A History of the Mahrattas v2.c36.80

v2.c36.80

(Feb. 19.)—On the 19th February Mr. Hornby laid an elaborate minute before his Council, in which he took a view of Mahratta politics, and the line of conduct which he thought the most expedient for the British authorities to pursue. The end he proposed to attain was that of securing a peace, so as to exclude the French from the Mahratta dominions, and to retain the territory then in possession of the English. He assumed, as matter of certainty, that Sindia had indicated, by several parts of his conduct, an aversion to the French and a desire to form an alliance with the English against Nana Furnuwees. In the supposition thus adopted Mr. Hornby was not wholly wrong; for had Nana by any means, foreign or domestic, become too powerful, Mahadajee Sindia might have sought assistance from the English; but whilst Nana Furnuwees held the reins, principally by the support of Sindia's power, it was completely the interest of the latter to uphold Nana's administration. The President was of opinion that the sum of forty-one thousand rupees, promised to Sindia's servants, ought to be paid; and that Baroach, or an equivalent, should be given to him for the act of kindness, humiliating as it was, in permitting their army to return. All these suggestions were submitted to the Supreme Government; but in the meantime, the principal hope of retrieving their affairs was in the near approach of the Bengal army, to the progress of which a retrospect is now necessary.