A History of the Mahrattas v2.c36.36

v2.c36.36

In the end of August the Bombay Government, for the first time, received some general information from the Governor-General and Council of their intention of forming an alliance with Moodajee Bhonslay, and they were directed to enter on no engagement hostile to the government at Poona, excepting such as was absolutely defensive. But on this the President and the majority of the Members of Council observed that Moodajee was so wholly unconnected with their design of establishing Rugoba in the regency, that this intimation ought not to be allowed to interrupt their proceedings. However, up to the 12th of October no preparations had been begun at Bombay, and Mr. John Carnac, one of the Members of Council, and the declared successor of Governor Hornby, in consequence of the delay submitted a minute, urging the necessity of vigorous preparation and representing all the evils of procrastination. Mr. Carnac, though best known on the west of India in his civil capacity, was originally a military officer on the Bengal establishment, where he had risen to the rank of brigadier-general and been distinguished by his services. Mr. Draper, with his usual deliberation and in this instance with the clearest judgement, dissented from Mr. Carnac’s proposal, because it was impossible for them to judge what might be the object of the Governor-General and Council in treating with Moodajee Bhonslay; he perfectly agreed in the propriety and expediency of removing Nana Furnuwees when it could be effected with certainty, but circumstances had materially altered at Poona since their first resolutions. Their own force, particularly in Europeans, was very weak, and Colonel Leslie’s strong reinforcement was still at a great distance; he was therefore of opinion that a delay of about two months ought to be their object. All these suggestions were sound, and apparently too evident to be disputed; but the majority of the members of the Bombay Government, in regard to Rugoba, were precisely as described by Mr. Hastings, ‘their passions were enlisted in his cause, it was in effect their own.’ Mr. Carnac, whose peculiar situation in having superseded Mr. Draper, ought, on every view, to have ensured delicacy and forbearance, scarcely concealed his contempt of Mr. Draper’s caution and strenuously supported the proposals of Governor Hornby. It was the opinion of the majority that no time should be lost; the French might probably arrive, an incident the truth of which Mr. Draper admitted, and that too, he observed, ‘with their garrison drained of troops and Bombay at their mercy,’ but his voice was overruled, and Mr. Carnac’s zeal was rewarded, in the first instance, by his being appointed president of a committee to settle the preliminaries with Rugoba.