'History of the Province of Gohud' [‎20v] (40/72)

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CHAPTER IL
Warren Hastings, in announcing to his Council * the
conquest of Gohud by Scindiah, and the extinction of the
power of our ally the Ran a, instead of expressing any regret,
regarded the result as cause of congratulation to the Govern
ment, stating it as his opinion, that, "although much had
been said of Scindiah's falsehood and duplicity, and infer
ences have thus been drawn of his future dangerous designs
against the British and their allies, I consider that Scindiah
does not deserve this character. How far the subjection of
the Rana of Gohud and his dominions to Scindiah will prove
in its consequences favourable or otherwise to the British
interests, time alone will discover; but my opinion inclines
me to believe that every accession of territory obtained by
Scindiah will be an advantage to the British Government,"
It did not, indeed, take much time to prove the utter
fallacy of the Governor-General's (Warren Hastings) expecta
tions in this respect. Indeed, the history of the Government
of India from that time until i&m, in so far as respects its
connection with Scindiah, conveys a striking lesson to the
world of the impolicy and danger which sooner or later
result from the deliberate violation, on the part of a govern
ment, of the solemn obligations of a treaty. Up to Warren
Hastings recognising Scindiah as an independent Prince, and
* Ben. Sec. Coun., Hth May 1784.