A History of the Mahrattas v2.c35.15

v2.c35.15

Mr. Hastings was sensible that the condemnation of the Bombay measures was unnecessarily violent, but he had been one of the first to recommend a controlling authority in India, which in that remote empire, considered of itself, was an object in the highest degree important. The mandate issued was now irrevocable; Sukaram Bappoo had been informed by a letter from the Governor-General that the conduct of the Bombay Government was contrary to the Company’s order, ‘because they have directed all their officers not to make any war, nor enter on any dispute. My employer, the King of England,’ says the Governor-General, ‘has directed that all the Company’s Governors in India should obtain mine and my Council’s permission, as King’s Governor and Council of Bengal, either to make war or peace.’