'History of the Province of Gohud' [‎30r] (59/72)

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recognition of that Treaty, as well as of the others which
the British Government had concluded with the Rajahs of
Jeypore, Jodhpore, and the Ra in conformity
with the ninth article of the said Treaty of Peace, and the
Resident declared that until recognition is agreed by
Dowlut Rao Scindiah, his Excellency the Governor-General
in Council cannot consider the said Treaty of Peace to have
been concluded on the part of Dowlut Rao Scindiah." A
few days subsequent to the delivery of this written declara
tion to Dowlut Rao Scindiah by Sir John Malcolm, the Re
sident, that officer was succeeded in his office by Mr Webb,
who, on the 21st of May 1804,* reported to the Governor-
General in Council his first interview, on taking charge of
his office, with the Ministers of Dowlut Rao Scindiah.
" I observed (Mr Webb reported) to Scindiah's Ministers that
with regard to Gohud I considered the declaration delivered
by Sir John Malcolm to the Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). to have finally disposed
of that question, and that I could not, consistently with
your Excellency's instructions, entertain it again. Sir John
Malcolm, who was present, took occasion to express his sur
prise at the revival of the subject after the communication
he had already made on the subject. I then expressed
to the Ministers my hope that the Maha Rajah Dowlut
Rao Scindiah would give a final and explicit declaration
of his relinquishment of the claim which he had hitherto
maintained to the Fort of Gwalior and territory of Gohud.
The Minister, Wittul Punt, replied, without hesitation, that
the claim was entirely abandoned; and on my repeat
ing my wish to he enabled to
adjustment of this question to your Excellency, the Minister
authorised me, in the most unequivocal manner, to assure
your Excellency that the claim had been completely relin
quished by the Maha Rajah Dowlut Rao Scindiah. I
expressed to the Minister the pleasure I had derived from
this declaration, together With the confidence I felt of the
* Wellesley Papers, folio 13,427, British Museum, 21it May 1804*