Volume 1

Materials towards a statistical account of the town and island of Bombay in three volumes.

  • Bombay Presidency
Date:
1893-1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Materials towards a statistical account of the town and island of Bombay in three volumes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    215/522 (page 197)
    AND ISLAND. ]97 necessaries for tlieir subsistence should they arrive there. That a lettei* be also lodged at Goa to the commanding officer of our fleet expected from Tellicherry to take the Anglesea\^ people on board should they be there^ otherwise to demand them from the Malvans on their coming off their port_, sending a person on sliore for that purpose.^ On the 22nd January 1739 the Bombay Government write to Commodore Bagwell: We have perused your narrative in which you do well to be so particular and full for our clearer notion of your state and procedure. We observe duly your account of the engagement you had with Angria^s fleet and doubt not your having used your best endeavours for the destruction of the enemy^ and we remark with great pleasure the spirit and resolution of your people both before and in the action. It is likewise very agreeable to us that you have sustained no greater damao^e in so warm an encounter.^ ^ In the same letter Government further observe ; We are the more desirous of your coming up, on account of the notice we have that the Marathas are in the neighbourhood with a strong army with which we judge they will make a push for the entire reduction of the Portuguese territories when our own will not be exemjit from dano>er. At least Ave shall be glad to be in the best condition for ^ all events, as at present we have few or no Europeans upon the island. Proceed instantly for Bombay, keeping the shore so as to look into all ports and harbours for the enemy till you are past Suvarndurg when you should spread at proper and convenient distances for the more extensive look-out, yet keeping carefully Avithin reach of each other. On arriving off our harbour you may anchor immediately despatching to us a boat Avith notice, Avhen we shall give you further ordere whether to come in or otherAvise as circumstances may require.^ While AngriaN aggressions forced the Bombay Government to keep men and Anssels ready against any attack from the south, sAvarms of Marflthas Avere gathering round what remained of the Portuguese possessions in the North Konkan. The 13th October (1738) the Bombay Government Avarned Commodore BagAvell: The Marathas are augmenting their forces in all the places this Avay in order to proceed vigorously in their war against the Portuguese.^ In spite of the concern Avith Avhich they viewed ruin gathering round Bassein the Bombay Government continued to reject all Portimaiese proposals for joint action. On the 20th October 1738 in a fetter to Pedro D^Mello the Governor thus uj)holds his decision : As you observe the restoration of your dominions would lighten us of our present great expenses for the guard of our island, it is in that prospect Ave bear these charges till we have a proper force to enter upon action and expel these faithless neighbours. Still I dare not hazard to increase our charges by a rash and abrupt declaration of Avar against these Chapter I. History. Encounter with Angria’s Fleet, 1739. MaiAthds gather round Bassein, 1738. ^ Bom. Gov. Consultation, 9th Dec. 1738, Public Diary 11 of 1737-38, 335. 2 Bombay Government to Commodore George Bagwell, 22nd January 1739 PubbV Diary 12 of 1738-39, 36. ^ > 3 Bombay Government to Commodore George Bagwell, 22nd January 1739, Public Diary 12 of 1738-39, 37. ^ ■^Bombay Goyernment to Commodore Bagwell,-13tli October 1738, Public Diary 11 of 1737-38, 255. '