Poonah, to be there ready for any emergency that might arise; but, though authorised by the Bengal Government to proceed with more stringent measures, he still allowed a further season of repentance to the Peishwa, if he were disposed to embrace it.
In the meantime, the insurgents continued their progress, began to unite their forces from distant places, and took possession of one of the Peishwa's forts, evidently with that Prince's connivance. Under the presence of this and other circumstances, Mr. Elphinstone resolved to delay no longer, but demanded at once the surrender of Trimbuckjee, as an indispensable condition of adjustment. The Peishwa, though informed that the consequence would be immediate war, refused to be bound by any engagement, and on the following day the Resident's ultimatum was delivered to the Peishwa's Minister. Its purport was to demand that the Peishwa should, within twenty-four hours, engage to deliver up Trimbuckjee within a month from that day, and should give up his forts of Singhur, Poorunder, and Ryeghur, as pledges for the fulfilment of his engagement.
Bajee Rao delayed some time to give an answer; but, at length, agreed to the terms. The fortresses were surrendered, and a price set on the head of Trimbuckjee. Still the Resident gave warning that these concessions could not be considered as final; and that the Peishwa, having forfeited the confidence of the Company, could not expect the treaty of Bassein to be renewed, unless under modifications, the extent of which must depend upon the next despatch from the Governor-General.
Accordingly it was soon after announced that amicable relations could only be restored on the following terms: – That the subsidiary, force should be augmented by 5,000 horse and 3,000 infantry, for the maintenance of which territories yielding a revenue of thirty-four lacs of rupees must be ceded; that in this cession the strong city of Ahmednuggur should be included; that his Highness should renounce the character of head of the Mahratta
