A History of the Mahrattas v1.c27.32

v1.c27.32

It has been stated that the Peishwa returned from a position fifty miles west of Aurungabad, for the purpose of trying to prevail upon Bussy to give up Doulutabad; but the reason of his having moved to the westward in the first instance remains to be explained. The Bombay Presidency, as we have seen, had long been urgent with the Peishwa to aid them in establishing their trade and privileges on a secure and respectable footing in the city of Surat, but finding they were not likely to obtain his aid, they with abundant caution proposed trying to effect the object themselves, and Mr. Ellis, the agent on the spot, arranged a plan which promised certain success. The Peishwa, apprised of everything that was going forward, sent Shunkrajee Punt, the Soobehdar of Kallian, to amuse Mr. Bourchier until he should find it more convenient than it was at that juncture to detach a force to Surat; but Shunkrajee Punt, judging by the President’s indifference, and the preparations of the armament, that they would proceed to the execution of the enterprise by themselves, Ballajee Rao determined to prevent it, by making a feint of threatening the Presidency itself. With this view he moved from Aurungabad a few marches to the westward, and by means of the native agent employed by the English at Poona, he made them believe that he was about to march for Nassuck and thence to Bassein with his army; he also caused the agent to insinuate that the Mahrattas were treacherous people, not to be depended upon, and that it would be prudent to keep a strict guard on the island of Bombay. The Governor and Council, on receipt of this intelligence, *unanimously resolved*, not only to defer the expedition, but to desire Mr. Ellis to send down all the military and marine force he could possibly spare, to defend the settlement. This remarkable instance of credulity proves the great want of experience of the Bombay Government¹; they, however, got possession of Surat castle some months afterwards, though with considerable loss of officers and men.²