154 Lieut. -Culonel Briggs' Translation of the 



The letters, which passed at this period, are full of interest, but they are 

 in many instances ambiguous, and some of them being without date, it is 

 not easy to place them in the series. The physicians conceiving the air of 

 Poona unwholesome for his complaint, the Peshwa moved to Sidtek, a village 

 a few miles from the capital, which he reached in January 1772. Nana 

 was left, as usual, in charge of Poona, under the Peshwa's brother, 

 Naeayan Rao, while Nana's cousin, who was jealous of the confidence 

 reposed in him by the Peshwa, filled the office of secretary with Madhu 

 Rao, around whom, during his illness, all the great cliiefs of the empire 

 assembled, both out of courtesy, as well as to observe what was likely to 

 be the result in case of his death. 



Shortly after the Peshwa left Poona, Nana Farnevis found the young 

 prince, Narayan Rao, lending himself to a party, and permitting them 

 to assume a degree of interference in the public business, to which Nana 

 was by no means disposed to submit. The following letters on this subject 

 shew his feeling : 



Nana Farnevis to Madhu Rao Peshwa. 

 " Your Highness on your departure said, ' His Highness Narayan Rao 

 " ' will remain here in my absence ; do not imagine therefore there will be 

 «' • any difficulty.' This is true : but there is a vast deal of business to be 

 " transacted, and where confidence exists there are no obstacles. This 

 " does not appear to be the case here. The reproofs, the opposition, and 

 « the delays which occur, do not originate with his Flighness perhaps ; but 

 " why should I have been selected to become subject to them ? If your 

 «* Highness should be absent for many months, business cannot be allowed 

 " to stand still ; but I beg of you to consider how I am to conduct it 

 " without your support. 



« I am extremely unwilling, in the present state of your health, to trouble 

 " you on such matters, but I could not on this occasion avoid it. All 

 " I wish is, that when I bring papers to receive the young prince's 

 « signature, they may be passed at once, without the intervention of 

 " other people. In case his Highness should wish for explanation, I am on 

 " the spot, and always ready to afford it. If your Highness does not 

 « feel sufficient confidence in me to admit of this, I beg I may be allowed 

 « to join your camp at once. Every thing else goes on smoothly. 



" This is what I begged of Hari Pant to mention, but I am not sure 



