New History of the Marathas v3.c37.80

v3.c37.80

Another source of anxiety to the new Peshwa's Government was the presence at Poona of the British envoy Mostyn. In April 1772, when Madhavrao was on his death bed, the President of the Bombay Council received orders from the Home authorities to try to acquire from the Marathas some places on the mainland of India, like Salsette, Bassein, Elephanta, Karanja and other islands in the vicinity of Bombay and to station a British agent at Poona in order to gain that object. As Mostyn was already acquainted with the Court of Poona from his having led the British mission of 1767, he was deputed for a second time and arrived in Poona on 13th October 1772. From that day he continued there for full two years watching the course of events with a view to the acquisition of those places, and advising the Bombay authorities to take such steps as the situation in Poona suggested.