A History of the Mahrattas v1.c19.148

v1.c19.148

is another’s is a thing very wide of reason ; that such-like insults are a sort of piracy ; that such proceedings cannot continue long ; that had I from my beginning cultivated trade, and favoured the merchant, the port I now govern might, by the divine favour, have in some measure vied with the great port of Surat, and my name have become famous ; all which,” your Excellency says, “ is not to be brought about but by opening a fair trade ; that he that is least expert in war generally comes off a sufferer thereby ; and that he who follows it purely through a love that he hath thereto, will one time or another find cause to repent ; that if I had considered this something sooner, I might have found some benefit and convenience thereby.” Your Excellency says, “ you are very well acquainted with the manner of my government, from its beginning, and for that reason you would not on any account open a treaty with me until I set at liberty the people of your nation that are prisoners here : after that, you would receive any proposition from me that was friendly, or might tend to an accommodation.”