New History of the Marathas v2.c25.43

v2.c25.43

In the month of October 1755 some troops under Capt. Clive and a naval force under Admiral Watson arrived from England at Madras. At that very moment, Madras received a demand for military help from Bombay to act against Tulaji Angria. The Madras authorities readily complied with the request of Bombay and despatched the forces both of Clive and Watson to Bombay. Governor Bourchier ordered these to proceed against Vijayadurg with definite instructions (1) that Tulaji should be brought to Bombay after the fall of his fort of Vijayadurg ; (2) that the Bombay force should co-operate with the Peshwa's in capturing the other forts and places of Angria ; (3) that until Bankot and its territory were actually delivered into British hands, Vijayadurg should not be restored to the Peshwa's possession ; (4) that an effort should be made to secure such other places and harbours as would be considered beneficial to British interests ; (5) that Tulaji was a very wicked man and his word should not be trusted. " He has for long destroyed many of our vessels and put us to the annual loss of 3 or 4 lacs for the last so many years. He should on no account be given up to the Peshwa ; for he may again become free and molest us as before."