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390 which were made to the President of an accommodation with Shivaji touching the Company's demands on him; but we hope they will yet go forward,... but we would not have you appear too forward lest you undervalue our pretence [ = lawful claim] and make him cool." (F. R. Surat, Vol. 3.)

In October Shivaji tried to put the English of Bombay in distress, evidently because they refused to sell him war-material (esp. lead) for his contest with the Siddi of Danda-Rajpuri. Bombay writes to Surat on 14th October, 1670: "A few days since we, as usually, sent our boats to the main [ -land] for wood to burn our chunam with; but... our boats returned empty, being forbid by Shivaji's people to cut any more wood in those parts." (F. R. Surat, 105.) On 12th August 1671 Bombay writes to Surat, "The Deputy Governor [of Bombay] received an answer from Shivaji, by which your Honour, etc., will see how he slights our friendship." (Ibid.)

But in September 1671 Shivaji sent an ambassador to Bombay to treat with the English. His chief motive was to secure English aid against Danda-Rajpuri, especially a supply of "grenadoes, mortar-pieces and ammunition." The Bombay Council immediately realised that unless he obtained these war-materials he "would not pay a penny" of compensation for the loot of their factory at Rajapur. The President of Surat sent the following instructions to the factors at Bombay: "Let him know that if he gives us such encouragement that we settle in his port, he