The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-02 00:00:00

Karim.' and UmJ*lla, with the Intention of meeting the Commander-
in-Chief at the linter place, who was on his way to inspect the troops
at Meerut, Delhi, and other districts.
On the 22d November I received from Major Broadfoot the official
dispatch dated the 20th November, detailing the sudden intention of
the Seikh sirmy to advance in force to the_ frontier for the-avowed
purpose of invading the British territories.
The letter of the 20th was succeeded by a private communication
of the following day, stating the same facts, and enclosing news,
letters, and papers of intelligence received from Lahore, which pro-
fessed to give an account of the circumstances which have led to
the present movement, and which would appear (if these papers' are
to be depended upon) to have originated with the Ranee and certain
of the Sirdars, who felt the pressure of the demands of the army to
be so urgent, and,its present attitude and temper so perilous to their
existence, that they desired to turn the thoughts of the troops to
objects which might divert their attention from making extortionate
demand., fbr higher pay, by employing their energies in hostile opera-
tions against the British Goveriiment.
The precautions already adopted to provide against the possibility
of our farces being unprepared to meet any movement of the Selkh
army this season, and the arrangements made by the Commander-in-
Chief ()tithe receipt of Major Broadfoot's intelligence, rendered it, in
my opinion, unnecessary to allow these reports of invasion to make
any change in my movements. I arrived on the 26th at Kurnaul,
where the Commander-in-Chief met me, having proceeded frem
Umballoby.Dak, returning to bit camp the' same evening ; on the
Same day I was also joined by Major BroadfOot:
I had the satisfaction of concurring in all the orders whichhis Ex-
celleneylind given, to hold the troops in readiness to move at the
shorteet notice,„ and in the instructions which he had sent to the
officer* in command of the stations at Ferozepore and Loedianah.
The force at the former post consists of one European regiment, seven
regiments of native infantry, two regiments of native cavalry, and
24 Ileld guns, exclusive of heavy ordnance. 'The force at Loodianah
consists of one regiment of Europeans, five regiments of native in-
fantry, one regiment of native cavalry, and two troops of horse
After a fell and satisfactory consultation with his Excellency, and
taking tete consideration the improbability of the'Seikh army cross-
lug the. Sutiej,l determined that no movement Should be made
towards the aver by the forces from Umballa and Meerut, and I
Postnimed, fealbrther consideration with his Excellency any change
in the present distribution of the troops ; eventually some alterations
will be made, which, when they have been finally determined upon
between nleAnd the Commander-in-Chief, will be reported to you.
At the present moment his Excellency coincides with me that no
forward movement is required.
In the- midst of much hesitation and irresolution, the enterprise
ordered by the Seikh Government does not appear to have been for-
mally abandoned; the intelligence received by Major Broadfoot on the
day of his joining my camp showed that three brigades of the Seikh
force bad actually left Lahore a few miles in advance, to be followed
the next morning by three other brigades, including one of artillery.
This was en the 24th alt. The intelligence received from that date
has been communicated -to me by Major Broadfoot each day, as it
arrives.
It is said they intend,-in reply to Major Broadfoot's remonstrance,
to allege that the factof our having collected so large a force, with all
the munitions of war, on the frontier, is the cause of the concentration
of their forces on the Sutlej ; that they intend' to demand the reasons
of our preparations ; to insist on the surrender to the Lahore Govern-
ment of the treasure which belonged to the late Raja Soocheyt Singh ;
the restoration by the Raja of Nabba of the village of Mowran,
escheated by the Raja, and the escheat confirmed by us ;'and hence-
forth the free passage of their troops into the LahoropossesSions on 1'
this side the Stitlej.

~I
need
only remark, on the first and most essential point, that the
semi army did in the beginning of last January prepare to move to
the Sutlei. The Political Agent remonstrated, and the troops were
withdrawn ; the reason then assigned for the movement being the
same as that now intended to be brought forward, namely, the state
of our military preparations on the frontier. The Governor-General
in Council, in a dispatch to Major Broadfoot of the 25th January,
1845, entered into very (till explanations. whim., wore conveyed to
the LaboreNakeel.

The Government of India, through its Political Agent, has more
than once , complained of. the inconvenience and expense of being
obliged in retain so large a British force oe the frontier, in conse-
quence-of...the ungovernable misconduct of the Seikh army—a fact
well knbiFn and never contradicted by the Lahore Government:-
As regards the past, it is clear that no cause of complaint has been
given by the Government of India. • If it should be asserted that Our
military preparations this autumn have given offence, the assertion
is equally unfounded, and •is a mere pretext for Mettle proceedings
which have originated in the political weakness and the. internal
dissentioas of the Lahore Government, and, above all, In their desire
to be released, on any terms, from the, terror which the ferocity of
their own troops has inspired. The proof is to be found in the fact that,
at the time these disorderly movements commenced, no additional
British troops had reached our frontier stations: The additional '
regiment of native infantry, destined for the reinforcement of Foroze--
pore, hid not arrived. At Loodianaht one of the two regiments of
native cavalry had actually marched for Sinde before it'.was re-
lieved, leaving that post, as it is at present, with one regiment. in-
stead of. the usual complement of two regiments of cavalry. At the
other stations no alterations had been made, and the troops which
had marched were peaceably engaged in completing the annual
reliefs according to custom at this' season.
I have given these details to show the hollow pretences of such
assertions, if they should be made. .
I do not believe that this alleged grievance, or any of the other de-
mands, .will be made, or, if made, that they will be pressed, but I
need not say that they will and must be resisted.
Such Is the state of affairs at the present moment, and, althotigh
my conviction is strong that the Seikh army will be deterred from
acts of aggression on account of the state of our military preparation,
yet it is by no means impossible that we may be forced at any mo-
ment into war; and that operations on a very extended scale may be
immediately necessary.
For this alternative I have made all preparations. Orders will be
dispatched to bring up from stations in the rear of Meerut 'the fol-
lowing additional forces :-4 companies. of European Artlllerf,Trom
Cawnpore ; I troop of European Horse Artillery; 4 regiments' Of
Native Cavalry ; 5 ditto Native Infantry ; which, with the concur-
rence of the Commander-In-Chief, will be eantoned, with the excep-
tion of the European artillery at or near Minna, twenty-eight miles
from Looditinah, and ten miles in advance of Suhinci. • This intention
will not be divulged at the present moment, pending events at La-
hore, and no step- will be taken calculated fo excite alarm which in
prudence can be,dispensed with. The• Commissariat arrangements
are nearly complete, on a scale adapted for defensive purposes, en-
abling thelbrces to march in any direction at the shortest-notice.
My views and measures will be anxiously directed to avoid a re-
course to arms as long as it may be possible. On this point my de-
termination is fixed. At the same time it is very apparent, from the
general aspect of affairs, that the period is fast approaching when '
flirther changes will take place at Lahore, and that the weak Go-
vermnent of the Regent will be subverted by the violence of the
troops, instigated by the intrigues of the party favourable to the Raja
Ohoolab Singh.
Up to the present hoar no act of open hostility has been com-
mitted. •

I shall not consider the march of the Seikh troops in hostile array
towards the banks of the Sutlej as &cause justifying hostilities, if no
actual violation of our frontier should occur. The same privilege
which we take to adopt precautionary measures on our side must be
concedectto them. Every forbearance shall be shown to a weak Go-
vernment, struggling for assistance against its own soldiers in a
state of successful mutiny.

I have no cause to doubt the loyalty of our admirable native army,
but I have every reason to believe that endeavours have been sys-
tematically made, on a very extensive scale, to tamper with them ;
that promises of promotion and reward have been lavishly made ;
and that their religious prejudices have been forcibly appealed to.
Some chiefs of influence on this side, and with estates on both
sides of the river, are anxious to come forward to prove themselves
unconnected with the kresent movement against as, and to evince
their adherence to otiT Interests. The answer I have desired may
be givento them is, that we do not anticipate that the Seikhs will
proceed to unprovoked hostilities ; but that, should inch be the
case, the parties who have estates on our side the Sutlej, and prove
by their conduct their true adherence to the British Government,
will be protected from any consequences to which such conduct
might render them liable on accolmt• of their position In the Funjaub.
I have every reason to be satisfied with the ability, energy, and
sound judgment displayed by Major Broadfoot in the course of these
proceedings.

Letter referred to in No. 9.

The Secretary to the Government &India to the Governor-General's

Agent.

Fort William, Jan. 25, 1845

Sir,—l am directed to acknowledge the receipt of the copy of your
letter of the 15th instant, addressed to the Commander-in-Chief, on
the subject of the alarms which prevailed at Lahore when you
wrote, and .the movement of troops towards the Sutlej, in conse-
quence of certain rumours of orders alleged to have been issued by
the Commander-in-Chief at Umballa.

2. In the. absence of information of the orders which may have
been given by the Commander-in-Chief, and which probably his Ex-
cellency could not have avoided giving, the Governor-General in
Council is disposed to attribute this manifestation of alarm in some
measure to the successful intrigues of the party of Ghoolab Singh at
Lahore, which party, by detaching a portion of the Seikh army to-
wards the Sntlej, would weaken its efforts, then about to be directed
In operations against that Raja.
3. Another cause which may have had some weight in the above
-movement, may be the anxiety of the Lahore Government to get rid
of an army which is more formidable to its Mends than its enemies,
from the immediate vicinity of the seat of Government ; and it may
be convenient to ascribe this movement to the orders for military pre-
parations issued at Umballa.
4. Be this as it may. the Governor-General in Council desires me
to refer yfin to the letter, Secret Department, of theilOth instant,
addressed to the Commander-in-Chief, of which a copy was sent with
my dispatch of the'seine date, No. 17, and to beg you forthwith to
state to the Durbet the exact truth, as follows t-
-5. That n barrack for a European regiment of infantry had for a'
length of time been ordered to be constructed at Fercizepore, of which
the foundationg are already laid ; that the Governor-General in Coun-
cil, perceiving during the autumn the state of weakneSs in which the
Government of the Maharaja had been for some time; Under his
Highness Wrizeeritaje Heera Singh, had postponed togive orders for
the completion of this building, in order that no question might arise,
exciting any 'dotibt or jealousy of our intention, -On the part Of the
Government of the Maharaja or of the Seikh army:
6. That the British force stationed at Yerozepore has remained of
the same strength as before, notwithstanding the recent violent pro-'
ceedings of the Seikh army against itsj own Government, which
conduct it Is unnecessary now hi ,conuneut.upon .otherwise than' to
repeat thatit is conduct utterly repugnant to British feeling and Bri=
nth policy ; and that this army has become so notoriously beyond
control, that the Governor-general in Council, always anxious to prtS.,
serve the tranquillity of the Seikh states under his .protection, will,
under existing circumstances, now proceed to complete the buildings
at Ferozeporq according tp his original intention, and also-to' rein,
force that post by an.additional force of native iufantry. • •
7. You are requested to impress on the Vakeei that the same for-
bearance has beeh shown since the death of the NVezeer -Raja Beers
Slush, in order to' evince the friendly feeling of the Governor-
General in Council towards the. Maharaja, in proof of whichyou
will advert to the sentiments expressed in the Governor-General in
Council's letter to your address, and which --you- were desired to
convey as from yourself to the raked, of the 15th instant; stating
that if any attempts be made by violent proceedings to bring about
any change, such as the army proclaiming,Peshwa Singh as suc-
cessor to his Highness the Maharaja, whom. the British Government
has recognised, that you would not feel yourself• justified in - recog-
nising, without special orders,a chief whose power had been acquired
by such means. '

8. You will observe
,to the Vakeel ,that, in despite of the friendly
conduct of the Goireritor,General In Council, a portion of the Seikh
army has been moved towarda the Sutiej, on the pretext'of rumours'
from the cantonments of ihnballa ; and you will say, that the Go-
vernor-General in Council advises the Maharaja's Government to'
disregard rumours and newspaper reports, over whieh the Governor-
General in Connell exercises ne control. • •
9. You will Impress upon the ,Eurbar Vakeel that you possess the
confidence of the thivernor-General in Council, and that your instruc-
tions are to declare the truth to his Highness's Government,
reiterating the seine ',sentiments as those conveyed by your prede-
cessor, that the Governer-General In Council has a sincere desire to
see a stronalgOVerniiient re-eitablislifol at Lahore, merit' as that
which existed in the time of our faithful ally, t is Highness Maharaja
Runjeet Singh. - - • • • •• •
10. Havingefttkin tile` opporttinity which this movement of Seikh
troops towards the Sutlej s' .suitably *prig, of declaring our inten-
tions as to the wintery arrangements about to be. made at Feroze-
pore, you will'atate that ..the British Geyerninent. does not desire to
Interfere in the internal affairs of the Punjaub ; that the Governor-
General in Council regrets the embarrassments tinder width the
Seikh Government at piesent labours, and. Sincerely trusts than they
may be overcome by firmness and prudence.. . • •
11. In making these communicaticew you will modify them, if 1-1.
cessary, in reference to any, events which have occurred, in the • in-
terve' which must -
taking care n elapse, before your of them,
it the GovernMent of India V:" anY line of
action iavolviltgta7);nr,
spirit of your inatra'ett.,l,s_ule4Ple- of policy. not in _accordance with the
12. You will • .4 • - • •-•••• •
the Government or Le•o everythieg-in.your power to convince
India, so as to enable. th_re..; or the good. faith of. the Government of
their army to the legt4aria., Pevernmenbio. direct. the efforts of
the opportunity should
..oe,ureeteet _or coercing its enemies; and' if'
don, but in the most filencny'tg,,,Yolli, without exciting any irriti •
ionzctate that the Governer-General
in Council has, in considerat
the Government of the
make
t ldrotundrouees inwhich
reasons, hitherto forborne to make th,,,'v•acled, and for other obvious
e:2:7_14 remonstrance to the
dition of the fielkh, army gatajoet'r:_LaY and ungoeentabio con-
Tl that 'a return-
Maharaja. The Goirernor-General
ui.,t.liat he rnirf
aud thatlo it has
lug sense of the duty whic4tillichn aa,,,rmy.y.f,t4o,whe':l...44,ti,ri,,lta,araja
may
avert the necessi of. Ms
hear that which/wilt bermitch more gratifytng
obediently marched against his Highness's eaemioor
fulfilled the true functions of an Ramey, by supportiag Atte
.just "ablY
oath°, -
,hls Government..
rity of its Soveieign
A can n,. although Incidentally
11 you will Understand that this
even, will be distincily',deliveied. • The state AL this. army,, the 44.-
vernor-Genertil in.COlineil obierves, so close•upon . our frontierocay
LahOre fievernmen ,
the state of anarchy awl
become au intolerable nuisance ; and although ugh it would Let, a mockery
to expect that the . be said to exist, can re-
weakness in which Hat present can scarcely
gulate the conduct Of an 'army 7Fj. clieXereisea over that Government
daily
acts
of
ccerclmallit
fYi.""Y' nevertheless, the Governor-Ge-
C. that a. notice, .1n -the • mostneral iu Council deems It, expedifn._
guarded terms, should be given. of
1;e gr ee
andt i
of which, nconvenience
if tho
od,
l to
which the British Government. la uexP reaponat_
Lahore GovernMent was in a state of greater stre ifte
Nifty, the Governor-General in Council would Jotly
• • have cause to
complain. •
14. You will observe, in' the letter, or the Governor-General. in
Mitt
Council to the Commander-in •Chlef, of the. 10th of January,
the reinforcements, ErtrOpean end native,
, to be posted at Yerozepore,
were not to be moved up •by the Commander-in-Chief, unless on a
report of an emergency from your4elf ; and that,• in • that -letter to
the Commander-In.;Chlef, the Governor-General in Council would he•
satisfied i 5 the rehiforcements were posted towards the end of March
and April—so short a time before the river would become unfordable
as to be no longer a nsinirce of uneasiness to the Seikh Government,
and at the same time placing our advanced post in that condition tri-
be able to defend the post and the.passage of the river, In which,
under existing circumstances, it ought at all,timee to remain.- •
15. I am directed to take this opportunity to send you A copy -of
Panel's, by which-you • will be apprised that two additional native
regiments of Infantry have been ordered up, making the edditionftl
four between ealions of Europeanur between Meerut and the Sutiel; one European regiment, two
artglery, seven regiments.of native infantry, •
and one N. L lame -.arm ' •
16. This movrocrx; otithe, Balkh, army toward, the Batl4o, and its

F y:..[ i

kIIY.

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