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148 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.

'J'he Bombay Presidency, as we have already mentioned, had
long been urgent with the Peishwa to assist them in establishing
their trade and privileges at Surat, on a secure footing, and in
maintaining peace and order in the city itself. For many
years, owing to the constant squabbles and jealousies of the
Mogul officers, the city had been in a state of confusion. At
one time the Governor and the Mogul Admiral were at open
feud, and then at other times there were rivals for the Nawab-
ship, when the Dutch and English factories espoused opposite
sides, and fought against each other, though their respective
countries were in a state of profound peace. On such occasions,
the Northern, or Surat, squadron of the Marine did good ser-
vice, and maintained the ascendancy of their nationality. At
length, disgusted with this state of affairs, so subversive of
trade, and finding that he was not likely to obtain the Peishwa's
aid, Mr. Ellis, the agent, arranged a plan with the senior naval
officer, the execution of which, however, was deferred, owing to
orders from the Bombay Government. In 1758, the quarrel
between the Nawab, Novas Ali Khan, and the Seedee, came to
a climax. In consequence of the decline of the central power,
there was no authority to check the pretensions of the latter
officer, who had always been accustomed to obey orders ema-
nating from the Emperor and his deputy, receiving the tunkha
for his services in protecting the trade. For many years, how-
ever, the protector of the trade had become its chief oppressor,
and, on some occasions, the Nawab had to make great conces-
sions to appease his powerful subject. Thus matters went on
from bad to worse, the Dutch and English agents being unable
to keep the peace, if they did not foment the quarrels. AVhen
the final rupture took place between these high Mogul officers,
the fleet remained faithful to the Admiral, who seized the castle
of Surat, thus gaining command of the entire city, and
appointed Meer Atchund to the office of Nawab. Fighting and
negotiation were tried to oust the recalcitrant Admiral, but in
vain, and the Nawab, in his extremity, at length applied to the
English agent for assistance. This appeal afforded the long
wished for opportunity. Mr. Ellis, who was succeeded, in 1759,
by Mr. Spencer, had agreed to afford all the aid at his disposal
on certain terms, which were readily acceded to. A treaty, by
which the Company gained lasting benefits, was therefore
signed, sealed, and delivered, and was afterwards confirmed b}''
the Emperor ; and the Bombay Government, to whom the mer-
chants had repeatedly applied for protection from the rapacity
and insults of the Seedee and his officers, apprehensive that he
might open the gate to the Mahrattas, at length agreed to
intervene with an armed force.
An expedition was accordingly fitted out at Bombay, con-
sisting of five of the Company's ships and a body of eight