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

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mutinous ungovernable state, will be your answer to any questions
which may arise as to British reinforcements arriving on the Sutle)
or its immediate neighbourhood.—l have, &c.
F. CURRIE.

Letter referred to in the preceding Letter.
- - -The -Political- Agent to the Commartdor-irt-Chief,
• • • • • Camp, Jaaskar-Khas-kee-Serai, Jan. 15,
Sir, I . 1245.
have the honour to inclose, for your Excellency% informa-
tion a translation of an extract from Lahore intelligence received
lasenight.
2. Coming immediately after the reports respecting European
troops, which I had yesterday the honour of mentioning, this caused
extreme excitement, and among other resolutions, one was to de-
mand explanations from me. In order to enable me .to meet these
demands if made, I beg that your Excellency will do me the favour
of saying whether there has been anything of the kind described, as
having oecurred at Umballa, or whether the whole is not mere idle
rumour. • • . ..•
3. A second dispatch, arrived this evening, brings hither intelli-
gence on this subject, and- I regret that in consequence of these ap-
pearances of preparation. our position with respect to the Durbar is
materially and unfavourably changed from what it was three days
before, and that there. is new more risk of collision-than there has
been yet, seeing that the Ranee, from.eirenmstancea not unlikely to
deceive her, and others, suspects that we are in co-operation with
her enemies, and had appealed to the troops at Lahore, communicat-
ing to them the report of the order-for preparation at Umbels, as-
cribed to your Excellency, and the troops. have offered to do what-
ever'she will sanction against the English.
4. But, though there is more risk of disturbance now than for-
merly, and though our ,interconrse with the Lahore state is, for the
moment, embarrassed, yet I beg, with the utmost deference to your
Excellency's better judgment, to state that I consider nothing as yet
likely to occur, and indeed very little to bp at present possible, which
couldlead me to domore than make the application usual in such
cases Air support from the officer commanding the division; and that
I do not even now propose, as far as matters have yet gone, to call
on him to do more than maintain his usual vigilance.
5. The bulk of the Lahore army had been lately sent by this Go-
vernment, in reliance on our good faith, against the Jummoo Rajas,
abd towards Cashmeer and the country beyond the Jhelum, which is
disturbed : supposing the Durbar to collect every man in Lahore and
its vicinity, including the garrison
jmniumusenttmerss,oot,O,thcaoit:nalitemlowinangd marchnthotehiniof Umritsir and other . detach-
ments, percock:teodrinfatsg to
e
or of
ethneontr°°lepasven,
can only collect.of regular, troops As follows
.Infantry - - 12,300,
Cavalry - 1,300
Artillery . 1,530

To - 14,9 , •
a aUmuer, Inferior, I believe, to. thattal of the troops In the Sirhind
division, and in a.state of such utter disorder that their nominal
leaders cannot get them to face the armed peasaniry of Jessotas, nor
do anything but plunder the poople, insult and beat] their officers,
and return ,at will to their own homes. In addition to this, they
have, however, the following undisciplined troops :—. •
Irregular infantry, 1,000-; two battalions of Heera Sirigh:s hill-men,
who have joined the Seikhs for high pay, and have received muskets
and are now at drill. , .
Irregidar horse, 4,750, including those at Umritsir, detached to the
Sutlej, Jaghurdars, &c.
I think that the most probable source of disturbance will be, that
the restriction of fourteen miles from Lahore of their troops detached
towards the Sutlej will be withdrawn, and that this disorderly rabble
will interrupt the dawks, and commit outrages on the south side of
the river, as well as on the north ; but it will be most likely in a way
not easily distinguished from ordinary gang robberies and forays.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) , G. BROADFOOT.
Translation of an Extract from the "Lahore A.kbar."
The newswriter of ,Umballa reported through that the
officers and men of the Englisd force had on their parades received
an order from the exalted in rank the Commander-in-Chief of the
English smnal.s, that the whole of the .rictUrluo• truOPS should
remain continually ready, for it was uncertain how soon they might
be called on to march, and that they must be in light marching
order, so that they may be able to march with everything necessary
at four hours' notice; aid' the. whole force in the cantonments looks
for further, orders to march, and the English, agreeably to the orders
of the Commander-in-Chief, are all busy in preparing what is neces-
sary for a march in light order ; and it is the rumour that the march
is to take place very shortly on further orders being issued, and that
it is to be towards Ferozepore ; and the gentleman of 'Umballa has
been instructed (advised) respecting the procuring of carts and
Minds,. and other carriages, in order that he may collect them
through the vakeels of the different Sirdars.
Enclosure No. I, in No. 9.
The Agent te .the. Governor-General to the Lahore Vakeel Raise

Kishur Chund.,—Umballa, Nov. 18, 1845.
The friendship and alliance now for many years subsisting between
two powers, according to the established rules, is well known to all
the world, and may God grant that it ineresse daily.
At this time a very general report prevails in the Punjaub which
has extended to the districts of Loodianah and Ferozepore, and
has now reached me, and it behoves me, on account of the existing
relations of friendship,,to make it known to you.
The report alluded to is this, that the •Durbar first ordered the
regular army to advance towards the Sutelej, the
limits of the two states, for objects- at variance with ex-
isting treaties. The regular army, however, refused, and the same
orders were then given to the irregular >army, which has acquiesced.

The policy cflhe late Maharajaßunjeei §ingh in this respect is
known to all men, and especially to you, as an old servant of the
state, that his Highness never, moved a small portien of men to-
wards the Jaiunder Doab withotit previous intimation to the agent,
and never advanced a larger force without first ascertaining the
wishes of the agent oit the subject. ,• • '
The reported intention of the Durbar is therefore Improper, and at
variance with existing relations of friendship, and can scarcely be
believed. With reference, hOwever, to late proceedings of some of
the officers of the Durbar, which took place some four or five months
is not impossible that it may be true. I therefore now place
explicitly in writing what I formerly mentioned to yeu, as I am boned
to do by exlstidg rules of friendship,—

Thal the fact of my army exhibiting a hostile purpose is incom-
patible with friendly relations. . •
If the purpose of the parties concerned be merely the destruction
of that army, they entertain a mistaken notion ; fsr the sender of
the troops, whether openly or sicretly,must he necessarily considered
as impicitted with them, for a ruler is responsible for the acts of his
army or subjects. If the troops of any Government are enemies, then
the Government to whioli they belong is also an enemy. The
prowess of the British Government, and the strictness with ;which it
maintains the roles of friendship, are well known to the Seikh Durbar.
Communicate to me immediately whatever may come to your know-
ledge on this subject. G. 11110ADFOOT.
Enclosu,re No. '2, in No. 9.
The Political Agent to the Commander-in-ChieL
Governor-General's Agency, 20th November, 1845.
Sir,—Since I had the honour of waiting on your Excellency to-day,
I have received Lahore letters of the 18th instant (morning).
_ _

During the night of the 17th the chiefs had agreed on, and the
Durbar had ordered in writing tho following plan of operations :
The army was to be divided into seven divisions, one to remain at
Lahore and the rest to proceed against Roopar and our hills, Loo-
dianah, Hnrreekee, Ferozepore,. and Scinde, while one was to proceed
to Peshawur ; and a force under Raja Gholab Singh was to be sent to
Attock.

Each division was to be of 8,000 to 12,000 men against Ferogepore,
under Sham Singh Attarewallah, whose estates adjoin the place
against which it was to act. Against Rurreekee is to go Raja Lal
Singh ; against Loodianah, Sirdar Tej Singh, the new Commander-
in-Chief ; and against Roopar, a brother of Sena Sing Mujeeteea.
The force under Sham Singh is to be 4,000 horse, and two brigades
of infantry, with guns ; under Raja Lal Singh, 4,500 horse, and two
infantry brigades ; under Sirdar Tej Singh. four brigades of infantry
(one of them irregulars, and one new levies), and 1,000 horse, &c. ;
but till the plans of the Durbar are in actual execution, they
cannot be considered fixed, and therefore I do not trouble your Ex-
cellency with further details.
With respect to the probability of their actually moving, I must
say, that my correspondents in Lahore seem to doubt it, though
they are perplexed. The causes, however, which have so suddenly
led the Durbar to such lengths, may carry it further; and, indeed, it
is difficult to see how they can stop now without a change of Go-
vernment—a thing not unlikely; still prudence requires that we
should act as if they would not change their minds, and I there-
fore most respectfully venture to submit to your Excellen cy:the
"allowing suggeetions:..-
First, that the carriage of the troops In this division should be
drawn into the stations, both for security, and to enable the troops to
move at the shortest notice ; and that the European troops in
the hills should be held in readiness to march ; to move them
is a work of time, and needs some preparation. I shall write to
the Sub-Commissioner and the other local authorities without delay
to collect coolies ; but I shall be glad to hear from your Excellency
the numbers required, and also on what roads supplies, Ste., should
be got ready.

Nirith.re.spect to further measures, I must of Course speak with ex-
treme diffidence ; on the whole, I incline still to hold the opinions
that I had the honour of expressing verbally ; and I may now add.
that the matter seems to have eome to a pitch which makes some
notice of it by our Government not easily avoidable ; and this being
the case, and as the Goirerner-General is so near, it may be desirable
to await his arrival, or his decision as to the extent of what may be
dine, before making any movements, unless we hear of the Seikh
army having actually crossed the Sutlej.
In all this, however, I speak with the utmost submission to your
Excellency's better judgment ; but I beg to add, that in whatever
your Excellency may decide on, I shall esteem it an honour to give
whatever aid I can.—l have, &c., •
(Signed) Cl. BROADS'OOT.
Enclosure N 0.3 in No. 9. •
The Agent to the Governor-General to the. Secretary to the Govern-
ment of India.—Camp, Urnballa, Nov. 20, 1845,
(Extract.)
I have the honour'to forivard.for, the information of his Excellency
the Governor-Getieral, a copy of a derni-official letter to his Ex-
cellency the Co/millimeter-la-Chief, as affairs at Lahore assumed their
present form.
- .

Not to delay the, messenger, I must reserve a-fuller report till to-
morrow ; but I May-add to what has been already communicated
.demi-neficially, and what will be gathered from my letters, that no
complaint of any, kind has been made .te me, by the Purbar, and that
the pretest of a grievance alleged ,has besn dropped by the Durbar,
and rejected by the troops. The. truth is, all are In a false position,
'from the unlocked-fer results of the cry Iraised. against the English,
to serve a 'party purpose, and all, moreover, are Indifferent to war
with. us, from their firm persuasion that, If victorious, they will And
new means of power and wealth, and, if beaten, that they will-be.
wl.at most of them desire, the heads of a subsidieryfinstead of an in-
dependent state. .
,

. _
' This opinion has never received any countenance from me, butthe
very contrary ; and the Dirrbar will by this time have received the
perwunnah which I addreSsid to the Vakeel, when the intrigues
wh ch. have led to the presentstate of things assumed a serious form.
It will be seen'froni the enclosed copy of it, that no warning could be
plainer, and, as therein indicated, that it is only a repetition of former
warning.
• Continued letters ftbm my assistants, respecting the rumours on
the frontlet, showed that our posts there were vigilant ; and I ab-
sta!ned, therefore, from communicating with the military authorities,
in order to prevent the,Purbar having the smallest ground to say that
sny menacing 'prepgratiOns or movements on. our part had •been
taken up, for this ground has been already alleged in, their. consul-
tations, as justifying their present movements; nay, even after I had
'yesterday received a communication on the subject from the major-
general commanding., the -division, L (*rebore to. write-,to
his Excellency • the. Cominsuldef-iti-Chief, and .:• even to-day
I ventured to, recOlemencl . to,. his F4callency. that no
steps should be, takenfOr the present. Since,then, however, authentic
intelligence has 'reached me that. the Durbar has openly adopted,
and ordered idwriting;.a paid plan of operations {igainst the English,
and I accordingly addressed to his Excellency_the Commander.in-
Chief the letter, of which tt .copy is annexed.. • .•.• • •
I now. only suggest abstinence from movement on. account of; the
Vicinity of the -Governor-General, who will prohably .think- the
matter now one which has gone too fir to be left unnoticed, whether,
the troops actnally more.frOn2 Lahore or not.. '•••. • "".
That I presumed to suggest any delay whatever is owing to thli:
• It appears to me that the frontier is too long to be defensible on all
points by any force we can move; .teat our. two posts on thelrontler
are strong enough' to maintain thethselves ±lll relieved; ,aud:that to
'attempt reinforcements, therefore, in inticiPation, of those of the
Seikhs, would be useless as, protecting_ the open country,. and. might
impede any operations which the .Governorrcienerel may • resolve
Moreover„ the delay recoillmoind•d is only ores.of Iwo or three days
VII an answer to this letter can be received.. ...,„ ,

The Setkh 'girders &Hillis ride of the Sutlej hcyve far many months
past been called on to keep their trOops in reaclineas to repel the in-
vasion of their territories, and I have. now directed them to prepare
to repel the threatening aggrespion.—lhave, &c., „
(Signed) . • , .G. ,BROADFOOT.
P.S. It Is 4ight to add, that up, to, the last tuoment .the regular
troops ware discussing the propriety of njgdering Baja Lel Singh
and Sirdar Tej Singh,,and sending for Baja Ghoolab Singh tolead them.
The two ehleis- menaced, loOk- for. escape ,to exciting enthusiasm
agahist the English. This may 'delay or precipitate invasion.

' - Enclosure No. 4 N15T0.,9. •• • .
The Commander-in-Chief to the, Agent, to the•,Cloyernor,General.—
Camp, Umballa, Noti.‘2o, 1845. ~ . • '
gli.,—i have the honour to, acknowledge the retleVt, this moment,
of your letterer this date, conveying to me intelligence of the hostile
attitude which has been assumed by the Lahore Durba.r. ..
Under the circumstances, I have ordered the followingprepara-
tions to be entered upon immediately, to meet whatever may take
place : . . .
Her Majeaty'e 9th Lancers to move at once from Meerut to
Umballa. - .
To be held in readiness to mOire from Meerut to Kurnaul on the
• shortest notice—two troops of Horse Artillery;, her Majesty's 16th-
Lancers; the' 344,'Reglthent ' of Light caralg ; her Alajesty's 10th
Foot, save ono eompanyi the corps of Sappers and Misers ; agave
one-of the regiments of native ihflintrY. 1. . :. • - i,
... • '
- The Sth regiment of Tir*llif Cavalry *ig .likewise be. hell .pra- •
-Pared to move froth Ilansee' to "Kurnaul, an , the Sirmoon •Dattallen-;
from Deyrah to Saharurnpore, where it will be centrically - situataii,
tux' ready to bewtoved wherever It may snost be required.; the 4th .
'regiment of Itre
;ong•Tvulialrl iCnaavt:::tYt'viiiell' e 1• ib 1 authoritiesbrought
.tfrsoimmu,llatroeil -placelyto..
Mr
brufert.that
themselves it r
. Iperrananleation
corps in 'thooe- .hinc,• an • with the officers c:ominanding European
coolies will bei, required todaseettatit n-clin them
what, numbers of
that they may ))4) collected st enable the regiments to move, in order
hills will be required to be lare. Supplies for the ,corps in the
Sirliind. ' 1 • • - . .n on the Yoido leading thence to
I shall direct the other' corps of all arms in (i. ' -, • their carriage into cantonments, in visor to thethil
iyisio,.. to draw
to act on the shortest notice. . troops being prepared
Previous to! adopting 'arty further' measures et ' preS t I
await a comnituticatiOn of the views of the Govemor-General. would
• ' • • •
, I have, /lcc - • .
(gigned).- •
• It. GOUGII.'
• ' • Encloiare No. 5, in No. 9.
• rnor-Geneial to the secretary to cioverninent: The Agent to the Gove
Vmbalia, Nov. 21, 1845.-
The Durbar,of the forenbori,of. the 18th was protracted till two
the details f the afternoon Durbar.
t de o
o'clock, but I have no
founts by the astrologers s auspiClous for
11 a.m. was the hour
not a 'chief ,sarred froT. his house. The
the march of the trooper ~ , .ra,
regular
an ,
irregular,. to the
• officers and Puochayets of the troo
ti, crowded to the Durbar, , and • de-
•number of a•couplo of thoitaantri
d to, soothe tkeni,.seYittg, that the
the Ranee e •
manded the reason r ~,
4vl. mar could not ,now be undertaken
fortunate hour being passed, ....,.
, d
tilt the astrologers found another; me crowd iMiumided that this
court astrologer mu ordexed Into
should •be ttstantly done, and. the ---- - •ed though his .tables
time. ifepor . ~ .
'their presence to find the proper" !••• • •
. . - - 1 , . • ._ .. !,• .'