A History of the Mahrattas v2.c33.18

v2.c33.18

The offers of Rugoba, however, in answer to the proposals of the Bombay Government fell very far short of what was expected. He positively refused to cede Salsette, a condition so indispensable that Mr. Gambier without delay replied to his proposals in such terms as he conceived himself authorized to offer, without wasting the time necessary for a reference to Bombay; of which the President and Council approved. Rugoba adhered to his original declaration of not relinquishing Bassein and Salsette; he also stated his inability to raise the large advance of cash, but offered to cede districts and claims of much greater value in Guzerat, amounting in all to eleven lacks annually; to pay six lacks of rupees in advance, and one lack and a half monthly, for the expense of one thousand Europeans, two thousand Sepoys, and fifteen guns. The Government agreed to part of these propositions; and, on condition of his making the cession up to eighteen and a half lacks, they even consented to waive the grand acquisition of Salsette; but at this stage of the negotiation they were alarmed by the receipt of intelligence from their envoy at Goa that the Portuguese government had sent a formidable armament from Europe, for the avowed purpose of recovering their lost possessions, including Salsette and Bassein.¹