber, accidentally produced at the Board ot Ordnance 
 by Colonel Pearce, begins with declaring, ' thai tbe 
 *' unmilitary and unexampled fpirit of dij, ff eft ion to the 
 ** fervice, which bad fo manijrffy difptayed it/alf in 
 w tbt frequtnt dejertions pom tbe corps of Cavalry 
 I and
 
 - ' and Infantry within a few days, was become a mat- 
 " ter of the moft ferious find important confederation" 
 There can be no doubt, but that his numbers were 
 greatly reduced, nor was there a chance of his being 
 joined by the re-inforcement under Major Camac. 
 
 On the fourth of February, Mr Railings laid before 
 the Council, the draughts of letters by way of ne*.v in* 
 ftructions to Colonel Goddard, ana new refolutions, 
 founded on the late advices irom Bombay. The form 
 \n which thefe voluminous papers were drawn up, 
 feemea more than commonly loote, confufc d, and in- 
 tricateWhether they were intended to be fo, or 
 whether they were haftily thrown together, without 
 any fort of confideration or advice, may be equally 
 doubted. Mr. Haftings's rlrft general object was to 
 heap as much cenfure as poflible OT the Prefidency of 
 Bombay, as well for what they have themfelves done, 
 as for the obftacles they have thrown in the way of his 
 negociations with Moodajee Booila. -His fecond ob- 
 ject plainly appeared to be, to break the treaty they 
 had concluded with Roganaut-row, although certainly 
 warranted by the feveral letters cf the eighteenth of 
 March and eighteenth .of Auguft lait, wliich he con- 
 feflVd ; and to revert, if poflible, to his favourite alli- 
 ance with Moodajec Booih. The introduction, or pre- 
 amble to the draught intended for the Prefidency of 
 Bombay, was the firft, although an indirect commu- 
 nication of Mr. Haltings's plan in favour of Mooda- 
 jee Boofla, to that Prefidency, and the hnguage is 
 truly original, but very confident with its author. 
 He lays, *' // had formerly been a matter of great concern 
 " to us, that you had Buffered fo many opportunities to ef- 
 " cape^ fmce the conclufwn of the plan which yov bad for m- 
 " fd in December 1777, without taking any efftttud means 
 " to carry it into execution. It now aj/otds us equal con- 
 44 corn and mortification^ that you bai/c '^recipuatdy under- 
 taken
 
 ( 6? ) 
 
 " taken it, after having given us every reafon to conclude ', 
 tc that you had abandoned it altogether , and compelled us 
 " to"adopt other meafures, which in confequence of your ope- 
 " rations , have been abruptly broken off, without inttma* 
 " ting your defign to us, and affording us time to fufpend . 
 4t the courfe of our me.afures> or to accommodate them to 
 " jours" Let thefe affertions, thus boldly committed 
 on the Company's records, be compared with the au- 
 thentic fads already ftated ; and the injuftice offered ^ 
 to the Gentlemen of Bombay, will appear too con-* 
 fpicuous to be refuted. By the uniform tenor of 
 Mr. Haftings's minutes, and the letters from and 
 to the Rajah of Berar, it is unqueftionably evident, 
 that an alliance with the Rajah, and an embaffy to 
 folicit him to become a candidate for the Sovereignty 
 of the Marratta Empire, were the real objects of that 
 expedition, from the beginning, although he injudi- 
 cioufly concealed them, and countenanced another, in 
 direct oppofition to it. How cruel and unjuft, there- 
 fore, were thele contradictory charges and cenfures, 
 and the ablurd reafons affigned for a change of mea- 
 fures. 
 
 
 To accomplim his defigns, Mr. Haftings propofed 
 that Colonel Goddard, (whofe march to Poonah he 
 now approved, although not fttictly juftirr.ble under 
 the laft orders of the 23d of November) Ih mid con- 
 tinue to hold his command, independent of the Go- 
 vernment of Bombay.* That Colonel Goddard may 
 demand reinforcements from that Prefidency, which he 
 was lent originally to reinforce \ but thele not to be 
 I 3 com. 
 
 * To judge from appearances, it is doubtful whether the Gover- 
 nor's private "i^rs, dui not, by the fame mefienger, always fuper- 
 cde the public ones of the beard. . Colonel Leflie's letters do more 
 than juftify.this fufpicion.
 
 ( 6$ ) 
 
 commanded by any officer fuperior in rank to his own,* 
 that Golonel Goddard mall be appointed the Miniitcr 
 ofr the Supreme Government at the Court of Poonah, 
 independent of the Prefideney of Bombay ; that he 
 ihall in his minifterial capacity, demand of Roganaiit- 
 row, a re-imburfement of the expences of the expedi- 
 tion, at two lacks of rupees tach month from the firft 
 of June 1778, in addition to the two and half licks, fti- i 
 pulated in thr Bombay treaty, n full for the expences of 
 the army. That in c^fe or re'uiai, he (hall either re- 
 turn toBerar, or retire to the lands ceded to the Com- 
 pany, which wen- (it would feem) o be kept, notwith- 
 {landing the treaty whereby they were ceded was to 
 be annulled ; that the Prefideney of Bomba> {hall be 
 peremptorily required and commanded, in fuch cafe, 
 to -recall their troops from Poonah, and from the Mar- 
 ratta dominions. That the inflections already given 
 Colonel Goddard, do remain in full force. And 
 that he be directed to relume the negociations \vith the 
 Government of Berar, and tJ treat with it, on the 
 grounds of thefe inftruclions, whenever an occafion 
 (hall offer to execute them, confiftemly with the fore- 
 going refolutidns. 
 
 ' ' ' 
 
 The chapter of this day, may with- propriety be 
 clof-d with an abllra<5t rrom the preamble of the letter 
 propofed to be written to Colonel Goddard, and a fhort 
 ftrifture upon it. 
 
 " We art much concerned that Moodajet Boo/la Jhotild 
 cc fo much diftruft you, as to fuppofe, that any engagement 
 ** formed by the Prefident and Council of Bombay could ofe- 
 
 ** rate 
 
 This pafTage accounts in explicit terms for t|ie fetret 
 pondence, the re'fehtment exprefled at the reprobation thereof, and 
 alfo for the destination of the detachment at laft to Sqrftt, inftead of 
 Bombay.
 
 ( 69 ) 
 
 * rate to thofe made by our authority with bim t and there- 
 " fore decline to enter into the proofed negotiation : For, if 
 <c you had concluded a treaty with him, it would have been 
 " our duty to fupport fV, in preference to any made at Bom- 
 <s ^zy, that might oppofe it." fcfft 
 
 As the expedition over land was planned and refolv- 
 ed on the 23d of February 1778, and by the 6th arti- 
 cle of the initru&ions to the Presidency of Bombay, to 
 treat conclujively and effectually with Roganaut-row, which 
 have never been revoked, bearing date the 1 8th of 
 the enfuing month of March, the Supreme Council 
 were folemnly bound and implicated to perform every 
 condition, which any fuch treaty might contain, unlefe 
 violation of faith, and premeditated deception were in. 
 tended from the beginning. Why were not the Go- 
 vernment of Bombay, in fo long an interval of time, 
 and after fuch a feries of warm difcufiion on the mea- 
 fures in agitation, commanded to forbear entering into 
 any treaty with Roganaut-row, the moment that the 
 negociation with Meodajee Boofla was refolved ; and to 
 forbear the commiflion of overt hojftihties againft the 
 Ma r rattas, unlefs in defence, until exprefsly authorifed 
 by the Supreme Council, or Court of Directors? or, 
 why were they not confidentially intruftcd with the de- 
 fign in favour of Moodajee Boofla, and directed to con- 
 tribute toits fuccefs, when it was in an advanced ftagc 
 for action. 
 
 At a confultation held the 8th of February, Mr. 
 F^ncis and Mr. Wheler delivered their opinions at 
 .lai>, on the Governor's propofitions of the 4th in- 
 ftan_xheir minutes will not admit of being ab- 
 ftra,d % without deviating from the juftice and com- 
 rneno^ior^ which ftrength of judgment and reafon 
 claim therefore, with a reference to the minutes them- 
 ielves, -hich leaves neither faft nor argument in Mr. 
 
 Haftings's
 
 ( 70 ) 
 
 Tidings's proportions Unrefuted, let it fufHce, In the 
 mean time, to ftate the general principles on which 
 they were oppofed.-* 
 
 i ft. It is taken as a point granted in the Governor's 
 own terms, that the treaty wit! Foganaut-row is war- 
 ranted by inftruclions from the Supreme Council. 
 That it has received the firmed and fulleft ratification 
 tha: could be given to it, by the contracting parties, 
 
 and 
 
 * Some of Mr. Francis's fentiments are conceived in a language 
 fo cxquifitely juft and honourable, that they command particular ob* 
 iervation. He faid : 
 
 c The line <?f conduft which I have invariably purfued, with 
 " refpect to the late political meafures of this Government, and of 
 "'the Prefidency of Bombay, not only exempt me from all refpon- 
 ' fibility for the confequences of them, but from any obligation, 
 of deciding upon the refpedtive merits of their proceedings and 
 " ours. That queftion lies flridly between the prefent majority of 
 *' this Board and the Prefidency of Bombay. I iliall enter into it 
 " no farther than I am compelled to do by the propositions before us, 
 " and not by the exifting itate of facts. 
 
 -*'. In the confideration of every meafure which I have recommend- 
 ed or oppofed, my original and confHnt object was " to preferve 
 *' the peace of India; to adhere faithfully to our treaty with the 
 *' PuiiLwa ; and not tofuffer the Company's arms to be engaged either 
 
 I en thhf.de of India, ly the Prefidency of India, or by the Prefidency 
 ' of Bombay, in fuck fchmes of conquejt and ambition." In adhering 
 i to ^hffe principles, 1 believe I have been guided by the dictates of 
 " found policy and right reafon, as I afTuredly have been by the Com- 
 ' piny s fundamental maxims, and by their pofitive and repeater' 
 " commands. I have it too from an authority which, in the fc?^ 
 ' of any argument of mine, muft be deemed particularly weigh/J 
 " T'hat in the Company's concerns <vci;b their neighbours and a^ e *> 
 *' the moft fcrupuious objer*vance of their public 'engagements, C" f 
 " the rights 'of others, ought fo be their fir ft anri ruling objei'i f or 
 
 II every prtnc? and ft ate, nvhoje ptjj'fjj: r <nr may ft and <vcithinS" t f 
 l( the Company's ambition, zs naturally led to apply to their" tn ~ 
 " terefi^ the treatment which they fee others rective from"* Com* 
 ' pany and their depend, nfs." 
 
 Towards the conf^ufton of this judicious, and 3n' e "nan- 
 fwtraWe minute, he obferved, ' That the expejicr'J, Col Q n<;l 
 
 Goddard's
 
 and that it therefore, cannot admit; either of amsod- 
 nient or addition. 
 
 2d It is contended that the additional demand to be 
 made by Colonel Goddard is unjuft, and can never be 
 admitted by Roganaut-rcw; and that even, were it 
 granted, it would not amount to .a reimburfemtnt of 
 our aftual expence. 
 
 3d. That the conditional orders prefcribed to Colo- 
 nel Goddard, and to the Prefidency of Bombay., in cafe 
 of arefufal, are equivalent to a formal renunciation of 
 
 the treaty. 
 
 * * 
 
 . ".'. 
 
 4th. That the independent command, pretended to 
 be vcfted in Colonel Goddard, while he co-oper5tes 
 with the Prefidency at Bombay, and acts on the fame 
 ground with their arrny, is highly dangerous- in itfelr, 
 and cannot take effect without iubvercing the funda- 
 mental principles of military difcipline and iubordina- 
 tion. 
 jbf.- 
 
 5th. That a junction of the two detachments, which 
 the inftrudtions pofitively preclude, may, in fame cafes, 
 j>e eflential to their mutual fafety j and in many cafes, 
 neceffary to the fuccefs of their operations. 
 
 
 
 6th. That the vefting Colonel Goddard with fepa- 
 rate powers from the Supreme Board, to treat with 
 
 the 
 
 " GodJard's detachment commenced (in effect) in March 1778, 
 , ii w-;u.e was accumulating in April, as a fixed expense of 
 ' two lacks and oo,oo rupees per month, beildes extra and cou- 
 . hargcs, befides the Nabob of Oude's cavalry, and beftaes 
 ** Major maniac's detachment of 64,600 rupees per month." 
 
 .His.obfervation on the 8ch article .of the Governor's propositions, 
 eoncernirr^ t oreich of public faith, and tie character whicl* 
 thefe tra Ja. iqxfs is likely to affix on the Briti/h name in India, cail 
 ferth the attention of the Company and the Nation.
 
 the court of Poonah, independent of the Presidency of 
 Bombay, tends to reduce the credit and influence of 
 that Prefidency. for no adequate or avowed object - t 
 and that it Hands in direct contradiction to the Com- 
 pany'- exprefs orders given on occafion of thefeparate 
 powers delegated to Colonel Upton, in the general let^ 
 ter of ;th February 1777, paragraphs 21 to 24. 
 
 7th. That an attempt to renew the negotiation With 
 Moodajee Boofla, befidcs all former objections to the 
 meafure, is not warranted by the experience the board 
 has had of his difpcfition and character, or by the treat- 
 ment already received from him $ nor can it be recon- 
 ciled to the late treaty with Roganaut-row. 
 
 In the face of thefe, and many other arguments, the 
 Governor's propofirions were voted by himfelf and Mr. 
 Barwell, without deigning a reply. 
 
 The Governor guided by ferret motives* purfues the 
 fame line of inconfiftency, in a letter laid before the 
 Board, on the pth or" February, prepared by himfeff, 
 for Moodajee Boofla, containing fome remarkable paf- 
 fages. He laments rather than complains, of the dijbdft 
 entertained by the Rajah ; and declares, that had he 
 accepted of the terms offered to him by Colonel God- 
 dard, and concluded a treaty with the Government of 
 Bengal, he (Mr. H.) Ihould have hdd the obligation 
 of it, fuperior to that of any engagement formed by the 
 Government of Bombay; and mould have thought it 
 his duty to have maintained it, &c. ." againft every con- 
 " Jideration, even of the mcft valuable inter efts anafaftty of 
 " the JLngliJh pQ/effions intruftsd to vis charge"* At the 
 
 fame 
 
 * This is a truth of which Mr. HaiHngs frequently exhibited ma- 
 nifcft proofs. It Airpafles, however, the bittereft accufations of hi< 
 adverfaries, ^nd expofes views andjiurpofes totally incbniiftent with 
 duty and fidelity.
 
 fame-time, 'however, he reminds him, that the-origi- 
 nai intention of k-ndin^ an Englifh army from the eat 
 tern to the welter n fide of Ind a, was to am ft the Go- 
 vernment of Bombay iu the accomplishment of a plan 
 concerted with the actual rulers or the Marratta ftate. * 
 He might with greater propriety have added, " and to. 
 * fc excite drtad^andiealo'ujy in ths minds of all the Princes of 
 " Hindojtan" He concluded, with profeflmg, that his 
 difpofuion and wifhes remain the fame ; that nothing is 
 yet loft, and chat he dcfired to be yet guided by theKa* 
 jah's inclinations. y 
 
 In confutation on the i uh of February, the Gover- 
 nor replied to^Mr. Francis's minure of the 8th, although, 
 the proportions to which it alluded, were then voted by 
 himfelf, .and Mr. Harwell, without deigning a reply. 
 
 The only fubjecl: in the proceedings of this and the 
 following day in council, c >nfifted mjjie difcufiion of 
 former points, and cavilling upon words. Whether 
 Mr. Francis's aiTertion in his minute of the 8th, that 
 Mr. Elliot's embafiy to negotiate with Moodajee Booda, 
 <* became the main and f ok objeff of the expedition under Co- 
 " lonel Leflie" With his ukul addrtfs, Mr. Haftings 
 laboured to contradict hirhftlf, and maintain that the 
 expedition had other objedts more immediately in view. 
 But. his opponent, by recuriing only to recorded fafls, 
 iffuing from the pen of Mr. Haftings himfclf, without 
 a breach of" good manners, or betraying any pcrfonality 
 or reientment, iupported his original allegation, and 
 itripped his adverlary of the fii.'^fy made in which he 
 again meant to impoie upon the underftanding of man- 
 kind, as he ieems to have iucceisfuily done on the cre- 
 ciulous minds of" his employers. 
 
 * This was the firft time he intimated the Bombay plan to the 
 Rajah. On the contrary, he cautioufly laboured to conceal it from 
 his knowledge, and repeatedly denied every purpoie in favour of 
 Roganaut-row. 
 
 f It wouid be improper in this place, not to infert as a note, a 
 qioft curious paiTage in the Governor's letter to Moodajee Boofia. 
 K T
 
 ( 74 ) 
 
 One quotation on each ficje will ferve as a fpecimen - 
 of the whole controveriy, there having bern nothing' 
 new argued, except fuch illuftrauons by Mr. Haftings, 
 as the heat of argument extrafleo uiiguardedly from 
 him in his own disfavour; and therefore the Ipecimen 
 now felected fliali be the nioft favourable to him. 
 
 The Governor's quotation is thus introduced. ' To 
 ' fo pointed a denial of the Governor's effertions, the beft 
 
 * argument which he can propcfe will be a reference to Mr. 
 
 * Elliot's inftrutiicns, in which he. is airefled to fufpend bis 
 c negotiations with Moodajee Bcojla^ on the information of 
 
 * any engagement actually concluded by the Prefidcncy of 
 
 * Bom fray, and to conform to it? * 
 
 Which 
 
 " To you, I had unrefervia'y committed all my views, partly and 
 " indiftinffly by letters, but very fully in repeated conversations with 
 " your Vakeel Beneram Pundit, as it would have been very impro- 
 '* per to have affairs of fuch delicacy and importance Committed to 
 
 " letters, and to the hazards to which thefe would have been expofed 
 '? in a long and doubtful journey. 'Your caution was Jlill greater y 
 " and perhaps more commendable, although I may regret the iiecejjiiy 
 *f which prescribed it, for neither your letters, nnr the letters cf Bc- 
 " tier am kundit, ajfirded n:e the Icaft clue, to judge of your fenti- 
 " menis or inclination rejpeding the particular points if atiicn, <v;/:icl? 
 ** ivere to form the fubjlance of our projected engagements ; and al- 
 *' though from your general profeffioiu, and the -Mar ml h ar.d Jin- 
 '* cerify 'with which thej's ivtre nianifeftlj diclated, I had every rea- 
 " fan to conclude that you approved of them- Yet t without Jane af- 
 " furance s, common prudence required, that I Jhould hot precipitately 
 " abandon every other refource, and irrevocably ccKimit the hitter 
 " and inter efts of this government in a doubtful meajure. Precau- 
 V tious it,sre taken, that ncthing Jhould be undertaken by any of the 
 " governments depmdent en this, which might eventually interfere 
 " with thnfe actually concluded with you" 
 
 A general reference to the preceding fiate of authentic facls, is 
 ihe fevereft and juileir, comment that can poffibly be made on the 
 above extraordinary ilyle and afleverations, as well the unwarran- 
 table confeffions contained io it The reft of the letter runs in th 
 fame inconfifler.t ftrain. 
 
 * How palpably is this quotation cor.trndifled in the letter of the 
 (jth current, recited in the foregoing page, and in the above note.
 
 ( 75 ) 
 
 Which Mr. Francis's minutes refute by many quota- 
 tion i, and fir ft by a reference to the very paffage in Mr. 
 Elliott inftructions, quoted by Mr Hallings, thus : 
 
 ' Even the paffage quoted by the Governor-general proves, 
 
 * that the junction with Moodajee Boo/la was not confi- 
 
 * dered by us as little more than an eventual refource, * 
 
 * but that it was then our main and principal objecJ. On & 
 
 * fuppofiiion that the Prefidency of Bombay might have en- 
 
 * tered into engagements with Roganaut-row ,' the in- 
 ftructions referred to by the Governor fay, " Tou will 
 " fo conduct yourfelf as to conform to their meafures, if you 
 ct can confiftcntly wi'h the prior intention, which you will 
 " give to cur views ; remembering that a defenfive alliance 
 " with Moodajee Boojla being the permanent objccJ of your 
 " commijfion, you are to juffer no confederation whatever to 
 *' dtreff you from that objett' 
 
 Mr. Francis, after a multitude of replications and 
 rejoinders, clofes the debate by a fur- rejoinder, in the 
 following cqol, judicious terms : 
 
 * When fundamental maxims of policy are avowedly fet 
 * ajide, the change of circumjiances Jhould not only be clear 
 ' and incontrovertible ', but it Jhould be fuch a one as war- 
 ' rants the adoption of new and opvofite principles of atiion. 
 4 / am not fufficiently mafter of the revolutions which have- 
 6 happened in the M.arratta empire Jince April 1771? and 
 ' which info/hirt a period are Juppofed to have produced a 
 ' tot-ai alteration in its circumjiances^ to enter into that part 
 4 of the queflion. -Joking the faffs as they are ftated by 
 e the Governor, it feems to me an obvious condufion, that 
 ' if it wire dangerous to us to unite with the Marrattas* 
 
 * when their empire was entire^ and in its full vigor, if 
 
 K 2 ' mujl 
 
 
 * The Governor in his j unifying minute, ufes thefe words, 
 That the junSlon <witb the Rajah of Berar VJAS co njldered as 
 little more than an eventual refource,''*
 
 * tnuft be ufel'fs to commit citytei<ue.s, ty taking any part in 
 
 * their aivifions, when their empire is fulling to pieces of it- 
 
 * felf. hither way, our engaging the Company's arms in 
 e offenfive wars, whether in conjunction ivitb a part, or 
 
 * the whole of the Marratta empire, is indsjenfible, fnce 
 
 * // is equally contrary to the Company's folemn and repeated 
 ' commands? 
 
 At a confutation held the 25th February, the Gover- 
 nor laid before the Board, a paper received the day be- 
 fore from Madras, containing intelligence of the defeat 
 of the Bombay army near Poonah, which he laid, he 
 believed to be but too true, but that he did not think 
 proper to propofe any immediate meaiures to be taken 
 in confequence. 
 
 The paper which conveyed this mortifying intelli- 
 gence, was a literal translation from a letter to the Na- 
 bob of Arcot from his Vakeel at the court of Poonah 
 
 * It rcprcients the difgrace of the army, and the Compa- 
 ny's arms in fuch humiliating terms, that the probable, 
 or perhaps the poffible chance of tetrieving the national 
 fame and reputation in India, muft be the effect of time, 
 Jet their fucccfles be ever lo quick and great. 
 
 The fourth paragraph reprefents the firft conference 
 of the Marraua Chiefs, after the approach of the Bom- 
 bay a rrry, thus : 6 All the Chiefs having met to consult 
 what was to be done in the prejent ft ate of affairs, the,y 
 ail with one voice agreed, that if Roganaut-row came 
 iviib his own forces alone, l bey JJoould receive him, and 
 give him a Jhare of the power as formerly. But fence he 
 came with an army of Englijh, who were of a different 
 nation from thtm, and whole conduct in Sujah-ul-Dowla's 
 country , the Rohilla country, Bengal^ and the Carnatic, 
 
 'they 
 
 * See the tranflation in Appendix, A. No. 4.
 
 * 77 ) 
 
 4 they were well acquainted with, they unanimoujly deter- 
 s mined not to receive Roganaut-row, as otherwise, in the 
 
 * end, they would bs obliged to forfake their religion and be- 
 
 * com* the Jlaves of Europeans ; upon this they exchanged 
 
 * oaths. 1 
 
 After relating journally, the proceedings of both ar- 
 mies on the field of Tulicanoon, the Nabob's Vakeel 
 fays, c On the \$th January ', tbe Marratta Surdars (Ge- 
 ' nerah or Chiefs) went to the trenches, and began firing 
 ' agatn, but it was not anfwered from the Engiijh camp j 
 
 4 foon after, Mr. Farmer, (a Gentleman who was feme 
 
 5 time ago at your Highnefs's court) came from the Engiijh 
 ' campy and the fire of the Marrattas immediately ceafed. 
 *Tbe Marrattas fent for him into the prefence, * and Mr. 
 
 * Farmer faid to tbemWz ARE ONLY MERCHANTS. 
 
 * WHEN DISPUTES PREVAILED WITH YOU, ROGANAUT- 
 
 * ROW CAME TO US, AND DEMANDED OUR PR.OTEC- 
 ' TION. WE THOUGHT HE HAD A RIGHT TO THE GO- 
 
 * VERNMENT, AND GAVE HIM OUR ASSISTANCE. No- 
 
 * THING BUT ILL FORTUNE ATTENDS HIM, AND WE 
 
 * HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THIS MISERABLE STATE BY 
 ' KEEPING HIM WITH US. YOU ARE MASTERS TO 
 
 * TAKE HIM FROM US. WE SHALL HENCEFORTH AD- 
 
 * HERE TO THE TREATIES THAT HAVE FORMERLY 
 
 'TAKEN PLACE BETWEEN us. BE PLEASED TO FR- 
 
 * GIVE WHAT HAS HAPPENED.' 
 
 " The Marratta Mlnifters anfwered ROGANAUT- 
 
 " ROW IS ONE OF US. WHAT RIGHT COULD YOU HAVE 
 " TO INTERFERE IN OUR CONCERNS WITH HIM ? WE 
 
 " NOW DESIRE OF YOU TO GIVE UP SALSETTE AND 
 " BASSEEN, AND WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES YOU HAVB 
 " POSSESSED YOURSELVES OF, AS ALSO THE ClRCARS, 
 *' THOSE OF THE PERGUNNAHS OF BAROACH, &C. 
 
 ** WHICH 
 
 * The Eaftern term for an audience.
 
 *' WHICH YOU HAVE TAKEN IN GuZZERAT. 
 
 "' TO THE TREATY MADE IN THE TIME OF BALAGEE- 
 
 " ROW, * AND ASK NOTHING ELSE." 
 
 *' Mr. Farmer heard this anfwer, and returned to his 
 " camp. On the i6th, at noon, Mr. Farmer returned, 
 " and told Scindia, That he had brought a blank paper, 
 "ftgned and fealed, which the Marratta Chiefs might Jill 
 "up as they pleafed. Scindia told the Minifters, That al- 
 " though they had it in their power to make any- demands 
 " they pleafed, it would not be advifeable to do it at this 
 " time ; for our making large demands would only fow re- 
 *' fentment in their hearts, and we had better demand 
 " only what is neceffary. Let Rog&naut-row be with us, 
 ' and the treaty between us and the Englijh will be ad- 
 " hered to. Let Salfette, and the Pergunnahs in Guzzerat, 
 " be given back to us. Let the Bengal army return back. 
 *' For the reft, let us aft with them, as is Jtipulated in 
 " the treaty with Balagee row, the jewels mortgaged by 
 " Roganaut-row be rejlored, and nothing demanded for them. 
 " Letalltbefe articles be wrote out on the paper they have 
 "fent; which was accordingly done. Mr. Farmer, 
 " and Lieutenant Stewart, were left as hoftages fot 
 c< the ratification and punctual performance of the con- 
 " ditions ftipulated in the capitulation and treaty. 
 " On the i yth, the treaty was returned to the Mar- 
 *' ratta camp, written in Perfian, Marratta, and Eng- 
 " lifhj, fealed with the Company's feal, and figned by 
 " Mr. Carnac, and four officers. After this, the' Mar- 
 " ratta furdars fent them victuals, which they needed 
 much. The Englifli marched out, efcorted by 2000 
 " Marratta horfe, but Koganaut-row, not finding 3 
 " lucky hour, did not go to the Marratta camp, ,buc 
 will go after twelve o'clock to-morrow." 
 
 " Alas ! alas! how fallen! how fullied !". 
 
 Aft^r 
 
 * This treaty was made in September, 1761.
 
 ( 79 ) 
 
 After exhibiting fuch cliftinguifhed marks of the mo- 
 deration of the Marratta Regency, on an occafion fo re- 
 markably favourable to their views and gratifications, it 
 would be n nj uft not to transfix fo honourable and equi- 
 table an imprefuon, by a reference to two letters from. 
 Siccarum r'undit, Minifter of the Marratta Sovereignty, 
 to Mr. H liftings, in his higheft capacity of Governor 
 GcnerJ, received in Calcutta the yth and izth Decem- 
 ber, 1778 -, together with an extract to the fame effect, 
 from M<tk)dajee Boofla, the Rajah of Berar. Thefe 
 comrrunicai ions, which are impregnated with the nobleft 
 qualitic^ which ihe human mind is capable of entertain- 
 ing, are plated in the 'Appendix under A. No. 5, 6, 
 and 7. 
 
 On this day, Mr. Francis, finding no propofition 
 made by r he Governor, moved, that orders be fent 
 to Gi rvral Siibbert, to put him on his guard, and to 
 hole! the troops ftationed in Rohilcund, and in Oude, in 
 readinefs to march. The motion was oppofed by the 
 Governor and Mr. Barwell, as unneceflary and unfea- 
 fonaHJe. The Governor faid, " hewifhedit hadnotbeen 
 *' wade." Yt-t in the end it was agreed to, with an 
 amendment propokd by Mr. Harwell, which carried the 
 principle of ;he morion much farther than Mr. Francis 
 intended : i. e, l ' hat ihe two brigades Jbould be imme- 
 diately Ambled and encamped." Mr. Francis ftated the 
 cvi itrnt coiiiradicliun contained in the arguments ufed 
 by the majority, and therefore oppofea the motion.' 
 
 March i. Letters of the 7th of February, from Ma- 
 dras, and of the 26th of January, from Colonel God- 
 dard, were laid before the Council. That from Ma- 
 dras had the fignature of Sir Eyre Coote, with thofe 
 of the eftablifhcd Prefidency, which ftated, in ftrong 
 terms, the fatal confequences likely to attend the difafters 
 at Poonah, particularly to the Government of Madras. 
 
 They
 
 ( So ) 
 
 They fay, c That by one ill-timed and unfortunate enter- 
 
 * prize, the reputation of our arms is fullicd. and ' * 
 ' friendjhip of the principal Indian States, hi. ~ 
 
 ' loft for ever ; and that too^ at a period ichtx w 
 
 * g a & d in & w#r, which calls for the exertion v< c. 
 
 * force ^ and the good-will oj every ft ate in ahianc.: v? u . 
 In the concluG( n they recommended, c to direct the 
 ' retreat of Colonel Goddard through Eerar, towards the 
 ' coaft of Orixa, and the northern drears' 
 
 By Colonel Goddard's letter it appeared, that he was 
 uninformed of the event at Poonah i he inciof.-d a let- 
 ter of the nth January, from General Carnac and Co* 
 lonel Egerton, in which they advife Him to proceed ei- 
 ther to Baroach or Surat, or to remain on the borders 
 of Berar ; but do not advife him to advance towards 
 Poonah. 
 
 This advice difcovers, that thcfe Gentlemen found 
 out their miftake before the firft adVion with the Marratta 
 army. And concluded, that if Colonel Goddaid conti- 
 nued his march towards Poonah, his army would be cut 
 off or forced to furrender at difcretion. He wifely and 
 happily followed the very feafonable advice thus given 
 to him. Himfelf was of opinion, that a profpeft of be- 
 ing able to effect the revolution in favour of Roganaut- 
 row, themfelves, was the motive for exprefiing fo little 
 anxiety about the arrival of his detachment. The Go- 
 vernor, without propofing any inftrudlions for Colonel 
 Goddard, moved, ' That General Stibbert Jhould be or- 
 ' dered to fend the firft brigade acrofs the Jumna, and 
 ' to encamp it on the other fide? Mr. Francis exprefied 
 at once, his fenfe of the mcafure, but defired that the 
 further confikleration of it might be put off till the next 
 mornirg. This was confented to by the Governor, on 
 condition that he might be allowed an opportunity of 
 confidering Mr. Francis's objections to the motion, be- 
 fore
 
 C 81 ) 
 
 fore they were brought into debate at the Board. Mr 
 Wheler and Mr. Francis concurring in opinion, drew 
 up their reafons in the form of a joint proteft, which, 
 they fent next morning to the Governor, before the 
 meeting of Council. 
 
 March 2. The next day Mr. HafHng5 began with 
 declaring, ' That: he had not read the joint proteft * and 
 delivered in a minute retracting that of yefterday. * 
 When this bufinefs was over, and no propofitions made 
 by the Governor, Mr. Francis moved, * That orders be 
 1 -fent to Colonel Goddard, to retire to Berar y and frbm 
 
 * thence toward the coaft of Orixa-> and the Chicacole Cir- 
 c car \ Juppofmg always that thefe orders were to reach him 
 
 * before he quitted his ftation on tfa Narbudda* The mo- 
 tion was ordered to lie for confideration. 
 
 In a debate on the 4th March, upon Mr. Francis's 
 motion of the id, it was rejected by the ufual majority. 
 1 hedifcufied fubjects will throw additional lights upon 
 the political views and principles of Mr. Haftings. He 
 objected to the motion for two reafons. ift ' Becaufe 
 ' he thought it probable that Colonel Goddard had refumed 
 
 * the negotiation with Moodajee Boojla. 2d, Becaufe the 
 
 * propofid route lay through the dominions of the Nizam, 
 
 * wbo> it is not to be expect ed, wou'd confent to their paf- 
 ' fage, nor was this a time to furnijb him with a pretext 
 'for open hojlilities againft j.' Yet the negociation 
 which Colonel Goddard is fuppofed to have refumed, 
 and which Mr. Haftings thinks it unfafe to. interrupt, 
 has the invafion of the Nizam's dominions for one of 
 its principal objects. Did not the fame reafons apply 
 more ftrongly and directly, to the march of the lame 
 detachment through the Marratta dominions ? It will 
 appear from the Governor's minute, that conqueft and 
 
 L extent 
 
 * The minutes on both Gdes deferve the attention of the Cortof
 
 ( 82 ) 
 
 xtent of dominion, were held oqt as his prof? fled and 
 avowed objects, and that Mr. Francis's endeavouring to 
 confine r:;c Company's arms within their own actual 
 pi'fieffions is conitrued as p:eiciibing narrow limits tq 
 their Government. 
 
 On the 8th of March, Mr. Francis recorded a com- 
 prehenfive and judicious minute, in reply to the objec- 
 tions made to his motion, and in refutation of the gene- 
 ral d( ctrine advanced and maintained by Mr. H,.ftin_: - 
 the 4th paragraph of which is to the following purpofe: 
 
 e That ihs limits be vacutd prefcribe to the Britijh Empire 
 in India , is wide enough to anjwer every ivifs avd profit- 
 able $urp of e. That their arms jhcuUt be employed inferr- 
 ing what they had acquired, That all their ac'quifihohs 
 may be loft, ly endeavouring to extend them. Tbat if op. 
 pojite maxims are recommended as a izifer po'icy, tbey are 
 not Jiipported by the example of Great Britain. That the, 
 diftant dependencies of Great Britain originated in a fpirit 
 jf C mmercf and Colonization. And, that though their 
 fee: s a^ed with honour in the moft dijlant quarters of ths 
 globe, the fuccefs. of naval enkrprizcs proved nothing in 
 fdu ur of expediiiuns t-y land into the hearts of countries 
 h:-jli!e and unkn >ivn' * 
 
 Mr. Francis conceiving from indirecl: expirfnons, 
 which the Governor had uttered, that the weight of his 
 objection Jay to the movement of the detachment into 
 -the Chjcacoic province, proposed again, that it might 
 be ordered mro Bcrar. But he was miilaken j it met 
 the f^me fate. But wh'::herthe arguments ufed againfl: 
 the fecond motion can be reconciled tothofe which were 
 employed againft the firft, may deferve^he confideration 
 
 of 
 
 * The latter part concerning Britain, alludes to Obfervations and 
 Comparifons in Mr, Hafljngs's minute.
 
 C 83 ) 
 
 of the Court of Directors, who have them at large upon 
 their records. In this place, however, it may be mate- 
 rial to obierve, that fuppofing any future turn of events, 
 fhould, in the eves of ihofe who judge only by events, 
 rentier it i fortunate circumftance, that Colonel God- 
 dard fhould have proceeded toSurat, Mr. Haftings will 
 have no merit from that meafute, or from any advanta- 
 geous confequence which may attend it, fince it has 
 been demonftrated beyond the power of doubt, that its 
 object was diametrically oppofite to fuch an idea. And 
 in this da.'s debate Mr. Haftings exprefsly laid, '* That 
 *' be vxifad equally with Mr. Francis^ for the return of the 
 " detachment to Berar, and equally dreaded to hear of its 
 " proceeding to the ether coaft. ' In the fame debate he 
 obicrvcd, " that the flan for reflating Roganaut-row hav- 
 " /;/ <? A'^^J Colonel Goadar'd was under exprefs orders^ * on 
 " receiving advice of fuch conclufion to recur to his mgocia- 
 " tions ivith Moodajee Boojla^ which neceffarily and una~ 
 *' voidably implied his return to Berar" Are thefe dark 
 myficnous traniactions confiftent with Mr. Haftings's 
 public duty ? Or, are they either honourable or poli- 
 tical ? 
 
 It will hereafter appear, that Colonel Goddard re 
 ceived thanks and rewards for taking that very ftep, 
 which, according to Mr. Hallings's pref<-nt declaration, 
 mull be contrary to his exprefs orders \ admitting that he 
 ..was juitined by the neccffity of his fitiution, in pro- 
 ceeding, by forced marches, to Surat, as foon as he had 
 heard of the defeat ne.ir Poonah, Mr H lilings has clear- 
 ly no in .re in thr m^nt of that rdoluiion, or in any good 
 Conlequcnces that might have attended it, fince, 1 -*^^^?^- 
 " ing io his expnfs orders. Colonel Goddard ought to have 
 " returned to Berar." 
 
 L 2 March 
 
 * Thefe were private orders, without the knowledge or concur- 
 rence of the Board.
 
 ( 84 ) 
 
 March 10. A letter from Colonel Goddard, datec! 
 the 5th of February, from Brahmpore, announcing his 
 purpoic of marching the next day towards Surat, in con- 
 Jequence cf order* he had received from the Select Com- 
 mittee of Bombay, was laid before the Board. By the 
 Jetter of the Bombay Committee, dated 22d January, he 
 is informed that they are not at liberty to give him any 
 precife information as to the reafons of the return of 
 their army, or the probable confequences of it In 
 purfuance of his refolution Colonel Goddard moved on 
 with his detachment, and arrived at Surat about the z^th 
 of February, having not feen an enemy, nor met with 
 any oppofition whatlbever in the march from Brahm- 
 pore. Had the army been commanded by a man of 
 lefs bravery and activity, the chances were a hundred 
 to one againft the fucceis of the expedition. The Mar- 
 rattas called in all their troops to oppofe the Bombay 
 army; and the treaty made with Mr. Carnac lulled them 
 into a fecurity, until it was difavowed in Bombay ; and 
 in the mean time, Colonel Goddard preffcd his march, 
 and efcaped. 
 
 The Remarker having, in the preceding detail, en- 
 deavoured to mew the origin, principle, and progrefs 
 of the Marratta war, which cannot fail to lead the mind 
 to understand its probable confequences on the dilpo- 
 fitions of the native powers in India againft the Briufh 
 name, he thinks it lefs necefTary to purfue the fame pre- 
 cifion in the few obfervations that are to follow, in rela- 
 tion to dates and trivial difcuflions, while he adheres with 
 confidence to real facts, in narrating the leading prin- 
 ciples of action. 
 
 Mr. Francis, by minute on the i5th March, exprefled 
 a concern and furprife, at not having heard from the 
 Frefidency of Bombay, concerning the defeat of their 
 army, the nature of the terms ftipulated with the re- 
 gene
 
 gency of Pdonah, and their further determination. He 
 inftnuated an apprehenfion, that reduced to an extremity 
 approaching to defpair, and having nothing more to lofe, 
 they may be impelled by a fertility, which necefiity is 
 too ready to engender, to renew the war at all hazards. 
 That paft experience had afforded too much reafon to 
 juftify that fufpicion, and therefore, in order to prevent 
 the probability of fuch injudicious and dangerous mea- 
 fures, he moved, 
 
 " That a letter be immediately written to the Prejidency 
 " of Bombay r , to exprefs the concern andfurprife of the Board 
 " at the profound fiience they have obferved to the fupretns 
 " adminijtration, on the late operations and defeat of their 
 " army, and to prohibit them in the moft precife andpofitive 
 " terms i and as thty will anfwer the contrary at their peril^ 
 "from commencing or renewing hoftilities againft theMarrat- 
 " tas^ or any other Indian princes or powers, except in their 
 " own immediate defence, without our confent and appro- 
 " bation^ fir ft had, and obtained" 
 
 This motion was negatived by Mr. Haftings and Mr. 
 Barwell. And certain it is, that nothing can mew the 
 fpirit of oppofition, and its faral influenc over every 
 principle of reafon, policy, and concern for the Compa- 
 ny's in tereft in general, than the very loofe and frivolous 
 reafons oppgicd to this motion, without difavowing the 
 expediency, and even acknowledging the propriety of it, 
 
 On the i yth of March a letter was received from the 
 Prefidency of Bombay, dated the 3d February, intima- 
 ting the failure of the expedition againft Poonah, by 
 the defeat of their army, and that they did not think 
 themlelves obligated by the conditions of the treaty -, 
 but that they had intentions to enter into another treaty 
 with theMarrattas, and had, therefore, ordered Colonel 
 
 Goddard's 

 
 ( 86 ) 
 
 Goddard's detachment to march to Sura't, initead of 
 coming to Bombay. 
 
 Mr. Wheler made a long and fenfible minute, expo- 
 fing, without exaggeration, the critical, but above ail, 
 the ruinous and expenfive ftate and pofition of the Com- 
 pany's affairs in India, and earneftiy recommended the 
 means of procuring peace, at any ratfj in fome of the 
 quarters, where they are threatened with hoftility. 
 
 April 5, Sir Eyre Coote having this day taken his 
 feat at the Supreme Board. In confequence of a recon- 
 ciliation, and a proper underftanciing, which had been 
 effected between lam and the Governor, the latter in- 
 troduced an elaborate rrnnuie, complimentary of the 
 former. And then, arttr itating the difgrace of the 
 Bombay army, and the nature ot the treaty, made on 
 the field of battle, by peribns unauihoriled to fublcribe 
 to luch conditions, and without a knowledge of the 
 \vant of that authority in thole who exacted it, he pro- 
 pofcd the following conjectures to the confide'ration of 
 the Board, as a ground to raife real proportions upon. 
 
 ift, " That the Marrattas ought to be fatisfied with 
 * 6 the poffeffion of Roganaut row, and to rtltnquifh. the 
 " other terms of the capitulation." * 
 
 2d, That if the Marrattas have in lifted on thecon- 
 " ditions, that it is probable the Select Committee have 
 * l refufed compliance, and called upon Colonel God- 
 *' dard to aid them in continuing the war." 
 
 3d, " That 
 
 This favors more of the flyle of a conqueror, than the conquer- 
 td\ confequently it may be thought fomewhat indelicate and un- 
 feafonable, considering the extreme moderation of the red conquerors, 
 on the 15 th and i6Ui January.
 
 3'd, ^ That the Marrattas, knowing the invalidity o 
 " the act, had evafion in contemplation, in order to re- 
 " new the war when they mould be able to profecute it 
 " with furer effect, with the afiiftance of the French from 
 " Mauritius. 
 
 4th, " That the divifions of the Marrattas have been, 
 " but fuperficially covered, and not healed. That the 
 " return of Roganaut-row may excite frefli commotions 
 e amongft them. That he fees no chance of recovering 
 44 Roganaut-row; but, on the contrary, that he is loft 
 '' to its for ever, although it may be no great lofs to us, 
 46 except by regretting the wound which the Britifh cre^ 
 " dit has received in the manner of his fepfiration from 
 us." * 
 
 5th, " That the conduct of Moodajee Boofla, fince 
 " his knowledge of this event, manifefts the impreflion 
 41 v, hich it hath generally made on the minds of thepeo- 
 " \ It ( f Ilindoilan. And they believe that any force 
 " whi:h we could fend againft them would prove une- 
 <l quai to thrir fupt-riority of numbers, and the rapid 
 *' movements of their cavalry." -J- 
 
 Upon thefe conjectured principles he offered thefol 
 
 lowing proportions, viz. 
 
 ifr. " Thar Colonel Goddard be invefted with pow- 
 ' ers, as miniHer, to r^preient this government at the 
 " court of Poonah, for the renewal or confirmation of 
 " the treaty of Poorundcr, to reiinquifh the late conven- 
 " tion, and not to admit French forces into their do- 
 minions^ 
 
 * THs conjefture was calculated entirely for renewing the nego 
 ciatioB with Moodajee Boofla. 
 
 f Artful motives to ftimulace a dangerous exertion in the war 
 againft the Marrattas, even at the hazard of leaving the kingdoms 
 of Bengal, Bahar, and Orixa, deftitute and defencelefs.
 
 ( 8* ) 
 
 <c minions, or to make eftablifhments on their ceafts. 
 ** And that the alternative lhail amount to a declara- 
 *' tioa of war. (With a draught, No i.) 
 
 2d. " That the firft brigade, already ordered to 4 
 '* convenient ftation for cr< fling the Jumna, be fup- 
 * plied with ordnance, ammunition, and ftores fit for 
 " the fervice. 
 
 gd. " That Major Camac be ordered back to Co- 
 ct rumba, or to fome other convenient Itation, within, 
 " or near to our borders, and fupplied with ammuni- 
 " tion, &c. 
 
 4th. " That Sir Eyre Coote be requeued to ifiue 
 " the neceflary orders for carrying the preceding rcfo- 
 w Igtions into execution. 
 
 5th. " That a letter be written to the Paifhwa and 
 '* his Minifters, on the fubjedt of Colonel Goddard's 
 " commiflion. (With a draught, No. 2.) 
 
 6th. " That a tetter be written to Moodajee Boofla; 
 * (With a draught, No. 3.) 
 
 7th. cc That a letter be written to the Prefidency of 
 * c Bombay, advifing of Colonel Goddard's commiffion, 
 ** requiring conformity from them, and to prepare for 
 ' fervice, whether offenfive or defenfive, in virtue of 
 * explicit and pofitive orders from hence. 
 
 ?th. " That a letter be fent to the Prefidency of 
 *' Madras, informing them of our defigns. And in 
 *' cafe of fuccefs againft Mahe, the forces to remain 
 *' there and at Tellicherry, in order to be ready to 
 f move, on application, to join the forces at Bombay." 
 
 Although
 
 Although the conjectures which lead to chefs >ropcP 
 fitions, are liable to animadverfion, as well as the pro- 
 pofuions thtrnlelves , yet as the generality of them, 
 have alfo an apparent tendency to bring forth an ac- 
 commodation with the Marrattas, it will be treated 
 with the fame degree of indulgence which it received 
 from Mr. Haftings's conftant opponents on that fub- 
 ject, referring to the evident fpirit difguifed in the ift, 
 ^d, 4th, and 5th conjectures, and in the ift and 6th 
 proportions. Letters and authorities founded in ge- 
 neral upon thefe proportions, were refolved. 
 
 . Letters from the Prefidency of Bombay, and frorrf 
 Colonel Egerton, having thrown new lights on many 
 tranfactions, before, at, and after the expedition from 
 thence to Poonah, it appeared, that the majority of the 
 Select Committee are reprehenfible in the higheit de- 
 gree, in undertaking fo important a meafure withrfuC 
 previouily adjufting terms with Rogar?aut-row*s adher- 
 ents ; ,in not availing themfelves of the power they had 
 veiled in them over the Bengal detachment, to co-ope- 
 rate with their own army , in not arriving at a clearer 
 knowledge of the true ftate of the Poonah Durbar, be- 
 fore they finally refolved upon actual acY.oa j in the 
 wilful violation of the Company's pofitive orders, by 
 the appointment of civil deputies to conduct military 
 operations in the field , in invefting civilians v/ith po\V- 
 ers incompatible with military fervice, an'd fubverfive 
 of that degree of fubordination, which alone can fecure 
 a profpect of iuccefs v in the errormous quantuy of bag- 
 gage and cattle, fo prepofteroulTy inconfiitent with the 
 diftance, and number of troops ; in the violation of a 
 convention and capitulation, having, by t ! ieir own aft 
 and inveftiture in the Field Committee, <;tven the mod 
 folemn ratification which the whole board of the Select 
 Committee, .and the Company's public and corporate 
 leal, could give; regardlefs, alfo, of the critical fituia- 
 M
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 tion of two gentlemen, who freely yielded themfelves 
 as. hoftages, confiding in the iacred faith of the Com- 
 pany ; and the ungenerous manner in which Colonel 
 Egerton and Colonel Cockburn were circumvented, 
 under fpecious and falfe pretences, to refign the com- 
 mand of the Bombay army in garrifon. 
 
 The proceedings on thefe fubjects are voluminous, 
 and therefore would be tedious. However, as nothing 
 can lead to a clearer knowledge of the facts, and the 
 original, as well as the exifting principles and views of 
 the ruling parties, than fome of thefe proceedings at 
 both Boards, they fhall be felected for that purpofe, 
 and the narrative continued by extracts from them, 
 during the difcuilion of thefe points, with only occa- 
 fional remarks. 
 
 Extraft from a letter from the Selcft Committee of Bom- 
 bay^ to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors, 
 dated 2jtb March, 1779. 
 
 Par. 17. ' From the very general information the 
 c Governor General and Council gave in of their pro- 
 ' jected alliance with Moodajee Boofla, we could not 
 
 * form any judgment in what manner this Prefidency 
 
 * might be affected thereby, ncr did it ftrike us, that we 
 c could receive either injury or benefit from the Rajah 
 ' of Berar, unlefs he mould affert his claim to the Ra- 
 
 * jafhip of the Marratta empire, to which he had fome 
 < pretenfions, and reftore the antient form of the Mar- 
 
 * ratta government. We did not pretend to judge, 
 
 * what advantage a connection with him might afford 
 1 to your Bengal province, to which his country is con- 
 ' tiguous , but fo far as we might venture an opinion, 
 ' we conceived them fo little liable to danger, that an 
 
 * alliance with .Moodajee Boofla merely for their fecu- 
 
 * rity, fo far as he could contribute to it, which ap- 
 
 * peared
 
 ( 9' ) 
 
 1 peared by their letter to be the object of Mr. Elliot's 
 
 * deputation, did not Teem to be a confideration cqui- 
 
 * vaient to the injury your general intereft would fuf- 
 t tain, were we to forego the plan refolved on the 21 ft 
 6 July. 
 
 Had we been apprized in time that the negociation 
 ' with Moodajee Boofla, was to affect the operations of 
 
 * the Bengal detachment, or that in the intended alli- 
 4 ance with him, was comprehended a plan, to fupply 
 ' the place of the one originally recommended by us, 
 4 and to anfwer the fame purpofe, we certainly would 
 c not have profecuted our plan for the reftoration of 
 ' Ragobaj* and thereby have avoided the confufion 
 
 * inleparable from a complicated fcherne, when fo great 
 4 a diftance lay between the parties. But we appeal to 
 
 * you, whether from the letters from Bengal of the 171!* 
 4 Auguft and i5th of October, we had any reafon to 
 c entertain fuch an idea of the negociation with Moo- 
 4 dajee Boofla. On the contrary, in the lad of ihefe 
 
 * letters, the Governor General, and Council, after they 
 
 * knew of the reftrainc laid on Moraba, and the mem- 
 4 bers of his party, (adherents of Roganaut-row) gave 
 4 us reafon to conclude, that they ftill depended upon us 
 4 fer the accompiijhment of thofe grand objefts we both had 
 < in viewer by their giving up the controul over Colo- 
 4 nel Goddard's detachment, whether the plan formed 
 4 in July exifted, or whether we had formed any other 
 ' for the fame ends, confidently with the terms they 
 4 had prefemed for their affent.' 
 
 The preceding paragraph was accompanied by the 
 minutes of Council, of which the following arc felecT> 
 <d, as peculiarly adapted to the prefent occafion ; 
 
 M 2 ' Minute 
 
 * Ragoba and Rogaiiaut-ro\y, is one and the fame perfon. 
 f The words of the Bengal letter.
 
 * Minute of Governor Hornby, ipth Feb. 1779* 
 
 ' The fchemes of the Governor General and Council* 
 
 c with regard to the Rajah of Berar, being yet unknown 
 ' to us, it is impoflible to found any meafure on then;. 
 ' Yet, I cannot help now obferving, that if, as has been 
 
 * conjectured, the gentlemen at that Brefidency have 
 c entertained thoughts of refloring in his perfon, the 
 " ancient Jlajah government, the attempt feems likely 
 
 * to be attended with no fmali difficulty. The powers 
 ' who are now in pofTeffion of the Paifhwa domains, 
 4 together with all the Jaghire-dars, however difunited 
 
 * amonor themielyes, would probably concur in oppo- 
 ' fing Mood^jee BooQa -, who, from every thing I have 
 ' been abie to learn, has for fome time paft taken no 
 fc part in the Weftern broils, nor appears to have any 
 ' party among the leading men in this part of the em- 
 
 * pife.* And I would wiib to fubmit to the Governor 
 ' General and Council, whether it might not better 
 anfvver our views, by iupporting a formidable Chief, 
 
 * like Moodajee Scindia, who has already acquired the 
 
 * actual poffeffion of the Paiflbwa domains, which are 
 6 the authority of the office, who is backed with the 
 ' refources of his own Jaghire, and has the perfon of 
 
 * Roganaut-row at his difpolal, to give a colour of law- 
 
 'fui 
 
 * If Moodajee Boofia had aflually fucceed<d. He is a very old 
 and infirm man, tottering upon the verge of eternity. Can, or 
 <icuid Ivlr. Haftings ir.fme the future conformity of alliance and cor- 
 refpondence of a leries of fucceiTors, when wallowing in power and 
 wealth, to the Company? Are there not recent inftances to the 
 contrary in every fa:t of fn.aa? Might it not, as himfelf faid on 
 a. late occafion, prove dangerous to the iecurity of the Company, to 
 unite fuch great pofieffions, and of courfe fuch wealth and pow^r, 
 in anyone neighbouring ftate ; and would it not be highly impoli- 
 tic, to bring io very powerful a neighbour on the borders' of the 
 Company's principal territories in Bengal, as the dominion of Be- 
 rar would then be in the lull pofTdfton of the Marratu power and 
 empire".
 
 ( 93 ) 
 
 s ful authority to that he has afiumed, than by -attempt- 
 4 ing to model the whole ftate a-new, and to place the 
 ' rule of it in hands of our own chufing ; a labour, that 
 
 * is perhaps too arduous, and the fuccefs certainly du- 
 
 * bious.' 
 
 The Governor of Bombay fubjoined to his declara* 
 tion the following ftate of arrangements at Poonah : 
 
 4 Moodajee Scindia in every change has appeared 
 fupreme. 
 
 i ft. * Madarow Narrain, Paifhwa; 
 
 2d. * Savagee-row (Ragoba's Son) Naib. 
 
 . 
 
 ^d. ' Scindia and Hplker, to act for Savagee-row. 
 
 4th. Ragoba, to relinquim, the government, have 
 a Jaghire, and refide at Jaffi. 
 
 5th. ' Nana Furnefe and Sacaram, to conduct this 
 government as Minifters, and to derive their authority 
 from Scindia and Holker.' 
 
 This fettlement was patted in writing. All the Mar- 
 ratta officers were affembled, and told, that this muft 
 be looked upon and regarded as a coaclufive fettle- 
 ment, and any attempt to oppole it, would be confider- 
 ed as treachery againft the ftate. The ufual rejoicings 
 on fuch occafions were obferved; 
 
 Governor Hornby, by minute of 30 March, 1779, 
 urges the fame language as in the Letter to the Court 
 of Directors of the 27th inft. and his laft recited minute 
 of 1 9th February, with refpect to the proceedings of 
 the Supreme Council, And that Mr. Elliot would have 
 
 had
 
 ( 94 ) 
 
 had to encounter very great difficulties and obftacles in 
 the negociation with which he was entrufted, in order 
 to reconcile the meafures already adopted at Bombay, 
 with the hearty approbation and concurrence of the Su- 
 preme Council, to the other oppofite meafures of the 
 Sup-emc Council, at one and the fame time. 
 
 Mr. Draper, the 3d in the Bombay Councils, upon 
 more wife and accurate piinciples, declared, *' that he 
 *' had no opinion of fucceeding in any permanent alli- 
 ** ance with Moodajee Scindia, from the temporary na- 
 " ture of his prclent power. And he recommended, 
 *' in preference to all others, a direct and proper ar- 
 ' rangement with the Marratta State.*' * 
 
 Mr. Hornby obferved further, ** that the Governor- 
 e< General and Council probably thought, that the com- 
 " munication of another fcheme, while that in favour 
 44 of Roganaut-row was under confideration, might ferve 
 " only to embarrafs and produce a diffidence in the Bom- 
 " bay Councils, which might impede the profecution of 
 ' their own meafures with the necefTary degree of con* 
 " fidence a.nd vigour.'-" f 
 
 ' On the fame day, Mr. Hornby recorded another mi- 
 nute, which claims fingular attention for the general 
 propriety of the fentiments which it inforces. Indeed, 
 it proves, that in confentingto the difgraceful expedition 
 under field-deputies, he erred only in judgment. The 
 following pafiages are literal extracts from it : 
 
 * This minute merits the attention of the Court of Diredlors. 
 
 f Thefe conjectures are furely not ferious : They carry a ftrong 
 appearance of irony, however confident with the conduct of Mr. 
 Hafiings, in not communicating his views in favour of Moodajee 
 Boofla, to the Prefr ency of Bombay, the Servants of the fame Com- 
 pany, co-operating in the fame caufe.
 
 (95 ) 
 
 <c The Bengal detachment muft already have cofl an , 
 *' immenfe fum, and its expences, while it remains here, 
 44 is more than equal to the full amount of all our pre- 
 " fent revenues. Colonel Goddard has hitherto fup- 
 '* plied himfclf with the fums necefTary for the payment 
 " of the troops, by drafts on Bengal ; but this is a re- 
 " fource that cannot be depended on for longer than 
 " eight or ten lacks more at f'artheft. The Colonel has 
 *' likewife already exprefled his anxiety, with regard to 
 " the burthen his expences may prove to the Bengal 
 tc treafury j and indeed, if we confider the increafed 
 " military and naval eftablimments of that Prefidency, 
 " on account of the war with France, and the demands 
 " which probably have been already made on the Go- 
 " vernorGeneral and Council by the Gentlemen of Ma- 
 ' drafs, whofe diftrefs for money has, as we have un- 
 " derftood, been the caufe of their delaying fa long, to 
 " carry into execution the projected expedition against 
 c Mahe. We muft confider it as highly probable, thac 
 ' our hopes of lupplies of cam from Bengal may fail 
 *' us. In 1776, when the Governor General and Coun- 
 ** cil propofed fupporting us in a war with the Marratta 
 " Minifters, on a profpedb of Colonel Upton's negoci- 
 f ations proving ineffectual, they adviled us, that they 
 * had rdblved to fupply us with ten lacks, which fum 
 feemed all they could allow us to depend upon. 
 ** For they infifted that it (hould be referved for the 
 " purpofes of the war only, * and even ordered a le'p** 
 t rate account of it, that they might be fatisfled it was 
 " applied to no other. "If this was the cafe at that time, 
 " how much lower muft our expectations be at this, 
 *' when their own occafions, as well as the expences of 
 
 * the 
 
 * This prudent CEConomical fyftem, fubfifted only during- the mi- 
 nority of" Mr Mailings. The application of Mr. Hornby was cri- 
 tically feafonable, had not Mr. Haftings acted and thought from 
 principles diametrically oppolke. The reproach was fevere and juJt, 
 aad confers honour on the author.
 
 ( 9% ) 
 
 44 the Presidency of "Madras, muft^be encreafed much 
 46 beyond what we can venture even to guels at. By 
 " the mod exact eftimate I have been able to make, I 
 "judge that between this time and the 31 ft of October 
 " next (feuen months] we (hall have occafion for about 
 *' fifty lacks, and all our refources together do not af- 
 ' ford us a prolpedt of more than 20 lacks ; great pare 
 ** of the laft depending on the clearing of purchafers 
 " goods from our warehoufe, and on revenues, a con- 
 *' fiderable part of which is to be received in kind, will 
 * c be apt to fall fhort of the eftimate, while our expen- 
 " ces are likely to exceed, rather than prove lefs than 
 46 they ate rated at. We might, indeed, by putting a 
 6C total ftop to our inveftments, apply about four lacks 
 <c appropriated for the purchafe of pepper, and the com- 
 " pletion of the China (hips cargo, to defray our ordi- 
 ** nary expences ; but befides the inadequate proportion 
 " of this lupply to our wants, the remainder will, I be- 
 " lieve, be thought very defperate. 5 * 
 
 " Another very alarming circumftance calls for our 
 ** confederation. Colonel Goddard informs us, that one 
 tc half of his Sepoys have refufed to receive their pay 
 4t for the month of January, unlefs that for the month 
 " of February is at the fame time difcharged -, and 
 he feems to think that this has proceeded from a dif- 
 46 pofition among the men to return home, if they could 
 *' furnilh themielves with money enough to bear their 
 , <c charges to their own country. It is true, Colonel 
 " Goddard is of opinion, that he (hall be able to put a 
 " ftop to this fpirit, on his return to the camp-, but 
 " we have every reafon to fear the increafe of it, mould 
 *' the troops remain longer unengaged in fervice, which 
 " might divert them from fuch thoughts." 
 
 " Whatever our difficulties may be from the increafe 
 of our expences, and the necefiky of providing for die 
 
 " punctual
 
 C 97 ) 
 
 cs punctual payment of our troops, yet the defence of 
 
 ct the fettlenrient abfolutely requires, that we fhould find 
 
 " n.eans of keeping up our prefent-force, while things 
 
 " remain in the ftate they now are with the Marratta?j 
 
 a and while the war with France continues. The only 
 
 " way in which this can be effected is, by fectiring fuctt 
 
 /' a revenue under our own collection, as may be nearly 
 
 " anfwerable to our expences , * and it is abfolutely ne- 
 
 " ctfiary to think of taking fuch rrieafures for this pur- 
 
 <s pofe, before the diftrefs we forefee arrives at fuch a 
 
 " height, as to render our efforts ineffectual. By the 
 
 " month of October our finances will be utterly ex- 
 
 *' haufted ; the full amount procured from Bengal ta- 
 
 " ken up, and a large fum ftill due. Ih this ftate, 
 
 *' fhould We have 'to fupport an united attack from the 
 
 * c Frerich and Marrattas, in what condition (hall we then 
 
 " be to oppofe them ? Our bond-debt is already in- 
 
 " creafed near eight lacks. None of the money ex- 
 
 " pected from Bengal to pay off that before contracted, 
 
 *' is yet arrived; and to mod people here it feems in- 
 
 '* credible, that the fubfcription opened at Bengal for 
 
 " raifing the fum neceffary, cannot be filled, or depen- 
 
 " dence had upon it for fupplies." f 
 
 '* Let any one carry his vie^v forward to the rfionth of 
 
 6t October next, and imagine what our fituation mint 
 
 " then be, if we continue inactive until thattinle; and 
 
 " let him tell me, whether the mafl unfuccefsful war 
 
 N " could 
 
 * This inHuiable o'r ambitious idea, it is to be fufpeQed, fpurfed 
 Mr. Hornby and his colleagues in council; to the unwarrantable 
 iupport cf Roganaut-row, without sveiglung the itate-of affairs and 
 probable confequences, with that wife deliberation which became 
 tneir ftations. 
 
 f Here is an horieft confe'iTion of the decline of the Corrfpany's 
 credit in India, by one of the oldeft and moft fenfible members 5f 
 their adminiftration ; yet Mr. Haftings urged and ftimulated the 
 Prefidency of Bombay, and the Supreme Council, to invoke his 
 employers in this labyrinth of diirre/s and threatened
 
 " could be attended with more ruinous confluences 
 * than we are then to expect, without the lofs of a fin- 
 * gle battle, and in pofieffion dill of every foot of land 
 " we at prefent hold. It will then be in vain to talk of 
 .** waiting for orders, or afiiftance of any fort from a- 
 " broad, when all our hopes at home fail us, and the 
 *' moment of providing for our neceffides is paft. Tha 
 " Poonah Durbar will ibon find the terms of the con- 
 *' vention, which they ftill infift on, will be every day 
 " lefs in our power to refufc. And we may depend that 
 " with fuch a claim on us, which they ftill keep up, they 
 " mean to enforce it, whenever the opportunity may 
 " feem favourable. After allowing for ten lacks more 
 " on Bengal, between this and next October, which is 
 " to the full as much as we fhall find bills for, and I 
 * c fear may be more than that government can conve- 
 " niently fpare us, we muft expect to be at lead 20 lacks 
 " more in debt, which is fo large a fum, that 1 have 
 " doubts whether we may be even able to borrow it. 
 " But granting that money is ever fo plentiful, yet we 
 44 have no funds to pay the intereft. And if once it is 
 " feen that the dreams of inexhauftible wealth from 
 u Bengal are at an end, that our fupplies from thence 
 *' are ftopped, and our expences more than double our 
 " annual revenue, our credit muft fail, and we muft 
 ct fix a fhort day for the period of our ability to raife 
 " money by loans. * 1 he Bengal troops which may 
 " now give vigour to our operations, by the time I 
 " allude to, may be quite ufelefs for want of money to 
 " pav them. Or, if they were to have no caufe of dil- 
 *' fatisfaclion on this account, there is reafon to fear 
 " their numbers will every day diminim, by their go- 
 ct ing off to their own country j for which they will 
 " naturally be growing more impatient the longer they 
 46 are kept without employment." 
 
 The 
 
 * However dreadful the impending afpeft, reafon confirms it as * 
 natural one.
 
 e 99 ) 
 
 The foregoing abftract breathes fo much candour in 
 plain, unaffected terms, and exhibits a portrait of the 
 Company's affairs, under fuch high, diftinguilhing co- 
 lours, that the mind cannot poflibly err in drawing juft 
 conclufions, as well from the predetermined meafures 
 which led to it, as the imminent evils which the all- 
 - powerful hand of Providence can alone avert. 
 
 Colonel Egerton, after fruitlefs endeavours and ex~ 
 poftulations in Bombay, appealed by letter dated the 
 8th March, accompanying a circumftantial ftate of his 
 cafe, to the Supreme Council ; the nature of Colonel 
 Egerton's complaint will appear in the minutes of Mr. 
 Francis fo clearly, that it would be a work of (uperero- 
 gation to abftract them here , but a finking paflage 
 concerning the character of Roganaut-row, demands 
 an indifpenfible place, viz. 
 
 " For this reafon, and becaufe I thought it confornv 
 " able to your directions in moft refpects, I confented 
 " to continue granting fupport to Ragoba, though 
 44 much againft my own inclination, from a conviction 
 " that a man blackened with the commiflion of the moft 
 " atrocious crimes, would not prove an advantageous 
 " or honourable ally ; and that no faith could be ex- 
 4< pected from his moft folemn engagements. Howe- 
 " ver, notwithstanding thefe my rooted principles, the 
 " afliftance of the Company's forces for conducting him 
 46 to Poonah, could not at this time be with-held, with- 
 44 out a total fubverfton of the political fyftem, we had 
 41 fo long ago embarked in." 
 
 It appears from thefe abftracts that Mr. Haftings per- 
 fevered with unpardonable and inexcufable obftinacy in 
 purfuing the plan of alliance with Moodajee Boofla, a- 
 gainft every reafonable principle of found policy, and 
 the force of clear conviction, in four material points.- 
 N 2 Firfc
 
 ( ICO ) 
 
 Firft, had' the negotiation atBerar fucceeded, and been 
 carried into effect at Setterah, the meafure of refloring 
 the antient Marratta government would be not only im- 
 politic, but madnefs, threatening the fubveffion of the 
 Company-, and, in a general view, the fubverfion alfo' 
 of all the native powers of India. ^econdly, the Go- 
 vernor General having had a knowledge- of the confine- 
 ment of Moraba, and the ether Marratta chiefs who ad- 
 hf'red to i^oar.aut-row, before the confultation of T2th 
 October 1778, and the inftructions tranfmitted to Bom- 
 bay, in conftqnence thereof, the caufe of Roganaut- 
 ro\v ceafcd to wear any longer a propitious a'pect, and 
 :' -'U'd, in prudence, have been abandoned upon terms 
 iona 1 lecuriiy to him. Thirdly, having had a per- 
 fi.'cl knowledge ot the infamy and perfidioulhefs of Ro- 
 ganaut-row, 'ir was highly dilhonourable to the Com- 
 pany, danger; ;us to any confidence which might in fu- 
 ture be rcppfed in him, and productive of difguft and 
 diffidence in the minds of all the ftates of Hindoftan, 
 that the Company's protection, friendfhip and arms, 
 fhould be proftituted to the fervice and exaltation of a 
 man whole vices, dyed in the blood of his own kindred, 
 and indelibly (lamped with the fouleft treachery, had 
 rendered peculiarly obnoxious and detefted throughout 
 Afia. And fourthly, having had a fixed -object in his 
 own head, and concealing it under falfe and fpecious' 
 presences from Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheier at the Su- 
 pi'eme Board, and from the Select Committee in Bom- 
 bay, he rrr.fled and amufed the latter, and excited them 
 to proceed to extremities upon a falfe ground, and er- 
 roneous principles, which candour, ingenuity, and fide- 
 lity to his truft, mutl have inevitably pieventt-d, and by 
 that means have preferved the honour of the Company's 
 arms u: iullied, their reputation uniinpeached, and thei? 
 trsalures unexhaufted. 
 
 May 24.-
 
 May i4 r The poflefiion of Bombay letters and do- 
 cuments, -neceiTarily .commanded the interpofition, and 
 ilicuid have-commanded the decifive judgments in cer- 
 tain cafes, of the Supreme Council of India. Mr. 
 Haftings is pofiefled of abilities and perfpicuity which 
 are too diftinguifhed not to difcover the miferable fitu-. 
 ation into which his own meafures had plunged the Com- 
 pany, and it became therefore a political principle in 
 him to endeavour, by an appearance of temper, mode- 
 ration, and condefcc-nCon, to footh and lull the quick 
 difcerning faculties of thofe who had fteadily oppofed 
 his deftructive plans from retorting the chief blame up- 
 on himlelf ; and by a fimilar management and addrefs, 
 after loading the Pi efsdency of Bombay with bitter re- 
 proaches and cenfures on the Bengal minutes, to impofe 
 filence on them, for fear of more ferious difcoveries to 
 his own difhonor, by writing to themfelves in a ftyle 
 and language exprefiive only of confidence, hopes, 
 concern, and fympathy. Having, to all appearances 
 thefe objects in contemplation, on the 24th May he 
 preferred a minute of enormous extenfion, with an 
 elaborate preamble of affected candour, exemplary 
 moderation, and unufual condefcenfion ; but, now and 
 then tinctured with factious and infidious insinuations, 
 with reipect to other members of the board. He pro- 
 pofed various matters to the confideration of the board, 
 arranged under twenty- two heads. On this occafion 
 alfo, Mr, Haftings reckoned without his hoft. The 
 addition of Sir Eyre Coote to his forces, did not inti- 
 midate 4 or even flacken, the determined perfevering 
 exertions of Mr. Francis and Mr. Whelejr. 
 
 After thus arranging fyftematically the catalogue of 
 matter fubmitted in the Bombay difpatches, Mr. Haft- 
 jngs, defirous of avoiding any fcrutiny which might 
 again bring his own conduct more openly into difcuf- 
 fjqn, and probably draw the whole blame upon himfelf, 
 
 attacked
 
 ( 102 ) 
 
 attacked, with indecent violence, the council of Bom- 
 bay, without: producing any fpecific or direct charge. 
 Thr- unwiilingnds with which he entered upon this im- 
 portant pare of his public duty, will appear evident in 
 the following, among many other fimilar palTages in 
 bis minute : 
 
 ' If the Board mall judge it incumbent on them to 
 enter into fo laborious a difcufiion, I (hall fubmit, 
 though relundtantly, to bear my part in it. Reluc- 
 tantly, becaufe it will occupy more of our time, than 
 we can fpare from other more fubftantial objects ; and 
 becaufe I forefee that it will lead to altercations among 
 ourlelvcs, it being impoffible that we who have but 
 juft begun to agree in opinion, as to public meafures, 
 mould all become of one mind on twenty-two diftincl 
 and interefting proportions, and becaufe it would be 
 . unavailing and inconclufive.' 
 
 It is obfervable now, that the prefencc of Sir Eyre 
 Coote had foftened Mr. Mailings, from that imperious 
 dictatorial ftilc, and filent contempt, which marked his 
 former minutes, while his own cafting voice decided 
 ail points in controverfy. In the above fpecimen there 
 appears a ftrange inconfiftency of argument. What 
 i ,(rtber more fabjlantial cbjtffis* could come before the 
 Board, than a meafure which confefledly threatened 
 ruin to the Company's concerns in Afia ? and yet in 
 rite- fourth line thereafter he declares, that the unfub- 
 jtamial objects are become very c interefting,' which ne- 
 ve rthelefs, would be ' unavailing and imondufwe* if made 
 the iubjectsof c laborious difcuffwn \ thus confcious guile 
 tbreiaw, and feemed to anticipate the confequences of 
 ihe enquiry j it was therefore natural tor him to wi(h 
 TO gva^e it.
 
 ( 163 ) 
 
 Again, he fays ' That to cenfure or to command, 
 ' is all that we can do, except in one inftancc , * for 
 
 * our cenfures cannot impreh reftraint, nor our com- 
 
 * mendations avert the effects of paft misfortunes, or 
 
 * preclude the judgment, which awaits the inftruments 
 ' * of them from higher authority, -f- Our effedlual au- 
 
 ' thority is limited to political engagements and military 
 
 * operations " undertaken without our previous licence" J 
 
 * The treaty, or convention, or whatever name it may 
 
 * bear, which was concluded at Wargaum, certainly 
 
 * falls within this defcription, and it is in our power if 
 
 * we pleafe, to pum/b the authors of it by a temporary fuf- 
 4 -pen/ion. But is it neceffary ? An aft fo fatal to the 
 interefts of the Company, and fo difgraceful to the 
 
 * reputation of the Britilh nation, cannot fail to excite 
 ' the moft rigid fcrutiny into the conduct of every 
 
 * one concerned in it, and the caufes which produced 
 
 * it, by thofe who have the power both to judge and 
 
 ' to 
 
 * A Jefuitical evafion indeed! Command mould precede ceafure, 
 and disobedience authorized difmiffion. What more can the Court 
 of Directors inflict ? unlels the premeditated effect will judicially en- 
 title the injured party to damages. 
 
 f Is not the power of fufpeniion deemed an effectual authority, 
 in the mean time? But Mr. Haftings trulled, that if the matter 
 was immediately, and without local investigation, referred home, 
 the fuperior influence of his own friends, would flur over the en- 
 quiry without fcrupulous fcrutiny, and reft the whole blame upon 
 the Bombay Council ; whereas, if the enquiry was inveftigated ia 
 India, he dreaded, that the minutes of thofe who oppofed his me."- 
 lures, and thofe of the Bombay Council, would trace the fubject to 
 its fource, and diihibute the iligmas among the culprits, according 
 to their refpeclive degrees of criminality. 
 
 J Here Mr. Mailings has carried affe&ed moderation beyond his 
 purpcfes, becaufe the Bombay Council having had ' previous li- 
 eence,' he, unguardedly, criminates himfelf,*" as the Ibl's aflthcr 
 ef the licence. 
 
 By this bravado, he expected to imprefs the public with an 
 idea of innocence in himfelf, and to avoid the cenfure of a direct 
 participation, if not that of appearing the often/ible criminal.
 
 f 104 ) 
 
 to punilh ; which, perhaps, in this cafe, ive have not 
 ' in effect:* 
 
 ' The charge preferred by Governor Hornby againft 
 
 * Colonel Egerton, and Lieutenant Colonel C< ckburn, 
 
 * and referred expreisly to us for our judgment upon 
 ' it, " is but a fmall portion of a long feries of long 
 " apparent mifconduct, every part of which has an 
 " equal claim, and many greater, to our confideration 
 " of them." There was no need of this reference to 
 
 * us, " nor are we competent to receive it." f 
 
 * Mr. Haftings, after beftowing a profufion of re- 
 proach, invective and abuie, on the Bombay govern- 
 ment, for the whole of their conduct, all at once 
 fweetened his tone into a tender melodious accent, and 
 he urged temper in the form of conveying the opinions and 
 resolutions of the Board to mm who -were not exempt from 
 the common infirmities of humanity , in order to give en- 
 couragement and confidence to their future proceedings, in- 
 
 ftfad of adding to their depreffion, which ^ by inflaming 
 their paffions, might prove the fureft means of converting 
 the power Jlill left in their hands into injtruments of oppo- 
 
 Jition, and even of the defeat of the very meaf tires which 
 required their agency, and could not be accomplijhed with- 
 out it* 
 
 This is the moft fevere and cruel part of Mr. Haft- 
 ings's cenfures, becaufe it ceafes to attack their inca- 
 pacity and want of judgment, but is pointedly directed 
 to their hearts, and which* in fact, becomes a charge 
 
 of 
 
 * Here he contradi&s what he averred but a few linej before, that 
 the Council pofTefted the power of fufpenfion. 
 
 f- Knowing, as Mr. Haftings avows, ' thofe great and repeated 
 
 * mifcondufts of a long (landing,' how criminal was himfelf, in 
 not reftraining them, having the power, and confiderably more cri- 
 minal, in extending their power beyond the reach, of corre&'ioa
 
 of high, im mediate criminalky-againft himfelf, whether 
 he really entertained thofe fentiments of the Bombay 
 government or not. He declares, in explicit terms, 
 I'hat under the influence of paffion, he believes them ca- 
 4 pable of betraying the mojl Jacred truft ;' and although 
 he avows that the Supreme Board have legal power to 
 iufpend men of that dangerous difpofition from their 
 ftations, he prefers the mild and temperate expedient 
 of fupprefiing every idea of reproach, under pretence 
 of preventing the abufe of an authority, which he, 
 notwithftanding, continues to cloath them with, at the 
 avowed hazard of fubverting the whole Britim power, 
 together with tke property and poflfefllons of the Eng- 
 lifti Eaft-India Company in Hindoftan. The artifice 
 and device pracYifed upon this occafion, were too flim- 
 fily fhaded to conceal the defign. The Governor of 
 Bombay erred principally in conveying the power of 
 the whole Board to a committee which accompanied 
 the expedition, and in being too credulous to the af- 
 iertions of Mr. Muftyn and Mr. Lewis; but above 
 all,- ia being too obedient to the dark, myfterious' 
 didates of Mr. Haftings. Mr. Draper, with a p? j ne- 
 trating judgment, qualified by experience, oppofed the 
 whole meaiures, in every ftage, and was of courfe blame- 
 lels -, Mr. Moftyn, whole opinion firft milled the reft, 
 was dead; Colonel Egerton continued under fufpen- 
 fion. And Mr. Carnac alone, remaining as the dreaded 
 and exceptionable character, againft whofe voice was 
 oppofed that of Colonel Goddard, inveited with the 
 plenipotentiary and controuling power of the Supreme 
 Council of India; the Governor concluded wrh a 
 propofal of a draught of a letter, to be written to the 
 Select Committee of Bombay, agreeably to the mild 
 fympathizing ftyle which he thought moft confident 
 with prudence, than the dangerous confcquehccs of ex- 
 afperating defperate fpirits, by jult reproaches, 
 
 O Sir
 
 Sir Eyre Coote, having prepared a minute, which 
 while it difcovered the animated remain? of a veteran, 
 exprefied (in its primitive garb*, uninfluenced fenti- 
 rnents, and promiied honor to him(c>i, and a happy 
 iffue to the truft committed to him, in a two fold ca- 
 pacity -, this performance, whether prompted by vanity, 
 ibr it contained good things, or want of thought, for 
 Sir Eyre is often abfent in company, he prefentcd at 
 the board, notwi'hftanding that he had ibme time . 
 before, become a convert to the fuperior eloquence and 
 influence of the Governor, and ftcond in council. Va- 
 pity may be afcnbcd as a prevailing principle, becaufc 
 the paper was tranfmitted to all parts, as an admirable 
 fpecimen of diftinguifhed abilities, to excite the future 
 expectations ot mankind. 
 
 The language thus publjmed will enflame the paf- 
 fions of men agamlt the author, if by an actual 
 apoftacy from the very ipirit which it breathed, it is 
 difcovered, that it was but a 'uoice^ an artificial found 
 emitted by ttye mouthy without the concurrence of the 
 beari. 
 
 He entered with judgment into an accurate derail of 
 the whole proceedings, from the adoption of the mea- 
 fures in. July 1778, and inveftigated circumftanccs and 
 facts de-ducible from them, to the return of the van- 
 quiftied army, and the lufpenfion of the military com- 
 manders in Bombay. He criminated the conduct of 
 the felect committee, in taking away from the military 
 commander the authority and influence which alone 
 could enlure fuccefs and victory, and veftjng it in 
 a committee of two civilians, occupying three voices 
 again ft a fingle voice of the nominal military com- 
 mander, And with juft propriety, he enumerated 
 
 againft 
 
 * He altered parts of it feveral days thereafter.
 
 , f '7 ) 
 
 Sgainft M>. Carnac ("who, after the death of Mr. Mol- 
 tyn, poffcfled abfolute and uncontrouled power ovef 
 the army) a catalogue of crimes and errors, on which 
 he makes the following very expreflive interrogations 
 and fuggeftions. 
 
 Is there any thing,* faid Sir Eyre, c that we, the 
 Supreme Council can do* adequate to fuch cafe ? 
 The eyes of the nation are upon us. Our feeling* 
 for our country's honour, will be the meafureof our 
 own. Our powers extend to a removal from theif 
 Rations. Removal from ftation, fetting lofs of cha- 
 racter out of the queftion* amounts only to a cefia- 
 tion of falary. And mill a mere eeflation of falary 
 be a requital for the facts here dated, if they fhould 
 prove true ? No ! let the acquital or puntmmenr, 
 fuch an inveftigation may bring on, become a na- 
 tional object. I propofe, that a public trial be 
 ordered home. Our martial law muft decide upon, 
 the merits of the two commanders of the army, or 
 fuch other officers, whofe conduct upon the expe- 
 dition may require elucidating But nothing lefs 
 than our national tribunals can acquit or punifh the 
 civil gentlemen engaged in it* who by the exceffivd 
 powers they tokj prelcrved the whole refponfibility 
 to thcmfeives." 
 
 What a pitv that thefefentiments poflefled his rhihd, 
 but ;r a few days only 5 it will appear by the minutes, 
 that ,n the yth and loth of June he adopted others, 
 direclly oppofue; and on the i4th June fubicribed to 
 a k j ucr, which facrificed the military Commanders of 
 Bo jibay to tnc decifion of the Civilians, who were their 
 acCuier*. and whom he declared f<? late as [he 24th "of 
 May to have ' preferi-ed the whole rtfy^nfibility to them- 
 * fehes' In the .amc mort :pac' j , by a itrange infa- 
 tuation, (for who can account for human infatuation) 
 
 O 2
 
 he departed from all the patriotic, juft, and elevated 
 maxims, urged with fo much energy and military fire, 
 in this minute. 
 
 After complimenting Colonel Goddard on his great 
 merit as an officer, Sir Eyre Coote propofed, that the 
 rank of a Brigadier General by brevet commifficn be 
 conferred on him, but adds, 
 
 ' That it is not in the power of the Governor general 
 
 * and Council, or the Prefidency of Bombay, to ap- 
 ' point him commander in chief of the forces there, 
 ' or to give him an effective voice in the Select Cora- 
 c mittee-, as Colonel Egerton cannot be looked upon 
 
 * in any other light than Commander in Chief, (tho* 
 
 * prevented from acting as fuch) until the fentence of 
 ' a Court Martial, or the Court of Directors, decide 
 *. upv n the charges laid againft him. Under thefe cir- 
 
 * cumftances, I have only to recommend, that the Go- 
 
 * vernment of Bombay ihall give Colonel Goddard a 
 ' deliberative voice in their committee, and confult 
 ' him upon all military and political points ^ and that 
 .' we continue to him thofe powers which he already 
 
 ' poffeffes from this government, and further inveft 
 ' him with fuch others as may be found necefTary for 
 
 * carrying on our views.' In continuation heobferved, 
 
 * That Moodajee Booila was propofed, becaufe his ele- 
 
 * vation will reftore the old Marratta Government, and 
 
 * thereby ftrengthen, aggrandize, and unite the Mar- 
 
 * ratta Empire ; which very reafon feeming fo ftrong 
 
 * with the Council of Bombay,* if no better can be 
 
 * given, will prevent my ever concurring in it. Our 
 ' real interefts are to keep theirs divided , always pre- 
 
 * venting over-growth of power in any of their parties v 
 
 4 thus 
 
 * He erred through inattention. The Council of Bombay thought. 
 exa&ly as he did himfelf. And the miftake led him to oppofe his 
 new friend Mr. Haftings, whofe favourite meafure it was.
 
 ( 109 )' 
 
 e thus endeavouring to hold the fcales in our ow(i ' 
 
 ' hands, we: remain ourielves in a -great degree the 
 
 * umpire. This is the tr-ueit road to the iupport p'f - 
 
 * our dignity and profit, as well as to the lure ft means* 
 c of retaining undifturbed, what we now poflefs. I 
 
 therefore think, that at preicnt we lhauld not jck 
 
 * to renew a war, but negotiate with the various Mar- 
 
 * ratta interefts, an honourable peace, conformably 
 
 * to the directions already given Caione} Gouuarck 
 c upon that head. 
 
 : 
 
 But if by refufing this they force .us to colntig^er 
 ' hoftilities, then our utmoft vigour (hould.be exerted 
 
 * to fupport our military reputation in this' country- 
 ' and by one united effort, put a glorious and fpeedy 
 ' end to the war. As to the various plans propoied of 
 ' feeking war for plunder, the honor or the nation and 
 
 * the Company, infeparable from my own, will never 
 " permit me to iubfcribe to it.' * 
 
 Mr. Francis's minute upon the fame occafion, will 
 befpeak attention without either commendation or pre- 
 face. The moil ftriking parts will be preiented in his 
 own words, as follow : 
 
 4 T ought to apprize the Board, that in the following 
 ' minute I have not offered my opinions on the mea- 
 c fares, which it may be proper for us to adopt here- 
 ' after, for effecting a folid peace on the- Marratta coaft, 
 ' becaufe I looked on that part of the general, fuhject 
 * as already provided for, or, at leaft, difpoied of for 
 ' the prefent, by the powers and inftiu&ions which we 
 
 ' have 
 
 -* He after feveral days fafhioried and qualified the two laft para- 
 graphs to the mind and views of Mr. HafHngs. Both continue 
 upon record, as a monument of his good nature, and pliant conue- 
 fcenfion.
 
 * have given to Colonel Goddard.-*-My reflections ap~ 
 ' ply only to the fadts already pad, and wnich I urt" 
 
 * derftand to be referred generally to us, tor our judg- 
 ' ment upon them. 1 
 
 The Minute of Mr. Francis, viz. 
 
 ' It 5s needlefs at this time to enter into a confidera- 
 
 * tion of the juftice of our quarrel with the Marrracta 
 Government, or of the extent and quality of the 
 
 * powers under which the Prefidency of Bcmbay have 
 
 * acledj in violating the treaty of Poonah. Thole quef- 
 
 * tions have been fufficiently difculTed in the Governor- 
 
 * General's minutes and mine-* before Sir Eyre Coote's 
 
 * arrival.* 
 
 The following obfervations are confined to the po* 
 ' Hey of the meafure within itfelf, and on its own prin- 
 ' copies* and to the propriety of the means made ufe of* 
 6 to carry it into execution.* 
 
 ift. Ic appears by the Bombay confultations of the 
 
 * loth December 1777, and by their letter to us of 
 
 * the 2.oth January 1778, that they were unanimjufly 
 
 * determined, not to engage in any aflive cmerprize- 
 5 in favour of Roganaut-row, unlefs they were folicited 
 ' thereto, by Saccaram-Moraba, Bucheoba, and Tiic- 
 
 * kojee Holker, by a joint application, under their 
 
 * hand-writing and ficca's (feais; and that this was a 
 
 * condition^w^ qua wn. 
 
 * Yet on the ift July following, they refolve to 
 
 * march to Poonah, with Roganaui row^ without hav- 
 
 * ing received any application from the perfons above'- 
 . mentioned, or entered into any fpecifi e ; Cements 
 
 * whatfoever, with any of the Marratta LIM rs.' after 
 the expedition had failed, Mr. Hornby fays, ' It ivas 
 
 ' evident i
 
 ( lil ) 
 
 c evident, there was not one Chief in the Empire whs 
 
 * would draiv a fword for Regan aut -row.' (Minute 
 1 9th February 1779) * It follows therefore- that in un- 
 
 * dertaking to act, without having previously fettled 
 4 terms of co-operation with fome of the Marratta 
 '' Chiefs, they departed from their own fundamental 
 4 principles, and as far as fuccefs depended 'on fuch, 
 ' co-operations, they had no right to expect it. 
 
 2d. * It further apears by their proceedings of i2th 
 
 * October 1778, that when they took their refolution 
 
 * in July, they reckoned upon the hopes of afiiftance 
 4 from Mot aba, Bucheoba, and Holker, with 30,000 
 4 horfe Yet in Octoocr they determined to carry their 
 4 plan into execution, when every expectation of fuch 
 4 afliftance muft have tailed them, conficjering the two 
 4 fiift of the above Chiefs were then under reftraint, 
 4 and the latter greatly fufpected. 
 
 gd. * la July, they appear to have relied on the af- 
 * filtance of Colonel Leflie's detachment, and to have 
 4 cunfidered the fecuring a junction with him, asefien- 
 4 tial to the luccels of their plan, for which purpofe they 
 4 then lent him orders to march to Zanir. Yet on the 
 i 2th October, \* hile our detachment was ftill in Bun- 
 dlecund (the fame ftation which it occupied in July) 
 thar is, at Jo great a uiilap.ce, that a junction could 
 not poffibly have been effecfted before the February 
 following ; they determine to carry their plan forth- 
 with into execution. 
 
 4th. 4 With the'e facts before me, I have a right to 
 
 * conclude, that the Select Committee in attempting to 
 
 * march to Poonah, have acted in oppofition to their 
 
 * own profeit principles. 1 mean, that whereas at firft, 
 
 * and up to the nth October, they appear to have 
 * thought certain conditions necefiary, as well to juftify 
 
 ! their
 
 ' their engaging in the meafure in queftion, as to infure 
 ' the fuccefs of it ; they at Jaft plunged themielves into 
 
 * the execution or their plan, when every one of thefe 
 e conditions had failed them. 
 
 5th. ' Their ignorance of the real ftate of the Poonah 
 
 * Durbar, and of the refpedive powers and influence 
 ' of the perions who compoied it, is a remarkable cir- 
 ' cumftance, and mould ferve as a future caution to 
 c the Company, and to this Government, againft truft- 
 4 ing implicitly to any intelligence we may receive from 
 
 * that quarter. While the plan was in agitation, it 
 ' fuited their purpofe to reprefent Nana, as the mod 
 powerful, and to us, the moft formidable of all the 
 
 * Marratta Chiefs ; that he was devoted to the French, 
 4 and had engaged to put them into poflftflion of 
 
 * Choul. Whatever his inclinations might be, of 
 ' which we have no better evidence than of the reft ; it 
 ' is clear that they were miftaken in their opinion 
 ' of his power.' Mr. Hornby fays, in his minute of 
 1 9th February 1779, ' The lead that Scindia lias taken 
 ' in the adminiftration, and the condition to which he 
 ' has reduced Nana, ro be no more than a creature of 
 
 * his, were never thoroughly known, till the facts dif- 
 
 * covered themielves on this occafion , yet they are to 
 e be traced in Mr. Moftyn's and Mr. Lewis's advices, 
 4 ever fince the revolution effected by Madajee Scin- 
 ' ciia's means in June laft, when Nana -fled to him.' 
 On which Mr. Draper obferves ' That he cannot 
 1 enough lament, that we have fo lately become ac- 
 4 quainted with Scindia's being the principal perfon in 
 6 power, notwithstanding the refidence of Meffrs. Mo- 
 ' ityn and Lewis at Poonah.' 
 
 c In the execution of the meafure, the Board, I think, 
 e will fee -fitch errors at the outlet, as might have been 
 
 * alone fafHcient to defeat ir. '^jWafc 
 
 I ft. ' Their
 
 ( "3 ) 
 
 ill. 'Their appointment of Field-deputies, under 
 
 * the title of a Committee for concerting and condudtinor 
 4 all n ilitary operations. The fuccefs of military ope- 
 4 radons depends upon a unity of command, without 
 
 * which there can be neither decision or difpatch. De- 
 6 bate and execution cannot move together Conftant 
 ' experience has fhewn the bad effects of Field-deputa- 
 ' tions . The Company in a former inftance feverely 
 ' condemned the appointment at Madras on a fimilar 
 ' fervice, and no one argument is fuggefted to ihew, 
 ' that luch an appointment was neceffary on theprefent 
 ' occafion. If the Seleft Committee deemed their 
 ' commanding officer unequal to the conduct of an ex- 
 1 sedition of three icore miles, they ought not to have 
 
 * employed him. To place a civil authority over the 
 
 * immediate execution of military operations, might 
 ' create many mifchiefs, and could correct none. Mr; 
 ' Hornby nimfeU feems to have entertained the fame 
 e opinion of the meafure that I do. The commiffion 
 
 * given to the Committee required the obedience of all 
 ' the Company's iervants, civil and military, yet Mr. 
 
 * Hornby in his letter of 2$d December, to Mr. Car- 
 ' nac, fays, that in his opinion, there can be no necef- 
 
 * fity for pubiilhing it, and that the promulgation of 
 
 * luch a commiffion might bear the appearance of fetting 
 ' up an authority in the very camp, to fuperfede that 
 
 * of the commanding officer, and give ideas among the 
 1 troops, as well as to Colonel Egerton, very diffe- 
 
 * rent from thole of the Select Committee.' He con- 
 feffes, that the words, ' To concert and conduft all mi- 
 4 litary operations, are too comprehenfive, that they 
 4 efcaped himielf at the time the commifiiora pafied, 
 
 * and he thinks they muft have Mr. Carnac alto.' 
 
 * Confidering that the body of the commiflion itfelf 
 
 4 does not exceed a few lines, it feems extraordinary, 
 
 c that the eflential parts of it fhould pafs unobferved by 
 
 P < thofe
 
 ( 114 ) 
 
 thofe who drew it up. But, whether it efcaped thofe 
 gentlemen or not, Colonel Egerton has fufficiently 
 cleared himfelf from any concern in the meaiure. Be- 
 fore he left Bombay he protefted (on the yth of No- 
 vember 1778) againft being accompanied by Field- 
 deputies. Tiu- commiflion was framed after his de- 
 parture, and he prottfted againlt its being pubiifhed 
 in th" army, as ibpn as he la.w it on the 2oth De- 
 cember. 
 
 2d. ' The immoderate quantity of baggage, and train 
 of cacile which attended the army, and which is faid 
 to have amounted to nineteen thoufand, feem to have 
 been unneceflary for fo {hurt a march, and wholly in- 
 confiftent with the pbn of an expedition, which could 
 only have fuccceded by rapidity and furprize. 
 
 36*. * The allowing Roganaut-row to move with a 
 
 * feparate camp, inftead'of keeping him conftantly un- 
 
 * der the eyes of the Commander in Chief, fcems to me 
 
 * a capital r .iftake, in confequenceofcwhich the motions 
 
 * of our army were made to depend on thofe of Roga- 
 
 * naut-row, who kept aloof when he thought fit, .and 
 5 was left at liberty to negociate wtrh the enemy for 
 himfelf, and in cafe of a misfortune, betray us to 
 c theip. * 
 
 e For thefe defects in the executive part of the plan, 
 *. I deem the Prtfident and Select Committee entirely 
 
 * anfwerable.' 
 
 J une 7^ anc ^ J0t ^ ^ r - F ra " c ' s minuted fe- 
 veral pira^rapUs more, on the fubject of the military 
 
 opera- 
 
 which he attempted $o execute. See the Arcct Va- 
 eel's letter to the Nabob, the 9th paragraph, thus, ' Rogenaut- 
 ~w. fent privately to the Mar r at t a Chief Scin'^:a f telling him that 
 if'be wcuU attack the Englijb, : be would join them with his army*
 
 ( "5 ) 
 
 operations, to the effect of the latter part of the -"draft of 
 a tetter which he propofed in Council, on the yth June, 
 and debated upon the loth "therefore to carry on the 
 conformity, the concluding paragraphs of the pfopoled 
 drafc (hail be firft introduced. He propofed, that in 
 the letter to Bombay, the Board mould communicate 
 their diiapprobation of the freps taken againft the mili- 
 tary commanderSj thus : 
 
 ift. ' That we highly difapprove of the reference 
 
 * made to us, to decide on the conduct of Colonel Eger- 
 
 * ton and Lieutenant Colonel Cockburn, over whom 
 4 we have no jurifdicYion ; and that if we were other- 
 4 wile competent to try the charge, the want of viva 
 4 voce evidence, to be examined upon oath concerning 
 
 * many facts neeefiary toeftablilh the truth of it, would 
 
 * be an immediate bar to our proceeding. 
 
 2d. l That the formal charge exhibited by fat Pre'fi- 
 
 * dent againft Meffrs. Egerton and Cockburn, for hav- 
 
 * ing refufed to take charge of conducting the army 
 ' back to Bombay, * ought to have been followed by 
 
 * an immediate arreft and trial. It is a qurftionof facl, 
 ' which could only be determined on the fpot; 
 
 . 
 
 qd. ' That to prefer a charge and refufe a trial, is, 
 in our opinion, a proceeding wholly inconfiftent with 
 juftiee, and liable to many dangerous confequences. 
 A precedent of this nature, if once permitted to pafs 
 without condemnation, tends in the firft infta'nce to 
 leave the characters and fafety of individuals, at ihe 
 mercy of men in power, and ultimately to wtaken 
 the hands or. Government itielf, by deftroying that 
 i 2 , ' confi- 
 
 * Although Colonel Cotkburn refufed to take the charge jjf^con- 
 dufting the army over trafts aiui paffes, back to Bombay, ,^t hepf- 
 fered to conduct them forward to Poonah. 
 
 -
 
 ( "6 ) 
 
 * confidence which individuals have been taught to re- 
 c pofe in the julVice and good faith of Government, ar.d 
 
 * which alone can engage them to ad with fpirit and 
 4 vigour in the public icrvice. 
 
 4th.. c That the menace held out by the Prefidentto 
 ' the officers, againtl whom he himfelf had delivered 
 ' a formal charge of difobedience of orders, viz. That 
 
 * if they would not decline a' I r,iilitary duty and fubmit 
 4 their cavfe to our determination, be would move to fuf- 
 ' fend them the fervice t is, in our t -pinion, a l-.i^h and 
 ' arbitrary proceeding, and cails for the moft public and 
 ' folernn condemnation from this Board. Thattheclaim 
 ' of MfiTr*. Fgerton and Cockburn to be tried by a 
 
 * court-martial, was a claim of right, and accrued to 
 ' them the momenta fpecific charge was exhibited againft 
 
 * them. That any attempt to induce men under a pub- 
 ' lie charge, to wave their right to a public trial, is 
 
 * equally inconfiftent with the juftice and dignity of Go- 
 c vemment. But that the intention of pafiing by all 
 
 * trial whatfoever, and of proceeding inftantly from ac- 
 
 * cufation to punifhment, as plainly exprefled in the 
 
 * minute held out by the Prefident, is, in our opinion, 
 ' highly criminal ; and that as fuch we lhall think it our 
 
 * duty to reprefent it to our fuperiors. 
 
 5th. ' That admittingthat Colonel Egerton and Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Cockburn, whether furprized by the 
 menaces of the Prefidenr, or induced by any other 
 motive whatfoever, had at firft fubmitted to the con- 
 ditions impofed on them, yet having difavowed or 
 retracted fuch fuppofed affent, long before the refer- 
 ence to this Board was actually made, the advantage 
 taken thereof was unjuft in itfelf, and not to be recon- 
 ciled to the fair and open purpofes of public jultice. 
 That they were in full time to revert to their original 
 
 4 right,
 
 * right, and that their claim to it ought not to have 
 c been denied. 
 
 6th. Thar, we are much concerned that fo much 
 e time mould have been loft, by a ufclefs and dilatory 
 ' reference to us, of a queftion which ought to have been 
 
 * tried upon the fpot, where all the parties and wic'nef- 
 ies were prefent, and while the recollection of every 
 particular was frefb in their minds. That, however, 
 
 * the right of Meflrs. Egerton and Ctfckburn to a court- 
 c martial, is not weakened by this delay ; and for this 
 c reafon, as well as becaufe we think that many cirCum- 
 
 * ftances relative to the late tranfactions at Bombay, and 
 ' necellary for the Company's information, can only be 
 6 brought to light by a public trial, we are of opinion, 
 ' that a court-martial mould be immediately ordered 
 
 * for the trial of Meflrs. Egerton and Cockburn, on the 
 6 formal charge preferred againftthem by the Prefidenr, 
 
 * or fuch other charges as the Prefident and Commirtee 
 may think proper to prefer againft them, for their 
 6 conduct in the courfe of the expedition.' 
 
 But to revert to the proceedings in a regular order 
 The confideration of the Governor-general's minute of 
 the 24th May, being revived, Mr. Francis continued 
 his obfervations by a minute, in the following terms : 
 
 * It is not pofiible that any member of this Board can 
 ' be more weary of controverfy than I am, or more de- 
 
 * firous to avoid it. When the Board agreed to revert 
 ' to the treaty of Poonah, we, in effect:, endeavoured to 
 ' reinftate ourfelves in a pofition from which we never 
 c fhould have departed. Without looking back to the 
 ' fteps by which that ground was loft, I willingly join- 
 ' $ in the attempt to renew it. * I have no doubt that 
 
 4 peace 
 
 Meaning his acquiefcence with the Governor's propo/itions of 
 laft.
 
 peace may be obtained on the terms of Colonel God* 
 dard's prefentinftrti&ions, provided he enters heartily 
 into our views ; provided this Government itfelf bz in 
 earneft in purfuit of its frefent cbjeft y and provided w 
 do not fuffcr ourfelves to be entangled in the defpe- 
 rate fchemes of thofe who now conftitute the Go- 
 vernment of Bombay, or thwarted by their opposition. 
 / deem, the re-eftabli/hmsnt of peace on the M,alabar coaft 
 to be effential, not merely to the prosperity of the India 
 Company, but to ihiir exiftence Th^ fum total of -the 
 Britijh inter eft in India is involved in the quejlion. Let 
 a war upon that coaft be conduced how it may, fb: dif* 
 ference between conqueft and defeat, in my judgment, is 
 little more than the delay or acceleration of the ruin of all 
 cur refources -, nor is it clear to my apprehenfion, which 
 of thefe two events will fooneji produce the effeft I expeft 
 equally from both* 
 
 c Taking the truth of their own reprefentauons for 
 granted, it is not eafy to defcribe a fituation more com- 
 pletely deftitute of all means of fupportinga war than 
 that of the Prefidency of Bombay ; the annexed ac- 
 count mews, that during the laft five years they have 
 received little lefs than one hundred and fixteen lacks 
 of current rupees,* directly out of the revenues of 
 Bengal; yet their bond debt accumulated daily, and 
 now amounts to 38 lacks. By the month of October 
 (Mr. Hornby fays) their finances, will be utterly ex- 
 haufted. In . the interval they will want a fupply. of 
 
 4 30 lacks 
 
 * From 3oth April 1774 to ift May 75 19,13,34.1, 
 
 joth April 1775 to ift May 76 37,74,615, 
 
 30th April 1776 to lit May 77 19,50,726, 
 
 3th April 1777 to ift May 78 19,36,764, 
 
 3Oth April 1778 to ift May 79 29,01,233, 
 
 Rupees 115,76,680.
 
 * 30 lacks. Of thisfum thcPrefident propofcs to oor- 
 
 * row 20 lacks, but doubts the poffibiiity of raifing fo 
 
 * large a Turn , and if it could be borrowed, he fays, 
 4 they have no funds to pay even intereft. 
 
 * Colonel Goddard in his laft letter of the 25th of 
 1 April, tells us, that it is impoflible in that country, 
 
 * and he fears in its neighbourhood, to find men fit to 
 
 * recruit the vacancies which happened in his battalions, 
 ' fince leaving the Jumna. But Mr. Hornby himfelf 
 
 * tells us, and we have rcafon to believe it true, that 
 
 * the Bengal Sepoys will not ftay at fo great a diftance 
 
 * from their native country. He fays, that if they were 
 4 to have no caufe of diflatisfadion on account of their 
 ' pay, there is reafpn to fear their numbers will every 
 
 * day diminifh, by their going of to their own country. 
 
 * Even before the late rupture with the Marrams, 
 
 * and long before the difafter which attended it, the 
 
 * Prefidency of Bombay told us in their letter of the 
 
 * yth December 1777, that fince their late acquifitions 
 
 * it was become very necefiary, and they had accord- 
 
 fingly recommended it to the Company, to augment 
 the European corps j that notwithstanding they gave 
 
 * every encouragement, it was very difficult to raife 
 4 good Sepoys on that coaft j that it would require fo 
 .* much time to raife and difcipline a further number of 
 ' Sepoys, ib as in the leaft degree to be confidered as 
 
 * effective troops, that it would be much better in every 
 4 refpecl to fend them a reinforcement of difciplined 
 Sepoys, if European troops could not be fpared, 
 
 *' We Jhculd d<{ well to confider bow long we can main- 
 " tain a war on fuch a footing before we engage in it. 
 44 / will not fuppofe the cafe of new mif carriages. Let it be 
 v admitted that fuccefs. and conqueft are as certain as the 
 44 moft f anguine expectations can imagine ; /; does notfdkw* 
 
 " that
 
 ( 120 ) 
 
 4< its at the cbjtfis prcpofed to be obtained by them> an fuck 
 
 " as we ought to aim at in our prefent circumftances, or that 
 
 " vi fiery will pay its own expences. By extending our 
 
 " territorial pojfcffions , we create irreconcilable enmity in 
 
 *' the minds of thofe powers^ whom we immediately rob of 
 
 * their property. We fill every other Indian ft ate withjea- 
 
 " .lottfy and alarm, and the territory we acquire, comes waft- 
 
 " ed and depopulated into our hands.'* 
 
 * To defend a new line of frontiers, new military ef- 
 tabli&ments muft be formed, and thofe eftablilhmehts 
 
 * muft not only be paid for out of the revenues ot Ben- 
 
 * gai, but the very men who compofe them, raifed and 
 4 nouriftied here- to fupply a ferv/ce, which we know 
 
 * they will take the firft opportunity of deferting. 
 
 * Such, in my conception, is the fituation in which a 
 c fuceefsful war againft the Marrattas alone, will place 
 ' us. But if our luccefs, or the apparent profpecl: of 
 
 * ic, (hould compel them to call in the French to their 
 4 afliitance, if rather than relinquilh their country to us, 
 
 * they {hould refolve to make it the feat of war, let us 
 4 confider in what manner the conteft is then to be 
 maintained, and to what iffue it may lead us. No- 
 
 * thing lefs than the extreme and inftant neceffity of felf- 
 c pretervation, can ever reduce the Marrattas to fo def- 
 
 * peratc a refolution, as that of inviting a European 
 1 army inio their country. If once they are intro- 
 
 * duced, it may be a difficult talk to remove them. 
 
 * T'he events of war in that cafe will not be fo clearly at our 
 command* as they are thought to be at prefent ; and let it 
 
 * be remembered, that on thefe events, if they are forwarded 
 by cur afls, we /hall want only to ftake the fate of our 
 
 * Empire.' 
 
 ** The queftion does not end here : In the prefent ft ate of 
 " iking!, much more than the inter eft of India may depend 
 
 " on
 
 <* on tbe care and (economy with wlicb ice conduct the Cow- 
 '* panfs affairs. A regular return of wealth from tbe 
 " revenues of tbefe provinces is undoubtedly expcfied at home. 
 * Tbe nation, now per hats looks to Bengal, as its lajl and 
 4i great eft exit; nal re four ce. But if this demand upon us 
 ' from borne w<rc net ft prcjjing,.s.'id fo likely to mcreafe, as 
 *' / think it is, it is time jcr us to colder, whether there 
 " be in Great Britain a fundamental force equal to the 
 " tenure of unbounded acquifition, at this dfftance from tbe 
 " feat of Empire ; or whether we are not arrived at a point, 
 " at 'which common prudence dilates to us to fa, once for 
 " all, tbe limits cf our dominion. If my judgment 'were to 
 " prevail, it foould be cur objeft to contract them" 
 
 * Thefe general confiderations belong properly to the 
 c opinion which I mean to give on the principal quef- 
 4 tions before us, and will be found applicable to the 
 
 ' To avoid a ufelefs debate at the Board, T think the 
 firft queftion (hould be puc generally, and decided by 
 a majority of votes, viz. Whe:her we (hall or fhall 
 not enter into a difcuffion and cenfure of the late tranf- 
 actions at Bombay ? If it be determined in the affir- 
 mauve, the commander in chief's minute and mine, 
 will furnifa what I deem fufficient materials for that 
 part of our letter. > To thefe, however, the other 
 members of the Board may propofe fuch additions or 
 alterations as they fhall think proper. 1 
 
 4 The fecond queftion, I mould think, to be decided 
 in the lame manner, is, Whether we mould declare 
 our opinion to the Frefidency at Bombay, that Colo^ 
 nel Egerton and Lieutenant Colonel Cockburn mould 
 be tried by a court-martial, for the reafons affigned in 
 the paragraphs 1 fubmitted to the Board on Monday 
 
 laft.' 
 
 The
 
 ( 122 ) 
 
 V The remaining qu eft ions brought before us by the 
 e Governor General's minute, require more care and 
 '" deliberation than need be given to the condemnation 
 
 * of any thing that is paft.' 
 
 * I think we ought, in the firft place, to decide ge- 
 nerally, whether we (hall or ftull not lend any new 
 inftructio/ns to Colonel God'dard, before we hear the 
 relult of thoie we have already lent. My opinion is, 
 that we Ihculd wait tor advices ironi him, in reply to 
 our letters of the ^th of April.' 
 
 ' With refpec"l to the propofed inftrudions, I am a- 
 
 * gainil our engaging in, or giving our fanction to, the 
 
 * plan of military operations propofed by Mr. Hornby.* 
 
 Firft. For the reafop a&gned by the commander 
 
 * in chief, in which I intirely concur, and which I beg 
 
 * leave to recite in his own words, viz. " As to the 
 " various plans propoied of feeking war for plunder, 
 ** the honour of the nation and of the Company, infe- 
 " parable from his own, would never permip him to 
 " fubfcribe to it." 
 
 
 
 * Secondly. Becaufe, if I thought a war on this pr 
 any other plan might at a future day be unavoidable, 
 (lill I would not, at the prefent point of tim, hold 
 but to the Picfidency of Bombay the mofl c^ijiant idea 
 of ncouragrmtnt and eventual lupport in the piofe- 
 cu icn of luch rneaiures, being thoroughly convinced 
 tron, my knowledge and experience of the temper 
 that predominates there, it would furmfh them with 
 mc-.ins, of 'which I fear ;hey might avail themfelves, 
 to embarrais Colonel Goddan;i!s negociations with the 
 Poonah burbar, and to prevent a peace. By plung* 
 ing the Company into a war, it is poffible that a hope 
 may be entertained of recovering peribnal credit. 
 
 4 That
 
 t: 123 > 
 
 6 That inftant difficulty may withdraw the Company'^ 
 
 1 attention, from things already done; and that, in the 
 
 ' courfe of events, new queftions may arife, in which: 
 
 * the confideration of former mifcarriages and former 
 
 * mifconduft may be loft. But thefe are motives of ao 
 c tion which have no-Yelatton to the public fervice, and 
 
 * which neither can, -nor ought to have any influence 
 
 * over our deliberations. 
 
 4 Thirdly. Becaufe the motive afTigned for notceri- 
 
 * furing the late tranfa<5lions with the feverity they de- 
 c fcrve, viz. 'That it would be improper to add to the 
 ' depreffion of men, by whofe agency isoe muft fupport and 
 4 defend the rights of the Company, and the honor of the 
 ' Britijh nation, amounts to a declaration or admidion, 
 
 * that the lame agency which has already produced fo 
 ' much . difhonor and diftrels, muft itill be trufted and 
 fi employed in the direction and conduct of the pro 
 ' poled operations. But to this I can never a/Tent. 
 ' I fee no wifdom, nor firmnefs, nor union, in their 
 c councils. And L have no reafon to believe that their 
 ' difpofition is pacific." 
 
 ' Fourthly. Becaufe I fee no ground for apprehefl- 
 fion, that the Marrattas will renew hoftilities with usj 
 even for the recovery of the territory ceded to them 
 by the convention; provided we are contented to 
 ltancl upu,n the deienfive. They have no general 
 principle of union among themfelves, but that of 
 fdf-defcnce. Neither party, however; can now act 
 again ii the other, with effect, before October. In 
 that interval a peace ro^y be obtained, if we, on our 
 parts, ^are heartily _ i^ined,:to it. At all events, we 
 loje nothing, by waiting for the refultof Colonel God- 
 dard's. negociation rf s. If in addition to hfs pfefent iri- 
 cti.ons, . \\. be thought advifeabie to impower hirri 
 gajn ilhci JnenxiChLp of Madajee .Scindia, by -art 
 ., " Q..2 equitable
 
 * equitable compromife, in lieu of the private engage- 
 
 * mcnrs already letrled with him, 1 {hall readily agree 
 
 * to ir, brcaiiic 1 think, thac with prudent management 
 4 it may be the means of forwarding a general peace, 
 k without which i would not make any ccmcefiiun.' 
 
 * 1 have heretofore dated my realbns at large for 
 objecting to the alliance prnpofed to be accomplifhed 
 with Mcodajee Boofla, by the deputation of Mr. 
 Elliot, and Colonel Goddard's lubfequenc appoint- 
 ment to the fame commiilion The plan having 
 failed, I fliould be lorry to fee it returned. / dread 
 the idea of involving our government, which is now 
 too great to aft on any but fimple principles, in a 
 labyrinth of Afiatic politics. Let us be contented with 
 what we have. Let us keep the peace -, let us leave cur 
 neighbours to fettle their differences among themjelves 
 without our inttrpofuicn, end I am thoroughly Jatisficd. 
 that no Indian power will ever nwleft us* 
 
 ' To thefe general reafons I cannot add a ftronger 
 argument than that which the military commander 
 in chief's minute has iurnifhed me; he obferves, 
 'That Mocdajse Boo/la is propofed, becaufe his elevation 
 will reftore the old Marratta government, and thereby 
 ftrengthen, aggrandize, and unite' the Marratta empire^ 
 which very reafcn, if no better can be given, wi-lprtvcnt 
 my concurring in it. Kve.n the Governor-General's 
 opinion comes itrongly in fupport of Sir Eyre Coote's 
 ientiments' and mine on this fubjedl. He thinks, 
 that Mocdc.jee Boojla will wait for proofs of our fnperi- 
 ority, before he will hazard the conjcquences of a decided 
 conneffion with us. When that fuperioricy is ob- 
 tained, we lhall ttand in no need of the connection ; 
 and if our fchenie of military operations be not 
 practicable with our own force, I agree entirely 
 with the Governor General in thinking, that we
 
 ( 125 ; 
 
 * Jhall gain nothing by incumbering ourfehes with the 
 weight of a timid ally? 
 
 * Before we determine, whether we (hall fend ny 
 c farther fupply of money to Bombay, at this time, and 
 
 * to what amount, I defire that the Accomptant-Gene- ; 
 
 * ral may lay before us, an account of the fums already 
 ' remitted to that Prefidency, for their exclufive lervice, 
 
 * fince April, 1778, diftinguifhing the annual from the 
 ' extra fupply. Alfo, a Race of the fuoia remitted to- 
 
 * Colonel Goddard-, or drawn for by hitfiy frnce hefuc- 
 
 * ceeded to the command of the detachment. , :F.Ganr' 
 
 * thefe accouts, we may be able to judge, how far we 
 
 * are bound to comply with any new. demands from 
 ' Bombay; how long Colonel Goddard'&preient funds 
 ' will laft; and ac what time it may be necefiary to make? 
 ' him further remittances for the pay of his army. At 
 
 * prefent, I will not confent to lend a rupee to Bombay, 
 ' for the purpofe of carrying on war, and making- 
 
 * conquefts ; nor will I confent to it at any time, but 
 ' under the condition infilled on by the (military) cotn- 
 
 * mander in chief, that means are taken to prevent the 
 ' mcrey falling into hands, -which experience has proved will' 
 
 * make fo ill a ufe of it. A confiderable part of the 
 
 * money which we fent them laft year, to defray their 
 1 i. fTary expences, has been given to Roganaut-row 
 
 * and Scindia, nearly to the amount of 50,000!. * 
 4 The truth is, they have dreamed too long of inex- 
 ' hauftible wealth from Bengal. Urfder the influence 
 
 * of this dream, they have embarked in fchemes of the 
 
 * mod dangerous nature, and wafted the Company's 
 ' property with unexampled profufion. It is high time* 
 
 * that they (hould be- awakened from it. J 
 
 The 
 
 * To Roganaut-row 4 lacks rupees ") 
 To his officers, at twice - 30,000 rupees I 
 To Scindia's officers - 41,000 ditto. VBoihbay cQrrency. 
 
 J
 
 ( 6 } 
 
 The Governor- general replied to Mr. Francis's mi- 
 nute, irvthe following laconic terms : 
 
 1 I am equally anxious with Mr. Francis, to avoid can- 
 trover/}. This fentiment i not only profefs, but I will 
 evince if, by refufmg to bear my part in it. This muft 
 ferve for an excufey if an excufe is neceffary for declining at 
 reply to Mr. Francis's minute, at the fame time that Imufi- 
 declare my disagreement^ not only with its general tenor^ 
 but with many parts of it \ which appear to me^ not fo 
 necfffary to arijc out of the fubj efts immediately before the 
 Board, as to the continuation of former debates." 
 
 * The fentiments which have been expreffrd by the 
 feveral members of this Board, have led us into a 
 wide field of debate ; from which, it is effectually in- 
 cumbent upon me to endeavour to withdraw our at- 
 tention to fuch precife points, as may bring this bu- 
 finefs to a conclufion.' f 
 
 * In my firft minute, I enumerated all the points of 
 confideration which were brought before us, by the 
 difpatches lately received from Bombay \ leaving it 
 to the choice of the Board which of thefe we fhali re- 
 ject, and which we mould felect for the Subjects of. 
 our inftruclions to the Presidency of Bombay, and to 
 Colonel Goddard , and I concluded with the propo- 
 fal of the draft of a letter, to be written to the Pre- 
 fident and Committee of Bombay.; to which, I have 
 firiee made fome very material alterations.' 
 
 ,bs 
 
 * I now beg leave to recall the attention of the. Board, 
 
 c to the motion which is thus regularly brought ben re i 
 
 * them, and to ivqueft that they will be pleated tiodc- 
 
 * cide upon it. , The letters involve many, diftincl qut-J- 
 
 ' tiony - 
 
 f 'TKecaufes for this arbitrary mosie of fhutting out deh . 
 too obvious for animadverfioiu lo baa 
 
 . , ol v
 
 I 1*7 > 
 
 tions, which may be determined by an approbation, 
 or disapprobation, or an amendment of each paragraph 
 taken as a leparate queftion. Perhaps it may be deem- 
 ed more expedient to the difpatch of bufineis, to pro- 
 pofe diftinct questions i and from the fenfc of the 
 Board collected, upon thele to form the 'letter to 
 Bombay, and fuch other inftruftions as may depend 
 upon them. I fubmit to this Board, if the ether mem- 
 , hers of this Board foatt prefer it. * <T^ ' ' 
 
 V: ' ', 
 It was refolyed that a copy of 'thtfOoVernor-gerteral's 
 
 drafr b< delivered to each member, for their^opinjons 
 
 pn.cuCfl paragraph. : 
 
 : , 13V3I 
 
 " At a contuhation on the loth of June, Mr. Francis 
 prop- 'ted a drafr of a letter, as amendments upon that 
 wrucii was propoicj by the Governor, and a copy deli- 
 vered to each member at che lad meeting. 
 
 Vhe Governor's draught. Mr. Francises 'draught. 
 
 1. " We have received i. Approved literally 
 your letter of thr 4th April, 
 
 with its inclofures, by the 
 hands of Mr. Horfky." 
 
 2. " We do not think 2. " After perufing thefc 
 it necefifary to enter on the papers, wiph the ftrideil 
 review of your proceed- and mod deliberate atten- 
 ings, bur fnall confine our tion, we have determined, 
 prefent enquiries to the not to enter into a partial* 
 choice of fuch means as Jar difcuffion, or cenfure of 
 may beft conduce to re- the meafures which have 
 trieve their unhappy con- involved you in your pre- 
 (equences; leaving the paft fent diftrefles. You muft 
 to the fcruiiny of a higher anfwer to a higher and 
 
 and 
 
 This kind of fubmiffion from Mr. Haftings's mouth, or pen, 
 vyas fo novel, that it commands to be diftinguilhed in Italics.
 
 ( 128 ) 
 
 and more effe&ual autho- 
 rity." 
 
 more effectual authority, 
 for the difficulties to which 
 you have reduced the .go- 
 vernment intruded to your, 
 care, and for the unexam- 
 pled dilhonour you have 
 brought upon the Compa- 
 ny's arms. We leave your 
 condudt in the courfe of, 
 thefe tranfactions to be ex- 
 amined at home; as we 
 doubt not, it will be with 
 the utmoft feverity. If, on 
 our fide, it had been pof- 
 fible for us to felect any 
 part of your proceedings, 
 either in the plan or exe- 
 cution of the meafures, on 
 which we could have be- 
 ftowed . our approbation, 
 we mould readily havedorie 
 it." 
 
 3. " We muft defire to 
 decline the reference made 
 to us or. the charge made 
 by your Prcfident againft 
 Col. Egerton, and Lieut. 
 Col. Cockburn, as a point 
 on which we have nojurif- 
 didion, and which is cog- 
 nizable only by your au- 
 thority , either with the 
 power of fuipenfion im- 
 mediately, vefted in your 
 body by the Court of Di- 
 
 g. In Mr. Francis's 
 draft, on the fubjed: of 
 the Governor's third para- 
 graph, was a literal abitrad 
 of the propofitions made by 
 him on the yth June. 
 
 Sir Eyre Coote propofed 
 
 fome fmall amendment on 
 
 the Governor's paragraph. 
 
 4. Approved
 
 ( I2 9 ) 
 
 rectors, or through the 
 regular trial of a court- 
 martial ; to which we re- 
 commend their being im- 
 mediately brought, not up- 
 on the limited charge given 
 in by the Prefident, which 
 folely points to one part of 
 their conduct, but upon 
 a general charge for mif- 
 conduct, upon an expe- 
 dition that has failed. 5 * 
 
 4. " Having given full 
 powers to Col. Goddard, 
 to negotiate and conclude 
 a treaty of peace with the 
 Marratta government, and 
 having no caufe to alter 
 the terms which we have 
 prefcribed in our inftruc- 
 tions for that purpofe, we 
 have only to repeat, thac 
 we look to the iffue of thac 
 commnTion as our primary 
 object, and the termination 
 of all our political views 
 on your fide or India, if it 
 ihall prove fuccefsful." 
 
 5. * But if the ministers 
 fhali reject the propofals 
 which we have ordered to 
 be made to them, and (hall 
 reduce us to the neceffity 
 of defending the rights and 
 interefts of the Company 
 
 R 
 
 4: Approved literally^ 
 
 5. " Until we (hall be 
 advifed by Col. Goddard, 
 of the reiult of his nego- 
 ciations, in confequencs of 
 has prefent order.^, we do 
 not think it adviieable to 
 bind ourfelves, even by a 
 by
 
 ( 130 ) 
 
 by an open war, we leave 
 a latitude of action to Col. 
 Goddard, under your in- 
 ftructions, to avail himfelf 
 of the fituation which for- 
 tune may prefent to him ; 
 and if a war fhould be in- 
 difpenfibly continued, it 
 muft alib reft with him, 
 who is refponfible to us for 
 his conduct, to adopt any 
 part, or the whole of Mr. 
 Hornby's plan, laid down 
 in his minute of 3Oth 
 March, or not at all, as 
 he may think moft advife- 
 able for promoting the 
 diftrefs of the enemy.'* 
 
 Sir Eyre Coote propofed 
 a trifling amendment on 
 this paragraph. 
 
 6. " Should this plan be 
 carried into execution, we 
 require your ftricteft at- 
 tention to the following 
 cautions : That your en- 
 
 fagements mail be offen- 
 ve, only for the objects 
 of your immediate opera- 
 tions ; and in all other re- 
 
 conditional determination* 
 to profecute the war on the 
 plan propofed by Mr. 
 Hornby, or on any other. 
 Suppofmg that our views 
 and wifhes, which are all 
 directed to an honourable 
 peace, mould be defeated, 
 it is not from a partial ef- 
 fort on your fide of India 
 alone, that we can form 
 any reafonable expectation 
 of a decifive fuccefs againft 
 the united power of the 
 Marrattas ; for in the cafe 
 of war, we mutt fuppofe 
 their ftrcngth to be united 
 againft us. We will not 
 therefore, precipitate a re- 
 folution, in the, confe- 
 quence of which, all India 
 may be involved. We mail 
 wait for advices from Col. 
 Goddard, and be deter- 
 mined by the lights and 
 informations with which 
 he may furnifh us." 
 
 6. Comprehended in the 
 lait paragraph, No. 5, up- 
 on the general principle of 
 his minute, of obferving a 
 liient relervation until frefh 
 advices were received from 
 Col. Goddard, in conte- 
 quence of his instructions 
 of 5th April.
 
 Jpects, purely defenfive. 
 That your engagements 
 wiih the Guicawar's fa- 
 mily, fhall be made with 
 the chief of it, and with 
 him exclufively. That you 
 mall not aflume a medi- 
 ation between the brothers, 
 or take any part whatever 
 in their domeilic difputes, 
 further than to fupport the 
 party in alliance with the 
 Company, and his poflef- 
 fions againft foreign inva- 
 fion j and that you do not 
 commit the dignity of the 
 Company, or pledge the 
 national faith, in formal 
 treaties with perfons of a 
 rank or power, unfuitable 
 to fuch a diftinclion." 
 
 7. " We are fenfible of 
 the attention which you 
 have Ihewn to our views 
 with the government of 
 Berar, in joining the over- 
 tures lately made to Moo- 
 dajee Boofla, by Colonel 
 Goddard, and in your re- 
 folution, to avoid whatever 
 might again interfere with 
 this negociation. We con- 
 fefs, we at this time enter- 
 tain little hope of his con- 
 curring with our defigns; 
 He will wait for proofs of 
 
 
 7. Obferved the fame 
 filence as in the preced- 
 ing, on this paragraph al- 
 fo which of courfe im- 
 plied a difapprobation. 
 
 . 
 
 our
 
 our fuperiority, before he 
 will hazard the coniequen- 
 ces of a decided connec- 
 tion With us; and every of- 
 fer made to him, while he 
 is under the influence of 
 fuch a policy, will butferve 
 to mcreafe his rt-ferve, as 
 he will naiurally conftruc 
 it, toproceed from the con- 
 fcioufnefs of our own ina- 
 biliiy to fuppori ourfelves 
 without a foreign affiftance; 
 and this b an additional 
 rcotive for our preferring 
 a fcheme of military opera- 
 tions, practicable by our 
 own force, unircumbered 
 \vith the wekht of a timid 
 a''v. Ir, notwithftanding, 
 ]Viood?jee Boofla {hall have 
 aniwered the letters which 
 have been written r,o him, 
 by a willingnels to accept 
 of the prdpofed alliance, 
 we fhall leave it to be con- 
 duced imaer the inftruc- 
 tions already-given incharge 
 to Colonel God Jird. If, on 
 the contrary, as we c-xpedt, 
 he mail direclly rerule, or 
 hefitate, or make new re- 
 ferences to us, we r ave, in 
 fcch cafe, ordered Colo- 
 nel Goddard to break off 
 the negociation." 
 
 R 2
 
 8. * c We think our- 8. The fame marks of 
 felves ftriftly juftifiable in difapprobation, as in the 
 refuting to ratify, even the three lait paragraphs, 
 fmalleft tittle of the treaty, 
 or convention of Wor- 
 gaum, and we have already 
 intimated our fentiments 
 on this head to Colonel 
 Goddard, and given him 
 our final inftructions upon 
 it , but as we had not at that 
 time before us, the feparate 
 fecret engagement entered 
 into with Madajee Scindia, 
 we could not take it intoour 
 Confideration, nor judge of 
 the obligation we were un- 
 der to exprefs our fenfe of 
 )iis ferviees, at the inftant 
 we difclaimed the acts of 
 the committee, and will 
 not admit of any preten- 
 fions founded on thofe afts, 
 yet they cannot cancel any 
 fights which have their 
 
 bafis in eflential and in- 
 trinfic benefits reaped by 
 
 our nation. This right we 
 
 muft acknowledge to be 
 
 pofleffed by Madajee Scin- 
 dia, and muft therefore 
 
 declare, that unlefs he 
 
 ftiould have forfeited it by 
 
 any fubfequent ac~t, he is 
 
 intitled to a full compen- 
 
 fation for any difappoint- 
 
 inent he may fuffer by our 
 
 denial
 
 ( 134 ) 
 
 denial of the acts of the 
 committee." 
 
 9. " We have therefore 9. As above. 
 inftru&edCol. Goddard to 
 exprefs the fenfe in which 
 this government is pleafed 
 to regard the fervices of 
 Madajee Scindia, at War- 
 gaum, by offering him fuch 
 a gratification as may be 
 afforded him by your go- 
 vernment, or for fome 
 means which he may pof- 
 fefs from the operations of 
 war, in cafe peace is not 
 concluded, upon the in- 
 ftructions he is already fur- 
 nilhed with.*' 
 
 jo. If in the event of jo. As above, 
 war, Madajee Scindia mail 
 be difpofed to take part 
 with us, we have authoriz- 
 ed Colonel Goddard to en- 
 ter into fuch engagements 
 with him, as mall not be 
 contrary to any before con- 
 cluded, and which he may 
 judge moft advifeable ; 
 making our future fecu- 
 rity, peace, and an ade- 
 quate revenue, his chief 
 and indifpenfible objecls, 
 and the grounds of our en- 
 gagements with him." 
 
 ii. " To
 
 ( '35 ) 
 
 it. ' To fum up what 
 we have written, our firft 
 defire is to obtain peace on 
 the terms propofed by our 
 inftructions to Col. God- 
 dard of 5th April, and it is 
 only in the event of the 
 failure in this defign, that 
 we have formed the fubfe- 
 quent inftructions, or will 
 allow of their operations. 
 
 12. * The execution of 
 the propofed treaty of peace 
 with the Poonah Miniftry, 
 we leave to the fole charge 
 of Colonel Goddard, ac- 
 cording to the inftruftions 
 which we have already giv- 
 en him. 
 
 13. "The feparate ne- 
 
 fociation with Madajeee 
 cindia, bears fuch a con- 
 ne&ion with the foregoing, 
 that we have therefore 
 thought it necefTary to leave 
 this alfo to his charge. The 
 negociation and treaty of 
 alliancevvithMoo.dajeeBoo- 
 fla, we uifo leave to the fole 
 management of Col. God- 
 dard, in the authority of 
 his mftru&ionsof the i6th 
 Isiovember, until the pe- 
 riod of their fufpenfion by 
 
 ii. As above. 
 
 12. Approved, literally. 
 
 13. Difapproved upon 
 the principles exprefled in 
 his draft oppofite to the 
 fifth paragraph. 
 
 the
 
 the refufal, or fuch hefita- 
 tion of Moodajec Boofla, as 
 he mall deem fufficient, to 
 warrant his declaring the 
 negociation fufpended.The 
 future renewal of this ne- 
 gociation we referve to be 
 determined by our exprcfs 
 orders, but without revok- 
 ing the credentials and in- 
 ductions already granted 
 to. Col. Goddard refpe6t- 
 ing it. In all other negoci- 
 ations, treaties, and plans 
 of military operations, it is 
 our wifh fo to blend the 
 powers ofyourgovernment 
 with our own in the direc- 
 tion of them, and in every 
 formalor occafional inftru- 
 ment which they may re- 
 quire for their ratification, 
 astopreferve the credit and 
 diftinft refponfibility of 
 both, and to make both 
 the pledges for the faithful 
 obfervanceof them. For 
 this purpofe we need not 
 recommend that Col. God- 
 dard be confulted, whether 
 his prefence, or the nature 
 of the fubjects will admit 
 of itjOnallmeafures, which 
 have a relation to our pre- 
 fent inftru&ions, as you 
 have already been pleafed 
 to allow him a deliberative 
 
 voice
 
 voicein your councils; and 
 we are happy to find that 
 you are fo well fatisfied 
 with his conduct, and his 
 ready diipofition to affil't in 
 the execution of your de- 
 igns, as to leave us little 
 occafion to lay down a clear- 
 er line foa the employment 
 of the forces under his 
 command, than that we 
 have already defcribed. 
 
 14. " We have directed 14, As the foregoing. 
 Colonel Goddard to exe- 
 cute whatever fervice you 
 fhall think it proper to re- 
 quire, which he (hall think 
 practicable, and which (hall 
 not be contrary to any in- 
 ftructions, or to any exift- 
 ingengagements-, acaution 
 which we hope will be un- 
 necefTary, but with which 
 we do not think ourfelves 
 at liberty to dilpenfe, while 
 the principal refponfibility 
 refts with us. And for the 
 lame reafon, we require 
 that all treaties, which (hall 
 be concluded by you in vir- 
 tue of thefe inftrudions, be 
 referred to this Govern- 
 ment, for its final iancYion, 
 and formal ratification ot 
 them, and that a claule be 
 
 S inferted
 
 interred in every treaty fo 
 concluded, to that effect. 
 
 15. " We fhall heartily 
 join with you in recom- 
 mending Colonel Goddard 
 to the Court of Directors, 
 for the appointmentof com- 
 mander in chief, at your 
 Prcfidency, on the fir ft va- 
 cancy ; and in the interme- 
 diate time we think it abib- 
 lutely neceflfary in the pre- 
 fentdiftrefled fitunion that 
 the military upon your ef- 
 tablimment are reduced to, 
 that he mould have the 
 rank given him of Brigadier 
 General, in order to en- 
 able him to carry on the 
 public fervice with more 
 weight and dignity, for 
 which pur pole we have 
 granted him a Brevet Com- 
 million for the fervice, in 
 which he is now employed. 
 
 15. Silent. 
 
 In conclufion, Mr. Fran- 
 cis obferved, " That with 
 " regard to the form and 
 " extent of the charge a- 
 " gainft Colonel Egcrton 
 " and Lieutenant Colonel 
 " Cockburn, I have no 
 te objeclion to the terms 
 " recommended by Sir 
 " Eyre Copte." 
 
 We are, &c."
 
 ( 139 ) 
 
 It is impofilble, without deviating from the cornrnori 
 rules of confiftency, to pafs over the Governor-general':* 
 draft vvi[hout anirnadverfion. It is a perfect mafter- 
 picce of artful confufion, containing throughout, a. 
 tiring of arrtbigiiities, contradictions, arid u.n intelligible 
 tautologies, which, if they are not immediately circu- 
 lated to confound and embarrafs the nego-utor, arz 
 certainly meant, in cafe of error or failure in the exe- 
 cution, to fcreen the real author from cenfure, by calt- 
 ing it on 'Colonel Goddard, and heaping a portion aifoi 
 upon the ponderous mountain already ful'pended over 
 the Prelidency of Bombay. A review and critical corp.- 
 parifon of the 5th, 6th, ^thj 8th, c^th, loth* il h, and 
 1 2th paragraphs, will clearly evince the truth of this 
 affernon. But the i^th and I4th beggar defcription, 
 and may, without offending the ablcit productions of 
 the late Holy .Society , be adjudged to a confpicuous fta- 
 tion among Jefidtkal performances. As the uncontti- 
 tutional and impolitic authorities and interactions which 
 are contained in it, were clearly demonftrated at the 
 Board, by a refutation which did honour to the author* * 
 as well as by another proteft by Mr. Francis ; it will 
 only be neceffary now, to fay, that the plenipotentiary 
 powers to Colonel Goddard, independent of, and as 
 an ablblute check and controul upon the Governor and 
 Council of Bombay, within the exprefs precincts of 
 their commiffion and eftablidiment, amount to a total 
 fufpenfion of that government, or that the whole aft 
 is. prima facie, illegal ; that even allowing to Colonel 
 Goddard an ademblage of all the cardinal virtues,' 
 with every ability and force of judgment which belong 
 to humanity, the talk is too arduous ; as it will be 
 found difficult for a man aiming at military glory, and 
 S 2 expofed 
 
 * Mr. Horfiey's letter to the Board, reprefenting, as well the il- 
 legality, as the impolicy and inexpediency of the authority and in- 
 ftru&ions conveyed in the Gvernor-geuerai's draft, bed th<i 
 tetter on the Company's records.
 
 expofed to the temptations which are peculiar to the 
 chief command of a military expedition in India, joined 
 with an unccmroled political authority, to feparate am- 
 bitious objects from the immediate, important duties of 
 his high commifFion. 
 
 The Governor-general in a minute, on the loth 
 June, canvafled the fentiments avowed by Mr. Francis, 
 and expreffed in the draft propofed as" an amend- 
 ment on the Governor's. He entered into a" long ha- 
 rangue on peace or war with the Marrattas, as an al- 
 ternative in which there was no latitude , and that the 
 orders to Colonel Goddard prefcribed clear and fimple 
 conditions. That if a peace follows, matters will con- 
 tinue in, and revert to the fame ftate as they were by 
 the treaty of Poorunder, without the interference of the 
 Supreme Board. But that in cafe of war, the Com- 
 pany's fafety muft depend on inftant aftion, by feizing 
 particular polls, during the feafbn in which (in his 
 opinion) the Marratta troops could not act, and thus 
 bring diftreis upon them before they could refift. -j- 
 That he had certain intelligence, J that Madajee Scin- 
 dia, and his colleague Tuckajee Holkar, and Roga- 
 naut-row, have left the capital, and arrived at Barham- 
 pore, with a defign to invade the Nabob of Oude's do- 
 minion. That therefore, whether the Board chufe to 
 credit the report or not, they ought to be guarded 
 againft it, and even to prevent it. 
 
 . That, for thefe reafom, he was againft Mr. Francis's 
 draft; becaufe, in cafe of war, it will bind our hands, 
 while the Marrattas are free, and will leave the Prefi- 
 
 dency 
 
 * Extravagant, wild, and chimerical. 
 
 t It proved to be falfe intelligence, if there ever was any fuch. 
 But it was calculated to intimidate the Council into an acquiefcence 
 with his hoflile views.
 
 dency of Bombay incumbcred and opprefied with ths 
 weight of that force, on which we depend for fuccefti 
 He laid, i That he never would faff er the abjeft to be 
 ' loft, for which the detachment, now commanded' by'Co- 
 ' lonel Goddard, was firft appointed. That it was not tv . 
 ' affjft the defigns of the Prefidency of Bombay in thdr exe- 
 
 * cution, but to fupport them in tbz confequences cf'it^ 
 ' thcugh the detachment was for a while diverted f, 
 
 ' dejiination, on the fuppofition, that the defigns of that 
 ' Prefidency had either wholly failed, or were relinquifhed. 
 ' Yet it has fines reverted to if, and is now .precifely in ibt 
 ' fttuation^ ' in which it was originally meant to pL:ce it. 
 4 / will not fay, what would have been the fate of 
 ' bay, had not Colonel Goddard moft. feafonably arrivsd for 
 
 * its relief.' 
 
 Perhaps human confidence has not produced another 
 more daring inftance, to impofe on the unde'rftandin* 
 of men, by dint of mere fophiftry and bold affcrtions 4 
 than what is contained in the laft recital. The anfwer, 
 regarding the fafety of Bombay was fimple. Bombay 
 would continue as it is. Colonel Goddard's detachment 
 was on the banks of the Narbudda, long after the de- 
 feat of the Bombay army. He continued for ibme 
 time, after he had heard the event, to negociate with 
 Moodajee Boofla. Had the Marrattas had holble inten- 
 ti ;ns-, equal to the repeated provocations which iSicy 
 received, they had it in their power, eafily and en%cf- 
 tually, to have cut-him off, or force his army to fur'- 
 render pnjoners at difcretion, either by the fword or by 
 famii ' it is no lefs a truth, that a detachment 
 
 ; ' . rat, coald yield no immediate fuccours 
 or rt^ef to Bombay,- if it had been attacked. 
 
 The Governor then proceeded to decide upon the 
 queiiions which were before the Board, upon the 
 
 the
 
 ( H* ) 
 
 the two drafts of a letter to the Presidency of Bombay, 
 which he predetermined thus, viz. 
 
 " He agreed to the ift> 2d, 4th, 6th, 9th, loth, 
 nth, 1 3th, Hth, and i5th paragraphs. 
 
 " He agreed to the 3d and 5th, with the amend- 
 ments propolejd by Sir Eyre Cooce. 
 
 " He never vjill depart from the opinions which he 
 expreffed in the yth and 8th. 
 
 " He thinks the 1 2th a paragraph of no confequence, 
 and may be omitted. 
 
 It was refoived by Mr. Haftings, Mr. Barwell, and 
 Sir Eyre Coote's votes, againft thofe of Mr. Francis 
 and Mr. Wheler, in favour of the Governor's draft. 
 A letter was, accordingly, ordered to be engrofled, 
 and that it be referred to Mr. Horfley (who was dele- 
 gated upon the prefent occafion to reprefent the Prefi- 
 dency of Bombay) before it is tranfmitted. Mr. 
 Horfley defired leave to take the letter with him, as the 
 length of it, and the variety of fubject it treated, ne- 
 cellarily rendered him cautious of offering any thing 
 fuddenly for the confideration of the Board ; and the 
 more io, '* as there are federal farts of it, which he 
 " fears will appear to him more detrimental to the public 
 * c fervice, the longer he con/iders them." 
 
 At a confultation held the i4th of June, at which 
 the Board was complete. The amended draft of the 
 letter to Bombay was read, and after a diffentthequef- 
 tion was put, and carried for the Governor's amended 
 draft as follows : 
 
 Warren
 
 Warren Haftings, <% 
 
 Richard Barweil, C Approved. 
 
 -r- Eyre Coote, 3 
 
 Philip Francis, 7 ~. r 
 
 Edward Wheler, DJapproved. 
 
 And immediately Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler en- 
 tered their protefts, and Mr. Francis delivered the fol- 
 lowing minute to be recorded. 
 
 " I diffent from, and proteil againft the preceding 
 " letter, for the following reafons, in addition to thofe 
 " on which I oppofed the meafures now adopted, at 
 " the time they were debated." 
 
 ift. " Becaufe I deem it unbecoming the dignity of 
 '* the Governor-general and Council, and a moft un- 
 " merited demonftration of tendernefs and partiality to 
 44 the majority of the Select Committee of Bombay, 
 *' with fuch evidences of their mifconduft as we 
 < have before us, to pafs by the whole of their 
 " late proceedings, without the fmallelr exprefTion of 
 ' difapprobation or concern, as if nothing were in 
 " queftion, but fome common and trifling occurrence, 
 ' by which, neither the interefts of the Company, nor 
 " the credit of our arms, had been eflentially wound- 
 " ed. When the feparate opinions of the members of 
 " this Board (hall appear before our fuperiors, J doubt 
 " not, they will think it an extraordinary circumflance, 
 44 that no part of the fpirit which breathes through 
 " thofe opinions, mould be prelerved in the Collective 
 " A6t of Council.'* 
 
 2. 4 Be^ 
 
 * Let this name to the letter in queflion be compared with the 
 articulated founds, which are fuppofed to have emitted from his 
 mouth, en the 241)1 of May, and draw an inference. 
 Humanum ejt a rare is a tender apology.
 
 2. ' Becaufe, confidering the claim of Colonel E- 
 
 * ocrton and Lieutenant-Colonel Cockburn to be tried 
 4 by a Court Martial, as a claim of right, I think we 
 ' fhoiiid not have confined our interpofnion on this 
 
 . r to -\ cold and languid recommendation of fucb trial, 
 4 but J!}':<uld have injifted on its being granted, in terms that 
 1 would admit of no evafion ; much lefs Jhould we have 
 4 weakened even that recommendation by referring to an al- 
 4 'ternative, of which the Seleft Committee may now avail 
 4 them/elves^ under colour of our authority. This, I con- 
 6 ceive, is no time to remind them that they have o- 
 4 thcr powers veiled in them; that they are at liberty 
 4 "to wave all trial, if they think proper, and to punifh 
 
 * the parties, by an immediate and direct aft of power.' 
 
 o. Becaufe, admitting it to be true, that Meffieurs 
 
 e Egetfon and Cockburn, confented, at firft,. to relin-- 
 
 4 quifti their claim to a public trial, and that they had 
 
 ' no right to retract fuch confent, once given, flill, I 
 
 think we mould not have patted over in filence the 
 
 * unwarrantable acts and declarations of the Prefident, 
 4 by which it was extorted from thern. They who 
 4 think leaft favourably of the conduct of thefe gentle- 
 
 * men, mould confider how far the precedent may be 
 
 nded, and what fccurity it leaves to the military 
 ice in genera^ againft the arbitrary acts of a par- 
 4 ry, occafionally prevailing in the Council.' 
 
 4. 'Becaufe the feveral plans of alliance "or co-ope- 
 4 rations propofed to be executed with the Guiaca- 
 4 wars, or with Madajee Scindia, or with Moodajee 
 : Boofla, muft be offered and negociated, after we our- 
 
 4 lejves are actually committed, by a declaration, and 
 ' engaged in the profecutton of it. In fuchcircumftances, 
 ' I conceive, we ihall treat with all, or any of the 
 'above-mentioned Chiefs for their affiftance, under 
 
 5 great difadvantages, When orfce they fee us engaged 
 
 4 in
 
 ( H5 ) 
 
 in a war, which at all events we muft carry on, they 
 wiJJ either ftand aloof, until they fee the fuccefs of our 
 operations, or fell us their affiftance on terms Which 
 we fhould not yield to in any other fituation. 
 
 5. c Becaufe no confideration whatever is given to 
 the cafe of the two gentlemen who remain as hoftages 
 in the hands of the Marrattas, and whofe lives may 
 be hazarded by ai* abrupt declaration of war. 
 
 6. * Becaufe, exclufive of all other reafons already 
 urged, againft our precipitating the Company into a 
 war with the Marrattas, if that extremity can be a- 
 voided, by any honourable means, I deem it inconfif- 
 tent with the principles or Colonel Goddard's inftruc- 
 tions of 5th April, in which the re-eftablimment of 
 peace is profeffcd to be an object, to fend him orders, 
 which leave no room for accommodation^ and which 
 ought to have accompanied the in it ructions, if the 
 Board had been originally determined not to wait for the 
 refuit of his negociations, nor even for an anfwer to 
 our letter. I deem it ulelefs, even in view to a pro- 
 fecution of the war, fmce, in all probability, the ad* 
 vices we expect from Colonel Goddard may arrive in 
 15 or 20 days, and though a rupture in that interval 
 may be forwarded, and all means of reconciliation 
 precluded, in conlequence of the prefent orders^ our 
 troops cannot take the field before September. No 
 poflible advantages can therefore be taken in confe- 
 quence of this precipitation ; unlefs it be thought an 
 advantage to denounce war, before we are able to act* 
 and to give the enemy the earlieft notice of our inten- 
 tion to invade their country, as foon as the feafon 
 will permit.' 
 
 Laftly. * I am unable to reconcile it with the opinion 
 
 of every member of the Board, except th& Governor- 
 
 T ' general^
 
 general, of Mr. Wheler's 'entim.nts and mine, I prc- 
 fume no doubt can be form:d. Mr. Barweil fays, 
 He thinks we Jhotild wait for tb' tffe3 of Colonel Goddartfs 
 
 * negotiation for peace. But, if we now decide the main 
 ' queftion of peace or war, the information which Mr. 
 ' Barwell thinks we ought to wait for, can be of no 
 ' ufe to us.' 
 
 The Commander in Chief, in'whpfe 'fentiments I 
 
 * have entirely concurred, declares it to be his opinion, 
 
 * that wejhould not fee k to renew a war, but negotiate with 
 '. the various Marraita inter tfts an honourable peace. That 
 
 * Colonel Coddard's detachment, confidering the ft ate it is now 
 In, together with the Bombay troops, are net equal Jo in- 
 
 * fare fuccefs in a con! eft with the united Marraita power. 
 
 * Yet it is with this force, and with this fotce alone, 
 '. that under the prefent orders we are to commence a 
 c war, which will afluredly unite the whole power of the 
 < Marrattas againft us. No meafures previous to a de- 
 
 * claration of war, are taken to divide them, no alliance 
 formed, no general plan of operations propofed. In 
 
 * fhort every thing that belongs to deliberation, and 
 ' which ought to prepare, and lead to decifion, is left 
 
 * to follow it. But if in the outlet of the conteft, and 
 
 * before any meafures can be taken to fupport or co- 
 *. operate with Colonel Goddard, the army under his 
 ' command mould be defeated j and if the conferences 
 
 * of the defeat jhould endanger the whole of the Company's 
 ' pojjejjions, as the Commander in Chief very juftly thinks they 
 would, on what principle can wejuftify a refolution, ca- 
 ' pable of producing fuch hazardous conferences, from which^ 
 
 * at the prefent point cf time, no immediate ad-vantage can 
 be derived, and to be carried into execution by a force 
 which the Commander in Chief thinks is not equal to infure 
 Juccefs. The terms on which we are to engage in this war 
 6 are very unequal, when the utmoft we can expeft from a 
 
 * viffcry, is fome accr/wn of territory on the Matabar coaft, 
 
 * and
 
 ( 147 ) 
 
 * and when a defeat may endanger the whole if Ibe Com* 
 
 The letter having been referred to Mr. Horfley, that 
 gentleman, though a junior fervant, yet acting as the 
 reprefentative, by delegation, of the Prefidency of Bom- 
 bay, did equal juftice to his truth, and to clear abilities, 
 in reprefenting to the Supreme Board the plain impro- 
 prieties and illegalities contained in the leucrs of inftruc- 
 tions, &c. to the Prefidency of Bomb.iy. The paper. 
 will fpeak more forcibly and honourably for itfelf, than 
 by abrtracting its fubftance, which will be found on 
 the Company's records in the India Houfe. 
 
 By a letter from Colonel Goddard, dated at Surat, 
 the 26th October, 1779, he informed, that the Paifti- 
 wa's minifter had in plain and direct terms declared to 
 him, in the name of his mafter, that he would not ac- 
 cede to the propofals made by Colonel Goddard, or con- 
 clude peace with the Englifh, unlefs Roganaut-row (who 
 had efcaped) was delivered up to him, and Salfette fur- 
 rendered to the Marratta government. That in confe- 
 qtience of this declaration Colonel Goddard had broke 
 off the negociation, and prepared for war. The Bom- 
 bay Select Committe, by their letter of 31(1 October, 
 informed the Board that they had ftrongly recommend- 
 ed to Colonel Goddard, not to precipitate matters, but 
 to endeavour to gain time, and to deter any declaration 
 until they were in a better condition for an active war. 
 ' 
 
 As was predicted, the whole Marratta race, including 
 the Rajah of Berar, and the Guiacawar Chief, together 
 with Hyder Alii Cawn, and it is credibly fufpected the 
 Soybah of the Deccan, and Nudjiff Cawn, had entered 
 ifito a clofe combination, and confederacy, to reduce the 
 B'ritifh empire in India, and that they are carrying on 
 T 2 * very
 
 a very d?ep and dangerous correfpondence with the 
 French Ifiand of Mauritius. 
 
 1780, January. Some time in July, 1779, the ma- 
 jority in council refolved againft the moft pointed efforts 
 to difiuade, on the parts of Mr. Francis and Mr. Whe- 
 Jer, to lend another detachment, to confift of 2,500 ef- 
 fectives, under the command of Captain Popham, acrofs 
 the continent, to reinforce Colonel Goddard's army at 
 Surat-, and that the detachment be draughted frum the 
 Sepoy battalions up the country. The latter end of Au- 
 guft, Captain Popham took leave, and received his lad 
 difpatches, particularly an order on the Refident at 
 Oude for 278,832 current rupees, in part of the lub- 
 fiftence and conringeacies of the expedition. The uni- 
 verfal opinion throughout Hindoftan prognofticated, 
 that it was a direct facrifice of fo weak a body of troops, 
 not having the moft diftant profpect of fimilar fuccefs- 
 ful cafualties, to favour their efcape and paffage, as the 
 fkft detachment had, confiding of three times the num- 
 ber of experienced troops, connected battalions, and the 
 compleateft train of artillery in Afia under the command 
 of Major Bailie, who has long 'been confidered as the 
 ableft artillery officer in the fervice. It was confidently 
 alledged, that the very officers, who are feldom back- 
 ward to go upon enterprizing fervice, did notlhew any 
 eagernets to go upon this; and the deiertion of many, 
 and almoft a total refulal of the rank and fiie, to crofs 
 the Jumna, yielded too convincing a proof of the fenfe 
 the natives had entertained of the improbability of fuc- 
 ceeding. This avowed difaffcctton prevented the march 
 of the detachment, until a laughable, prepofterous treaty 
 with the poor reduced Rana, of the hilly country of 
 Gohud, was folemnized in January or February, 1780, 
 and the impraftibility of the expedition being then ac- 
 knowledged -, to fave appearances, Captain Popham's 
 detachment were ordered to join the vifionary veterans 
 
 of
 
 ( 149 ) 
 
 of our great and powerful new ally, to reduce the 
 fortrefs of Gucaliar, belonging to the Marrattas, in 
 the neighbourhood of Gohud. The hiftory of this 
 famous treaty, and the embaffy of ftate fent to wit- 
 neis the execution of a paper, having had already all 
 the folemnity and authenticity ufual and effential in 
 India, is of a piece with many others, and worthy of 
 perufal. * 
 
 It is a moral truth, that fuccefs againft the Marratta 
 Chief, Futta Sing Guiacawar, the Jaghire-darof Guzze-* 
 rat, does not immediately affect or injure the Regency 
 of Poonah , nor will it ever be in the power of Colonel 
 Goddard to attack them in their own country, or to 
 bring them to a pitch' or decifive battle in the field. 
 They will pay no regard to any treaty or capitulation, 
 with Futta Sing, who, as a tenant for life, or in actual 
 poffefiion to his own fole ufe, has no right of alienation. 
 They have always (hewn an averfion to the payment of 
 money by treaty, as much as they have plainly difcovered 
 a folicitous inclination to preferve an uninterrupted har- 
 mony and alliance with the Englifti. The trade of 
 Guzzerat is of more importance to the Englifh trade to 
 Bengal and China, than any revegtie that can arifc 
 from the territorial poffefiion thereof, under an Englim. 
 fyftem of government. It would therefore have been 
 more advantageous to the Eaft India Company, and 
 the Britiih nanon, to have fubmitted to a fecond total 
 defeat, as the means of any tolerable accommodation, 
 than to continue a war, the expence of which is altoge- 
 ther infupportable by the Company's funds, and which 
 can have no other tendency than to exafperate the Mar- 
 rattas, and to excite additional jealoufy, dread, and 
 combinations in all the other native powers. If the 
 
 war 
 
 * The minutes are publifhed in a late pamphlet, containing ab- 
 ftrafts of minutes on Contrafts, kc. in 1779.
 
 war has held out to the year i;8r, it muft inevitably 
 have coft the Company above three millions of pounds 
 fieri ing. 
 
 The fidelity of the Company's native troops hath 
 betn preferred, and their military fuccefTes have an fen 
 folely from a punctuality which no other power in In- 
 dia was able to obferve in the payment of military efta- 
 blifhments, and from the regular difciplir-c vvhich, in 
 confequence of that punctuality, Britifh officers were en- 
 abled to maintain in the armies, f the Company are ren- 
 dered incapable of purfuing the fame line of exactitude, 
 mutiny and defertion however dangerous, will have lefs 
 fatal cofifequences, than the occafion which it will fur- 
 nifh to their avowed enemies, of augmenting their ar- 
 mies with veteran troops, regularly formed and difci- 
 plined by the Company themfelves. Such a fpirit dif- 
 covered itfelf in 1779, upon feveral occafions, even in 
 the brigade ftadoned in and near Fort William, and it 
 became remarkably ferious in General Goddard's army 
 at Baroach. The Company's allies (if that appellation 
 can be faid to belong to the (late of dependence in which 
 they are held) are reduced to a ftate of mifery and dif- 
 trefs, and by mere oppreffion rendered not only difaf- 
 fecled, but both unable and unwilling to pay their fubfi- 
 diary engagements. The Company's own provinces are 
 depopulated, the Zemindars utterly unabte to difcharge 
 the heavy load of arrears which is fufpended over them ; 
 their treaiures at each Prefidency are empty -, their cre- 
 dit, faith, and power, are equally fufpected , their in- 
 veftments, by folemn refolutions, as an aft of necef- 
 fity, not of choice, reduced 40 per cent, in Bengal ; 
 the quality of the remaining inveftment fo debafed, 
 and its coft fo advanced, that the fales in Europe create 
 6 certain large deficiency ; their military and civil efta- 
 blifhments, in the very midft of thefe dreadful fymp- 
 toms, have been impolitically and madly augmented, 
 
 without
 
 without bounds r mcafure ; the eftimate of probable 
 refources for the year 1780 hath been acknowleged to 
 fall grievoufly fhort of their abfolute engagements ,* and 
 they are involved in a general war with all the inde- 
 pendent rtates of Hindoitan, and in the difaffection of 
 their dependent allies, who are all encouraged and ex- 
 cited, by afiurances of fupport from the only European 
 powers who are conditioned to do it with effect. It is 
 much to be dreaded, that the fatal blow is already 
 ftruck, which may have blafted the glorious profpecl: 
 of a vaft acceflion of territory and trade in the Britifh 
 empire. 
 
 * Near 300,000!. fterHng, after confuming the. depofrt of 
 359,600!. Herling, to anfwer the calls of any emergency. 
 
 London, i$tb March, 1781. 
 
 POST-
 
 ( "5* ) 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 THE ungenerous and uncandid attempt by the 
 partizans of the Governor General^ to faddle the 
 late incurfions of Hyder-Alli-Cawn into the Carnatic, 
 and the difafter to the Madras army, on the Prefidency 
 of Fort St. George, in order to draw the reproach which 
 juftly belong to them, from the meafures of the Go- 
 vernor General, and the iniquitous Marratta war, into 
 which he deliberately forced the Company, may bring 
 forth fome more documents, to place the faddle upon 
 the right horfe. In the mean time, it is thought pro- 
 per to fubjoin to this narrative, an extract from a mi- 
 nute which Mr. Whitehill, the late Prefident of Fort 
 St. George, committed upon record in Council, before 
 he was fufpended by the Governor General and Council 
 in November 1780, to (hew that the Marratta war alone, 
 excited Hyder-Alli-Cawn to commence hoftilities a- 
 gainft the Company, in confederacy with the Marrat- 
 tas, and the reft of the native powers, and even in al- 
 liance with Scha-Allum, and his Vizier Nudjiff-Cawn, 
 whofe abilities as a General and Politician, are diftin- 
 guifhed in Hindoftan. In fpeaking of the Governor 
 General and Council, Mr. Whitehill ufes the following 
 convictive language, every word of whieh being found- 
 ed on facts, corroborate the predictions and cenfurcs 
 conveyed in the preceding narrative. 
 
 " Plunged into almoft inextricable difficulties, it is 
 not an unwife ftretch of policy, to fcreen themfelves
 
 ( '53 ) 
 
 " if in their power; and to load others with the op- 
 '* probium of thofe acts, which are now overpowering 
 * us, with the pernicious confequence of their effects." 
 44 Poffefifcd of a fufficiency of territory, more even 
 u than we were adequate to the management of, your 
 " Prefidency of Bengal might furely have been content 
 " with paying a ftrict obedience to your orders, which 
 * have been uniform and Uriel on that head ; but unfor- 
 " tunately for your affairs, the offenfive line of conduct 
 *' which they adopted againit the Marrattas, thrcrw them 
 " into a fcene of action ib extenfive, and fo full of diffi- 
 " culty, that neither their forces, nor their revenues, 
 " were capable of bearing them through with any pof- 
 " fibility of fuccefs. Had the experience of former 
 5< times been called in a little to their aid, they would 
 " have feen that Aurengzebe, one of the moll formid- 
 " able monarchs that ever fat upon the throne of Delhi, 
 " was, after a twenty years ftruggle with all the power 
 " and riches of Hindoftan, obliged to abandon a fimilar 
 " attempt." 
 
 " It was not, however, in the line alone of hoftility, 
 " that the Governor General and Council of Bengal, 
 c loft fight of the national interefts which have been 
 " entrufted to their care." 
 
 " They unaccountably forgot them in their negoci- 
 " ciations and alliances with the Marratta Chiefs. The 
 " infant Paidiwa was firft to be protected; next, Ro- 
 ct ganaut-row was to be affifted ; again, Moodajee Boo- 
 * s fla was to be fupported in fome diftant pretenfions ; 
 " and all to the fame object, the lupreme government 
 " of the Marratta ftate." 
 
 ** When a contradiction of this nature appears in the 
 " public acts of a great power ; when a more than a 
 " fufpicion of the profeflions it may make, becomes 1 
 " the ruling complexion of the minds of thofe it is en- 
 < gaged with, the fureft prop of political fecurity is 
 " ihaken, and every evil may be jultly expected as the 
 ' confequence." 
 
 U The
 
 ( '54 ) 
 
 ct The meafures that have been purfued in the pro- 
 " fecution of this fatal Marratta conteft, may indeed 
 46 be fuppofed to be unconnected with the principle of 
 " this addrefs , but the truth is, the Marratta war has 
 " been the real iburce of all the mifchief that hath be- 
 te fallen the Carnatic, and of all the injury that hath 
 " been levelled at me by the Governor General and 
 * Council of Bengal. Had peace exifted in that quar- 
 " ter with the Englifh, Hyder-Alli-Cawn would never 
 4i have ventured from his own dominions. He faw, 
 " however, the extremity to which we were reduced, 
 " (a confiderable part of our troops having been de- 
 " tached to Bombay, at the requifuion of the govern- 
 ' ment of Bengal, for the fupport of this very war) 
 " and very prudently feized hold of the occafion to dif- 
 " trefs us, where he knew we were mod vulnerable." 
 
 " The Governor General and Council of Bengal, 
 " may, in exculpation of themfelves, endeavour 'to 
 ' brand this Preiidency with the guilt of having ex- 
 " cited the troubles which at prefent exift in the Car- 
 <c natic, by protracting; the reftiturion of the Guntoor 
 " Circar, and of having driven the Nabob Nizam- 
 41 Alli-Cawn, to avow himfelf the ad viler of the con- 
 *' federacy. But the origin-il caufe of almoft the lols 
 . " of all our confequence in Hindottan, will be found 
 " to arife from the rafh and ruinous conduct that they 
 " themfelves have held with refpeft to the Marrattas. 
 " In rhe South, it has enabled Hyder to carry fire and 
 " defolation before him; and in the North, (as the 
 " laccit accounts inform us) it hath afforded a favour- 
 " able opportunity to the' Mogul .and NudjifF-Cawn, 
 " to take the field with a confiderable army, decla- 
 " redly with the intent of wrefting from the Englilh 
 " the country which they took fVom the Rohillas, and 
 tx the dominions of AiToph-ul-Dowla, the Nabob of 
 " Oudc." 
 
 APPENDIX.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 A. No. I. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Governor HASTINGS te 
 DEWAGUR PUNDIT, Prime Minifter to the 
 Rajah of Berar, dated in Calcutta, 23d November, 
 1778. 
 
 " In the whole of my conduct I have departed from the 
 common line of policy , and have made advance 'J, wbtn 
 others, in my fttuation, would have waited for felicita- 
 tions ; as the grtateft advantages to which 1 can look, 
 cannot in their nature equal thofe to which the proi- 
 perousiflueofourmeafures, mayconduct the ftare of the 
 iVlaha Rajah's government. But I know the characters 
 to which I addrefs myfelf. I trujt to the approved bravery 
 andfpirit of your Chief, that he will ardently catch at the 
 cbjetts prefiwed to his ambition, and to your wildom; of 
 which, if fame reports truly, no minifter ever 
 poifirfied a larger portion, that you will view their im- 
 portance in too clear a light to hazard the lofs of them, 
 ly attempting to take an advantage of the defire which I 
 bavs exprejfd for their ac complement. ?his intimation 
 mt fe much intended for a caution to you, as for an ex- 
 planation of my condutt to thofe who may be left able to pe- 
 j,eli-ate into the grounds if it" 
 
 A. No. II. 
 
 C opy of a letter from MOODAGEE BOOSLA to 
 Governor HASTINGS, dated the 5th December, 
 1778, and received the 2d January, 1779. 
 
 4< Your friendly letter of the igth Ramzam, (nth 
 
 October) informing me of your having received adr 
 
 vice of the death of Mr. Elliot, in his way to Naig- 
 
 ptirr; your concern at that event, snd at the unavoid- 
 
 a able
 
 able fufpenfions of the negotiations which that gentle- 
 man was to have concluded; with me on the part of 
 your government, and the delay in the eftablifhment 
 of a ftrift and perpetual friend (hip between the Com- 
 panys' ftare and mine (concerning which you had ex- 
 erted yourfelf fo warmly) by reafon that the prefent 
 fituation of affairs would not admit of the delay which 
 muft attend the deputation of another perfon from 
 thence without injuring the defigns in hand ; but that 
 in your conviction of my favorable difpofuion, from 
 the knowledge that my interefts and the Companys* 
 are infeparably connected, and in the zeal of B-neram 
 Pundit, whom, during the long period he refided with 
 you, you found fo deferving of your confidence, &c, 
 &c. &c. flat in the plan propofed, and what you have 
 written, is to promote our common advantage, not 
 for the intereft of one party only, being convinced 
 that no public alliance or private friend/hip, can be 
 firmly eftablifhed without reciprocal advantages. That 
 it is on thefeprinciplesp# bad fa-ig ago planned an alli- 
 ance with me i the time for the accomplilhment of 
 which is now come : for you -conceive it 1 to be equally 
 or my intereft as for yours; our countries bordering 
 on each other, and our natural enemies being the fame. 
 That in a word, you required nothing but the June- 
 ,tion of my forces with yours, by which, though each is 
 fingly very powerful, they will acquire a ten-fold pro- 
 portion of ftrength. That the delay f thcprogrtfs in the de- 
 tachment intended for Bombay , bad not arifenfrom tbsoppofi- 
 tion of an enemy, but from other caufes improper to mention ; 
 but that it "Mill now Jhortly arrive in my territories, and its 
 Deration be determinedly my advice. *Thatycu have given 
 direfticns to Colonel Lejlie, to ce- operate wiib the forces 
 which I /ball unite with his : That as you offer me the 
 forces of your Ciicar to promote my views, you in re- 
 turn requ ; re the afliftance of mine to effect your pur-, 
 
 pofes ;
 
 ( iii ) 
 
 pofes ; with other particulars which I fully under'ftand, 
 reached me on the z6th Shawand (i 6th November) af- 
 forded me great pleafure. 1 alfo received duplicate 
 
 and triplicate of this letter ; in the latter part of it you 
 exprefs, that as you have made roe acquainted with 
 your views, it is necefiary that I alfo communicate to 
 you, withoutreferve, the ends which I look to for my 
 
 advantage in this union. -That the good faith of 
 
 the Englim to every engagement they contract, fo long 
 as it is obfcrved by others, is univerfally known ; and 
 that it has been the invariable rule of your conduct, to 
 fupport ihis character in all acts depending on you, and 
 never to relinquim any defign of importance formed on 
 good and judicious grounds; -but to perfevere fteadily 
 to its completion, fiyat having thus explained to me your 
 fentiments and views, ycu waif only to know mime ; and on 
 the knowledge of thefe you jhall form your ultimate re^ 
 Jolittion. 
 
 It is equally a maxim of fincere friendfhip and good 
 government, iteadinefs, magnanimity, and forefight, 
 that a plan formed on good and judicious grounds, 
 Ihould be conducted in iuch a manner, as to end hap- 
 pily : You dejire to learn my fentiments and views, and 
 deferring to form your ul.'imate refutations, 'till you had 
 heard further from me, is the fame tbing^ as if you bad ftn- 
 fulffd me primarily onyourfirjt defigns. 
 
 Since, after the ftrictcft fcrutiny and refearches uifo 
 the difpofuions and views of the multitude, it has 
 been determined on proofs of mutual fincerity and 
 good faith, that a perpetual friendlhip and union be 
 eitablifhed, it will, like the wall of Alexander, for 
 the happinefs of mankind, continue, unOiakeo .until 
 the. end of time. 
 
 a 2 The
 
 ( iv ) 
 
 The having caufed a tranflaiion to be made into En- 
 glifh of the Hindoo books, called the Shatter and Po- 
 ran, and of the hiflory of the former Kings, the ftu- 
 dying thefe books, and keeping the pictures of the 
 former Kings and prefent rulers of Hind, Decan, &c. 
 always before your eyes, and from their lifelels fimili- 
 tude to difcover which of them were, or are worthy of 
 rule, and poffefcd of good faith, from which to de- 
 termine with whom to contract engagements, and what 
 
 conduct to obferve to them refpectively. Alfo the 
 
 endeavour to preferve the blefTing of peace, 'till forced 
 
 to relinquifh it. The fupponing every one in his 
 
 hereditary right, and revenging the breach of faith 
 and engagements : but on the fub million of the of- 
 fenders, the exercife of the virtues of clemency and 
 generofity by pardoning, and receiving him again into 
 favor, and relioring him to his pofieffions the nctfuf- 
 fcring the intoxication of power to reduce you into a breach 
 of faith ', and the giving fupport to each illuftrious houfe in 
 
 proportion to its refpcflive merits ; And in matters 
 
 which required a long courfe of years to bring to per- 
 fection, the forming your conduct on mature deli- 
 beration, and the advice of the Company and Coun- 
 cil, are the fure means of exalting your greatnefs and 
 
 profperity to the higheft pitch. The intention of all 
 
 this is to recommend univerfal peace and friendfhip in 
 the manner following. The almighty difpoies of king- 
 doms, and places whomfoever he chufes on the feats of 
 power and rule ; but makes their (lability to depend on 
 their peaceable, juft, and friendly conduct to others. 
 It is not every one who is equal to the talk of govern- 
 ment, on the plan defigned by the almighty ruler, and 
 of enfuring his liability, by a wife and juft conduct. 
 Hind and Decan poflefs, at prefent, very few enlight- 
 ened, but a great multitude of weak and ignorant men. 
 The Englilh Chiefs, and you in a fupericr degree, pof- 
 lefs
 
 '( v ) 
 
 fefs all the virtues above recited, who coming from 
 diftam iflands by a fix month's voyage on the great 
 ocean, by their magnanimity and fortitude, gained the 
 admiration of many Soubahs on this continent. It is 
 eaiy to acquire a kingdom ; but to become a King over 
 Kings, and Chief of Chiefs, is a very difficult matter. 
 
 The attainment of this is only to be effected by 
 
 the means of friendflup, by which the univerfe may be 
 fubjected. My conduct is framed on thefe principles. 
 
 The refidence of Beneram Pundit at Calcutta, 
 
 was foldy to effect the eftablifhment of the mod inti- 
 mate friendmip, and by the blefling of God it has 
 taken fuch deep root that, through your means, it has 
 reached the ears of the Company and King of Eng-r 
 la d ; and our connection and correfpondence carried 
 on under the veil of the vicinity of our dominions, has 
 been dil covered by the Poonah Minifters, and by the 
 Nabob Nizum-ul-DowJa ; yet, though they form 
 various conjectures and doubts, and have fent a trufty 
 Vakeel, and written repeated letters, to endeavour to 
 find out rhe motives of our union, yet they remain a 
 myftery; as I make the plea of our ancient ties, and 
 the juntion of our territories. 
 
 I was impatiently expecting the arrival of Mr. Elliot, 
 who being endowed with an enlightened understanding, 
 and inverted with full powers from you to conduct the 
 negotiations, and determine on the meafures to be pur- 
 fued, would have eftablifhed the ties of a perpetual 
 friend rhip, and have fettled every matter on the rirmtft 
 bafis. It pleafed Goci that he mould die on the jour- 
 ney, and the grief 1 felt ac his unfortunate Jofs, who 
 would have been the means of fettling all points be- 
 tween us, to our mutual content, and by his negoqa- 
 tion with me, giving fatisfaction to the Paifhwa ajid 
 Nabob Nizam ul-DowIa; all which have been by his 
 a 2 death
 
 death thrown back many months; my grief is not to be 
 defcribed, and only ferves to add to your affiiftlon. I 
 have not yen recovered the mock which the event gave 
 me, as you wrll learn more fully from Beneram Pun- 
 
 dit. There is no remedy for fuch misfortunes, and it 
 is in vain to ftrive againft the decrees of providence , 
 bad Mr. Elliot arrived, fucb ftrokes cf policy would httve 
 been employed^ that the Poonab Minifiers -would have ad- 
 hered more fcrupuloujly than before to their engagements ; 
 and tbe French, who are tbe natural enemies of the Englijb, 
 vwuld have been theirs Hkewijt -, and tbeir fttfpicions from 
 Apprebenftonsoffupport beinggiven to 'RartfuwfrRsiv, which 
 wever was, nor is defigned by tbe Englijh Chiefs, as I katn. 
 from Beneram, who bad it from your own mouth, and 
 which has caufed them great unea/inefs, would haxz be^n 
 
 Entirely removed by Mr. Elliet and my joint fecurity. 
 
 The Nabob Niyam-ul-DswIa^ who- wrote you repeat' 
 edly on this JubjeR^ and received for an/wer, that you had 
 
 ' fto idea of aiding or fapporting Raganaut'Row, that your 
 enmity was folely pointed againit the French, and that 
 
 : whoever aflifted the French were your enemies, would 
 Mewife by thefe means have been thoroughly fadsfitd, 
 and your detachment wou)d have reached Bombay, with- 
 out meeting the fmalleft interruption ; and had the 
 Poonah Minifters then adled a contrary pait, I mould 
 have withdrawn myfelf from their friendmip. But by the 
 death of Mr. Elliot, all thefe cefigns have fallen to 
 the ground, and mud be fufpended 'till another op- 
 portunity, and the knowledge of your fentimems. // 
 is- a proverb) that whatever is deliberately done, is well 
 done. In reply to what you write reipe&ing your 
 framing your ultimate resolutions, I have communi- 
 cated to Beneram Pundit whatever I judge proper and 
 eligible, and which may promote them in fuch a man- 
 lier as may not be lubject to any change from the 
 
 vicifli*
 
 ( vii ) 
 
 vkifiirudes of fortune ; for thofe points which I fixed 
 on, after minute deliberation, as the moft eligible that 
 can be adopted, I refer you to, the letters of Beneram 
 Pundit. If, notwithftanding, you have any plan to 
 propofe for the reciprocal benefit of our ftates, be 
 pleafed to communicate to me. 
 
 Poftjcript. 
 
 To your letter, respecting fending an army to overawe 
 the French, and to reinforce the Government of Bom- 
 bay, and fetting forth that the Po.ona Minitters having 
 broken the treaty wirh the Englifh, and in oppofition 
 to the rights of friendlhip received an Envoy of the 
 French King, and granted the port of Choul to that 
 nation', thereby enabling them to form an arfenal* and 
 collect military (lores, and of their having written 
 to their officers, to permit the French (hips to enter their 
 ports, and that it being therefore incumbent on you 
 to take meafures to counteract their defigns, you had 
 determined to fend a ftrong detachment for the rein- 
 forcement of Bombay, by the route of Berarj and 
 that in confederation of our ancient friendship, and the 
 vicinity of cur dominions* you requefted that on its 
 arrival in my neighbourhood, I would caufe it to be 
 initructfd in the route, and providing it with provifions 
 and neceffaries, have it conducted in fafety through, 
 my territories, and join a body of my forces with it, 
 which would incrcafe and cement our friendfhip ; and 
 that you have, at the afiurance of Beneram, fixed on 
 this route for its march in preference to any other* - 
 In reply to this letter, actuated by its dictates of the 
 finccreft friendfhip, I waited not "to take the advice of 
 any one, but without hefuation wrote you. That 
 where a fincere friendfhip exifted, the paflage of troops 
 through my country was a matter of no moment, 
 
 that
 
 ( viii ) 
 
 ihat they mould proceed immediately through my 
 
 country. 1 likewife informed Colonel Leflie of the 
 
 difficulties and dangers he would meet with in the way, 
 from dangerous mountains, extenfive rivers, &c. 
 And alfo difpatched Lalla Jadda Roy, with a Chief 
 of note, to the banks of the Narbudda, to fupply the 
 detachment with provifions, as long as they were in 
 my territory, and to treat them with all the du.ies of 
 hofpitality ; where he waited in expectation of their 
 arrival for fix months to no purpoie. They loitered 
 sway their time in the Bundle Cund countries, contrary to 
 
 every rule of policy. At that time all the Poonah 
 
 Minifters were ftparately employed in their own pri- 
 vate affairs, or in the war with hTder Naig, infomuch 
 that they had no time to turn their attention to the 
 concerns of other parts, and the march to Bombay 
 might have been effected with the greateft cafe. The 
 time is now paft. The arrow is fhot, and cannot be 
 recalled. As I have repeatedly wrutcn to the Poonah 
 Minifters, with whom I keep up a correlpondence on 
 the fubject of their encouraging a French Envoy, and 
 breaking their faith with the Englifh Chiefs, acts 
 highly inconfiftent with honour and policy. The an- 
 fwcr I have received from them, 1 have communicated 
 to you. The fubftancc of what they fay in their own 
 juftification is this. That the French Vakeel came 
 for the purpofc of traffic ; not to negociace ; yer, for 
 the fatisfaclion of the Englim, they gave him his 
 difmifiion. That the account of the grant of the port 
 uf Choul, and an arfenal, is entirely without founda- 
 tion j and that they have not the leaft indifpofition 
 towards the Englifh ; that I will therefore write to 
 Calcutta, that you may be perfectly fatisfied refpecting 
 their di'pofitioa. My letters did not produce the 
 effect of laiisfying you on the fubjtc"l of the Paifhwa, 
 bin your doubts ftill remained. And, actuated by 
 
 wifdorn
 
 wifdom and prudence, you determined to fend Mr. 
 Elliot to me, and wrote to me, that on .his arrival at 
 Naigpore, after he had an interview with me, and 
 learned my ientiments and views, he would, in ccm- 
 jucltirrn with me, form a plan for our mutual honour 
 and Benefit, and give directions to Cononel Leflie in 
 
 con!equ< nee, who would be guided thereby. Tbs 
 
 event of this gentle marts depiitaiio.-i is too w.ell known , 
 and Cononci Lejlie likeivife, after engaging in hoftilities 
 with the Paijhwa's cffic -j, and Zimcndars of theft parts* 
 and colhffiiig large jutfiz of money ^ died Colonel Goft- 
 dard fucceeded to the command, and purfued the 
 fame lineof 'condudt, with refpect to the Talookdars as 
 his prede.'cfior. And arriving at Garawale and Garafur 
 in the territory of the Afghans, whither he was obliged 
 to march with the utmoft caution,, being furrounded 
 with a Marratta army, who conftantly feized .every 
 opportunity 'to attack him, wrote me from thence, 
 that he mould ftionly reach the Narbudda, where I 
 would be pleafed to caiife grain and other neceffarie's 
 to be prepared, and a party ' of my forces to be ready 
 
 to pin him. I wrote him in anfwer, that Lalla 
 
 Jada Roy, and Shao' Baal Hazaile were waiting on 
 that fide the Narbudda, which is within my territories, 
 and that the gain where tfie troops' fh6uld crofs was two 
 cols from hence under Haffingab^dj that Janojee Boofla 
 forded it with his army at that place, on his expedition 
 to Malawa, and that I' did not doubt it was now forda- 
 ble-, that he fhould Therefore- crofs his army there, 
 and repair to Kaffir. gabad; that Lalla Jada Roy would 
 exert his utmoft afliduity in fupplying him with grain 
 and other provifions, and treat them with every degree 
 of hofpitaiity ; but that, as the road forward was very 
 difficult and dangerous, and thoufands of the Balha 
 Cades, were concealed in the holes in the mountains ; 
 who though not able to oppofe hirn openly, yet 
 b would
 
 ( * ) 
 
 would do it by ambufcade and ftratagems, and cut off 
 his fupplies of provifions : and that, beyond that he 
 would enter the Soubafhip of Barhampore, dependant 
 on the Paifhwa; that near 4000 of Scindia's cavalry 
 were waiting at the fort of AfTur, for the arrival of 
 the Englifh on the banks of the Ganges ; 10,000 
 more were under the command of Bagarut Sundiab ; 
 Scindiah himfelf with the chiefs in readinefs at Poona, 
 waiting to hear of the approach of the Englifh. And 
 moreover in Berar, ia which the Nabob Nizam-ul- 
 Dowla, poffefles a fhare wkh me; all the Jaghirdars were 
 in readinefs with powerful armies ; and although the 
 Englilh poffefled the greateil magnanimity in 
 battle, yet as every ilep they took would be juft into 
 the mouth of danger, and all the above-mentioned 
 chiefs would fet themfelves to cut off and deftroy his 
 provifions, and take every oppoitunity of attacking 
 him when they faw an advantage, and of harrafllng 
 him night and day ; conftantly lurroimdin^ his army 
 with their numerous forces, the junction of a body of 
 my forces with his, would avail nothing in the face 
 of fuch large srmies , but would only involve me in 
 the greateft lofles. That it neither was advifeable for 
 him to return, which would diminifh the awe and refpecl 
 in which he was held .: That I would therefore write 
 the particulars explicitly to Calcutta, and that whatever 
 you fhould think proper to intimate to him and me 
 in reply, it would be advifeable to abide by, and aft 
 accordingly. All which time, 1 would recommend 
 that he continued at Hoflingur That I have recei- 
 ved letters from Calcutta, filled with the warmeft 
 friendfhip and confidence to the following purport ; 
 " That the detachment mould come into my neigh- 
 bourhood, and be guided in its operations by my ad- 
 vice :" that it is incumbent on every Chief who enjoys 
 the confidence of another, to give fuch advice as may 
 
 be
 
 be mod advantageous to the party repofing truft, and 
 mod confident with the faith of engagaments j and 
 that with fuch conduct the Almighty is well pleafed. 
 That I had alfo written to the Poonah Minifters my 
 advice on the fituation of affairs to this purport. 
 *' That Mr. Elliot was deputed hither to negociate 
 fe with me ; but dying in the journey, all the nego- 
 " ciations intruded to him were fufpended : that had he 
 " arrived at Naigpore, I had determined, from princi- 
 " pies of attachment, to have removed from, the 
 ts minds of the Englifh the doubts and apprehenfibns 
 " which had arrifen, by reafon of the fuppofed, en- 
 * c couragement of the French Envoy at Poonah, and 
 " the agreement to fupport that nation, who were 
 " the inveterate enemies of the Englifh, which had 
 " given rife to the quarrel between the two dates, by 
 ". proving to them under the fan&ion of folemn oaths, 
 " and becoming myfclf guarrantee, that all thofe 
 " reports were groundlefs, and that the Poonah Mi- 
 " -hitlers were fteady and zealous in their engagements 
 " with the Engliih ; and on feveral accounts highly 
 " obliged to them : and I would have taken, from 
 " Mr." Elliot, engagements that the Englifh had no 
 " idea of affording fupport to Raganaut-Row, but 
 " were refolved to maintain their treaty inviolate ; 
 " and that their apprehenfions related to the French, 
 " and that when I gave the Englifh fatisfa&ion, rela- 
 " ting to the French, and become guarantee, all his 
 " doubts would be removed ; and that if it was rc- 
 " quifite a frefh engagement mould be executed, to 
 u which he would be a guarantee , that in brief each 
 " party entertained a reafonable doubt ; the Englifh, 
 " that the Poonah Miniiters would join with the 
 u French ; and the Poonah Miniders, that the Englifti 
 <c fupport Roganaut-Row ; that when thefe fufpicions 
 " no longer remained, all caufes of difpleafure would 
 41 of courfe ceafe, and that they could have no objtdioa 
 b 2 to
 
 ( xii ) 
 
 ** to a detachment cf Englifh forces frnt for the rein- 
 *' forcement of Bombay, and to overawe the French, 
 " not for the fupport of Roganaut-Row, repairing 
 <f thither, and to oppofr them, would in fuch cafe 
 * ha\ e been highly improper." &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Second Poflfcript. 
 
 Baboo-Row, the Paifhaw's Vakeel, has obfcrved to 
 me in the courfe of converfation, that his matter has 
 not the ilighteft idea of failing in his engagements 
 with the Englifh, or of contracting any friendlhip 
 with the French, but that the treaty forbids the march 
 of Englifh forces through the Paifhwa's^dominions ; 
 that therefore the appearance of the detachment now 
 on its march, is an infringement of the treaty. 
 
 Third Pcjifcript. 
 
 Although it may appear improper to repeat the fame 
 thing over again, yet the importance of the fubject 
 may plead in my excufe. On either part a doubt fub- 
 fifts. The Poonah Minifters fufpect that the Englifh 
 forces on their march to Bombay, though ottenfibly 
 for the purpoie of oppofing the French, are in reality 
 intended for the fupport of Roganaut-Row ; and that 
 the Englifh at Bombay, who were not included in the 
 ^reaty with the Paifhwa, which was concluded through 
 the Government of Bengal, with the advice of the 
 Chief at Calcutta, are defirous of breaking with the 
 Paifhwa, and fupporting Roganaut-Row, and that 
 the detachment had been fent at their requifition. 
 They alkdge, that the Chief of Calcutta, writes to 
 them, that he is firmly refolved to adhere to the treaty 
 with the Paifhwa, and that the detachment he has fent 
 to Bombay is folely to awe the French, without the 
 
 leaft
 
 leaft defis;n to afiift Roganaut-Row ; and that fince it 
 is forbidden in the treaty to difpatch troops over hnd, 
 the march of the troops is a breach of it. That ij ,ic is 
 neceffary to fend troops to Bombay, to awe the French, 
 they ought to be fent by fea. 
 
 The Englifh on their part fufped the Poonah Mini- 
 fters of joining the French, in confequeace oi having 
 received a French Vakeel. As the Paifowa formerly 
 wrote me, that he had no idea of failing in his engage- 
 ments with the Englifh, and that he had given no en- 
 couragement to the French Vakeel, who came for the 
 purpofe of traffic, and that he had di muffed him, 
 therefore requefted that I would fatisfy you in that re- 
 fpect. I, in confcquence, formerly wrote you ail thefc 
 particulars. As I have a voucher in my hand from the 
 Paimwa, that he has no connection with the French, 
 and is fteady to his engagements with the Englifh, I 
 am able, by this voucher, to give, you complete fatis- 
 faction on this head. But I have DO voucher, or inti- 
 mation from you, by which I may be able to give fans- 
 faction to him. 
 
 As he pleads a prohibition in the treaty, to the march 
 of forces over land, and liivewife complains, refpecting 
 the money collected by Colonel Leflie in his territories. 
 What anfwer can be made thereto ? 
 
 As the time requires, that a reconciliation take 
 place with the Poonah Minifters, v.ou wiU confider and 
 determine what reply mail be given to theie two points 
 of which they complain, and by what means they may 
 be fatisfied, and communicate your refolunon to me, 
 
 that I may write conformable thereto, and remove 
 
 all doubts. 
 
 A, No.
 
 A. No. III. 
 
 Mr. Francis's minute on the letter from Moodajee Boofla, 
 dated 5th December, 1778. 
 
 January u, 1779. 
 
 I have nothing to object to the pious precepts, and 
 excellent moral instructions contained in thefe letters. 
 Whether they come feafonably or not, at a tinne when 
 deep plans of policy, and decided acts of vigour might 
 have been expected from our intended ally, inftead of a 
 general difcourfe upon the duties of. a ftatefman. Or 
 how far fuch a difcourfe may with propriety be ad- 
 drefled to the chief member of this government, are 
 queftions very little neceflkry to be confidered at pre- 
 fent. It is of no fort of moment to us now, to enquire 
 into the moral character, or religious creed of this 
 Marratta, though it might have been prudent in us 
 to have been fomewhat better acquainted with both, 
 before we trufted him fo far. From other parts of his 
 letter we may collect information of a more interefling 
 nature. If we really mean the public fervice, if we 
 mean to fave Colonel Goddard's army, and to provide 
 for the fecurity of the Company's pofleffions, let us 
 not obftinately fhut our eyes to the evidence before 
 us. After examining the facts without prejudice or 
 paflion.let us draw the natural and obvious conclufions 
 from thefe facts, and endeavour to act firmly and con- 
 fidently upon both. 
 
 For my own part, the declarations contained in 
 Moodajee Booila's letter to Colonel Goddard, received 
 on the 2ift of December, appeared to me fufficiently 
 explicit. A majority of the Board, however, ftill 
 thought it neceflary to wait f or fome further explanation. 
 
 But
 
 But now I prefume that not the (hadow of a doubt can 
 
 remain with any of us concerning his real fentiments 
 and refolutions. The moft material points of fad af- 
 c'ertained by the prefent letters, and by which our 
 mcafures muft be immediately directed, are 
 
 ift. That fo late as the 5th of December, Moodajee 
 Boofla does not appear to have had the leaft idea of the 
 extent or nature of the Governor-General's views, in the 
 propofed alliance, though we have been informed that 
 his Vakeel, Beneram Pundid, was perfectly pofle0ed 
 of the project of that alliance, from feveral converfa- 
 tions which he has had with the Governor-general in 
 Calcutta, and was authorized to commmnica.e the fame 
 to his matter. 
 
 2dly. That whatever degree of information the 
 "Rajah might poffeis on this fubject, and admitting his ig- 
 norance of the Governor's plan to be merely affect- 
 ed, he appears plainly to have had no fort of difpofi- 
 tion to catch at the objetts prefented to bis ambition., or to 
 run the rilque of a rupture either^with the Paiftiwa or the 
 Nizam, much lefs with both at the fame inftant, for 
 any offers that we can make him. On this point his 
 declarations are clear and decided. 
 
 3dly. That fo far from mewing a difpofition to join 
 us againft his countrymen, he fays exprefsly, " that 
 11 the junction of a body of his forces with Colonel 
 " Goddard's would avail nothing in the face of fuch 
 " large armies, but would only involve himfelf in the 
 " greateft loffes." 
 
 4thly. That it is his opinion, founded on reafon, 
 which, if he does not deceive us, are fufficiemly folid, 
 that the detachment cannot proceed towards Bombay, 
 
 without
 
 ( xvi ) 
 
 without the greateft difficulty and danger, nor return 
 without difgrace. 
 
 5thly. That fo far from entering into an offenfive 
 alliance with us againfl the Poona government., hein- 
 fifts on the n^ceffity of our coming to an immediate 
 conciliation with them, and of our previoufly giving 
 them fatisfaction for the march o r our army through 
 their country, and for 1 the large fums collected from 
 their dominions, firft by Colcnrl Leflie, and after- 
 wards by Colonel Goddard, " who Che fays) has pur- 
 " fued the fame line of conduct, with refpect to the' 
 
 " Talookdars, as his predeceffors." Theperufal of 
 
 thefe voluminous letters, will fuggeft many other inter- 
 efting reflections to our fupericrs. One circumftance 
 in particular, I think deferves their notice, notwith- 
 ftanding the detachment was for fome months under 
 the orders of the Prefidency of Bombay, whofe defigns 
 were very explicitly communicated to us, and although 
 the commanding officer Was intreated to co-operate 
 with them in the plan they had formed for the fupport of 
 Ragoba,and notwithstanding all the meafures taken 
 here, profefiedly originated from the communications 
 which were received in January laft, of certain overtures 
 fuppofed to have been made by the Minifiers for rein- 
 flating Ragoba. Moodajee Boofia now affirms, that 
 his Vaked bad it from Mr. Heft'ings 1 ! own month, that 
 it never was, nor is dejigned by the Engltjh Chisjs to fup- 
 port 
 
 The good advice contained in thefe letters is, in 
 effect, the fevereft reflections on the levity and precipi- 
 tancy of our councils 5 and probably has no other mean- 
 ing, than to fhew the Governor General in what re- 
 fpect Moodajee Boofla holds a ftatefman, \vho pro- 
 tlfll-s" to have departed from the common line of po- 
 
 " licy
 
 ( xvii ) 
 
 " Key in the whole of his confluct." If we were not 
 become the objects of his fcorn, would our boafted ally 
 j:ake fuch a time as this to tell us, " that it is a pro- 
 cf verb, that whatever is deliberately done is well done ; 
 " that it will be proper maturely to deliberate on the 
 * 6 probable event before the commencement of any un- 
 " dertaking, and that it is the part of wifdom and found 
 "judgment, before any further fteps are taken, to de- 
 " termine by what means they are to be fupported, 
 " that no unfteadinefs may hereafter arile." 
 
 What muft this Marratta think of the prudence of a 
 government that fends an army a thoufand miles for- 
 ward into an enemy's country, in the prefumption of 
 receiving afliitance on the fpot, without any treaty 
 previoufly concluded ; without a fmgle condition agreed 
 on ; without one flipulation formed for the operations, 
 for the proceeding, or for the retreat of that <irmy ; and 
 even wirhout knowing the general fentiments, views, 
 or difpofitions of the prince on whofe future fupport we 
 placed our dependance ? I do not wonder jhat Mooda- 
 jee Boofla mould feel no inclination to unite his fortune 
 with fuch a government. But let us now at leaft profit 
 by his advice, as far as the circumftances we are redu- 
 ced to will admit. In the natural order of things, deli- 
 beration mould go before meaiures, with us it muft 
 follow them. 
 
 Colonel Goddard's army is now near eleven degrees 
 weft of Calcutta. We have no other way of tracing his 
 progrefs, or afcertaining his diftance from us, but by 
 obferving, as accurately as we can, the latitude and 
 longitude of his pofition, on a general map of India. 
 If he attempts to proceed, it muft be in -the mouth of 
 danger. If he retreats, it will refleft dijhonour on our 
 arms. If he advances into Berar, it is againft the advice 
 c of
 
 ( xviii ) 
 
 of the Rajah, who infill on his remaining where he is ; 
 an/, \\ ho, pref.me, VM i never fuffer an Engliib army 
 to march iruo jthe heart of the country ; efpeciaily when 
 he hears t!iac another detachment is preparing to enter 
 it from .he i aftvvard. This mcafure, fo far from giving 
 himenotir gen.cnt to join us, mud naturally fill him 
 wi h jeaioufy and dtdruft. Wiihour infilling on the 
 fiuihlcfs chara6ivr uniformly .attributed to the Mar- 
 rat:as, thefe mo ivcs alone are fuificienr to pui him on 
 his guard againrt UJ ; while other?, equally powerful, 
 niay induce him to ta ; ;e advantage of the critical fitu- 
 ation oi ou army, and to compromife his own differ- 
 ences with the Pailhwa and the Nizam at our expence. 
 /< -.11 events, I prefume, it cannot be difputeu, that 
 LV of the detachment depends greatly on the 
 fairh of Moo^ajee Boofla. In this fituation v/e 
 have a choice of difficulties before us -, whatever refolu- 
 tion we adopt will, I fear, be liable LO f'-ich objections 
 as will admit of no better anfwer, than that.ftill greater 
 objections may be urged againft any other. We may 
 order Colonel Goddard, at all events, to proceed to 
 Bombay ; or to IT.OV& towards our weftern frontiers 
 through Berar, or to return as expeditioufly as he can, 
 by the way he went. I am againft the firii, becaufe I 
 am convinced it cannot be attempted without , the 
 greateft hazard to the detachment, or with the {mailed 
 probability of fuccefs. I coniider it as one common 
 and equally eiTential imereft of all the powers of India 
 to .oppofe the march of an Engllfh army acrofs the 
 continent ; and, by defeating the attempt in the firil 
 inilan: :e, to deter us from ever forming juch a enter- 
 prize again. Mooc'ajee Boolla himfcif ftates the dan- 
 gerao us in terms which iufEciently cxprefs his opinion 
 of the impofubility of furriiounting it. 
 
 With
 
 With refpect to Bombay, notwithstanding all that 
 has been faid of the deep defigns of the French, that 
 place is actually in no danger ; if it were, this is not 
 the way of providing for its defence.^ I am againft 
 the fecond, becaufe it appears that the Rajah himfelf 
 is very averfe ro letting Colonel Goddard come into 
 his country, and infifls on his itaying where he is. If 
 the army mould move into Berar without his confent, 
 and without fome ftipulations previoufly determined 
 with him, it will be always in his power to lacrifice 
 them to the Poonah Government, or to the Nizam, 
 if they can make it their intereft fo to do. For my 
 own parr, I am very much inclined to think, that all 
 his late delays and uncertainties are affected, for no 
 other purpofe but to. give his countrymen time to 
 complete their preparations, and to furround Colonel 
 Goddard. No choice then is left, but to order Colonel 
 Goddard to return as he went. 1 do not fay, that this 
 meaiure fhall not leflen the opinion which the powers 
 of India may hitherto have entertained of the councils 
 of this government. It may alfo be thought in fome 
 degree difgraceful to our arms. But neither is this of 
 weight againft other fopc-rior confiderations ; nor do 
 I apprehend that if no direct impreflion be made upon, 
 our army, its bare retreat will prove any thing, but the 
 extreme imprudence of thofe meafures which have lefc 
 us no other option. At the lame time, I think that 
 proper letters mould be written to the-Paifliwa, to in- 
 form him of this alteration, to defire that the army may 
 return without rnoleftation, and to affure him that we 
 are fincerely difpofed to -come to a conciliation with him, 
 andtoadjuft whatever differences may unfortunately have 
 arifen between his government and ours, "man amicable 
 manner, agreeable to the terms and piinciplesof the 
 treaty of Poonah. 
 
 c 2 The
 
 The time which has elapfed fince the receipt of 
 Moodajee Boofla's letters, and the critical fituation of 
 the detachment, make it indilpenfibly necefiary that 
 fome clear and decifive orders be immediately difpatched 
 to Colonel Goddard. I fnall be ready to correct and 
 alter my opinion, if I fee juft and folid reafons urged 
 againft it. 
 
 P. Francis. 
 
 Governor General. I have feen Mr. Francis's mi- 
 nute, and do not think it ncceffary or proper to 
 apply to it. 
 
 W. Haftings, 
 
 Intelligence from Poona, contained in a Letter from Row 
 Gee, dated i8tb of January, 1779, to "the Nabob 
 <?/Arcot. 
 
 1. I have addrefTed your Highnefs feveral letters of 
 late, fome of which I hope are arrived. I have ac- 
 counts of others having been intercepted in the road, 
 and fiiall therefore recapitulate fome of the moft im- 
 portant tranfa&ions here. 
 
 2. The Englifh Surdars, as I have already wrote to 
 your Highnefs, marched from Bombay to the pafles, 
 and fortified that of Kodtichully. Raganaut-Row took 
 poffeflion of two forts which were in the road, and 
 joined theEnglifh army, which I hear confided of 700 
 .Europeans, 8 batalions of Seapoys, 40 pieces of can- 
 non, mortars, and a quantity of powder and military 
 ilores j they had befides 4 lacks of rupees in money. 
 
 3. Siccaram Pundit, and Nana Furnefe, two Ma- 
 ratta Surdars, joined their forces, and fatisfied the dif- 
 
 contented
 
 contented chiefs Schindiah and Holkar, by giving them 
 money, jaghires, and other prefents. 
 
 4. All the chiefs having mettoconfult what was to 
 be done in the prefent flate of affairs, they all with one 
 voice agreed, that if Roganaut-Row came with his own 
 forces alone, they mould receive him, and give him a 
 mare of the power as formerly ; but fince he came with 
 an army of Jinglifh, who were of a different nation from 
 them, and vvhofe conduct in Sujah Dowla's country, 
 theRohilla country, Bengal, and the Carnatic, they 
 were well acquainted with ; they vmanimoufly deter- 
 mined not to receive Roganaut-Row ; as otherwife, in 
 the end, they would be obliged to foriake their religion, 
 and become the flaves of Europeans. Upon this they 
 exchanged oaths ; and Nehum-Row, Apagee Pundit, 
 and Scindiah, were fent with an army of 15,000 horfe, 
 befides foot, to the Gautof Telicanoon, and were fol- 
 lowed immediately after by Siccaram Pundit and Nana 
 Furneze, with 40,000 horfe. 
 
 5. It has been for fome time the fixed determination 
 of the Englifh Surdars to give their afllftance to Roga- 
 naut-Row, in replacing him at the head of the govern- 
 ment ; an army was fent from Calcutta, who made an 
 alliance with Boofla, (Rajah of Berar) and they were 
 greatly encouraged by^ the pews of the furrender of 
 Pondicherry. 
 
 6. Mr. Moftyn, who went from Poonah, made 
 them believe, that many of the Marratta Surdars 
 were in their imereft, and that as foon as their army 
 fhould arrive ai the Gaut, Holkar would join them with 
 all his forces. 
 
 7. The
 
 ( xxii ) 
 
 7. The EngHm, trufting to this, marched their 
 army to the Gaut, and waited impatiently for a whole 
 month, but no one appeared to join their ftandard. 
 The Englim army marched forward from the Gaut, 
 and were fo much harrafied by the Marattas as not to be 
 able to proceed more than twbcofs a day, duringwhich 
 time they loft a great many of their men by the 
 firekept upon them by the Marattas. When they came 
 to Chockly, which is about 1 4 cols from the pafs, they 
 were obliged to hair ; Captain Stewart, one of their Sur- 
 dars, was killed at this place. 
 
 8. On the 2i(l January the European army arrived 
 at Tulicanoon (17 cofs from 'the pafs) Mr. Carnac, 
 Second of Bombay, was wi;h them. Siccaram fent 
 a body of horie to Tulicanoon, to harrafs them-, 25 
 Europeans, amongft whom was an officer, and 100 
 lepoys, were killed on the firft day , the Marattas had 
 200 men killed. 
 
 9. On the 2d day, the Englifn were furrotinded on 
 all fides by the Marattas, and all fupplies of provifions 
 cut off from them. Sec-ing thcmfelves in this fituation, 
 they determined, if poffible, to return back by the 
 Gaut, and confuhed upon the means to effect k.. Ro- 
 ganaut-Row hearing this, fent privately to the Marattas 
 Chief, Sindiah, telling him, that if he would attack 
 the Englifb, he would join them with his two battalions 
 of Sepoys, and 6oohorfe. The Englifh, it would ap- 
 pear, had intelligence of this ; for, on the 13th January, 
 they fuddtnly marched fecretly from Tulicanoon, tak- 
 ing Roganaut-Row with them, and leaving their bag- 
 gage and tents ftanding, under the protection of 200 
 European?,- and one battalion of Sepoys, whh eight 
 pieces of cannon, to make the Marattas believe that 
 their whole force was at Tulicanhobn, Siccaram, 
 
 however,
 
 ( xxrii ) 
 
 however, got private intelligence of their march; and 
 he, with Nana Furneze, Sundiah, and Holkar, went 
 to cut offtheir mirch. At the fame he fen: a body 
 of horfe to Tulicanoon, where the reft of the Englifh 
 were encamped. The Marattas, as ufual, fell upon 
 the plunder, and a fmart engagement enfued between 
 them and the Englifh. The detachment-, who had 
 marched with Roganaut-Row, had not proceeded far, 
 returned to the afliftance of thofe in their camp. A 
 heavy cannonade was kept up by the Marattas from 
 midnight till four o'clock the next day ; the Englifh 
 were not able to march one foot of way, and all their 
 firing took no effect; 150 Europeans, with many of 
 thtir officers, and Soo Sepoys were killed. The Ma- 
 rattas furroundecl them, and kept patroles going all 
 night, to prevent any from efcaping. On the i4th, 
 the Maratras commenced their cannonading again, 50 
 Europeans, ancl 400 Sepoys were killed. The Englifh 
 ceafed firing, feeing that it had no effect. In the 
 evening of tha^ day, the fervant of Roganaut-Row, 
 and that of Mr. Carnac, brought a letter to Madah 
 Row, acquainting him that they would fend a trufty 
 perfon to confer with him upon fome matters, if leave 
 was given. The Surclars read the letter, and lent an 
 anfwer by the fame perfon, that they were willing to 
 ceafe hoflilities, until a peribn was fent. They, how- 
 ever, took cajre to keep a ftri6t patrole round the Eng- 
 liih camp all night. On the i5th the Marattas Surdars 
 went to the trenches, and began firing again-, but it 
 was not anfwered from the Englifh camp : loon after, 
 Mr. Farmer (a gentlemen who was fome time ago at 
 your Highneis's court) came from the Eng!i(h camp, 
 and the fire of the Marattas immediately ceafed. The 
 Marattas fent for him into the prefence, and Mr. Farmer 
 
 faid to them, " We are only merchants. When 
 
 '* difpuies prevailed with you, Raganaut-Row came to 
 
 u us
 
 ( xxiv ) 
 
 " us, and demanded our protection. We thought he 
 <c had a right to the government, and gave him our 
 " afliftance. Nothing but ill fortune attends him, and 
 *' we have been brought to this miferable ftate, by 
 ' keeping him with us. You are matters D keep him 
 *' from us. We mail henceforth adhere to the treaties 
 " that have formerly taken place between us. Be 
 " plcafed to forgive what had happened'" 
 
 The Minifter anfwered. " Raganaut-Row is one of 
 * e us. What right could you have to interfere in our 
 " concerns with him ; We now defire you to give up 
 " Salfette and Baffin, and what other countries you 
 cc have poffefTed yourfelves of; as alfo theCircars, thofe 
 " of the Purgunnahs of Baroch, &c. which you have 
 " taken in Guzzart. Adhere to the treaty made in 
 
 " the time of Bajalee Row, and alk nothing elfe." 
 
 Mr. Farmer heard this anfwer, and returned to his 
 camp. While this negociauon was carrying on, 15,000 
 Maratia horfe were lent againft fome out-polts where 
 the Englifh had entrenched themfelves, and fet fire to 
 them, putting every one they met with to death. They 
 did the fame at the fort of Choul, where the Englifh 
 had fortified. 1 heard all this from Nana Furnize ; 
 whether it be true or falls, I am not certain. 
 
 On the 6th at noon, Mr. Farmer returned, and told 
 Schinciiah. that he had brought a blank paper, figned 
 and fealed, which the Maratta Chiefs might fill up as 
 ihey pleafed. Schindiah told the Minifters, that although 
 they had it in their power to make any demands they 
 p'eafed, it would not be adyifeable to do it at this time. 
 u For our making large demands, would only fow re- 
 '* s fentment in their hearts, and we had better demand 
 44 only what is neceflary. Let Roganaut-Row be with 
 " us, and the treaty between, us and the Englilh will 
 
 " be
 
 * be adhered to. Let Salfette and the Purgunnah in 
 " Guzzarars, &c. be given back to us. Let the Bcn- 
 " gal army return back. For the reft let us aft with 
 " them, as it is ftipulated in the treaty with Balagee 
 " Row ; let the jewels mortgaged by Roganauc-Row be 
 " reftored, and nothing demanded for them. Let all 
 u thefe articles be wrote out on the paper which they 
 " have fent." Which was accordingly done. 
 
 " It is likewile conditioned, that till this treaty is re- 
 * turned, figned and fea"!"J by the Governor of the Coun- 
 " cil, and feleft Comnritee, under the Company's 
 ct feal, and till Salie:te and the other countries be 
 " given up, the nephew of Captain Stewart and 
 "Mr. Fnrmerfhall remain in the Maratca - amp as hoit- 
 " ages for the due performance of the articles of this 
 <c treaty. The Englifh foldiers who have cfcaped with 
 <e their lives, faded for three days, and are now ia a mi- 
 ' ferable condition The Europeans ami S.epoys have 
 " all grounded their arms. On the i7th the treaty was 
 " fent to the Maratca camp. The articles were written in 
 48 Perfian, Marat ta, and Englifh, fealed with the Com- 
 " pany*s feal, and figned by Mr. Carnac and feven offi- 
 " ccrs. Aftrr this the Maratta Surdars fent ihem viftu- 
 tc als, which they needed much. The Englifli marched 
 " out, efcorted by 2000 Maratta hcrje ; but Roganautr 
 "Row, not finding a lucky hour, did not go to the 
 " Maratia camp, but will go after 12 o'clock to-mor- 
 ' row, &c. 3> 
 
 A. No.
 
 ( xxvi ) 
 A. No. V. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from SICCARAM PUiNDIT, 
 Prime-Minifler of the Pooruh Government, to Go- 
 vernor-General HASTINGS. Received in Bengal 
 
 the yth of December, 1778. 
 
 At the time when fome of the Company's Chiefs 
 were engaged in difpuies and hoftilities with the Chiefs 
 of this government, actuated by a wifh to promote the 
 good and happinefs of mankind in general, which fuf- 
 fered by thofe troubles, you interpofed your friendly 
 mediation, to remove the caufes of complaint, and to 
 put a flop to them-, and deputed Colonel Upton for 
 this purpofe, to the prefence of my mailer Scriminuft 
 Row, Row Pundit Pinkham, Pifhaw Saib. 
 
 At the time of the ratification of peace, I objected to 
 there being no perfon of rank and credit prefenc on the 
 part of the governor of Bombay ; to which the Ccionel 
 made anfwer, " That the Governor and Supreme Coun- 
 * l cil of Calcutta were inverted with authority over all 
 " fettlements of the Englifh Company, and that their 
 " acts were binding on the Chiefs of all the Englifh fet- 
 *' tlements." On the faith of this declaration, I made 
 peace between this Government and the Company's 
 Chiefs, and concluded a treaty ; but the Governor of 
 Bombay, has in every inftance of his conduct fince, ex- 
 cited troubles and commotions, in violation of the 
 ties of friendfliip ; and notwithstanding your exprefs 
 orders to expel Roganaut-Row from the Company's do- 
 minions, and to fettle all points between the two ftates, 
 in conformity to the treaty, he has performed nothing 
 thereof. And an envoy from the King of France arriv- 
 ing here with a letter, interefted perfons, and inventors 
 
 of
 
 ( xxvii ) 
 
 of falfhoods, conceiving this a lucky opportunity to 
 obtain credit to their lying reports, without examination 
 or reflection, represented it in the manner befl calcula- 
 ted to anfwer their malicious purpofes. 
 
 I call God to witnefs, that out of regard to the friend- 
 mip and alliance of the Company and the Englifh 
 chiefs, I difmiffed the faid Envoy, without negociating, 
 
 or even converfing with him. 1 have lately heard, 
 
 that fome of your people have hoftilely poffeffed them- 
 felves of the fort of Calpee, which belongs to this go- 
 vernment. This meafire is widely removed from the 
 faith of the folemn treaty executed by theEnglim. 
 
 When the governor of Bombay, in former times, 
 put on the mafk of friendfhip for the purpofes of de- 
 ceit, and aided the enemies of this government j re- 
 garding you, Sir, as fuperior to all other Chiefs, I made 
 peace and friendmip with you ; and thefe are the fruits 
 produced by this fiiendfhip. 
 
 Yon write tfiat the maintaining of friendfhip and 
 ftricl union between our refpective ftates, is your re- 
 folve. Is it in effect for the prefervaoion of friendfhip 
 that you trouble the dominions of this government ? 
 Such a mode of conduct is inconfiftent with the max- 
 ims and meafurcs of high, and illuftrious Chiefs. 
 
 It is muiually incumbent on us to preferve inviolate 
 the terms of ifi? treaty. Should any deviation arii'e 
 therein, they are effects of the will and difpenfau n 
 of God. 
 
 da A. No
 
 ( xxviii ) 
 A. No. VI. 
 
 From the fame. Received in Calcutta, the izth 
 
 December, 1778. 
 
 " I have been favoured with yonr letter under date 
 the 22d Frrmadee AfTamte (i/th July) on the fubj^et 
 cf the preservation and increafe of the friendfnip 
 between the two ftates, and intimating that it is 
 your firft refolve to maintain every article of the 
 treaty, fo long as it is adhered to by the Paiflhwa ; that 
 'the troops have been fent folely for the reinforcement of 
 the Settlement of Bombay -, and that the commanding 
 officer had ftricV injunctions to obferve fuch a con- 
 duit in every refpecl, as is confident with the friend- 
 Ihip fnbfifting ; that the feveral letters you have lately 
 received from this quarter, meaning from me, contain 
 a declaration to maintain the treaty of friendfliip be- 
 tween us ; yet that my having hitherto evaded to grant 
 'pafTes for the. march of the troops through the govern- 
 ment dominions, caufes you -great aftomfhment. That 
 if I ftill refufe to comply therewith, you are remedilefc, 
 and the blame will fall on me. This letter, containing 
 the above, and other particulars, which I mail no- 
 tice before I conclude, reached me on the 4th of 
 Shabann (28 Auguft) and afforded me great pleafure. 
 
 " It rs univerfally allowed, that there is nothing in 
 the world more excellent than friendship and harmony, 
 which are bleffings to mankind in general. The main- 
 tainance of every article of the treaty, is equally in- 
 cumbent on both parties. It is not ftipulated in 
 
 any article of the treaty, that either party may fend 
 forces through dominions of the other, without con- 
 fulting him beforehand, and caufe trouble and diftrefs 
 
 to
 
 ( xxix ) 
 
 to the people. To what rule of friendfhip can be 
 
 attributed the ftationing of garritons in the forts, and 
 making collections in the country of the other party.- 
 Wbat has happened^ is then agreeable to Englijh faith. 
 In proof of this, a/Tmion, be it obferved, that Co- 
 lonei Leflie, the Commanding Officer of the detach- 
 ment, has kept with him Ragonaut-Row's Vakeel, and, 
 in conjunction with him, collects .money from the do- 
 minions of the government, by intimidating its fub- 
 
 jects. This being the cafe, what becomes of your 
 
 affurances before recited, that the treaty mould be 
 fcrupuloufly adhered to, on your parts, fo long as it 
 was maintained by my matter ? or what degree of cre- 
 dit can be given thereto? 
 
 ." From time immemorial, no forces of the mari- 
 time European nations, have marched by land through 
 the dominions of the government : but the route of all 
 the trading and European nations has been by the 
 ocean. Nor is it ilipulated in the treaty, that the En- 
 glifh detachments (hall .have a paffage through the go- 
 vernment territories. Reflect maturely on this, and 
 then determine, on whofe fide the blame refts, 
 Thac'fuch unlooked-for ads mould proceed from you, 
 is a matter of the higheft aftonimment^ to think that 
 mighty and powerful Chiefs Ihould act in direct oppo- 
 
 Ction to the faith of their engagements.- You arc 
 
 pleafed to write, that if 'the Prefidency of Bombay, 
 fhall ftill continue to require the troops, you can in no 
 
 cafe, agree to recall them. The matter is briefly 
 
 thus. The King of England, and the Englifh 
 
 Company, have placed confidence in the Supreme 
 Council of Calcutta, and invefted it with authority 
 over all the other fettlements. The acts ' of 
 the Council of Calcutta are binding on the govern- 
 ment of all the Company's fettlements. Having given 
 
 this
 
 ( XXX ) 
 
 this afiurance, he propofed the form of a treaty, fuch 
 as the critical fituation of the times rendered necefiary. 
 You transmitted a treaty conformably thereto, under 
 
 the feal of the Engliih Company. Ic was from the 
 
 beginning, the earneft with of the government of 
 Bombay, that no friendly connections mould be tftab- 
 lifhed between the two ftates, and have been, ever fince, 
 ftriving to overfet it. And notwithftanding the con- 
 clufion of the treaty, they kept Ragoba with them. 
 How then, was it to be expected, that they mould re- 
 call their troops, which were difturbing the peace of 
 the government dominions ? It even appears, to a 
 conviction, that they perfuaded Ragoba to the mea- 
 fures he has purfued. How then does the fupreme 
 authority of the Council of Calcutta from the King of 
 England appear, fince the Chiefs cf the different fer- 
 tlements, do not regard engagements made by you, as 
 binding on them, but make no fcruple to break them ; 
 And you, Sir, paying no regard to your own acts, 
 take your meafures on the reprefentations of the go- 
 vernment of Bombay. This is indeed aftonifhing to 
 the higheft degree ! 
 
 It is the dictate of found policy that you withdraw 
 your troops to your own territory. This will be a 
 convincing proof of the fincerity of your friendlhip, 
 and will fpread the fame of your good faith, thiough- 
 out the univerfe. 
 
 From the commencement of the government of the 
 family of the Paifhwa, they have entered inro treaties 
 with many of the Chiefs of the Eaft and Weft, and 
 have never before experienced fuch a want of faith from 
 any one , nor, ever to the prefent time, deviated fron 
 their engagements, or been wanting to the duties of 
 friendfhip and alliance ; the blame refts with you. 
 
 The
 
 ( xxxi ) 
 
 The pacific difpofidon of the Maratta Court, and their 
 refufal to treat effectually with St. Lubin, will ap- 
 pear from the following paffage in a letter from the 
 Governor's friend, the Rajah of Berar. 
 
 A. No. VII. 
 
 I formerly intimated in my letters to Calcutta, the 
 purport of what the PoonaH Minifters wrote to me, 
 That they neither had, nor would have, any friend- 
 fliip or connexion with the French nation ; and that 
 the French agent came to Poonah, folely for the pur- 
 pofes of trade ; and that out of friendfhip to the En- 
 glilh they had fent him away ; that I mould therefore 
 write to the Nabob Amand-ul-Dowla, (meaning the 
 Governor General ) to be perfectly fatisfied with re- 
 fpect to them, they being fteady to their engagements. 
 
 Narrative
 
 The Out Lines of the Rohilla 
 War. 
 
 THE extenfive rich provinces called Rohil-cund, in- 
 habited by a nat'on dillinguifhed under the appella- 
 tion of the Rohilla's, is placed, for the molt part, in that- 
 beautiful and fertile Cue which extends between the two 
 great rivers, Ganges and Jumna, from the boundary 
 of Corah to the confines of Agra and Delhi ; it occu- 
 pies a large diftricr. of country on the North fide of the 
 Ganges, reaching Eaftward to r he Provinces of Oude, 
 and to uninhabited mountains Northward , and it crof- 
 fes the Jumna between Agra and De>bi. The reve- 
 nues, without oppreffion, exceeded two Crores of 
 Rupees annually, (two millions Engiifh; and their mi- 
 litary eftablimment of cavalry and infantry, were about 
 eighty thoufand ; a brave warlike race. The body 
 of the people were compofed of Hin loos, of a ft at u re, 
 complexion, cohftttution, and diipofr.ioi, infinitely 
 fuperior to thofe of the lower countries ; bu: the fate 
 of war procured to a fet of marial Patan Mahome- 
 dans, an abfolute dominion under the denomination 
 of Chiefs or Rajahs. As they were numerous, fing'e 
 chiefships were not powerful, but united as branches 
 fproutingfrom the fame flock, and in a common caufe, 
 they were always deemed formidable. 
 
 Thefe people lived on good terms with, and bore 
 loyal attachment to the Emperor of Hindofhn. The 
 proximity of their Southern provinces, expofed them 
 often to the ravages and depredatory incurfions of the 
 
 Marattas.
 
 C 2 ) 
 
 Marattas. To thefe depredations, may all their mif- 
 fortunes be afcribed, which furniflied* a pretext to the 
 afpiring ambition and reftlefs impetuofity of Sujah-ul 
 Dowla, the Vizier of the Empire, and Nabob of Oude, 
 to ufurp the dominion of a country, vvhofe wealth, 
 power, and vicinity would ferve him as afcending fteps 
 to mount the Imperial Throne of Delhi. He artfully in- 
 linuated to the Rohilla Chiefs, that he was defirous to 
 enter into an alliance with them, and to affift againft 
 the Marrattas, as a common enemy; but as they were 
 to reap the chief benefit, it was proper that a fubfidy 
 fhould be paid for the fervices which his troops were to 
 perlorm on remote expeditions. He had, previous 
 to this meafure, caufed Mahomed Kouli Khan, the 
 Nabob of Illiabad and Corah, to be bafely afiafiinated 
 when at his religious devotion, and then he uiurped the 
 dominion of his country, and thus brought his own 
 provinces clofe home to thofe Rohilla provinces, which 
 were die fields of plunder and rapine to the flying Mar- 
 rat! a parties. 
 
 The Rohilla Chiefs, although they knew and fufp< (fl- 
 ed his general character, doubted not his frncerity on 
 an occation, which evidently accommodated himfelf, 
 and they confented to pay Sujah-ul-Dowla forty Lacks 
 of Rupees, if he would fend a powerful army immedi- 
 ately to join their forces, in repelling and driving the 
 Marratt a marrauders out of their country. The Mar- 
 ratta's availing themfelves of the Vizier's (low move- 
 ments, and in the fecurity which thepromifed fuccours 
 from the Vizier had created in the Rohilla Chiefs, even 
 to a relaxation of the necefiary precaution, renewed their 
 incurfions and depredations wi:h redoubled fury and 
 alacrity, and with too much iuccefs ; fo that the Com- 
 pany's troops under the command of Sir Robert Barker, 
 e on
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 on the part of the Vizier, only entered the Rohilla 
 country, for its defence, after all the mifchief had been 
 irretrieveably perpetrated. The Rohilla Chiefs were, 
 by that means, fo reduced in their finances, that befides 
 mildly ftating the non-performance of central by 
 Sujah-ul-Dowla, they were obliged by necefiiry to dffirtf 
 arefpite in the complete payment of whar he would be 
 found to have any equitable claim- to, by periodical 
 inftallments, and propofcd to make the prefidency of 
 Fort William the fole judges thereof-, as all overtures 
 were refufed, they at length yielded to the meafure of 
 paying the whole original fpecific fum, upon condition 
 of accommodating them with fach rcafonable terms, 
 fuited to the reduced flared in which the late Marrata 
 iocurfions, and the Nabob's own dilatory obiei-vance of 
 the treaty, had left their countries. 
 
 This was the indentical object of the Vizier's policy-, 
 and it is not inconfiflent with his ambition, treachery, 
 and brutality, to fufpect and believe, that he had his 
 emiflarks arnongft the Marrattas, to ftimulate and ex- 
 cite then) to commit the late depredation, upon a pro- 
 mife from him, that his armies, nctwi.hftandins; the 
 treaty he had concluded with the Rohilla Chiefs, fhould 
 not obftruft their operations, until the year following, 
 imagining, as it happened, that the pleas of neceffiry 
 and equity, on che part of the Rohilla Chiefs, would 
 furnifh him with pleas for inftant heftility and exter- 
 mination. 
 
 Matters were in this (late of fufpence, when Mr. 
 Haftings and his Councjl, refolved on a Committee of 
 Circuit to iettle the revenues, adjuft the adminiftration 
 of the Dewannee, and liquidate other commercial and 
 revenue concerns in the provinces of Bengal and Ba- 
 
 har a
 
 C 4 3 
 
 bar, and with Sujah-ul-Dowla, about the middle of the 
 year 1773. A rupture, artfully contrived, feparated 
 the Members of Circuit on the day of their departure 
 from Calcutta, and ic fell to the pre-concerted lot of 
 IVJr. Ha(Hngsy0/fl, to tune the inftrument, correct the 
 mufical meafures, and harmonize the difcordant fa- 
 culties of the Vizier Sujah-ul-Dowla; The Go- 
 vernor repaired to Benaras, the field of action, char- 
 ged with difcretionary powers in relation to matters of 
 trade, and adjudment of the fubfidy. There were fe- 
 veral Members of Council, Sir Robert Barker the 
 Commander in Chief of the army, and feveral fenior 
 fervants of the Company, either by appointment, or in 
 fuite, at that time, in Benaras. But fecret deeds 
 diilike the light ; and upon the principles of the 
 negociation between the Governor and the Vizier, ic 
 would have been impolitic and dangerous in ine ex- 
 treme, to have had afliftants or wunefles. Sir Robert 
 Barker, refen:ed the indignity offered to his military 
 and civil ftations in the Company's fervice, and as a 
 man of probity, who fee a proper value on the faith 
 and honor of his nation, reprobated the treaty, as un- 
 juft, and dishonourable, which appears upon the public 
 minuets of Council after their return to Calcutta. 
 The prefence and names of thefe gentlemen were only 
 made ufe of, to witnefs the execution, and interchange- 
 able delivery of the public articles of the treaty, upon 
 the 1 8th September 1773. There were ojiers of a 
 much more intricate nature, not proper to be promul- 
 gated, referved for the influence which the Governor's 
 return, and improved condition, to the prefidency, 
 could only bring to bear by his real prefence in Coun- 
 cil, the ad of Council being found indifpenfible to 
 give it efficacy. 
 
 c* By
 
 . ( 5 ) 
 
 By this fublk treaty, the Vizier was to be mveilr.i, 
 (and immediately to poffefs, as an eflate in perpetuity,-) 
 with the Emperor's rightsto theprovihcesof IlSiabad and 
 Corah, which had been folemnlyiecnreJ to him by feve- 
 ral facred treaties in 1765, and ratified by the Company 
 openlv, and impliedly by the nation ; for this bold con- 
 cefifion, he was to give the Company forty lacks of Ru- 
 pees, as a confidf ration for a perpetual revenueof 45 lacks, 
 under a wife adminiftration ; and the tribute of 26 
 Lacks to the Emperor, from the Nabobftiip of Bengal, 
 was, by thefe two Contractors, declared to have been 
 forfeited from the a8th February 1772, except two 
 fums which the Vizier, and NucljiffCawn (a colleague 
 on this occafion) pretended to claim as a private debt 
 from the King to them, both amounting 10^.92,800 
 (lerling. 
 
 The firft part of the fecret treaty which tranfpired, 
 confufedly, cautioufly, and by piece- meal, fevcral 
 months thereafter, contained the barbarous and {hock- 
 ing tragedy, which a Britifh Commander in Chief, and 
 ^n army officered by Britifh fubjects, and paid by the 
 Britifh Eafl India Company, were made to aft, in maf- 
 i^cringand exterminating a whole nation, diftinguifhed 
 in Hindoftan for many foperior quaiiucadons, and 
 putting ^ujah ul-Dowla in the full po(Tefiion of their 
 country, he paying the Company for the inhuman ufe 
 of ^hefr mercenaries, the paultry pittance, (in propor- 
 tion to the annual revenue, and of the plunder,- or 50 
 lackc of Rupees, C as a ballam to their wounded con- 
 IcienciesJ by four annual inftallments. 
 
 It is not very conf.flent, with human ideas to con- 
 ceive, far lefs to believe implicitly, that Mr. Haftings 
 could have formed fo firm and iniuperable an attach- 
 ment,
 
 ( 6 ) 
 
 merit, or perfonal friendlhip for a prince whofe chata^- 
 trr was univerfally obnoxious, a perfect ftranger to him, 
 and who had received into his bofom (joined with them 
 as the- Company's enemies) thofe perfcns who, not long 
 before, had inhumanly and perfidiouQy butchered in 
 cold blood, his own colleagues and moft intimate 
 friends and companions, the members of the Council 
 of Patna, and others; his fecret motives or gratifica- 
 tions are fubjects of fufpicion, but they are obfcured 
 beyond th'-' reach of legal proof. Every virtue that can 
 dignify humanity, were the wanton offerings to gratify the 
 ambition and knguinirythirlt of the moftfavage of his fpe- 
 cics. He engaged deliberately in an unnatural, un- 
 provoked. 
 
 That Sujah-ul-Dowla mould have protected and befriended 
 Collim Alii Cawn and Sombro, the murderers of Meflrs. Hay, 
 Ellis, Chambers, &c. will not be a matter of furprize, after the 
 limple relation of the two following anecdotes, out of a hundred 
 
 more. Captain H r, who was in the Company's fervice, 
 
 and alfo in the Vizier's, had a boat with fome merchandize, 
 {lopped by the Revenue Officers, for want of the proper permit,. 
 Without iufpecling any tragical confequence, he mentioned it to 
 
 the Vizier. He was awaked at middle-night, and the head of 
 
 the Phouzdar, (chief Magtftrate) of the diftrift, prefented to 
 him in a baiket. A circumitance which fliocked Captain H r 
 to that degree, that he fcarce recovered his fpirits while in India. 
 
 Colonel G d, hunting one day in Rohikund, fome vil- 
 lagers whofe hogs were killed by the dugs, threw a Hick at one 
 
 of the dogs.- The Colonel came to Sir R. B r's tent, 
 
 where the Vizier was at breakfaft, and accidently mentioned 
 the trifling circumftance. The Vizier whifpered to one of his 
 attendants, and before the breakfaft was over, the attendant re- 
 turned and informed the Vizier, that the village was destroyed, 
 and man, woman, and child, put to thefword.
 
 C 7 ) 
 
 provoked, cruel war, to deftroy an unoffending, i 
 ftrous people, to whom the fame mercenary arms had 
 yielded fuccour, and friendly relief the preceding year. 
 He facrificed the facred inherent rights of the Empe- 
 ror, to raife the Emperor's own fervant and fubjrdt,' by 
 an aft of open rebellion and high treafon. He vio- 
 lated the- fokmn treaties, upon which all ihe claims to 
 trade, and the territorial revenues, accorded to the Com- 
 pany and nation, are founded and eftablifhed, to the 
 fame unwarrantable purpofts. He withdrew the tri- 
 bute, which conftituted the fole legal and political 
 confideration for the Company's pretenfions to the De- 
 wannee, and the rights of the Britifh nation, without 
 consulting vvirh his condiments, or his council, and a- 
 gainft a ratified treaty, and ceded the Emperor's own 
 provinces of Illiabad and Corah, to the Emperor's own 
 minifter, a mere temporary officer, removeable at his 
 pleafure.- He, even, with an alTurance and in- 
 decency, fcarce to be equalled, avows, that the un- 
 authorized treaty of Benares, and the fecret conditions, 
 which were only known to the two negociators, and 
 not even committed to paper, were, to all intents and 
 purpofes, binding and obligatory on the Company; 
 and in particular, he aiTerted, that the general tenor of 
 the treaty, implied a pofitive obligation on the Com- 
 pany, to fecure the Muihud to Sujah-ul-Dowla and his 
 posterity, in the undifturbed poiTefiion of the Nabobfhip 
 of Oude, together with the countries ufurped by the 
 Jacrilegious murder of Mahomed Kouli Khan, and the 
 treaty of Benaras; although in the fame breath he ac- 
 knowledges, that at the time of making the concef- 
 fions, he had declared to the Vizier, That he was ac- 
 ting and consenting to tneafu-res againft the peremptory 
 
 orders of bis jupenors. Ail thefe are conceptions and 
 
 conccaions, of fo extravagant and prepofterous a na- 
 ture,
 
 nire, fo foreign to the utmoft extenficn of the Com- 
 panys' power, and fo fhamehil and inglorious to the 
 Bfitiih nation, that the iniquitous and inhuman pur- 
 pofes exprefled in them, are fufHcienr, in the eye of 
 reafon, as well as law, to declare the whole null 'and 
 void from the beginning-, and that nothing Ids, than 
 the vileft profticution of tru.ft could have produced 
 furh a treaty,- or dared to avow fo abfurd and impudent 
 a conilrudion upon it. 
 
 Mr. Baitings contrived, to bring the majority of his 
 Council, to approve the public treaty, and his fubfequent 
 equivocations and fophiitry in Council, concerning the 
 'Jecret conditions ftipulated between the Vizier and him- 
 f-lr, in relation to the conqueft of the Rohilla-pro 
 vince-s demonftratcd beyond a doubt, that he thought 
 them of a texture and complexion, not proper for pub- 
 lic difquifit'on.- - This allegation, as well as private 
 confederations for the facrificcs in queftion, are pretty 
 "diftinclly implied in the appointment of a Refident at 
 the Vizier's Court, where none had before been deemed 
 neceliary, upon his own fpecial motion, claiming, 
 authoritatively, an independent right to appoint 
 and recall the propofed Refident, of his own fret: 
 will and mere motion ; that fuch Refident (hall be 
 confidered as his ( the Governor's ) private agent 
 and correfpond only with mm, - Mr. Haftings's 
 minutes and report upon the occafion, are to the 
 following piirpofe, and nearly literal. " "That it was 
 *' my mention to convince the Vizier , that in his concerns^ 
 "*&ith the Ccwpanv, the immediate dependence was ttpon 
 *' the Governor alone* and to eftablijh a direft corrcjpon- 
 dwce, between him and myfdf> without any interven- 
 J - Could Mr. Waitings have adopted a furer 
 
 axim or language,- or after ted a ftronger line -of in- 
 
 fluence, 
 
 jn
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 fluence, to obtain an Aiiatic recompence ? 
 
 He then propofed, " To appoint a perfon for tranf- 
 " acting luch matters of correfpondence and co:n- 
 ** munication with the Vizier, as he* (the Governor) 
 "Jhall think -proper to entruft to his manag-:;ntnt ; 
 " and he offers it, frankly, as his opinion, that if the 
 <6 Board fhall entruft him with the fate nomination of fu.ch 
 * 6 a Refident, and the power of recalling him whenever hs 
 " fleajes, it may be attended with good effetts, but not other- 
 41 >//." What conftruction can be put on iuch decla- 
 rations, recorded on the Companys* own proceedings, 
 but that the refult of the vifit to Sujah-ul-DowU, h id 
 placed the author, beyond the reach and power of his 
 employers ?- The confidential inftrudions to the P -ii- 
 dent,andthecorrefpondence with him and Colonel Cham- 
 pion, corroborate thefe furmifes in pretty dir^rt terms. 
 By the inttruclions to Mr. Middleton, the Refident, he 
 exprefsly " forbids any European, whether Eiigiiih or 
 " not, civil or military, in or out of the Companys* 
 * c fervice, on any pretext, to vifit the Vizier, or the Ra- 
 *' jah CheytSing, but particularly the Vizier , not even 
 *' the European Officers in the Vizier's own fervice, ex- 
 " cept the Commander in Chief." As Mr. Haft- 
 ings obtained for the Rajah Cheyt-Sing, the Zemmdary 
 of the Provinces of Benaras Gnazi^ore, &c. and to bis 
 pofterityi for 22-7 lacks of Rupees yearly rent, it may be 
 fuppoled, that the ion and heir of the rich Rajah Bui- 
 want Sing, was alfo very liberal to his friend and 
 benefactor; and therefore the prohibition to Eu- 
 ropean vifitors, was a neceflary meafure of pru- 
 dent policy. Mr. Haftings having written a 
 
 private letter to Sujah ul Dowla, without any commu- 
 nication, as ufual, through the Refident ; the jealoufy, 
 or the fears of Mr. Middleton were roufed, and he col- 
 kfted refolution enough to complain with ipmc bit-. 
 
 ternefs
 
 t 10 ) 
 
 ternefs of the flight and di&dence which it. implied, in 
 a letter to Mr. Haftings, dated the 4th June, 1774., 
 wherein he fays, " that 'having exprefled his uneafi- 
 41 nefs to the Vizier, he was told by him, that it was 
 " ttoly a private complimentary letter" - And Colonel 
 Champion, in & private letter to the Governor, before 
 their quarrel, dated 3oth May, 1774, ufes thefe very 
 fufpicious and deep-meaning expreflions. 
 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " In confequence of what patted between us at 
 ** parting, I have mencioned Colonel Upton's claim to 
 " the Nabob, and requefted he would be kind enough 
 " to difcharge it. His Excellency was v$ry concife in bis 
 " reply * that b& bad fettled all money matters with Mr. 
 
 What can be inferred from this, but that Mr. Haft- 
 ings, had undertook to fhut up all private claims and 
 applications. And the reiterated ftreuuous endeavours, 
 of Mr. Haftings, by uncommon application, and indi- 
 rect infinuaiions, to prevail on Colonel Champion to dif* 
 mifs from his fervice as Banyan, the very faithful and 
 intelligent Collychurn, while upon the expedition, be- 
 trays a dread of his difcovering, in the courfe of bufi- 
 nefs, and negotiations with the army, and at Luck- 
 now, the fecret fprings which led to the treaty of 
 Benaras. A Mr. Hall, whofe addrefs and 
 
 management had procured him a general intercourfe 
 with the natives of condition, in and about the Vizier's 
 court, and metropolis, having come down to Calcutta, 
 fomewhat involved, and finding no method to get ex- 
 tricated, bethought him of communicating the out- 
 lines of certain pieces of private knowledge, to a con- 
 fidential friend of Mr. H ; declaring that in 
 
 f his
 
 ( II ) 
 
 his prefent diftrefs, if he was not relieved, he muft be 
 under thenecefiity of laying his mind open to General 
 Clavering : It had the in nded effect, his debts were 
 forthwith paid But Mr. Hall wifely faid, -that he muft 
 have future fubfiftence, and more money for immedi- 
 ate ufe ; he received an order on Coffirnbazar for 
 jprefent fupply, and an appointment at Futtigur, upon 
 exprrfs condition of going mftamlv, and remaining 
 there, to execute it in perfon. 
 
 Colonel Champion was appointed to the command of 
 the Company's troops, on an expedition, near 1500 
 miles by water conveyance up the country, againft the 
 Roh ilia's, with peremptory orders to be directed in 
 all his motions and actions by the Vizier, Suja-ul- 
 
 Dowla, whofe commands he' was implicitly to obey on 
 all oc -afions. The Colonel put himtelf accordingly, 
 at the head of the army, and took the field, under the 
 abfoiute command of a prince, whofe object was fa- 
 vagebarbiirifm and inhumanity, and who wanted man- 
 ly courage to hazard, either his own perfon, his army, 
 or even his arrillery in action, to fecure thefuccefs of 
 
 what he was ib folicitoufly ambitious to obtain. r 
 
 The fatal battle was fought, upon the 23d day of April, 
 
 1774, which imquitoufly decided the melancholy fate 
 "of the brave, indnilrous, populous, and inorfenfive Ro- 
 
 hilla -nation ; at a time that Sujah-ul-Dowla, withdrew, 
 with his army, artillery, and baggage, to a diftance of 
 feveral miles from the field of action: Nay, he 
 
 pofitively refufed to the application of Colonel Cham- 
 pion, a part of his cavalry in order to attack the 
 enemy at a certain quarter, to which the numbers of 
 
 "the Company's troops could not extend without iuimi- 
 rent danger to the whole -, and he alfo pointedly re- 
 
 "fufed to ipare a few pieces of his anillery, to fcrve in 
 
 another
 
 ( II ) 
 
 inoihet very neeeiTary quarter. Thefe refufals, created 
 uneafy fufpicions in Colonel Champion's mind, of ioul 
 treachery on the pare of the Vizier, in cafe the luccels 
 of the day favoured the Rohillas, which would place 
 ihe vanquifhed army between a victorious enemy, and a 
 treacherous friend. Such an idea might not be waited 
 to animate the Bricifh General, but it might have pufhed 
 him to a determined refolution, to conquer, or fall. 
 The Company's brave General and their troops, unaf- 
 fifted, gained adecifive, but in truth adilgraceful, vic- 
 tory. Their artillery were fojudicioufly ftadoned and 
 pointed, that to the immortal honor of the brave Ro- 
 hillas, it wajs afierted, they left 4000 men lying dead 
 upon the field, before they retreated. 
 
 The furviving Chiefs, farrendered at difcretion to 
 the victorious army, and were delivered into the hands 
 of Sujuh-ul-Dowla, except Fyzulla Cawn, who fled to 
 the mountainous psrt of his country, by which means 
 he was able to ftipulate conditions, yielding up his 
 ramp and towns as plunder to the Vizier, but he could 
 not, notwithstanding, obtain fuch, other terms, as were 
 cenfiftent with either policy or humanity. The other 
 Chief's were forced, together with their families, to fub- 
 irfit to the moft difgraceful imprifonment, and themoft 
 mortifying and humiliating treatment; their Zenanas, 
 which are facred fanftuaries in India, even againft the 
 v iolences and outrages of favages, were plundered, and 
 the wives, daughters, and lifters of princes were vio- 
 lated and abufed. Children under pubeny were facri- 
 ficed to the luft of an old diftempered debauchee. Some 
 
 Ihocking circuaiftances have been alledged. The 
 
 plunder received into the poiTeffion of the Vizier, 
 
 has been eftimated at a crore and a half of Rupees, or 
 
 i , :oo.,oo/\ fterling ; and yet to this hour, or the be- 
 
 f 2 ginning
 
 ( 13 } 
 
 ginning of the current year, 1780, ao lacks 6o6oS 
 Kcp-es, part of the fubfidy due for this conqueft, are 
 yet owing to the Company, befides ten Lacks promifed 
 as a donation to the army, in lieu of the plunder, which 
 lie had treafured to his own ufe. 
 
 It is conjectured, that about 500 thoufand induftrious 
 hufbandmen and artifts, who were alfo, for the moft 
 parr, able warriors, together with their families, were 
 deliberately driven, openly, over the Jumna, to re- 
 ceive an afylum from their late enemies and plunderers, 
 the Marrattas. Fyzulia Cawn was obliged to con- 
 dition, that he mould not entertain more than 5000 
 perfons under his dominion.- The latter end of 1777, 
 under the vague pretence that Fyzulla's country was 
 flourishing, and becoming more populous thao was 
 ftipulated, by treaty, Mr. Middleton, as the 
 Company's Refident at LucKnow, in concert 
 \vith hii friends and protectors at the prefidency, with- 
 out any notification to the Supreme Board, or aflung 
 their co'nfent, undertook to delegate Mr. Daniel Bar- 
 well, as an ambailador to the quiet, timid, Fyzulia 
 Cawn, who, wrapt up in his garment of innocence, fuf- 
 pected nothing lels than a charge of violating the com- 
 pact, or the prefence of an European ambaffador, to 
 adjuft the imaginary violation. It is faid, that although 
 the allegation appeared to have been without founda- 
 tion, the minifter found the means of procuring, by 
 way. of efcort back to Lucknow, feveral Elephants and 
 Camels, loaded with eight to ten Lacks of Rupees in 
 fpecie. 'The minute of Mr. Francis,, upon the occa- 
 caOon of the Governor General's motion, to approve 
 the proceedings, as expedient, on the pth March 1778, 
 is worthy of the fpace it occupies upon record. 
 
 He,
 
 He, (Mr. Francis,) calls it, " One of the grofleft 
 *' pieces of management he met with in India. Mr. 
 * Daniel Harwell quits his ftation at Benaras without 
 ' .Irave, and goes to Lucknow without leave; Mr. Mid- 
 <c dleton inftantly difcovers, that Fyzulla Cawn is car- 
 " rying on fome defign prejudicial to the intcreft of the 
 Ci Nabob, and that the Nabob gives caufe for fuch de- 
 " figns, by his treatment of his fu ejects ; at the fame 
 '* time, that nothing is more notorious, than chattheNa- 
 <; bob, has no more power in his own country, than he 
 " (Mr. Francis) has. To put a flop to chefe effects,. 
 " which mutual jealoufies muft produce, a treaty mutt 
 " be made, the guarantee of the Company muft be 
 *' given, and Mr. Daniel Barwell finds himfelfvery op- 
 t{ port nely, at Lucknow, ready to execute the com- 
 4t million.'* 
 
 The Rohilla Provinces are now a barren wafte, and 
 almoft totally delerted by their remaining inhabitants. 
 The Chiefs, or their children, are continued in the moft 
 miferable (late of confinement, deprived of the com- 
 mon necefiaries of life. As the proceedings of the 
 Supreme Council fn Calcutta, in 1775 and 1776, are 
 printed, many of the particulars will appear in them, 
 and in the letters of Colonel Champion, and other pa- 
 pers having relation to that barbarous meafure. The 
 remarker, having only his memory to recur to, is Jefs 
 pertect in the detail than he would wilh to be, be- 
 caufe the anr.als of that hiftory require public invefti- 
 gation, by the nation whole arms ftained its fame and 
 glory with indelible imprtflions, which cry aloud for 
 juftice, reparation, and exemplary punifhoient. 
 
 Narrative
 
 ( '5 ) 
 
 Narrative of Proceedings in the Ordnance 
 Department, and in the Office of 
 Military Store-keeper. 
 
 AN accurate enquiry into the application of military 
 itores, will bring peculationsof magnitudeinto pub- 
 lic view, either committed by direcl: authority, or un- 
 der a coUufioir of high authority, which is the more 
 dangerous in its conilquences, by being lets fufpefted. 
 Military fiores comprehend fo large a portion of the 
 Company's capital, that the Directors have long la- 
 boured to develops from the cloud of intricacies which 
 obfcured from their knowledge, the real value, as well 
 as the reguiar expenditure and application thereof. 
 To this judicious end, they pointedly inftrufted and 
 enjoined their prefidencies in India, and particularly 
 in their feveral generai letters to Bengal, under dates, 
 j 7th June, 1748, paragraphs 8 to 17 inclufivc, 7th 
 April, 1773, paragraph 4 and 5, and 7th January, 
 1774, paragraph 9. By thefe letters, the Company 
 folemnly created the oftenfible department of military 
 Store keeper ', on the abolition of, and to fupercede the 
 office of gunner and gun-roem crew : the office to be 
 executed by a covenanted fervant,* who was to receive 
 from the gunner, and to retain in future in bis aftual 
 
 is fpe 
 
 and charge, and under his fpecial care (ftanding 
 accountable out of his own private eftate for all de- 
 ficiencies) all the ordnance, carriages, arms, powder, 
 ihot, (hells, tools, instruments, ftores, and habiliments 
 
 of 
 
 * The limitation to a covenanted fervant was clearly meant to 
 preclude military officers from that truft.
 
 of war whatfoever ; to have charge of the gun-room^ and 
 different magazines, and places where military Jlons were, 
 or Jhould be depofited; with a (pedal and peremptory in- 
 junRion as to tin mode, of keeping the frusral btoks and ac- 
 ccmpts of bis office, as well with rtfpefl to the receipt s y and 
 iffuesof allftores, having relation in any degree, tothefer- 
 vice of war \ whether at the prefdcncy, orfubordinaiefet- 
 tlements, or ex flip-board, transmitting copies annually, 
 with explanatory obfervations, to the Court of Direc- 
 tors j and requiring obedience from him to the com- 
 mands of the Governor and Council, who, only, mould 
 iiave authority to order the receipt and delivery of Itores, 
 after the quality f had been certified by the Major and 
 next officer of artillery. Ordaining alib, as a branch of 
 the Store-keeper's duty, that he take care to prevent the 
 (lores receiving avoidable damage, and to keep them 
 from time to time in repair j that ftores appropriated 
 occafionally for immediate expenditure, mall, ofity be 
 delivered to the feperate charge and cuftody of the 
 Direffor of the Labrotary (now denominated Commiffary 
 cf flares.) And that all applications for fupplifs, iilues, 
 and payments, mall pafs through the military Store- 
 keeper, to the Governor and Council, for their war- 
 rant to accompliih it. 
 
 To the fame ends, and in proper obedience to the 
 commands of che Court of Dire&ors, it appears by -a 
 letter upon record, from Claud Ruflfel, Efq ; military 
 Store-keeper to the commifTary of ftores, on the 26th 
 July, 1 768, that from a firm belief of abufes committed 
 
 /* 
 
 
 
 . _ 
 
 4- The quality and not the quantity on application, is alone to be 
 certified, this confirms the check intended to be invariably pre- 
 ferred, overthe military interfering in a line, meant >o be civ!. 
 
 '
 
 ( '7 ) 
 
 in the magazines by the embezzlement of ftcres, it was 
 neceflary to compell aftrift obfervanceof the eftablijhed 
 regulation of the military Store-keeper's office, which 
 regulations were for fi;nilar good purpofes, and like- 
 wife to preferve the conflitutional authority, fuper-in- 
 tendency, and efTential check of the Store-keeper (on 
 the 24th January, and loth February, 1774,) claimed 
 and exerciled by the Honourable Charles Stewart, the 
 then military Store-keeper, in letters to the board of 
 infpection ; and effectually eftablifhed, by a refolution 
 of, and notice from the Board, to Mr. Stewart of the 
 latter date; which he accordingly communicated offi- 
 cially, to the commiflary of ftores, on the i7th of the 
 fame month. 
 
 By a ftudied violation of thefe wife, falut.'.ry, and po- 
 fitive inftitutions, it may be made to appear, that ftores, 
 to a very confiderable amount, have been deficient, and 
 commanded to be wrote off, the expenditure of which 
 doth not appear in any record, or any formal enquiry 
 into thecaufes.^f That the department created by the 
 Court of Directors, to controul iffues and difburfe- 
 ments, and to be refponfible for ftores depofited, is, 
 in effeftj abolimed, apparently for the purpofe of abufe, 
 in all fenfes, and by all means, with impunity.. The 
 oftenfible office of Stote- keeper, is rendered ineffectual, 
 
 and 
 
 ft See the Store-keeper's letter of O&ober 177$, concerning 
 cartouch-boxes, &c. and the deficiencies on the iurvey in 1779, 
 abftracted in feveral minutes and letters in this narrative. 
 
 See the Governor General's minutes abftrafted throughout 
 this narrtive, particularly in October 1778, a^th February, 8th 
 July, and igth Auguft, 1779; and Colonel Watibn's of the $th 
 Jin\iiry 1780.
 
 and declared nominal^ by the heads of adminiftration, 
 while the fole power of indents, receipt?, ifTues, and ap- 
 . plications, is veftcd in the perfon, who, in the very 
 terms of the confolidated charge, ought not to have 
 it.* The Store- keeper, (acovenaHttdcivilfewarit)) 
 having neither the power of creating demands for 
 fupplies, nor to apply them when iffued. Whereas, 
 the CommiiTary, in whom partiality-^ has vetted the 
 .accumulated power before mentioned, by holding alfb 
 the fecond rank and command in the artillery corps, 
 however fair and unexceptionable his conduct: and 
 character in private life, pofieffes in this public inftance, 
 the incomparable privilege or indulgence, of creating 
 wants, indenting for fupplies, fuinifhing many of 
 them and their expenditure, if he chufes to exercife the 
 complicated veftiture improperly. J The names and 
 denominations of ftores, and the mode of keeping the 
 accompts were mutilated, feemingly for the purpofe of 
 perplexing, and to counteract the orders of the Direc- 
 tors, as the means of deception with facility, to cover 
 g and 
 
 ^_ 
 
 * See abftradb of the Governor's minutes, on the 
 October 1778, 35th February, 8th July, and igth July, 1779, 
 and thole of Mr. Francis, and Mr. Wheler in reply. 
 
 ; 
 
 ' f The application of the word partiality, has been justified on 
 many occalions. One inftance may ferve to judge of.-othe~rs by. 
 Flints are rated in the Store-keeper's agency at 10 per thoufand, 
 and he had abundance ready to depoiit when wanted ; Colonel 
 Green, the Commifiary was nevertheless contracted with, and 
 he fupplied them into ilore, at the advance price of 40 Rupreje? 
 per thoufand. 
 
 \ See abftrafts from Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler's minutes, 
 of 8th July, and igth Auguft 1779,
 
 and difguife deficiencies. The Store-keeper was 
 ordered to defift from keeping books in his office, 
 which conftituted an effential blanch of the check over 
 receipts and expenditures, and at laft he was ftripped 
 of the only remaining, and equally effential controul, 
 "which., a joint lock and key with the CommifTary, gave 
 him over the {lores.* Pofitive orders, and pointed in- 
 ftruflions were infracted, and difobeyed with con- 
 tempt, and the contempt attempted to be juftified upon 
 the Company s' own record. -J- In-direct menaces, and 
 infmuations of difmilTion, were uttered in terrorem, to 
 prevent the faithful difcjaarge of public duty, and ob- 
 ftru&ion to favorite, but deftruftive meafures.J Arms 
 fit for aRualfervice^ and others reparable, were fent out 
 of ftore (at a period of danger, and when the arfenal 
 was very incomplete) as totally unferviceable, without 
 furvey, or the authority of the controuling Board, and 
 without the knowledge or concurrence of the military 
 Store-keeper. Serviceable arms were in like manner 
 converted into fhip's kentledge, and rendered for ever 
 unferviceable.\\ 
 
 Thefe 
 
 See Companys' records, Board of Ordnance, obfervations 
 by the Secretary on the furvey, and the Store-keeper's expla- 
 nations. 
 
 * Seethe fubfequent abftra&s in this narrative. 
 
 - -J See abftracls from minutes in this narrative. 
 
 J See the abflrafts of minutes by Mr. Haftings, the 8th July, 
 i^lh Auguft, and September, 1779, in the fubfequent 
 
 narrative. 
 
 See abftraft from Mr. Livius letter, ayth November, 1779. 
 
 a Seethe letters of Mr. Secretary Auriol, Mr.. Livius, and 
 Mr. Petrie.
 
 . Thefe cenfufes, being of a ferious nature, call for 
 fome evidence to fecure a degree of faith, if not accord- 
 ing to the very Uriel: letter and practice of the courts 
 of law in all cafes, at leaft to carry ample conviction to 
 the minds of the public. With this view, however 
 tedious it may prove in the recital, the only doctrin<; 
 propofed, will be abftracted from the Companys* own 
 records, which will at the fame time ferve as a concife 
 narrative of the ftrange proceedings, on a fubject fo 
 materially important to the Englifh Eaft India Com- 
 pany. 
 
 1 
 
 The general letters recited at the beginning of this 
 enquiry, (1748, 17731 and 1774,) ihew the principles 
 on which the military Store-keeper's department was 
 conftituted, diftinguifh the official duty and refpon- 
 fibility of the officer, direct the mode of keeping the 
 books and accompcs of his office, and apply injunctions 
 concerning reparable and, irreparable /fores. 
 
 By a regulation of the Board of Ordnance, the 
 June, 1775, to prevent inconveniences and impedi- 
 ments in the emiffion of daily flores, the charge and re- 
 fponfibility of fuch, as the Commiffary Jhould indent for, 
 and receive from the Store-keeper for tbc ufe of the Commif* 
 farfs office, mail be veiled in the CommifTary alone, 
 being accountable to the Store-keeper, &c, for the ap- 
 plication and expenditure of them.* 
 
 In the proceedings of the Board of Infpectfon, on 
 
 the 25th September, 6th November, and i9th Decem- 
 
 g 2 Iber 
 
 * See the proceedings previous to this resolution in 1748, 
 1773, nd 1774.
 
 ber, 1777, &c. it appears, that upon Mr. Hafting's mo- 
 tion, the orders of the Court of Directors, in relation 
 to the military Store -keeper's office and duty, are 
 annulled, without a plea of propriety or expediency to 
 juftify the meafures. He is particularly commanded 
 to defifl from keeping a journal and ledger. The 
 Store-keeper having, in discharge of duty, nfed the 
 freedom to make judicious reprefentations wiih de- 
 ference and delicacy on the 28th November, the fub- 
 ject thereof was referred on the 9th December, to the 
 Accomptant General for his opinion. 
 
 On the 2zd January following, the Accomptant Ge- 
 neral reported in fupport of the Store-keeper's reafoning. 
 The impropriety and inexpediency of umteccflary difo- 
 bedience, influenced the majority to yield, upon this 
 occafion, to the arguments of the minority, and the 
 Store- keeper was permitted to {efume the ufe of a 
 journal and ledger in hi-? office. The Board again 
 referred to the Accomptant General for a more perfect 
 form of keeping the books of the Ordnance and Store- 
 keeper's offices, in greater conformity with each other, 
 by having the fame denomination to the principal ac- 
 compts. 
 
 October 1778. The military Store-keeper, as a 
 member of the Board of Ordnance, entered a minute 
 and motion, concerning deficiency unaccounted for., 
 and pofitively refufing, without an o r der of council, to 
 comply with the refolution of that Board, by writing cjf 9 
 as if expended onferwce^ 3500 cartouch boxes, and di- 
 vers other articles, faid to be loft or deficient, which 
 could not be made appear to have been expended ; 
 reprefenting the loofe and imperfect ftate of the Store- 
 hoi>fes and ftores, without check or controul ; and 
 
 therefore
 
 therefore, in order to obviate all future deficiencies, in- 
 correctnefles, and difficulties, he moved, chat a furvey 
 of all ftores, now in (lore, be made, in order to cor- 
 rect the books with the goods actually exifting, and ba- 
 lance the deficient accounts by opening another ac- 
 count under the denomination of profit and lofs, with 
 the confent, and by the exprefs authority of the Go- 
 vernor and Council , and in order that in future the 
 Store-keeper mall (as in Europe) be refponfible for all 
 effects committed to his charge. 
 
 Proceedings of the Board of Infpection, i7th De- 
 cember 1778, with the Accomptant General's plan for 
 keeping the accounts of the military Store- keeper; and 
 the proceedings of the Board of Ordnance. The Board 
 ordered a furvey in terms of the Store-keeper's motion 
 on the October at ihe Board of Ordnance, to be 
 
 completed on the ^oth day of April following : and 
 that the books of the fubordinate departments be cor- 
 rected and adjufted in conformity to the (fores which 
 fhall actually be then afcertained in ftore. And that a 
 like annual furvey (hall be made on the3oth of April. 
 Upon this occafion Mr. Haftings, in an elaborate mi- 
 nute, difcovers his views, a partiality to the Commil- 
 fary of ftores, and inclination to fupprefs the controul 
 of the military Store-keeper, and he committed this- 
 fingular declaration upon record, thus, " I am myfeflefs 
 "felicitous about the books ~cf the military* Storekeeper, 
 " as they are now eiiher totally ufelefs, cr ufefal only as 
 " checks on the receipts and ijjues of the Commijfary of 
 "ftores" It merits peculiar attention, that the Com- 
 rhifiary over whom this " totally ufekfs check'* is ac- 
 knowledged to be held, is the perfon in whofe pro- 
 vince it is to receive and appropriate moftof the (lores 
 iffued, and to indent for, as well as to furnifn'by corr- 
 
 tract
 
 ( 23 ) 
 
 trad and agency, a considerable part of them. Another 
 fact equally notorious in this minute is, that the Go- 
 vernor-General is either totally unacquainted with the 
 nature of accounts and the forms of book-keeping, or 
 that he openly meant, by an exertion of a temporary 
 power, to remove all controul from fuch perfons as he 
 might favour in future, as well as to cancel paft tranf- 
 greffions, however injurious to the interefls of his em- 
 ployers, and dangerous to their exiftence in Afia. 
 
 Mr. Wheler's reply to the Governor's minute, 
 while it difcovers a fteady and faithful attachment to 
 the duties of the truft repofed in him, (hews him alfo- 
 to have a clear idea of books and accounts, as well as 
 of the realfpirit of the orders of the Court of Directors, 
 and the utility, as well as neceffity, of fo fenfiblc a 
 controul throughout the feveral civil and military de- 
 partments ; and generally approved the mode of the 
 Store -keeper's books, as eflential for thole purpofes, 
 although itill capable of further improvement. 
 
 The proceedings of the Board of Infpection, 25th 
 February, 1779, w ^ tn a letter from the military Store- 
 keeper, dated 23d current, complaining that the Com- 
 miffary of ftores had refilled obedience to the order 
 of the Board, for affixing a lock and key to the ftore- 
 rooms according to cuftom, becaufe, " '[hat the re~ 
 Cl ceipts a,nd ijjuee of ftores in the department, are not re- 
 " gulated by any particular time of the day." The 
 Store-keeper juftifies the complaint upon principles 
 equally confident, irrefutable, and official. The re- 
 fufal on the other parr, with the fubfequent language 
 of Mr. Haftings, in vindication and (upporc of the 
 CommilTary's independence, favour ftrongly of a col- 
 lufon incompatable with their refpective duties to the 
 
 Company.
 
 Company. The Governor propofes, with a fingu- 
 larity peculiar only to his own fagacity, impenetrable 
 (he fuppofes) to all others, u That each ftore-houfe 
 " (hall be feparately furveyed, and that during the ex- 
 " animation, "the military Store-keeper may place his 
 " key upon the particular ftore-houfe, immediately under 
 " examination, and inflantly thereafter to be taken 
 of." 
 
 Thus, according to Mr. Haftings's mode of furvey, 
 if it was neceffary to conceal deficiencies, nothing could 
 be more eafy and fimple than to remove (lores from 
 the ftore-houfes already furveyed, into any other that 
 remained to be furveyed, as the Commifiary pofTefifed 
 all power except over that immediately under examina- 
 tion. It is aftonifhing, that the open falacy of fuch a 
 meafure, did not occur, even to the authors, as ic 
 could not pofilbly efcape their opponents, although 
 delicacy may have retrained the application by lan- 
 guage to defeat it. 
 
 The Governor in a fubfequent minute on the fame 
 day, in reply to Mr. Wheler and Mr. Francis, oo- 
 ftinately pcrfifts in the meafure, and fays, "That 
 " he objects to Mr. Wheler's motion, requiring two 
 *' locks to be continued on each ftore, as well after 
 " as during the examination, i. e. the Store- keeper's 
 " lock, and the CommifTary's lock, as mutual checks, 
 <e becaufe, (the Governor alledges) the motion of Mr, 
 " Wheler is made without a reference to the reafons 
 " which induced the Board to place the fuper-inten- 
 ** dancy in the fort, under the immediate charge of 
 <c the Commiflary of ftores ; and becaufe he confidered 
 ," Mr. Livius ( the military Score- keeper ) as in effect 
 
 -"aeon* 
 '
 
 " a c o'itraSlor for fiores^ and mt Store-keeper* although 
 ** that title be ft ill allowed him of court eft" 
 
 Mr. Whettr, in anfwer to the governor's firft minute, 
 moved " for the furvey of each appartment fiparately, 
 " and that the military Store-keeper, and commiffary of 
 tc ftcres fhould federally entertain locks and keys on 
 " each appartment, as well after, as during the intire 
 " examination, agreeably to the original eftablifhment 
 tc of the two offices, i. e. That the two locks and keys 
 " be kept upon each Store-room ; one key to be kept 
 " by the Commiffary's Circar*, and one by the mili- 
 *' ta'ry S core-keepers." 
 
 Mr. -Francis concured in opinion with Mr. Wheler, 
 and addedj " that the military Store-keeper was the 
 *f natural and official check over the expenditure of 
 " flores by the Commiffary. That he had uniformly 
 " diiapproved very much of removing that check, by 
 " depriving the military Store-keeper of a lock and 
 " key upon the ftores, as other methods might have 
 " been taken to facilitate the difpatch of bufin^eis, fup- 
 " pofing the joint truft to have been a caufe of fome 
 l occasional delay therein/* 
 
 And in reply to Mr. Hadings's fecond minute, 
 Mr. Francis fays, " that the alteration in queftion (or- 
 ** dering the temporary application of a fecond lock and 
 * c key) was made by the Board of Ordinance, which 
 ** had not the authority to repeal an alteration made by 
 '" government. That he could not agree, that the in- 
 u dulgence" allowed the military Store-keeper, and to 
 
 " the 
 
 * By Circar is meant, a Hindoo writer*
 
 " the other heads of offices to fupply a part of the ftores 
 *' in their refpective departments, vacated their offices. 
 " That if the military Store-keeper had any concern in the 
 'expenditure oftheftores, the indulgence would have been 
 <f highly improper. He had none. But as the military 
 " Store-keeper ought to have a check upoji that perfon who 
 " has the expenditure of the flore^ and over whom there is 
 *' atprefent no ccntroul, That with refpedt to the fupply 
 " of itores, by the heads of offices, and by the military 
 " Store-keeper in particular, it was a mcafure ftrongly 
 *' recommended by the Governor General himfelf, 
 " for reafons which did then, and do now appear 
 " to him ( Mr. Francis ) to be folid and un- 
 u anfwerable." 
 
 Mr. WheltT) in further reply to the Governor 
 General's fecond minute, defired, " That therefolution 
 *' of the Board of Ordnance, the i7th June 1775, be 
 " entered, in order to (hew, that the refponfibility of 
 *' fuch (lores only as the CommiiTary (hall in future 
 " indent for, be intruded to him alone. Hence, he 
 " concluded, that ftores not indented for> and not 
 *' immediately in demand, were to remain in the 
 " arfenal, under trie united charge of the Commiffary, 
 " and the military Store-keeper. That he was con- 
 l vinced the refolution would go no farther, and on 
 tc that ground only, would he accede to ir. That he, 
 <c at the fame time; maintained the propriety of his 
 4 * former propofu ion, /'. e. that all {lores, not falling 
 4< under that defcription, be again returned to the 
 " charge of both offices." 
 
 . 'Tae Governor General and Mr. Barwett, having 
 
 three votes between them, carried in favor of the 
 
 Governor's motion, and the Commiflaries indepen- 
 
 h dance,
 
 dance, and abfolute power over all the Ordnance and 
 military ftores whatfoever. 
 
 Proceedings at the Board of Infpe&ion on the 
 8th of July 1779. T ne Governor General exprefied 
 in pointed terms, his fixed diflPdtisfac~bion at the pre- 
 tenfions of the minority in fupporc of the military 
 Store- keeper's right to controul the CommilTary of 
 ftores and his determined purpofe, not to fuffer, under 
 any pretence, the check conttitutionally eftablifhed in 
 the military Store-keeper, by the cuftody of another 
 key on the ftore-houfesj in the courfe of his oppo- 
 fition, he advances as a new doctrine, *' That the title 
 " of military Store-keeper^ which Mr. Livius originally 
 (t bore, with the actual charge implied by it, but wbicb 
 "from a tendtrnefs to him has been Buffered to remain^ 
 " although the charge was removed^ has fiirrifoed him 
 <( with ground^ fcr various pretenfions. That in ejfeff, 
 *' he is not the military Store-keeper. 'The oniy fu'-jiantial 
 " connexion that he has with that office, by any appointment 
 *' of the Board is as a contractor for fiores, and in thai 
 *' char -after , be is the laft perfon in the fervice, whom 
 " the Board Jbculd chufe to be a check upon the 
 " Cmmi/aryr 
 
 Let it be decided by any difinterefted perfon, whether 
 Major Green, to whom the ftores are ifiued in his 
 military capacity^ who indents for, and expends the ftores 
 in the military capacity, and who is alfo a contractor for, 
 and manufacturer of many capital articles, is not lefs 
 qualified to aft as a CommifTary, than Mr. Livius, 
 (fimply a civil covenanted fervant) is to act as a Store- 
 keeper ? and whether the Governor's mfinuations, do 
 not dire&ly tend to intimidate Mr. Livius from the 
 
 due
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 due exercife of the duties and claims inherent in his 
 office, to avoid the threatned difmiffion ? 
 
 Proceedings at the Board of InfpecYion, on the 
 19th Auguft 1779. The Governor continues to pur- 
 fue his favorite maxim, of favoring his favorites, 
 againft all oppofition, and by all manner of means, 
 with a vehemence and warmth, which denounced dif- 
 mifnon and vengeance on thofe, whofe probity and 
 fidelity were accidentally thruft as Humbling- blocks to 
 obftruct the rapidity of his career. 
 
 The Governor acquaints the Board, " That he was 
 " this morning informed by the Commiflary of (lores 
 " that he had delivered his report to the Board o 
 * c Ordnance, and that Mr. Livius's locks ftill re- 
 " mained affixed to the ftore-rooms. That he, there- 
 u fore, moved, that Mr* Livius be peremptorily or- 
 '* dered to remove them ; and tbat the fole charge of 
 " the Jtore-rooms be left with the Commijfary of 
 
 The Commander in Chief, Sir Eyre Cooie, agreed to 
 the Governors motion. 
 
 Mr. Wbthr referred the Board to the pofitive in 
 junctions contained in the general letters of i^th June, 
 1748. yth April 1773, anc * 7th January, 1774. -- 
 Oblerving in conclufion, " hew impojfible it will be 
 "for the Store-keeper to comply with their crder 9 
 " ;/ the keys which conftitute this truft are delivered, 
 t folcly to the charge of another ; but that if the 
 " Board think prefer to fet afide^ both the orders of the 
 "Court of Direftors, and the regulur official plan of 
 h 2 carrying
 
 ( 29 ) 
 
 "carrying their orders into execution,' they mufl anfwer- 
 " tke conferences" 
 
 The Governor General, in reply, minutes thus, 
 " whatever the Company's orders nay prejcrice in this 
 " cafe, however necejjary it way be, that' the Store-keeper 
 " /bwtld have a jcint charge of the (lores with the Com- 
 '* mijjary,ftill it would be highly improper upon the prs- 
 " fent cccajion, to allow it in disobedience to a pojitive 
 * c order of the Board, which mujt firft be repealed^ before 
 " fuch a regulation can take place ." The Governor 
 again ftiles Mr. Livius, " The contractor of ftores, for 
 "he is no Store-keeper" And in addition to his former 
 morion, he defires, " that Mr-. Livius miy be called upon 
 *' again, to inform the Board of the reafons why his locks 
 ^ arejlill upon theftore-rooms. A-ul that ivben the Board 
 '* Jhall have received his anfwer, they will then judge, 
 *' 'whether 'he has, or has not, been guilty cf a disobedience 
 " of their orders " 
 
 Mr. Francis obferved, " that the military Store- 
 * e keeper had not (in his idea) difobeyed the orders of 
 " the Board, becaule it docs not app'car that he could 
 u have obeyed them fooner." 
 
 Mr. 
 
 How feverely the Governor lafhes himfelf whole difobedi- 
 ence, and repeated violation of orders, fet the dangerous 
 example to all theinferior fervants ? Does not the fame argument 
 hold more powerfully againft the violation of the orders of the 
 Court of Diredors, by the eftablifhmentof the order in queftion, 
 without waiting for the repeal of the original order in Leaden- 
 fcall-ftreet.
 
 ( 30 ) 
 
 Mr. Wbiier declared, that he would not jwftify any 
 irregularity againft the Orders of the Board. He 
 finifhes a very fenfible and faithful minute, in thefe 
 words, *' If\ as the Governor-General fays, 'Mr. Livi'ts 
 " is the Contractor of ft ores, and no Store-keeper, by the 
 " fame propriety of argument. Major Green, aciii'g like- 
 " wife in the char -after of a Contractor > has as Ijttk pretcx- 
 * c lions to the fole charge of theftcres^ and has as little 
 ** right to the title of Cimmtffary offtores, as Mr. Livius 
 <e has to thai of military Store- keeper. 
 
 _ 
 
 The Governor-General's minute, in September 1779, 
 in council, on the fubject of Mr. Belli's contract for 
 victualling Fort William, gave birth to frefh charges 
 andinfinuations againft, and inveftigations of the office 
 of military Store-keeper. Although the contract under 
 confederation did not bear the moil remoee affinity, or 
 firailitude in any fenfe whatever, to the military Store- 
 keeper's appointment and duty, yet the Governor 
 having the nnperifhable feed of refentmcnt implacable 
 on the on i- lide, and partiality on the other, lowed in 
 a fertile mind, levelled a moft illiberal, and unjuft 
 blow at Mr. Livius, and through him at Mr. Francis, 
 in thefe violent terms.. " Mr. Livius has ~ an Agzncy, 
 " with 15 per cent en articles rated ly former cha-ges of 
 * f CommiJJarics, of eourfe, greatly above the real cojt" 
 And in continuation, he adds, ' Mr. Livius is proftff- 
 " edly patrionized by Mr. Francis, who pajfes bis bills, 
 ^ and nine or ten Lacks paid to him , a*eyet unaccounted 
 
 "JOT." 
 
 On this occafion Mr. Haftings's Indian moderation 
 abandoned him, or he wiwingly yielded the truth a 
 facrifice, to convict hitnfelf of a falmood ; and in 
 fpecial terms avowed his own inBdeHry, in. the dif- 
 
 charge
 
 ( 31 ) 
 
 charge of the public duty, in order to intimidate, and 
 dci;er the opponents to one of his deftructive favorite 
 meafures. He confented to give a commifiion of 15 
 per ceni on ftores, which he ingenuously acknowledges, 
 were charged by the Agent, "greatly above the real 
 " ceft" 1 hus admitting, that befides a very high ad- 
 vantage upon the purchafe, the Agent was to have 
 a commiflion of 15 percent, not upon the real coft, 
 or purchafe price, but upon the coil and advance, 
 conjointly. 
 
 Mr. Francis procured, both for himfelf and the 
 Store keeper, ample fatisfaction in the ftquel, which 
 forced Mr. Haftings to retraft his malignant declara- 
 tion, and to minute the retraction upon the face of a 
 public record. 
 
 Mr. Francis having been abfent for health, when 
 Mr. Haftings rafhly charged him \vith conniving in 
 Mr, Livius's imaginary peculations, and the pojfejfion 
 of large fums unaccepted for. He replied to that part 
 of the Governor's minute by letter, dated Houghly 
 the 2d of October, 1779? thus, u the Governor 
 " General's minute was tranfmitted to me this morning. 
 '* If recrimHiation doeb not imply an admiffion of the 
 " charge, it certainly is no defence againft it. I 
 *' cannot allow that one abufe is juftified by another. 
 " Nor am I bound to anfwer any objections, whether 
 *' valid or not, to the Agency of ftores held by Mr. 
 "* Livius. The Governor General and Mr. Barwel), 
 " had jufl as much concern in giving it to him, as I 
 
 " had. If it be liable to abufe, why is it not cor- 
 
 " reded ? If his profits have been too great, why have 
 * 4 they not been reduced ? Mr. Haftings and Mr. 
 " Bar well have had abiblute power in their hands for 
 
 " three
 
 " three years. It is faid, that Mr. Livius has an 
 " Agency , with 1 5 per cent, or articles rated by former 
 ** charges of Commiffarics, of conrfe greatly above the 
 "real ceft. If the aflertion were true in terms, it 
 " remains to be explained, even on the principle of 
 *' precedents, how the giving 15 per cent to one agent, 
 " juftifies the giving 30 per cent to another. Meflieurs 
 * c Robinfon, Kilican, and Crofts, reported that twenty 
 per cent per annum , would be a reaibnable commiffiorr 
 to Mr. Belli. Mr. Haftings and Mr. Harwell, ne- 
 * verthelefs gave him thirty. With refpect to the mili- 
 " tary Store-keeper's book of rates, the fact is, that 
 "it was formed by the late Colonel Dow with theap- 
 <s probation of the Board of Ordnance ; not by the 
 "-former charges of the Commiffaries, but by an enquiry 
 ' into the actual Bazar prices of that period. Whether 
 " Mr. Livius gains or lofes by thefe rates, is unknown 
 " to me j I believe that occafionally he may do both, 
 " nor does it concern the fervice in queftion". It is 
 faid, " that Mr. Livius is profefiedly patronized by 
 <s me." I recommended him to the office of military 
 " Store- keeper, and I will maintain him in the juft 
 e right belonging to it, on the fame principles on which 
 " I would ivfift on his performing the duties of it. Thus 
 far my patronage of Mr. Livius had extended." 
 
 " But it is now faid, that fpajs his bills, the afier- 
 " tion as it (lands exprefled, may be fuppofed not to 
 <l be a miftake. The Governor well knows that I 
 " refigned the employment of Comptroller of the Offices* 
 " from the end of December 1778 ; and that I have 
 " repeatedly urged to him the necefllty of requesting 
 '* fome other Member of the Board, to undertake it 
 i4 from that period. Places of influence and profits,
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 * are not often ib eafily relinquished.* If the ac- 
 tf counts of the public offices, have not fince been ex- 
 ** amirred, the Governor Genera], I prefume, will 
 '* aflign his reafons for it to the Company. Neither 
 " is it true, that I even patted Mr. Livius's bills 
 ** in the ic-nfe plainly implied by the Governor. 
 " They were confhntly examined by Mr. Baugh and 
 " his affiftant, with the utmoft ftridtnefs, before they 
 *" came to me for their final confirmation. My diary 
 " is before vhe Court of Directors. It was not pofll- 
 " ble therefore, that I could favor Mr. Livius, or 
 .*' afty body elfe, unkfs Mr. Baugh and I acted in col- 
 * lufion. J defirc that he may be examined at the 
 ** Board, upon his oath, and in my abfcnce, concerning 
 < the manner in which I executed my part of the exa- 
 *' mination 5 and 1 moil earneftly requeft of Mr. 
 
 Wheler 
 
 * to fliew the jealoufy of power, and the evils confequential 
 thereof, the following detail will evince. Mr. Francis, aiyeungrft 
 Member of Council, had been nominated from the beginning, to 
 examine the accounts of contractors, agents, offices, and general 
 difburi'qments, and to controul all expenditures whatever, under 
 the denomination of comptroller of the cffices, which duty he regu- 
 larly performed weekly. Sometime after the appointment and 
 arrival of Mr. Wheler, whofe official duty, as youngeft Member , 
 it then became, Mr. Francis then relintfuifhed it at Chriftmas 
 ,- 778, and moved at the board to name the fucceflbr. His refigria- 
 tion was received, but no fucceflbr appointed. In about a month, 
 lie renewed the motion, it was flighted. In a further time, 
 he propofed the nomination of Mr. Wheeler, as youngeji Member , 
 it was once again neglected. And upon a fourth peremptory 
 propciulon to the fame effect, it wasobjecled to by Mr. Mailings, 
 with a frank avowal, " that it was conferring too popular a power in 
 " an individual " and it was over- ruled. In which ftate the dif- 
 burfements Hill continue, without any controul or examination, 
 not even by the v.'hole board.
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 " Whcler to make a motion in my behalf to this ef- 
 " feel, at the next Board of Infpeclion. I will leave 
 * c it to Mr. Haftings and Mr. Harwell, to put fuch 
 " qneftions to him as they think fit. It would be 
 *' much beneath me to make any other reply to the 
 " conclufion evidently meant to be drawn from the 
 " fuppofed fact, of my faffing Mr. Livius's bills, but 
 '* thac I receive it as it defer \es. 
 
 Again it is afierted, " 'That nine or ten Lacks, tbus 
 " paid to Mr. Livius, are yet unaccounted for. I do not 
 " know what the amount ot the Military Store- 
 *' keeper's difburfements may be fince December laft, 
 (t having no concern in the examination of his ac- 
 " counts. The Secretary has the monthly accounts 
 ct before hini, and I defire he will ftate the amount, 
 " during that period, in this place, (by the fecretary it 
 " was filled up,) current Rupees 4 lacks, 13,965,13,6 
 the Military Store-keeper's accounts of his difburfe- 
 ** ments being given in to him, every month, 
 " and a balance ftruck before he receives a further 
 " allowance for the enfuing month. It cannot truly 
 <f be faid, that the furas he received fince December 
 " laft, are unaccounted for. If his accounts are not 
 *' examined, it is not his fault. 
 
 * c Any perfon nnacqminted with the tranfaction of 
 bufmefs in the Military Store -keeper's office, and 
 " who faw only in what circumftances, and with 
 c what apparent view, it is aflerted, that 9 or 10 Lacks 
 ' thus paid to Mr. Livius fince December laft, are 
 u yet unaccounted for, would naturally conclude, that 
 " this money was all on account of his agency, for 
 " the provifion of Military Stores. For if it were 
 * c not fo, the comparifon between his fuppofed profits, 
 j l and
 
 and thofe of Mr. Belli, (to fhelter which, Mr. Lt- 
 " vius's name, and office, are manifeftly introduced) 
 <- proves nothing, and falls to the ground. Now [he 
 " fad is, that the greateft part of the monthly fums 
 * c iffue'd to Mr. Livius, are advanced to him as Mi- 
 Ct fit ?ry Store-keeper, not as agent. Out of thefe he pays 
 '* his own office charges by a fixed eftcbJiJhment 5 the 
 cc eftabhjhment of the Commifiary's Office- with the 
 " price of all the articles furnilhed by Lieu enam Co- 
 " lonel Green ly contraB ; the price of all the powder 
 " furnifhed monthly, by the powder Contraftcr-, and 
 " many other contingencies. In the management of 
 " all thefe difburfements, the Military Store-keeper 
 " pays as fall as he receives, and has no profit whatfo- 
 " ever, not even that of having a fum of public money 
 *' for a fhort time in his hands. It is a fact, not un- 
 '* worthy of notice in this place, that all the other 
 " heads of offices receive their monthly advances, 
 Ci twenty days before the Military Store-keeper does, 
 <e owing to fome difficulty of adjustment, between 
 " him and the Commiflary, by which in this refpect, 
 " they both fiirTer." 
 
 " The following fettlement, which I have defired the 
 ic Secretary to fill up, will mow what proportion the 
 " foregoing dilburfements bear to the total amount of 
 " advance to the Military Store- keeper fmce De- 
 " cemberlaft. 5 ' 
 ' 
 
 j. Total
 
 ( 3.6 ) 
 
 1. Total amount of advance to the Store-keeper, 
 
 from January 1779, inclufive 
 
 RAP 
 Current Rupees 4,42,105:7:6 
 
 2. Amount of Military 
 Store-keeper's office char- R A P 
 ges^r eftablimment 6.899: 8: 
 
 3. Amount of money 
 paid to Lieutenant Co- 
 lonel Green, for char- 
 ges of office, and for 
 
 iupplie?. 16,321: 7: 8, 
 
 4. ~ Amount of the 
 Powder Contractor's bills 
 paid. 1,24, 605:15: 9 
 
 5. Amount of all 
 ether contingent charges 
 paid. i)22, 116: 2:10 
 
 Difburfements, with- 
 out benefit to the Store- 
 keeper. 2,69, 943: i: 3 
 
 Difference being for 
 fupplies by .the Score- 
 keeper. ' 1,72, 162- 6: 3 4 > 42,io5:7:,6 
 
 In confequence of a motion fent in circulation by 
 Mr. Wheel r, at the requeft of Mr. Francis, Mr. 
 Baugh attended the Council Board on the ift Novem- 
 ber 1779. The Governor-General declined to put 
 queftions in the mode prefcribed, thinking it irregular, 
 and alledging, that fo unimportant did he confl e<- Mr. 
 Francis's laft minute, which regarded three capital of- 
 fices very materially, " that he bad not ewngtvsa it an 
 12 *' intire
 
 ( 37 ) 
 
 * f intire perufal, all hough he had if by him for feme 
 "Whereupon Mr. Wheeler, after exprefling the difa- 
 greeable taik, which the Governor's declining it, had 
 put on him, of aiking anfwers to fome queries froti) 
 Mr. Baugh, and then delivered the following quei- 
 tions. 
 
 ift. <; Whether it is not your duty, as af- 
 iiitant to the Comptroller of the offices, to examine 
 " the monthly accounts of each office, before they are 
 " feen by the Comptroller, and to furnifh him with 
 " whatever remarks may have occurred to you 
 thereon." 
 
 ^ " Preparatory to the Comptroller's exami- 
 " ning the accounts of the offices, they have always 
 ' been examined by my afiiftant, fo far as refpected 
 " their calculation and addition -, after which, they 
 " have been compared by me with the vouchers dc- 
 " livered with them. I have then compared fuch 
 ** charges as were eftablifhed, with the fixed eflablifh- 
 *' ments, alfo fuch charges for {lores provided bycon- 
 t( trat, or by agency, with the terms of the different 
 * engagements for thole lupplies ; and if upon this 
 ' examination I have difcovered any deviation from 
 " either, I gave pointed them out to the Comptroller, 
 ' who has either immediately deducted the difference, 
 *' or applied to the head of that department, whofe ac- 
 tl counts were under examination for an explana- 
 " tion." 
 
 Queftion 2^. u \Vhether you have not conftantly 
 ! e done fo ? 
 
 * From $d October to r ft November, being 29 days. 
 
 Anfaer
 
 ( 38 ) 
 Anfwer. " Yes, I have." 
 
 Queftion $d. " Whether you have ever obferved, 
 " that Mr. Francis in examining the accounts of the 
 * Military Store-keeper, or of any other of the public 
 < c offices, or in pafiing their bills, or in any other in- 
 ftance whatever, has favoured the Military Store- 
 " keeper, or any other perfon, or has ever fuffered an 
 '* error or overcharge in his or their accounts, to pafs 
 ** without correction and cenfure ? 
 
 Governor General. " I beg that Mr. Baugh may be 
 " difpenfed from anfwering that third queftion. If 
 " there is a neceflity for it, it is highly improper, on 
 ** many accounts, confidering the wide difference be- 
 *' tween Mr. Baugh and Mr. Francis, that he fhould be 
 " obliged to anfwer to fuch a queftion. / do not re- 
 " colkft what words of mint have given occq/ion for it % 
 " but if I have made ufe of any, which either direftly lay 
 " fuch a charge to Mr. Francis's account, or imply it, I 
 " retraff them, without accounting at tbfs time^ for the 
 ** manner in which any fuch exprcjfions may have Reaped 
 " me, as they are now intirely out of my memory* *The 
 ' o&jeft of the queftion therefore is removed. 
 
 Mr. Prancis. '< I am fatisfied; and defire the que(- 
 _" tion may be waved. 
 
 Qtteftion 4//;. cc To what point cf time, have the 
 " Military Store-keeper's accounts been examined, and 
 
 " pafled by the Comptroller ? 
 
 ' 
 
 Anfwer. " To the end of December 1778. 
 
 Queftion $th. * What is the intire amount of the fe- 
 <l veral monthly fums iflued to him from the trcafu- 
 
 jrr,
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 <e ry, for the difburfements of his office, including 
 " his agency fince December, 1778, to the end of Sep- 
 tember laft." 
 
 Anfiver. " The advances made to the Military Store- 
 ' c keeper from the Treafury, between the ift of Janu- 
 * ary, and goth of September, 1779, amount to, 
 < s current Rupees, 4,24,000., but in this fum, is not 
 " included, his advance on account of September, be- 
 " ing 42,000 Rupees, becanfe it did not pafs the 
 " Board in time to be iffued during that month. The 
 " order on the Treasurer was not figned 'till the 3oth 
 of September ; and I obferve by the eftimatex>f the 
 (f Store-keeper's difburfements for October, that the a- 
 " mount was not received 'till the 6th of the lad men- 
 f tioned month. In Mr. Francis minute of the 2d. 
 ' October, the amount of the advances iffued to the 
 te Military Store-keeper to the end of Auguft, is ftated 
 " by me at current Rupees, 4,42,105:7:6, but it is 
 " proper to remark, that in this fum is included the 
 " monthly payments made to him by Mr. Robert 
 " Stuart, on account of the new powder works, and 
 e: his receipts for ready money faks." 
 
 Qu^ftion 6th. " Has the Military Store-keeper deli- 
 * c vered in his monthly accounts regularly . to the 
 " Comptroller's office, fince December Jaft ? 
 
 Anfwer. " Yq^ to the end of September. 
 
 Governor General. " I defire to put the two follow- 
 * ing queftions to Mr. Baugh." 
 
 ift. ct Have Mr. Livius's accounts ever appeared 
 **. before the Board ? 
 
 2d. e< What
 
 ( 40 ) 
 
 id. ff What is the amount of Mr. Livius's receipts 
 '* and dilburfements, from the time he firft had charg 
 " of the.prefcnt office, to the date of my minute i e 
 te September ? n 
 
 " If Mr. Baugh cannot anfwer the laft of thefe quefti- 
 <l ons from his own official knowledge, I defire him 
 u to obtain proper official information, to compleat his 
 tc anfwec. 
 
 tfnfwer* to the Governor's \ft Queftion. 
 
 " They never have appeared before the Board. It 
 " was not the intent of the regulation, conftituting the 
 " Comptroller's office, that they mould be laid before 
 " the Board." 
 
 Ditto to the id. 
 
 " Not having the neceflary materials in my poffelHon 
 6f for furnilhing the account required by the Governor- 
 " General, I applied for it to the Military Store- 
 " keeper, and beg leave to lay before the Board, the 
 " following Abftract, whLh I have in confequence 
 tc received from him, of his receipts and difburfements, 
 "from April, 1775, to September, 1779, inclufive.'' 
 
 " The receipts amounting to, current Rn- 
 
 " pees, 23,16,074:13:3 
 
 " The difburfments, to - - 23,16,783: 1.3 
 
 " Balance advanced by, and due ^ 8 
 
 to the Store- keeper,* - 5 " 
 
 " Mr. 
 
 * This balance of 708 Rupees and 4 Annas in favour of the 
 Military Store-keeper, differs materially from Mr. Raftings'* 
 charge of his having nine or ten lacks o^-Rupees in his hands, 
 unaccounted for.
 
 ( 41 ) 
 
 ** Mr. Livius was appointed to the office of Mi- 
 " litary Store-keper, on the 2oth of March, 1775, 
 " and the Governors Minute is dated in September, 
 " 1779- 
 
 " I think it proper to acquaint the Board, that my 
 <c application for this account, would have been made 
 ct to the Accomptant General, and not to the Military 
 Store- keeper, could the former have finiflied itcom- 
 " plete. But the General Books, being balanced only 
 <c to the 3oth of April, 1778, it could not have been 
 " prepared from them to a period fubfequent to that 
 '* time. I believe alfo, that the Entries in the Ge- 
 * c neral Books, are adjufted from the Abftracts of the 
 " receipts and difburfements fupplied to the Accomp- 
 " tant-General, by the heads of the different Offices," 
 
 To mew, as well the truth of the fa&s alledged in 
 their deepeft colours, as their dangerous confequences, 
 throughout the deliberate train of abufes : Two recent 
 tranfaclions carry an afpec"b, which unite the links to 
 render the chain of circumftances, as convidtive, as it is 
 confident with moral probability to obtain, until time, 
 in the courfe of his revolutions, faall develope, thofe 
 myfteries, which are yet obfured from general know- 
 ledge, and only committed in mutual confidence to 
 the principal performers. 
 
 When a furvey was made of the ftores in the 
 grand arfenal and ftore-rooms laft year, amongft many, 
 a deficiency appeared, of a 1,979 (lands of arms, 
 and 40,047 bayonets, the chief part of which, ftood 
 on the Store-keeper's books, as compkat and new, and 
 
 as ferviceable. As there appeared but from ten, to 
 
 eleven thoufand ftands in the grand magazine, where 
 
 the
 
 ( 42 ) 
 
 the Company intended that there fhould never be left 
 than forty thoufand, which number, they imagined 
 were then actually in ftore; a number fcarce adequate 
 to the troops entertained by the Prefidency of Bengal 
 alone; So alarming a deficiency, at fo critical a 
 period, when all India as well as Europe were ip 
 motion, apparently with hoftile defigns againft Britain, 
 it could not fail to excite fuch an aftonilhment, as 
 produced an enquiry ; when it appeared that without 
 the leave of the Board of Infpection or the Board o 
 Ordnance, and without the concurrence or knowledge 
 of the military Store-keeper, thofe arms were fent by 
 the Commiffary of ftores to the public Vendue office, 
 in order to be fold by public out-cry. After having 
 lain many months in a damp cellar, where they muft 
 have contracted a fufficient degree of ruft, to render the 
 beft and higheft poliftied arms in the tower of London, 
 unferviceable i upon a lurvey, by the military Store- 
 keeper, x he found them to his furprize, in the good 
 condition (notwithfianding the humid air and total neg- 
 lect of them for fo long a time . which he reprefented in 
 a letter, written officially, but tenderly, to the Board 
 of Ordnance, of which the following is a literal ab- 
 
 ftrad. 
 
 r 
 
 " November 27, 1779. I beg leave further to fub~ 
 " mit another obfervation to the Board, that the 
 '* 21,979 ftand of arms, and 40,047 bayonets, ap- 
 ** peared on the furvey not to have been in fo bad a 
 * ftatc as I had at firft apprehended ; the militia were 
 < fince fupplied from them, and in my opinion, many 
 more may be made fit for fervice, as there is an eftab- 
 " lijhment in this department for repairing them. If it 
 * were the pleafure of the Board, I would recommend 
 " it to them to appoint three or four military gentle- 
 k men
 
 ( 43 ) 
 
 " men of the Ordnance department, or other mill- 
 " tary officers, high in ftation, to review them, be- 
 * fore they are expofed to fale, as I would not chufe to 
 <c take upon myfelf to condemn fo large a quantity of 
 *' valuable arms, from my own obfervation. At all 
 c< events the opinion of competent judges, can be had 
 * r at this time at the prefidency ; I could even wifh 
 w the final orders regarding them were fubmrted to 
 * the Governor and Council, foms of the arms Jianding 
 '* upon the books of this department as compleat and new. 
 "Another reafon which inducts me to recommend this to 
 ** the attention of the Board, is, the confederation that 
 * c there are only 10 or 1 1,000 ferviceable arms in the 
 kt grand magazine, and that 40,000, have been always 
 ct deemed the proper and neceffary eftahlijbment in flare? 
 * c /<?r the defence of Bengal on emergency" 
 
 A deficiency of 3503 cartouch-boxes, which the 
 Store-keeper was commanded to write offm his bookg ? 
 as if regularly expended on fervice, together with his 
 ref ifal o comply, originated the fortunate idea of a 
 general furvey, and that it mould be continued an- 
 nually. 
 
 Previous to the fecond annual furvey, January ^th, 
 1780, in confequence of an -order from the Board of 
 . Inspection to the Board of Ordnance, two queftions 
 were fcnt in circulation to the members of the latter 
 Board, reviving the controverfy concerning the ad- 
 ditional lock and key of the Stone-keeper on each fe- 
 ferate Uore-room, while that particular room was un- 
 der examination, and inilantly when it's contents were 
 furveye.d, the Store-keeper's lock and key to be taken 
 off, and left in the fole charge of the CommhTary. 
 *' Whether this be adopted as a Handing regulation, 
 
 " with
 
 ( 44 ) 
 
 refped to all future iurvevs ? And whether 
 " it fhall extend to the iurveys of all fubordinate 1 
 magazines ?" 
 
 Colonel Watfon, in a minute annexed, feetned to 
 have ridiculed the whole proceeding, havmg obferved 
 (doubtlefs) ironically, That be did not understand for 
 te what reafon the order was given, as be was of opinion. 
 " tbat the Lieutenant Colonel Green only, can hf made 
 ** anfw trails for deficiencies, in future, the Store-keeper 
 tf being nominal only* 9 
 
 Mr. Wheler maintained his original principle on the 
 fubject ; faid, " That a Store- keeper without his key, 
 ' is a contradiction in terms, and that he will venture 
 " to affirm, is not to be met with in any other fervice 
 * c than this ; therefore, he moved that the military 
 *' Store-keeper's key, be not only affixed to each 
 * apartment, during the furvey, but that it do like- 
 * wife continue affixed to the fame, when the furvey 
 " of the ftores Ihall be compleated ; by which means 
 " the Store-keeper will become anfwerable with the 
 * 4 Commifiary, for the property committed to their 
 " charge." 
 
 Mr. Francis concurred with Mr. Wheeler ; and Mr. 
 Livius added iix constitutional, and indeed i;icon- 
 trovertable reafons to fupporr, his concurring opinion. 
 
 A circumftance which belongs more properly co 
 another place, is neverthelefs obtruded now, by the 
 connection it holds with the fubjecl: under cenfure, as a 
 itrong corroborating evidence of the dangerous views 
 of the chief adrainiitration in India. 
 
 kz At a
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 At a time when the Company's territories were 
 threatned with foes and invafion, internal and external; 
 at a time when their arfenals were al.noft empty ; and at 
 a time when ceconemy was efiential. to preferve their 
 credit, eren in India, did they expend 57,000 Rupees 
 in the kentledge of the Royal Charlotte,* ami that 
 kentledge confided in military and Ordnance flores 
 from the arfenals, amongft which were 5859 new muf- 
 ket barrels, although there were not double the num- 
 ber remaining in the grand magazine :f To prove that 
 thefe were fent on board without authority from any 
 perfon constitutionally qualified to order it : A re- 
 ference to the letters from the Council to the military 
 Store-keeper, will yield ample fatisfaction 5 of which the 
 following are true copies, 
 
 " Council- Chamber, ^tk January 9 1780, 
 To Mr, George Livius, Military Store-keeper. 
 
 " Sir, 
 
 " It appearing from the- books of the Ordnance 
 f* department, that 5859 Serviceable mufket barrels 
 " have been Tent on board the fhip, Royal Charlotte, 
 ' to ferve as kentledge. 1 am directed by the Honorable 
 
 the 
 
 . * The Refolution alfo, was at the fame time balafred with Ba- 
 lafbre pig iron, of the value of 22,000 rupees, by immediate 
 purchafe with ready money. 
 
 ^ Why did they not fend, as kentledge, the irreparable arms in 
 the Vendue office ? But that would not anfwer the intended end. 
 The Indian powers, at enmity with the Company, wanted Eu- 
 ropean arms, and they had their agents at Calcutta. And arms 
 repaired, might be refold to the Company at high country prices^ 
 although bought for a mere trifle at public audion.
 
 ( 46 ) 
 
 Governor General and Council, to call upon you, 
 41 to ajjign your reafons for having delivered fucb mufket s 
 ^for tbs purpose of kentledge ; and to inform the Board, 
 44 whether ail or any part of them have been delivered 
 " back into ftore" 
 
 44 1 am Sir, 
 
 " Your moft obedient iervant. 
 (Signed) " J. P. Auriol, Secretary."' 
 
 In anfwer, Mr. Livius lays before the Board a detail 
 of facts, confiftent with the flation to which he was re- 
 duced, and a feaibnable rebuke for the inconfiftent ap- 
 plication for information, to a Store-keeper whom 
 that Board has deliberately ftrippedof the prerogatives 
 of his office, as their application, according to their 
 own regulations, fliould have been folely directed to 
 Colonel Green/the CommuTary of Stores, and the ef<- 
 feclual Store- keeper. 
 
 " Fort-JWUiam, zytb January, 1780. 
 " To J, P. Auriol, fquire, Secretary." 
 
 ** Sir, I have received your letter of yefterday's date. 
 " I received no order from the Board of Ordnance to 
 " iflue the 5859 ferviceable mufket barrels, which you, 
 ** inform me, were fent on board the (hip Royal Char- 
 4 ' kitie4-4ior does the Ordnance department (by pofaive 
 *' orders from the Governor General and Council and by 
 " the Ordnance ftandlng regulations) iffue any but by in- 
 " .dent af fbf Store-keeper. It is therefore out of my power 
 " to affign reafons, (for 'which you called upon me) for 
 * having delivered fuch mufket barrels for the purppfe 
 " of kentledge j they were ifjued 'without my knowledge* 
 t4 In reply to your fecond requifition, whether any part 
 ** have been delivered back into ftore, I do myfelf the 
 
 f< honor
 
 ( 47 ) 
 
 " honor to inclofe a copy of the indent of ftores re- 
 " turned from the Matter Attendant, this day, which 
 " arc all that 1 have any account of. 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 " Your moft obedient fervant. 
 (Signed) G. Livius, M. S. K. 
 
 Mr. Livius that day received from Mr. John Petrie, 
 acting Marine Paymafler, the letter which is referred 
 to in the above anfwer to Mr. Secretary J^uriol, viz. 
 
 To George Livius, Efquire, M. S. K. 
 " Sir, 
 
 " You will pleafe to order to be received into the 
 c * honourable Company's arfenal, the following iron 
 tc kentledge, which remain on board the Jhips Royal Char- 
 " lone and Refolution.* 
 
 " On board thee Royal Charlotte. 
 " Mulket barrels, ferviceable 5859 1 
 
 * Ditto, - - unferviceablc 6063 J 
 ** Ordnance iron guns, dittO) - - 176 
 
 " Country iron fhot, ferviccable, - - 405^ 
 ''Ditto, wiferviceabk, - - 7313 
 
 u Some pig iron. 
 
 " On board the Refolution. 
 46 A quantity of fmall iron kentledge. 
 " I am, Sir, 
 
 44 Your moft obedient fervant. 
 '' Marine Pay-office (figned) J. Petrie, A. M. P. M. 
 " 29th January, 1780." 
 
 This 
 
 * The Royal Charlotte was laid up on the azft of the preceding 
 Auguft, and ferviceable arms continued on board. The return i 
 an exaft copy of the indent, by which it was originally received oa 
 board from the marine department.
 
 ( 48 ) 
 
 This tranfadYion is fo diftin6t, that it needs no com- 
 ment, but that it is prefumable, dint ferviceabk mulket 
 barrels, flowed as kentledge in a (hip's hold, from July, 
 1778, to February, 1780, muft have been rendered 
 unserviceable ; and that in all probability, they, and 
 the other ftores, would have remained on board, with- 
 out thought or care, and be fold with the fhips, had 
 not the matter been happily fuggefted to a member of 
 Council, who, until then, was a ftranger to the whole 
 clandeftine management and abufe. 
 
 Under fuch perplexing and injurious predicaments, 
 with a deliberate defign, (open to the licenced rapacity 
 of fuch as conceive upon a fixed principle of faith, 
 which is become proverbial in that fettlement, that no 
 plunder or peculation from the Company is difhoneft 
 or unjuft, and that no action can be often five or crimi- 
 nal, while the aftors are favoured by a majority of Go- 
 vernment) is not only the Company's property expofed, 
 but the very fafety and exiftence of their pofleflions 
 and trade, flaked, to humour the caprice of fome 
 principal fervants, and to enrich themfelves and their 
 partizans, in Bengal. It is therefore incumbent upon 
 the Directors, as a diftinguiftiing proof of fidelity to 
 their conftituents, and loyalty to their country, either 
 to enforce their orders, and affert their legal authority, 
 with manly fpirit, or to fink under the influence of cor- 
 ruption, and yield up their mock-power to the minifters 
 of their own creation abroad ; taking fpecial care, in 
 order to be confident throughout, to difmifs from their 
 fervice, as unworthy of public confidence, thofe, whofe 
 private virtues, have dared to be publickly honeft, and 
 who, with becoming deference, have endeavoured by 
 indefatigable affiduity and unremitting pains, to main- 
 tain the authority of the Company, and the dignity and 
 honor of the Britifh nation in Hindoftan. 
 
 FINIS,
 
 T 7 4 5 14
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 
 U83 
 
 Form L-0 
 aom-1, '41(1122)
 
 DS 
 473 The origin and 
 
 narrative of 
 the present Mar- 
 ratta war. 
 
 A 000000105