Secret Correspondence of the Court of the Peshwa. 153 



" of. Conceal nothing from me in my absence of what you may learn. 

 " Write to me with confidence. Speak out boldly. Conceal nothing I 

 " entreat you ; what I write to you, I shall do with perfect reliance that it 

 " will not be spoken of to any one. Maintain the same good faith you have 

 " ever done. I have never been so plain with any one before ; your business 

 " is not now confined to one point ; I shall rely on you, not only for infor- 

 '' mation, but also for advice on all subjects. I feel convinced you will 

 " advise what is right. A hint from you will suffice to enable me to act, 

 " as I am assured you will recommend nothing but what is proper. 



" I shall frequently apply to you on points that I could not venture to 

 " trust to any other person ; and as I find my confidence is repaid, so shall I 

 " apply to you without hesitation. We are bound to each other by the 

 " most solemn oaths to reveal nothing of what passes between us. 



" With regard to the questions I have left for you to consider, when I 

 " hear your opinion I shall avail myself of any hints you may give, and issue 

 " the necessary instructions. 



" Destroy this letter the instant you have read it." 



This letter is written evidently in great agitation ; several words are left 

 out, the usual lines connecting the words are omitted, and tlie same 

 sentiment is frequently repeated ; and it is altogether unlike Madhu Rao's 

 usually clear style. 



The Peshwa's health declining daily, he made but little progress towards the 

 south ; and in the month of June I771 he vested his maternal uncle Tryambac 

 Rao with full powers as commander-in-chief, and sent him the great seal, 

 making him in every respect his representative in the field. Tryambac 

 Rao so completely fulfilled his sovereign's wishes that he reduced Hyder 

 to the greatest distress, and at the very gates of Seringapatam dictated a 

 peace in the following year, by which he obtained thirty-six lacs of rupees 

 as arrears of tribute, and an agreement to pay fourteen lacs annually in 

 future. 



Our attention must now be drawn towards the aflfairs at Poona. Madhu 

 Rao's indisposition prevented his attending to business ; and some of the 

 mniisters began to look towards Ragoba as the person into whose hands the 

 government miglit again fall in case of the Peshwa's death and the accession 

 of his younger brother Narayan Rao, a youth equally irritable and wrong- 

 licaded. This state of affairs added to the anxiety of the Peshwa's mind 

 and nicreased his disorder, which proved to be consumption. 



Vol. II. X 



