A History of the Mahrattas v1.c26.53

v1.c26.53

As soon as the weather permitted, Mr. John Spencer, accompanied by Mr. Thomas Byfield, both members of the Bombay Council, proceeded to Poona according to the Peishwa’s request. Although Mr. Spencer was junior to Mr. Byfield, the executive part of the mission was committed to him, and he conducted it with ability. He had a long interview with the Peishwa in the beginning of October, at which Rugonath Rao and Sewdasheo Rao Bhow were present.² By that time the restoration of Bussy’s influence at the Court of Hyderabad was known, and the Peishwa was sincere in a desire he expressed of obtaining the services of a body of English troops. But Mr. Spencer was instructed by the President in Council, who acted upon fresh orders from the Court of Directors, to evade any solicitation of this nature that might be made, and to decline entering upon the engagement for which troops had been sent out in the preceding season; a scheme which was therefore never communicated to the court of Poona. Mr. Spencer told the Peishwa of the application, which the Madras Presidency had received from Sulabut Jung, for a body of English troops to assist in expelling the French, a connection of which Ballajee Rao unreservedly expressed his disapprobation.