A History of the Mahrattas v2.c54.5

v2.c54.5

The Marquis Wellesley, looking equally to the security of British India from foreign invasion and from wars with the native powers, believed that such security was only attainable by establishing an ascendancy in the councils of the native states, so as to be able to direct their resources to their own advantage and to that of the British nation; hence, his policy tended to the control of all the native powers, from Cape Comorin to the gulf of Kutch, and from Kutch to the Sewalick mountains. How far and with what success he carried his measures into effect, has been detailed. His extensive plans, the effect which their prosecution had upon the commercial interests of the East India Company, and the obstacles he encountered, alarmed the authorities at home; some of whom, doubting the justice of the measures pursued and dreading a rapid extension of dominion, were desirous of at least impeding the conquest of all India; and others, whose views extended little further than the obvious increase of debt and the irregularity of furnishing the Company's investments, sought a change of policy, as essential to prevent or repair these apparent evils. The Marquis Cornwallis was accordingly, as we have seen, again sent out, and an instant stop was put to the system of defensive alliances. His successor, Sir George Barlow, inflexibly pursued the same line of policy, without regard to various circumstances, which he considered unimportant in attaining a general end; but his measures were as short-sighted and contracted as they were selfish and indiscriminating.