Selections from the Wellesley Despatches

In communicating to the Board an authentic copy of the prclamation issued by the Governor-General of the Isle of France during the residence of the Ambassadors of Tippoo Sultaun in that island I informed the Board that I would prepare the detail of such measures as appeared to me most advisable for the pupose of frustrating the united efforts of Tippoo Sultaun and of France. [...] From the application of the acknowledged principles of the law of nations to the facts of this case I formed my judgment of the rights of the Company and of my own duties with reference to the aggression of Tippoo. [...] The junction which might thus be effected by the French officers in the several armies of the Nizam of Scindiah and of Tippoo might establish the power of France in India upon the ruins of the States of Poonah and of the Deccan. [...] From the period of the peace of Seringapatam to that of the death of Manda Row the danger appears to have been that the address of Nana might have drawn too great a weight into the scale of the Peishwa's power and have enabled the Government of Poonah to wield the united force of the whole Mahratta Empire. [...] On the one hand it appears that the Peishwa cannot expect to be speedily emancipated or effectually defended from the undue influence of Scindiah without the assistance of the Nizam ; and on the other hand it is evident that the restoration of the just power and authority of the Peishwa would operate as a constant restraint on the designs of Scindiah of Tippoo and of the French against the i