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gunnas will remain as they are. Such news the jamadars hope to. 

 hear; and then, the moment they find it true that the English 

 government shall remain as it is, they will divide sugar and sweet- 

 meats among all the people in the cutcheree; then every body will 

 speak sweet words. They have also promised to make ceremo- 

 nies in the pagodas, and give charity to the brahmins: they say 

 they have all been happy under you for more than three years, and 

 make their abaddee this season also. Therefore with all they say I 

 only acquaint you, Sir, Sec." 



From J. Forbes, at Dhuboy, 23d April, 1783. 



"No more, my dear friend, shall I addressyou from Dhuboy; 

 this is probably the last day of my government, as I am in hourly 

 expectation of a Mahratta despot, with his greedy train, to take 

 possession of this city, and all the adjoining districts; all eager to 

 tax and oppress a quiet set of people, whom it has been my study 

 to render happy. How melancholy an appearance does every 

 thing now wear, from that which delighted you four months ago, 

 when %ve enjoyed our party with the chief, through these pur- 

 gunnas. The higher orders of people in the city have actually laid 

 aside their long robes, and put on more humble apparel. The 

 banians in general have shut up their shops in the bazar, and 

 many of them are gone off. The rest of the inhabitants await 

 their doom in mournful silence, or melancholy converse without 

 the Gate of Diamonds; where you and myself have so oflen wit- 

 nessed their happiness. Yet even this is trifling, compared with 

 the sacrifice of Baroche to Mhadajee Sindia; it never did belong 



