CHAr. VT.| KEIGWIN'S MUTINY. 333
which he had taken could have secured its continuance as a dependency of the ad. low.
British crown.
On receiving intelligence of the Bombay revolt, and of the attempt which inveatiga
tioii by a
Keigwin had made to justify his proceedings, the Company appointed a com- committee mittee of secrecy to communicate du-ectly with the crown, and take whatever ° *""*^^ other measures might seem expedient. In a report specially addressed to the king, they asserted that so for from acting penuriously with their officers and soldiers, their pay and encouragements were superior to those which the Dutch granted to their troops; that their president and governor had given every indulgence to the garrison "compatible with the duty of rendering the revenues equal to the charges of the establishment;" and that, since they had entered to possession of the island, they had expended the sum of £300,000 on fortifi- cations, an excellent harbour, and other improvements In conclusion, they returned to an old complaint by blaming the interlopers as the main instigators to the revolt, endeavoured to arouse the jealousy of the king by reminding him that the revolters had attacked his prerogative by questioning the right of the crown to give exclusive privileges of trade without the authority of the legisla- ture, and hinted that the revolt, so far from being caused by any undue use of their powers, was rather owing to a defect in the })owers themselves, which did not permit them to deal summarily and effectually with delinquents.
During these proceedings in England, Keigwin continued not only to main- suppression tain his position, but obtained a recognition of his authority from Sambjijee, mutiny with whom he negotiated a treaty giving the privilege of free trade within the Mahratta dominions. More than this, Sambajee consented to the payment of a considerable sum due to the Company. This treaty and payment, together with the alleged fact that the island was now entirely supported by its own revenue, furnished Keigwin with plausible grounds for maintaining that his proceedings had advanced the interests both of the crown and the Company. It was impos- .sible, however, that he coiUd be listened to ; and despatches were sent ofl' from England, with a commission under the gi'eat seal, directed to the president and councils at Surat and Bombay, and to the commandei-s of the Compan3s ships, to take the necessary steps for the recovery of the island. In the event of a peaceable delivery, a general pardon was to be proclaimed to all except Keigwin and other three ringleaders. As it seemed probable that force would be neces- sar3^ President Child was appointed captain-general and admiral of the Com- pany's sea and land forces, Sir Thomas Grantham vice-admiral, and the senior commander of the Company's ships rear-admiral. Though the revolt was the immediate occasion of these appointments, it will soon be seen that ulterior objects were contemplated by them. Indeed, the necessity of these appoint- ments, so fill' as related to the revolt, had ceased before the knowledge of them had reached India, Keigwin having in the interval agreed to deliver up the island to Sir Thomas Grantham, on receiving a free pardon for him.self and his
