A History of the Mahrattas v2.c37.120

v2.c37.120

After some discussion, conducted with much ability on the part of Mr. Anderson, Chimnajee at last observed that of the sixteen lacks originally promised, three lacks had been paid ; but if the balance of thirteen lacks were now tendered, he would withdraw ; that two thousand horse, at fifty thousand rupees a month, should be sent to join Colonel Pearse against Hyder, provided the Governor-General and Council would assist the Berar state in raising a loan of ten lacks of rupees, and aid Moodajee in reducing Gurrah and Mundelah : districts which, the reader may recollect, had been taken by Ballajee Bajee Rao during his first campaign in 1742, before the return of Rughoojee from the Carnatic, and which, from their vicinity to their northern frontier, had ever since been an object of the greatest jealousy to the Bhonslays of Berar. The tenders were accepted, and thus by an objectionable policy, justifiable only by the peculiarity of the circumstances, Mr. Hastings temporarily detached the eastern Mahrattas from the confederacy, and turned them against both Hyder and the Peishwa, at a moment when, with thirty thousand horse, it is scarcely to be doubted that they might have pillaged Bengal and burnt the towns from Burdwan to Point Palmyras. But in this negotiation no credentials from Moodajee were given or demanded ; and shortly afterwards copies of letters from Nana Furnuwees to Moodajee were transmitted to Bengal, representing the retreat of General Goddard as a great victory, and threatening Moodajee with the utmost vengeance of the Peishwa’s government for seceding from the confederacy and his allegiance to his prince. In consequence of these letters it was not altogether convenient for Moodajee to avow the agreement to its full extent ; he wished, however, to mediate a peace, and to engage with the English in a general confederacy against Hyder. For this purpose he intended sending Dewakur Punt to Poona ; but many circumstances rendered it desirable that this minister should first meet Mr. Hastings. An interview was to take place at Benares ; but in the meantime orders by the Supreme Government were dispatched to General Goddard, to negotiate a peace nearly on the terms formerly proposed ; retaining the fort of Bassein if possible, but if not, to give it up if he could thereby ensure an honourable pacification, which was now the sole end in view.