[1] September, 1740.

[2] 2nd September, 1747.

[3] November, 1749.

[4] November, 1751.

CHAPTER XI

THE DOWNFALL OF ANGRIA

Toolajee fights successful action with the Dutch—­He tries to make peace with Bombay—­Alliance formed against him—­Commodore William James—­ Slackness of the Peishwa’s fleet—­Severndroog—­James’s gallant attack—­ Fall of Severndroog—­Council postpone attack on Gheriah—­Clive arrives from England—­Projects of the Directors—­Admiral Watson—­Preparations against Gheriah.—­The Council’s instructions—­Council of war about prize-money—­Double dealing of the Peishwa’s officers—­Watson’s hint—­Ships engage Gheriah—­Angrian fleet burnt—­Fall of Gheriah—­Clive occupies the fort—­The prize-money—­Dispute between Council and Poonah Durbar—­Extinction of coast piracy—­Severndroog tower.

In the beginning of 1754, the Dutch suffered a severe loss at Toolajee’s hands.  A vessel loaded with ammunition was taken, and two large ships were blown up after a stiff fight, in which Toolajee had two three-masted grabs sunk and a great number of men killed.  Six months later, Toolajee sent an agent to Bombay to propose terms of accommodation.  They were terms to which a conciliatory answer, at least, would have been returned in Conajee Angria’s time.  The Council’s reply betrays a consciousness of increased strength.  “Can you imagine that the English will ever submit to take passes of any Indian nation?  This they cannot do.  We grant passes, but would take none from anybody.”  Toolajee was told that if he was in earnest in desiring peace, he should return the vessels he had taken, and send men of figure and consequence to treat, instead of the obscure individual through whom his overtures had come.  In spite of this peremptory reply, Toolajee continued to make half-hearted proposals for peace.  The fact was that he was now at open war with the Peishwa, who had made himself master of the Concan, with the exception of the coastline.  According to Orme, Toolajee had cut off the noses of the agents sent by the Peishwa to demand the tribute formerly paid to Satara.  The Poonah Durbar were so incensed against him that they were determined on his destruction, though without the assistance of the English they had little expectation of success against his coast fortresses.  The Bombay Council was ready enough to join in the undertaking, but was unwilling to take immediate action.  This unwillingness was apparently due to their desire to see order first restored in Surat, where affairs had fallen into great disorder in the general break-up of Mogul rule.