on secret intrigues and negotiations with him, thereby
giving just ground of jealousy and distrust to the
Mahratta state. That the late Colonel John Upton,
by whom the treaty of Poorunder was negotiated and
concluded, did declare to the Governor-General and
Council, “that, while Ragonaut Row resides at
Bombay in expectation of being supported, the ministers
can place no confidence in the Council there, which
must now be productive of the greatest inconveniencies,
and perhaps in the end of fatal consequences.”
That the said Warren Hastings, concurring with his
Council, which then consisted of Sir John Clavering,
Richard Barwell, and Philip Francis, Esquires, did,
on the 18th of August, 1777, declare to the Presidency
of Bombay, that “he could see no reason to doubt
that the presence of Ragoba at Bombay would continue
to be an insuperable bar to the completion of
the treaty concluded with the Mahratta government;
nor could any sincere cordiality and good understanding
be established with them, as long as he should appear
to derive encouragement and support from the English.”
That Sir John Clavering died soon after, and that
the late Edward Wheler, Esquire, succeeded to a seat
in the Supreme Council. That on the 29th of January,
1778, the Governor-General and Council received a letter
from the Presidency of Bombay, dated 12th December,
1777, in which they declared, “that they had
agreed to give encouragement to a party formed
in Ragoba’s favor, and flattered themselves they
should meet with the hearty concurrence of the Governor-General
and Council in the measures they might be obliged
to pursue in consequence.” That the party
so described was said to consist of four principal
persons in the Mahratta state, on whose part some
overtures had been made to Mr. William Lewis,
the Resident of Bombay at Poonah, for the assistance
of the Company to bring Ragoba to Poonah.
That the said Warren Hastings, immediately on the
receipt of the preceding advices, did propose and
carry it in Council, by means of his casting voice,
and against the remonstrances, arguments, and solemn
protest of two members of the Supreme Council, that
the sanction of that government should be given
to the plan which the President and Council of Bombay
had agreed to form with the Mahratta government; and
also that a supply of money (to the amount of ten
lacs of rupees) should be immediately granted to the
President and Council of Bombay for the support
of their engagements above mentioned; and also
that a military force should be sent to the Presidency
of Bombay. That in defence of these resolutions
the said Warren Hastings did falsely pretend and affirm,
“that the resolution of the Presidency of Bombay
was formed on such a case of imminent necessity
as would have rendered it dangerous to postpone the
execution of it until the orders from the Governor-General
and Council might arrive; and that the said Presidency
of Bombay were warranted by the treaty of Poorunder