UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

AT LOS ANGELES
 ORIGIN THE

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, remove the unjuft impreffion

to

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.
Marratta States in the Deccan, are the only
THE 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 nominal dependants, were extremely great, and
his
often alarming to theEmperors 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-
and a chout of twelve lacks of rupees annually,
rixa,
a peaceand 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

* of the Deccan*Bazalet-Jun.
The Soubah
 ( 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. Apromife 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-

of Berar, has lately been challenged
jaftiip 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 Baroach, and other diftri&s

this treaty, Salfette,
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 them a carte- blanche, than could
victory gave
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-
terlyof 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-
" in India."
:
'

tijh influence

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
" to our demands \ which de-
1

qualified to refufe acquiescence

" mands, the pojfffion of the ijland of Bafften offers, as the
"
only profpeli of a fecurity \ that no obligation precludes us
" nor can any blame be juft ly imputed to
jrom demanding it,
" 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 This
Mangalore.
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
" the
profefied maxims, fword and not juftice^ Jhould de-
" "
in an iffue in which the Com-
cide the point of right

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
ti 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, terms to be afked and infixed upon from
as the
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 an advantage wbicb^ however, tbeyneglcfttdio improve.
-i

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. a fpecific fum be demanded to reimburfe

That
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 imperious and dic-

fufficiently
tatorial, but the pth
to a powerful independant ftate;
of the propofitions of yefterday, contained a more im-
" SbtU
perious tone, in thefe terms :
thefe pro-pofals be con-
" to the prefent that his anfwer
veyed by letter Paijhwa \
" 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,

" or pur chafe /' but
by an amicable negotiation of exchange,
" that even bis views were cooled,
declared, by the little
" the conqueft of
utilitv in point of'revenue ', arifing from
Sal.
 C '5 )

cc *
His reafons throughout are clear, judi-
Salfette."
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 1778, Mr. Haftings's pro-

the 2d February,
pofals were re-confideredoppofed, 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-
is far fiiort of the real
fette, 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 have confidered that Fortune has proved
alfo,
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 days in their progrefs,* without any hof-
fifty
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 moved from Bombay on the 22d of November,

expedition
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 )

fcdminiftrationof 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-
? Is not the Governor General,
rectly applicable 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 who
Hindoftan,
" be conjeft 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 annuallyon 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.

Aletter 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 of s from violence"
proteclion Ragoba? perjon
No council being then fitting, or to fit in the rotation
of bufmefs until the Monday following, and the dc-
C 2 tachment

* a fpace of
Comprehending 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 8th March, a letter to the Prefidency of

the 1

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 fupp jfition that no revolution hath taken
a

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
" the Marrattas as the and the French
regarded only native,
" as the only foreign pew er in India, capable of
affecting the
'
influencewhich 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 and to afTure them, that no
-
y

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
toform 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
" whom they mufl re-
particular intereft of Roganaut-row,
" in- the
gard 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
" and not necejfarily conneR-
ply meriting our confederation,
" 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

" and pergunnab of Earoacb as ftipulated by
of the city
"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 mortgage, to be held until the revenues col-
in
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* :

" That the Marrattas

Francis obferved, having thus con-
"
formed to the conditions of the treaty , it feemsd jufl and
**
reafonable,
that fame fat isfaction 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
" his re-
fourcc, in the protection given to Roganaut-row^
" at Bombay and the continued intrigues between him
fidence ^

" and that Prefidency that the true to defeat the views
\ way
of France i was to give the Marrattas a folid proof of
*c

*'
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 will have them without a
meafures
" choice",

V. As
 ( 25 )

V. Asto 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
" be ordered to
refufed, Jhall the detachment, nevertheless,
*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 tocommon fenje, and much too plain to deceive?
either the Marrattas or the Court of Directors"

VL Onthe fixth inftrucYion, leaving an option in

the Prefidency, whether to declare the treaty
Bombay
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
" // is a
political fyftem,* he faid, manifeji con tradition
*'
to the foregoing, and to former inftruftions -,
.that not to
"
purfue feme one determinate fyftem may be hazardous and
" That he conceived the Supreme Board not
:
difgraceful .

" warranted to
convey fuch unlimited powers to the Prefi-
" : That that
dency of Embay 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 which are thus left to their future deci-
queflicns,
" He afked, "
Are we juftified in relinquijhing
Jions"
" our jurifdiBion, even for a moment, over fuch quej-
" tioitt?" And he concluded thus : " Upon the whole,
" ;'/ to we, that the real tendency of this letter, not-
appears
"
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-
" to the Marrattas is peremptory and hoftik,
guage it holds
" and never
ufed but when a rupture is pre- determined 9
-

" -that the caufes vf complaint on which it urges a quarrel,

" are and exaggerated that the jatts it refers /<?,
trifling -,

<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
" Directors, in their letter the
of of ^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-
" Governor General and Mr.
Jions on thefe matters, as tbs
" Barivell had taken the whole on themselves
refponjibility ;
" the
be
muft able
anfwtr for confidences of the meafures. al-
cc 1 *

ready refolved on, and fuch as may, of necejjity, follow.'

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.

Theobject 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 Mr. Francis, to ofcpofe expences,

in
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
Demands equally unjuit and
to his e It .ibii fiied tribute.
impoiit they were compulfutory, at a time, when
c, as
ihould have dictated the
prudence 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,
as well as immediate contemplation,
having, in remore
ends very oppofite to thofe which were profeffed.

May ir, Advices from Bombay of the 5th

1778.
communicated the accounts of a revolu-
April, having *
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-
" That no
yiftion, maintained, feafon could be more
" than
hazily choftn the beginning of May ; that the
" violent beats would foon be over ; and that the fuc-
" rains would be a to the and
ceeding relief^ troops^
" the march." To thole who have
facilitate experi-
enced the rains of India, the idea will appear new and
extraordinary. Colonel Leilie's letters, particularly
prove that nothing could
his private ones to the Governor,
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

innumber, in a tempeftuous feafon, and through an
enemy's country, interfered with numberlefs dreams,
generally overflowed. The effect of the heat was fa-

tallyexperienced on the march from Calpee;

firft
day's
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 Boofla, Rajah of Berar, had expreiled
Moodajee
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-
fo pointedly the political objects and
try, and declared
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 Mr. Haftings's equivocations, fophiftry, and ill-
all

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.

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
He " That the
clujton" faid, 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 for plunder, and an avidity for power , bays

tbirft
" 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 demon Oration, that the fafety of
evident to
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 Boofla, who was then dan-
Moodajee
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

at Cairo, on the 7th July, which,
Company's agent
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-
l
ance from t *is very deiachrr^nr, which, lor that ible
oftenfibly, was put under their abfoiutc au-
purpofe, '

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
" to be
acknowledged by Mr. Haftings, capable of refu-
to" and "
fing acquiefcence 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 Bengal provinces, and perhaps render

to the
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 defen/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 ; which he was joined by Mr. Francis. The
in

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 the Company that they had
longer binding on ;
" determined to
accept the offers of Moraba and other
"
Chiefs 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.from Colonel
By lc tters

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,
" and rapacity, imputea to him (the Colonel)
$refumption t
" 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
my being innocent of thefe charges, protrafts
poffibility of
<
the meafure,and fufpends your refolution." This quo-
tation from Captain Palmer's letter muft have been
It ma-
very early in July, or the latter end of June.
that the moft facred trufts were facri-
nifeftly proves,
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
an opportunity of admiring his virtues and ca-
yielded
pacity,
 ( 40 )

*
pacity, for the -death of Alexander Elliot, Efq. He
tell a to patriotifn, ar..' ro his
martyr employ-
ers -- AfF the EalV
w^iicii nr.d in the cure
re-.HM-t s too c ,

mercury; his

duty he thought
(as 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 journey yet to encounter, he could not, without
his

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.

Onthe 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
" Vbat it was
thereof, declared, 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 1

miaute upon record ,

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 God to his
of blaft defigns by
" means which no human prudence could have forefeen, and
" which he had therefore provided no refource"
againft
Yet he affirmed, " That the effifts of the detachment will
" hopes^ and that the meafure
ftill anfwer bis moft fanguine
" is 'as
advifeable new,and more fo, than when it
itfelf
" was Mr. Francis, with his wonted
firjl adopted."
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-
* " He
felves. 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 the general letter to
-in
injunctions J

Madras, dated 2-th June, 1770, again it offerifive arid officious ^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-
" Whether
mitting thefe facts to be reiblved favourably,
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,
^ That he
frying, had furnijbed Mr. tiaftings, at hi$
" o,vn a particular journal of occurrences,
fpecial defire,
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 a general con-
it is

\f\
uic, that .he iir.pnflibility < f his recovery was effec-
v
i
t
^iiy, confequence, in the
k&c. ). fied a- an inevitable
G >.ernor's ind, at the
time he confented to his dif-
i:

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 ofMr. Elliot's inftruftions ; although it was but
upon the 7th of laft month, that he had declared,
'
It
" wouldbe more advantageous to wait for folicifattens than
" make advances" And he propofed, that Colonel
to
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-
detached out of the provinces, with-
pany's troops, thus
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-
" Zbat it was
tice, '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 term5
'
that do not imply per/onal diftruji of their
Prefident-
1
'There -was no language (he faid) in which a total
'
want ofconfidence in his perfonal honour and vcra-
6
can be conveyed, without a direft affront to him"
city
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
from any hope of in-
vjevv to exculpate himfelf, than
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 )

he was thoroughly no poffi-

afflired that there was
lity,
his recovery, if his intelligence' did not amaunc
bility of
to a certainty that he was then dead.* So that, in his
own he muft have kft the conduct of this
principles,
mod important interprize in the hands of a man, whom
hs does not fcruple to accufe of ignorance) prefumptimt,
find rapacity.
'

A motion was by the Governor,

fent in circulation
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-
the expedition, but as not
pofed to be accomplimed by
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 thsmfelves 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 common
devoid of 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
may ftand to this government;
ihey
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 myfelf, 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 from Colonel Goddard,
letter
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 6th November, from Colonel Goddard to him-
i

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-
to farce on a Marratta war at all events,
ple in Bombay,
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,
and amicab.e dijjxmion of the Poonah Govern
'

faith, as the juil :

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-
this place as notes.
ply aiib in

FIRST LETTER.
" I call God to v.anefs, that, outof 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 in former times, oa
Bombay, put
*
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
pre-
it,' in effeft, for the
" fervation .of
friendihip, that you trouble the dominions of this
" Such a mode of conduft is iriconfifleut vvitli the
" government?
maxims and of and illuftrious Chiefs. It is
ufages high 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."

" It is
SECOND t E T T E ?:.
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 can be attributed the Rationing garrifons
friendmip
" in the What iias happened, is
country of the other party?
" then In proof'of *:his aflertioh, b
to
agreeable Englilh faith.
'*
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'^
" It
government in Calcutta, and Bombay, he concludes thus,
*
is the dictate
offcund 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 And though
objefts prefaced to bis vie-iv." ic
may 1

be true, as Mr. Haftin^s laid in the fame letter,

ftric~tiy

That, in the whold of his own conduit, he haa departed

*

"from thz common line vf policy, in waking advances , when

" tvould have waited for folicita-
others in his fitudihn
" 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 Moodajee Boofla be not the real

all,

Rajah of Bcrar, remained to be confidered, whether

it

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
" march of Mr.
certainly vote againft the the troops"

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
" Let the
points were necejjary for their information"
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
" Berar
pffifftMS of the 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 *#-
unaccompanied by any efcort, through a
officered ftate,

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
was 436,793 currcnc rupees, equal to
4^,680 L
this reinforcement,

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 " that all tbf artillery and gun were
fays, carriages
'*
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-"
li
r
bbl'ervi, :g, 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

Onthe 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^
" which the Governor's in-
to catch ardently at the objeft*
" and p^Jonal friendship had generoujly defined for
gemtity
" his The Rajah, wifely preferring
aggrandifement"
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
<c
oppofe Colonel Goddard, he exprefsly f-.ys, 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 methe great eft lojjes , yet neither was it
in
**
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-

h;id precipitated the power, which, when
ings's politics
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 becomes the Company's dignity and wif-
which it

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 a check in the
jvffered fevere 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
" That w-d have the
for .the retritval of the national lofs.
" means in our and that with fuch fuperior advan-
power \

"
tages as we potf'fs over every power which can oppofe KJ,
" wec /

This parngraph is the juft idea of a perfon who knew the fpirit
:V

and cffed of the whole proje&s of the Company's leading .fcrv

in Inuia. It is borrowed, literally.
 ( 59 )

*c
we Jhould al
cly on the definfas"
'/ me; 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 mould appear true, the Courc
the affirmative
of Directors Undoubtedly recall to their remem-
will
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-
" / have
fedly rrplied thus :
fe-'n Mr i-rantifs mi-
" nute, and do not think necj/ary or proper to reply

In day or two after, the Board received the firft

a

by way of Mad; as, of the motion of an

intelligence,
army from Bombay, to remrtate Roganaut-row in the
&egtncy of i^oonah.

January 25. Letters of the 3oth December, frorrj,

Moodajee were produced in Council on the 25th

J3oofla,

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 .h January, communicated on the id
r

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
the credit of it.
pr
It
 ( 62 )

It
appeared by Colonel Gaddard's- letter, that
alfo,
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< Calcuna. at,m T

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 never was, nor
it is, by the Engltjh chiefs,
** "dejigned
fupport Roganaut -row
to 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. confuled rotation, evidently calcu-
in a
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-
" in order to leave room for the entire and free
qidjhed,
"
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
.

* means the Rajah's acceffion to the fupretne

Setterab expedif'on
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 "
That the Government, of Re~
Goddard, it
appears,
" 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-
" entered into with them" What
gagetpents before
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
" That it
fays, .

feemed now to. be the firft 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 wouldy 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^
" The remainder of Mr. Weather-
if ever, be removed."
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, ffeft 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-
" the moft
ter of 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
\nwhich 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. now con-
It aj/otds us equal
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
to be written to Colonel Goddard, and a fhort
propofed
it.
ftrifture upon
" We art much concerned that Moodajet Boo/la Jhotild
cc much
fo 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-

" to enter into the proofed negotiation : For, if
fore decline
a treaty with him, it would have been
you had concluded
<c

" 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. were not the Go-
Why
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.-*

It is taken as a point granted in the Governor's

i ft.

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
" Government, and of
refpect to the late political meafures of this
"'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
1 believe I have been
i to ^hffe principles, 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 firft anri ruling objei'i or f
II
every prtnc? and ft ate, nvhoje ptjj'fjj: r<nr may ft and <vcithinS"
t
f
tn ~
l(
the Company's ambition, zs naturally led to apply to their"
" Com*
terefi^ the treatment which they fee others rective from"*
pany and their depend, nfs."
'

Towards the conf^ufton of this judicious, and 3n' e "nan-

fwtraWe minute, he obferved,
'
That the expejicr'J, ColQ n<;l
Goddard's
and that it therefore, cannot admit; either of amsod-
nient or addition.

2d contended that the additional demand to be

It is
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-

on occafion of thefeparate
pany'- exprefs orders given
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 of inconfiftency, in a letter laid before the
line
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 " and
might with greater propriety have added, to.
* fc
excite drtad^andiealo'ujy in ths minds of all the Princes of
" He concluded, with profeflmg, that his
Hindojtan"
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 fok 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
his adverlary of the fii.'^fy made in which he
itripped
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.
* firft time he intimated the
This was 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
Governor's letter to Moodajee Boofia.
qioft curious paiTage in the
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 had unrefervia'y committed views, partly and
" you, I all my
by letters, but very fully in repeated conversations with
indiftinffly
"
your Vakeel Beneram Pundit, as it would have been very impro-
'*
to have affairs of fuch delicacy and importance Committed to
" per
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-
'*
'with which thej's ivtre nianifeftlj diclated, I had every rea-
" cerify Yet t without Jane af-
fan to conclude that you approved of them-
"
furance s, common prudence required, that I Jhould hot precipitately
" abandon
every other refource, and irrevocably ccKimit the hitter
" and inter a doubtful meajure. Precau-
efts of this government in
V tious it,sre taken, that ncthing Jhould be undertaken by any of the
"
depmdent en this, which might eventually interfere
" governments
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, by a reference to the very paffage in Mr.
and fir ft

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-
" Tou
ftructions referred to by the Governor fay, 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, no confederation whatever to
you are to juffer
*'
dtreff you from that objett'

Mr. Francis, after a multitude of replications and

rejoinders, debate by a
clofes the 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 ufes thefe words,

j unifying minute,
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-
6
bay a rrry, thus 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
theywere 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
1
*
oaths.

After relating journally, the proceedings of both ar-

mies on the field of Tulicanoon, the Nabob's Vakeel
fays, On the \$th January tbe Marratta Surdars (Ge-
c
',

'
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.
* and
*Tbe Marrattas fent for him into the prefence, 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,
which the Marratta Chiefs might Jill
"ftgned and fealed,
as they pleafed. Scindia told the Minifters, That al-
"up
" make
though they had demands
it in their power to any-
" it would not be
advifeable to do
it at this
they pleafed,
" making large demands would only fow re-
time ; for our
*' in their hearts, and we had better demand
" fentment Let Rog&naut-row be with us,
only what
is neceffary.
'
and the treaty between us and the Englijh will be ad-
" hered to. Let Salfette, and the Pergunnahs in Guzzerat,
" be Let the Bengal army return back.
given back
to us.
*'
For the reft, let us aft with them, as is Jtipulated in
" the with Balagee row, the jewels mortgaged by
treaty
" be rejlored, and nothing demanded for them.
Roganaut-row
" 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 in the capitulation and treaty.
ftipulated
" On was returned to the Mar-
theyth, the treaty
i
*'
ratta camp, written in Perfian, Marratta, and Eng-
" with the Company's feal, and figned by
lifhj, fealed
" Mr. Carnac, and After this, the' Mar-
four officers.
" 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, his higheft capacity of Governor
in

GcnerJ, received Calcutta the yth and izth Decem-

in

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, put him on his guard, and to
to
hole! the in Rohilcund, and in Oude, in
troops ftationed
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.'

Marchi. 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 )

c
They fay, 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
*
ga& d & w#r, which calls for the exertion v< c.
in
*
force ^ and the good-will oj every ft ate in ahianc.: v? u .

c
In the concluG( n they recommended, to direct the
'
retreat of Colonel Goddard through Eerar, towards the
' and the northern drears'
coaft of Orixa,

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
'
encamp it on the other fide?
to 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
is conitrued as p:eiciibing narrow limits tq
pi'fieffions
their Government.

On March, Mr. Francis recorded a com-

the 8th of
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 anjwer every ivifs avd profit-
to

able $urp ofe. That their arms jhcuUt be employed inferr-

ing what had acquired, That all their ac'quifihohs
they
may be ly endeavouring to extend them.
loft, 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
naval enkrprizcs proved
globe, the fuccefs. of nothing in
fdu ur of expediiiuns t-y land into the hearts of countries
and unkn >ivn' *
h:-jli!e

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 it met j

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
" '
In the fame debate he
proceeding to the ether coaft.
" that the
obicrvcd, flan for reflating Roganaut-row hav-
" /;/ Goadar'd was under exprefs orders^ * on
<? A'^^J Colonel
"
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 that Colonel Goddard re

hereafter appear,
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 lilings H
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."
L2 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

as to the reafons of the return of

precife information
their army, or the probable confequences of it In
of his refolution Colonel Goddard moved on
purfuance
with his detachment, and arrived at Surat about the z^th
of February, having not feen an enemy, nor met with
in the march from Brahm-
any oppofition whatlbever
pore. Had army been commanded by a man of
the
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 necefTary to purfue the fame pre-

it lefs

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 , to exprefs the concern andfurprife of the Board
r

" 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-
" or other Indian or
tas^ any princes powers, except in their
" own immediate defence, without our confent and appro-
"
bation^ firft 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-
without exaggeration, the critical, but above ail,
fing,
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,
" Thatthe Marrattas ought to be fatisfied with
* 6 the of Roganaut row, and to rtltnquifh. the
poffeffion
" 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."

" That
3d,

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.
 ^ That the Marrattas, knowing the invalidity o
3'd,
" 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.

" That the divifions of the Marrattas have been,

4th,
" but That the
and not healed.
fuperficially covered,
" return of
Roganaut-row may excite frefli commotions
amongft them. That he fees no chance of recovering
e

Roganaut-row; but, on the contrary, that he is loft

44

''
to its for ever, although it may be no great lofs to us,

except by regretting the wound which the Britifh cre^

46

" dit has received in the manner of his

fepfiration from
us." *

" That the conduct of

5th, Moodajee Boofla, fince
" his knowledge of this event, manifefts the impreflion
41 v, hich it hath generally made on the minds of thepeo-
" It ( And they believe that any force
f Ilindoilan.
\

" 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

viz.
lowing proportions,

ifr.
" Thar Colonel Goddard be
invefted with pow-
'
ers, miniHer, to r^preient this government at the
as
" 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 thewar

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.)

" That the firft

2d. brigade, already ordered to 4
'*
convenient ftation for cr< fling the Jumna, be fup-
plied with ordnance, ammunition, and ftores fit for
*

" the fervice.

" That
gd. Major Camac be ordered back
to Co-
ct fome other convenient Itation, within,
rumba, or to
" or near to our borders, and
fupplied with ammuni-
" tion, &c.

" That Sir

4th. Eyre Coote be requeued to ifiue
" the neceflary orders for carrying the preceding rcfo-
w Igtions into execution.

" That a letter be written to the Paifhwa and

5th.
'*
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.)

cc
7th. 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 alfoan 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
hoftages, confiding in the iacred faith of the Com-
as.

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 be the object of Mr. Elliot's
their letter to
*
deputation, did not Teem to be a confideration cqui-
*
vaient to the injury your general intereft would fuf-
tain, were we to forego the plan refolved on the 21 ft
t

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!*
*

Auguft and i5th of October, we had any reafon to

4

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 ;

M2 '
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
part in the Weftern broils, nor appears to have any
fc

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,

Moodajee Scindia, who has already acquired the

*
like
*
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
late occafion, prove
a.
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 powerand
empire".
 ( 93 )

s
ful authority to that he has afiumed, than by -attempt-
the whole ftate a-new, and to place the
ing to model
4

'
rule of it in hands of our own chufing ; a labour, that

perhaps too arduous, and the fuccefs certainly du-

*
is
*
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-

were affembled, and told, that this muft
ratta officers
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-
in the fame caufe.
pany, co-operating
 (95 )
<c
The Bengal detachment muft
already have cofl an ,

*'
immenfe fum, and its expences, while it remains here,
44
is more than to the full amount of all our pre-
" fent revenues.equal
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
" The Colonel has
eight or ten lacks more at f'artheft.
*'
likewife already exprefled his anxiety, with regard to
" the burthen his expences may prove to the
tc
Bengal
and indeed, if we confider the increafed
" treafury and naval eftablimments of that
j

military Prefidency,
" on account of the war with
France, and the demands
" which
probably have been already made on the Go-
" vernorGeneral and Council the Gentlemen of Ma-
by
'
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
" * and
purpofes of the war only, 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-
of" Mr The application of Mr. Hornby was cri-
nority Mailings.
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
*' and all our refources together do not af-
fifty lacks,
'
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 our inveftments, apply about four lacks
total ftop to
<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 * 5

thought very defperate.

" 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-

pofition among the men to return home, if they could
46

*' furnilh themielves with money enough to bear their

charges to their own country.
<c 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 * and it is
expences , abfolutely ne-
" to think of taking fuch rrieafures for this pur-
ctfiary
<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 Our bond-debt is already in-
oppofe them ?
" creafed near None of the money ex-
eight lacks.
"
pected from Bengal to pay off that before contracted,
yet arrived; and to mod people here it feems in-
*' is

'*
credible, that the fubfcription opened at
Bengal for
" fum
raifing the 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

* o'r ambitious idea, it is to be fufpeQed,

This inHuiable fpurfed
Mr. Hornby and his colleagues in council; to the unwarrantable
itate-of affairs and
iupport cf Roganaut-row, without sveiglung the
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 It will then be in vain to talk of
prefent hold.
.**
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
" much as we fhall find bills for, and I
to the full as
*c
may be more than that government can conve-
fear
"
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
" * 1 he Bengal troops which may
money by loans.
" now
give vigour to our operations, by the time I
" allude to, be quite ufelefs for want of money to
may
"
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 as *
impending afpeft, reafon confirms it
natural one.
 e 99 )

The foregoing abftract breathes fo much candour in

plain, unaffected terms, and exhibits a
portrait of the
Company's under fuch high, diftinguilhing co-
affairs,
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 endeavours and ex~

fruitlefs

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 it confornv

thought
" able to your directions in moft refpects, I confented
" continue granting fupport to Ragoba, though
to
44
muchagainft 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
in a general view, the fubverfion alfo'
Company-, and,
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-

the caufe of Roganaut-
bay, in conftqnence thereof,
ro\v ceafcd to wear any longer a propitious a'pect, and
:'
-'U'd, in prudence, have been abandoned upon terms
iona lecuriiy to him. Thirdly, having had a per-
1

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
ilicuidhave-commanded the decifive judgments in cer-
tain of the Supreme Council of India.
cafes, 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
juftbegun 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
more fabjlantial cbjtffis* could come before the
,(rtber

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
c
the iubjectsof 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,
* for
except in one inftancc ,
'

*
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
* " undertaken without our
operations 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 to
pleafe, 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 Command mould precede

Jefuitical evafion indeed! 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
' " is but a fmall
it, 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
* " nor are we
us, 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 meaftires 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 pointedly directed
is

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.
Knowing, as Mr. Haftings avows,
'
f-
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
the mojl Jacred truft ;' and
pable of betraying 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-
iertionsof Mr. Muftyn and Mr. Lewis; but above
all,- being too obedient to the dark, myfterious'
ia
didates of Mr. Haftings. Mr. Draper, with a p?j ne-
tratingjudgment, 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 truftcommitted 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.

Thelanguage 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.

there any thing,* faid Sir Eyre, c that we, the

Is

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
gentlemen engaged in it* who by the exceffivd
civil

powers they tokj prelcrved the whole refponfibility

to thcmfeives."

What a pitv that thefefentiments

poflefled
his rhihd,
but few days only 5 it will appear by the minutes,
;r a
that ,n the yth and loth of June he adopted others,
to
direclly oppofue; and on the i4th June fubicribed
a k ucr, which facrificed the
j

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 he did himfelf. And the miftake led him to oppofe his
as
new friend Mr. Haftings, whofe favourite meafure it was.
 ( 109 )'

endeavouring to hold the fcales in our ow(i

e '

thus
'
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 by refufing this they force .us to colntig^er

if

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, from my own, will never
infeparable *
"
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 to apprize the Board, that in the following
ought
'
minute have not offered my opinions on the mea-
I
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-
' 1
ment upon them.

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 there was not one Chief in the Empire whs

evident,
* would draiv a fword for Regan aut -row.' (Minute
*
It follows therefore- that in un-
1
9th February 1779)
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
and as far as fuccefs depended 'on fuch,
principles,
'
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
fiift of the above Chiefs were then under reftraint,
4

4
and the latter greatly fufpected.

gd. la July, they appear to have relied on the af-

*

* of Colonel Leflie's detachment, and to have

filtance
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-
ing implicitly to any intelligence we may receive from
4

*
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'smeans 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
power, notwithstanding the refidence of Meffrs. Mo-
6

'
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 unequal to the conduct of an ex-
officer
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 thepbn of an expedition, which could
only have fuccceded by rapidity and furprize.

36*.
*
The allowing Roganaut-row to move with a
camp, inftead'of keeping him conftantly un-
*
feparate
*
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'^:af telling him that
if'be
wcuU attack the Englijb, be wouldjoin 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
againtl whom he himfelf had delivered
'
the officers,
'
a formal charge of difobedience of orders, viz. That
* a' I r,iilitary duty and
if they would not decline fubmit
their cavfe to our determination, be would move to fuf-
4

in our t -pinion, a
l-.i^h and
'
fend them the fervice t is,
'
arbitrary proceeding, and cails for the moft and
public
'
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-
charge, to wave their right to a public trial, is
'
lie
*
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,
* that their claim to to have
right, and
it
ought not
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
upon the fpot, where all the parties and wic'nef-
*
tried
ieswere 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-
martial, is not weakened by this delay ; and for this
c

reafon, as well as becaufe we think that many cirCum-

c

Bombay, and
*
ftances relative to the late tranfactions at
necellary for the Company's information, can only be
'

brought to light by a public trial, we are of opinion,

6

'
that a court-martial mould be immediately ordered
*
Egerton and Cockburn, on the
for the trial of Meflrs.
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 own reprefentauons for
the truth of their
granted, not eafy to defcribe a fituation more com-
it is

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
to have no caufe of diflatisfadion on account of their
4

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 told us in their letter of the
Bombay
*
yth December 1777, that fince their late acquifitions
it was become very
*
necefiary, and they had accord-
recommended it to the Company, to augment
fingly
the European corps j that notwithstanding they gave
every encouragement, it was very difficult to raife
*

good Sepoys on that coaft j that it would require fo

4

.*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

refpecl to fend them a reinforcement of difciplined

4

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 mifcarriages. Let it be
v admitted that fuccefs. and conqueft are as certain as the
44
moft fanguine expectations can imagine ; /; does notfdkw*
" that
 ( 120 )

4<
its at the cbjtfis prcpofed to be obtained by them> an fuck
" as we to aim at in our prefent circumftances, or that
ought
" own expences.
vi fiery will pay its By extending our
" territorial pojfcffions , we create irreconcilable enmity in
thofe powers^ whom we immediately rob of
*'
the minds of
*
their property. We fill every other Indian ft ate withjea-
" and alarm, and the territory we
.lottfy 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, my conception, is the fituation in which a
in
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-
*
lefs than the extreme and inftant neceffity of felf-
thing
c
pretervation, can ever reduce the
Marrattas to fo def-
peratc a refolution, as that of inviting a European
*

army inio their country. If once they are intro-

1

*
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 ftate of
" much more than the inter eft of India may depend
iking!,
" 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 refour 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
" or whether we are not arrived at a
feat of Empire ; point,
" at 'which common prudence dilates to us to fa, once for
"
all, tbe limits cf our dominion. If my judgment 'were to
" them"
prevail, it
foould be cur objeft to contract

*
Thefe general confiderations belong properly to the
opinion which I mean to give on the principal quef-
c

tions before us, and will be found applicable to the

4

'
Toavoid a ufelefs debate at the Board, T think the
firftqueftion (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,

what I deem fufficient materials for that
will furnifa

part of our
letter. >
To thefe, however, the other
members of the Board may propofe fuch additions or
1
alterations as they fhall think proper.

4
The mould think, to be decided
fecond queftion, I

in the lame manner, Whether we mould declare

is,

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 Theremaining brought before us by the

qu eft ions
e
Governor General's minute, require more care and
'"
deliberation than need be given to the condemnation
*
of any thing that is
paft.'

*
I we ought, in the firft place, to decide ge-
think
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 propofed inftrudions, I am a-

'
refpec"l to the
* or giving our fanction to, the
gainil our engaging in,
* of military operations propofed by Mr. Hornby.*
plan

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
tionwhich 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 muft itill be trufted and
diftrels,

employed in the direction and conduct of the pro

fi

'
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
'
is
difpofition 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 heartilyi^ined,:to it.

_
At all events, we
loje nothing, by waiting for the refultof Colonel God-
rf

dard's. negociation 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 but fimple principles, in a
on any
labyrinth of Afiatic politics. Let us be contented with
what we have. Let us keep the peace let us leave cur -,

to fettle their
neighbours 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-
;

*
ralmay 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 chief, that means are taken to prevent the
in
'
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 they have dreamed too long of inex-
truth is,
'
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. JIt is high time*
*
that they (hould be- awakened from it.

The
* To Roganaut-row lacks rupees
4 ")
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
to arijc out of the fubjefts immediately
necfffary before the
Board, as to the continuation offormer 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: '

',
was refolyed that a copy of 'thtfOoVernor-gerteral's
It
drafr b< delivered to each member, for
their^opinjons
pn.cuCfl paragraph. :

:
, 13V3I
"

At a contuhation on the loth of June, Mr. Francis

'ted a drafr of a letter, as amendments upon that
prop-
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.

" We have received i.
1. 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,
to the not to enter into a partial*
prefent enquiries
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- more effectual authority,

rity." 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."

" We muft defire to In Mr. Francis's

3. g.
decline the reference made draft, on the fubjed: of
to us or. the charge made the Governor's third para-
by your Prcfident againft graph, was a literal abitrad
Col. Egerton, and Lieut. of the propofitions made by
Col. Cockburn, as a point him on the yth June.
on which we have nojurif-
didion, and which is cog-
nizable only by your au-
thority , either with the
power of fuipenfion im- Sir Eyre Coote propofed

mediately, vefted in your fome fmall amendment on

body by the Court of Di- 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-
* 5
dition that has failed.

" full
4. Having given 4: Approved literally^
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."

*
But if the ministers
" Until we (hall be
5. 5.
fhalireject the propofals
advifed by Col. Goddard,
which we have ordered to of the reiult of his nego-
be made to them, and (hall ciations, in confequencs of
reduce us to the neceffity has prefent order.^, we do
of defending the rights and not think it adviieable to
interefts of the Company bind ourfelves, even by a
R by
 ( 130 )

by an open war, we leave conditional determination*

a latitude of action to Col. to profecute the war on the
Goddard, under your in- plan propofed by Mr.
ftructions, to avail himfelf Hornby, or on any other.
of the fituation which for- Suppofmg that our views
tune may prefent to him ; and wifhes, which are all
and if a war fhould be in- directed to an honourable

difpenfibly continued, it peace, mould be defeated,

muft alib reft with him, it is not from a partial ef-

who is refponfible to us for fort on your fide of India

his conduct, to adopt any alone, that we can form
part, or the whole of Mr. any reafonable expectation
Hornby's plan, laid down of a decifive fuccefs againft
in his minute of 3Oth the united power of the
March, or not at all, as Marrattas ; for in the cafe
he may think moft advife- of war, we mutt fuppofe
able for promoting the their ftrcngth to be united
diftrefs of the enemy.'* againft us. We
will not
therefore, precipitate a re-
Sir Eyre Coote propofed folution, in the, confe-
a trifling amendment on quence of which, all India
this
paragraph. 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.
" Should this plan be 6. in the
Comprehended
carried into execution, we lait
paragraph, No.
up- 5,
require your ftricteft at- on the general principle of
tention to the following his minute, of obferving a
cautions : That your en- liient relervation until frefh
mail be offen- advices were received from
fagements
ve, only for the objects Col. Goddard, in conte-
of your immediate opera- quence of his instructions
tions ; and in all other re- 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
treatieswith perfons of a
rank or power, unfuitable
to fuch a diftinclion."

" We are fenfible of Obferved the fame

7. 7.
the attention which you filence as in the preced-
have Ihewn to our views ing, on this paragraph al-
with the government of fo which of courfe im-
Berar, in joining the over- plied a difapprobation.
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
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 tofuppori 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 ineflential and in-
trinficbenefits 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."

" We have therefore As above.

9. 9.
inftru&edCol. Goddard to
exprefs the fenfe in which
thisgovernment 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 ii. As above.
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 12.
Approved, literally.
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- 13. Difapproved upon

with Madajeee the principles exprefled in
cindia, bears fuch a con-
fociation his draft
oppofite to the
ne&ion with the foregoing, fifth
paragraph.
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
the
the refufal, or fuch hefita-
tion ofMoodajec 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.

" We
have directed As the foregoing.
14. 14,
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.

" We fhall heartily 15. Silent.

15.
join
with you in recom-
mending Colonel Goddard
to the Court of Directors, In conclufion, Mr. Fran-
" That with
for theappointmentofcom- cis obferved,
" the form and
mander in chief, at your regard to
" extent of the
Prcfidency, on the fir ft va- charge a-
"
cancy ; and in the interme- Colonel
gainft Egcrton
diate time we think it abib- " and Lieutenant Colonel
" Cockburn, I have no
lutely neceflfary in the pre-
te
fentdiftrefled fitunion that objeclion to the terms
the military ef-
" recommended Sir
upon your by
tablimment are reduced to, " Copte."
Eyre
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.

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. as well the il-

Horfiey's letter to the Board, reprefenting,
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.

thefe reafom, he was againft Mr. Francis's

That, for
.

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 faffer 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
it is no lefs a truth, that a detachment
'

famii
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 to the ift> 2d, 4th, 6th, loth,

agreed 9th,
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.

was refoived by Mr. Haftings, Mr. Barwell, and

It
SirEyre 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-
cellarilyrendered 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
the longer he con/iders them."
fervice,

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 diffentfrom, 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.'*
4
2. 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.
 Becaufe, confidering the claim of Colonel E-
'
2.
*
ocrton and Lieutenant-Colonel Cockburn to be tried
by a Court Martial, as a claim of right, I think we
4

'
fhoiiid not have confined our interpofnion on this
.
r to -\ coldand 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-
of which the Seleft Committee may now avail
4
'ternative,
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
by an immediate and direct
*
the parties, 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,
by which it was extorted from thern. They who
4

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 ingenera^ 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

profecutton of it. In fuchcircumftances,

'
engaged in the
'
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.

c
5. 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 it with the
unable to reconcile 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

'
of peace or war, the information which Mr.
queftion
'
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 intertfts 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-
con! eft with the united Marraita power.
fare fuccefs in a
*

*
Yet it is with this force, and with this fotce alone,
'. that under the prefent orders we are to commence a
war, which will afluredly unite the whole power of the
c

<
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
*

'
as the Commander in Chief very juftly thinks they
pojjejjions,
would, on what principle can wejuftify a refolution, ca-
' hazardous conferences, from which^
pable ofproducing fuch
*
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-

council refolved againft the moft pointed efforts
in
jority
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 for278,832 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.
It would therefore have been
fyftem of government.
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 are equally
power, 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.
ungenerous and uncandid attempt by the
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 George, in order to draw the reproach which
St.

juftly belong tothem, 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
inNovember 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
in the
conveyed 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 a ftrict obedience to orders, which
paying your
*
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-
" of fuccefs. Had the
fibility 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."
" them in their negoci-
They unaccountably forgot
" and alliances with the Marratta Chiefs. The
ciations
" infant Paidiwa was firft to be protected; next, Ro-
ganaut-row was to be affifted again, Moodajee Boo-
ct
;

fla was to be fupported in fome diftant pretenfions ;

* s

" and all to the fame object, the lupreme government

" of the Marratta ftate."
**
When a contradiction of this nature appears in the
" a great power ; when a more than a
public acts of
" of the profeflions it may make, becomes
1

fufpicion
" 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
fallenthe 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-
" with the Englifh, Hyder-Alli-Cawn would never
ter
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-
natic, by protracting; the reftiturion of the Guntoor
<c

"
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 conduct I have departed from the

my
common line and have made advance'J, wbtn
of policy ,
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-
the ftare of the
perousiflueofourmeafures, mayconduct
iVlaha Rajah's government. But I know the characters
to which I addrefs myfelf. I trujt to the approved bravery
that he will ardently catch at the
andfpirit of your Chief,
to his ambition, and to your wildom; of
cbjetts prefiwed
which, if fame reports truly, no minifter ever
a larger portion, that you will view their im-
poifirfied
in too clear a light to hazard the lofs of them,
portance
to take an advantage of the defire which I
ly attempting
bavs exprejfd for their ac complement. ?his intimation
mt fe much intended for a caution to you, as for an ex-
to thofe who may be
planationof my condutt 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

1

which is now come : for you -conceive it 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 ce- operate wiib the
to Colonel Lejlie,
forces
which I /ball with his
unite 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, magnanimity, and forefight,

iteadinefs,
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-

glifhof 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, asyou wrll learn more fully from Beneram Pun-
dit. There is no remedy for fuch misfortunes, and it
is vain to ftrive againft the decrees of providence ,
in
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 likewifeinformed 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 notproduce the
effect of laiisfying you on the of the Paifhwa,
fubjtc"l
bin your doubts ftill remained. And, actuated by
wifdorn
wifdom and prudence, you determined to fend Mr.
and wrote to me, that on .his arrival at
Elliot to me,
Naigpore, after he had an interview with me, and
learned my ientiments and views, he would, in ccm-
jucltirrnwith 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 in hoftilities
engaging
with the Paijhwa's cffic and Zimcndars of
-j,
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
'to attack him, wrote me from thence,
opportunity
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 by ambufcade and ftratagems, and cut off

it

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 engagaments j and
faith of
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 tohim 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 to fupport that nation, who were
" the agreement
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
" to them and I would have taken, from
" obliged
:

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-
" to the French, and become guarantee, all his
ting
" doubts would be removed ; and that if it was rc-
" mould be executed, to
quifite a frefh
u which he would engagement
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 courfe of converfation, that his matter has
in the
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.

TheEnglifh 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 for 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, he does not deceive us, are fufficiemly folid,
if
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 and of our previoufly giving
them,
them march o r our army through
fatisfaction for the
their country, and for the large fums collected from
1

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 I think deferves their notice, notwith-
particular,
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
1

from Mr. Heft'ings ! 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

on the levity and precipi-
effect, the fevereft reflections
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 )

" in the whole of his confluct." If we were not

Key
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 be proper maturely to deliberate on the
will

probable event before the commencement of any un-

* 6

"
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 never fuffer an Engliib army
i

to march iruo jthe heart of the country ; efpeciaily when

he hears t!iac another detachment is preparing to enter
it from .he aftvvard.
i 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.
/< events, I prefume, it cannot be difputeu, that
-.11

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, deter us from ever forming juch a enter-

to

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
If where he is.

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 much
inclined to think, that all
very
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 and decifive orders be immediately difpatched
clear
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,

from Poona, contained in a Letter from Row

Intelligence
Gee, dated i8tb of January, 1779, to "the Nabob
<?/Arcot.

1. have addrefTed your Highnefs feveral letters of

I

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 4 cols from the pafs, they
1

were obliged to hair ; Captain Stewart, one of their Sur-

dars, was killed at this place.

On the 2i(l January the European army arrived

8.
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 fidesby 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-
had intelligence of this ; for, on the 13th January,
pear,
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
" We are only merchants. When
them,
Raganaut-Row came
'* to
difpuies prevailed with you,
u us
 ( xxiv )

" and demanded our protection. We

us, thought he
<c
a right to the government, and gave him our
had
" 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 Be
formerly taken place between us.
"
plcafed to forgive what had happened'"

The Minifter anfwered. " is one of

Raganaut-Row
*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. thathe 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-
" For the reft let us aft with
gal army return back.
" 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 done.
accordingly

" 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
" On the i7th the treaty was
all
grounded their arms.
" Maratca camp. The articles were written in
fent to the
48
Marat ta, and Englifh, fealed with the Com-
Perfian,
"
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-
3>
row, &c.
'

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 " That the Governor and
anfwer, Supreme Coun-
*l
of Calcutta were inverted with authority over all
cil
" 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
'thetroops 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-
that the feveral letters you have
;
Ihip fnbfifting 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
for the. march of the troops through the govern-
'pafTes
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 of
articlethe 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, theearneft with of the government of

Bombay, no friendly connections mould be tftab-

that
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 ) be perfectly fatisfied with re-
to
fpect to them, they being fteady to their engagements.

Narrative
The Out Lines of the Rohilla
War.
extenfive rich provinces called Rohil-cund, in-
THE 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 he Provinces of Oude,
r

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-
litaryeftablimment 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) tocommit 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-
hara
 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,by appointment, or in
either
fuite, at that time, in But fecret deeds
Benaras.
diilike the light ; and principles of the
upon 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
it
give 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
th'-' reach of
beyond 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
in the undifturbed poiTefiion of the
posterity, 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

lic difquifit'on.--
them of a texture and complexion, not proper for pub-
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
""That it was
following piirpofe, and nearly literal.
*'
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-

J
-
dwce, between him and myfdf> without any interven-
Could Mr. Waitings have adopted a furer
jn axim or language,- or after ted a ftronger line -of in-
fluence,
 ( 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 to entruft
-proper to his manag-:;ntnt ;
" and he offers frankly, as his opinion, that if the
it,
<6
Board fhall entruft him with the fate nomination of fu.ch
*6
a Refident, and the power of recalling him whenever hs
" it may be attended with good effetts, but not other-
fleajes,
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
" forbids
exprefsly 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 alfovery 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, datedthe 4th June,
1774.,
wherein he fays, " that 'having exprefled his uneafi-
41

"
ttoly
a private complimentary letter" -
nefs to the Vizier, he was told by him, that it was
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
" that b& bad fettled all money matters with Mr.
reply *

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.

conjectured, that about 500 thoufand induftrious

It is

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,
 " One of the
He, (Mr. Francis,) calls it, 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-
licview, either committed by direcl: authority, or un-
der a coUufioir of high authority, which is the more
in its conilquences, by being lets
dangerous 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
and charge, and under his
is
fpe
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 meant to

clearly
preclude from that truft.
military officers
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 orfubordinaiefet-
prefdcncy,
tlements, or ex flip-board, transmitting copies annually,
with explanatory obfervations, to the Court of Direc-
tors and requiring obedience from him to the com-
j

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 and not the quantity on application,
is alone to be
quality
the check intended to be invariably pre-
confirms
certified, this
in a line, meant >o be civ!.
ferred, overthe military interfering '
 ( '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-

may be made to appear, that ftores,
fitive inftitutions, it
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-
is veftcd in the
.

plications, 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 or indulgence, of creating
privilege
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 from keeping books in his office,
defift
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 abftra&s in this narrative.
fubfequent

-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. appears, that upon Mr. Hafting's mo-
it

tion, the orders of theCourt 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
in discharge of duty, nfed the
Store-keeper having,
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 cjf9
as expended onferwce^ 3500 cartouch boxes, and di-
if
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 now in (lore, be made, in order to cor-
ftores,
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-
" I am myfeflefs
fingular declaration upon record, thus,
"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, "
'[hat the re~
becaufe,
Cl
ceipts a,nd ijjueeofftores in the department, are not re-
" The
gulated by any particular time of the day."
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
u That each ftore-houfe
(he fuppofes) to all others,
" (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 to be taken
inflantly thereafter
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'itraSlorfor 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-
" the truft to have been a caufe of fome
pofing joint
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
*' That with refpedt to the fupply
atprefent no ccntroul,
" of itores, by the heads of offices, and by the military
" it was a mcafure
Store-keeper in particular, 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 That he was con-
Store-keeper.
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 and Mr. Barwett, having
Governor General
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 of the military
fupporc
Store- keeper's right to CommilTary of
controul the
ftores and determined purpofe, not to fuffer, under
his
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 to be a check the
chufe upon
"
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 " That he was

acquaints the Board,
" 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 be with the
Jtore-rooms left 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 crder9
" 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
" have a the with the Com-
/bwtld jcint charge of (lores
'*
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
" The Governor
fuch a regulation can take place ."
" The contractor
again ftiles Mr. Livius, of ftores, for
"he is no Store-keeper" And in addition to his former
" that Mr-. Livius
morion, he defires, 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
" their orders "
of

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.

Howfeverely 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 would not jwftify any

declared, that he
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-
" in the char-after a Contractor > has as Ijttk pretcx-
wife of
* 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 lide, and partiality on the other, lowed in
i-

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 Francis, who pajfes bis bills,
Mr.
patrionized by
^ 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
" hus admitting, that befides
ceft" 1 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 that Mr. Livius has an
faid,
" with 1 or articles rated by former
Agency , 5 per cent,
**
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-
probation of the Board of Ordnance ; not by the
<s

"-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 itconcern the fervice in queftion". It is
" Mr. Livius is profefiedly patronized by
that
faid,
<s me." recommended him to the office of military
I
" 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 (lands exprefled, may be fuppofed not to
it
<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 If the ac-

eafily relinquished.*
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.
diary My
isbefore vhe Court of Directors. It was not pofll-
" ble therefore, that I could favor Mr. Livius, or
.*'
afty body unkfs Mr. Baugh and I acted in col-
elfe,
*
lufion. J may be examined at the
defirc that he
**
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 In a further time,
flighted.
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
it to Mr. Haftings and Mr. Harwell,
*c
to put fuch
"
qneftions to him as they think fit. It would be
*'
much me to make any other reply to the
beneath
" 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.

" 'That nine or ten Lacks, tbus

Again it is afierted,
"
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 examination of his ac-
in the
" counts. The has the monthly accounts
Secretary
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
*' it is not his fault.
examined,

*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,
l
j 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
iffue'd to Mr. Livius, are advanced to him as Mi-
*c

Ct
fit ?ry Store-keeper, not as agent. Out of thefe he pays
'*
his own the
office charges by a fixed eftcbJiJhment 5
cc of the Office- with the
eftabhjhment Commifiary's
"
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
Secretary to fill up, will mow what proportion the
ic

"
foregoing dilburfements bear to the total amount of
" advance to the Store- keeper fmce De-
Military
" 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. i:
2,69, 943: 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-
" that he bad not
fices very materially, 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-
to the Comptroller of the offices, to examine
iiitant
" 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-
" the accounts of the offices, they have always
ning
'
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 have difcovered any deviation from
I
" 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."

u \Vhether
Queftion 2^. you have not conftantly
e
! done fo ?

* From November, being 29 days.

$d October to r ft

Anfaer
 ( 38 )

" Yes, I have."

Anfwer.
"
Whether you have ever obferved,
Queftion $d.
" 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 ?

" I
Governor General. beg that Mr. Baugh may be
" from anfwering that third queftion. If
difpenfed
" there a neceflity for it, it is highly improper, on
is

confidering the wide difference be-

**
many accounts,
*'
tween Mr. Baugh and Mr. Francis, that he fhould be
"
obliged to anfwer to fuch a queftion. / do not re-
" what words of mint have given occq/ion for it%
colkft
" I have made ufe of any, which either direftly lay
but if
"
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.

cc
Qtteftion 4//;. To what point cf time, have the
"
Military Store-keeper's accounts been examined, and
" pafled by the Comptroller ?
'

" To the end of December 1778.

Anfwer.

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."

" The advances made to the

Anfiver. 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
'

Military Store-keeper to the end of Auguft, is ftated

te

"
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."

" Has the Military Store-keeper deli-

Qu^ftion 6th.
monthly accounts regularly
*c
vered in his to the .

" office, fince December Jaft ?

Comptroller's

" to the end of September.

Anfwer. Yq^
"
Governor General. I defire to put the two follow-
*
ing queftions to Mr. Baugh."
ct
ift. 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.
" never have appeared before the Board.
They It
" was not the intent of the
regulation, conftituting the
" that they mould be laid before
Comptroller's office,
" the Board."
Ditto to the id.
" Not
having the neceflary materials in poffelHon my
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 current Rn-
receipts amounting to,
"
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-

" think
I proper to acquaint the Board, that my
it
<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-
" But the General Books, being balanced only
plete.
<c
to the 3oth of April, 1778, it could not have been
"
prepared from them to a period fubfequent to that
'* I believe alfo, that the Entries in the Ge-
time.
*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 : recent Two

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-
x

keeper, 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 I beg leave further to fub~

27, 1779.
" mit another obfervation to the Board, that the
21,979 ftand of arms, and 40,047 bayonets, ap-
'*

** have been in fo bad a

peared on the furvey not to
*
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 extend to the iurveys of
fhall 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,
9
in future, the Store-keeper
tf
being nominal only*

Mr. Wheler maintained his original principle on the

" That a Store-
fubject ; faid, keeper without his key,
'
is a contradiction in terms, and that he will venture
" to affirm, not to be met with in any other fervice
is
*c
than this ; he moved that the military
therefore,
*'
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.

Acircumftance 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 : re- A
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,
" books of the Ordnance
appearing from the-
It
that 5859 Serviceable mufket barrels
f* department,
" have been Tent on board the fhip, Royal Charlotte,
'
to ferve as kentledge. 1 am directed by the Honorable
the

.
* Refolution alfo, was at the fame time balafred with Ba-
The
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 But that would not anfwer the intended end.
office ?
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 mufkets

^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.
" P. Auriol,
(Signed) J. 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-
to a Store-keeper whom
plication for information,
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 P. Auriol, fquire, Secretary."
J,

**
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-
kitie4-4ior does the Ordnance department (by pofaive
4'

*'
orders from the Governor General and Council and by
" the Ordnance ftandlng
regulations) iffue any but by in-
" .dent fbf Store-keeper. It is therefore out of my power
af
" 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
* - - J
Ditto, unferviceablc 6063
** - -
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 on the azft of the preceding

Royal Charlotte was laid up
on board. The return i
Auguft, and ferviceable arms continued
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
management and abufe.
clandeftine
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 become proverbial in that fettlement, that no
is

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
It is therefore incumbent
partizans, in Bengal. 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
is DUE on the last date stamped below
This book

U83

Form L-0
aom-1, '41(1122)
 DS
473 The origin and

narrative of
the present Mar- A 000000105
ratta war.