180 PINDAREE WAR. 



rection ; but they Teported that they could not find a* 

 enemy ; and, in fact, they held a friendly communication 

 with the very individual whom they professed to view in that 

 character. The British resident learned that the prince 

 was in active correspondence with the insurgents ; that he 

 had held an interview with Trimbuckjee at a village seven- 

 teen miles from Poonah ; and had even forwarded to him 

 liberal supplies of money; being at the same time em- 

 ployed in military preparations, with the intention, as was 

 suspected, of co-operating with him. Secret negotiations 

 were also carried on with Sindia, Holkar, and other Mah- 

 ratta chiefs, for the purpose of uniting the whole confedera- 

 tion for the overthrow of British power. All remonstrances 

 relative to these proceedings having been met by a positive 

 denial, as well as by a refusal to adopt any of the measures 

 demanded as proofs of an amicable disposition, it was 

 thought inconsistent with sound policy to allow this combi- 

 nation to reach maturity. Mr. Elphinstone ordered the 

 subsidiary force to advance upon Poonah, and gave notice 

 to the peishwa that hostilities would commence within 

 twenty-four hours, unless three of his strongest fortresses, 

 Sir.L r i;rh, Rayree, and Poorunder, should be provisionally 

 placed in the hands of the English, and assura. - given 

 that within a month Trimbuckjee would be again delivered 

 up. Bajee Rao delayed some time to give any answer ; at 

 length, with that infirmity of purpose which usually ap- 

 peared in the hour of danger, he agreed unconditionally to 

 all these terms. The fortresses were surrendered, and a 

 price set on the head of the minister. Still the resident 

 gave warning that these concessions could not be consid- 

 ered as final ; that the peishwa had forfeited the confidence 

 of the company, and could not expect the treaty of Bassein 

 to be renewed, unless under modifications, the extent of 

 which must depend upon the next despatch from the gov- 

 ernor-general. Accordingly it was soon a<ter announced 

 that amicable relations could only be restored on the follow- 

 ing terms : — That the subsidiary force should be augmented 

 by 5000 horse and 3000 infantry, for the maintenance of 

 which territories yielding a revenue of 34 lacks of rupees 

 must be ceded ; that in this cession the strong city of Ah- 

 mednugger should be included ; that his highness should 

 renounce the character of head of the Mahratta confed- 



