A History of the Mahrattas v2.c36.41

v2.c36.41

The basis of the new agreement¹ with Rugonath Rao differed little from the treaty of Surat, as far as the Company was concerned; but in regard to Rugoba it was most expressly stated that the English were to place him at Poona as regent, and in other respects the articles were nearly in conformity with the instructions from Bengal. As the Bombay Government had decided contrary to the advice of Mr. Draper, it might have been expected that they would have used dispatch in sending off their troops, but their preparations were extremely dilatory. At last an advanced party, consisting of six companies of native grenadiers from different corps, with a small detail of light artillery, embarked from Bombay on the evening of the 22d (Nov. 22.) November, landed at Aptee, and moved forward under Captain James Stewart, who took possession of the Bhore Ghaut without opposition and encamped at the village of Kundalla.² The advance had embarked before the treaty was signed; and at this moment an unexpected cause of delay arose from the perverse conduct of Rugoba, who perceiving that the Bombay Government had gone too far to retract, and that his concurrence was indispensable, started objections and pertinaciously adhered to them until a part of his demands were granted. This disposition to take every possible advantage of those friends who had done so much to uphold his cause occasioned considerable vexation; but for the present this disappointment was forgotten in the animating bustle of expected service, and the brilliant hopes entertained of the result.