A History of the Mahrattas v2.c55.90

v2.c55.90

It must be explained that Bajee Rao, on the decline of Seetaram Rowjee’s influence at Baroda, attempted with success to gain him to his views; and on the Resident’s discovering the intrigue and protesting against it, the Peishwa first denied and afterwards justified the correspondence, by endeavouring to prove his right to appoint the Dewan at Baroda, according to the ancient practice in the plenitude of the Peishwa’s power. Such a right, in regard to the Senaputtee or his Mootaliq, Gaekwar, never did exist on the part of the Peishwa; but, without reference to the alleged right, or the object of the intrigue, the reasons urged did not appear sufficient, in Mr. Elphinstone’s opinion, for the Peishwa’s refusing to transact business with the accredited agent of a government in alliance with the nation which he represented, especially after having once assented to his mission: the Peishwa’s objections were therefore overruled.