A History of the Mahrattas v2.c33.14

v2.c33.14

The Bombay Government were willing to assist him with some men, conditionally; but further negotiation through Mr. Mostyn at Poona could not be prosecuted owing to the distant retreat of Rugoba, who continued his march as far as Malwa. There, after he had recruited his forces, he determined to recross the Nerbuddah, and accordingly advanced to a position on the Taptee, where, as already alluded to, he renewed his overtures to the English through Mr. Robert Gambier, the acting chief or civil governor of Surat. His agent informed Mr. Gambier that Rugoba was desirous of entering on a treaty for the purpose of being furnished with a sufficient force ‘to carry him to Poona, and establish him in the government; for which he would defray the charges of the expedition, make very considerable grants to the Company, and enter into any terms of friendship and alliance the President and Council at Bombay might choose.’¹ This acceptable proposal was received at Bombay on the (Sept. 6.) 6th September, when the President and Council agreed to assist Rugoba with all the troops they could spare, which, including a portion of artillery, amounted to about two thousand five hundred men, on condition that he should advance fifteen or twenty lacks of rupees; and, on being established in the government at Poona, cede to the Honourable Company in perpetuity Salsette, the small islands contiguous to Bombay, and Bassein with its dependencies. The Mahratta share of revenue in Surat and Baroach was, if possible, to be obtained; and also protection from Mahratta inroads into the Bengal provinces and the possessions of the Nabob of the Carnatic.