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104 formed with them, enabling the Supreme Government to deal with disorder in Western Hindustán in a more effectual manner than otherwise would have been the case.

Meanwhile affairs had not prospered at Poona. In September, 1816, Trimbakjí — the Shastrí's murderer and the Peshwá's evil genius — after scarcely a year's imprisonment, escaped, and, eluding every effort made for his recapture, disappeared from sight for a few months. Bájí Ráo disowned his favourite to the Resident, and even assumed a conciliatory attitude, professing himself in hearty sympathy with the project against the Pindárís, and concluding a reasonable accommodation with the Gáekwár, February, 1817. But all this time he was covertly in league with Trimbakjí himself, and together they were actively preparing a formidable insurrection against British influence and treaty rights in this Maráthá state. The treachery having been discovered, fortunately before it came to a head, Mr. Elphinstone declared his intention of sending the subsidiary force to disperse the levies which were being illegally made, and if necessary to coerce the Peshwá to refrain from further aggression. The latter endeavoured to gain time, but the Resident, long accustomed to his tortuous policy and persistent hostility, brooked no further delay, reinforced the British contingent by that of Haidarábád, ordered a strong detachment to Poona, and presented that perfidious prince with an ultimatum. Bájí Ráo, now thoroughly alarmed,