A History of the Mahrattas v2.c55.110.3

v2.c55.110.3

reverted as usual to his obligations to the British Government, and spoke with so much apparent reason and candour of his own situation, and of the consequences of the conduct and views imputed to him, that any person who had not considered the weight of the evidence and fully understood the character of Bajee Rao, must have felt disposed to give credit to the soundness of his arguments, even if he had been inclined to doubt the sincerity of his protestations. But whilst his actions contradicted his words, Mr. Elphinstone was not to be deceived; he tried, however, by every means, both during the conference and subsequently, to induce the Peishwa to prove the sincerity of his professions and avert the danger by which he was threatened; he distinctly told him that Trimbukjee Dainglia must be delivered up, or not suffered to remain in his territory, and that the consequences of a refusal must involve the states in immediate hostilities. At last, after several days had passed in this manner, the Resident formally demanded the seizure of Trimbukjee in the space of one month, and the immediate delivery of three principal forts, Singurh, Poorundhur, and Raigurh, as a pledge for the fulfilment of the demand. Bajee Rao, still under an impression of the high importance of his alliance to the British Government, believed that the Resident would not proceed to extremities;