A History of the Mahrattas v1.c27.3

v1.c27.3

In his negotiation with the Bombay Presidency, the paramount object of Ballajee Rao was the possession of Gheriah; that obtained, as he had waived all claims on the East India Company, he still pretended a right to the recovery of the treasure and stores carried off as prize by the captors. He again addressed a letter to the King, and forwarded it, as before, through the Madras government. His letter to that Presidency, accompanying the address to his Majesty, was not couched in the strain of frankness and cordial friendship he had assumed to Mr. Spencer; a change which is the first indication of European politics in any degree influencing the conduct of the Mahrattas. It was occasioned both by the renewal of war between Great Britain and France, in the month of May preceding,¹ and by the late misfortunes and still uncertain state of affairs at Calcutta. This policy was adopted, not probably with any hope of restitution, but preparatory to demands for chouth and surdeshmookhee from the Moghul provinces of the Carnatic-Payeen-Ghaut, in which the English had now so direct an interest.