licitude to maintain with him, unimpaired, the relations of peace and amity; and I have at the same time communicated to him my resolution to resist any at. tempt on his part, either singly or combined with any other state, to obstruct the full accomplish. ment of the treaty of Bassein. I further deem it to be necessary to remind you, that, in con. formity to the defensive engagements subsisting between the Bri, tish government and his Highness the Nizam, any attack upon his Highness's territories must be considered to be an act of aggression against the British government. It is my earnest desire to main. tain with you the relations of amity and peace; but at the same time it is my determined resolution to resist any attempt on your part to violate the rights, or to injure the interests of the British government or its allies. 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 with 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 relax. ed by your resolution to remain unconnected with the powers allied by the treaties of Hydrabad and Bassein. Whatever may be your deter mination with regard to this proposal, I shall continue to main. tain, with cordial solicitude, the relations of amity and peace which have so long subsisted between the British government and you, unless you should compel me to pursue a contrary course. THE intimatefriendship and alliance which have long subsisted between the British government and the state of Berar, induce me to communicate to you with. out reserve, the engagements re cently concluded between the Honourable Company and his Highness the Peishwa; to explain to you the principles on which those engagements are founded; and to demonstrate to you that the treaty of Bassein is formed with a sincere regard for the integrity of the Mahratta empire, and for the security of the separate rights and privileges of the constituent branches of that respective power. When his Highness the Peishwa was compelled by the violence and usurpation of Jeswunt Rao Holkar to abandon the seat of government at Poona, and to retire into the Koncan, his Highness earnestly solicited the aid of the 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 Dow lut 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 Dow lut Rao Scindia were sensible that the active interposition of the British power in that ardurous crisis of atlairs, 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 con. dition 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 accord. ingly 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. tier of Mysore with a view to the protection and defence of the Bri tish 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 remon, strances were addressed to Jes. wunt 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 secnre the continuance 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 authority. 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 For the accomplishment of this treaty of Bassein, containing arrangement, a considerable de- every article and stipulation of tachment of British troops, which that engagement. This explicit had been stationed on the fron-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 en gagement; 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 confusion, 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 catire 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,) thon 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 interests 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 con fusion; 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 disturb. ing the constitutional form of the state, and without affecting the legitimate independence of its feudatory chieftains. This course of policy must tend to strengthen strengthen the bouds of amity and alliance with the state of Berar, 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 suspicion 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 military 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 Peishwa, 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 selected to be the representative of this government at your court: Mr. Webbe, however, will proceed to Nagpoor, and on his arri. val will be prepared to enter upon the discussion of all questions de pending 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 I am directed by his Excel- lency the Most Noble the Gover. nor General, to transmit to you the accompanying notes, intend. ed to form the basis of detailed + L instruc instructions, which will be dispatched with the least practicable delay. 2. His Excellency desires that you will regulate your conduct, in the mean time, according to the principles stated in these notes, and that you will communicate copies of the notes to the Honourable the Governor of Bombay, and to the Honourable MajorGeneral Wellesley. I have the honour to be, Your most obedient Fort William, the 7th May, 1803. No. 1. Notes for a dispatch to Col. Close. 1. On the arrival of the Peishwa at Poona, the Resident will of course, under his former instructions, have manifested every degree of respect to his Highness, in restoring him to the Musnud. 2. The greatest pains must be employed to satisfy the Peishwa of our intention to abstain from all interference in the details of his government, and to maintain his dignity and independence. 3. This object, however, may be difficult of attainment, when combined with the absolute necessity of soliciting the Peishwa's favour for many of the Jaghiredars, and of endeavouring to place the power of the British government in the situation of mediator between the Peishwa and the Jaghiredars, as well as of guarantee for their respective rights. The stability, however, of the whole system, under the treaty of Bassein, will depend upon the address with which the British government shall assume the protection of all the contending parties, withs 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, with 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 |