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388 servant. Some desirable services, however, which he rendered to his master raised him rapidly in his favour; and he so successfully advanced his own interests and influence that at length, though the office of First Minister was nominally held by another, all substantial power was actually in the hands of Trimbuckjee, who, exclusive of his other ill qualities, bore a decided enmity to the English.

As the negotiations between the Peishwa and the Guicowar became extremely intricate, it was agreed that Gungadhur Shastree, the Guicowar's Prime Minister, and a man of extraordinary talent and judgment, should repair to the Court of Poonah, and endeavour to place them on an intelligible basis. He accordingly went thither, having previously obtained a safe conduct from the British. Being supposed favourable to our interests, as well as from some personal causes, he incurred the enmity of Trimbuckjee and the Peishwa; and, to gratify their revenge, they prevailed upon him to accompany them to Punderpoor, where a religious festival of peculiar solemnity was to be celebrated. This visit took place on the 15th of July, 1815; and the Shastree having performed his devotions at the temple, was returning with a small escort, when he was set upon by several men, who rushed on him with drawn swords, and literally cut him to pieces.

The British Resident at Poonah, the Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone, immediately on hearing of this barbarous murder, set on foot an active scrutiny into the affair; the result of which was a conviction that Trimbuckjee was the instigator of the deed. He therefore demanded of the Peishwa that Trimbuckjee, who was openly charged with the murder, should, with his two principal accomplices, be placed in close confinement, to await a full investigation; and to give more effect to his demand, he ordered the auxiliary force to approach nearer to Poonah. The Peishwa studiously employed every expedient to save his favourite; and the suspicion