Indian Antiquary Vol 47

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 10

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ JANUARY, 1918
indignity to my Sovereigns; but as I shall endeavour on every occasion to pay the strictest attention to all national Rights of others, I shall also expect from you, Honble. Sir and Gentlemen, the same "attention to those Rights, from which the smallest relaxation on my part or deviation on Yours might possibly be highly resented by our respective Sovereigns.
I come now, Honble. Sir and Gentlemen, to that subject which gives me the most lively concern, I mean the interception of my Letters by William Lewis Esqr., the British Minister at the Mahrattah Court at Poonah during my late Residence there, by Order of Your Honble. Bar.l. The accompanying Affidavit sufficiently ascertains the fact, although abrindance of other proof can be legally adduced if necessary. I assure you, Honble. Sir and Gentlemen, that the object of my Visit at Poonah was purely of a Commercial Nature, in execution of a trust reposed in me by her Imperial Majesty The Empress Queen of Hungary, &ca, &ca., which in no respect could tend to interrupt the peace or harmony subsisting between the British Government and the Mahrattahs, or any other of the Indian Powers. This open infraction, therefore, of the most sacred publick rights, in time of profound peace, added to the many obstructions I have already experienced by your Orders from the Indian Governments, make me conclude that a determinate resolution has been taken per fac ac et nefas [sic] to impede all intercourse between the Court of Vienna and the Princes of India, and wholly to destroy the peaceful and lawful trade of their Imperial Majesties' subjects in Asia. In this state of insecurity for transacting any business of their Majesties or their subjects, I have no other remedy left me than that of protesting, as I now most solemnly do, on behalf of my Sovereigns, Their Imperial, Royal, and Apostolick Majesties, against Your Honor &ca. Gentlemen as representatives of the British Government for the infraction of Right, which I now complain of, and for all the detriment and loss that may accrue to the property and persons of their Majesties' subjects on this side the Cape of Good Hope, in consequence of any order issued, or which may be issued directly or indirectly by Your Honble. Board, or by any other Agents or Representatives of the British Nation in Asia.
At the same time that my duty forces me to lay this Publick Protest before Your Hon ble. Board, permit me to assure You that I have the Honor to subscribe myself with the most profound Respect
Honble. Sir and Gentlemen Your most obedient humble Servant
WILLIAM BOLTS, Lt. Col. in the Bombay 24th December 1777.
service of their Imperial Majesties.
Attestation of John Joseph Bauer. John Joseph Bauer a native and heretofore inhabitant of Oldenburgh in the kingdom of Hungary but now actually resident at the British Settlement of Bombay maketh oath and saith that he the deponent was employed by William Bolts, Lieutenant Colonel in the service of their Imperial Rüyal and Apostolick Majesties the Empress Queen of Hungary, fos &ca., and the Emperor Joseph the second, to transmit from this Port of Bombay to him William Bolts then at the Mahrattah Court at Poonah, a letter on the business of their said Majesties; that accordingly on or about the twenty third day of November last past
34 The Duchy of Oldenburgh in N. Germany, then under Austrian domination, but it seems to be a stretch of historical fact to call it in the Kingdom of Hungary.