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114 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
forernnner of Mostyn, Malet, Malcolm, and Elphinstone. Ilis
object was to negotiate a treaty, in the name of President Law,
with the victorious Mahratta General, Chimnajee Appa, who
acted on behalf of the Peishwa, and, for^his purpose, he pro-
ceeded to Rassein. Even before the negotiations were opened,
the Mahratta General, following the established precedents of
his country, demanded from the English a pecuniary contribu-
tion, but must have been not a little surprised by the firm stand
which the envoy most wisely made at the commencement. The
outspoken sailor promptly told him that the Honourable
Company would never permit their servants to give him money,
and would rather see the island of Bombay sunk in the sea than
comply with any such request. Under the disappointment of
this refusal the Mahrattas began to show their teeth, and com-
plained bitterly that an envoy had been sent from Bombay to
the Shao Rajah, at Sattara, before they had been consulted.
Inchbird was conscious that they had means of penetrating
English secrets which he could not discover, and were aware of
Gordon's instructions to undermine the influence of Bajee Rao.
flis position was embarrassing; but, having extricated himself
with singular skill, he succeeded in arranging the terms of a
treaty,* dated the 12th of July, 1739, which w^as ratified at
Bombay.
Marked as had been the success of these transactions with the
Mahrattas, the feeling of security which they brought to the
inhabitants of Bombay, was but transient. Harassing reports
were continually current, and, no sooner had the little fleet
sailed away from the island with merchant vessels under their
convoy, than the Government became painfully sensible how
exposed they were to the designs of their unscrupulous allies,
particularly if Mannajee Angria shuuld once more prove
treacherous and convert his vessels into transports for the
Peishwa's plunderers. On the subversion of the Portuguese,
only the British remained to cope, single handed, with the
Angria; but the Bombay Marine, when the hour for action had
struck, proved that it was equal to the task of driving his ships
from the sea, and of attacking him in his strongholds on shore.
Timid counsels now prevailed at Bombay, and alarming rumours
were rife. It was said, upon good authority, that a large force
was being mustered at Tanna, and the tone of Mannajee's
letters became more insolent. Mischief, it was thought, must
* AccordiufT to this treaty, the Peishwa conceded to the Enghsh free trade in
his dominions. The contracting parties mutually engaged that debtors endea-
vouring to evade their responsibilities, should be either delivered up or compelled
to pay all that was due ; that runaway slaves should be seized and restored to
their masters, and that if the vessels of one power should be driven by stress
of weather into the poi-ts of the other, assistance should be rendered them ;
but such vessels as were wrecked on the coast should be sold, one half the pro-
ceeds of sale being paid to the owner, the other half to the Government ou whoso
coast the wreck might be thrown.