"حياة ومراسلات اللواء السير جون مالكوم، قائد فرسان وسام الطُهر، المبعوث السابق إلى بلاد فارس وحاكم بومباي؛ من رسائل ومذكرات غير منشورة. في مجلّدين. المجلد II." [‎٢‎٢‎٧] (٦٥٤/٢٤٤)

TEEATY WITH HOLKAR.
227
e r®?
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might yield in its present state but a slender revenue;'
but mucli of tliat wliicli was taken from him had yielded
none; and Malcolm pointed out that the continuance of
peace and due attention on the part of Holkar's Govern
ment to affairs of internal administration would soon
place his finances in a better position than before, and
increase both the prosperity of the State and the hap
piness of the people.
Finding all his arguments and all his entreaties useless,
the Mahratta Envoy then besought Malcolm to delay for
the present all specific engagements, and urged that the
young Prince would throw himself unconditionally upon
the protection of the British, leaving the terms of the
treaty for future negotiation. But he had to deal with
too old a diplomatist—with one too well acquainted
with the depths of Mahratta guile—to consent to such
a proposal as this. It would have been in effect to sus
pend hostilities whilst Holkar's Government was watching
in safety the progress of events, and taking advantage of
the chapter of accidents. So, after some further attempt
on the part of the Mahratta Envoy to obtain a modifica
tion of certain of its articles, the treaty was executed on
the 6th of January. " I have concluded a treaty with
Mulhar Eao Holkar," he wrote to his wife, " including
every advantage that could be desired, and our late
enemies* are now encamped within two miles of me,
quite in good humor. The Pindarrees are almost all
dispersed or destroyed, except one Cheetoo, after whom
I detach James Grant, who will march towards the fron
tier of Guzerat Sir Thomas Hislop is sent
* Writing more correctly in an offi
cial letter to Mr. Adam, Malcolm says :
"Mulhar Eao Holkar came with the
remains of his army to the vicinity of
my camp/' &c. It is doubtful whe
ther Holkar's Government was much
Q
concerned at this reduction of the force,
for the regiments were greatly in ar
rears of pay, and the treasury was
empty. The battle of Mehidpoor
wiped out a heavy balance against
Holkar.
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