Letter from the undersigned Sirdars, etc. of the Baroda Sate to Philip Sandys Melvill, Agent to the Governor-General of India, Baroda [‎25r] (17/18)

His Excellency then asked us whether we had any representations to make,
whereupon we produced a memorandum, which we had taken with us, and, with
His Excellency's permission, commenced to read it. Scarcely was a part of it
read, when we observed marks of anger on the face of His Excellency, who
uttered some words in a threatening tone—words such as had never before been
used by any prince on the gadee. We, however, continued respectfully to address
His Excellency, but it only served to increase his anger. Leaving it to your
Honour to consider whether it was possible for us, under these circumstances, to
represent our case to His Excellency with anything like satisfaction, we proceed
to submit that His Excellency having then declared in an excited state of mind
his firm determination to speedily enforce the principles laid down in the consti
tution of the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Court, we did not consider it advisable to prolong our con
tention before His Excellency, and that accordingly we only presented a yad, stating
that it was our intention to appeal against his decision, and praying that His
Excellency might kindly refrain from enforcing the said principles till after the
final result was known. We had not the slightest doubt that His Excellency
would at once comply with this reasonable request, but we exceedingly regret to
submit that this circumstance only increased the anger of His Excellency, who
again let fall certain expressions highly insulting to our position. Considering it
useless to prolong this interview, we were going to take leave of His Excellency,
and to request him once more to reconsider the matter, when His Excellency
abruptly left the hall, regardless of our presence and of certain formalities which
are observed at the time of our departure. Feeling alarmed at this unusual
demeanour, which, we feared, would lead to something serious, we forwarded to
your Honour a memorandum dated the 7th May 1878, requesting your Honour
not to arrive at any decision in any matter which might be reported to your
Honour by His Excellency the Dewan until your Honour received our explanations
on the matter. The opinions expressed by His Excellency the Dewan in his yad
of the 27th April being in keeping with the principles formerly laid down by His
Excellency, we do not consider it necessary to offer any additional remarks
thereon.
In conclusion, we earnestly pray that your Honour will be pleased to favour
us with a written reply to this memorandum. We further pray that your Honour
will, in the meantime, be pleased to adopt such measures as may prevent the
operation of the new rules for the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Court &c. on us during the time that
our appeal is pending for final decision.