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This intelligence induced Mr. Thomas to obferve the greatest circumfpection in the approaching interview. Captain Smith, the fon of an officer in the honourable East India Company's fervice, was dispatched by Mr. Perron to meet and conduct him to the Mahratta camp. Mr. Thomas took along with him on this occafion 300 cavalry, and two of his most approved battalions; being determined to afford no opportunity to his enemies to effect his ruin by treacherous means.

In the month of September, after fome previous negociation between the parties, Mr. Perron and Mr. Thomas met for the first time at the town of Behadur Ghur. Mr. Thomas having received recent information that the affairs of Scindiah prefented an unfavourable afpect, and that that chief was unequal to the conteft with Jeffwunt Row Holkar, hoped the present interview would be productive of an amicable adjustment of all former differences, and eftablish the future tranquillity and good understanding of both parties.

In this, however, he was deceived; for at the

fecond day's meeting he was much furprised by a demand, equally fudden as unsuspected, from Mr. Perron, requesting him to give up the district of Jyjur entirely to the Mahrattas; in lieu of this he was to receive for the support of his battalions the monthly fum of 50,000 rupees, and henceforth to be confidered as the immediate fervant of Dowlut Row Scindiah.

Although this propofal might have been foreseen, Mr. Thomas gave it a pofitive denial; and perceiving the nature of the design formed against him, was aware that he should be required to act against Holkar in the present war; and if it proved unfavourable to the interests of that chief, and his authority was fubverted, Scindiah would not only discontinue the payment of the monthly fum now offered to Mr. Thomas, but compel him to accept of any terms the Mahratta Government might think proper to impose.

For thefe reafons Mr. Thomas, without further difcuffion on the fubject, abruptly broke up the conference, and marched away in difguft.

Pacific measures being now at an end, Mr. Perron, to begin the war with advantage, repaired directly to Jyjur, of which, being unfortified, he immediately took poffeffion. Mr. Thomas had still left the fort of George Ghur, in which having ftationed 800 men, he expected it would hold out a confiderable time, nor was he deceived. La Fontaine, a commander in Mr. Perron's fervice, having approached that place in the hope of taking it by affault, was fo warmly received by the garrifon as to be compelled to retreat with confiderable loss.

The period, however, of Mr. Thomas's final difcomfiture was not far off. His enemies preffed on him on all fides with accumulated vigour; and private treachery coming in aid of public misfortune, he was foon reduced to a fituation the most painfully diftreffing.

The force of Mr. Perron at this time confifted of ten battalions of infantry, fix thoufand horse, a body of Rohillas, and fixty pieces of heavy artillery. The Seiks were likewise preparing to fend against him a confiderable force; and in addition to these threatened

evils, feveral of his own diftricts perceiving the difaftrous fituation of his affairs, joined their efforts to thofe of his enemies.

A part of Mr. Perron's forces was commanded by Captain Smith, whom we have before had occafion to notice, while a second divifion was led by Mr. Lewis.

On his arrival at Hanfi, Mr. Thomas loft no time in completing his ammunition and other ftores; his intention was firft to attack Mr. Lewis, but Captain Smith having lately invefted the fort of George Ghur, by which means the collections in that district were interrupted, he resolved to proceed to its relief.

George Ghur* is a small fort erected by Mr. Thomas, when he first took poffeffion of the pergunnahs made over to him by Appakandarow; it is fituated four cofs fouth of Jyjur, and thirty distant from Delhi. The unquiet ftate of the pergunnahs had induced Mr.

* For this account of the position of George Ghur, I am indebted to the kindness of my friend Captain Salkeld of the cavalry.

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[A.D. 1801. Thomas to erect this fort with a view to overawe the neighbouring villages, and when finished he placed å ftrong body of troops in it for its defence.

Mr. Thomas having left a body of Rohillas to defend Hanfi, advanced towards Captain Smith, and after a march of eleven coss, encamped at the town of Mahim; Mr. Lewis at this time being feventeen cofs to the northweft of that place.

Here he was informed that Captain Smith, who had got imperfect intelligence of his advance, had withdrawn his guns from the bat teries and ftruck his camp.

Mr. Thomas having ordered the cavalry to proceed with all expedition, continued his march with the infantry towards George Ghur, where, on his arrival late in the evening, he learnt that Captain Smith had retreated.

Early on the enfuing morning Mr. Thomas commenced the purfuit, but Murtuza Khawn, the commandant of his fecond regiment, who

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