A History of the Mahrattas v2.c35.10

v2.c35.10

Such was the language then held by the Bombay Government, with apparent sincerity as well as spirit, and, as far as we have yet detailed of their conduct and prospects, certainly with no inconsiderable degree of reason. It must be recollected that the President and members, throughout the whole of the rise and progress of their connexion with Rugoba, were strongly impressed with the belief of his being innocent of the murder of his nephew. Many of our countrymen, who by long residence in the Deccan have become acquainted with the notoriety of the fact, although perhaps represented with exaggeration, have from this circumstance alone entertained strong doubts of the integrity of Mr. Hornby and his Council; and some inveigh, with a feeling far from reprehensible, against Englishmen who could seek by such an instrument to attain their ends and gratify their ambition. But to account for this belief on the part of the Bombay Government it is necessary to state that Sukaram Bappoo was originally concerned in Rugoba’s conspiracy against the liberty, though not the life, of Narrain Rao. After the murder, as it was deemed by the ministers generally a measure of prudence to affect a disbelief of Rugonath Rao’s participation, of course Sukaram Bappoo had stronger reasons than any of them for professing that opinion. It was this impression, from the reports first circulated at Poona, which the members of the Bombay Government received from their envoy, Mr. Mostyn; and before it was possible for them to ascertain the real circumstances they were engaged as a party hostile to the ministers, when it was as much the interest of the one to uphold Rugoba’s innocence as it was of the other to aggravate his guilt. Parties so influenced diverge from the truth in all countries, more especially in India, where a witness is so apt to suit the word to the wish of his auditor. The same reasons operated in creating a belief that the child named Mahdoo Rao Narrain was supposititious.