289 



rience in business, was always employed in, and devoted lo 

 strengthening the mutual friendship, and increasing the cordiality 

 of the two states; but having, at this season, adopted the reso- 

 lution of returning to England, he has taken leave, and proceeded 

 towards that quarter ; which opportunity has been embraced to 

 transmit, under his care, for your majesty's gracious acceptance, 

 sundry pieces of cloth and articles of jewellery, agreeable to the 

 accompanying catalogue, which he will have the honour of pre- 

 senting to your majesty ; and we have a firm hope they will be 

 honoured with your majesty's approval. 



" Your majesty, looking on your well-wisher (the peshwa) as 

 one of those sincerely studious of your good-will, will be pleased 

 to honour him with your exalted letters, which will be deemed a 

 gracious proof of your majesty's kindness and attention. May 

 your empire and prosperity be everlasting ! " 



The presents from the Mahratta peshwa to his Britannic ma- 

 jesty, mentioned in the preceding letter, consisted of two hundred 

 and thirty-two diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, set in various orna- 

 ments; two strings containing an hundred and twenty beautiful 

 pearls; and a large pearl, pendant to an ornament of diamonds and 

 emeralds, called ajeega. These were accompanied by a complete 

 Indian dress of costly materials, and twenty valuable shawls. 



These may be esteemed a magnificent present from a Hindoo 

 prince at this period. More must depend upon the value than the 

 number of jewels sent by the durbar at Poonah to the British 

 sovereign — of that I can give no estimate, but the Mahratta khi- 

 luts, and all the presents I have heard of in modern times, dwindle 



VOL. III. 2 p 



