'History of the Province of Gohud' [‎27r] (53/72)

53
diah's troops. In prosecution of these objects, the Governor-
General in Council directed the Commander-in-chief, Lord
Lake, to open a negotiation with the Rana of Gohud, and
the Governor-General addressed a letter to the Rana invit
ing his co-operation. Full powers were granted to his Ex
cellency Lord Lake, similar to those previously held in
Western India by General Wellesley, and the Commander-
in-chief was especially empowered to conclude an engage
ment with the Rana, on the principle of securing the entire
extinction of Dowlut Rao Scindiah's authority and in
fluence in the North-Western provinces of Hindostan, and
of securing to the Rana the undisturbed possession of his
hereditary dominions. The Governor-General in Council at
the same time authorised an advance in money to the Rana,
in order to enable him to collect his adherents. In forming
this engagement with the Rana of Gohud, the Governor-
General in Council directed the Commander-in-chief, Lord
Lake, to communicate freely with General Wellesley, and to
carry through the proposed arrangement in conjunction with
him and with the Governor-General's Agent, Mr Mercer, in
Bundelkund." Agreeably to these instructions, Mr Mercer
opened a communication with the Rana of Gohud, under
the immediate directions of the Commander-in-chief, for
securing the co-operation of that chief with the British
troops in expelling the Mahratta forces from the province
of Gohud. The Rana assented with the utmost readiness
to the propositions of the British Government, and having
raised a body of troops by the aid of sums of money
which the Commander-in-chief was authorised to advance
for that purpose, the Rana was actively and successfully
employed, during the whole course of the war, in opposing
the troops of the enemy, and in performing the duties of a
faithful ally of the British Government. The country of
Gohud having been placed entirely at the disposal of the
British Government by the Treaty with Rajah Ambujee, a
Treaty was concluded on the 17th of January 1804, between