A History of the Mahrattas v2.c51.22

v2.c51.22

to enter upon an alliance, and engaging his co-operation in the arrangements required by the treaty with the Peishwa. To gain time, Sindia at first evaded discussion; but when pressed by Colonel Collins, he declined becoming a party to the defensive alliance, declaring that he had no intention of obstructing the treaty; he added that as guarantee to the treaty of Salbye he expected to have been consulted before these new engagements were made, but that his intentions were in every respect friendly to the British Government. These professions were from the first deceitful; both Rughoojee Bhonslay and himself were actively preparing for war, and Bajee Rao continued in constant correspondence with them, secretly encouraging their views.¹