The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.39

c15.39

The amicable arrangement between Kanhoji and the English was short-lived. Though he had promptly restored the two captured English vessels after the conclusion of the treaty, he had omitted to return their cargo. This was, however, not the only source of dissatisfaction. In 1715 Kanhoji complained to Governor Boone ‘of ill usage in return for the good offices he had done’, while in March 1716 Boone wrote to his masters at home that he was not pressing the outstanding claims against Angria ‘as they were not in a good posture to oppose him’.¹ He was temporising in expectation of a suitable opportunity of vindicating English claims. The matter was eventually brought to a head by Kanhoji’s capture of three ships in succession and his forcible appropriation of some timber from one of the Company’s vessels.