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gunnas will remain as they are. Such news the jamadars hope to hear; and then, the moment they find it true that the English government shall remain as it is, they will divide sugar and sweetmeats among all the people in the cutcheree; then every body will speak sweet words. They have also promised to make ceremonies in the pagodas, and give charity to the brahmins: they say they have all been happy under you for more than three years, and make their abaddee this season also. Therefore with all they say I only acquaint you, Sir, &c."

From J. Forbes, at Dhuboy, 23d April, 1783.

"No more, my dear friend, shall I address you from Dhuboy; this is probably the last day of my government, as I am in hourly expectation of a Mahratta despot, with his greedy train, to take possession of this city, and all the adjoining districts; all eager to tax and oppress a quiet set of people, whom it has been my study to render happy. How melancholy an appearance does every thing now wear, from that which delighted you four months ago, when we enjoyed our party with the chief, through these purgunnas. The higher orders of people in the city have actually laid aside their long robes, and put on more humble apparel. The banians in general have shut up their shops in the bazar, and many of them are gone off. The rest of the inhabitants await their doom in mournful silence, or melancholy converse without the Gate of Diamonds; where you and myself have so often witnessed their happiness. Yet even this is trifling, compared with the sacrifice of Baroche to Mhadajee Sindia; it never did belong

to the Mahrattas; and as the inglorious treaty of Worgaum never took place, the cession of Baroche was disgraceful to the Company, prejudicial to Bombay, and a cruel stroke on the individuals stationed at that pleasant and advantageous settlement. It was a situation which we looked upon as permanent as the presidency of Bombay itself; and I must say, our acutest feelings are excited at the idea of leaving all those who have sought the English protection, and emigrated from other countries to purchase lands, build houses, and establish new manufactures, under the flag of Baroche; there to enjoy the lenity of our laws, and a security of property unknown under other governments; these, as well as our numerous dependants and domestics, who cannot accompany us to Bombay, must be left to the mercy of an arbitrary rapacious Mahratta chieftain.

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My feelings, I freely confess, are far more for others than myself. I have almost attained the fruition of my wishes, and should not have remained more than another year in India. Dalton and my sister will now accompany me home, as they have no further prospects of advantage in this part of the globe. I have been fortunate to recover every rupee due to the Company from the revenues of my districts, and shall not leave a single concern unsettled at Dhuboy: it will be far otherwise at Baroche; where we have houses, landed property, and many outstanding concerns not provided for in the late treaty. I have written you these particulars, in which I know you will take a great interest, because my letter cannot reach you before your arrival at Canton: whither you intended sailing soon after your return to Bombay from Guzerat; and where I hope you will in a few years finish your fortune."

To. J. Forbes, from the Commanding officer at Dhuboy, dated

28th April 1783.

"I Do indeed rejoice, and that most sincerely, my dear Sir, at your wonderful escape from the Gracias, and safe arrival among your anxious friends at Baroche: but when you wrote to me you knew not half the extent of the robbery and murders among your people, by those cruel banditti: ere this you must have heard the melancholy particulars, which I will not recapitulate. Nothing but the lucky circumstance of your setting out from hence so many hours earlier than usual prevented your falling into the hands of those merciless wretches. They were afraid, as I am informed, of being too early at the rendezvous, lest you should get intelligence of it, and disappoint them; but they reached the destined spot very soon after you left it. The whole tribe of Gracias in this part of Guzerat are concerned in this horrid plot; Mandwa, Vazeria, Veloria, Rampoor, Meah, and many others. They have ever since posted a couple of horsemen in all the villages round Dhuboy, to give them the earliest intelligence of our motions.

66.

Yesterday we had a flying report that in consequence of the Mahrattas having captured one of the Company's vessels with several king's officers on board, there would be a renewal of the war, and consequently no cession of these purgunnas. This being rather confirmed by your last letter, I immediately communicated the news to the principal inhabitants, who solicited me to fire a salute on the occasion, that the happy intelligence might be communicated far and near: this, however, I declined, fearful of its

ultimate consequence to the petitioners, should the report prove to be unfounded, and a Mahratta chief still succeed you. I thought the grateful venerable Ardeseer, tandar of Zinore, would have died with joy when he heard the news; and your purvoe damoder put on the first smile visible on his long face since your departure. He much regrets having dismantled your apartments in the durbar; and in consequence of the favourable report, I am replacing the copper bolts and bars which I had taken from the powder magazine, being determined not to leave them for the Mahrattas. I am most truly concerned to hear of the shocking conspiracy and mutiny at Baroche; but I do not so much wonder at it, when I consider the hatred of the Mahomedans to a Mahratta government, although so timely discovered; it is a peremptory duty to make a severe example of the ringleaders both among the conspirators and sepoy mutineers."

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From Baroche, 2d July 1783.

"WE detained your halcarra, my dear Sir, to inform of the transactions in council yesterday, as you could not leave your residency to be present. It was our last meeting; and our final resolutions respecting this ill-fated settlement, closed the consultation. This morning we are to assemble at a full Court of Adawlet, and after settling the causes, dissolve the court; all prisoners confined for just debts are to be delivered over to the new government. The chief is to do as he thinks right with the natives committed by him as a magistrate. About twenty pieces of ordnance one hundred barrels of powder, and shot in proportion, are

to be lent to Bascar Row for Mhadajee Sindia, with which he seems much pleased.

"Bascar Row, the provisional governor appointed by Mhadajee Sindia to take charge of this valuable cession, arived at Baroche on Saturday evening, visited the chief on Monday, and will, I imagine, take possession of the fortress on Friday next, if the weather. will permit of our journey to Surat; but at present the rains fall so heavy as to render our departure doubtful.

"Corkran and myself paid Bascar Row a long visit; he seems a shrewd sensible man; his observations were generally just, and he shewed great penetration in many instances. For a Mahratta he is polite and agreeable; his conversation affable, and sometimes jocose. Lullabhy hardly ever leaves the new pundit, and seemed particularly inclined to be present at our interview; an honour which we dispensed with, and during his absence Corkran gave Bascar Row many traits of his character; a confidence he was well pleased with, and requested another conference. With this our friend is equally delighted; because he will remain here as English resident, and hoist the British colours on the factory house when they are struck on the fort, to give place to the Mahratta flag.

"Bascar Row has already noticed his intentional proceedings on taking charge of the settlement. After paying his devotions at the pagoda, the following edicts are to be immediately issued from the durbar.

"First, that no cow, bullock, or calf, shall evermore be killed in Baroche, on pain of death; nor beef to be eaten by any person whatever.

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