A History of the Mahrattas v2.c35.8

v2.c35.8

The Supreme Government, however, adhered to their opinion of the expediency of the orders which they had transmitted. Lieutenant-Colonel John Upton, of the Bengal establishment, was selected by Mr. Hastings as envoy plenipotentiary, and instructed to repair to Poona and conclude a treaty between the Mahratta state and the Bombay Government. The President and Council of that establishment, being excluded from all participation, strongly remonstrated against this proceeding as a wanton degradation of their authority, and their representations were supported with energy by their deputy at Bengal. ‘I trust,’ says Mr. Tayler, ‘that it will appear to your Honours, &c. that at the time it pleased the wisdom of Parliament to arm you with controlling powers over the Presidencies, it was by no means their intention that they should appear so much degraded, and so contemptible in the eyes of the native government as the Presidency of Bombay must be, unless you will commit the treaty of peace to their management.