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

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY

lb% oath.
This is confessed to be a false oath. A good
e4jarliLlg, truly ! Untajee has found a most worthy ac-
bei
r—ue, who at once perjures himself. Confidence
frong established the secret is .unfolded. A Vakeel
Scindia has arrived, and all the Native States have
Tn°Thined for the purpose of expelling the English from
The interview is under a tree. They separate,
'hirtclthe soldier keeps the story to himself. This is the
d;.aning• On the 21st the Brahmin comes to the
°4s(' asksnfdoerrthseinNg,atiis introdve Adjutanucedt,
as athatnd a Havildar, named
officer. The Ha-
vildar disappears to report to Lieut. Stock what is going
°_11.., and that officer directs that the Soobadar shall take
44,9im to Govind Row's house the Havildar,. and also
„„ u'ia Missur , another native officer, who is palmed
Untajee as Segoolam Sing's particular friend.
abutiey proceed froM the cantonment to the town, distant
for Lit a mil& and are amused by the way with the in-
., 12Qt. ation, that emissaries had been sent to different
:Itadal°lls, to gain over the native troops.
.Reaching the
tle„ Untajee goes in search of Govind Row. He
TL•11 returns, and takes them to Govind Row's house.
are conducted into a room looking out into the
U 7; et, The Resident passes by, and under pretence of
'ag alarmed, the Soobadars run away, followed by
rltajee, who brings them to the front of the Raja's
Pelee
c, where the Raja, the Resident, and Govind
gcsoW are examining two guns. The Resident departs,
N -rsillnd Row goes to his own house; the conspirators
yet a; the Havildar remains below; up stairs they con-
„ Govind Row, who tells them they must gain
er their regiment, and that they shall be made great
Q„ll, of. Scindia's Vakeel is announced, upon which
eh-vind Row orders pawn for the Soobadars, and leaves
gke rc*ln. The pawn is given by Koosia Maloo, the
frrvant of G. Row, they are then taken by Untajee to the
i '314 of the palace ; Govind Row whispers something
1144° the ear of the Raja, who turns towards the Sooba-
t's, Who make two salaams; and receive two signs of re-
oc:Rnition. They return, report to their officers, and make
depositions in the morning before Captain Liddell.
''e) days after, 23d, the Brahmin Untajee visit, the
I,.eitlba.dars again, tells them the Raja is much pleased
kilo them, and has ordered Govind Row to give them a
,21er• lie tells them also that Mahrattas and Carnatic
that
ans had gone to the different stations, in order
• 4t each n tive state should gain over the soldiers
grits territory. Between the 24th and 31st ano-
Ineetinfe takes place between Untajee and the
4rbadars, at the house of Untajee's nephew, 1.)11-
ors,' alb, a vender of perfumes, and an entertainer
beisaeing girls; this interview was sought by the Soo-
p.6s,es, who were instructed to enter into the plot.—(See
tli,,a•) On the 31st Untajee again visits the lines, tells
'oobadars they are to go in disguise to the Raja, and.
f refs, the sth of August.—(66.) The Brahmin Untajee '
prir,t,tn his word; does not return for many days; is re-
the by the Soobadars; pleads the heavy rains, and
tre,,,7ilta's distress on account of the death of a Vakeel
tom°- "odeepoor. On the Bth of September the Brahmin
th,s,:eB again, tells them they are to see the Raja
'417 night, and' they go together, to the house of
ashram, the perfumer, and brothel keeper, whose house
litll,le4r Govind Row's. Untajee, after going out three
lt ~s, at last conducts the sepoys to Govind Row's house
t10.,1,1s previously disguised them in woollen-hooded
%10e7.5. They are first closeted with Govind Row in his
to srtalng apartment. They are instructed by Govind Row
temt e on their introduction to the Raja that they are
obey his orders. s
r At nine o'clockei Govind Ecw
113,4 cut to see if the Raja ieady to receive them. The
the °jrn Untajee follows with the Soobadars disguised;
%.v.reach the palace ; the guards allow them to pass ;
1.0„,,51Q1 Rely is in waiting, and takes them into an upper
Ivorri." whore the Raja is seated, smoking a hooker. A
behen is present, end is immediately ordered out—rather
-bge that when the Raja knew these men were coming
askssilould have the woman present. Seegoolam Sing
ev What his Highness's orders are, who mentions four
tt par by which the Soobadars might know that he was
concerned.-1. Disturbances in Bombay; 2.
ktl3‘,al of an army from Hyderabad ; 3. Disturbances
takes ; 4. Army from Hindostan. Seegoolam Sing
the off his turban and beseeches the Raja not to betray
er,--" to their officers. (This is sheer hypocrisy.) They
PPll,Presented with pawn. The interview terminates.
L,3' return to the perfumer's—put off their disguise—go
the to the cantonment—deliver the pawn (a device as
siur,44ll by and by show). The next morning their depo-
triLl.s are taking in writing. On the 14th September,.
to Jee conies again ; tells the Soobadars the Raja wishes
dire them a dinner in a garden near the town ; the
tr,niler is declined. Does the dinner affair look like
(14--ss°i!,? If they must needs. go. in disguise to the palace,
013,er.'109k like the caution which which treason usually
ketd yes in its first movements, to give a dinner in a
Pn ? The Soobadars ask a token to show to those
Pia over. They are promised a turban
tietaula (shawl) at the dussern (religious festival).
the Jec does not return for several days ; therefore, on
kivilth (thirteen days after the last interview), the
441.01 rcs and the two Soobadars go to the perfumer's, in
Uuta
the
Ra
not
he had
what occurred it appeared that
found, desirous of avoiding a meeting. When
had been directed by Govind Row and
0- to
be exeit2d;tneet them frequently, lest suspicion
Yet they were invited to take a dinner,
killehgarden near the town They converse near a
in
ill3adars astkheed vt
joe bel tta' koe of the
to ih
Govind 's. Untajee
6p:irnfudmßero'ws shop., The
yitnheta, and returned in about a quarter of an hour,
tta 11:: was enraged. Again Untajce went out, and
kikttx4 boy to the perfumer's, to tell-him to tell the Soobae
110t4141 come again on Thursday. The Soobadars went
411.11,nd reported all ; went again to the perfumer's ;
Nitigat Untajee is at Waee (country); go to his house,
't4eut!ar a different story ; can't find him. On the 30th
itietialtalt Stock sends Chunder Sing alone to . find
Pike i the Havildar succeeds ; they go, to a retired
1‘
'et Lintajee says the Raja is downcast, in consequence
'3el3,ter from Sholapore ; consents to:. meet ,the
ffrittee 4. On the Ist of October they go to the
°F •
meeting ; no Untajee ; Chunder Sing
gds search of him ; finds him at the perfumer's
mos man for the Soobadars ; a conversation of
r,"ttoi;" treasonable nature. They return and report.
7.—Untajee enticed into the lines ; seized ;
tive,-114 Row and the perfumer demanded from the Idtaajjai j
uP without demur ; -Koosia Maloo recognise .
1,.."44,•
.-* The Commissioners think the first meetini,
L've4lrtithe tree proved. They consider the incautious.
e'nhaltrrils of Untajee, and the concealment of the
he'kie`4,4l' Suspicious. The Commissioners cannot ex-
else„ 1/411e former fact. The latter they deem not soi
;_s. t'it'antitble. The meeting in camp on the 21st prove( .
;otei: nsider the interview at Govind Row's proved. Con-
-Niti;` Pre-arranged with Govind Row (though there is no‘
lattit,ee but that of Untajee, whom they have declared a,
* ee' . destitute of principle—a prevaricator and perjui er !)
„e ,-„'a proof that the meeting was secret, therefore they sayh
Itt,,,7oeeive for no good purpose. We don't consider tbe
ihejs,ation literally reported, yet we believe the su
correct ! I beg the Court to mark the phraseology
Zits', "Port at this particular part—remember, the Commis-
tiCer' ,a in their letters of defence, express their desire to
tk_msf vet
traja come out of the inquiry clean. They consider
• fillroved, that the Soobadars wcre taken to th e front of
,411',,5J5's palace, and twice recognised by him. There is
N't :11 to prove this, but the evidence of the Soobadars, who
It Zady instructed to report to their officers ; and, if I have
'rott-`1,;" human nature in vain, were likely to desire to have
Zte• eiT,'"l'R to narrate on their return. Consider the third
letti„-g in camp on the 24th proved. Consider the fourth
pro• ►e• sought under the instructions of the superior officers,
7iiscr,"`• (This, also, was with Untajee.) Here the Corn-
-7,lte-iPa kirefly state that the perfumer's sop was probably
ilart".„for ulterior proceedings, owing tog ts contiguity to
it
-h" ,"Row's house.-- (Pag7 69 line 23.. ) They go on to say
,Lkie,,,,e3' consider the meeting at Govind Row's house fully
‘‘ti. sie. The evidence referred to is solely that of the Sooba-
alb fh'-ureshram , Coosia Maloo, and Untajee.—(See the first
fifth reasons assigned, page 69.) Suffer me here to
het special attention to the manner in which the Report
li•
n 41 this part of the case. They say—" With regard to
hotL"ersation which occurred at this interview, we have only
,71%er,a,d upon the evidence of the two native officers, corro-
-4,n1 some degree by that of the accomplice (Untajee),
,a-e have no hesitation in stating our belief that it was of
naturelOd as that which occurred at the first interview,
• tik; the, Dewan's designs must have been treasonable against
L'sf -,`,t'sh Government. When informed of the charges
%,,-"eret;,e," against him, Govind Row positively denied both the
1-`4l, iev—'s and disclaimed all acquaintance with any native
sieroy of the 23d Regiment. When confronted with
"titiol-"te officers, the Bramin Untajee and his servant Coosia,
ao0,:lItt the Dewan still persisted in the above denials, his
:.ae 'centric° and manner underwent a change !I"—(pi 70.)
k Qrnmissioners are constrained to believe that the inter-
o*,, 't the palace took place, and that the Raja talked treason.
‘oeri let the Court mark the next paragraph. They state
they were constrained to believe—whom?. Untajee
cde
`44•
e-anbadari Not Govind Row, because his countena
ON. The. Commissioners shall speak for themselves :-
4)le- ,/tettld have afforded us unbounded satisfaction to have been
hot ,‘") arrive at a different conclusion, but, although
that
are
hot
to give full credence, we have no doubt thisthe
,4 meeting took place, and that its object was of
jut 6atare as these which had previously taken place at the”
",! k-11,1.8 d the following are the chief grounds of our belief."
to -v."; renitence I have read, well. They were not prepared
" full credence." Yet, at the same time, they had no
2tibt";,' ha ! witold their credence and ismiss their
ItW amountst toh
saying—" I do not believed the evidence,
,T▪ tiset I believe in the fact; but it would give us unbounded
;Lqiiiljettnn to be able to arrive at another conclusion !” What
they eYirn of this ? Let me, however, fairly state the grounds
L They are in their own words, these t
tt-‘lll,ll"•.__NeV_e consider that the two interviews at the Devran's
We ma
corsrtoborated and (as regards the native onl-
in a 'providential manner. ( 1 )
et°lo‘24l' Weydaomnoot considersa
ourselves at liberty to reject in
4tehotarsment proceeding from untainted witnesses (2)
. thus
1,_44t1 ,t• rated. We cannot believe one part of their evidence,
ZiaPbelieve altogether another part; this latter part also
"-,th by most important of the whole of the transaction de-
them (3
!I teel
hltiAs on the first interview at the Dewan's house no dis-
isitlas considered necessary, none would have been thought
ißgat the second meeting, on the supposition that the
„Was only to be met.
tt'll4 t;'' In addition to the evidence on oath of the two native
,h4ete-k`Lite the fact of the interview having really occurred,
'4ll4,;"lenCe is confirmed by the Brahmin is a very remarkable
4 P.
:)14 rt.ii• The account of the interview given by the native
is ar• ul more particularly on their cross-examination, with
leads Yvei exceptions, corresponds in so remarkable a marer,
L(1) e,t° the conviction they are narrating a real scene."
aver his refers to the discovery and seizure of the slipper-
(2jk)',F4losia Maloo.
:tee
thet h. untainted witnesses." One, the man who had per-
knuelf at an interview in the street with a stranger ; the
rnan, Goolja Missur, who did not engage in the plot
:her, 0 did it at the bidding of the officer, Lieut. Stock, and
,Ilerl 'lt"
avowedly palmed off as a confidential and trustworthy
7autk_ll,en, in fact, he was a spy, acting under orders, and
4414 Itri playing the detestable part of a gross deceiver.
,(a.) „et.
fit4ht one would naturally suppose, would be the part they
...ete it :vs been, most reluctant to find established, if we be-
t "°tlld have given them unbounded satisfaction to have
111,v01,4!_differeht --conclusion.
.But, no. Inasmuch as this part
those viii`",e guilt of the Raja, it seems to have. appeared to
raeivt ilted the Report, that that was a special.reason or
•nR the evidence. Mark the singular words in the first
Th
eAkate constrained to believe that the interview at !he
o ,eY ,
‘. u" Place—NJ:lly. ? Because they do not cousidFr
U 1146
nt es at liberty to reject in tote the evidence of their
ed" witnesses. And, again, because they cannot be-

lieve one part of their evidence, and disbelieve altogether an-
other : therefore, they resolve to act upon the whole as gospel—
more especially that which refers to the guilt of the Raja. The
plain English of this appears to be : —Had the evidence of these
men referred only to unimportant matters, we might not have
felt ourselves constrained to receive it; but, as it referred to
the guilt or innocence of a Prince, who, for eighteen years,
had maintained an unsullied reputation, and had been held up
as a model to the Princes of India—as it was likely to affect
his continuance on the throne—as believing it would inevitably
lead to his disgrace and ruin—therefore, though it would have
given us unbounded satisfaction to have come to a contrary
conclusion, we could not reject in toto evidence on
the most important part of the whole transaction.
I shall be ready to hear any other opinion.
The Commissioners undertake to explain the reas.sn why the
disguise was assumed. It appears to me that there is much
ambiguity here. The Raja was to be met—therefore they
were to be disguised. The Commissioners do not condescend
to tell us why. In all the other proceedings there had been a
remarkable want of caution. The Raja had made signs to
them in front of his palace—one witness says they attracted
the attention of all assembled—promised them a dinner in a
garden ; but now, though the interview was after sunset, they
must needs be muffled up in woollen-hooded cloaks. The
Commissioners here kindly take it in charge to think for the
witnesses, and wherever they are at fault, aid them with their
own superior intellects, though it would have given them un-
bounded satisfaction to have come to an opposite conclusion !
4th Paragraph. The evidence is confirmed by Untajee in a
very. remarkable manner. Untajee ! The " prevaricator,"
the " perjurer," the man on whom it was " impossible to
place reliance," who is "totally undeserving of consideration,"
the " worthless and unprincipled ' villain, for whom no " urea-
sure of punishment could be too great." Untajee confirms
this evidence, in a very remarkable manner. It would have
given us unbounded satisfaction to have believed the Raja
innocent—but, although we are not disposed to give full cre-
dence, and although Untajee is the impersonation of falsehood,
deceit, and villany, yet as his evidence confirms in a remark-
able manner the evidence of the sepoys, we deem we have an
additional reason on that account to receive it, and to pro-
nounce the Raja guilty ! What think you of logic like this.
sth paragraph. The account of the Soobadars corresponds in
a remarkable manner, " with one or two exceptions." Here
are four accomplices, influenced, as I verily believe, either by
revenge or hope of reward, or both, and because their evidence
tallies, "with one or two exceptions," it is " providential,"
" very remarkable," and "so remarkable !" Really, Sir, this
strikes me as remarkably remarkable. Suppose the interview
had taken place, would it have been remarkable that the ac-
counts of those who were present should correspond? I will
not here anticipate the proceedings of the Commission. I merely
pause to remark upon the language of the Commissioners.
This interview was ultimately sought with earnestness and
importunity, and even reproaches, by the Soobadars, who were
under the instructions of their officers. They reported on
their return They gave their depositions in the morning.
They knew that their meeting with the Raja was the circum-
stance moat important. What was there, then, in the circum-
stances of the case calculated to lead to even " one or two ex-
ceptions." Don't fail to notice that these exceptions are not
explained. You are left in ignorance of their nature. They
are passed over as trifling. The conviction is produced on the
minds of the Commissioners, that it is a "real scene" they de-
scribe. What, if I can show you that these exceptions were
most important—that they completely destroy the whole evidence
of these Soobadars that their testimony is contradictory and
irreconcilable on points of the simplest, yet most important
kind ; and those likely to make the deepest impression on
natives of India? I beseech you to sit in judgment with un-
prejudiced and impartial minds, and not to be led to any
conclusion that the evidence itself does not warrant.
These exceptions, Sir,refer to dates, on which subject there are
discrepancies inv Aving a difference of 63 days. Whether
the meeting with the Raja was up stairs or down—whether he
was alone or in company—whether the pawn he gave them was
the pawn used at the palace, or of a totally different kind—
whether he gave it the officers himself or it was given by some
one else—whether the Raja wore a turban or not—these are
the exceptions which are thus lightly paKed over, but which, in
any court in England, would at once deprive the evidence of
the slightest degree of worth or credibility. No two persons
in this country going into a house and having an interview,
under the most ordinary circumstances, could so contradict each
other as did these same native officers. The next important
passage in the Report is worthy of your special attention. It
is this :—" The delay which occurred in bringing about the
meeting with his Highness suggests the following remarks :-
Ist. That on the 31st July his Highness had not consented
to the meeting; 2d. That he intermediately became the dupe
of the Brahmin, aided by the influence of his Dewan; 3d.
That the Brahmin was urged to bring about the meeting by the
native officers, acting under the orders of their superiors."
I beseech you to bestow your calmest consideration on these
particulars. Go back to page 66 of this blue book. You will
there find—" On the 31st of July the Brahmin came to the
lines, and informed the Soobadars that he had been directed by
the Dewan and the Raja to bring them in disguise to his High-
ness, and that the following Friday (sth August) had been ap-
pointed for the interview." Now let me entreat you to read
with equal care the paragraph which immediately follows:
' The Brahmin, however, did not return for many days ; and
during the month of August only one meeting occurred between
the parties, when the Soobadars reproached Untajee for having
violated his promise, and he accused himself on account of the
heavy rains, adding that the Raja had been mush distressed on
account of the death of a Vakeel, who had arrived on a mission
from Oodeepoor." When does the alleged interview take
place? On the Bth of September, thirty-nine days
after this meeting on the 31st of July, and thirty-
four (lays after the appointed time. What do the
Commissioners say in reference to this? They openly pro-
claim their belief that the Raja was utterly ignorant of the pro-
ceedings of the atrocious demi-devil Untajee. And yet we
are told, and commanded to believe, that on the 21st of July,
thirty-nine days before this alleged interview, they were at the
house of Govind Row, and that the Ulna evening he took them
to the Raja's fialace, and there whispered in the Raja's ear, on
which the Raja turned round, received the salaams of the Soo-
badars, and twice returned their salutations by signs, which all
present witnessed ; and yet these same Commissioners delibe-
rately tell you in the preceding paragraph, that it is impossible
to conceive that Untajee was at any stage of the proceedings
in league or collusion with the Soobadars against the Raja! 1
What your conceptions may be I cannot tell ; but at this early
stage of the inquiry I am free to confess my heart bleeds for
the Prince whose character I .have described; who already ap-
pears entangled in the meshes -of Ope`of the most diabolical
.con-
spiracies, from which no efforts are rrietle to 'extiierste.him by
English functionaries, who, on the con arty, employ every art
to draw the net around him niAlg f4iiy' Pear's* thatsit: would
he
have given them . ununaed`, arrived at a
conviction of his :innoc4:ges, Vbat fici‘;ttidoCtitnmissioners
next say? Between the. ioe 'Littitt:l the Bth of
September the Raja beeausetlhe ''dnpent"lhe Brahmins
aided by the influence of llS'e"'DeWard sHere again the
Raja's innocence is ai,eried croVvrt errtain period.
He became the dupe of thelerahininYaideil byethe-intluence -of
the Devvan. 7 Most extraordinary !. If in :his heart he cherished
and had long cherished the feelings and designs imputed to him,
how could he be the dupe of the Brahnsiin and 'Govind Row ?
The charge sought to be established is, that the Raja desired to
overthrow-the English. That it was his ambition that was-the
mainspring ; yet, now we are told that he was the dupe of a
miserable and abandoned Brahmin, and his courtier Govind
Row. But did it never occur to them, that the unprincipled
wretch who is said to be the ensnarer of his Highness might
falsely state that he had done so ? Alas ! this seems to have
been absent from their minds. Sir, this is a most important
part of the inquiry. This charge is mixed with others. We
have been told that the Raja was, for twelve years, intriguing
with the Viceroys of Goa ; that it was his own ambitious views
that led to all the mischief ; that others were but the mean and
servile agents and instruments he employed; that there had
been a settled purpose in his mind to overthrow our Govern-
ment, and that this intrigue with the native officers was a part
of his long-concocted plan. Have you not heard all this again
and again ? Have not Grant Duff, and General Briggs, and
others, been quoted to show this? But now he is the dupe of a
lying,;thieving, mendicant Brahmin. But listen to what follows:
" The Bramin was urged to bring about the meeting by the na-
tive officers, acting under the orders of their superiors." What
think you of this revelation of the plot? Now then, without
travelling the breadth of a hair from the contents of these seven
pages of the Report, how stands the fact? Thus—the Bra-
min Untajee meets a Soobadar and reveals the pretended designs
of the Raja of Sattara. The whole is a lie. Confessed. The
Soobadar takes a false oath, and proves himself a villain.
Confessed. The Adjutant commands Goolja Missar to act
that most hated of all parts—the part of a spy. Confessed.
They go into Sattara, and see the Raja, and are subsequently
told he is pleased with them, and will give them a dinner. A lie
from beginning to end. Liers one, and liars all. The only
true man is their victim. They meet at the house of a brothel-
keeper, named Pureshram, the nephew of the Demon, Untajee.
'I his is in obedience to the instructions of superiors, who
have entered into the plot. The Raja still innocent, and in
darkness.
They are told :they are to meet the Raja on the sth of
August. Another lie. The Brahmin absents himself—is
found—is reproached—invents excuses, and finally fixes the Bth
of tFeptember. Another lie. On the 14th, they are told
that the Baja is much pleased with them, and will give them a
dinner in a garden. The Raja, who they visited them in disguise,
asks them to dinner. Gentlemen, this is the story, down
to the point we have now reached. What do you
think of it ? What is your opinion founded upon
the evidence supplied in the Report itself Do net the scales
fall from your eyes even now ? See you not that this is an
infernal plot? Do you not burn with indignation against the
branded blackguards who are plotting the ruin of the Raja? The
Raja is all the while in his palace, as ignorant of these hellish
contrivances, as you are of what is now transpiring in the
palace of Sattara, where the deep-dyed, self-convicted traitor,
Appa Sahib, is revelling in the plunder to which you have
helped him. See you not these bloodhounds on the scent,
huuting down their royal game ? Yes, you must see it. Act
then the part of honest men. Be just, and fear not. Accord-
ing to the account of the Commissioners the conspirators came
in the following order : —l. Untajee, the dissembler, prevari-
cator, and perjurer ; 2. Segoolam Sing, who takes a false oath
on the instant ; 3. Chunder Sine, who plays the part of native
adjutant ; 4. Goolja Missar, who plays the part of friend ; 5.
The Dewan (as he is called) Govind Row, who knows no-
thing ; 6. The perlumer and procurer of dancing girls, Puresh-
ram. Here you have it—plot and counter-plot—the Brahmin
Untajee and Pureshram, his nephew, versus the native and
English officers—but all, versus the Raja—the Raja hinstell-a
innocent, ignorant, unsulecting—while these vile wretches are
contriving his ruin, and urging one another on to perform, with
greater celerity, the work on hand. The conduct of all these
parties fills me with disgust. Why was not the villain Untajee
seized, and the whole thing blown up at once? But every
effort was made to ripen the plot, and ruin the Raja. The Re-
port then proceeds as follows :
" We consider the subsequent interviews between the native
officers and the Brahmin, on the 14th, 29th, and 30th of Sep-
tember and the Ist of October, clearly proved ; but, with one
exception, we consider the conversations of no moment except
as far as the Brahmin is concerned, because we have no
proof that as-hat he stated was authorised by any other person,
beyond the presumption arising from the proved fact that he
had been previously employed as an agent by his Highness and
the Dewan.

" The -exception we allude to is highly important. At the
interview of the Ist of October the Brahmin stated that his
Highness was downcast, in consequence of the receipt of a
letter from Mr. Hand, at Sholapore, inquiring what disturb-
ances existed at Sattara. Availing ourselves of this clue, we
deemed it our duty to address interrogatories on the subject to
Captain Hand, of the 2d, or Grenadier Regiment; and in Ap-
pendix F will be found that officer's reply, acknowledging that,
about a month before, he was writing to Balla Sahib, ' and
having heard reports of some disturbances likely to occur be-
tween the Raja and the Government, he trusted there was
no foundation for the reports, but that as a friend he mentioned
this to him.'
" We think it very probable that Captain Hand's letter first
excited a suspicion at Sattara that the conspiracy had come to
the knowledge of Government, and hence the backwardness
of the Brahmin to meet the native officers towards the conclu-
sion of the affair is easily accounted for. Balla Sahib is a cousin
of his Highness, and Senhputtee, or commander-in-chief of his
forces ; and as Captain Hand's replies are slated the 16th Oc-
tober, the letter he addressed to Balla Sahib must have been
written about the time alluded to in the Brahmin's conversa•
tion with the native officers. It therefore follows : first, that
the veracity of the native officers is proved in one of the cir-
cumstance, they relate; ecorn!, that intercourse and commu-
nication existed between the Brahmin and some one connected
with the palace, otherwise how could he have stated that such
a letter had been received."

Here is the letter referred to in the foregoing extract :
" Captain Hand's Reply
.to the Questions proposed by the
Sattara Commission :

" Ist. I have occasionally, during some years, corresponded
with Balla Sahib. These communications, however, have been
of a purely private nature. With his Highness or his other re-
ations I have had no correspondence.
"2d. Something appears wanting in this question. About a
month ago, however, I was writing to Balla Sahib, and I stated,
having heard reports of some disturbance likely to occur be-
tween the Rja and Government, that I trusted there was
no foundation fur the reports, but that, as a friend, I mentioned
this to him.

" 3d. To this letter 1 received a short and rather vague an-
swer, saving, as I understood it, that he did not know what I
meant or alluded to in my letter.
" 4th. I have no original letters relating to the before-men-
tioned ease, or any others of any kind, in my possession. When
read, I usually threw them in a corner of my room, from
; whence they were removed by the hamall in the course of
cleaning the house. I have never kept copies of any letters,
not thinking it necessary.
" I think it necessary to add, for the information of the Com-
mission, that about fourteen or fifteen days ago, on my return-
ing from riding, 1 was salaamed to by two men, who said
Balla Sahib had sent his salaam, and they had come to see me.
I told them I was then going to dress and breakfast, and to
come afterwards, and had a small note from Balla Sahib.
merely sending his salaam, and to speak to the bearer. I
asked one, who was a Brahmin, what he had to say? He
commenced a long story. which I understood was regarding
the Government having attached some two or three villages
belonging to the Raja's Jagheerdars. I told him I did not
know anything of the case, that Government knew best ; at
the same time, if the matter was referred properly through the
Resident, it would no doubt be settled to their satisfaction.
I understood him to say, it had been referred without success.
He commenced talking about other matters, which I stopped,
-and told him, whatever he had to say, if brought before the
Government in the regular channel through the Resident,
would be settled immediately. I told him 1 had nothing to do
with these affairs. He said he merely wanted my advice.
He had some Mahratta papers with him, which he occasionally
referred to. He left this I believe, next day, and called to
make a salaam before going. He wrote, at my request, a few
lines to Balla Sahib, stating that I had spoken to him. I had
never, to my knowledge, seen the man before. His companion
was a Mahratta, whom I did not know. Before leaving, I
asked him as to the truth of the report regarding some misun-
derstanding between the Raja and Government. He said he
knew of none, and did not believe there was any. I told
him I was glad to hear so; said that in writing to Balla
Sahib a few days before I had told him of it. 1 have heard
nothing since. ( Signed) ALEX. HAND.
" Captain Second Grenadier Regiment, N. I.
"Sholapore, Oct. 16th, 1836."
Now, Gentlemen, be good enough to go back to page 71, and
see what comments the Commissioners make on this document.
I will venture to say the annals of the Inquisition and the Star
Chamber combined, will not furnish anything more artful
than this paragraph. Every inference against the Raja, that
could by human ingenuity be drawn from this transaction is
made out. The conspiracy is taken for granted. The back-
wardness of the Brahmin is on this hypothesis, " easily ac-
counted for." Balla Sahib is a " cousin" of his Highness
(Mark !) and commander of his forces. And as Captain
Hand's replies are dated the 16th of October, the letter he
addressed to Balla Sahib must (pray mark the must) have been
written about the time alluded to in the Brahmin's conversation
with the native officers. A month before the 16th of October
carries us back to the 16th of September. On the 27th of
September the. Soobadars meet Untajee at the perfumer's, but
he says nothing of this letter ; no, not a word. On the 30th
of September and Ist of October, Untajee mentions that the
Raja is downcast in consequence of a le.ter from Sholapore.
This is the " highly important" exception to the whole of what
the Brahmin said, it being expressly admitted by the Commis-
sioners that there was no proof thOt any thing besides was au-
thorised by any other person. And where is the proof that this
was authorised ?: There is not a titt'e on the record. The Brah-
min stated that his Highness was doi4ncast. Be it so. This the
subtle Brahmin might have learnt in a thousand ways if true,
for the Raja had enemies in his palace. And if true, what does
it amount to? It is not unlikely that such a report would
cause the Raja to be sorrowful, well knowing the implacability
of his enemies. It therefore follows, say the Commissioners,
the veracity of the native witnesses is proved in one of the cir-
cumstances they related. This was indeed a godsend to the
Commissioners. It proves, too, that intercourse and commu-
nication existed between Untajee and some one at the palace.
Most marvellous this ! As to the appearance of the Brahmin
and Mahratta at Sholapore, I leave the matter where I find it,
and the letter of Captain Hand, to speak for itself. There is
nothing whatever in the affair which in the smallest destee
affects the Raja. Yet these upright Commissioners deem it
highly important. The Commissioners next proceed to report
upon the verbal and written statements of the Raja, and here,
without anticipating the fairness of the Report with regard to
the evidence of the witnesses, I must express my astonishment
and indignation at the manner in which that part of it is drawn
up which follows from the present point. It would occupy too
much time to go fully inte this portion of the subject, but I
cannot pass it by. Let me remind the Court that they have
in their hands the instruction to this Commission, dated Poona,
October 10, 1636 (p. 135, par. 5). Let gentlemen turn
to that document, and they will learn that " the
sole object of the Government is to discover the
truth, through the medium of a just and impar-
tial investigation, and that the Commissioners were to
prosecute their inquiries with this object and in this spirit."
We go back to the Report (p. 71), and we are told by the Com-
missioners that they had considerable difficulty in drawing his
Highness's attention to the charge against himself, and it was
long before lie gave a distinct denial. We turn to (p. 123)
where the interview is described at length, and we find nothing
of the kind. " Mr. Willoughby recapitulated the evidence.
* His Highness heard all very quietly, and then gave
a general denial to the whole story." Again (p. 124), through_
out the whole of this interview, which lasted about three hours,
" his Highness evinced the utmost readiness and self-posses-
sion." 'f urn is the Report, and you read, " the change which
took place in his Highness's spirits was singular. At first he
was greatly depressed; latterly he was quite the reverse."
Now turn to page 124, and read—" He was at first embar-
rassed ; but it was only the embarrassment natural to a person
in his situation." So what was natural on the 26th of Octo-
ber was singular on the 6th of November. Punting these two
things together, they read thus—his Highness's behaviour on
the occasion was singularly natural. But I read them sepa-
rately, and I say that this passage, taken with others, stamps
the Report as a dishonet one, and proves that it way dictated:
by a feeling most unfriendly to the Baja. Suffer me to remind,
you of the extra-official Report of one of the Commission.
The Raja came in : I shall never forget the scene. He came
in with the proud and high dignity of a Sovereign! He cer-
tainly thought he Was a prisoner." This is General'
Lodwick's version. Take another specimen
news appealed to Col. Lodwick regarding the improbability
of his using such language as that attributed to him by the
Soobadars, as to sending him to Calcutta, &c. On page 123,
we find the response to this appeal. Col. Lodwick observed,
" he was on his oath, and he could decidedly say that he never
had had such conversation." But, say the Commissioners,
"his having used such language is not more improbable than
that part of his proceedings of which we consider the evidence
is conclusive, and that it is unworthy of further remark." We
shall look presently at the conclusiveness of the evidence affect-
ing the Raja in the matter of the Sepoys. Take another proof
of the mains animus of this Report.—" At no stage of the pro-
ceedings did his Highness evince the slightest interest in the
fate of Govind Row." This is a cruel and unwarranted impu-
tation gratuitously cast upon a noble-minded man. Govind
Row had been arrested, charged with taking part in the con-
spiracy in which the Raja himself was the most important per-
sonage. The Raja knew full well that he was the mark aimed
at. He felt convinced, that if the evidence of the base fabri-
cators of the plot was rejected, and he did not doubt, as I shall
show you, that it would be, that he himself would stand ab-
solved, and that all his friends would be safe. '1 his is seen in
the manner of the Raja after his examination before
the Commission. He understood perfectly the nature
of the conspiracy, and he gave the Commissioners
credit for similar sagacity. From the time he was
made acquainted with the nature of the evidence, bis
mind seems to have been at ease, for he telt. confident he could
show the motives in which it originated as well as the unworthy
character of those who had given it. Therefore, after the
conference had terminated, his Highness's spirits increased,
and he laughed and joked at some observations in regard to
the pawn (and well he might), and after the usual courtesies,
the meeting concluded. Yet this confidence in his own inno-
cence and the consequent acquittal of his friend, is tortured by
the Commissioners into evidence of a want of proper interest in
the fate of his Minister, Gorvind Row. But this is not doing
full justice to the Raja' for if, while conscious of his own inno-
cence, ho considered the Minister, Govind Row, guilty of
taking pint in the conspiracy, there was truly no special
reason why be should betray any kindly interest in the tate of
one who had wickedly leagued with his bitter enemies to betray
him. However therefore you view the matter, you see no justi-
fication of the wanton insinuation thrown out in the Report. This,
then, is another proof of the malus animus of the Commissioners.
The next paragraph in the Report disposes of the Raja's written
evidence, for the insertion of which they almost fear they may
be blamed. Some of the papers they deem irrelevant. I have
gone through the papers thus cavalierly and sneeringly dis-
missed by the Commissioners. I have given them my best
attention. I have risen from the perusal of them with profit
and instruction, and I cannot help thinking that Mr.
Willoughby would have done well to have studied them with
care, and given the readers of his Report the benefit of an
analysis of them. I own that had he done so, the rest of his
Report would have gone for nothing. That may have been
the reason he did not do so. I own that such is my opinion.
" The paper recorded on the 29th ultimo is the only one deserv-
ing of much attention. In many parts it is very obscurely ex-
pressed, but its general purport is to point out the extreme im-
probability of his Highness engaging in a contest with the
British Government; the great benefit he has derived from,
and the friendship he feels towards, the British Government ;
the frequencies of intrigues and conspiracies in this country ;
and it concludes by making three proposals as a test of the
sincerity of his feelings, which we interpret to signify that his
Highness is prepared to place all he possesses at our disposal.
It is, however, remarkable, that all direct attention to the
specific charge against his Highness (namely, the interview
with the native officers at his palace) is studiously avoided.
With reference to this paper it may be further observed, that
had the case entirely depended on the testimony of the native
officers, we should have felt ourselves compelled to deliberate
upon presumptions and probabilities. Our remarks, however,
on the evidence will show that we are not obliged to have re-
course to such an uncertain mode of determination ; and inex-
plicable as we admit his Highness's
to be of the object s'scondu havecttojct he had in
been, and
ignorant as we confess ourselves
view, we cannot resist the strong body of evidence by which
theythe c ams eo againststsu in summarily
ahimr haslydis
pboe
seen
of
our
fo
Hmi
gihnndes
ass
st awb
rl stltteend .d'
e'
felheues.
You have seen how they lotsg rid of his oral defence.
Now, then, to deprive him of the benefit of this.
His not consenting to be confronted with the witnesses is
turned against him. Let him speak for himself :—" He had
perfect reliance on the Commission. Hearing the evidence
from the Commission was the same as hearing it from the wit-
nesses. They will repeat what they have already said, and I
shall say, No ; therefore of what use would it be ?" (p. 123.)
He has not the benefit of this in the Report. Speaking of the
report of his conspiring for the overthrow of the English, lie
said (123), " What friend have I here that could induce me to
act as stated, or what force? Myself saw, when I was rescued
from the hands of the Peishwa by General Smith, a large body
of Mahrattas fly from a few Sepoys, therefore what could I do ?"
We consider the question he requested might be put to Untajee
very remarkable, namely, " Who began this proceeding, the
Brahmin or the Maharaja ?" as it tends to the impression we
had
previouslydupe.
Theentertained,
circumstancethat hisHisigthhunaesrselhaatded. p
bec.or24e the:
Brahmin's
" His Highness then wrote the name of the Brahmin Untajee.
He inquired what was his caste; and on being told he was a
Chitpaun Bsahmin, his Highness'observed with some warmth,
That is the Pcishwa's caste. I shall never be able to remain
in this country; I must go elsewhere ;' referring to the intrigues
of these Brahmins against him. He also requested the Com-
mission particularly to ascertain from the Brahmin Untajee
who first began this conspiracy (fittoor)." There is nothing
here about the Brahmin or the Maharaja. That question does
not so stand in the evidence. The words would seem to be
interpolated to bear out the inference, and to say the least are
very suspicious. The question seems a most judicious one as
it stand:, on the record. Who began this conspiracy? Let it
be traced to its source. Let the know the first
mover. But no, the Commissioners will have it that it
tends to the impression that the Raja found he had been duped.