the modes of intercourse I had suggested, and that he was cortain the mutual observance of them would be highly approved of by the Peishwa, to whom he would make a full communication on the subject by the first cenyenient eccasion he could procure.

4. I then proceeded on the intention which I had lately intimated to your Lordship, of ascertaining how far the present disposition of this court continued to accord with the result of Colonel Palmer's conference, conveyed in his address to your Lordship of the 30th of November last. After a conversation of some hours, in which I could not prevent Gopaul Rao from falling into tedious digressions, I ascertained that the Peishwa adhered to the result above noticed, with this difference, that instead of agreeing to an arbitration generally of the differences subsisting between this Sircar and the Nizam's, his Highness assented only to an arbitration taking place for the adjustment of subsisting differences, referring solely to a treaty, asserted to have been concluded on the 11th of Zehudge. 1208, Fussellee, by Azeem ul Omrah, on behalf of the Hydrabad government, and Nana Furnaveese on the part of this Sircar, and afterwards formally interchanged and mutually ratified. I explained to Gopaul Rao, that according to the official writings of Colonel Palmer, this Sircar bad agreed to an arbitration of differences generally subsisting between the two states, without any exceptions; and that I did not doubt but on further recollection he would perceive that the Colonel's statement was founded in the Conversation which had really passed. He persisted, however,

in assuring me, that he was confident that his.own ideas on the point were not erroneons, and that that was no misconception on his part, which terminated the subject.

5. In the course of the conversation he dwelt much on your Lordship's demand for allowing an option to the Rajah of Berar to become a party to the proposed treaty, insisting that an alliance with the Peishwa's Sircar, virtually included the different members of the Mahratta empire, and recurred frequently to the unreasonableness (as he expressed it) of this government being required to abandon its right to the Choute of Beder, especially as it was obvious that it was your Lordship's intention that the proposed adjustment of claims between the two governments should be conducted on principles of impartiality and justice. To these objections I replied, that my predecessor had already demonstrated to this government, that it was not unusual to form separate treaties with the great members of the Mahratta empire; and that, as the main ends proposed by your Lordship in the projected alliance were to give strength, security, and stability to this state, and to lay the foundation of order and tranquillity in Hindustan, a reference to these generous and commendable views would solve and remove, in a satisfactory manner, every point of difficulty or objection which could be opposed to any of your Lordship's de

mands.

6. Although every attempt to givə any further desirable turn to the dispositions of this Durbar, pre vious to the arrival of your Lord ship's sentiments in reply to the

dispatches of my predecessor, must be nearly hopeless, I shall not omit any occasion that offers to use such reasonings with Gopaul Rao, as may tend to lessen the groundless jealousies which continue to influence the Peishwa's mind, and lead him to contemplate your Lordship's propositions through a distorted medium. I have the honour to remain, with the highest respect, My Lord, Your's, &c. Poona, (Signed) B. CLOSE, Dec. 21, 1801. Res. at Poona.

(Private.) Poona, Dec. 29, 1801. To his Execllency the Most Noble Marquis Wellesley, K. P. Governor General, &c. &c. &c. My Lord,

I HAVE received from Colonel Kirkpatrick (through his brother) a copy of the memorandum which he lately prepared for your Lordship's perusal, on the paper of secret intelligence procured at Hydrabad and as the Colonel has signified his desire that I should communicate to your Lordship such ideas as may occur to me relative to the grounds of his speculations, it is at his instance principally that I am induced to address your Lordship on the subject.

2. The memorandum was forwarded through the Resident at Hydrabad, purposely that he might accompany it by such remarks as he might think applicable to the points of inquiry it involves. He has told me, how ever, that after attentively considering the paper, nothing material has occurred to him for observation, except that he coincides generally in the force of Colonel Kirkpatrick's reasoning.

3. Every day's experience tends to strengthen the impression, that from the first your Lordship's amicable and liberal views in relation to this state, have not only been discordant with the natural disposition of the Peishwa, but totally adverse to that selfish and wicked policy, which in a certain degree he seems to have realized; a slight recurrence to the history of his machinations is sufficient to demonstrate that in the midst of personal peril and the lowest debasement, he viewed the admission of permanent support from your Lordship, as well as the relinquish ment of his pretended demands on his Highness the Nizam, with the deepest aversion, the one tending to prevent the progress of his me ditated intrigues within, and the other his plans of action abroad.

4. That he should have acted on hopes of being able to shake our influence, and the foundations of our interests at Hydrabad, by hostile negotiations at the period when his own affairs were involved in the utmost state of perplexity and hazard, would scarcely be credited had not the result of the inquiry made into the grounds of the transaction left the fact unquestionable. That a mind apparently so timid and versatile should, in the hour of depression and imminent danger, be at the same time so sanguine as to be led into offensive schemes so extensive and difficult of execution, is, indeed, not to be reconciled; but if no doubt can be entertained of his former hostile proceedings, under the deterring situation of affairs referred to, there can be little cause to differ from the conclusions drawn in favour of the authenticity of the late secret intelligence, corroborated

as it is by so powerful a change of circumstances.

5.In judging of the grounds of that important information, it is not necessary to allow much weight to the consideration of its being difficult for Bajow Rao to form any prospect to his mind of being soon able to connect himself efficiently with the French. In his former hostile intrigues he could have had no such prospect. His aim, and that of his confederates, as it then was, so it doubtless now is, to excite disgust in the mind of his Highness at his present political relations with the English, and thus dispose him to the revival of Mahratta connection and influence, to impress him with the probability of effec⚫ tual aid being procured ere long by negotiations now on foot with the French, of whom numbers may be expected to appear in India at the return of peace, to cherish the faction in favour of Feridoon Jah, formerly alluded to by the colleagues of Kauder Hossain, and thus prepare the way for a grand effort in opposition to the British interests, on the occasion of his Highness's death, which, in the common order of events, refer to a remote period.

6. Certain it is, that in the conception, and for the conduct of such atrocious machinations, Bajow Rao could not have pitched upon a fitter instrument than Suddasheo Munkaiser, a person more completely at his devotion, more expert at intrigue, or more routedly inveterate against the British

government.

7.Thus, my Lord, whether I ad vert to the dark complexion of the Peishwa's disposition and character, the disgustful history of

his domestic and public conduct, the late change of circumstances so favourable to the advancement of his designs, or the means he employs for the execution of them, I cannot but decidedly agree in the results drawn by Colonel Kirkpatrick from the series of his political inquiries.

I have the honour to be,
with the highest respect,
My Lord,

Your's, &c.
(Signed) B. CLOSE.

To his Excellency the most noble
Marquis Wellesley, K.P. Gover
nor-General, &c. &c. &c.
My Lord,

LITTLE material has happened in relation to this court, since I had the honour of addressing your Lordship on the 21st instant.

2. The body of Moonkuries, who had been so importunate and turbulent on account of their ar rears, were no sooner appeased, than the Silladar cavalry, in the neighbourhood of this place, pu.suing their example, surrounded the Peishwa's dwelling in a licentious manner, and urging their demands for pay, continued their clamours for some days, when Gopaul Rao interposing, satisfied them by discharging a portion of their arrears, and promising payment of the remainder in a short period.

3.The Peishwa continues to pur? sue his plan of reducing to indigence and obscurity the different members of the ancient families of the state. After sustaining severe restraints and menaces, the elder branch of the house of Furkia has lately bound himself to pay the Peishwa, in the course of twelve days, the sum of twelve

lacks

lacks of rupees, an agreement which has been exacted from him under assurances from his Highness of being treated in future with becoming attention and indulgence.

4. The descendants of the late Purseram Bhow continue in apprehension of hostile treatment from the Peishwa, who has failed in various attempts to entice Appa Sahib, or his brother, to visit the Durbar. Of late Gopaul Rao Moonshee has employed additional means for inveigling the younger brother, while his Highness presses the Kolapore Rajah to persevere in his depredations on their Jaghire possessions.

5.The head of the house of Rastah continues in prison, but his two brothers, who were besieged in the fort of Koongwaree, have lately recovered their freedom, by sallying and completely defeating the besiegers, an event which has occasioned great uneasiness and dejection at this Durbar.

6.His Highness, disapppointed in his hopes of being able to protract the warfare between Scindia and the Holkars, now shews a desire of acting as a mediator for reconciling the hostile parties, an office, however, in which he is not likely to be employed.

7. Emrut Rao continues on his pilgrimage to the Godavery, but the Peishwa feeling some anxiety at his absence, has taken measures to expedite his return; Moraba has secret conferences occasionally with his Highness, but is not vested with any public charge.

8. By private communication which I have just had the honour to receive from Mr. Duncan, I am led to conclude, that his negotiation with the Guickwar go

vernment promises to terminate shortly in a manner highly favourable to the public interests. I have the honour to be, with the highest respect, My Lord, &c. Poona, (Signed) B.CLOSE, 31st Dec. 1801. Rest. at Poona,

To his Excellency the Most Noble
Marquis Wellesley, K.P.Gover
nor-General, &c. &c.
My Lord,

I Do myself the honour to forward, for your lordship's notice, some papers of correspondence which have lately passed between the government of Bombay and this residency.

2. As the capture to which they relate cannot be regarded by the British government but with feelings of much dissatisfaction, I regret extremely that the stipulations of an existing treaty referred to by the Bombay government, are not more favourable to the freedom, security, and credit of the commerce of that presidency.

3. The detention of the British officers by the Subidar of Savandroog, after they had been formally demanded by the honourable the Governor, seems to have been an unjustifiable, harsh, and wanton act of power, and on this point I judged it proper to remon-, strate in a tone, which, if the Peishwa's orders can be relied on, will, I trust, prevent a repetition of such conduct; but, as the sti pulation alluded to denies to the honourable Company the privi lege of freighting foreign boats not having passes from this state, except from pure necessity, in which case our government is bound to furnish proof of the lading being British property, and, as the two

boats

boats captured by the Subidar, had neither British passes nor colours, I found it most convenient for my purpose to avoid discussion on the merits of the stipulations, and rest the impropriety of the Subidar's behaviour in the seizure of the boats, on the notoriety of the property being British, from its being accompanied by so many British officers, whose veracity could not be questioned, and on the circumstance of such extreme proceedings being totally incompatible with the friendly connection which subsists between the two states.

4. Your lordship will have had but too much occasion to notice the frequent differences which occur between the government of Bombay and the Mahratta piratical territories. In a case of rather recent date, the honourable the governor has been obliged to make a reprisal, and although this decided and necessary act may not be productive of any serious consequences at this period, it may probably tend to strengthen the present grounds of complaint and dispute, by which our commerce may be ultimately so far embarrassed as to call for the adoption of active measures for its relief.

I have the honour to be,
with the highest respect,
My Lord,

Your's, &c.

Poona, (Signed) B. CLOSE, Jan. 2d, 1802. Res. at Poona.

progress of his negotiations with the Guickwar government, and of his occasional communications with this residency relative to the extent of the measures which he proposed to adopt under your lordship's instructions, for the attainment of certain objects connected with that state.

2. The recent arrival at Bombay of two Vakeels from Rouba, the Guickwar minister, seems to have been the means of greatly advancing Mr. Duncan's views. Copies of dispatches which I had the honour of receiving from him and the Government of Bombay, subsequent to that event, I do myself the honour to inclose, for your lordship's notice, together with transcripts of my letter in reply to the honourable the governor, and one which I addressed to him this day, relating to the same subject.

3. The opposition shewn by the Peishwa to Mr. Duncan's negotiations will probably be productive of little further effect than that of adding to the anxiety of Rouba to be reinforced by a detachment of British troops. I have the honour to be, with the highest respect, My Lord,