DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25988#0328
304
Lifeof Mountstuart EIphinstone.
CH. IX.
encountered the European Commandant of the contingent,
above alluded to ; on which Mr. Elphinstone asked him the
latest news from the city. He appeared not to be aware of
what was in progress, but observed that the Minister, whom he
had just left, had told him that the Peshwa had discharged
some of the troops lately enlisted, and that all was quiet. Mr.
Elphinstone then called on me to state what I had heard, and
distinctly told the Commandant that he did not believe a
word that he said. The latter said that his information was from
the Minister himself, and that as to the troops in the streets,
he did not observe any beyond the usual patrols, and knew
nothing about the arrival of gun bullocks. The moment was
critical; the Residency was incapable of being properly de-
fended, especially by the orclinary escort, and the idea of
attacking the Peshwa at once from the cantonment, though
hastily expressed, was subsequently abandoned. Mr. Elphin-
stone resolved to defer doing anything until the morning, and
then to take such precautionary measures as he might deem
proper. I believe that neither I nor he had much sleep during
that anxious night. The night fortunately passed quietly ;
owing, as was said, to the opposition to war evinced by some of
the ministers. Bajee Rao was physically an arrant coward;
he had always displayed this weakness, and was not ashamed
to avow it. No steps were therefore taken by either party
during the night, but in the morning a requisition for a
reinforcement was made, and two guns accompanied it. to the
Residency.’
The Peshwa now took alarm. Having latterly declinecl
all overtures for an interview with the Resident, he suddenly
changecl liis tone, and invitecl the interview which he hacl so
long refused, ancl encleavoured to overwhelm ? T. Elphinstone
with a torrent of protestations and remonstrances. Some
details of the conversation which ensued are given in the
papers laicl before Parliament; but they feebly report the
scene as it has been described t.o me by General Briggs, who
accompanied Mr. Elphinstone on that occasion. So eagerly
did Bajee Rao pursue his argument that he, of all persons,
Lifeof Mountstuart EIphinstone.
CH. IX.
encountered the European Commandant of the contingent,
above alluded to ; on which Mr. Elphinstone asked him the
latest news from the city. He appeared not to be aware of
what was in progress, but observed that the Minister, whom he
had just left, had told him that the Peshwa had discharged
some of the troops lately enlisted, and that all was quiet. Mr.
Elphinstone then called on me to state what I had heard, and
distinctly told the Commandant that he did not believe a
word that he said. The latter said that his information was from
the Minister himself, and that as to the troops in the streets,
he did not observe any beyond the usual patrols, and knew
nothing about the arrival of gun bullocks. The moment was
critical; the Residency was incapable of being properly de-
fended, especially by the orclinary escort, and the idea of
attacking the Peshwa at once from the cantonment, though
hastily expressed, was subsequently abandoned. Mr. Elphin-
stone resolved to defer doing anything until the morning, and
then to take such precautionary measures as he might deem
proper. I believe that neither I nor he had much sleep during
that anxious night. The night fortunately passed quietly ;
owing, as was said, to the opposition to war evinced by some of
the ministers. Bajee Rao was physically an arrant coward;
he had always displayed this weakness, and was not ashamed
to avow it. No steps were therefore taken by either party
during the night, but in the morning a requisition for a
reinforcement was made, and two guns accompanied it. to the
Residency.’
The Peshwa now took alarm. Having latterly declinecl
all overtures for an interview with the Resident, he suddenly
changecl liis tone, and invitecl the interview which he hacl so
long refused, ancl encleavoured to overwhelm ? T. Elphinstone
with a torrent of protestations and remonstrances. Some
details of the conversation which ensued are given in the
papers laicl before Parliament; but they feebly report the
scene as it has been described t.o me by General Briggs, who
accompanied Mr. Elphinstone on that occasion. So eagerly
did Bajee Rao pursue his argument that he, of all persons,