A History of the Mahrattas v2.c37.26

v2.c37.26

Such were his proposals, without declaring himself further respecting the English, whose part he still reserved for Goddard to propose ; but General Goddard merely objected to what was wrong, declared that no force should be put on Rugoba’s inclination, that he had sought the protection of the English, and that his quitting it should be voluntary; that even allowing the English did assist Sindia to acquire the entire powers of the state, for the sum of his proposals amounted to nothing less, Sindia, on his part, in the name of the Peishwa, should previously consent to certain conditions favourable to the British interests, as well in consideration of the benefits he was to derive, as in compensation for the wars of the Mahratta state in which they had been compelled to engage. The negotiation was thus brought to a point within seven days, which Sindia probably intended to have spun out into as many months; when it would have been his study to balance Bramin fears and jealousy against the policy of the English and that sanguine temperament of Europeans which is usually accompanied by credulity.