the British power for the protection of his person against the outrages of his rebellious subjects, and for the restoration of his just authority in the Mahratta state. At the same time Maharaja Dowlut Rao Scindia, alarmed at the successful progress of Jewunt Rao Holkar's rebellion, solicited the co-operation of the British arms for the accomplishment of the same important object. His Highness the Peishwa and Dowlut Rao Scindia were sensible that the active interposition of the British power in that ardu. rous crisis of affairs, afforded the only means of preserving the fabric of the Mahratta empire from disorder and confusion. The British government enter. tained a sincere disposition to fulfil the obligations of friendship towards his Highness the Peishwa, in the hour of adversity, and an anxious solicitude to preserve the Mahratta empire from a condition of anarchy, which must have proved highly dangerous to all the contiguous states of India; I therefore readily consented to the united wishes of the Peishwa, and Dowlut Rao Scindia; and his Highness the Peishwa accordingly proceeded under the protection of the British power to Bassein. His Highness subsequently concluded engagements with the British government on principles calculated to secure the stability of his just authority in the Mahratta empire, the rights and privileges of the several subordinate chieftains of that empire, and the future tranquillity and prosperity of the state. For the accomplishment of this arrangement, a considerable detachment of British troops, which had been stationed on the fron tier of Mysore with a view to the protection and defence of the British dominions, was directed to march from the frontier of Mysore to Poona; and the British subsidiary force serving with his Highness the Nizam, joined by a considerable body of the Nizam's forces, was assembled on the frontier of the Nizam's dominions for the same purpose; at the same time amicable remonstrances were addressed to Jeswunt Rao Holkar, and assurances were conveyed to him by the British resident at Poona, of the sincere disposition of the British government to mediate between him and the Peishwa, and Dowlut Rao Scindia, on just and reasonable terms, with the consent and knowledge of all parties. The object of these proceedings was to restore order and tranquillity, and to conciliate the concurrence of the contending chiefs on such a system of mutual justice, reason, and moderation, as might secure the con tinuance of peace. These measures have induced Jeswunt Rao Holkar to withdraw his troops from the city of Poona, and have removed every obstacle to the return of his Highness the Peishwa to his capital, in the full exercise of his autho rity. The attention of the British government will now be directed to the efficient accomplishment of the arrangements concluded by the treaty of Bassein. For your information, with regard to the engagements contracted by his Highness the Peishwa, I transmit to you inclosed a copy of the treaty of Bassein, containing every article and stipulation of that engagement. This explicit communication will afford you an additional additional proof of my friendship and respect you will be enabled by a copy of the treaty, and by this letter, to ascertain the full extent of all my views and intentions with regard to the Mahratta power. An examination of the inclosed copy of the treaty, will demonstrate the justice, moderation, and honourable policy of that engagement; and a review of the late transactions in the Mahratta empire, will be sufficient to convince you, that the interposition of the aid of the British Govern. ment, for the restoration of his Highness the Peishwa to the Musnud of Poona, far from having a tendency to subvert the order of the Mahratta state, afforded the only means of averting confu. sion, and of providing for the future security and tranquillity of every branch of the Mahratta power. Experience has already manifested the inability of Dowlut Rao Scindia to resist the attacks of Jeswunt Rao Holkar; and the views of Jeswunt Rao Holkar have been demonstrated by his attempt to destroy the Peishwa's government, and to assume the entire authority of the Mahratta empire. Great danger must have menaced the several states under such circumstances. From the hazard of this calamity the Mahratta empire has been preserved by the seasonable interposition of the British government, which has provided for the restoration and stability of the Peishwa's just authority, and has afforded additional security for the legitimate and separate rights of the feudatory chieftains of the empire. Under the treaty of Bassein, (par ticularly by the 9th article,) those chieftains are effectually protected against any molestation either on the partof his Highness the Peishwa, or of the British government, unless any chief should place him. self in the condition of a public enemy to the state; at the same time an option is afforded to all the principal chieftains of participating in the benefits of the defensive alliance. The constitution of the Mahratta state, and the authority of various precedents, have established the independent right of his Highness the Peishwa, to contract with foreign powers all such engagements as shall not affect the separate rights and ivterests of his feudatory chieftains. That right is inherent in the su preme executive authority of the Mahratta state. Under these circumstances, therefore, I deem it necessary to signify to you my intention of esta blishing the provisions of the treaty now concluded with his Highness the Peishwa; any attempt on the part of any state or power to obstruct the operation of that treaty must be deemed an act of hostility against the combined interests of the Peishwa and the British go, vernment. My objects are to secure the British dominions, and those of our ally the Nizam, from the dangers of contiguous anarchy and confusion; to fulfil the duties of friendship towards our ally the Peishwa; and to provide at the same time for the safety of the several branches of the Mahratta empire, without disturbing the constitutional form of the state, and without affecting the legitimate independence of This its feudatory chieftains. course of policy must tend to strengthen strengthen the bonds of amity and alliance with the state of Be rar, as well as with every other branch of the Mahratta power. If a just regard to the real interests and prosperity of your government should dispose you to conclude defensive engagements with the Honourable Company, similar to those which have been contracted by his Highness the Peishwa, I shall be ready to enter into a negotiation with you for that purpose. The ties of friendship, however, will not be relaxed by any declaration of your disposition to remain unconnected with the powers now allied by the treaties of Hydrabad and Bassein; whatever may be your determination with regard to this part of my present proposal, I shall continue to maintain, with cordial solicitude, the relations of amity and peace which have subsisted between the British government and the state of Berar. It has been reported to me that you have viewed the conduct of the British government, in the restoration of the Peishwa, with jealousy and suspicion, and that you are sedulously employed in endeavouring to form a confederacy for the purpose of frustrating the beneficial operation of the treaty of Bassein. The acknowledged prudence and discretion of your character, your wisdom and experience, your approved friendship, combined with the conscious sense of my just regard for your rights and independence, preclude any sиs. picion in my mind of your intentions and conduct. I therefore conclude that you will continue to regard the British power with that confidence and esteem which our uniform conduct towards you justly demands. To this candid declaration of my sentiments, it may, however, be proper to add a distinct view of my future intentions: any mi litary preparations on your part, any combination of your power with that of any other state, directed to the subversion of the arrangement lately concluded with the Peshwa, will be followed by corresponding measures of precaution and security on the part of the British government. Unavoidable circumstances have hitherto prevented the departure of Mr. Webbe, whom I have se◄ lected to be the representative of this government at your court: Mr. Webbe, however, will proceed to Nagpoor, and on his arrival will be prepared to enter upon the discussion of all questions depending between you and the British government. In the mean while I trust that you will return a speedy and amicable reply to this friendly letter. (A true Copy.) (Signed) N. B. EDMONSTONE, Per. Sec. to Gov. INCLOSURE (D.) Letter from the Secretary to the Governor General, to the Resident at Poona, dated the 7th May 1803; covering notes of intended instructions to him. To Lieutenant-Colonel Barry lency the Most Noble the GoverClose, Resident at Poona. Sir, I AM directed by his Excel. VOL. 6. nor General, to transmit to you the accompanying notes, intended to form the basis of detailed 1 instructions, which will be dis- 2. His Excellency desires that I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Fort William, No. 1. Notes for a dispatch to Col. Close. 2. The greatest pains must be 3. This object, however, may stability, however, of the whole of all the contending parties, with out exciting the jealousy of any one. 4. Early endeavours must be used to mitigate the hostility of Peishwa towards Holkar and Amrut Rao, and to conciliate each of those chieftains by moderate concessions, properly secured. 5. The subsidiary force must be established as soon as possible, in exact conformity to the treaty: it would certainly be very desirable to extend it, and to compose it in a manner precisely similar to the subsidiary force at Hydrabad. General Wellesley will, for the present, appoint the officer to command the subsidiary force at Poona. The commands at Poona and Hydrabad will henceforth be filled directly under the authority of the Governor General in Coun cil. 6. The proceedings of MajorGeneral Wellesley must be regu lated, in a great measure, by the information which he may receive from the Resident with Dowlut Rao Scindia, with respect to the effect produced on Scindia by the representations which Colonel Collins was instructed to make to that chieftain, by the orders of the 5th instant, wh a view to a speedy communication between' Colonels Close and Collins, and General Wellesley; every effort should be made without delay to accelerate the Dawk from Poona to Scindia's camp; and Holkar and Amrut Rao, or other chiefs whose forces may be stationed in the intermediate country, must be compelled to allow a free passage to the Dawk. 7. It is extremely desirable that the British troops employed for the restoration of the Peishwa (with the exception of the subsi diary force) should return within the British territories at the earliest period of time in which circumstances will admit of the separation of the army. For 8. Whenever the troops shall separate, they must be so posted as to possess the power of effecting a speedy junction. (if necessary) with the subsidiary forces of Poona and Hydrabad. this purpose the north-western frontier of Mysore, the districts ceded by his Highness the Nizam, and the Nizam's northern fron. tier, ought to be maintained in strength. A considerable body of Europeans and a sufficient train of ordnance should remain at Bombay, in order to join the subsidiary force at Poona. 9. Of the detachment from Lieutenant-General Stuart's army, now under General Wellesley's command, six battalions of infantry, and a due proportion of artillery, &c. to be stationed at Poona, to form the subsidiary force. The Europeans and ordnance to retire to Bombay; the cavalry to retire into the ceded districts, to join the force at Hy drabad, if necessary. The troops under Major Irton to return into the Company's territories, whenever the government of Fort St. George shall direct. The army under LieutenantGeneral Stuart to separate as soon as Major-General Wellesley shall have signified to LieutenantGeneral Stuart, that the state of affairs at Poona will admit of the separation of the army. Proper posts to be occupied on the frontier of Mysore, and in the districts southward of Poona ceded by the Peishwą, 10. It will not be prudent to separate the army, unless Scindia shall have either crossed the Nurbuddah, on the suggestion of Colonel Collins, or shall have afforded some unequivocal proof of his intention to refrain from any attempt to disturb the execution of the treaty of Bassein. 11. Iu the event of Scindia's return to the northward of the Nurbuddah, it may still be necessary to retain the army in the field, for the purpose of preventing the return of Holkar's troops to Poona, and of enforcing the complete acknowledgment of the Peishwa's authority throughout his immediate possessions, and of precluding any attempt of the adherents of Scindia and Holkar to obtain possession of his Highness's person. 12. If no accommodation shall take place between Scindia and Holkar, the dissension of those chiefs will afford security to the Peishwa. 13. If, however, the disputes of Scindia and Holkar should be amicably adjusted, Holkar will necessarily disband a great part of his army (which he is now unable to pay) unless he should meditate offensive measures against the Nizam or against the Peishwa, and provision must accordingly be made to defeat such attempts. 14. The determination of the question respecting the separation of the army must depend on the future proceedings of Scindia and Holkar. If the troops can be separated with safety, the early adoption of that measure would undoubtedly be productive of considerable advantage, as it would satisfy the principal Mahratta Jag. hiredars that the British govern+ L2 ment |