A History of the Mahrattas v2.c36.79

v2.c36.79

In Bengal, whatever their practical errors, the views of men accustomed to think as great statesmen are always apparent in their consultations and transactions; but in Bombay the spirit of commercial adventurers still lurked at the council table. Their contracted policy was directed merely to carry their point in favour of Rugoba, and to aggrandize their own Presidency. In sending off their expedition it would seem as if they had been actuated by the puerile desire of showing the Bengal Government what Bombay could do without their assistance. The excuse, subsequently made on this point, of expected assistance from the Bengal detachment cannot be admitted, as it would appear in their replies to Mr. Draper’s dissent, and in the means taken to ascertain the progress of the Bengal detachment; but the importance of its co-operation seems scarcely to have been considered until some time after their own army had taken the field. In short, the Bombay Government neglected opportunity, they overlooked changes of circumstance, they desperately sent a handful of men against the strength of the Mahratta empire, and committed the conduct of an enterprise, practicable only by celerity, address, and resolution, to men totally unfit for such a charge. Their army had returned defeated, their treasury was exhausted, their credit insignificant, and their reputation sullied. But under these discouraging circumstances the merit of fortitude, ability, and vigour is justly due to Governor Hornby. There was no consolation in a retrospect, the present misfortunes were chiefly to be attributed to misconduct; and in anticipation there was censure for what was passed, and danger in what was to come. Mr. Hornby, in the first place, judiciously recommended to the members of his Government to abstain from all recrimination, to allow their motives and their measures as recorded to await the judgement of their superiors, and that everyone should bend his mind to the consideration of the future, for the purpose of preventing and, if they did come, surmounting the impending perils they had so much reason to apprehend. He took an unreserved and full view of their situation, and although evidently humbled he displayed the strong mind of an English chief, and convinced his Council that, whilst they acted with the unanimity and firmness which became their country, they were not only above contempt, but might soon overcome their difficulties and retrieve their affairs. He disavowed the validity of the disgraceful articles of the Wurgaom convention; for although Mr. Carnac had ostentatiously intimated to Nana Furnuwees, probably to enhance his own consequence, that he was entrusted with the Company's seal and with full powers, he had no authority to conclude a treaty, nor could the Bombay Government have delegated such a commission. Mr. Hornby determined at all hazards to resist the cessions made by the committee; but as every point was indispensably referred to Bengal, there appeared no necessity for publishing a defiance to the Mahrattas. The intentions of the Bombay Council were, however, sufficiently declared by their preparations, and every effort was made to recruit and improve their army.