New History of the Marathas v2.c35.42

v2.c35.42

When he found that death was near, he set about destroying the accumulated store of secret state papers, referring to the low intrigues of his officials and servants. Sakharam Bapu learning what the Peshwa was doing, approached him and humbly remonstrated against this procedure. The Peshwa unable to move from his bed, asked Bapu to hand him a certain packet from the adjoining chest. When Bapu brought the bundle out, the Peshwa asked him to open it, read the contents and tell him whether he should destroy or keep it. To his amazement Bapu discovered that the papers in that bundle referred to his own secret intrigues and plots of a criminal nature deserving punishment. The Peshwa had in his possession those proofs of Bapu's guilt, but had never let him know what accusations had reached him through various channels.