After this action the military authorities decided that even retreat was no longer practicable, and consequently that no resource remained but negotiation. This was offering the enemy a carte blanche as to the terms on which the invaders should be allowed to return to Bombay. They were even prepared to give up Ragoba, had not that chief made a private agreement to surrender himself to Scindia. All the points in dispute were yielded; all the recent acquisitions were to be restored, and the convention of Worgaom, if not the most disastrous, was much the most disgraceful event that had marked the annals of our army in India.
The utmost indignation was felt at this convention, both at Bombay and at home: the treaty was immediately annulled, as having been concluded without sufficient authority; Mr. Carnac and Colonel Cockburn were dismissed from the service, and the arrival of Colonel Leslie with a detachment from Bengal was alone waited for in order to commence offensive operations. This officer, however, having advanced only 120 miles in five months, was superseded by Colonel Goddard, who reached Surat after a march of three hundred miles in twenty days.
This officer, who, though acting on a conciliatory system towards the Bombay Government, was invested with a jurisdiction, nearly independent, began with an attempt to negotiate; but this being found impracticable, on account of the lofty tone assumed by the Cabinet of Poonah on its recent success, hostilities were immediately commenced; and the English appeared no longer as auxiliaries to Ragoba, but as principals.
On the 1st of January, 1780, General Goddard crossed the Taptee, and before the end of the month reduced Dubhoy, and carried by storm Ahmedabad, the great but decayed capital of Guzerat. He also attacked the camp of Scindia by night, and succeeded in surprising some of his outposts. At dawn of day, however, the enemy drew up in order of battle, and even made a movement as if to charge; but being received with a brisk fire, they galloped
