The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.59

c15.59

Similar expeditions were sent out in July, September and October, but they were not always successful. The failure was attributed in some cases to adverse weather and in others to the unwillingness of the men to land. Boone did not rely solely on these punitive expeditions; he realised that he could not bring Kanhoji to terms unless some of his principal strongholds were reduced. Before embarking, however, on any serious enterprise, he tried to exploit the difference between Angria and his quondam sovereign, the Raja of Kolhapur. On the same day that the war was proclaimed at Bombay, 'The President wrote a short letter to Mr. George Taylor Chief of Carwar acquainting him of our breach with Angria and directing him to lay before Sambajee Rajah, the many injuries done to us by him and to acquaint said Rajah if he will chastise him, as soon as the fortresses in his possession are delivered up to him wee shall lay down our arms, or else endeavour to exterpate said pyrate ourselves tho' far from any design against His Highness or any of his loyal subjects'.³ The English negotiation with Sambhaji in 1718 seems to have had no better result than the Portuguese treaty of 1716. A defensive and offensive alliance with the Portuguese against the common enemy was discussed in October 1718, but how far it progressed we do not know. Conde de Ericeira, however, writes of a sound scheme which he had planned for capturing or burning the Angria’s Pals at Gheria, which he complains, was frustrated by carelessness on the part of the English.¹ We read of a futile attempt by the English to burn the Ghurabs at Vissundroog² in November 1719, and apparently therefore, the alliance, if ever seriously concluded, must have ended after this event. Conde de Ericeira, moreover, was highly suspicious of the English and did not think much of their military resources, which were at that moment undoubtedly limited and insufficient.