A History of the Mahrattas v2.c36.71

v2.c36.71

The ruling party, of which Nana and Sindia were now the real authorities, insisted on the committee’s entering on a treaty for the surrender of the whole of the territory the Bombay Government had acquired since the death of Mahdoo Rao Bullal, together with the revenue possessed by the Company in Baroach and Surat, which the Mahrattas never had possessed. Mr. Farmer, who was compelled to write mysteriously, as his letters to the committee passed through the hands of Nana and Sindia, expressed himself by saying, ‘they seem to me to feel themselves in that situation with respect to us which the Turkish vizier felt himself in regard to Peter the first, at the time the Empress Catherine sent her jewels to the vizier.’¹ Lieutenant-Colonel Cockburn was then called upon for his opinion in writing, when he declared that a retreat was impracticable, and that he could not charge himself with such a responsibility. Captain Hartley, who was present when the declaration was made, not only differed from Colonel Cockburn’s opinion, but showed him a plan by which it might be ensured; Lieutenant-Colonel Cockburn, however, adhered to what he had stated. Mr. Carnac, as he afterwards proved, expressed an opinion at the time that he thought the retreat might be accomplished, and that it ought to be attempted rather than submit to the humiliating terms insisted upon; but he did not choose to press it. As such was Mr. Carnac’s opinion, the plea of delicacy or deference towards the military authorities, unfortunately for him, can little avail; for, as he ordered the retreat from Tullygaom, he ought to have adhered to that order, which, however injudicious or disastrous, could not have proved disgraceful. The committee replied to Mr. Farmer’s communication by desiring him to inform the ministers that they had no power to enter on any treaty without the sanction of the Supreme Government. ‘Show us then,’ said Mahadajee Sindia, when this message was delivered, ‘ the power by which you have taken upon you to break the treaty concluded by Colonel Upton.’