A History of the Mahrattas v1.c26.11

v1.c26.11

The occupation of Guzerat, the siege of Ahmedabad, and the Carnatic expeditions, prevented the Peishwa from joining to reduce Surat, or from co-operating in attacking Toolajee Angria, until the beginning of the year 1755. The Mahrattas (1755.) had then a short interval of leisure, and the Presidency of Bombay, when unexpectedly called on in the month of March, although such an expedition was to them in the highest degree desirable, began to start difficulties respecting the lateness of the season, though these objections may have been purposely raised, as they certainly made the Mahrattas more urgent in their application. Ramajee Mahdeo Furnuwees, the Sur-soobehdar of the Concan, was deputed by Ballajee to settle a plan of operations and conclude the agreement. The Council, although they had no King's ship at Bombay, resolved to make the attempt, and Commodore James, of the Company's Marine, was selected for the command of the expedition, which consisted of a forty-four gun ship, a ketch of sixteen guns, and two bomb vessels. Six or seven articles were subscribed by the contracting parties, by which the English were to have the command of the marine, but mutual approbation was necessary in the conduct of all operations. The vessels that might be taken from Angria were to be divided by the captors, but the guns and stores were to belong entirely to the Peishwa. Bancoote with the fort of Himmutgurh, and the sovereignty of the river on which it stands, with five villages, were to be ceded in perpetuity to the English. But the President and Council seem to have considered these stipulations as pledging them too far, and therefore one of the articles guardedly states that the English only engage to keep the sea and prevent Angria's fleet from throwing succours into the northern forts of Severndroog, Anjenweel and Jyegurh.