Secret Corresporidence of the Court of the Peshwa. 135 



From Madhu Rao, in his own hand, to Nana Farnevis. 



" I have received your letter, enclosing that of Dadoba Wagolikar. 

 " We must not resume any of the Holkar estates in the Deccan at present, 

 " for many reasons. In the first place, if we were to incur the expense, 

 " we ought to be reimbursed in ten or twelve lacs of rupees at least ; but 

 •' as the season for making the collections is over, we shall obtain nothing : 

 " secondly, the measure will give great offence to my uncle, who will con- 

 " elude it is done because the Holkars negociated with him : thirdly, 

 " Gangoba (Gangadhar Yeswant, Holkar's minister) will immediately 

 " conclude that I am personally hostile to him and the Holkars, which 

 " will decide him in throwing himself at once into my uncle's arms. These 

 " are the motives which induce me not to resume the lands in the Deccan. 

 " Were ten or twenty lacs of rupees to be gained, we might overlook the 

 " obstacles I mention ; that not being the case, and there being no advan- 

 " tage equivalent to the inconvenience arising out of the measure, I did 

 " not think it necessary to reply to your letter before. 



" In answer to Dadoba Wagolikar, you need assign no reasons, but 

 " simply say, ' What has become of all your fine promises regarding Gan- 

 " ' goba's attachment to us ? He may, of course, act as he thinks proper.' 



" Let the style of your letter to him be formal and impressive. You may 

 " also go on to say, ' You have always written to say Gangoba was devoted 

 " ' to us, and this we have not forgotten. Be it so : we shall see how matters 

 " ' turn out. You have been evidently acting a part for your own interests. 

 " ' Very well.' 



" Gangoba will of course hear the contents of your letter ; never mind : 

 " there is abundance of time to punish those who systematically deceive us. 

 « Tear this letter." 



The struggle at Holkar's court was between the Dowager Ahilya Bhye 

 and Gangadhar Yeswant. The former finding such powerful opposition to 

 lier claims, applied secretly to the Pesliwa to confirm the estates on her ; 

 while the minister, in conjunction with Ragoba, wished for the adoption of 

 a boy, in order to preserve the management of affairs in his own hands. 

 The latter object being defeated, Ragoba resolved to march southward, 

 accompanied by all the great chiefs, with the avowed intention of demanding 

 from his nephew a division of the empire, retaining in his own hands all the 

 country nortli of the Godaveri, and permitting his nephew to manage 

 uncontrolled all that lying to the south of that river. 



