The Sun.
London, England, 1842-08-01 00:00:00

EVENING, AUGUST 1, 1842

The manifest design of this forced induction is to show that
the Raja was personally concerned ; that he had entered into
the plot, and was at last part and parcel of the conspiracy.
Nothing in the proceedings warrants this. His Highness's
spirits are refereed to. In close connexion with this we have
what is not reported. The Commissioners, doubtless, knew
their own reasons well enough. His Highness evinced,
throughout the whale of this interview, which lasted about
three hours, the utmost readiness and self-possession. He was
first embarrassed; but it was only the embarrassment natural
to a person in his situation. Latterly he argued with clearness
and acuteness, took notes and asked questions, and certainly
did not evince the slightest appearance of aberration of mind.
He requested a Mahratta copy of so much of the depositions of
the two Soobadars and the Brahmin as affected himself, which
was not, at the time, objected to,
but which he never got.
After the conference had terminated, his Highness's spirits in-
creased, and he laughed and joked at some observations that
were made in regard to the presentation of pawn. Does this,
I ask the Court, look like guilt? Is there anything
in this interview that speaks to the prejudice of
the Raja? Fur myself, I say I find nothing. Now
for Untaiee's answer to the question put to him the next
day (p. 125), but not put as dictated by the Raj,"
unless
that is left out in the statement of what he really did say,
which we find here and in the Report. The Brahmin Untajeo
is recalled, and interrogated by the Commission as follows:
" Who first commenced this conspiracy? Did you begin it
or did the Maharaja ? The Brahmin, after about an hours
evasion and prevarication, during which he told several different
stories, states that he concocted the plot out of revenge, be-
cause a claim which he hail to a well, on which he had expended
200 rupees (20/0, was not attended to. For four years he
had been seeking justice, which had been denied him. He
frequented the camp, and endeavoured to interest Captain
Hand in his service, but all to no purpose. At last it occurred
to him, that by hatching a conspiracy of this kind, he and his
claim would come before the Sahib-log Heaven threw
the Soobadars in his way, and he deceived them. lie did not
tell them of his claim, and they believed his story to be true.
The two meetings at the Dewan's and the one at the Raja's
actually occurred. It was merely to make their salaam, and
the alleged conversation never took place. The story he men-
tioned about the Mogul was false, but he did mention that a
person had come from Seindia." What is the effect which
this statement is calculated to produce upon eve: y unprejudiced
mind ? Comment is needless. I leave it to produce its
effect upon the consciences and verdict of those who
hear me, and upon the minds of the public of this country.
How triumphant is the case of the Raja at this point. The
eery question which was put, not as the Raja, requested, who
begun the plot, but, as a leading one, " didou or the Maha-
raja?"y The answer to this question exonerates the Prince,
and places the witness before us as the very worst of men. But
I shall presently prove to you that even this confession of Un-
tajee's is rejected, in so far as it is calculated to be of benefit to
the Raja. Bear what I have read in mind, as it is referred to
in a subsequent part of the Report, of the men who would have
had unbounded satisfaction in coming to a different conclusion.
Among the papers handed in by the Raja is a series of deposi-
tions illustrative of the atrocious character of Untajec, which
proves him to be a man with whom the Raja could have no in-
tercourse in the remotest manner, without belying his whole
life.—( See page 160, also 126.) The Raja's defence, referred to
se very briefly in the Report, is well worthy of consideration.
His Highness is evidently impressed with the opinion that the
Commission will have sagacity enough for him to refer to the
characters of the originates., and the actors, and to his own cir-
cumstances and past life, in order at once to dispel the last lin-
gel in" idea of his being a party in the business :
" His Bighness the Raja, accompanied by his brother and
Balla Saib, Senaputtee, visits the Commission of his own ac-
cord, and delivers in the following Memorandum with three
packets of papers. The latter are recorded with Appendix H.
" Translation of his Highness's Memorandum concerning the
Garee Untajee, the sentries (Sepays), and Coosia, &c.—The
whole of this affair as it appears to stand, as also some ex-
planation relative to the conspirators, as well as regarding the
story of the sentries (Sepoys), now before the Commission
(Sahib-log), is in substance as follows :
" It will be seen by reading the statements-(sent) and exa-
mining the witnesses, what low men are capable of undertaking.
This affair has been very much exaggerates!, but it cannot enter
into the minds of the English Government for this reason. No
conspiracies of this kind occur under the English Government,
they only happen here, therefore the English Government does
not suspect such things, but the suspicions are now stated.
This is not the fit time for entering into any conspiracy against
the English Government. It is netlike the time of the war with
Bajee Row, and when his army was in this country, and it is
not as I had not seen such things. How it fared with Bajee
Row when opposed to the British Government, that I have my-
self seen. There is no such enmity between our Governments
as there was between Bajee Row and myself, though this people
would make it appear so, but nothing has been taken or given
since I was rescued from Bajee Row's army. I have not con-
spired with any of his followers or with any of his forts, or in any
other way. When the English troops came I stood still with my
relations and Bulwunt Row Bhonsla Senaputtee, and since then
and up to this time how have I conducted myself, and what friend
but the English Government have we had from the time of the
Shaw Maharaj until now, and how many enemies great and
small do I make here ? And on account of my friendship
with the English Government many people are my enemies.
When all these circumstances arc considered, then the English
Government will be satisfied ; and in order still further to
satisfy the English Government, I propose as follows : Ist. Let
the English Government propose anything, whether great or
small, and see if it shall not be done. 2d. Let all my pro-
perty, of whatever kind, be demanded, and see if there be any
demur. 3d. Let an arrang'sment be made according to the
custom of the English Government as a further assurance,
" More than this I cannot say in the way of assurance.
When I knew the result of this affair then will I speak my
mind to the English Government. There is no difficulty on
my part. Consider this well. The English Government has
made me what I am, and in future it will make me : there will
be no complaint on m) part. My only care is for my character
and honour, and beyond this I have no desire. Understand
this, and do according to Our wishes. I will not contest any-
thing with the English Government, with others I might do
so ; but when disputes arise instead of friendship, how can
friendship remain? If it be determined to make me more or
less than I am, all is in the hands of the English Government.
I have nothing more to add."
". The witnesses who appeared on the part of his Highness
may be divided into three classes.

" Ist:, Persons to prove that conspiracies are of frequent oc-
currence in , These may be passed over without remark,
because. the, faetsmay be admitted without affecting' the merits
of !tite;easer.eitspel not the' slig,htest proof has been addueed to
proveflaats;Sthei,pseient ihStanCe, a conspiracy of any kind
nl4 l)etri,leensqrikatoit his flighness.
jcf to `'prove' that' the Brahmin Untajee, and' the
eryent,Gtmsia,-- are: men. of bad character, and consequently
unWorthi of belief.''..• '‘
`Cho' bold assertion at the end of the first paragraph is some-
'whet startiiiig,juthe face-of Untajee's declaration ou page 125,
that the, whula wits a plot concocted from motives of revenge ;,
,that it occurred to hies that by hatching a conspiracy ho could
bring his claim under notice, and that heaven threw the Soo-
badars in his way. In the face of what the Commissioners
say, that " intermediately between July 31 and September 8
the Raja became the dupe of the Brahmin, aided by Govind
110'e—in the face of what is the impression of the Com-
missioners, that " the Raja hail become the Bra-
ti n,h, iahi
that
a' Bra-
min's
talaetkj
nl
a dupe—in‘a
"never
theplace,"
r talked
face
t,
in
ct
thefr e
treason
s fwoanl what
eatt oft h
interview
l evaarel declares,etg,,eldd
t
all
by the Commissioners, who would have had unbounded satis-
faction in believing in the Raja's innocence, that there is "not
the slightest proof of a conspiracy against the Raja." Now, let
as see what they said about the witnesses. First for Untajee
" With regard to the accomplice Untajee, we are quire ready
to admit all his Highness has urged against him; for, on th'e
face of on- proceedings, he appears to be a man of the most
worthless and unprincipled character. He was under exami-
nation on three different occasions ; twice at the instance of
the Commission, and one at his own request. Ile was guilty
of the grossest prevarication and deceit, and we have attached
no weight to his uncorroborated testimony. On his first and
third examination, although we believe him to have been guilty
of concealment and evasion, we are of opinion that his state-
ments are mixed up with a considerable degree of truth ; but
we do not give entire credence to the story he gave at his
second examination, that he himself had concocted the whole
affair out of revenge, in consequence of his not having obtained
redress in some dispute which occurred several years
ago regarding a well." With what unswerving con-
sistency do these impartial inquirers after truth reject
whatever has a tendency to demonstrate the innocence
of the Raja—with what ingenuity do they bring
into prominence every circumstance that could, even by the
most malicious ingenuity, be tortured into proof of the Raja's
participation in the affair, or of evil designs against the Govern-
ment. Coosia comes next. We admit, say these honest
reporters—these upright searchers after truth—these generous,
English, Special Secret Inquisitors upon the conduct and cha-
racter of "the model of Indian Princes"—we admit that
Coosia committed a petty thing sixteen or seventeen years ago-
We admit that he had a motive for revenge, in consequence of
the violation of a pledge of pardon to a brother-in-law; who was
executed. , Nevertheless, the reasons urged against him by his
Highnest can in no way affect his testimony; and in the evi-
dence of Coosia we place the most implicit reliance. (See
pp. 72, 73.) The Commissioners are next called upon to look
at the evidence of the Soobadara. The Raja, as will be seen in
the Appendix, had furnished evidence that the testimony of the
native should be rejected, on the ground that, in consequence
of circumstances therein narrated, the 23d regiment enter-
tained feelings of dissatisfaction and dislike. Any individual
who will take the trouble of looking carefully into this part of
the proceedings, will be satisfied that the Raja assigned very
strong grounds why the testimony of the Se ys should be re-
ceived with great caution. See how the Commissioners deal
with this:—" We think it very probable that some feeling of
dissatisfaction may, at the time, have been excited against his
Highness, on account of the removal of the huts of a detach-
ment at Mahableshwur, under the circumstances stated in Col.
Lodwick's evidence. (Page 75 of our proceedings.) We
think this, however, was most likely confined to the detachment
itself; that it never extended to the body of the regiment, al-
though it is in evidence that Soobadar Gooljar 111:
.ssur, who was
then commanding the escort of the Right Hon. the Governor
on the spot, wrote to his Adjutant on the subject. But we do
not attach much importance to this circumstance, and can-
not conceive that it could have influenced the conduct
of the native officers." How strangely these ..we
thinks," and " most likelys," and " cannot conceives,"
contrast with the maxim laid down in our own country that the
Judge should be on the prisoner's side, and always allow hint to
have the benefit of the doubt. Now mark what follows
" Before we proceed to the remaining branches of our Report,
we beg to state that, the leading facts of the case having been
established te our satisfaction, we do not deem it necessary to
enter into an analysis of the evidence of the two native officers
and the Havildar, or to compare it with that contained in the
depositions. taken by their officers. A process of this kind
would undoubtedly.detect various discrepancies, omissions,
and
additions, on the part of the witnesses; but only such as, we
think, might be expected from persons narrating events oc-
cupying a period of nearly three months, and consequently not,
in our opinion, affecting the general merits of the case.' Sir,
I shall leave to others who are fully prepared to show the nature
of these discrepancies, omissions, and additions, the task of
showing what they are, and of proving that they refer to
circumstances which men in all countries, but more especially
in India, could not be guilty of if speaking the truth.
Let me now draw your attention to another specimen of the
unwearied labours and strict impartiality of the Commissioners,
who would have had unbounded satisfaction in coming to
another conclusion. The passage lam about to read is one
intended to set forth the circumstances in favour of the Raja,
that they may come under the notice of Mr. Willoughby's
superiors. This is a generous task, as
Whenperformed. reading it, I
was strongly reminded of a certain person in sacred history, who,
when he was compassing the ruin_e of a just and in-
nocent man, led his enemies to
I, spot, and dis-
covered him by saying—ft Hail, master,t and kissing him.
" Although we have been reluctantly compelled to declare our
conviction of the Raja's guilt to the extent specified in the
preceding remarks, we deem it necessary here to notice
favour, not only to
cir-
cumstances apparently in his
they have not escaped our own observation, but that they
may be considered by our superiors.
.There are, Ist, the insa-
nity of the attempt, and, as far. as can lae seen, the absence of
any definite plan or object
which his Highness could benefit
from the seduction of one regiment of native. troops, and this
regiment about to leve Sattara. 2d. His Highness's deliver-
ing up, without any demur, his Devvan and the perfumer, and
so readily attending the Commission. 3d. His Highness's
former good character.

1 "On these pointstthe following remarks occur to us. Ist.
' Although we have failed to elicit any rroof of communication
between his Highness and other native powers, it would not be
therefore safe to conclude that none has actually occurred.
His Highness has, of late, been governed by men of bad cha-
racter; and it is impossible to say how far they may not have
succeeded in persuading hint that other powers are engaged in
similar attempts to seduce our troops, and thus have led him
into making the same attemtst. It may also so happen that
his Highness's designs have been discovered almost as soon as
I they were formed, and consequently that they have been crushed
in the bud before they had time to be sufficiently deve-
loped. 2d. We may remark, that his Highness's conduct may
he interpreted in two ways : Ist, As a proof of his innocence ;
2d, As a conviction, on his part, of inability to resist
the demand, and the desire to avoid the unfavourable inference
which non-compliance would have given rise to. On the third
point we would offer the trite remark, that admitting the plea
to its full extent, it can only be available in a ease of doubt.
We apprehend, however, that his Highness'scharacter, as pour-
trayed in these proceedings, will be found to differ most essen-
tially from that which Government has been led to form from
the Reports of former Residents; and although we are not pre-
pared to state that anything like insanity has been established
against him, the anecdotes related of his Highness by the per-
son alluded to at page 66 of our Proceedings, and confirmed
by the Resident, prove the grossest credulity and superstition
on his part, which we think may have influenced his conduct.
We also learn from the best authority, that at the time the
present Raja was established on the Sattara throne, both him-
self and his family ' entertained the most extravagant ideas of
their own c insequence, and that their expectations were most
proportionate, so that, for a time, the bounty they experienced
was not duly appreciated.'—( Grant Duff's " History of the
Mahrattas," vol. iii., p. 183.) Here Captain Grant Duff is
called in to condemn the Raja for what he wrote within
a few months after the Raja came into our hands.
Now let us look at the honesty with which the quotation is
made, and we shall have fresh evidence of the malus animus
which actuated the Commissioners in writing their Report.
1 In the extract they have made, they tell you, that " boll the
Raja's family and himself entertained," &c. What if I shall
show you that it was not the Raja, but others, who exhibited
the propensities referred to ; and that it was the Raja who
curbed those propensities, and acted implicitly upon the rules of
economy laid down by the Resident ? The ungarbled text
reads thus:—" The Raja was in his 27th year, intelligent and
well disposed, but bred amongst intrigues, surrounded by men
of profligate character, and ignorant of everything except the
etiquette and parade of a Court." Now, then, who was it en-
tertained the views referred to by the Commissioners? Was it
the Raja? No; fur Capt. Grant Duff says, it was his family
who " entertained the most extravagant ideas of their own con-
. sequence, and their expec`ations were proportionate ; so that, for
a time the bounty which they experienced was not duly appre-
ciated." But respecting the Raja, we are told that
"on being informed what his allowance would be, the
first year of his administration ended without the ex-
penditure of a single rupee in excess of the amount
assigned him.—( Cheers.) Here, then, you have a direct evi-
dence of an intention, on the part of the Commissioners, to
misrepresent the character of this distinguished Prince, by
omitting to record what he actually said, and by attributing to
him qualities which he never displayed, they bring the readers
of their Report to a false conclusion, and compromise the duty
they were called upon to discharge. Rut you must be pre-
, pared fur far more proof than I have given you of the disin-
genuousness of the men who sat in judgment upon the Raja.
" Perhaps in this passage a key (a false key) is his Highness's
conduct may be found. Time may have weakened the grati-
tude he may once have felt to the British Government for
having restored him to liberty and a throne, and forgetful of
what he was, and of the source from which he derived all that
he now possesses, he may '..are been led, by family pride and a
weakened intellect, to think of the much more extensive king-
dom which belonged to his ancestors ; and having once nou-
rished the dangerous thought, he may have been gradually led,
by the designing men who now surround him, to entertain false
hopes, and with this object may have commenced by assailing
the fidelity of our troops. Be this as it may, whatever were
his Highness's former feelings towards us, it is quite evident an
estrangement. has latterly taken place, not only from Govern-
ment, but from its representative. Colonel Lodwick states this
change to have occurred as recently as fifteen months ago, and
attributes it to some disputed points that had arisen between
the Government and his Highness regarding his jagheerdars,
in consequence of which his Highness is stated to have prepared
an embassy to England. Another informant, whose accuracy
of information has more than once been verified (Ballajee
Punt), states this to be the consequence of the Raja having
I been released from control by Colonel Robertson, and to his
being afterwards in some degree restrained. Without wasting
further time in conjecture as to the motive which may have in-
fluenced his Highness's conduct, we beg to conclude by ob-
serving, that the existence of estrangement, and withdrawal of
all confidence from the Resident, as well as causes of dissatis-
faction with Government, are apparent; and these have, no
doubt, operated upon his Highness, in the absurd project he
seems to have entertained." Now, just review these passages
(which are but one paragraph), and are prefaced by the an-
nouncement that they are to set forth what can be said in
favour of the Raja. 1. Though there is no proof of communi-
cati,n with native powers, yet "it would not therefore be
safe to conclude that none had actually occurred :"
This certainly is much in favour of the Raja.
"As the Raja has oflate been governed by men of bad character
(I should certainly say so at this time), it is impossible to say
how far they may not have succeeded in persuading him that
other powers are engaged in similar attempts to subdue our
troops, and thus have led him into making the same attempt."
Quite impossible Mr. Willoughby. This is favour the second.
The grammar, the perspicuity, the generosity, and the argu-
mentativeness of this passage, are equally conspicuous ! Again—
" Thought he delivered up the perfumer and Govind Row when
demanded, yet it may have been from a conviction that he
could not resist, and from a desire to avoid an unfavourable in-
ference. Favour the third. Again--" His Highness may have
had other hostile designs ; but they may have been discovered
almost as soon as found, and, consequently, they may have been
crushed in she bud before they had time to ripen." Certainly.
This is favour the fourth. Again—" His Highness had a good
character." He had. "We apprehend, however, that his
Highness's character, as pourt rayed in these proceedings (and
especially in this Report), wid he found to differ most essentially
from that which Government had been led to form front the
Reports of former Residents." You are right, Mr. Wile
loughby. You have essentially altered the character of the
i Raja wherever you arc believed. Favour the fifth.
The Report. nctv proceeds with the utmost gravity to discuss the
•question whether the conspiracy extended beyond Sattara.
There is something sublimely ridiculous in this. After the
most wretched plot that ever called for inquiry had been
fully traced to a beggarly Brahmin, already branded as a perju-
rer, a prevaricator, and a purloiner, of twenty-five years stand-
ing, and in constant and full practice. Mr. Willoughby porn-
pouely advances to the consideration of whether Seindin,
Holear,the Raja of Nagpore, Chintamin Row, Kolpoorkur, and
the Governments of Goa, 5 hydepoor, Tanjore, Russia, and the
Habshee, were in leagius with the Raja of Sattara. The Go-
vernor in Council had writ ter. to say that, " with the exception
of what the Soobodars had said, they had no information that
could induce them to suppose that any native powers were en-
gaged in the plot." Mr. Willoughby himself says—" We
Lave not been able to client the slightest direct evidence that
the conspiracy extends beyond Sattara," end owns to the sitter
absence of any documentary evidence on any part of the sub-
ject. Nevertheless, the subject. is entitled to some share in the
unwearied industry of the Political Secretary. You have
heard one story of may-he's, and may-have-been's, and probe-
bles, and possibles—take another.

" A reference to our proceedings will show, that we have not
succeeded in eliciting the slightest direct evidence that the
conspiracy extends beyond Sattara ; and yet we can hardly be-
lieve that a Prince so deficient in means and resources as the
Raja of Sattara. could have acted in the manner he has been
proved to have done, without having previously communicated
with more powerful states, and without having been persuaded
into the belief that they were of the same mind, and engaged
in the same object as himself. If this be not the case, no
stronger proof could be required of the alleged insanity of his
Highness than his having commenced to tamper with our
troops without having received assurances of :id from other
quarters."

It will be observed, that the Brahmin, on his first exami-
nation, alludes to his having been in communication with a
Mogul emissary from Hyderabad, but that on his last exami-
❑ation he confessed that this was a fiction of his own, admit-
ting that. he did inform the native officers that he was in league
with a Vakeel of Sindia's, which we believe to be a fiction also.
The Brahmin further admitted that his statement that emis-
saries had been sent to the different stations under this Presi-
dency to gain over the troops, was likewise false ; and we are
disposed to believe this to be the case, from the fact that no
such emissaries have been discovered, notwithstanding the Sat-
tara plot was detected as far back as the ':.lst July last."
But mark—

" It is in evidence that the Raja of Sattara interchanges
presents and holds friendly intercourse with the Oodeepoor
and Tanjore Governments, but with the knowledge and
sanction of Government. It is probable that, under the
cover of this intercourse, treasonable communications
may have been made, and that the agents through
whom it has been conducted, aware of the hostile
feelings of his Highness towards us, may have given exagge-
rated accounts of similar hostile feelings existing in the minds
of other native rulers, and may have persuaded him that they
are disposed to combine against us. We more particularly
refer to the agent Sewanund Shastry, whose history is briefly
alluded to in the eleventh paragraph of Colonel Lodwiek's
letter to Government dated 18th August last. The person has
been twice deputed by the Baja of Sattara to Oodeepoor, and is
at the present moment high in his favour and confidence. We
consider him to be a very likely person to have been em-
ployed on such an occasion, and that it is probable the com-
munications alluded to by the informant, at page 66 of our
Proceedings, as having passed between his Highness and the
ex-Raja of Nagpore, now at Joudpore, may have been con-
ducted through this man's agency." Sir, I should use strong
language (perhaps so strong as to fall again under your cen-
sure,) if 1 attempted to characterise such writing as this.
There it stands, a scandal and a disgrace to our po-
litical administration in India. It shall not be my fault
if it excites not the public abhorrence of the people
of this country. Happy should I be to close this black
book upon this page ; hut there is more, and however loath-
some and sickening it is, I will go through with it. Our
colleague, the Political Secretary, will disclose the name of
our informant. This is Ballajee Punt Nathoo, who had not
to rob for his living because pensioned for his service to us
in the betratal of a former master, and who is the lago of the
play—should he be required to do so, the same, under the
instructions of Government (vide Appendix H), not having
been recorded? His sources of information are evidently good,
as his statements, in one or two instances, have been verified
by the event. lie has received a very high character from
the Resident. This person states, that within the last
twelve months the Raja has communicated with Moodhoojee
Blionsleh, the ex-Raja of Nagpore, with Hyderabad, and
Oodeepoor, and with the authorities at Goa. He further
adds, that about the 18th October, his Highness burnt a letter
that had been brought from Moodhoojee 13honsleh by Sewanund
Shastry. We do not. place implicit confidence in this informa-
tion, because it was obtained from the Raja's brother, who, al-
though ostensibly on friendly terms, is kelieved to be at enmity
with him. We think, however, that were this clue communi-
cated to the political authority at Apt:ere, and an inquiry in-
stituted, some light might be thrown upon this mysterious case.
It will be seen, that during the second interview between (he
native officers and the Dewan, a person came in and took a part
in the conversation, who, the Brahmin stated was a relation of
the ex-Raja of Nagpore, and that at his last. examination the
Brahmin confirmed this statement, and added, that his name is
" Appa Sahib Mareek." We are informed that there is such a
person at Sattara, and he is alluded to in Colonel Lod-
wick's letter of the 7th October, as having been sent to the
Residency when the Dewan was given up ; but as neither
of the native officers could recognize him as the person
who came into the room, there is no evidence we can rely upon
to identify him. We deem it proper to draw the attention to
the following extract from the information afforded us by the
same person, on the authority of the Raja's brother. " His
Highness is about to send an embassy to England, and has
written a letter to his agent in Bombay, that if he fails to ob-
tain redress there, lie must gn over to the Russians ; tell
them that his kingdom is one of filty-six crores of rupees, that
they must bring an army and reinstate him in this raj, and
that he will ultimateli repay their expenses by instalments."
This was told by Ballajee Pout. Nathoo to the Commissioner on
the 22d October, 1836.—(Page 114. ) This letter is written in
Persian, and is signed by the Raja. It may, probably, be
I deemed expedient to institute an inquiry into this matter. We
; cannot, of course, give credit to such a wild and extravagant
sfory, or imagine that his Highness would entrust any agent

with such undeniable proof of his hostility towards us ; hut vs
consider some light is thrown on the feelilg which exists
the palace by such a plan being even whisperer .- What render
the story more incredible is, the circumstance tlot Syud Meer
the agent to whom the letter is alleged to have bee.l given, ha.
since been discarded. Here, then, is another in.,lilious and
crooked attempt to strengthen the impression, whit h it seems
the one gnat aim of this Report to produce again, :t the un-
fortunate Raja, who !Terns to have been utterly .loreft of
friends in the hour of his greatest need, and to have the very
worst of hi; enemies in his own household, and near,ll
to his own bosom, even his own flesh and bloot
Let us probe this matter as far as we can, an, I
see if the inquiry does not cover all concerned with
confusion, except the Raja himself. On page 283 of the lst
vol. of Sattara Papers, will be found a Minut2 by the Governor
Sir Robert Grant, referring to the subject of this letter, said
by Mr. Willoughby to 1w written in Persian, and signed by
the Raja. Mind Mr. Willoughby says no more, though
you will find he knew much more. The minute of the Go-
vernor treats of certain document, inclosed in a letter to the
•Goverror from Colonel Ovans, the .Acticg Resident at Sat-
tara, and dated the 2-Rh of November,. 1817. The Governor,
after dismissing other documents, says --" I now come to the
• most important one, namely, one bearing date on the sth of
October, alleging to have licen sent to Colonel Ovans by
Appa Sahib, the brother of the Raja. Nor aloes
Colonel Ovens
seem to have any doubt of its authenticity.
have seen
that the first time this letter is mentioned is befoi 'e the Com-
missioners on tile 22d October, 1636. The story is told by
the Brahmin Ballojee Punt, who says his information was %le-
rived front Apra Sahib, who also says, " the Raja is mau‘ated.
and every tittle of whose evidence seems to have been die,
by a desire to produce the convi2tion that the Raja was 7n
enemy to the British Government, and wholly unfit to govern
the principality of Sattara, because " his head was turned."
Let this be borne in mind. On the sth of October, 1837. one
year subsequently, Colonel Ovans receives a letter from Appa
Sahib, who eriminates himself, while he, at the same time,
extenuates the act, and plainly points to himself as the future
ruler of Sahara. This man is now the Raja ; Ballajee Putit
is his minister, with another pension of 1,0001. a-year from the
British Government. and Colonel Ovans is the admirer and
vindicator of both. Let us now examine this letter.

" 7. The paper is vaguely written; but it contains one state-
ment, criminatory both of the alleged writer and the Raja,
which deserves attention. In reference to the two agents
whom it is understood that the Raja was about to depute to
England, the wri:cr says, ' the Raja gave copies of the
treaty and other papers to Syud ,Meer and Ibrahim, and in-
structed them thus: ' Represent first to the Court of Directors
in England. There, should it not he effected according to
our desires, represent to the King's durbar. There, if it should
be decided that we have full powers in our own country, and
that the Bombay Council should have no sovereignty over us,
it is good ; if not, communicate with the Rooswalla (Russians)
mad adopt means for their army to come down here. Having
said so, and having prepared a foul draft of a yad of stipulations
to be passed to the Rooswalla, my brother put his sign- manual
on it, and made me put mine. Had I not put it he would that.
moment have taken my life. Out of this fear I
put it ; and I became fully persuaded that moment,
that by such acts the Raja would not continue.'
"8. The alleged writer takes credit to himself for having
communicated to the Sattara Commission the fact, that a letter
to the above effect had been written by the Raja; and on re-
ference to the 111th paragraph of the Report of the Commis-
sioners, it will be seen that such a communication is referred to
as having been made to them on the authority of the Raja's
brother, although the Commissioners, writing at a period when
the intrigue had been very partially detected, are disposed to
treat the information with incredulity.
" 9. Lieutenant-Colonel Ovans states, that this singular do-
cument was brought to him by a confidential agent, named
Eshwunt Raw Foujdar, with the declared object of having it
transmitted to Government, and that, at the time of delivering
it, the agent made verbal representations to the same effect
with the contents. The Acting Resident likewise states, that
Appa Sahib does not appear to have been otherwise concerned
igthe wild designs of the Raja, than in the instance to which he
rns pleads guilty.
" 10. In weighing the claims of this statement to our be-
lief, it is impossible not to observe that there are two circum-
stances which, taken by themselves, materially detract from its
credit. First, the writer acknowledges that enmity has long
existed between himself and the Raja. ' Day by day,' hr says,
' the enmity of my brother has been increasing, for he suspects
me of being in combination with the British Government.'
Secondly, he anticipates the possibility of the Raja's dethrone-
ment, and avowedly aims at succeeding him. 'lf my brother,'
he observes, ' has done anything wrong, that it may be for-
given out of mercy, and that the raj be continued firm, is my
only wish. Perhaps, in order not to continue my brother on
the raj, if an arrangement be contemplated, I am an heir, aid
1 am not concerned in any improper acts; if my brother has
done any, therefore, the British Government will place me on
the throne. I have this confidence.' "
Every right-minded man would have spurned such a wretch as
this. Yet this is the man who is said to be "grossly abused
both here and in India." Let us see if he is the pure end spot-
less creature. Look at him when a boy. Captain Grant
Duff has been quoted against the ex-Raja; most uns'airly I
quoted. A garbled extract has been cast into the witches i
cauldron, to " make the medly slab and good." I will give
you one complete in all its parts. " The name of the younger i
bristlier (of the Raja) is Serajee, familiarly, Appa Sahib.
lie is an obstinate, ill-disposed lad, with very low,
vicious habits, which all the admonition of the Raja
(mark that, gentlemen), cannot get the better." 'Tis
said as the twig inclines the tree will grow. So it
has been shown to be in the case of your protege, Appa Sahib.
What says the Gallant Director, General Robertson :—" In
the number of his Highness's enemies, lam sorry that I am
obliged to class the personage now on the Gadee at Sattara. A
year or two before I left Sattara, I had twice a visit at mid-
night from a confidential atendant of his, to urge me, on the
part of his master, to divide the principality, and to assign one-
half
to Appa Sahib. Though 1 distinctly told the messenger I
that Appa Sahib incurred the greatest risk, by preferring such I
a request, I still affected to consider the messenger as acting i
without. authority, and warned him to beware of the conse-
quenees that would result to him from my exposing his conduct..
1 said, that even if authorised by Appa Sahib, that person would
when charged, deny him, and that nothing could save ,
him from destruction; and had I not thought that this person
who only acted at the instigation of Appa Sahib, would have
been the only sutlerer, I I should at once have arrested him and
sent him to his Highness. As the proposition was not after- I
wards repeated to me, trusting that Appa Sahib had abandoned
the project as hopeless, I thought apart from censideratinns for I
the mere agent, that it would save much domestic jealousy and
dissension by taking no further notice of the subject. I how-
ever awaited the arrival of Sir John Illalcoho, who was soon
expected at. Sattara, intending to shape my conduct by his
advice. On my speaking to him, however, he told me that
a similar proposition had been made to him since his
arrival, and that he had met it in the same way as I had done.
What says General Lodwick ? " With respect to the Raja's
brother, it is impossible to 115 e terms that would sufficiently
express my contempt for him; lie wanted both dignity and
common decency of manner, and was universally despised. He
became the chief informer against his devoted brother the
Raj t, and accused hint of crimes which I shall not shock the
delicacy of this Court by naming. Yet this is the man you
have placed on the throne." Now look at the part he
took in his brother's dethronement. Here is a
letter, dated Sattara, October 2, 1 t;:39, and is as follows :
" One company of his Majesty's 41st regiment, two companies
of the '2lst regiment Native Infantry, and three companies of
the .25th Native Infantry, being ordered to march to Sattara,
at twenty-four hours' notice, we left Poonah on the 31st of
August, and arrived its Sattara on the 4th of September. We
received orders to meet the following morning on the parade,
at two o'clock. The grenadiers of the 25th regiment, With the
light company and some artillery, were ordered to march to the
palace and take the Raja, whilst the 21st companies and the
Bth regiment went to the Adawlut and Balla Sahib's house, to
take him and look after his cavalry, who were fully expected to
show fight; but nothing occurred, nor could he be found.
Ballets Sahib is commander of the Raja's force. We marched
into the palace, and formed into line before the doors, arid
men with lanterns were seen running almost in every direction—
it being scarcely light—to prevent the Raja attempting his
escape, whilst Colonel Ovans, the Resident, and another officer,
went into the palace to find the Raja, accompanied by the
present Raja Appa Sahib, who led them to his brother's bed-
room, and showed them where he was ! The same day he
was publicly proclaimed. There was the poor little Raja
fast asleep when the Colonel found him. He immediately
came out in his sleeping drawers and a piece of cloth thrown
over his shoulders; he made no resistance. A palanquin
was called, in which he was placed, as wall as his Com-
mander-in-Chief, Balla Sahib, who was found in another room."
The Report now draws to a close. The parties are re-assembled
on the stage. The punishment of the Raja is modestly left to
the Government. Govind Row is to be removed from Sattara,
and so he was ; Untajee is to be imprisoned during pleasure;
he was soon set at liberty ; Pureshram, pardoned and set at
liberty ; Coosha, to have fifty rupees, and a supernumerary
peonship ; the Havildar and Soobadars high praise,
and honourable distinction, and the curtain falls.
Here ends the Report. Well might General Lodwick express
his regret at signing it without a protest. Sir, I would not be
the author of that Report for all the wealth of which the Raja
has been plundered, nor for all the honours you have in your
power to bestow. Is it possible that this document can
have passed under the review of the Court of Directors with-
out censure? Is it possible that the man who wrote it can be
still Political Secretary at Bombay, and possessed of power to
blacken and destroy others as he has done the Raja of Sattara?
Alas, it is so, and more ! He. has received thanks fur the zeal,
ability, and industry with which he compiled this and other
documents of a like nature, and for the opinions and conclusions
to which he has helped successive Governors. What shall be
said of this Report? In style it is below contempt ; in argu-
ment it lacks the le st approach to honesty or fairness. Its de-
sign, from first to last, is to prove the Raja guilty. In special
pleading it out-does the Old Bailey or the Middlesex Sessions.
Instead of being a fair unvarnished statement of the leading
facts of the case, as brought. out by evidence, it is full of per-
versions, suppressions, interpolations, strained inferences, far-
fetched conclusions, feelings, surmises, possibilities, pro-
babilities, and insinuations. It. is smut what it pro-
fesses to be a Report. Or if one, it is a Report
almost exclusively of the speculations, opinions, and views of
the writer, instead of being what it should have been, a simple
and connected narrative of the main facts of the case. That
part of the evidence which, beyond all comparison, is the most
defective, which is full of fatal descrepancea and contradictions,
is the part which directly implicates the Raja. You have al-
ready seen, while I have travelled through a series of disgusting
examples, the studied arid careful (I cannot say ingenious)
manner in which every word and fact likely to tell in the
Court in favour of the Baja is sought to be explained and rea-
soned away. But look on the other side. Is any notice tak en
of the up stairs and down-stairs contributions of the Soobadars,
—None. Of their turban, or creed-turban, off-state-
ments ?—None. Of the most important fact respecting the
paion, said to have been given ?—None. Of the contradiction
between the written notes and the spoken evidence ?—None.
These, and as manv more facts, which justice and truth re-
quired to be notice-if in the Report, are left to be found out
by laborious examination and comparison afterwards. Sir, ap-
point a Committee of three impartial men in this Court to
prepare a Report of the proceedings of that Commission,
and I venture to say that they will find
themselves compelled to prepare one in almost
every respect the opposite of the one we have before us.
In speaking thus I speak of the Commissioners as public men,
whose acts are open to public animadversion. There are
three signatures to this Report, and the three men represented
by those signatures are responsible for the document. I have
specially named Mr. Willoughby, because he has avowed him-
self the writer, and because he is specially referred to
by Sir Robert Grant, as his chief adviser, and by Sir
James Carnac also. But setting aside men and mo-
tives, and judging the Report by itself, I give it as
my deliberate opinion that it is unfair, unjust, grossly par-
tial, and calculated, if not designed, to leave an impression
on the mind exactly the reverse of that which an impartial
examination of the evidence would warrant. The Commission
was appointed to investigate and report upon the conspiracy
alleged to have been formed at Sattara and other places, with
the view of seducing
the native troops from their allegiance,
and ultimately of subverting the British power in India. Now.
Sir, I say the Report, tested by this its object and its end, is
from beginning to end a false Report. The Report demanded
by the evidence is this—We,
the undersigned, have brought to an
end the inquiry we were appointed to make, and have to report as
follows :—We can discover no trace of a conspiracy with the
view' mentioned in our instructions. We hare obtained evidence
that a wicked and abandoned man, a Brahmin, by name Un-
tajee, met a Sepoy of the 2W, whom he bound by an oath not