A History of the Mahrattas v2.c37.87

v2.c37.87

personal timidity, and the only effects produced on him by the advance to the Ghauts were additional efforts to increase the army, and the most vigorous preparations for rendering the country a desert and Poona a ruin. He, however, tried to amuse General Goddard by sending an unauthorized agent to treat with him, which induced Goddard to make overtures on the terms proposed through Moodajee Bhonslay. Of these Nana affected ignorance; Goddard sent him a copy of the terms, and thus subjected them to positive rejection; for Nana Furnuwees observed that proposals had been tendered by the Governor-General, but that Moodajee had refused to forward them; that these now sent could not be listened to, nor at that time would any terms whatever be admitted in which Hyder, the ally of the Mahratta state, was not included.¹ It is probable that General Goddard’s own judgement disapproved of such unavailing concession, but he was urged to it by letters from Sir Eyre Coote,² at Madras, who, in the month of October, 1780, had been solicited by the Governor-General to repair to the coast and retrieve the fortunes and honour of his country; a call which was as gratifying to the feelings of the general as to the army of Fort St. George.