A History of the Mahrattas v2.c42.8

v2.c42.8

The treaty was not finally concluded by Nizam Ally until 4th July, as he hoped by procrastination to obtain the guarantee of the British Government, not simply, as he pretended, to ensure protection to his territories from the Mahrattas during the absence of his troops on service, but to procure the interposition of the English in the settlement of the Mahratta claims, which, even where just, he had neither disposition nor ability to pay; and he foresaw that a day of reckoning was at no great distance. Lord Cornwallis, viewing the proposal simply as stated, could not accede to it without giving umbrage to the Mahrattas; but he assured Nizam Ally of his disposition to strengthen the connexion between the two governments, when it could be effected consistently with good faith and a due regard to subsisting engagements with other allies.