A History of the Mahrattas v2.c51.110

v2.c51.110

Previously to this period, several propositions for peace had been made to General Wellesley in Sindia’s name. Ballajee Koonjur, the Peishwa’s most confidential agent, who, notwithstanding the war, continued in Sindia’s camp, sent a letter fifteen days after the battle of Assaye, requesting that one of the British and one of the Nizam’s officers should be sent to Sindia’s camp to settle terms of pacification; but as he was not an accredited agent, and as the appearance of a British officer in Sindia’s camp would have enabled the Mahrattas to represent the British nation as supplicants for peace, General Wellesley refused compliance, but expressed his readiness to receive any envoy the confederates might depute. Another communication was opened through Appa Dessaye Nepankur, who was serving with the Peishwa’s contingent, and the result was that Jeswunt Rao Ghorepuray, accompanied by a Bramin named Naroo Punt, arrived in General Wellesley’s camp, on the part of Sindia, for the purpose of negotiating, but as they also were unprovided with credentials, General Wellesley refused to treat until they should obtain them from Sindia. That chief, in the meantime, sent a letter, disavowing Jeswunt Rao Ghorepuray’s mission; but, notwithstanding this disavowal, General Wellesley was convinced, from a letter addressed by Sindia to Appa Dessaye, that Ghorepuray had been deputed, and therefore permitted him to remain in his camp until a reply to his first reference should be received. A few hours after the interview in question, powers arrived for constituting Ghorepuray and his companion the envoys of Sindia, but they were essentially defective, as they did not enable the envoys to cede any portion of territory as compensation to the British Government and its allies, which was required as the basis of the pacification. Until this authority could be obtained, Ghorepuray solicited a cessation of arms for both the confederates. It was granted to Sindia on the 23d November, on condition that he should occupy a position twenty kos east of Elichpoor, and forage still further to the eastward; but it was refused to Rughoojee Bhonslay, because he had sent no envoy nor expressed any desire for peace.