Page 161 - INDIANNAVYV1

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 129 ;

was the opinion of the strength of Angria's strongholds, that
the Commodore received instructions from the Government to
the effect that he was not to hazard the loss of an^-- of his ships
by attacking the enemy's forts ; but he was to blockade their
harbours, while the Mahrattaarmy carried on operations by land.
The treaty between the contracting parties consisted of six or
seven separate articles. By these the British were to have
command of the Marine forces, but mutual approbation was
necessary before undertaking any naval operations. The vessels
that might be captured from Toolajee Angria, were to be
handed over to the Peishwa ; Bancoot, with the fort of Him-
mutgurh, and the sovereignty of the river on which it stands,
with five villages, were to be ceded to the English in perpetuity.
It appears that the President and (Jouncil considered that these
stipulations might pletlge them more than was prudent, and,
therefore, one of the articles stipulated that the British only
engaged to guard the sea and prevent Angria's fleet from
throwing succours into the northern fort of Severndroog,
Anjemv44r ami Jyegurh.*
Emiiajee Punt, the Mahratta commander-in-chief, landed with
his"%TJn]7S about fifteen miles north of Severndroog, in order to
march the rest of the way, and the fleet continued its course
under the orders of the British commander, who, having learnt
on the 28th of March, that 'i oolajee Angria's fleet was at anchor
in the port of Severndroog, made sail thither the same evening,
and timed his arrival so as to appear before the phice at daylight
on the 29th. This he did, as he was apprehensive, from his
knowledge of their character, that the enemy, instead of showing
fight, would endeavour to make their escape. And so it proved
in sight of the ' Protector,' the whole of Angria's fleet slippecl
their cables and stood out to sea. As there was but little wind
they employed their galivats to tow them out of danger ; by this
means tliey managed at first to get ahead of the 'Protector,'
but a Seabreeze springing up, the frigate, being the fastest of the
squadron, gained upon them. On seeing this the enemy stood
in-shore, and, as Commodore James had left the rest of his ships
a long way astern, he was forced, though very relunctantly, tti
give up the chase, having inflicted by his fire much loss in men,
and damage to their ships. During the day the Mahratta fleet
behaved with great pusillanimity. Although their vessels Jiad
hitherto sailed better than the Phiglish, such was their ihvad of
the power of Angria's seamen, that they all kept in the rear and
suff'ered the British squadron to give chase alone.
The Commodore now stood back towards Severndroog, and,
on the 2nd of April, commenced offensive operations against
that stronghold, which he decided to reduce first, on account uf
the approaching monsoon, which would render it inexpedient to
* Graut Duli"s "History of the Malu-attas," vol. li. p. !S3.
VOL. I. K