A History of the Mahrattas v2.c53.17.3

v2.c53.17.3

In conformity with these sentiments, instructions were forwarded to Lord Lake on the 19th September; but, before their official transmission, Lord Lake, apprised of the pacific course of policy which the new Governor-General had determined to pursue, seized an opportunity, consequent to Ambajee’s appointment to the administration and to the dismissal of Shirzee Rao, to draw proposals from Sindia, —an important advantage in most negotiations, but particularly so in the present case. To the overtures made Lord Lake replied that he could listen to no proposition until the Resident was released, a preliminary to which Sindia now readily consented; and Lord Lake, in anticipation of the wishes of the Governor-General, had submitted, previously to the receipt of his instructions, a plan for the adjustment of differences with Sindia. In consequence of this favourable state of affairs, and the evils he conceived likely to result from abandoning the connexion with the petty states and permitting the Mahrattas to regain a footing in the northern provinces, he delayed acting upon the instructions, and represented the reasons by which he was guided.