Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/136

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
128
LORD HASTINGS

Resident was now able to regulate more permanent relations with Nágpur. Lord Hastings, on hearing of the events which have been described, decided that Apá Sáhib had forfeited his throne, and ordered his immediate deposition; the sequel of that prince's career proves the wisdom of this decision, but these instructions were delayed, and Mr. Jenkins had meanwhile already offered terms by which the Bhonsla was allowed to retain a nominal sovereignty; he was therefore obliged to adhere provisionally to his proposals, pending further communications from Government, and on the 6th January a draft treaty was signed, approved of subsequently by the Governor-General, by which the Bhonsla ceded Berar and territory near the Narbadá, and consented to rule for the future through ministers to be selected by the Resident; he surrendered all military power, promising to give up his forts should they be demanded, and accepting a British garrison in his own capital.

The course of affairs in the Deccan, in spite of dangers and treachery, had been satisfactory; it was not less so in the north. Amír Khán proved easier to deal with than had been at first imagined, and, as he was one of the principal leaders of the predatory system, the event was of considerable importance. Perceiving how easily Sindhia had been coerced, he allowed his envoy at Delhi to sign, 9th November, a treaty on the conditions which have already been described, and its ratification was expected in a month. Meanwhile the revolt in the Deccan had